FB: American Rivers Conference

[DBQ1965]

D1HawkD3CUI for the Dutch obviously....
[/quote]

Got it.

[New Storm]

Not to change the subject but does anyone out there know what happened to Nieman and Loundsberry after they left Simpson   Hoover with your connections you moght have the answer

[Walston Hoover]

One other diff between D3 and D1, I've been following D3 FB closely for about 10 years and yet to hear a fan yell to put the back up QB in. I've been following ISU and Iowa a lot longer and have yet to be at a game where at least 10 fans have NOT called for the back-up QB.

[DutchFan2004]

One other diff between D3 and D1, I've been following D3 FB closely for about 10 years and yet to hear a fan yell to put the back up QB in. I've been following ISU and Iowa a lot longer and have yet to be at a game where at least 10 fans have NOT called for the back-up QB.

That might be a similarity to D3 as well.  Most D1 schools the play drops off between QB 1 and QB 2 I think the same can be said at most D3 schools.  I think D3 are better fans and know the team more personally than most D1 fans.  Most D1 fans are not all that clued in on the teams. 

[the_mayne_event]

One other diff between D3 and D1, I've been following D3 FB closely for about 10 years and yet to hear a fan yell to put the back up QB in. I've been following ISU and Iowa a lot longer and have yet to be at a game where at least 10 fans have NOT called for the back-up QB.

That might be a similarity to D3 as well.  Most D1 schools the play drops off between QB 1 and QB 2 I think the same can be said at most D3 schools.  I think D3 are better fans and know the team more personally than most D1 fans.  Most D1 fans are not all that clued in on the teams. 

i have heard of back-up qb's parents yelling to put their son in over the starter, but that goes all the way back to early on.  i would agree that at D3, people cheer for the team that is on the field, mostly because they trust the coachs, but also because they know what goes on in the program because they are friends with a lot of the players.

[doolittledog]

Maybe at a D3 game you have a better chance of actually sitting next to the 1st team QB's dad than if you were at a D1 game???  And if that QB's dad was a pretty big guy (DF2K4)  It might be a good idea to keep your opinion to yourself 

Also, at D3 games I think a much larger percentage of the crowd has a much closer involvement with that school that at the average D1 school. 

And again, I think the football team having the support of the administration goes a long way towards butts in the seats.  When I was at the Wartburg/Dubuque basketball game last winter the UD president sat down right next to us and struck up a conversation.  That would NEVER have happened back when I was in school...and that would even be for HOME games much less away games like that one was. 

[DutchFan2004]

Maybe at a D3 game you have a better chance of actually sitting next to the 1st team QB's dad than if you were at a D1 game???  And if that QB's dad was a pretty big guy (DF2K4)  It might be a good idea to keep your opinion to yourself 

Also, at D3 games I think a much larger percentage of the crowd has a much closer involvement with that school that at the average D1 school. 

And again, I think the football team having the support of the administration goes a long way towards butts in the seats.  When I was at the Wartburg/Dubuque basketball game last winter the UD president sat down right next to us and struck up a conversation.  That would NEVER have happened back when I was in school...and that would even be for HOME games much less away games like that one was. 

When do you think you would see that at the D1 level.  I can not imagine a D1 president striking up a conversation with the fans. 

[Klopenhiemer]

This is my own opinion but I think Central fans are pretty...well, um...boring!

I don't want this to offend anyone, especially the parents of players because they obviously log a ton of miles to watch their sons each Saturday and a lot of them are great fans and great people but the Central crowds always seemed pretty pathetic for how good of a team we put on the field. I realize this isn't Big 10 football but even a small crowd can be fun/loud!

I was a student from 2002-2006, lived with many football/baseball players and I spent many fall Saturdays in Schipper Stadium and I was always so frustrated with our fan base considering how good we were/are.

