FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[BoBo]

I agree with Emma, and I would even if it was my team who was dominant.  It makes WIAC much more exciting and interesting to the fans of EVERY team if there is actually a question as to who is going to win conference every year.
I know you WW fans like to win every game, every year, no exceptions but it isn't the best thing for WIAC or D3 football as a whole when one or two teams dominate every year.  It isn't much fun for everyone else and it certainly doesn't bring the fans in for WIAC overall.  I heard somewhere that attendance is down at WIAC games.  I don't have any figures...I don't know...but if its true, that isn't good and it could be because we have one dominant team in our conference.
If the Packers and the (pick any team) were at the SuperBowl every year, pro football would begin to lose its interest.  Not only does it get too predictable, but it stops being a feather in the cap for the winners also.  If you do it every year...ho hum....

I'm interested in seeing your attendance figures to prove attendance is down because the WIAC has one dominant team. Not sure how you would prove if that were the case. River Falls at Oshkosh had an announced crowd of 949. emma17 says Oshkosh is a playoff-worthy team, yet they can't find anymore than 949 fans for a game in a 10,000 seat stadium! Is that because WW had over 10,000 for Platteville the same day? EC had over 5,200 at Carson Park last week for their game with Oshkosh. Would they have had 8, 9, or 10,000 if the WIAC's dominant team wasn't playing in RF in front of 3,621 (which BTW was approx 1,300 people larger than their only other home game vs a supposed decent St. Thomas team coming in from only a few miles away).

I think your NFL example is just as invalid. With a player draft and free agency, every year is different. There hasn't been a repeat Super Bowl Champion is something like 10 years. Even when there has been, it didn't lessen enthusiasm for the game. Go tell the 2011 Detroit Lions or  2011 Eagles Dream Team (now that's a joke) to stop making every year so predictable. Do the old Packer players from the 60's, or the Steelers or Cowboys from the 70's or 80's or the Brady-led Patriots sit around and say "...oh, ho-hum, it's boring winning so many championships..."  It stops being a feather in their cap? And I just fell off a turnip truck!! They are still celebrating those glory days as much today as they did back in the day. I can only hope and pray that some team other than the Packers start a long winning streak and season ticket holders start turning in their tickets because the season gets to predictable.   Otherwise, as # 62,847 on the season ticket waiting list, we'll have to wait an approx. gazillion and a half years to work our way up the list. Even the labor turmoil of this past offseason couldn't do anything to dampen interest.

I think the Oshkosh thing is just the Oshkosh culture... they barely get any fans for the Kolf Center either and it sits upwards of 5k... largest (college) crowd I ever remember seeing was a little over 2000 for a game versus Point... and more than half the crowd came rooting for SP.

That's my point.  It has less to do with having a dominant team, either in football with WW or basketball to a lesser degree with SP than it being the culture of the campus/city. Basketball attendance around the league isn't that strong, generally. And WIAC basketball is usually very competitive top to bottom, more so than say football is, but it doesn't translate to bigger crowds. There are many other factors at work.

[Blugold 89.7FM]

Recruiting as we all know is key...but it's interesting to see how La Crosse is adding more paid university staff positions to it's coaching ranks.  It's a tough proposition especially in these cost conscious times.  That said, there are plenty of non university coaches who are doing some incredible work with the WIAC teams. 

The parity (if you will) in the WIAC will come as the schools see for themselves the notoriety and public support that can come with a winning program. 

The other key ingredient is media support.  Those schools that are in smaller media markets benefit from regular coverage.  Those newspaper stories, television stories and live radio broadcasts allow a community to bond with the team. Marketing the team to both the campus community and the broader community will fill the stands.  UW Oshkosh has to compete against the Packers for television air time and those newspaper column inches.  Another challenge is distance....UWO is an hour away from the TV newsrooms in Green Bay.  Same for River Falls lying between the major market Twin Cities and smaller Eau Claire...which is focused on the Blugolds, and to a lesser extent Stout and LaCrosse.

