Game Day Atmosphere?

[Cat Pride]

I was wondering if anything came out of our little discussion on this old topic. Seems like we had some pretty worth while suggestions to bring up to Mr. Fields and staff. Here is part of an article written a week or so ago by Jeff Welsch for added incentive. For the record Jeff....I 100% agree with you and thank you for at least trying to bring out this point


Commentary: Bobcat fans too tired to care

...Maybe it was when a Montana State player implored the Worthington Arena crowd for more noise. Whatever the ultimate trigger, it moved my wife to turn my way and whispered, "These people need some cheering help, don't they?"

...But, I can feel my e-mail box burgeoning as I write, full of indignation not only of my critique of the hometown faithful, but that it comes from - gasp - an outsider. Are you nuts? What game were you watching?

Many Bobcat believers thought it was the most electric crowd they'd seen for a game involving an opponent not wearing copper, silver and gold.

And yes, Portland State's last possession in regulation, Nick Dissly's gravity-defying dunks and Al Beye's thunderous stuffs elicited enough noise to raise bears from their Absaroka slumber.

It's the other 35-plus minutes that left us wanting.

Eerie quiet engulfed the old tomb-like dome for lengthy stretches during one of the most important games in recent memory.

The sustained cheering I've witnessed in so many other arenas is conspicuously absent.

Yes, it's noisy at times.

But the crowds wait for the 'Cats to fire them up.

Shouldn't it be the other way around?

Mom always told me if I was to offer a critique, it must also come with solutions.

So here's this cyber-stained wretch's two-cents worth, by category:

*Ambience.

I might be an outsider still, but after touring the other seven Big Sky arenas, I'm qualified enough to see that Worthington has the least appealing physical environment.

It feels like I'm at a concert, minus the weaving and bobbing butane lighters.

Every time I enter, I have an urge to ask a custodian to turn on the lights, which seem to be holdovers from Ott Romney's regime.

Blame the cavernous environs if you like, but NAU plays in a monstrous dome, too, and the building is blissfully bright.

Let there be more light.

*Students.

Really, if you don't like the absurd land-grant hayseed stereotype, then enough with the "you suck, ref!" already.

Call the student leaders at Cameron Indoor. Call the Izzone at Michigan State. Call the Antlers at Missouri.

Get a demo tape.

There's a big, wide world of words out there.

Try using a few more of them.

*Cheerleaders and band.

Break up the routines.

Go with the flow.

It's a basketball game; precious little is choreographed on the court, so be a little more flexible when it's your turn.

*Fans.

Those hands aren't doing anything else for the next two hours.

Get off 'em.

Uncork those vocal folds.

Stomp those feet.

Take it from an outsider who feels like he's watching a rerun, colorized in blue and gold:

With a little help, you can be worth your weight in victories.

[CelticCat]

http://www.bobcatnation.com/bobcatboard ... php?t=1765

[Cat Pride]

WOW, I cant believe I missed that one....thanks Celtic.

[CelticCat]

It's what I'm here for.