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Was cleaning house tonight and came across a story from the front page of the Jan. 28, 1979, Argus, about the last State-U game in the Armory in Vermillion. I happen to have inside knowledge this story was accurately reported! 
(Now, a disclaimer: Before anyone charges me with trying to incite behavior out of the current code of sports fandom, I am merely reprinting parts of that article as an historical record, drawn from 34-year-old newsprint. So chill.)
The story starts with Jacks and Coyotes fans exchanging unpleasantries as they enter the gymnasium, which is described as people sitting "like canned tuna in a hot and smoky gymnasium.
"Bleachers overflowed with humanity. Fans sat three deep around the playing floor and stood two deep in the walkway above the floor.
"An entire section of student fans swayed side-to-side to the beat of the pep band. Charlie the Coyote did handstands, then flipped over on his back. A drained whiskey bottle slid across the floor.
"Every exit to this 51-year-old strucure they call the New Armory was clogged with incoming fans, some in various stages of inebriation. The noise crescendoed to a head-pounding roar.
" 'Screw the U,' " came the defiant yell. " 'Hate State' was the ready reply. And it went on for three hours.
"This was State-U, the twice yearly fiasco built around a basketball rivalry unmatched in these parts for intensity.
It "ended with a scuffle between State and U fans in the stands in the final minutes of the game.
"The inevitable dead jackrabbit made only one appearance, somewhat of a surprise compared to the usual flood of dead bunnies.
"There were a handful in attendance, towels on arms, ready to wipe up rabbit blood.
"State fans sang 'Far Across the Plains of Brookings,' and U fans responded with 'Old MacDonald's Farm.' State was called 'Cow College,' 'Silo Tech,' and 'Moo U' by U the fans.
"There were firecrackers and smoke bombs in the stands, ice and cups on the floord. There were signs, masks, horns, toilet paper and pom poms. A box of ground feed came flying out of the stands."
The story closed with: "Sports Illustrated magazine considered a feature on this game, but didn't show.
"They are said to be considering the State-U rematch in Brookings Feb. 17.
"It's too bad they missed it. The real story ended Saturday night."
Maybe it wasn't the good old days, but it sure as heck was funny, fun and interesting. Nowadays, it'd be denounced as a cauldron of political incorrectness. Ground feed flying onto the floor today? People'd have a cow.
Oh, and the U prevailed, 73-62.
(Now, a disclaimer: Before anyone charges me with trying to incite behavior out of the current code of sports fandom, I am merely reprinting parts of that article as an historical record, drawn from 34-year-old newsprint. So chill.)The story starts with Jacks and Coyotes fans exchanging unpleasantries as they enter the gymnasium, which is described as people sitting "like canned tuna in a hot and smoky gymnasium.
"Bleachers overflowed with humanity. Fans sat three deep around the playing floor and stood two deep in the walkway above the floor.
"An entire section of student fans swayed side-to-side to the beat of the pep band. Charlie the Coyote did handstands, then flipped over on his back. A drained whiskey bottle slid across the floor.
"Every exit to this 51-year-old strucure they call the New Armory was clogged with incoming fans, some in various stages of inebriation. The noise crescendoed to a head-pounding roar.
" 'Screw the U,' " came the defiant yell. " 'Hate State' was the ready reply. And it went on for three hours.
"This was State-U, the twice yearly fiasco built around a basketball rivalry unmatched in these parts for intensity.
It "ended with a scuffle between State and U fans in the stands in the final minutes of the game.
"The inevitable dead jackrabbit made only one appearance, somewhat of a surprise compared to the usual flood of dead bunnies.
"There were a handful in attendance, towels on arms, ready to wipe up rabbit blood.
"State fans sang 'Far Across the Plains of Brookings,' and U fans responded with 'Old MacDonald's Farm.' State was called 'Cow College,' 'Silo Tech,' and 'Moo U' by U the fans.
"There were firecrackers and smoke bombs in the stands, ice and cups on the floord. There were signs, masks, horns, toilet paper and pom poms. A box of ground feed came flying out of the stands."
The story closed with: "Sports Illustrated magazine considered a feature on this game, but didn't show.
"They are said to be considering the State-U rematch in Brookings Feb. 17.
"It's too bad they missed it. The real story ended Saturday night."
Maybe it wasn't the good old days, but it sure as heck was funny, fun and interesting. Nowadays, it'd be denounced as a cauldron of political incorrectness. Ground feed flying onto the floor today? People'd have a cow.
Oh, and the U prevailed, 73-62.
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