FB: Empire 8

[Jonny Utah]

Being from Cortland, and having a wife that went to Ithaca, there is a lot of things about Cortaca that are great. Like entertainment. Last year on the Friday night before the game I walked the dog a total of 3 blocks and I saw, 2 fistfights, 3 topless girls, someone stuck in a dumpster, and someone who drove a car into a house.
But I can really do without the drunk kids passing out/throwing up in my front yard, the REDICULOUS crowds at the bars, and the absurd number of arrests for some stupid thing or another (last game in cortland topped the 500 arrest mark).  I still go every year, and usually have a few drinks before I go, but when I get tired of the problems that come with boozing, there is something wrong.

Topless women can be fun...as for the rest of it...

There are lots of great things about Cortaca, but the schools really seem to prioritize high attendance over some of the more basic, logical concerns.

Imagine what the scene would look like if they tried to limit more tickets though?  It's not like those students would stay home.  They would just do dangerous things in the parking lot or against fences outside the stadium.

But I agree that Ithaca's stadium should have a limit on how many people they can let in.  They do that now though don't they?

[Bombers798891]

Being from Cortland, and having a wife that went to Ithaca, there is a lot of things about Cortaca that are great. Like entertainment. Last year on the Friday night before the game I walked the dog a total of 3 blocks and I saw, 2 fistfights, 3 topless girls, someone stuck in a dumpster, and someone who drove a car into a house.
But I can really do without the drunk kids passing out/throwing up in my front yard, the REDICULOUS crowds at the bars, and the absurd number of arrests for some stupid thing or another (last game in cortland topped the 500 arrest mark).  I still go every year, and usually have a few drinks before I go, but when I get tired of the problems that come with boozing, there is something wrong.

Topless women can be fun...as for the rest of it...

There are lots of great things about Cortaca, but the schools really seem to prioritize high attendance over some of the more basic, logical concerns.

Imagine what the scene would look like if they tried to limit more tickets though?  It's not like those students would stay home.  They would just do dangerous things in the parking lot or against fences outside the stadium.

But I agree that Ithaca's stadium should have a limit on how many people they can let in.  They do that now though don't they?

Bout 9,700...which beats a lot of the numbers on that list

[clandfan]

On the a "A Matter of Inches" article on the homepage it lists the top attendance figures in D3 over the past 37 years.  Ithaca/Cortland has 10 of the top 28 attendance figures of all time.  Kinda cool...

Yeah, but that's what happens when you disregard things like fan/player safety in the interest of a football game.

I'm all for big crowds, but some of those games at Butterfield were downright unsafe. Kids are jammed up against barricades (which they can easily break through) and crowded into walkways. The old Cortland Stadium was a disaster for that too.

Thankfully, they've gotten better in recent years, as Cortland's stadium has gotten naturally bigger, and they've tried to keep the games at Butterfield down to about 10,000, as opposed to the 12,000 they had in the late 90's/early 00's. But attendance had been a real problem in the past

I was at the game last year, and we got pressed up real hard against the bars, had to jump them and stand on that rocky slope.... my friend had bruises on her legs. Not a good sign.

The fact that half/most/all of the students there are drunk makes the problem worse. But for a long time, getting 12,000+ in the stadium mattered more

Being from Cortland, and having a wife that went to Ithaca, there is a lot of things about Cortaca that are great. Like entertainment. Last year on the Friday night before the game I walked the dog a total of 3 blocks and I saw, 2 fistfights, 3 topless girls, someone stuck in a dumpster, and someone who drove a car into a house.
But I can really do without the drunk kids passing out/throwing up in my front yard, the REDICULOUS crowds at the bars, and the absurd number of arrests for some stupid thing or another (last game in cortland topped the 500 arrest mark).  I still go every year, and usually have a few drinks before I go, but when I get tired of the problems that come with boozing, there is something wrong.

There is no question that the drinking is out of control.  The crowds are great but it isn't a football crowd. For many of the students it is the first and only game they go to. The are plastered while they are there, passing out or puking in the johns and most don't remember the game.  I'd rather attend the game with 5000 football fans as opposed to 8000 drunks.  Unfortunately it has become much less about football and more about who can drink the most and who can design the crudest tshirt.  Lost in all of it is the fact that there is usually a pretty good football game.

[clandfan]

Every year ESPN Gameday does one show from a DIII rivalry game.  A couple of years ago there was strong consideration to bring Gameday to either Cortland or Ithaca, I don't remember which.  Ulitmately, ESPN passed in favor of Williams vs. Amherst.  My understanding is that the Cortaca culture had something to do with the decision.  How many F* Ithaca or F*Cortland tshirts can you put on TV?  This year will be no different; another great football game that 3000 out of 10000 fans will remember.

