Turn back the clock headcount - and O'Day's challenge

[BWahlberg]

Who's going to be there? I'm planning on it!

Also here's a memo from Jim O'Day's office:

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

UM Students Return To East Side Seats For CSU Game

A challenge has been issued to the students at The University of Montana. They will return to the east side seats in Dahlberg Arena for Friday night’s game between the Grizzlies and the Rams of Colorado State University. This will be the first time in more than a decade that UM students, cheerleaders, dance team and band will fill those prime seats and floor space across from the team benches.

The entire section will be occupied by UM students… just like it was during the time of Jud Heathcote, Jim Brandenburg, Mike Montgomery, Stew Morrill and Blaine Taylor.

I remind you that this is only an experiment. A final decision will not be made until the season concludes as to whether or not a permanent change is forthcoming. All will be determined by the atmosphere on Friday night – and a continuing emphasis by UM students to back the team in high numbers for the remainder of the 2007-08 men’s basketball season. This is the students’ chance to show they will support the program. If student involvement is noticeable, and there’s an obvious difference in the excitement level, our athletics administration will have a tough decision ahead.

It’s an ideal time for this experiment. The game will be played on a Friday night; the opponent is a quality Mountain West Conference team with star players; the football team is on the road; it’s the official season opener; and there should be relatively few conflicts. We hope to pack the house. The student gate will open one-half hour earlier for UM students (5:30 p.m.) so they can get the east side, lower level seats. Pizza will be served to these early fans, courtesy of President George Dennison. The first 1,000 students will also receive a free “Zoo” t-shirt, thanks to the generosity and support being provided by Karl Tyler, Pete Kelly and the entire staff at Karl Tyler Chevrolet.

It’s a time to “Turn Back the Clock” to see if that old energy can be restored. It’s a challenge to the students to return to the glory years of Micheal Ray Richardson, Ken McKenzie, Derrick Pope, Larry Krystkowiak and Wayne Tinkle… when students made a tremendous difference in each and every game… when “The Zoo” was a factor in the final outcome, and caused the opposition to make mistake after mistake. It was a time when the student fans demonstrated their creativity, i.e., reading newspapers during pre-game introduction of the visiting team, studying the opposing players’ habits and standing and screaming support for the five Grizzly players on the court.

It’s a time to put Dahlberg Arena back on the map as a place where opponents prefer not to play, but the home team prospers because of its home court advantage. I would also hope that it returns as a venue where students line up early outside the building to get the best available seats in the house to cheer their beloved Griz basketball team to victory.

Together, let’s see if we can make this a positive experience for the Griz basketball program. It should be a special night to remember.

Sincerely,



Jim O’Day
Director of Athletics
The University of Montana

 

[umceltics]

I was wondering what other season ticket holders thought of this, the ones that are getting moved out for this game. My father has season tickets in the section where they are putting students and he is getting moved out for it. On one hand it kind of annoys me, my father played basketball for the griz years ago and has been a ticket holder for both men's and women's bball, and football since the 60's. I have always thought that when you put out a dynamic team and dynamic coaching the seats will fill, similar to the ladies attendance we have good attendance there and we have a dynamic coach and team, and the average attendance is pretty good compared to other womens programs. I know they want students to come, but students come and go every year, I would think you need to establish your product to get results, students will jump on the bandwagon. It doesn't seem right to me to move out the loyal fans. Seems like they are going about it the wrong way. Plus they do for a game we were looking forward to seeing, now we get to watch it from a different section which has a depleted view. He moved around many times over the years when called upon to, but at least they gave him a choice. And I am not trashing the whole program here, they have done alot of good things, last year they had my father and his old coach out, that was great to see for me I was the proudest son in the world, and the painting of the M is also a great thing, this one just rubbed me the wrong way.

 

[TrueGriz]

One thing I will look at is (since I was one of those crazy students in the student section from 1977 to 1983):

1. Will the students show up and be just spectators.

2. OR, Will they show up and just get noisy after the team goes on a run.

3. Or, will they be pro-active, participate in the game as cheerleaders like the student sections of the '70s - early '80s. I mean, if the team is struggling, students get up and start yelling "GO GRIZ GO" or something. Having a big crowd is nice, but what really helps is having the students and fans start yelling when things aren't going so good.