The schools need to see the opportunity of a winning program in all sports as a way to reach beyond their university confines and become part of an even larger community.  Then use these winning and fun programs as a way to recruit all students.  After all those smaller private d3 schools are doing just that.  Just take a look at the MIAC.

[BoBo]

I agree with Emma, and I would even if it was my team who was dominant.  It makes WIAC much more exciting and interesting to the fans of EVERY team if there is actually a question as to who is going to win conference every year.
I know you WW fans like to win every game, every year, no exceptions but it isn't the best thing for WIAC or D3 football as a whole when one or two teams dominate every year.  It isn't much fun for everyone else and it certainly doesn't bring the fans in for WIAC overall.  I heard somewhere that attendance is down at WIAC games.  I don't have any figures...I don't know...but if its true, that isn't good and it could be because we have one dominant team in our conference.
If the Packers and the (pick any team) were at the SuperBowl every year, pro football would begin to lose its interest.  Not only does it get too predictable, but it stops being a feather in the cap for the winners also.  If you do it every year...ho hum....

I'm interested in seeing your attendance figures to prove attendance is down because the WIAC has one dominant team. Not sure how you would prove if that were the case. River Falls at Oshkosh had an announced crowd of 949. emma17 says Oshkosh is a playoff-worthy team, yet they can't find anymore than 949 fans for a game in a 10,000 seat stadium! Is that because WW had over 10,000 for Platteville the same day? EC had over 5,200 at Carson Park last week for their game with Oshkosh. Would they have had 8, 9, or 10,000 if the WIAC's dominant team wasn't playing in RF in front of 3,621 (which BTW was approx 1,300 people larger than their only other home game vs a supposed decent St. Thomas team coming in from only a few miles away).

I think your NFL example is just as invalid. With a player draft and free agency, every year is different. There hasn't been a repeat Super Bowl Champion is something like 10 years. Even when there has been, it didn't lessen enthusiasm for the game. Go tell the 2011 Detroit Lions or  2011 Eagles Dream Team (now that's a joke) to stop making every year so predictable. Do the old Packer players from the 60's, or the Steelers or Cowboys from the 70's or 80's or the Brady-led Patriots sit around and say "...oh, ho-hum, it's boring winning so many championships..."  It stops being a feather in their cap? And I just fell off a turnip truck!! They are still celebrating those glory days as much today as they did back in the day. I can only hope and pray that some team other than the Packers start a long winning streak and season ticket holders start turning in their tickets because the season gets to predictable.   Otherwise, as # 62,847 on the season ticket waiting list, we'll have to wait an approx. gazillion and a half years to work our way up the list. Even the labor turmoil of this past offseason couldn't do anything to dampen interest.

I think the Oshkosh thing is just the Oshkosh culture... they barely get any fans for the Kolf Center either and it sits upwards of 5k... largest (college) crowd I ever remember seeing was a little over 2000 for a game versus Point... and more than half the crowd came rooting for SP.

I was told by the parent of an Oshkosh football player years ago that the fact that the stadium is so far from campus and on the other side of the river hurts the student attendance.  That and the game is televised on campus.

Titan Stadium is across the river from the campus (Kolf Sports Center isn't). But, Oshkosh has bridges and a mass transit bus system around town to facilitate movement of its residents w/o personal vehicles. You'd think in the 40 or so years Titan Stadium has been there, the university would've figured out and implemented a plan to get students to and from the game. When was the last time Oshkosh actually made an effort to involve students in these kinds of athletic pursuits?

[bleedpurple]

It's my new thing, I am in support of a UWW loss in a season every now and then, as long as it's not a playoff game.

I didn't know this 35 game winning streak has been so frustrating for you, Emma.  Maybe you should just go all the way over to UW-O allegiance.  My guess is you will never have to endure such a humility damaging streak again.  I do have a couple of questions for you.

Do you want this year's team to lose a conference game?
Which conference game would you like them to lose?
Will you be attending such game?
Which side will you sit on?
Wager $1000 to charity on the outcome?  Winner gets to pick the charitable organization for the donation.  I gave up gambling a long time ago.  But I'm there for you on this one. You name the game. I'm in. 