First, the student section which should be the heart of any collegiate crowd was pretty bad, here's why in my opinion:

1. The A.D. -his nickname is "the fun hater" and he lived up to it.

2. The majority of the student body had little/no interest in supporting athletics. Usually the other athletes were the only ones who really cared about the other teams. There seemed to be a little animosity toward the football team from a lot of students actually.

3. Dry campus-Obviously drinking went on, but no tailgating of any sort minus one group that tried to make it fun at the games for everyone else (We tried and again I know it's not Iowa City or Ames. A lot of people probably appreciate that actually)

4. BKE frat's showing- The BKE's were the one "true frat" at Central and they used to be well represented and loud at the games. they had a bunch of funny cheers that were actually pretty good. That dwindled down to a handful of guys and that took a lot away from the games.

5. Unless it was a perfect fall day, people didn't even show up for the game. It didn't matter who we were playing or how big the game was, 72 and sunny or 3/4 of the student section was empty. A LOT of students go home on weekends at Central, they didn't really get the whole college thing.

6. The Pep Band-This has nothing to do with bad fans but they were pretty awful. I appreciated the effort but you don't have a pep band for football! We would be better off with music over the PA but I'm sure Al had a problem with that.

7. Iowa/ISU fans- A lot of students would rather sit inside and watch iowa or isu then walk to the field. I know I missed a few games for Kinnick myself but rarely missed a home game in my 4 years.

8. All the fun people were on the sidelines! When you have 130+ guys dressing for a home game, that's a lot of guys that probably would be front row making noise after tailgating all morning with us.

AAgain, that's probably what some people like about a D3 game, you don't have to worry about f-bombs all over and beer cans everywhere but Central games just lacked any sort of NCAA atmosphere. I have a great time at Wartburg, Simpson and even Luther but Pella just never seemed to get anyone excited.

I always felt bad for the players myself considering how hard they work and how successful they were but I guess they weren't playing in D3 for the big crowds or big game atmosphere.

Long post, i'll wrap it up.

Somehow I think it is sad that you equate people dropping f-bombs, getting drunk, and people making fools of themselves a good time or an NCAA experience. I can only speak for myself but the players parents put on a pretty good tailgate with some good food and good conversation.  I think SK had some good times with us.  I think of it as having a great cookout good friends and great times.  Fun, Family, and Football.  Does it get any better than that.  I have had a wonderful time being a parent of a Dutch player.  I am looking forward to seeing games without the worries of will my kid get up after taking a pounding.  I will still be at the games and tailgating.  That was a really great time.  Son #1 and his sons will be joining me cooking out pigging out on some great Dutch pastries.  I am not a prohibition guy but why does getting drunk have to equate to a good time?  Not opposed to someone having a Hamm's or two or even three but if you can not control yourself where is the fun in that? 

I really do not think the point was that to have an NCAA experience you need drunken fans and f bombs.  I think he was stating that at Central you do not have to worry about f bombs or beer cans everywhere.  

Wartburg puts on a great NCAA experience and and I think Luther does as well.  There is something to be said when you walk onto the field at these places.  It really makes you feel like you are playing in neat facility.  

I realize that some adults do get drunk at tailgates.  I will go out on a limb and say that majority of  the "dumb drinking" happens by the students.  Since drinking is such a large aspect of the college experience in general, its no wonder the University of Iowa student section is loaded with drunks.  

I find it very sad that in todays society we jump to such drastic conclusions as being "drunk" when we talk about drinking.  Alcohol is a big part of culture and a big business in this country.  Beer and sporting events is almost a national past time.  Just because a guys wants to have a few Bud Lights at a tailgate does not mean hes going to get sloppy drunk.  

But lets face it folks, alcohol is a lubricant.  If people have a 3 beers before a game they will be a bit looser and tend to take part on those goofy cheers.  I realize that we do have those type A personalities who will cheer at the drop of the hat, but whens the last time anyone on here stood up and started a cheer, other than DF1

[Klopenhiemer]

Those are numbers from all 8 home games.
Olivet had a horrible gate
and your home schedule this year brought in no big games. Probably a big part of it, but you guys darn near had the lowest attendance in the conference. I don't count Cornell since a large portion of their players and fan base are a greater distance away than most of the other IIAC schools.

