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Topic:  Subject Change - Can somebody help me find the previously famous OHIO Student Section?

Topic:  Subject Change - Can somebody help me find the previously famous OHIO Student Section?
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Diamond Cat
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  Message Not Read  Subject Change - Can somebody help me find the previously famous OHIO Student Section?
   Posted: 1/15/2017 11:41:24 AM 
I took a work buddy to the game yesterday. Of course, all he hears me talk about at work is My Bobcats, the Convo and the campus, etc. I did the same with another friend for a football game last fall. Both Cincinnati guys and one played hoops at John Carroll.

I already posted about the football experience so I’ll spare that detail. (when my buddy sees me or we’re in meetings together he still tells me to whisper - a reference to a guy in our section of the stadium who insisted we keep our voice down).

What happened in Athens the last 2-3 years that I somehow missed? We have no real student section and certainly don’t have any reason to claim the “best” of anything. What a shame. Not only did my buddy see that lack of excitement, he had to pick me apart because we couldn’t make a single adjustment to the EMU Zone D.

Loves the campus and uptown. That made up for the lack of a basketball game experience.

Sincerely,
Stunned

Last Edited: 1/15/2017 3:39:41 PM by Diamond Cat

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catfan28
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/15/2017 11:55:11 AM 
There is not a single MAC school that could have half as many students at the game as we did yesterday.

Our fans have never been (and likely will never be) rabid. That's not OUr culture. Games are a social experience.

If we ever get to the point of selling alcohol, I could see that possibly changing for the better. Though also possibly more "incidents" of the nature we had yesterday.

Last Edited: 1/15/2017 11:57:57 AM by catfan28

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mcbin
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/15/2017 1:36:49 PM 
Since you're saying "RIP - Best Fans in the MAC", can you please let us know who has replaced us? Would love to know your reasoning here.

I'll be the first to admit that BB-wise it's not like it used to be when I started at Ohio. It's not. And yes something's missing. But then again I started around the peak(Trent) years.

But anyone who says OU fans aren't #1 in support, I have to question if they travel to many (or any at all) away games. The same game at EMU would be played in front of 950 people tops. They have a beautiful arena, and consistently have <1000 fans in the seats. Our womens team beats that by 3-fold yesterday.

I don't think I've been to a game at CMU for hoops yet, but have been everywhere else in the MAC for BB & FB. And though we're not at our peak, we're head and shoulders above #2.



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perimeterpost
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/15/2017 2:44:56 PM 
average home attendance for 4 conference games this season-

5,609 OHIO
4,080 Toledo
2,956 Ball St
2,830 Buffalo
2,751 Akron
2,493 CMU
2,242 Miami
2,093 Kent St
2,148 WMU
1,717 NIU
1,667 EMU
802 BGSU


MY STATE. MY TEAM.

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RSBobcat
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/15/2017 2:53:49 PM 
catfan28 wrote:


Our fans have never been........rabid.



???




RS Bobcat

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cbus cat fan
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/15/2017 3:16:41 PM 
I can't think of a MAC campus that has less people within a fifty mile radius of their campus than us, yet has more dedicated fans than us. The intensity waxes and wanes (at the least the 35 years that I have been following it) but we continuously remain on top as far as fan support ( both townspeople and students.)

Last Edited: 1/15/2017 3:17:22 PM by cbus cat fan

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GoCats105
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/15/2017 3:47:13 PM 
More does not always mean better. Yeah no other school in the conference gets the numbers Ohio does. But my god that student section yesterday was depressing. It took a held ball to get them off their butts.
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cbus cat fan
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/15/2017 5:13:24 PM 
Keep in mind the long MLK holiday weekend probably meant some students were not in Athens.
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GoCats105
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/15/2017 5:53:53 PM 
The student section was damn near full. It had nothing to do with number yesterday. I saw groups of people sitting in the OZone during the game yesterday.
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cbus cat fan
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/15/2017 8:21:25 PM 
Go Cats 105, it would an interesting case study. Before the Ozone in the 80s when I was a student, we had a loud impromptu student body. I just assumed that most of these student like myself came from high schools who had boisterous student participation at games. I still check out a few high school games each season and many schools still have loud student sections (the difference being they have themes like "Hawaiian or Patriotic" dress for the games.) Outside of not having a stellar season the last couple of years, I am not sure why our student body has not brought their A game recently. Time will tell, or perhaps some budding Sociologist has the answer. Other than that, I just don't know.

Last Edited: 1/15/2017 8:22:29 PM by cbus cat fan

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Andrew Ruck
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/15/2017 11:27:56 PM 
We've still got the best in the MAC by far, but that doesn't change how far it has fallen, rapidly in the last few years. Some of it is just generational, sadly. Even the one famed Duke student section has had trouble filling their seats.


