PSU @ #25 Portland, Wednesday 12/2/09, 7pm

I dont mean any of this to be pointing fingers (even though it comes across that way). There have been a ton of changes this year (moving the band, new game management scripts, dance team vs. cheerleaders, clay graduated). There is just a need/role that isnt being met now... and we all want to help fix that. We all care about this program (or else we wouldnt all be posting here) and want to help it grow and succeed...

That the students are weak fans is probably a function of the usual mediocrity of our teams.....now we're better and no one knows what to do.
That said it seems like when we host GU it always is crazy.

coldsmokeCO wrote:That the students are weak fans is probably a function of the usual mediocrity of our teams.....now we're better and no one knows what to do.
That said it seems like when we host GU it always is crazy.

It's the one game that's always been a "big deal." But, now that the Pilots are a contender for WCC title, NCAA berth, etc, EVERY GAME IS A BIG DEAL...and I think you're right; no one knows what to do.

The fact that nobody seems to know what to do really further exacerbates the need to have a meeting of all those in charge to coordinate and execute necessary changes to get everything running before conference play starts. (I realize with the end of the semester it's hard to get people really motivated with all the end of term projects, exams, etc.)

DaTruRochin wrote:(I realize with the end of the semester it's hard to get people really motivated with all the end of term projects, exams, etc.)

Which will only make the 1pm game against Denver an even tougher project as that is probably the Saturday before finals? Or at least before dead week.

PilotDrummer wrote:It's the one game that's always been a "big deal." But, now that the Pilots are a contender for WCC title, NCAA berth, etc, EVERY GAME IS A BIG DEAL...and I think you're right; no one knows what to do.

Bingo! Every game is a big deal. That game last night could very well have cost us an at-large bid. The crowd, had we all been on it, could have influenced the outcome of the game by either lifting up the Pilots or shaking PSU (and probably both).

"No one knows what to do." This is my point, and where I think we can help. Let's empower the Dance Team, Purple Pride, etc... I think all it takes is a little leadership from 1 person (like Clay last year) to spark the fire.

ColdsmokeCO you needed to watch Clay by himself direct the student section for the last two years. The first one was a 9 win and 22 loss season (or something that misserable,I'm sure some one will correct me)

Back to Clay , I find it IMPOSIBLE to believe that there is not one student, or group of students that can get off their hands and lead cheers. I know Basketballhead could do it and maybe next month he will be able to give the current group of students a hand Or tips on BB cheering 101. However , he's a 26yr old man and I know that he's going to just enjoy the game and save his best performance for Vegas and the WCC tourney.In my opinion it's probably time for some student or group of students to grow some and stand up for their school.(oh well that's my trivial )

I haven't spoke to any of the players yet , but from what it sounds like I don't think they got an ounce of energy from the students. Shame, shame,shame, shame, on you. Like it was mentioned before did anyone who currently attends UP ever,ever, ever go to a Basketball game before. It's really not that hard to get a small group together, a small cheer, a middle-sized cheer, a student body cheer....Ick....Icky...losing the game is bad enough but having to hear about these weannys who cant cheer for their school is revolting.



-PS-I know PP13 and other students have a heck of a time getting the rest of the students off their hands, but sigh maybe someday they will learn how to "join in". Keep up the good fight you guys there at school now, at least you know PN and the general fans are behind you.

Good points all around. I agree with just about everything... I've said for a while now that a few good student leaders is all it takes. However, just as a reminder... I thought the students did a great job during the game against Oregon. Lots of energy, everyone standing, chants going pretty regularly... they can do it, and they have done it already this year. But that was a Saturday night and a game against a big school. The bridge we need to cross is getting them fired up for all the games, yes even a Wednesday night game.

But just to offer a different take on this... I think our schedule really hasn't done us much favors.

Obviously, Thursday and Saturday are the best nights... and once WCC play starts and we get into that regular rhythm of game times, that should help.

There's only one more home game until the students leave for break... against Denver, on the Saturday before Finals Week, at 1:00. Very challenging time to expect the students to be rowdy and ready to go. And the Christmas break home games... Idaho the Tuesday night before Christmas, Evergreen State at 3PM on New Year's Eve, and Army at 2PM on the Saturday after New Year's.

