Hey' let's talk and get lame.  Let's ask for winning, good to greate football, and find any excuse to avoid. You bunch @$%&*%#$& whimps.

Get your #*&U%(#*U%#+)_*(  ass to the game.  Get there on %(#)*( time.  And $%()_*I@%() stay for the whole game and thru the 110's after game performance.

Any questions.

In part, low student participation at football games has to do with the perception of Ohio's place in the athletic pecking order. The casual student perceives the team to be a middle-level team that is not on the same par as the "big boys." The MAC is generally not covered by any of the national media outlets, and individual MAC teams are seldom publicized at that level.

If we want to fix that problem, we have to look at the MAC and potentially other conference affiliations to become more "big time." However, I'm not sure we really want all the baggage that goes with that change.

If Ohio Football were discussed daily on ESPN and in all of the popular web sites, than student participation at games would be far greater and would be more likely to stay through the end. As it is, the game is a relatively minor entertainment option on a campus full of other distractions. Students attend "big time" football stadiums because it's the "thing to do" and the place to be seen. Ohio Football does not have that prestige.

But again, do we really want to be big time and accept all the changes that go with that?

I'm nodding my head in agrement with the above.  And, we don't have the $ to go any more big time than we are right now.  And, barring some miracle, we never will.

Does the same apply for concerts, lectures, and the other entertainment and educational opportunities offered on campus?  You can't legislate school spirit.  I've watched public high schools spend countless hours and dollars on trying to do this without success.  It's not 1965 any longer when all we had was football, basketball and baseball played by the boys' teams.  You may find this hard to believe, but I left a volleyball match this year after two games because I had more pressing matters to attend to.

No disrespect Paul, but in the whole scheme of things it doesn't really matter.  There's nothing wrong with enjoying our recent success and rooting for more and leaving it at that.  No need to sell your soul for it.  Just the opinion of a guy who can now play for senior rates on some golf courses.

I use a Pilot G-7, at least until I come across the rat that took my Zebra F-301. At which point I will stab him with that glorious stainless steel barrel.

For me it's a personal issue. I prefer to cheer for the forgotten underdog. I think it's built in to my DNA. I'm fine with a top 25 ranking occasionally and a firm standing at the top of the MAC if we can get there. But If too many people are down with it...then I start to lose interest.

But of course, I'm a skinny jeans wearing hipster that did yoga during the first half of the Kent game :)

Then there's the inevitable issues with big time athletes and big time money. I'd prefer to just stay out of that. "It's just not what Ohio University Football is about." - In my best Frank voice. Notice he says "what we're all about..." all the time?

Lock the gates after the 1st quarter.  Don't unlock them until the final whistle.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11278/1179739-144.stm

Check out the WVU coach's comments about the crowd for last weeks Bowling Green game in Morgantown.

"What's everyone across the state of West Virginia doing to fix the fact our players had to show up and play against 40,000?"  -- Well, coach, in Huntington, they're hoping you only get 35,000 for UConn this Saturday.  

I see Doc posted, but the message is good.

http://bleacherreport.com/tb/bbmCD

Is it possible it all starts with the manner in which incoming freshmen are immersed in the spirit of your school? What do you do currently for the incoming freshmen? Are they invited to come to the school the week before registration and given the opportunity to learn about all of Ohio's traditions and to participate in activities and meetings where they can begin to feel like an integral part of the student body?

When I first attended Cal Poly (in a previous lifetime), all the incoming students were encouraged to arrive a week early to participate in "Poly Week." During those seven days there were informational meetings where we learned school songs, found out who were the school's chief rival(s) - and what color shirts should NEVER be worn, participated in various games and activities (tug-o-wars, etc.) ... all of which led to a feeling of camaraderie and a sense of belonging. All this was led by volunteer sophomores who gave their time and effort to make the incoming students feel an integral of the student body and student life on the campus.

If Ohio isn't currently doing that, this might be something you could consider. Perhaps then the "newbies" would feel more like coming to the games in the first place. AND - if the same "big brothers" and "big sisters" who volunteered their time would make sure they were invited to the games AND LED BY EXAMPLE by staying until the final seconds clicked off the play clock, you could achieve your goal. It won't happen over night, but in 4-5 years you should have a whole new attitude and behavior by the entire student body that not only keeps Peden filled for the entire game, but creates a desire to travel "en mass" to rival team's games as well.

But I'm just an old fart ... what do I know about the mind-set of the current crop of college students ....

Huh?

I think he is trying to say that there will be a group of people who may come to the game specifically to see "that crazy 110 dance to LMFAO" and not care about the game at all, therefore leaving after halftime.