[WarhawkDad]

I much prefer to see good football games with uncertainty than to see blowouts.  I'd rather see UWW tie for the conference championship every now and then (as long as they still go to the Stagg) than to see them win the conference outright every single year. 

I'll take this up with you in person young man..... 

If I add "as long as the loss occurs on the road" would that be better? 
Seriously, an occasional 9-1 UWW team does so much more for everyone involved.  It increases the liklihood of 2 WIAC teams making the playoffs, it adds intrigue to the game with that team the next year, it probably draws more fans (students) to the Perk as there is some doubt, it certainly should waken the fans at the game to give more energy to the team, and most IMPORTANTLY, it prevents this board (primarily the UWW supporters) from becomming just like many (not all) of the Mt and OAC supporters.  Did you browse their board prior to the season starting?  "Our only tough game this year will be such and such".  "So and so only played us tough because such and such".  Humility is a good thing- and losing once in a while is the best elixir. 

It's my new thing, I am in support of a UWW loss in a season every now and then, as long as it's not a playoff game.

Emma

As the saying goes  , you gotta be kidding me!  You would support a loss.  Students attend because they are either fans, know somebody or because it is Family Day and they do not want to be seen anywhere else with their family!   We are talking about college students here.   

WarhawkDad   

[WarhawkDad]

If I add "as long as the loss occurs on the road" would that be better? 
Seriously, an occasional 9-1 UWW team does so much more for everyone involved.  It increases the liklihood of 2 WIAC teams making the playoffs, it adds intrigue to the game with that team the next year, it probably draws more fans (students) to the Perk as there is some doubt, it certainly should waken the fans at the game to give more energy to the team, and most IMPORTANTLY, it prevents this board (primarily the UWW supporters) from becomming just like many (not all) of the Mt and OAC supporters.  Did you browse their board prior to the season starting?  "Our only tough game this year will be such and such".  "So and so only played us tough because such and such".  Humility is a good thing- and losing once in a while is the best elixir. 

It's my new thing, I am in support of a UWW loss in a season every now and then, as long as it's not a playoff game.

Just like winning, losing is habit forming. Any losing just to get more students to the Perk or to be more humble, no offense emma, is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.   

But has they say, stand up for what you believe in – even if you're standing alone!!

BoBo,

Well said! +k

I agree with both Bobo and Raider 68 +k to both of them.

[bleedpurple]

I much prefer to see good football games with uncertainty than to see blowouts.  I'd rather see UWW tie for the conference championship every now and then (as long as they still go to the Stagg) than to see them win the conference outright every single year. 

I'll take this up with you in person young man..... 

If I add "as long as the loss occurs on the road" would that be better? 
Seriously, an occasional 9-1 UWW team does so much more for everyone involved.  It increases the liklihood of 2 WIAC teams making the playoffs, it adds intrigue to the game with that team the next year, it probably draws more fans (students) to the Perk as there is some doubt, it certainly should waken the fans at the game to give more energy to the team, and most IMPORTANTLY, it prevents this board (primarily the UWW supporters) from becomming just like many (not all) of the Mt and OAC supporters.  Did you browse their board prior to the season starting?  "Our only tough game this year will be such and such".  "So and so only played us tough because such and such".  Humility is a good thing- and losing once in a while is the best elixir. 

It's my new thing, I am in support of a UWW loss in a season every now and then, as long as it's not a playoff game.

OK, now I'll address the rest of  your post.

If I add "as long as the loss occurs on the road" would that be better?   No.

Seriously, an occasional 9-1 UWW team does so much more for everyone involved. Clearly you have never lived with a football coach after a loss.

