FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[bleedpurple]

Point Special and Oshdude,

I think you are on to something with the value of this kind of organization among students.  I love the idea of forming a group that serves the community as well as enthusiastically supporting the various sports teams.  It's a great way for kids to meet more friends and feel more connected to the school as a whole as well.  I have talked to many D3 alumns who are sports fans, but did not go to games while in college.  When I ask them why, nearly every one of them has said "I don't know".  As a freshman, most of the kids aren't connected to the team and haven't been following it growing up.  Organizing on campus with fun events to connect the team and the organization could change the whole culture of a campus.  If it becomes "the thing to do" to go to games, eventually most kids will at least know some people who go to the games and be more likely to go themselves.  I find it hard to believe there are many better things to do on a given Saturday afternoon or a winter evening than go to a college football or basketball (or whatever sport) game. 

[02 Warhawk]

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.

Yea, I read about the Black and Yellows. I'm happy to see the student body is attempting to get people excited about going to sporting events in Oshkosh. Hopefully it works out. I, for one, will participating in "the biggest crowd [the Oshkosh] Football team and [their] stadium has ever seen."

This will be the first time I'll see the Warhawks away from Perkins Stadium...How's the tailgating scene in Oshkosh?? I'm really looking forward to it, as well as a little nervous about the game. Oshdube? oshfb?

[badgerwarhawk]

All things come to an end at some point.  As a follower of the WARHAWK  football program for over 40 years I've seen my share of losses.  So I think I'll just enjoy this ride as long as it lasts and when it's over I'll say, "that was a hell of a ride." 

[BoBo]

How's the tailgating scene in Oshkosh?? I'm really looking forward to it, as well as a little nervous about the game. Oshdube? oshfb?

Oshkosh's last home game vs River Falls had an announced crowd of 949!!  That should tell you all you need to know about the tailgate scene at Oshkosh. Bring a lot of friends, 02 Warhawk. I'm curious what the largest crowd Titan Stadium has ever had for a UW-O football game?

[Sakman 1111]

Really 949.....that is awful....been to some poorly attended UWW games but 949 is bad......

[WarhawkDad]

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)

Retagent

We are just having fun....a little bit of a way to spend some time until we start talking about this Friday's game.  I have a great deal of respect for Emma as a former player and as someone with a good football IQ and productive input on this board.

By the way, very few people have seen me in my dress!    and it is NOT a pretty sight. 

[oshfb]

UWO home game attendence has been pretty consistently low since my senior year in 2006. The stadium is about a 2 mile driving distance from campus and the game is televised on campus but I would think other WIAC teams face issues of their own. UWO simply needs to continue to win and attendance will improve. That is evident by the fact the 2 best attended seasons come immediately following 7-3 records. Back to back winning seasons should help compound attendance increases year over year. Recently improved marketing efforts around the football games have included advertising around free transit to the games (free transit was available all along but it was never advertised) and a focus on improving the atmosphere at the games (brought back a mascot, competitions between quarters, better music played, "Black and Yellows" fan club, etc). Hopefully attendance increases as a result of a consistently improving team and better branding efforts.

2011 avg home game attendance: 1091
2010 avg home game attendance: 1710
2009 avg home game attendance: 1185
2008 avg home game attendance: 1725 (Prior year team record of 7-3)
2007 avg home game attendance: 1410
2006 avg home game attendance: 1880 (Prior year team record of 7-3)

02 Warhawk - As the parking is not as great at other stadiums tailgaiting is typically limited. A group of players from 05-06 seasons are trying to get a good group to head up for the UWW game. We'll be tailgaiting...hopefully not the only ones!

BoBo - no clue on largest attendance, UWO vs UWW in 06' had almost 4k, I believe. I don't remember seeing a larger crowd during my playing days.

