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GRIZ/Bengals

Excuse me iron mtn cat, I will check with you before posting next time. I just commented on what I saw during the game. I don't make it to many games now ,seeing that the twelve hour trek is a bit much, I did hardly miss any games when I was growing up in Missoula. Much like you get tired of us out of towners "complaining" I get tired of those who feel only people in attendance should have a opinion. Anyways I think we both beleive this has been a great season and hope the Griz finish strong and win the tournament title.
 
for those that only remember how it was in mid-70s to early 90's, yes, the crowd this past weekend would be pretty tame and the enviroment somewhat lackluster. The games weren't exactly that much better as the competition was weaker, but the students went to the games to have fun and create excitement. I sat in the student section from 1978 to 1982 and there ain't no way they will manage to obtain that kind of environment again. never. The student section was even rowdier than the students at many of the football games today. The fieldhouse had different accoustics that made them sound even louder. You had Fat Dad as PA who would incite the crowd even further even though they would never allow any PA announcer to do what he did back then now.

but even so, this past weekend was still pretty good, much better than prior weeks. The fans were certainly in it. For those that haven't experienced the good old days, friday's and saturday's games were great.
 
I was at the Weber State game with a friend. We've both been watching Griz basketball for a long time. Both of us commented on several occasions how sterile the atmosphere is in the field house, especially compared to years past.

I don't expect that Griz basketball will regain its lost glory any time soon. It will take many, many wins over a long period of time before Griz fans start supporting the team at a level that even approaches that of the 70's and 80's.

But bitching about the lack of fan support won't bring about that support. The only thing that will bring out the fans is winning - sustained, consistent winning, and some noteworthy NCAA tournament participation and success.

Tinkle has the team pointed in the right direction. And over the course of the next 4-5 seasons, he has a chance to make something special happen in Dahlberg Arena.
 
GrizBBIsKing said:
. . . You had Fat Dad as PA who would incite the crowd even further even though they would never allow any PA announcer to do what he did back then now . . .
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Wow, I completely forgot about Fat Dad. Thanks for reminding me. Those were the days.
 
As someone mentioned on here last week, it requires sustained winning also as accomplished by the football team and the Lady Griz. In fact I amazed where the fans really got into it in one of the Lady Griz games and thought this reminds me of football.

This current streak by the men is the first time where fans know the team occasional needs a little help but basically will show up every game. The last few years we've always had a few games where most fans wished they were elsewhere such as the Portland State game on senior where the game was over at tipoff losing by fifty plus points. And Weber State game last which wasn't as bad but we were never really in it.
 
Fat Dad IS what's missing! Who cares what he says about not coming back or what the league had to say. If Tinkle was any kind of recruiter he will get the Fat Daddliest one to return.
 
Evizzerate said:
Fat Dad IS what's missing! Who cares what he says about not coming back or what the league had to say. If Tinkle was any kind of recruiter he will get the Fat Daddliest one to return.
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I remember Neil McCarthy saying [about Fat Dad], "Whatever they're paying him, it's not enough."
 
AllWeatherFan said:
Evizzerate said:
Fat Dad IS what's missing! Who cares what he says about not coming back or what the league had to say. If Tinkle was any kind of recruiter he will get the Fat Daddliest one to return.
Click to expand...

I remember Neil McCarthy saying [about Fat Dad], "Whatever they're paying him, it's not enough."
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And Neil McCarthy said there wasn't anything better to do in Missoula but to go to a Griz Basketball game. True back then, but not true anymore.
 
Grizbacker says Fat Dad has no interest in returning. Fine. Approach him about a one-off at the MSU game on 2/27.

If he says yes, arrange for the team to wear throwback colors.

Then sit back and wait for the static electricity to build.
 
I spoke to Fat Dad after winning his radio oldies contest a couple of times (dusty wax at the bottom of the stacks at the back of the racks? :? ) He was absolutely great at the Griz games and really added to the decidedly non-opera atmosphere! :thumb:
 
We don't need FAt Dad at football game to supply energy why do we need him for basketball. All we need is to win in a consistent fashion and not have embarrassing losses at home. And the support will be there. And we seem to be well on on our way. Be patient.
 
One of the greatest things that Fat Dad did in his announcing was ... nothing. After he introduced the opposing team, he would say, "And now" and then say absolutely nothing. The longer the pause, the more noise the crowd made. When the crowd roar was at its peak, he would have to yell the names of the starting Grizzlies in order to be heard. The noise, enthusiasm, and energy level were unbelievable. Some opposing coaches complained and the Big Sky Conference, in its typical self-sabotaging way, outlawed this practice. Thus, we have the rather bland introduction of players now.
 
DrJ said:
One of the greatest things that Fat Dad did in his announcing was ... nothing. After he introduced the opposing team, he would say, "And now" and then say absolutely nothing. The longer the pause, the more noise the crowd made. When the crowd roar was at its peak, he would have to yell the names of the starting Grizzlies in order to be heard. The noise, enthusiasm, and energy level were unbelievable. Some opposing coaches complained and the Big Sky Conference, in its typical self-sabotaging way, outlawed this practice. Thus, we have the rather bland introduction of players now.
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I thought the loud, crazy atmospheres would be what any conference would want from it's fans. Why would they not? Why not tell the other members, if you don't like it, catch up to them! That is what college basketball is about.
 
mtgrizrule said:
DrJ said:
One of the greatest things that Fat Dad did in his announcing was ... nothing. After he introduced the opposing team, he would say, "And now" and then say absolutely nothing. The longer the pause, the more noise the crowd made. When the crowd roar was at its peak, he would have to yell the names of the starting Grizzlies in order to be heard. The noise, enthusiasm, and energy level were unbelievable. Some opposing coaches complained and the Big Sky Conference, in its typical self-sabotaging way, outlawed this practice. Thus, we have the rather bland introduction of players now.
Click to expand...

I thought the loud, crazy atmospheres would be what any conference would want from it's fans. Why would they not? Why not tell the other members, if you don't like it, catch up to them! That is what college basketball is about.
Click to expand...

Nope. Starting in the 1981-82 season, They told Fat Dad to tone it down some. Also, forced UM to do player introductions differently. Prior to 1981-82 season, the introduced each teams players the same way we do now. first the opponents starting players, then Montanas. Of course, when Fat Dad started intro to Griz starters, the fans would start yelling real loud, and they would get louder as each player was introduced. It didn't really stop there as they would continue the noise right up to tip off. It was SO INTIMIDATING, this would create fast starts quite often for the griz. This was major reason the other schools wanted to make the changes. To take out the intimidation factor out. maybe the game shouldn't be decided by a PA announcer and fans, particularly the students, during introduction to decide a game.

So, in 1981-82, they forced Montana to alternate intro of each teams players, first the opponents, then Montana's, then Opponents. Definitely changed the environment. Students that year brought in newspapers to hold up while they announce the opponents players, but then try to get real loud for the Griz starter, and then quiet down and holding up the newspapers for the next opponent starter.
Well that may have been fun for awhile. But it certainly didn't have much affect on the opposing team except to amuse them a bit.

Before 1981-82, it was real fun, winning was good but it wasn't everything. fans came because they made it fun. After 1981-82 season, winning became more important. Go check the attendance for each season. It peaked during the 1981-82 season then attendance declined each year until the 1990-92 seasons when they won the Big Sky tournament two years in a row where it climbed right back up again.
 
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