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Re: NDSU Nov 4th
Gotta say, I respect the passion.
Originally posted by SUPERBUNNY
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There has been some great posts on this thread. It had me thinking more about the game on November 4th at home last night. It had me thinking about where SDSU Football is, where it is going, and what it is going to take to get to the top.
To that end, I think you need to look at who's on top. There is no doubt that the Buffalo Chips from up north are the preeminent program in all of FCS. They have the tradition in on field performance, financial support, and from a fanbase that is as passionate as any in the country. I would encourage any Jacks fan to go to Fargo and experience a game day sometime. You have to tip the cap to how they do it. They show up early to tailgate and it doesn't matter how cold it is! They do it right. In fact, I read an article a couple weeks ago that ranked them in the top 20 tailgates in all of college football. It doesn't end there. They poor themselves into the FargoDome and create an environment that is second to none in FCS and rivals any in the country for energy in the stadium. Their fans understand that they are part of the tradition and are a factor in their programs success. They feel obligated not to just show up but to make so much damn noise your ears will bleed. Topping it off, they are behind their team financially in a big way with organizations like "The Playmakers" and give them the resources they need and then some. The whole thing really is quite impressive. and they do this for EVERY home game not just the one or two that you circle on the calendar every year. Sure, there are some things I could certainly do without. Chief among them the saying Bison over Free at the end of the anthem but overall I give them major credit. They've turned Bison football into THE event in the state of North Dakota in a way that Nebraska has done in that state.
So, here we are at SDSU a few weeks away from our first sellout. The buzz for that day is already palpable. But, I think it is bigger than that. I think as a fan base we need to look at that we can all do to get the Jacks over the top and be a contender for the best in the FCS.
WHERE ARE WE AT SDSU? There is no doubt our program is on the rise. WE have had sustainable success for a few years that has led to our first MVFC title and successive years in the playoffs. We have the best facilities in all of FCS. Our attendance is respectable and climbing. The atmosphere in the stadium is getting better. The financial backing is solid but still needs to improve.
WHAT US FANS NEED TO DO AT SDSU? This is where the game on November 4th is so important in my book. Yes, we sold this sucker out. That is fantastic! Congrats to Jackrabbit Nation on the accomplishment. Heck, you have to start somewhere. But, just showing up isn't good enough any more. It is time for our fans to step up and turn DJD Stadium into a home field advantage that rivals any others in the FCS including the Buffalo Chips. The team deserves it. Hell, we deserve it. Let's make this game one of those days where you can say "I was there, and it was incredible!" All of those people that are coming to the game that aren't regulars, let's turn them into season ticket holders. However, that's just the start. Then WE need to do it all over again the very next week when Illinois State comes to town. And it needs to continue into next season when we have the first game against Patsy U. If we want a piece of what is going on in Fargo, that is what it takes.
I will get off my soap box in a second but this is a special and possibly once in a lifetime opportunity. Yes, there are a lot of games between now and then. So, let's fill it up for those games too. This team that SDSU has this year has an opportunity to be special and can take us places this program has never been to before. It would be a shame if we as fans didn't take the time to get behind them and do what we can to make the atmosphere just as special as the field on the team. That is what they do in Fargo. The names on the jerseys change but the people in the seats making the noise are the same. It's time for us to do that in Brookings.
I know that I'm preaching to the choir on this forum but it just doesn't feel like we all understand how big this moment could be. It is time to rise up, make some noise, and be counted.
I need a cigarette!
SUPERBUNNY
To that end, I think you need to look at who's on top. There is no doubt that the Buffalo Chips from up north are the preeminent program in all of FCS. They have the tradition in on field performance, financial support, and from a fanbase that is as passionate as any in the country. I would encourage any Jacks fan to go to Fargo and experience a game day sometime. You have to tip the cap to how they do it. They show up early to tailgate and it doesn't matter how cold it is! They do it right. In fact, I read an article a couple weeks ago that ranked them in the top 20 tailgates in all of college football. It doesn't end there. They poor themselves into the FargoDome and create an environment that is second to none in FCS and rivals any in the country for energy in the stadium. Their fans understand that they are part of the tradition and are a factor in their programs success. They feel obligated not to just show up but to make so much damn noise your ears will bleed. Topping it off, they are behind their team financially in a big way with organizations like "The Playmakers" and give them the resources they need and then some. The whole thing really is quite impressive. and they do this for EVERY home game not just the one or two that you circle on the calendar every year. Sure, there are some things I could certainly do without. Chief among them the saying Bison over Free at the end of the anthem but overall I give them major credit. They've turned Bison football into THE event in the state of North Dakota in a way that Nebraska has done in that state.
So, here we are at SDSU a few weeks away from our first sellout. The buzz for that day is already palpable. But, I think it is bigger than that. I think as a fan base we need to look at that we can all do to get the Jacks over the top and be a contender for the best in the FCS.
WHERE ARE WE AT SDSU? There is no doubt our program is on the rise. WE have had sustainable success for a few years that has led to our first MVFC title and successive years in the playoffs. We have the best facilities in all of FCS. Our attendance is respectable and climbing. The atmosphere in the stadium is getting better. The financial backing is solid but still needs to improve.
WHAT US FANS NEED TO DO AT SDSU? This is where the game on November 4th is so important in my book. Yes, we sold this sucker out. That is fantastic! Congrats to Jackrabbit Nation on the accomplishment. Heck, you have to start somewhere. But, just showing up isn't good enough any more. It is time for our fans to step up and turn DJD Stadium into a home field advantage that rivals any others in the FCS including the Buffalo Chips. The team deserves it. Hell, we deserve it. Let's make this game one of those days where you can say "I was there, and it was incredible!" All of those people that are coming to the game that aren't regulars, let's turn them into season ticket holders. However, that's just the start. Then WE need to do it all over again the very next week when Illinois State comes to town. And it needs to continue into next season when we have the first game against Patsy U. If we want a piece of what is going on in Fargo, that is what it takes.
I will get off my soap box in a second but this is a special and possibly once in a lifetime opportunity. Yes, there are a lot of games between now and then. So, let's fill it up for those games too. This team that SDSU has this year has an opportunity to be special and can take us places this program has never been to before. It would be a shame if we as fans didn't take the time to get behind them and do what we can to make the atmosphere just as special as the field on the team. That is what they do in Fargo. The names on the jerseys change but the people in the seats making the noise are the same. It's time for us to do that in Brookings.
I know that I'm preaching to the choir on this forum but it just doesn't feel like we all understand how big this moment could be. It is time to rise up, make some noise, and be counted.
I need a cigarette!
SUPERBUNNY
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