FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Toph]

And finally, If you don't like the "Start the bus" chant or think the humor is not there, It sounds like you have some memories of getting on that bus for the long ride home yourself. Just because the bus was short, it doesn't make the ride home short.

Well done once again.  Hurling insults at other posters will definitely make you look like you have some kind of valid argument.

Should I wager to guess that you are one of the middleaged, wig wearing gentlemen?

For the record, I am all for fans coming up with clever and/or funny pieces of smack.  Example:  Once, when the Mount stadium was still grass, I heard a guy yell to a JCU backup "Hey 2-1, how do you keep your whites so white?"  That's funny.  "Start the bus" is neither clever nor funny.

[reality check]

As someone who had to read the NCAA Sportsmanship Statement aloud as a puclic address announcer for years and also was part of an athletic department that enforced the letter of the law within that statement, I think MUC should absolutely make good on it and kick out anyone who is guilty of belittling, enciting or insulting the players, fans and/or officials.

"The (insert your conference here) and the NCAA promote good sportsmanship by student-athletes, coaches and spectators. We request your cooperation by supporting the participants and officials in a positive manner. Profanity, racial, or sexist comments, or other intimidating actions directed at officials, student-athletes, coaches or team representatives will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal from the site of competition. Also, the consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages at the site of competition is strictly prohibited."

I still know each and every word of it and I was happy to see it enforced on more than one occasion in basketball and football settings.  MUC would be smart to use it if they don't already.  This way if someone is out of line, they have already laid the ground rules and covered their backs.

[runk]

What MUC has done on the field is reason for respect, and for the biggest part MUC players are classy. Some of us have young kids and really don't appriciate the poor manner that some choose..I SECOND THE VOTE THAT SCHOOL OFFICIALS THROW THE BUMS OUT. it gives an otherwise classy program a blackeye.
Go MUC

[Pat Coleman]

When is the "start the bus" chant not funny?

When you turn 13.   

+1

[Small but Slow]

As the fan base grows so does the chance that a few drunken idiots will start showing up at games.  Problem is for a few visitors the image of those clowns will be the strongest memory they may have of their visit to Alliance.  Having been the target of taunting, harrassment, and intimidation many times myself, I empathize with these folks.  Of course, the people heckling me were fans of my team.  

[bcspiel]

In response to the crowd on Saturday...

Being a former season ticket holder in the now infamous section 13 (where our "start the bus" crew sits) and a person who now sits in that section only during meanigful games (please save the coach speak, every game is meaningful comments for another time), I have mixed feelings on those guys.  First of all, sit down and talk to them, they are good guys, and have been fans before "Jim Ballard took a snap" days.(no offense Ric, always a big fan of your work)  

Second, they can be obnoxious, but nothing compared to local high school fans (which to me can be shameful), D1 fans, and professional fans.  Very rarely has an obscenity come out of their mouths, and yes, the "first down" cheer (which is a positive), the "punt team, get ready" and finally the "start the bus" cheers are all tame compared to other schools at different levels of play.

Although sometimes these fans can be a little juvenile, the Mount Union stands are traditionally quiet.  It always saddens me, and its good when some fans try to get loud, its football afterall.  

As for Saturday's game.  I was back in that section.  Those fans in question did nothing different.  When the trouble started, it was toward the end of 3rd quarter, and those fans that have been the target on the past few pages of this forum, WHERE NOT EVEN THERE.  They left at half time.  

As for the problems.  I was amazed when I saw a player attempt to go into the stands, and has mentioned, not one coach approached this player.  I have no idea what was said, but I was amazed by TCNJ staffs' non recognition of what had happened.

As for opposing fans.  During the 4th quarter, after the crowd cheering a good kick from #11 (Mt fans actually cheer good plays on the other side in blow outs), #11 proceeded to flip off the crowd.  I had never seen anything like this (accept when Mike Vick did the same to his own crowd.)  It was after this gesture that the fans in our section went nuts, and when a parent of the other team threatened violence.  It was classless on all fronts.  The police came over in response of the "gentleman" standing a walking toward our section.  I have a feeling he missed the one finger salute from his own team.

I will never make excuses for poor fanmanship, but, there should not even be a thought of those guys losing their season tickets.  If the rest of the fans in Mount Union stadium attempted to cheer, you would not hear them anyway.
I say this as an alumist, someone who used to work with the football program, and now a fan.

I cannot wait to mix it up with the great fans I met last year form SJF.  You guys rocked!!! Have a safe trip to Atown and GO RAIDERS!

[Jonny Utah]

I think its time for a new stadium at that place and only season tickets should be given out on one side.  Since the field is level (not sunken) the stands should be a little higher on both sides.

Is section 13 the section right to the right of the press box?

[bcspiel]

Seciton 13 is right in front of the press box on the 50.

[Toph]

I say this as an alumist

Very clear, levelheaded, and fair post, but this little phrase made my computer explode.    Alumnus is the word you're looking for.

"Start the bus" is still lame.

Now, some discussion on a relevant topic (I hope):  With only a few exceptions, Mount Union seems to beat teams much worse the second time around.  Fisher fans, I would love to hear your thoughts and expectations for Round 2.