It increases the liklihood of 2 WIAC teams making the playoffs Who cares? It also decreases the chances of UW-W making the playoffs.

it adds intrigue to the game with that team the next year, This is football, not an Eric Ambler novel.

it probably draws more fans (students) to the Perk as there is some doubt, it certainly should waken the fans at the game to give more energy to the team I think you are exposing yourself as an adrenaline junkie. Have never sensed UW-W's team lacking energy during the winning streak.

most IMPORTANTLY, it prevents this board (primarily the UWW supporters) from becomming just like many (not all) of the Mt and OAC supporters.  Did you browse their board prior to the season starting?  "Our only tough game this year will be such and such".  "So and so only played us tough because such and such".  Humility is a good thing- and losing once in a while is the best elixir. 

And this is how I know that your tongue is planted in your cheek and you are just yanking chains here.  Very few people, especially you, have this inflated view of the importance of these boards. And you know it.  The boards are fun.  The boards can be interesting.  The boards can be a great way to follow and discuss our favorite teams.  They are a great outlet for wit, sarcasm, and debate.  IMPORTANT?  As they love to say on the Mother Ship:  "C'mon Man!" 

[BoBo]

I much prefer to see good football games with uncertainty than to see blowouts.  I'd rather see UWW tie for the conference championship every now and then (as long as they still go to the Stagg) than to see them win the conference outright every single year. 

I'll take this up with you in person young man..... 

If I add "as long as the loss occurs on the road" would that be better? 
Seriously, an occasional 9-1 UWW team does so much more for everyone involved.  It increases the liklihood of 2 WIAC teams making the playoffs, it adds intrigue to the game with that team the next year, it probably draws more fans (students) to the Perk as there is some doubt, it certainly should waken the fans at the game to give more energy to the team, and most IMPORTANTLY, it prevents this board (primarily the UWW supporters) from becomming just like many (not all) of the Mt and OAC supporters.  Did you browse their board prior to the season starting?  "Our only tough game this year will be such and such".  "So and so only played us tough because such and such".  Humility is a good thing- and losing once in a while is the best elixir. 

It's my new thing, I am in support of a UWW loss in a season every now and then, as long as it's not a playoff game.

OK, now I'll address the rest of  your post.

If I add "as long as the loss occurs on the road" would that be better?   No.

Seriously, an occasional 9-1 UWW team does so much more for everyone involved. Clearly you have never lived with a football coach after a loss.

It increases the liklihood of 2 WIAC teams making the playoffs Who cares? It also decreases the chances of UW-W making the playoffs.

it adds intrigue to the game with that team the next year, This is football, not an Eric Ambler novel.

it probably draws more fans (students) to the Perk as there is some doubt, it certainly should waken the fans at the game to give more energy to the team I think you are exposing yourself as an adrenaline junkie. Have never sensed UW-W's team lacking energy during the winning streak.

most IMPORTANTLY, it prevents this board (primarily the UWW supporters) from becomming just like many (not all) of the Mt and OAC supporters.  Did you browse their board prior to the season starting?  "Our only tough game this year will be such and such".  "So and so only played us tough because such and such".  Humility is a good thing- and losing once in a while is the best elixir. 

And this is how I know that your tongue is planted in your cheek and you are just yanking chains here.  Very few people, especially you, have this inflated view of the importance of these boards. And you know it.  The boards are fun.  The boards can be interesting.  The boards can be a great way to follow and discuss our favorite teams.  They are a great outlet for wit, sarcasm, and debate.  IMPORTANT?  As they love to say on the Mother Ship:  "C'mon Man!" 

Please, more bp!! I'm enjoying everything to the last drop.

You know what I think?  Scary version?  emma is 100% sincere in his (emma? her?) comments, as outlandish as they sound.

[bleedpurple]

You know what I think?  Scary version?  emma is 100% sincere in his (emma? her?) comments, as outlandish as they sound.

Emma played for the Hawks.  Me thinks he yanks our chains.  Of course none of us were as well versed in the long term effects of concussions back then.... 

