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Since when did we become so high and mighty that we can start deflecting fans away from Panthernation??? I come back to the site this morning to see numerous posts saying, 'if we lost fans because of this then good riddance!'
Really??? Is this really what you want??? As my mom always used to say when I was a kid, "think about the consequences of your actions."
In truth, we, as "real" Panther fans can't control anything that goes on concerning the action on the field. And its no question that this loss hurt and some of the "casual fans" might be turned off from UNI football now; but a lot of good can still potentially come from having the extra 2-3,000 people that this game brought in, whether you want to admit it or not.
You can jump on people for being "casual fans" but then you have no right to take part in the endless "we don't get enough coverage to grow our fanbase" or "we need people in the Cedar Valley to support UNI, not Iowa (or ISU)" debates.
Sure, almost by definition a casual fan would never read this board, but what if they did?? What if they heard what you are saying?? How pumped would they be to see that "their" fanbase doesn't want them involved?? Or, worse yet, what if you continue this kind of talk on your dorm floor, in the cafeteria, at your water cooler at work, at church, etc, etc?? Well, mix that attitude and talk with a loss to a D-II team and you've got your wish because you have successfully kept those fans away.
Look people, its not like we are selling out our stadium. As much as some "real" fans on this board don't seem to be admitting it, we need all the "casual" fans we can get.
Why??? Oh let me count the ways... ok I'll stick with the two biggest.
So, did this loss suck?? Heck yes it did!! So maybe your "job" just got a little harder that's all!! Again, we can't control what happens on the field but we can fight the "battle" off the field and that's to get more people interested in UNI athletics. So you have a choice -- you can take the high/positive road and keep the casual fan involved and coming to games (as many of you do so well), or you can blast them and totally turn them off of UNI and its fanbase... I suppose the latter is your perogative, but then I'd have to question how you could ever seriously call yourself a "real" fan.
EDIT: Changed "fair weather" to "casual" as what 2317 said makes sense.
Really??? Is this really what you want??? As my mom always used to say when I was a kid, "think about the consequences of your actions."
In truth, we, as "real" Panther fans can't control anything that goes on concerning the action on the field. And its no question that this loss hurt and some of the "casual fans" might be turned off from UNI football now; but a lot of good can still potentially come from having the extra 2-3,000 people that this game brought in, whether you want to admit it or not.
You can jump on people for being "casual fans" but then you have no right to take part in the endless "we don't get enough coverage to grow our fanbase" or "we need people in the Cedar Valley to support UNI, not Iowa (or ISU)" debates.
Sure, almost by definition a casual fan would never read this board, but what if they did?? What if they heard what you are saying?? How pumped would they be to see that "their" fanbase doesn't want them involved?? Or, worse yet, what if you continue this kind of talk on your dorm floor, in the cafeteria, at your water cooler at work, at church, etc, etc?? Well, mix that attitude and talk with a loss to a D-II team and you've got your wish because you have successfully kept those fans away.
Look people, its not like we are selling out our stadium. As much as some "real" fans on this board don't seem to be admitting it, we need all the "casual" fans we can get.
Why??? Oh let me count the ways... ok I'll stick with the two biggest.
1. Casual fans CAN become "Real" fans -- You don't just become an avid fan overnight; it grows over time. How about as "real" fans you do your job and start converting them and make sure they come back as opposed to just b!tching about them and turning them off of this program and its fanbase? Start talking about the game to people. Focus on the positives. (Hey, as some have pointed out, to the "casual" fan, they might have not realized the magnitude of the loss and just seen it as a good college football game). Start talking about the atmosphere and how loud it was in the Dome when the game got close. Start talking about how much better it is later in the year when the big games/teams come to town. Start talking about how awesome it is that in 3 weeks we get to play a big boy at ISU in a game that we still CAN win. Isn't there a student fan club or something? Have the president send an email to the students urging them to keep up the support, thru thick and thin. Heck, send an editorial to the Northern Iowan and W-CF Courier thanking the fans/students for showing up; focus on the positives of the game and ask them to come back!! Stick with the positives and you can keep a casual fan involved. Focus on the negatives and you'll be sure to have your wish come true as they'll be gone and it will be 10 times as hard to ever get them back.
2. Financial Impact -- vs D-II teams:
The money that a "casual" fan spends on tickets, concessions, etc is the same money a "real" fan spends. So, if you REALLY, REALLY don't want them around, keep up this attitude. I for one do because I want the athletic department to reap as many financial benefits as possible because that makes UNI more competitive in the long run and that makes us "real" fans more happy.
2. Financial Impact -- vs D-II teams:
- 2005 Attendance: 8,900
- 2004 : 7,100
- 2003: 9,100
- SATURDAY: 11,000+
The money that a "casual" fan spends on tickets, concessions, etc is the same money a "real" fan spends. So, if you REALLY, REALLY don't want them around, keep up this attitude. I for one do because I want the athletic department to reap as many financial benefits as possible because that makes UNI more competitive in the long run and that makes us "real" fans more happy.
So, did this loss suck?? Heck yes it did!! So maybe your "job" just got a little harder that's all!! Again, we can't control what happens on the field but we can fight the "battle" off the field and that's to get more people interested in UNI athletics. So you have a choice -- you can take the high/positive road and keep the casual fan involved and coming to games (as many of you do so well), or you can blast them and totally turn them off of UNI and its fanbase... I suppose the latter is your perogative, but then I'd have to question how you could ever seriously call yourself a "real" fan.
EDIT: Changed "fair weather" to "casual" as what 2317 said makes sense.
GO PANTHERS!!!
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