Andrew Ruck
B.B.A. 2003

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RSBobcat
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/15/2017 11:38:55 PM 
Being there - and "They know they are there" are two different things....


RS Bobcat

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cc-cat
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/15/2017 11:43:10 PM 
From 80-83 (Nee's initial years). We had the Crazy Cats that certainly lived up to their name. New wanted the students loud and on the edge. And we were. The club dropped off after that. We also had a newsletter for the 82-83 team that we distributed on campus to help encourage participation and interest in the team.
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cbus cat fan
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/16/2017 12:12:07 AM 
There are some real interesting posts on the subject. Cc-Cat, I remember the Crazy Cats well. It was almost like there was this underground buzz about the Bobcats on campus and yet there were still so many students, even sports fans who weren't completely in the loop. I can remember being at the dining hall on East Green before the game, there were some Crazy Cat guys who were trying to get others to go to the game. Most were even sports fans, but just didn't quite seem to understand that the Bobcats had a chance. So many underclassmen knew very little about the MAC, since they came from places where Ohio State, Cincinnati, Dayton and even Cleveland State was the talk of the town.

If you think we don't get much local sports publicity now across Ohio, you should have seen in the early 1980s. This was an era when ESPN was still in it's infancy and there was no Time Warner Sports or anything like it.

Today, you can watch college basketball on plethora of networks, and or read about it on the internet via sports sites or social media. Back then, you literally had to take ownership of your team. For both guys and girls, it was more than going to a game to socialize and meet girls and boys, you could do that after the game uptown or at a victory party in a dorm. The dynamics are so much different now. I am not saying everyone is different compared to the 1980s. However, today I think sports are seen by many as a socializing opportunity, whereas back in the Nee era it was about rallying around your team, the socialization "let's celebrate a big victory" was something you thought about and did after the game.

Last Edited: 1/16/2017 12:18:28 AM by cbus cat fan

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bobcatsquared
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/16/2017 8:22:46 AM 
cbus cat fan wrote:
However, today I think sports are seen by many as a socializing opportunity, whereas back in the Nee era it was about rallying around your team, the socialization "let's celebrate a big victory" was something you thought about and did after the game.


Interesting points. A unique quality of the Crazy Cats era would be the after-game party (keg included), held in a room in the Convo. Players and coaches usually attended these. Crazy Cats leaders (who will remain nameless to protect the innocent, including frequent posters on here) would tap the keg pregame for a few lucky Crazy Cat members.
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Diamond Cat
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/16/2017 9:45:31 AM 
Some really good assessments here. Hey man…I Love My Bobcats. I was an 80’s Bobcat and would put the heat on my baseball buddies to come to the games. Women’s and Men’s. Once I was able to get them to a game, most never missed a home game. It was a little easier than getting my dorm buddies there but many of them became instant home game locks. The points made about lack of knowledge (statewide) on the Convo and our Men’s Program compared to the other schools in Ohio are spot on (in the 80’s). Today it’s hard to pinpoint why we have seen the drop off (in fandemonium).

We need a strong core of students to turn this around. I’m sure it’s not as bad as it seems. Hopefully the students will settle in this week and be back in full force for the Toledo Game.

My biggest regret this past weekend is not having Danny’s Knee there to help me rag the EMU players. :)

BANG! Oh baby what a big time miss of Danny’s Knee!

Last Edited: 1/16/2017 9:47:28 AM by Diamond Cat

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LuckySparrow
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/16/2017 10:50:14 AM 
Seems like the OZone has really weakened since the Akron game in 2014. Ever since Saul arrived it seems like there hasn't really been raucous crowds like there were under Groce and Christian.


What a day at the Convo.....Wow!

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Campus Flow
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/16/2017 11:18:50 AM 
cbus cat fan wrote:
There are some real interesting posts on the subject. Cc-Cat, I remember the Crazy Cats well. It was almost like there was this underground buzz about the Bobcats on campus and yet there were still so many students, even sports fans who weren't completely in the loop. I can remember being at the dining hall on East Green before the game, there were some Crazy Cat guys who were trying to get others to go to the game. Most were even sports fans, but just didn't quite seem to understand that the Bobcats had a chance. So many underclassmen knew very little about the MAC, since they came from places where Ohio State, Cincinnati, Dayton and even Cleveland State was the talk of the town.


Its the underground buzz that is missing at the moment IMO.


