HannahO said:first11 said:smaller venue versus the BIG boys...
it is what it is, the biggest show in Montana, the Big Sky and for pure passion it holds it own with any of them. Loud is reletive and loud by our perspective certainly works here. USC, Bama and their moneyed programs do have a lot of passion but person for person, it is hard for any of them to match with our fans when fully 'ginned up' on a UM football Saturday.
OUr stadium confines works well and as one poster noted, puts most fans literally on top of the game day action. The design and location of Wa Griz certainly does not hurt the volume either.
Bottom line it works for us and although we may not match the big boys decibel for decibel we are loud and proud and will continue to use our Griz roar to our advantage.
If the measure of a game day experience is the decibel level per person and the amount of liquored up folks, then I would concede that UM is tops ... if, however, it's a tradition of a great time held throughout the game day, into the stadium, throughout the game, passionate fans, great players, tradition etc, then there are many other places that far exceed what I experienced there. (My opinion so no need for personal attacks, "Snappy!"). I think it's great that the Big Sky has a place like UM. For the resources and the population base it's a gem. But my point is that it's easy to become very provincial in outlook when that's what you're used to experiencing and become so full of yourself that you don't realize that there is more out there that is equal to or better than what you know. It doesn't make what you have less when you acknowledge that there is a big world outside of Montana. :shock:
It should make you proud when you go out, see what there and that you measure up favorably (if you wonder why people shake their heads as an earlier poster noted, when you insist that what you have is always the best, it's because they are pitying you for your lack of objectivity and willingness to be open to any other view).
I would hope that you get a chance to experience a place like Kyle Field (Texas A&M) and their 12th man tradition ... for a college atmosphere that is the standard to aspire to and it has little to do with the decible level (though it's considerable) or the number of people there and everything to do with how it's done (even seeing a telecast of the game does not give a whit of how much fun it is and how challenging it is to play there).
http://www.aggieathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27300&ATCLID=205239252
I know this is going to come across as "preaching" and Lord knows none of you want to hear that from (gasp) a woman and non-Montanan, but go someplace other than your usual gameday experience (preferably in a totally different region of the country) and embrace the entire experience. Don't compare it with what you're used to but just enjoy it and talk with folks. Immerse yourself in the whole scene.... Some of those experiences will be better than your usual and some will not compare as favorably, but the end result is that it will only make your life richer and hopefully you will be more willing to acknowlege that there are really good things out in the big wide world and not have this childish reflex to insist that only your fan experience is the best.
You may be have a point in your own humble opinion but the next time you go to WA Griz for a game, maybe try to do the same...??
I've been in numerous "big time" stadiums and have never experienced the passion and love for your team from every damn person in the stadium as there is at WA Griz!. What can I say?? I just love the Griz and the game day experience!!