[Bombers798891]

There is no question that the drinking is out of control.  The crowds are great but it isn't a football crowd. For many of the students it is the first and only game they go to. The are plastered while they are there, passing out or puking in the johns and most don't remember the game.  I'd rather attend the game with 5000 football fans as opposed to 8000 drunks.  Unfortunately it has become much less about football and more about who can drink the most and who can design the crudest tshirt.  Lost in all of it is the fact that there is usually a pretty good football game.

And honestly, for all the joking we do, most of us have a healthy respect for the other school's ability. These students who actually try and create issues where there are none bug me

[clandfan]

Agreed. I'll be honest and say that I cheer for Ithaca in every game but 1.  Great football, great program, great school.  We can have a great rivalry but these kids have no idea of the history and how Cortaca even started.  You ask the students what first comes to mind when they hear "Cortaca" and football is not going to be top on the list.  How do we get back to it being about football and having a mutual respect?  I"m with you Bombers...I go but I wonder how it deteriorated to this.  As for the game...we have a number of weeks until we can talk about it.  One week at a time.  Good luck at Fisher...big game for you guys.

[SJFF82]

I am glad to see that IC-SJF week can be used as therapy to bring IC-Cort fans 'together'


....82 remembers when IC-SJF and IC-Cort game weeks brought good trash talkin to the boards 

[fisheralum91]

Agreed 82!
Tho i think many of us have mellowed with age.
Much like a fine Utica Club.

[AUPepBand]

With all this love being exhibited on these boards between a Cortland and Ithaca fan and "what could be" if students were to focus more on the Cortaca football game rather than making it a drunkfest, Pep can relate. In fact, Pep, with a few little changes, can say nearly the same thing about Hot Dog Day:

There is no question that the drinking is out of control.  The crowds are great but it isn't a hot dog crowd. For many of the students it is the first and only Hot Dog Day they go to. The are plastered while they are there, passing out or puking in the johns and most don't remember the hot dog.  I'd rather attend Hot Dog Day with 5000 hot dog fans as opposed to 8000 drunks.  Unfortunately it has become much less about hot dogs and more about who can drink the most and who can design the crudest tshirt.  Lost in all of it is the fact that there is usually a pretty good hot dog or two.

I'll be honest and say that I cheer for Alfred State even as much as I cheer for AU.  Great athletics, great program, great school.  We can have a great rivalry but these kids have no idea of the history and how Hot Dog Day even started.  You ask the students what first comes to mind when they hear "Hot Dog Day" and a hot dog is not going to be top on the list.  How do we get back to it being about hot dogs and having a mutual respect?  I go but I wonder how it deteriorated to this.  As for Hot Dog Day...we have a few months until we can talk about it.  One month at a time. 

[Bombers798891]

With all this love being exhibited on these boards between a Cortland and Ithaca fan and "what could be" if students were to focus more on the Cortaca football game rather than making it a drunkfest, Pep can relate. In fact, Pep, with a few little changes, can say nearly the same thing about Hot Dog Day:

There is no question that the drinking is out of control.  The crowds are great but it isn't a hot dog crowd. For many of the students it is the first and only Hot Dog Day they go to. The are plastered while they are there, passing out or puking in the johns and most don't remember the hot dog.  I'd rather attend Hot Dog Day with 5000 hot dog fans as opposed to 8000 drunks.  Unfortunately it has become much less about hot dogs and more about who can drink the most and who can design the crudest tshirt.  Lost in all of it is the fact that there is usually a pretty good hot dog or two.

I'll be honest and say that I cheer for Alfred State even as much as I cheer for AU.  Great athletics, great program, great school.  We can have a great rivalry but these kids have no idea of the history and how Hot Dog Day even started.  You ask the students what first comes to mind when they hear "Hot Dog Day" and a hot dog is not going to be top on the list.  How do we get back to it being about hot dogs and having a mutual respect?  I go but I wonder how it deteriorated to this.  As for Hot Dog Day...we have a few months until we can talk about it.  One month at a time. 

Post of the season! +K

[theoriginalupstate]

I loved Hot Dog day when at A-State...

The Naked Mile was always a blast and going down town was fun...

ITHACA STILL SUCKS!!!

[clandfan]

I am glad to see that IC-SJF week can be used as therapy to bring IC-Cort fans 'together'


....82 remembers when IC-SJF and IC-Cort game weeks brought good trash talkin to the boards 

Don't get me wrong here.  Ithaca still sucks.  It just feels better saying it when sober!

[clandfan]

I loved Hot Dog day when at A-State...

The Naked Mile was always a blast and going down town was fun...

ITHACA STILL SUCKS!!!

Sorry Upstate...missed your banner.  Let me come up with something "un-original":

IC Sh*t.

[Touch The Rock]

Looks like IC is getting some love in the Triple Take.   Getting pumped for this weekend and the upset! Wish I could be in Pittsford for this one.  Go Bombers. 

[fisheralum91]

TTR,
What was missing from that analysis was the fact that IC has no running game.
Our d line will wear out your undersized O line and with any luck get a ton of pressure.
I understand your optimism, but there are other factors in play that just dont work in your favor.