[bcspiel]

Thanks Toph, have the flu and no spell check, LOL.  But hey, still can claim my 28 on the ACT!!!  No spelling on that test!

[Toph]

I think its time for a new stadium at that place and only season tickets should be given out on one side.  Since the field is level (not sunken) the stands should be a little higher on both sides.

Is section 13 the section right to the right of the press box?

That would have to be one very large side.  Season ticket holders are all over the stadium because demand for tickets is very high.  I think the stadium is in good shape, they just fixed up the press box not too long ago, and it would be wasteful to build a new stadium.  I understand that it can be frustrating as a visting fan to be surrounded by Mount fans, but I don't think there is really another logical way to do it.  The campus is relatively small, and there aren't a ton of open areas.  If they were to build a new stadium over the old site, a la John Carroll, you would need a good sized high school field to serve as Mount's home site for at least a year.  JCU had Bedford (an excellent stadium) two exits away, I don't see a viable option for Mount Union.  

[bushman]

The only people I really yell at are the officials.  They are paid to use their skills to caLL A FAIR GAME.  I lost my voice at the IC game.  If you have to yell and use witty remarks then save it for the refs.  If they call a good game, then let them know.  Likewise, If they really stink then let them know.  They're used to it and seem to take it in stride.  In no  way should any fans yell at players, coaches, or other visiting fans.   This should not be tolerated, period.  Have Alliance's finest at the game and let them remove any obnoxious fans.  End of story.

[fredsdriveinn]

I think its time for a new stadium at that place and only season tickets should be given out on one side.  Since the field is level (not sunken) the stands should be a little higher on both sides.

Is section 13 the section right to the right of the press box?

That would have to be one very large side.  Season ticket holders are all over the stadium because demand for tickets is very high.  I think the stadium is in good shape, they just fixed up the press box not too long ago, and it would be wasteful to build a new stadium.  I understand that it can be frustrating as a visting fan to be surrounded by Mount fans, but I don't think there is really another logical way to do it.  The campus is relatively small, and there aren't a ton of open areas.  If they were to build a new stadium over the old site, a la John Carroll, you would need a good sized high school field to serve as Mount's home site for at least a year.  JCU had Bedford (an excellent stadium) two exits away, I don't see a viable option for Mount Union.  

and it's not the only team that uses that field...

[theaprof]

In response to the crowd on Saturday...

Being a former season ticket holder in the now infamous section 13 (where our "start the bus" crew sits) and a person who now sits in that section only during meanigful games (please save the coach speak, every game is meaningful comments for another time), I have mixed feelings on those guys.  First of all, sit down and talk to them, they are good guys, and have been fans before "Jim Ballard took a snap" days.(no offense Ric, always a big fan of your work)  

Second, they can be obnoxious, but nothing compared to local high school fans (which to me can be shameful), D1 fans, and professional fans.  Very rarely has an obscenity come out of their mouths, and yes, the "first down" cheer (which is a positive), the "punt team, get ready" and finally the "start the bus" cheers are all tame compared to other schools at different levels of play.

Although sometimes these fans can be a little juvenile, the Mount Union stands are traditionally quiet.  It always saddens me, and its good when some fans try to get loud, its football afterall.  

As for Saturday's game.  I was back in that section.  Those fans in question did nothing different.  When the trouble started, it was toward the end of 3rd quarter, and those fans that have been the target on the past few pages of this forum, WHERE NOT EVEN THERE.  They left at half time.  

As for the problems.  I was amazed when I saw a player attempt to go into the stands, and has mentioned, not one coach approached this player.  I have no idea what was said, but I was amazed by TCNJ staffs' non recognition of what had happened.

As for opposing fans.  During the 4th quarter, after the crowd cheering a good kick from #11 (Mt fans actually cheer good plays on the other side in blow outs), #11 proceeded to flip off the crowd.  I had never seen anything like this (accept when Mike Vick did the same to his own crowd.)  It was after this gesture that the fans in our section went nuts, and when a parent of the other team threatened violence.  It was classless on all fronts.  The police came over in response of the "gentleman" standing a walking toward our section.  I have a feeling he missed the one finger salute from his own team.

I will never make excuses for poor fanmanship, but, there should not even be a thought of those guys losing their season tickets.  If the rest of the fans in Mount Union stadium attempted to cheer, you would not hear them anyway.
I say this as an alumist, someone who used to work with the football program, and now a fan.

I cannot wait to mix it up with the great fans I met last year form SJF.  You guys rocked!!! Have a safe trip to Atown and GO RAIDERS!

Sorry, but I don't buy the "it's worse in other places" argument--it's unsportsmanlike.

Period.

End of sentence.

It should not be tolerated at ANY level--and especially not at Division 3 where these guys are playing for the love of the game.

I, too, wish that there was more cheering--but I will not stand for jeering.  

Grow up.  

Get a life.--Or go sit in the dog pound and be a horses behind in someone else's stadium.

[bcspiel]

Sportsmanship is subjective, and no one here on this board or anywhere else can define it.  To me, what those guys are doing isn't so bad.  Too you, it will cause sleepless nights.  Agree to disagree

GO RAIDERS.