I would like to see students start yelling as loud as they can while the Griz starters are announced and kept yelling until tipoff. There isn't anything more intimidating to the opposing team and Griz BB teams have had quite a few fast starts because of it. At least that was how it was up until 1982 when the Big Sky Conference changed the way the players were introduced. Many of the students back then called that the "Montana Rule". Students tried to get creative with reading papers when the opposing teams player was introduced, but it just wasn't the same.

But, the teams starters are now introduced the same as it was prior to the 1981-82 season and there isn't any excuse. If you want to make an effort to get that environment back, you yell loud as you can as they announce the starters, and keep yelling until tipoff. When the team starts to stagnate, struggle, become chearleaders and yell "GO GRIZ GO" or something. Remember this isn't football, there aren't any rules about being quiet when Griz are on offense. Scream or chant all the same. Scream loud when Griz are on defense, chant "GO GRIZ GO" when on offense.

I assure you if your noisy, make a real effort at changing the outcome of the game by creating noise and being cheerleaders, it will be more fun. If most students come just because of this announcement and watch like a normal spectator they will not enjoy it as much and most will not return.

 

[Swillbury]

I am trying to do 1000% more than my part so if students don't show up then we have to wait until next semester when we are ranked in the top 50 and are on our way to another big sky title.

 

[AtHomeInTheDahlbergDen]

I am trying to do 1000% more than my part so if students don't show up then we have to wait until next semester when we are ranked in the top 50 and are on our way to another big sky title.

swill, what time are we goin? we gotta be first ones in, front row, leading it all and yelling at those who don't follow.

 

[Swillbury]

I am trying to do 1000% more than my part so if students don't show up then we have to wait until next semester when we are ranked in the top 50 and are on our way to another big sky title.

swill, what time are we goin? we gotta be first ones in, front row, leading it all and yelling at those who don't follow.

I would say we get some pre-gaming done, then we show up at 5 or so. We got owned by the administration, I didnt see one flyer on a tree today. Christie email you anything yet?

 

[sid2000]

I was wondering what other season ticket holders thought of this, the ones that are getting moved out for this game. My father has season tickets in the section where they are putting students and he is getting moved out for it. On one hand it kind of annoys me, my father played basketball for the griz years ago and has been a ticket holder for both men's and women's bball, and football since the 60's. I have always thought that when you put out a dynamic team and dynamic coaching the seats will fill, similar to the ladies attendance we have good attendance there and we have a dynamic coach and team, and the average attendance is pretty good compared to other womens programs. I know they want students to come, but students come and go every year, I would think you need to establish your product to get results, students will jump on the bandwagon. It doesn't seem right to me to move out the loyal fans. Seems like they are going about it the wrong way. Plus they do for a game we were looking forward to seeing, now we get to watch it from a different section which has a depleted view. He moved around many times over the years when called upon to, but at least they gave him a choice. And I am not trashing the whole program here, they have done alot of good things, last year they had my father and his old coach out, that was great to see for me I was the proudest son in the world, and the painting of the M is also a great thing, this one just rubbed me the wrong way.

If you and your father are true fans/alumni how can you be rubbed the wrong way about this? True supporters know that such a change can only benefit the basketball teams/games. The athletic office is trying to make basketball games a better experience for the players and the students, they're the ones who should have the best seats. People tend to forget that this is a university, the students are who should benefit the most, not the outsiders, even if they are alumni, ex-athletes or contributors to the University.

 

[AtHomeInTheDahlbergDen]

I am trying to do 1000% more than my part so if students don't show up then we have to wait until next semester when we are ranked in the top 50 and are on our way to another big sky title.

swill, what time are we goin? we gotta be first ones in, front row, leading it all and yelling at those who don't follow.

I would say we get some pre-gaming done, then we show up at 5 or so. We got owned by the administration, I didnt see one flyer on a tree today. Christie email you anything yet?

Sounds good.

Yeah, she was upset we posted them to trees again. Not so much upset at us for doing it but that other people were yelling at her. We were supposed to take the tree ones down but apparently someone decided to take all of them down for us.

 

[Swillbury]

I am trying to do 1000% more than my part so if students don't show up then we have to wait until next semester when we are ranked in the top 50 and are on our way to another big sky title.

swill, what time are we goin? we gotta be first ones in, front row, leading it all and yelling at those who don't follow.

