Not a rant, but some context. I sat in Monroe's Bobcat Black seats a couple of years ago before they moved the cheerleaders (if you haven't taken advantage of the way he raffles off his seats, it's worth it and he was simple to do business with... it's especially nice for someone like me who lives far enough away that I can only attend a couple of games a year, so it doesn't make a lot of sense to pay for season tickets.)

Having the cheerleaders right behind you on the sideline (between the black seats and the o-zone) and shouting random "let's go bobcats"-type cheers into your ears, sometimes with megaphones, multiple times per possession was annoying. It wasn't "leading cheers" so much as randomly shouting, "go bobcats!... go ohio!... go bobcats!... go cats!" literally at least 5 times per possession. At one point my wife started counting. It was bad.

It wasn't our place to complain, my feeling was that we were guests in those seats. But my understanding from the people around us in those seats who were commiserating with my wife is that they complained multiple times and told Athletics they would not renew their seats in those places unless they found a better place to stash the cheerleaders. I'd guess that's why they're under the basket now.

Maybe we could use the area behind the baskets to create a "curtain of distraction", similar to what Arizona State does at their home basketball games. The "curtain" could be portable so as to be moved under the opposing team's basket and maybe we could get some creative juices flowing in the Ozone to create some great skits to distract the other team while shooting foul shots.
Just a thought..

http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=12220852

I understand all the reasons for the move and felt the same way when I used those seats at one time. Again, my observation is that with the current arrangement it is difficult for some things to happen. Money for black seats is a financial decision that probably outweighs the other things.

We're in agreement. The problem wasn't moving the cheerleaders, once you put the Bobcat Black seats there you had to... The problem was putting those Bobcat Black seats there in the first place. . . .

- You have been trained to think your favorite teams suck and you should not be happy, even when we are having good games and good seasons. When not showing live sports events, ESPN, CBSSports, and FOXSports and etc. all make their money talking about what is wrong and who is to blame. And, that happens right here on this message board most of the time as well. (This also applies to all facets of your life and living in America by the way. According to all media and political leaders, being an American is an absolute nightmare. And if you try to be positive, you are out of touch and clueless.)

- You have been trained to think the only thing that matters is the MAC tourney in Cleveland. So, excitement over playing really well and thrashing WMU last night was almost non-existent.

These are excellent points and so true. Sports used to be about the day's matchup, now it is about 5 year vision plans. If you're not in it for the ultimate prize, no one cares and everything is a failure. There is overwhelming negativity in damn near every fan base.

Random thoughts:

- Fans no longer cheer. They sit in judgement instead. Every possession. Last night me and a buddy were yelling encouragement and cheering good plays every now and again and we were looked at like we were a curiosity.

- You have been trained to think your favorite teams suck and you should not be happy, even when we are having good games and good seasons. When not showing live sports events, ESPN, CBSSports, and FOXSports and etc. all make their money talking about what is wrong and who is to blame. And, that happens right here on this message board most of the time as well. (This also applies to all facets of your life and living in America by the way. According to all media and political leaders, being an American is an absolute nightmare. And if you try to be positive, you are out of touch and clueless.)

- College sports abandoned fans in the stands in favor of TV. Friday night at 9PM we will be on ESPNU nationally. I'm guessing maybe 3K in the stands.... My kids will be in bed. I'm not even sure I'm going to make it and I live minutes away. Same for one of the families we go to games with. Off the top of my head I can think of 25 season tickets that will not be used Friday night due to the start time. Saturday afternoon all 25 seats would be full.

- You have been trained to think the only thing that matters is the MAC tourney in Cleveland. So, excitement over playing really well and thrashing WMU last night was almost non-existent.

Man, I just depressed myself with these random thoughts.... Somebody tell me to back away from the ledge and the Convo will be rocking again soon...

The OZONE could make the atmosphere electric on their own if they were so inspired.

I know that the Mackey-Convo comparison is popular on here in terms of size and shape, but I think the Mackey bench seating that dominates the arena makes the comparison apples to oranges. Just think about how much complaining would go on if the Convo had bench seating almost everywhere.

So why do I come away from the Convo with a feeling of "mehness"?

Is it because most games have been without the student fan base?

Is it because of the physical set up? (example-cheerleaders behind the basket)

Just FYI- before anyone rants on the cheerleaders in general, I need to say I am a parent of someone who did cheer for OHIO during the Brandon Hunter years (98-02). I am aware of the sometimes attitude of cheerleaders and their purpose. I am also aware of the skills and work that went into being a cheerleader (at least at that time). Our daughter was a gymnast and track person. The only 2 people who she couldn't beat in the hurdles in high school went to Ohio on a track scholarship. She decided she wanted to cheer with a squad that also would do competitive cheering with stunts, gymnastics, etc. This is just to point out that I have seen and heard all the arguments about cheerleaders. My point is that the physical set up does not give them any chance to be a part of the OZONE activities or even "lead" the place in cheers.

Is it the OZONE or lack of the OZONENESS that once was? Is there still an OZONE?

Is it the use of canned music when we have one of the best bands in the land?

Is it the constant commercialization of each timeout? When there is excitement going on there is no allowance for spontaneous crowd participation. Let the damn band play!

Is it the part of me that reacts negatively to the constant berating of the announcers about what our job is? Stand UP for defense, Light up the Convo, let them know we are here. Maybe we need a bobcat roar for each 3 point basket?

Is it that the style of SaulBall just is not exciting to me?

My wife and I talked about it on our 90 minute ride home again last night. Neither of us have left the convo for the last 2 years with that same exhilaration that we have in the past. Maybe we just go too old for exhilaration?!

Maybe it is because of decisions like the 9:00 start this Friday night due to ESPN scheduling. (I know, I know, exposure is great but it points out that the local fans are secondary to the exposure factor of TV)

OK finally--HEY KID, GET OFF MY LAWN!

Go BOBCATS!


[/QUOTE]
Please, please, please, let's quit talking about how often and how long we think the band should play. Having been to two other college arenas besides The Convo this year, with 2-3 more to go, we're the only group of fans I've ever been around that cares about how frequently the band plays during a basketball game. (or football)

You know what would be better to get people engage during the game, and timeouts in particular? Modern examples of Audio/Visuals in the building as GoCats mentioned.

And I'm with and anyone else who says it - the Stand for Defense is worn out and needs to go. I love the concept of something to keep people on their feet, but this is as forced of a concept as there is. Also, at the Under 8 in the second half, we shouldn't need Lou's prodding to "Stand up and Cheer". The band should start playing, and it should just happen.

With Game Day experiences is that there should probably be a focus group of folks within the walls of The Convo that spend some time at other venues to see how their buildings look, feel, and sound before and during the game. Go to Hinkle, UD Arena, Cintas Center, Assembly Hall, Mackey Arena, etc. during game days. See what works there that might here. When people respond to it, KEEP DOING IT and don't change it. Unless I'm crazy, that's how traditions are made.

In terms of gametimes, I'd be curious to know why the MAC went to Tuesday's? Always used to be Wed/Sat except for TV.




Been to several games at home so far, and I'd agree it's been quiet on that front. Agree with those that the location of the cheerleaders has an effect on things.


Agree with this. I don't see how Friday night changes this that much unless you're at a high school related sport at the same time. Unless you have toddlers, take 'em to the late game. It's special and fun, and a change from 7pm every Wednesday, and 2pm every Saturday.


[QUOTE=Alan Swank] ....and the very poor lighting around the outside of the Convo. Driving by at night you wouldn't even know there was a game. For the reasons listed by other posters, there just isn't any buzz.

Marked on my calendar when the schedule game out. My better half moved a work day for it.