I know scheduling was a major, major challenge this year and I'm not blaming anyone... we had to take what we could get. But it is an obstacle.

For me, I am going to reserve judgement on the students until WCC play starts. Really, DTR and Rochin54 and I love to remember our Purple Pride days, but it was still pretty small potatoes until we hit conference play and got into the regular swing of Thursday/Saturday games. In the fall... it's tough because you're up against holidays, dead week, finals, etc. and many of the games are on "off" nights. But once WCC play rolls around, you've got the start of a new semester, generally no tests, games on the best nights... it makes a difference.

Yes, of course I wish our students were all out 100% every game. They should be. And I don't want to seem like I'm making excuses. But honestly, they are turning out in huge numbers and I thought they did great during the one big weekend night game we've had so far. And there are definitely some kids over there that have good leadership potential... not sure where they were last night though. (Class? Studying? Psshhh... there are more important things in life, like your Top 25 basketball team!)

I'd rather have the section full to overflowing and a little quiet than what it used to be... a few of us standing in the front row, with four empty rows behind us and then a smattering of people sitting.

The thing is, I don't know what PP's role in games is anymore.

We know what the "classic" PP did, when it was unofficial. And they did a very nice job of firing up the student section and the rest of the arena.

Nowadays PP is an official part of the Athletic Departement. From what I can tell, if you want to be in Purple Pride you sign up, pay some $, and Athletics gives you a Pilots T-shirt and...what else, really? Nobody tells the students they are expected to create the atmosphere at games, so only a few students bother, like DJ Sherman and the others in the first couple rows.

Even then DJ Sherman was trying to start a chant nearly every time down the floor, on offense and defense, and the guys in the front row weren't always picking it up. His attendance record at Pilot games of all kinds has been exemplary in the time he's been here but even he can't do it alone.

I have to agree with Stonehouse, the students did very well in the Oregon game. There was also a good sized student section last night, though. I think the difference is, as Stonehouse says, they didn't realize they needed to be just as involved in this game as in the Oregon game. Last night most of the student section was standing, but I also wonder how many were concentrating on the game as opposed to socializing.

When I was a student I looked at it as my responsibility to bring it. Every game. No matter who was playing. (Now, some of my classmates in the band were a little annoyed at some of what I said, and I suspect I was a big reason behind a certain sentence about good sportsmanship being added to our band contracts, but I digress... ) Anyway, my attitude was that when I was at a game it was all about the game and supporting the Pilots. I think the key is for the students to realize they are needed at all the games, not just when a big name is in town.

Just FYI... I saw a report that there were over 530 students in attendance last night.

That's roughly 20% of the student body. I'd say that's pretty damn good.

The best college basketball experience I've ever had was two years ago at a Willamette game against Linfield. We were trying to make a push to get to the conference tourney (only the top four teams go in the NWC), and we needed a win. There's usually 100-200 students in our section, but since it was a Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m., there were 40, tops.

And we brought it. Screaming, yelling, waving printed-out Facebook pictures of Linfield's star player wearing a bra. My friend listening on the radio was convinced we had 200-300 people there. And you know what? Willamette came back from five down in the last minute and won on a layup as time expired.

Four days later, we hosted Lewis & Clark. A bunch of people who'd heard about Tuesday night showed up, and we had around 250 people. The atmosphere was dead. D-E-A-D.

UP's student turnout for the game was impressive, no doubt. But I'd rather have 50 rowdies and win than 500 silent and lose.

$0.02.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and feedback. The wheels are already in motion on this.

If you have any further ideas/thoughts/comments, please feel free to add them here, or send me a private message.

PilotNut wrote:Thank you everyone for your thoughts and feedback. The wheels are already in motion on this.

If you have any further ideas/thoughts/comments, please feel free to add them here, or send me a private message.

You know where to find me...in the band with the wig.

PPT I always wonder why they make that anouncement at the start of most Portland games I've attended about having good SPORTSMANSHIP and respect for both teams , fans, and the officials lol.J/K

I think I know why now . That still doesn't stop me from "refereeing" the game, especially when "Big Game" Dave was making the calls. He and now his protege's are fair game in my book, they are supposed to be paid professionals

ShipstadPilot11 wrote:Could we have used an athletic 6'3" guard last night to come off the bench and provide a spark when we were looking flat?

Very much so. I hope he is back soon.