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Topic: Props to The Optimist (and I think The Situation)
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shabamon
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Posted: 9/8/2013 2:11 AM
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You guys deserve some recognition for trying to rally the press box side into making noise. I was a few sections over in 102 and I felt like such a goober being the only one standing and yelling on third down. I wonder if anyone gave you guys any problems.
Bobcatbob
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Posted: 9/9/2013 12:57 PM
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I readily admit that more noise should be coming from the press box side but at least they were still there in the 4th quarter to add whatever they could in a tight game. 

I don't want to start this thread again but i thought it was very disappointing how the student side emptied immediately after half.  I thought some inroads were made in ending that tradition last year.  If that happens Saturday while all those Turd fans are here, there really will be a noise dichotomy.
The Optimist
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Posted: 9/9/2013 6:55 PM
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Thank you. I didn't realize just how bad the atmosphere is on the Tower Side. In hoops, I am used to seeing some lively characters across from the O Zone who make a ton of noise. I assumed football was the same... Apparently not. 
 
We definitely caught some flak. I could feel a lot of annoyed eyeballs. I could also feel a lot of people happy there was finally someone else willing to stand up and cheer. 
 
"This isn't the O Zone" was one. It doesn't need to be the O Zone to clap and possibly even stand up and cheer when the opposing team has a 3rd down. A lot of people came around and started making some noise... But I was shocked some people weren't even clapping in the 4th quarter of a close game! Not making noise on 3rd down is ridiculous.
 
We will be back.
bobcat695
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Posted: 9/9/2013 10:09 PM
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Hooligan and I have been fighting that battle in 105 for nearly a decade. We are slowly converting our section to good fans.
Beat Michigan
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Posted: 9/9/2013 10:17 PM
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I know this happened several years ago but who's idea was it to move the Bobcats to the student side of the field. Wouldn't it be more beneficial  to have the students behind the visiting team? Instead they get to talk and plan in a much quitter environment.
Bobcat110alum
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Posted: 9/9/2013 10:28 PM
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Chris_PHS89 wrote:expand_more
I know this happened several years ago but who's idea was it to move the Bobcats to the student side of the field. Wouldn't it be more beneficial  to have the students behind the visiting team? Instead they get to talk and plan in a much quitter environment.


Pretty sure it was the conference, but I'm not certain.
Monroe Slavin
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Posted: 9/10/2013 3:41 AM
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No respect to fans who won't cheer the O H I O vigorOUsly.

None.



Go watch peanuts being manufactured if you're not gonna cheer big for OUr side.
Diamond Cat
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Posted: 9/10/2013 9:41 AM
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The Tower Side is pretty bad. I changed my season tickets to 104 this year and sit on the end seats towards the isle. I certainly wasn't far from the boys trying to get the folks into the game. It's not a problem for me. I have harassed the opposing team since 1984. Getting older now but still cheer for the boys. 

I can see the struggle you reference though. Lots of families and older folks (like me) and they do not feel comfortable in their own skin getting crazy at these games. I also think there still remains more than a few that do not feel the connection to OHIO that many of us enjoy. 

I'll be back there Saturday. Going to be another great day in Athens for a football game (and golf). I hope our boys bring their A Game and keep the bell.


Kinggeorge4
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Posted: 9/10/2013 10:01 AM
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I'm in section 105 and one of the few standing and making noise.  I missed the sign the first time you came over as I was yelling towards the field.  Make sure to alert people you are about to do the cheer, last year they did and more joined.  Slowly this side is coming to life...thanks for all of your hard work!
The Situation
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Posted: 9/10/2013 9:31 PM
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The Tower side is in a lot worse shape than I imagined as a student. It was my first time over there for a game. I was also surprised to hear that many of the people around us did not graduate from the university. Certainly that contributes to the lack of involvement (no investment/ no mainstream opponent).

Has their been an effort for any kind of formal "Old Zone" before? Or atleast a movement on the board for the members seeking vocal involvement to strategically purchase season tickets near each other?

That one crazy fan
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Posted: 9/10/2013 9:47 PM
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The Situation wrote:expand_more

The Tower side is in a lot worse shape than I imagined as a student. It was my first time over there for a game. I was also surprised to hear that many of the people around us did not graduate from the university. Certainly that contributes to the lack of involvement (no investment/ no mainstream opponent).