I would say we get some pre-gaming done, then we show up at 5 or so. We got owned by the administration, I didnt see one flyer on a tree today. Christie email you anything yet?

Sounds good.

Yeah, she was upset we posted them to trees again. Not so much upset at us for doing it but that other people were yelling at her. We were supposed to take the tree ones down but apparently someone decided to take all of them down for us.

Ahhh whatever. We will be there and I hope alot of people read them and at least have the idea in their head. I'll PM you later.

 

[Iowagriz]

Swill and Dahlberg, I know things have changes since my time at school 85-89, but back then the best way I knew to get the word out was to use the RAs within the dorms. Get flyers on their doors and the students should see them. Have the Head Resident talk it up for you at their meeting and it should trickle down. Also (if you can make the deadline) get a response to O'Day in the Kaimen (challenging the students to respond).

Good luck to you guys packing them in. I hope that you pull it off.

 

[Swillbury]

Swill and Dahlberg, I know things have changes since my time at school 85-89, but back then the best way I knew to get the word out was to use the RAs within the dorms. Get flyers on their doors and the students should see them. Have the Head Resident talk it up for you at their meeting and it should trickle down. Also (if you can make the deadline) get a response to O'Day in the Kaimen (challenging the students to respond).

Good luck to you guys packing them in. I hope that you pull it off.

Already done for the most part only we didn't get RA's involved. Gotta get something done in the Kaimen though, that is about our last shot at some press without sitting outside with a megaphone and telling people to go.

 

[2Legit]

What time we gonna start the bbq and where?

 

[grizpack]

TrueGriz - If memory serves correctly, we would start yelling as soon as the other teams came out for warmups. That is when you would get some of your best stuff in.

Bunny-Beaters!!! Bunny-Beaters!!! Bunny-Beaters!!!

 

[2Legit]

Hopefully we can regain the obnoxious persona of old that "The Zoo" was known for.

 

[AtHomeInTheDahlbergDen]

What time we gonna start the bbq and where?

I'm done w/ class at 3. someone pm me w/ details. when and where is this goin down? someone whip up an itinerary.

 

[2Legit]

Shit im done at 1.
Im gonna be covering hot dogs buns n whatnot. We'll need some other varieties of meats. Drinks? ohh we'll get drinks..
Swills handling the grill as for charcoal ehh yeah we can scrape sum up

 

[umceltics]

Why, would you imply our fanhood is somehow in question because I put forth a simple question about what other people thought. I agree with some of your points but why in the world would you go about it like that. True fans, true supporters. Sorry if we question how someone goes about something but why does that have to lead to an implication of if we are TRUE fans or True supporters. Something rubbed me the wrong way, just wondered if it rubbed others the same way or not. The University is there for the students true, but are basketball and football just there for students? Aren't fans and supporters a little bit in the picture? To me yes. But anyway was just an opinion on a subject, didn't really have anything to do with how loyal of fan anyone one is, everyone is a fan in their own way thats not really a tangible thing to debate it would just go in circles.

 

[AtHomeInTheDahlbergDen]

Why, would you imply our fanhood is somehow in question because I put forth a simple question about what other people thought. I agree with some of your points but why in the world would you go about it like that. True fans, true supporters. Sorry if we question how someone goes about something but why does that have to lead to an implication of if we are TRUE fans or True supporters. Something rubbed me the wrong way, just wondered if it rubbed others the same way or not. The University is there for the students true, but are basketball and football just there for students? Aren't fans and supporters a little bit in the picture? To me yes. But anyway was just an opinion on a subject, didn't really have anything to do with how loyal of fan anyone one is, everyone is a fan in their own way thats not really a tangible thing to debate it would just go in circles.

The same thing is happening in football. the students are getting more seats and those who had the seats are bumped up to the expansion.

 

[Grizbacker1]

Great job students!!! I could hear you loud and clear. When conference play begins how about making that much noice the entire game. Good Job At Home and Swilly for doing a lot of the legwork on this!! :thumb:

 

[EverettGriz]

I agree with Backer. GREAT job!! Keep up the noise all game, and Dahlberg will once again become a place that teams fear. Way to go, guys. It's good to have ZOO back.