I am at every Ram game in spirit.   8)

That is true about the distance thing, but also the small enrollment plays into their attendance as well. Of course the lack of wins does not help either, but also the fact that athletics are not endorsed at all at Cornell...hopefully that will change with Cochrane as the AD now.

I would agree that the AD has to rev up the support for the sports programs, but if the president of the Cornell does not get into it and get the faculty into it I don't see the AD being able to change that mindset.  If the AD changes them I think that will be a good start.  The sports programs give profs a way to cheer on the college.  It helps build a sense of loyalty.  I think one of the greatest things about Wartburg is them singing their unity song at school functions.  Wartburg does a great job of bonding the students to the institution and the other students that.  Not that everyone gets along great at Wartburg but I think this approach helps.  That and President Ohle supported and encouraged the sports programs as well as the other such as band and vocal.  I think WH can attest to making friends outside football and his major because he sang there.  All of these things help a school to bond.

I think the AD has to be the one to start this ball rolling.  If a new AD walks in the first day and calls a department head meeting and talk about changing the culter backing athletics things will change.  There will be people who resist, but if you find postive ways to include the faculty in the support then you will see the tides turn. 

Football had kind of dropped off at my high school after the long time coach retired.  He was loved in the community and they named the field after him.  The whole school seemed to loose interest in football after he left. 

My head coach made pride t-shirts for everyone who worked at the school and asked them to wear them on game days.  It started out slow but after a few years all the teachers in the school were wearing them.  It was nice on Fridays to see all the teachers wearing these shirts and telling us all good luck.  You saw many of these people at the games, but the ones who did not were watching their kids in other school districts.  My mom works in the Des Moines school district and they did the same thing at her school.  She wore the Hoover High pride shirt till 3:30pm on game days and then switched once she got home and headed to my game.  My point is, when the group as a whole buys into it, you see results.

[caddy1]

Speaking of attendance - how many of the schools have web live streaming of their games?  How many listen on the web?  Not sure you can put a # on the last one?   Is this going to change the face of attendance?

[doolittledog]

Speaking of attendance - how many of the schools have web live streaming of their games?  How many listen on the web?  Not sure you can put a # on the last one?   Is this going to change the face of attendance?

I believe all IIAC schools had live streaming last season.  And if I remember correctly, the UD president said there would be live video this coming season.  He said he couldn't remember if it would be free or pay-per-view.  I know stretch internet that does UD and some other schools games can track and knows how many are listening to games and where the listeners are located.

How many pages have we gone through over the last few days???  Wow!!!

[Klopenhiemer]

Lets shoot for 1200 before opening weekend 2008!

[DutchFan2004]

Speaking of attendance - how many of the schools have web live streaming of their games?  How many listen on the web?  Not sure you can put a # on the last one?   Is this going to change the face of attendance?

KNIA/KRLS have a live show with the game on the net.  This may have some fans staying home but I don't think the die hards would stay away.

[TheOne89.1]

Speaking of attendance - how many of the schools have web live streaming of their games?  How many listen on the web?  Not sure you can put a # on the last one?   Is this going to change the face of attendance?

I would love to be at every game every weekend, but with work on some Saturdays in fall and the 3 hours drive, it is tough to get there.  I utilize the radio on the web.  Having played football at Wartburg and having worked at the radio station (hell set up the Knight Radio Network for awhile), it's cool to be able to get the games on the internet when I can't make the road trip to Waverly.  Live web streaming would be cool as well...but something is it be said for listening and picturing it in your own mind as you remember how the teams and fields looked.

[caddy1]

I was thinking more about video - I emailed WC and the response was that they might do a few next year    Not sure I would pay for it though.  I would also rather picture it in my mind.