Has their been an effort for any kind of formal "Old Zone" before? Or atleast a movement on the board for the members seeking vocal involvement to strategically purchase season tickets near each other?



I would certainly be in favor of that.  We all try to coordinate where we'll sit at least so we can buy tickets in advance and get ourselves concentrated and coordinated.
Beat Michigan
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Posted: 9/13/2013 12:33 AM
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Tyler Charles wrote:expand_more
I know this happened several years ago but who's idea was it to move the Bobcats to the student side of the field. Wouldn't it be more beneficial  to have the students behind the visiting team? Instead they get to talk and plan in a much quitter environment.


Pretty sure it was the conference, but I'm not certain.



I doubt the conference makes the decision on what side of the field to stand. 
bobcat695
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Posted: 9/13/2013 8:42 AM
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It absolutely was the MAC officials that made the change.  Our student section was rough on the visitors, and it contributed to a home field advantage.  Most schools in the MAC have nobody show up at the games, so it doesn't matter at their stadiums.   I think it's also annoying that the teams have to criss-cross each other on the field to get to their locker rooms.  As far as I can tell, the MAC is the only conference that does this. 
Bobcatbob
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Posted: 9/13/2013 8:42 AM
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In fact they did make that decision and it has been confirmed to me personally by the AD's office, not that it was ever a secret.  MAC forbids student sections to be located behind an opponent's bench.  When the OZone became a popular place to be, the die was cast and the teams switched sides.

In old threads (now gone) you could have read about the genesis of the rule.  The best I can recall is that there was actually a fight or near fight between players and fans and, if I'm not totally mistaken, Akron was involved.  Anybody know that story.
C Money
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Posted: 9/13/2013 9:23 AM
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Yup. It's the OZone rule.

The 110/alumni band marching off the field through EMU's bench at homecoming (in 2003? I think it was 2003) didn't help.

OU_Country
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Posted: 9/13/2013 9:57 AM
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Bobcatbob wrote:expand_more
In fact they did make that decision and it has been confirmed to me personally by the AD's office, not that it was ever a secret.  MAC forbids student sections to be located behind an opponent's bench.  When the OZone became a popular place to be, the die was cast and the teams switched sides.

In old threads (now gone) you could have read about the genesis of the rule.  The best I can recall is that there was actually a fight or near fight between players and fans and, if I'm not totally mistaken, Akron was involved.  Anybody know that story.


Does anything more need to be said?
Turdhats
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Posted: 9/13/2013 10:27 AM
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I thought it was a fight between a fan and a parent from Western Michigan. Then the next football season the home sideline changed and the visiting parents and fans were moved to the corner seating.
Last Edited: 9/13/2013 10:48:38 AM by Turdhats
bigtillyoopsupsideurhead
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Posted: 9/13/2013 11:45 AM
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Bobcatbob wrote:expand_more
In fact they did make that decision and it has been confirmed to me personally by the AD's office, not that it was ever a secret.  MAC forbids student sections to be located behind an opponent's bench.  When the OZone became a popular place to be, the die was cast and the teams switched sides.

In old threads (now gone) you could have read about the genesis of the rule.  The best I can recall is that there was actually a fight or near fight between players and fans and, if I'm not totally mistaken, Akron was involved.  Anybody know that story.


There was that one time in maybe 2007 when someone threw one of those plastic footballs back onto the field and hit an Akron football player in the head. It was actually kind of funny. The dude looked pissed. 
Rowdy Rufus
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Posted: 9/13/2013 12:27 PM
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The Situation wrote:expand_more

The Tower side is in a lot worse shape than I imagined as a student. It was my first time over there for a game. I was also surprised to hear that many of the people around us did not graduate from the university. Certainly that contributes to the lack of involvement (no investment/ no mainstream opponent).

Has their been an effort for any kind of formal "Old Zone" before? Or atleast a movement on the board for the members seeking vocal involvement to strategically purchase season tickets near each other?