Most Memorable Bobcat Events Attended
2010 97-83 win over Georgetown in NCAA 1st round
2012 45-13 victory over ULM in the Independence Bowl
2015 34-3 drubbing of Miami @ Peden front of 25,086

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cc-cat
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/16/2017 11:21:04 AM 
LuckySparrow wrote:
Seems like the OZone has really weakened since the Akron game in 2014. Ever since Saul arrived it seems like there hasn't really been raucous crowds like there were under Groce and Christian.


This^^^

The coach's personality and interaction with students goes a long ways. Nee was all over campus and uptown. He could get the crowd going simply by raising his hands. As I said, he wanted the students hyped and on the edge. And we were. So much so that Greg Ianni (associate AD) called me in and told me to settle the students down or he would disband the Crazy Cats. Two home games later Nee came over and told me he needed the students involved...that we had dropped off. I told him about Ianni's ultimatum. Nee Said he was in charge and that he would take care of Ianni (using more colorful Danny Nee words).

How could you not be loud when the coach is pushing the energy.

Saul is a smart guy. Saul is a nice guy. Saul is a funny guy. But he doesn't strike me as high energy/hype the crowd kinda of guy. Maybe a player can take up that role?

Last Edited: 1/16/2017 11:26:53 AM by cc-cat

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catfan28
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/16/2017 2:18:23 PM 
RSBobcat wrote:
catfan28 wrote:


Our fans have never been........rabid.



???





Does anyone really want to argue this?! Take a poll of fans at the game. How many have a clue who we played on the road last week?

The vast majority of our fans/students (read: not the folks on BA) come to the game as a fun/social experience. They are not living and dying by the outcome. Our crowds are more akin to minor league baseball.

Last Edited: 1/16/2017 2:19:28 PM by catfan28

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cc-cat
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/16/2017 2:33:34 PM 
Can and have been rabid. We had television stations coming in and doing features on our student section because it was so wild. We had one student almost thrown out because he almost stabbed a Toledo player with paw flag flag pole during warm ups. Our buddy Greg Ianni told me they were going to erect a railing to separate the students from the court. So fans can make a difference.

First step, get rid of the black seats. Put the students right up to the court. Nothing should be in their way, especially a bunch of older alums sitting at a table.
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boydhallbobcat
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/16/2017 2:42:01 PM 
cc-cat wrote:


First step, get rid of the black seats. Put the students right up to the court. Nothing should be in their way, especially a bunch of older alums sitting at a table.


Never going to happen. For some reason our athletic department thinks having these seats makes us more big time. I think inserting these seats in and the table in front of the student section was the beginning of the end for the really rowdy crowds at OU. We don't need those chairs on the court. We aren't OSU or UNC that have to give our big donors seats on the floor. A lot of times those seats are empty on weeknight games anyway.
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bobcatsquared
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/16/2017 4:16:49 PM 
cc-cat wrote:
We had one student almost thrown out because he almost stabbed a Toledo player with paw flag flag pole during warm ups.


Wasn't that flag pole incident during warmups before a Miami game? And wasn't it Toledo's Harvey Knuckles that had an in-game incident with a Crazy Cat fan along the sidelines?

Last Edited: 1/16/2017 4:17:45 PM by bobcatsquared

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Recovering Journalist
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/16/2017 4:24:21 PM 
I'm amazed at the amount of navel gazing and whining this board does about fans. We had a great crowd Saturday despite dire (erroneous) weather warnings and the first instinct here is to bitch.

A completely full student section watched a crappy game on a cold and rainy day, but they somehow did it wrong. We sell more season tickets than any team in the MAC, but the old folks aren't loud or they don't come often enough, or they aren't standing all day.

Get over yourselves. Stop worrying about about who does and doesn't come to games and how they do or don't behave. Be glad they're there supporting our teams.

Actual excitement is organic. It doesn't happen when you're watching a team that can't solve a zone and can't hit a shot. The Convo will get loud when there's something to cheer about.
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Diamond Cat
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  Message Not Read  RE: RIP - Best Fans in the MAC
   Posted: 1/16/2017 6:05:17 PM 
boydhallbobcat wrote:
cc-cat wrote:


First step, get rid of the black seats. Put the students right up to the court. Nothing should be in their way, especially a bunch of older alums sitting at a table.


Never going to happen. For some reason our athletic department thinks having these seats makes us more big time. I think inserting these seats in and the table in front of the student section was the beginning of the end for the really rowdy crowds at OU. We don't need those chairs on the court. We aren't OSU or UNC that have to give our big donors seats on the floor. A lot of times those seats are empty on weeknight games anyway.


The more I think about it, this could be the winner issue. If it's like football, I'm sure the people in the black seats tell the students to keep the noise level down.

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