[WarhawkDad]

Point Special and Oshdude,

I think you are on to something with the value of this kind of organization among students.  I love the idea of forming a group that serves the community as well as enthusiastically supporting the various sports teams.  It's a great way for kids to meet more friends and feel more connected to the school as a whole as well.  I have talked to many D3 alumns who are sports fans, but did not go to games while in college.  When I ask them why, nearly every one of them has said "I don't know".  As a freshman, most of the kids aren't connected to the team and haven't been following it growing up.  Organizing on campus with fun events to connect the team and the organization could change the whole culture of a campus.  If it becomes "the thing to do" to go to games, eventually most kids will at least know some people who go to the games and be more likely to go themselves.  I find it hard to believe there are many better things to do on a given Saturday afternoon or a winter evening than go to a college football or basketball (or whatever sport) game.

These type of organizations absolutely work.  At our local highschool, which three UWW players went to, a group of students with support of some teachers started a group about 8 years ago.  Since the school's mascot is the Viking, the student group informally became know as the Army of Darkness.   It resulted in abolutely huge crowds at home and away football games, 3-5 thousand, depending upon the game, opponent and yes, sometimes weather.  You can watch video of it on YouTube if you search for Fremd, Army of Darkness. 

[badgerwarhawk]

By the way, very few people have seen me in my dress!    and it is NOT a pretty sight. 

A mental image I could do without. 

[BoBo]

Talk about your pickem spreads for Osh @ Platt...MIAC has Platt +7.5, OAC has Osh +6.5.  That sounds like no clear-cut favorite.    If the WIAC had spreads, what kind of points would you set, 02 Warhawk?

[02 Warhawk]

02 Warhawk - As the parking is not as great at other stadiums tailgaiting is typically limited. A group of players from 05-06 seasons are trying to get a good group to head up for the UWW game. We'll be tailgaiting...hopefully not the only ones!

We'll try to get up there early enough to get a spot too. We'll probably be the ones with a beige tent and a Warhawk flag hanging down from it. Maybe we'll see you there.

[MasterJedi]

Really 949.....that is awful....been to some poorly attended UWW games but 949 is bad......

Well it was the day of the Wisconsin/Nebraska and Brewers/Diamondbacks game, but you can't blame that too much, with family day UWW got 10,622 fans to pack the Perk.

[02 Warhawk]

Talk about your pickem spreads for Osh @ Platt...MIAC has Platt +7.5, OAC has Osh +6.5.  That sounds like no clear-cut favorite.    If the WIAC had spreads, what kind of points would you set, 02 Warhawk?

Oh man....I have a hard enough time finding non-conference games for our pickems.

*Maybe something along the lines of:
Stout @ Whitewater -34.5
Eau Claire @ La Crosse +6
River Falls @ Stevens Point -4.5
Oshkosh @ Platteville +10

No way I think Patteville is the favorite like the OAC has it...sorry Mr_Mom. UWO is playing too good and UWP is banged up, however maybe the bye week healed some key injuries.

*Spreads are subject to be WAY off.

[widairyair]

Talk about your pickem spreads for Osh @ Platt...MIAC has Platt +7.5, OAC has Osh +6.5.  That sounds like no clear-cut favorite.    If the WIAC had spreads, what kind of points would you set, 02 Warhawk?

Oh man....I have a hard enough time finding non-conference games for our pickems.

*Maybe something along the lines of:
Stout @ Whitewater -34.5
Eau Claire @ La Crosse +6
River Falls @ Stevens Point -4.5
Oshkosh @ Platteville +10

No way I think Patteville is the favorite like the OAC has it...sorry Mr_Mom. UWO is playing too good and UWP is banged up, however maybe the bye week healed some key injuries.

*Spreads are subject to be WAY off.

UWP should have just about everyone back; all that were injured have had 3 weeks to heal.  I like UWP's chances if they have everyone back and it being their homecoming.

[ncc58]

These type of organizations absolutely work.  At our local highschool, which three UWW players went to, a group of students with support of some teachers started a group about 8 years ago.  Since the school's mascot is the Viking, the student group informally became know as the Army of Darkness.   It resulted in abolutely huge crowds at home and away football games, 3-5 thousand, depending upon the game, opponent and yes, sometimes weather.  You can watch video of it on YouTube if you search for Fremd, Army of Darkness.

Umm, the Army of Darkness is not without controversy. It may not be the best example.

When I was playing, some students went to the games to find out where the parties were planned for that evening.