I say we put a mic in front of the OZONE as well.  Make that place crazy loud.... (not that they need any help). 
OU_Country
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Posted: 9/13/2013 12:42 PM
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The Situation wrote:expand_more

The Tower side is in a lot worse shape than I imagined as a student. It was my first time over there for a game. I was also surprised to hear that many of the people around us did not graduate from the university. Certainly that contributes to the lack of involvement (no investment/ no mainstream opponent).

Has their been an effort for any kind of formal "Old Zone" before? Or at least a movement on the board for the members seeking vocal involvement to strategically purchase season tickets near each other?



I posed this idea related to basketball with a member of the AD at one point probably 5-6 years ago.  I've never brought it up since, but I've often though this would be an excellent idea.  A section where it is known that the members of said section may, just like the student sections, stand and cheer for the whole game.  I would really enjoy this kind of a section.
Brian Smith (No, not that one)
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Posted: 9/13/2013 3:01 PM
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I refuse to sit on the tower side. I just sit on the concrete wall below Victory Hill now because I got so tired of being around that much apathy at a football game.(Well, that and I love watching games from the quarterback's perspective. I'm all for NFL broadcasts with the sky cam on every play) It's too depressing. We get to watch D-I football from up close. We get to experience the game like few fans at this level do....in seats that would cost thousands of dollars at bigger programs. The backdrop to Peden in the fall is Edenic. Our team has been pretty damn good for a good half decade now.  The collective response on that side of the stadium? A yawn.

The place should be rocking. It should be fun. It's as if Ohio is good at having a good time everywhere on campus except the football stadium.

It's especially embarrassing when Marshall comes to town. Say what you will about the place (and it has it's objectionables and laughables), but those fans cheer at a national championship level. The year Goddard went nuclear on Ohio's offensive line, their section filled up all of Peden chanting his name.

I thought that 2011 Marshall game was as close as Peden has ever gotten to having a good crowd. And it took a once-in-a-decade performance, black uniforms and Johnny Cash to do it.
Senior Fan
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Posted: 9/13/2013 5:35 PM
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Hey, check out section 203. There are some of us old fa_ts that get up on third down. We yell and do high fives.  I missed the UTN game.  My wife was ill.  But we'll be there for the Turd game..
Monroe Slavin
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Posted: 9/13/2013 8:16 PM
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The Situation wrote:expand_more

The Tower side is in a lot worse shape than I imagined as a student. It was my first time over there for a game. I was also surprised to hear that many of the people around us did not graduate from the university. Certainly that contributes to the lack of involvement (no investment/ no mainstream opponent).

Has their been an effort for any kind of formal "Old Zone" before? Or atleast a movement on the board for the members seeking vocal involvement to strategically purchase season tickets near each other?

JSF
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Posted: 9/13/2013 9:24 PM
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bigtillyoopsupsideurhead wrote:expand_more
In fact they did make that decision and it has been confirmed to me personally by the AD's office, not that it was ever a secret.  MAC forbids student sections to be located behind an opponent's bench.  When the OZone became a popular place to be, the die was cast and the teams switched sides.

In old threads (now gone) you could have read about the genesis of the rule.  The best I can recall is that there was actually a fight or near fight between players and fans and, if I'm not totally mistaken, Akron was involved.  Anybody know that story.


There was that one time in maybe 2007 when someone threw one of those plastic footballs back onto the field and hit an Akron football player in the head. It was actually kind of funny. The dude looked pissed. 


Officially, I had to disapprove... but it was funny.

The AD tried to get around the "no student section behind the bench" rule by putting the O Zone to the side. I believe NIU also complained about it, so the MAC had an excuse to focus on the very important subject of student section placement.
UpSan Bobcat
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Posted: 9/13/2013 9:51 PM
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C Money wrote:expand_more

Yup. It's the OZone rule.

The 110/alumni band marching off the field through EMU's bench at homecoming (in 2003? I think it was 2003) didn't help.



I was in the OZone for that one. It was 2002 actually. Ohio was 1-5 at that point but had a huge lead on Eastern Michigan at halftime. The band actually got a personal foul penalty and the students chanted, "It won't matter." Not sure the halftime score but the final was 55-27. Chad Brinker had four touchdowns.
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