[retagent]

I think you need to have a course in understanding the English languge. To say that it would be better for the greater number of people to have a certain event happen, is not the same thing as saying that you "hope" that event happens.  I really don't quite get the uproar about an innocuous comment made by someone who is on your side. As someone I know was fond of saying, "Don't get your dress up over your head." (That's an idiom by the way)

[bleedpurple]

I think you need to have a course in understanding the English languge. To say that it would be better for the greater number of people to have a certain event happen, is not the same thing as saying that you "hope" that event happens.  I really don't quite get the uproar about an innocuous comment made by someone who is on your side. As someone I know was fond of saying, "Don't get your dress up over your head." (That's an idiom by the way)

Thanks for the enlightenment, Retagent.  I thought they meant the same thing.  And don't call me an idiom! 

How about this statement, Mr. English major?

"I am in support of a UWW loss in a season every now and then, as long as it's not a playoff game."

Doesn't that seem to be speaking to what one hopes for? It seems to me that when one supports something, one is hoping for it to actually occur.  But I didn't go to St. John's so I guess I wouldn't know, now would I?   

[OshDude]

No, the Oshkosh student body does not traditionally support athletics in huge numbers, but UWO students are going to games this season. I could never figure out why Kolf wasn't packed for, I don't know, pick one ... how about a Point men's basketball game, given that the fieldhouse is a five-minute walk from most residence halls on a campus of 13,000. It's one of those recurring WIAC themes. But if anyone has been to a prime high school event at Kolf (Oshkosh West vs. Oshkosh North basketball, high school regional/sectional basketball, On the Water wrestling tourney, etc.) knows how great that place is when it's full.

Edit: There's not much of an excuse for UWO football attendance. There are buses that offer continually running free transport from campus to the football stadium across the river. And all UWO students are admitted free to regular season home athletic events.

However, there's been an awakening of sorts among UWO students, starting with the athletes themselves. The UWO men's soccer coach helped create the "Black and Yellows," a student fan group that has made some home events that I've attended a mini carnival. The group has gotten larger as the fall sports seasons have progressed.

The Black and Yellows' stated goal on their Facebook page is for the homecoming game against Whitewater on Oct. 22 to be "the biggest crowd our Football team and our stadium has ever seen." We'll see about that, but it's a worthy goal and those students have a lot of energy, focus and enthusiasm this year.

You can read about the fan club here in the student newspaper, watch one of their flash mobs in the student union (you don't have to squint to see some football players) or see their Facebook page for their organizing efforts.

It's nice to see the culture shift a bit, even if it's the athletes shifting it themselves.

[John Gleich]

Honestly... I think that organizations like this are key.

I know that there are lots of differences between the public WIACs and certain private schools that regularly pack their gyms... but in certain circumstances, they have a much higher percentage of their students (compared to the whole) who come to games because, in part, there is a feeling of community.  They feel like it's THEIR team... they know the players, etc.

With the WIACs, the schools are so big that there's a disjoint between the teams and much of the student body... they don't have classes with them, didn't live with them in the dorms, etc.  The ones that DO generally support the teams... but that's a relatively small number of students.

I think that student organizations such as this can serve to really get that "community" of sorts going.  It provides some organization... and it isn't just one person going to the games along with a few thousand strangers... they're part of something bigger than themselves.

I look at the model of a student organization like the Orange Crust at the University of Illinois.  Yes, they're an organized group who attends the basketball games (and other less publicized sporting events too) but they also do a lot of charitable things in the community and give scholarships, have sponsors, etc.  It's a big deal... and students buy into it.

I'd love to see something like that at Point... but almost even more, I'd love to see something like that at EVERY WIAC school.

The closest that the WIAC has is the O-zone at Platteville... I'm not sure what exists in terms of organization other than being centered around their pep band...  but, while there have been individual years when larger groups of friends have organized... it just hasn't had longevity.

[BoBo]

Matt Turk, former UWW Warhawk, punts his way out of a job.

[BoBo]

retagent, as an English major, you might get a kick out of this:

The English teacher's wife walked in and caught her husband sleeping with a young co-ed. He said, "Why, Matthew, I'm surprised." He bolted upright, pointed his finger and corrected her, "No. I am surprised. You are astonished."