Coach Stig!

[MilwaukeeJacksAlum]

Re: Coach Stig!

Stig is dead on. NDSU, as a whole, have better fans than SDSU. I have been going to games since I was 8 years old, I played for the Jacks, and I can say their fans are better. How many fans were at the Dakota Marker game last year 16K+? How many of there were NDSU fans, I would guess almost 1/2. Our fans have always been apathetic when it comes to football. SDSU should consistently put 8-10K in the stands, so it is annoying when we put only 3k in there late in the year (even in good weather).
As for NDSU I don't believe their Dome has anything to do with the number of fans at the game. When they played at old Dakota Field, they still packed the stadium late in the year. I think we have a great core group of fans that will show up anywhere in any weather condition. The difference is that our core fans is about 2000-3000, NDSU has about 20,000 of those fans.
I think one of the major factors of why the fans the way they are is the City of Brookings. Instead of embracing the tailgating, the college football experience, the university, it seems as if the city would rather not have it at all. Brookings Police look to arrest anyone at the drop of a hat, and patrol the back yard like it is a prison yard instead of people looking to have fun. Look at Ames, Iowa City, Madison, WI, Lincoln, these towns have the police there to ensure that nobody gets hurt, but all the while let people have fun, and are not there to harrass the fans.
SDSU has come a long way though. 10-15 years ago there was under 50 people that were tailgating, and those were mostly parents of the players who wanted a beer before the game. So to see thousands in the back yard is good to see. It would be nice if they could keep up the excitement all year long.
I think Fred and the University are working hard to make it an "experience" where people want to come every week, but we still have a long way to go.

For what it's worth, Wisconsin sold out Camp Randall tonight with Cal Poly in town.

[rabbits64]

Re: Coach Stig!

For what it's worth, Wisconsin sold out Camp Randall tonight with Cal Poly in town.

Milwaukee - I live in Wi as well, and I think we could agree if there is a D1 program that the Jacks should mold themselves after it is Sconi. At least try and get some of the gametime atmosphere. It doesn't matter who they play, what the temp, the fans show up, because it is a GREAT time at the game. The party on the streets before the game is amazing, the tailgating, and the Madison police just make sure people don't get out of hand. Brookings could learn a lot from how to handle college football from Mad-town.

[MilwaukeeJacksAlum]

Re: Coach Stig!

Milwaukee - I live in Wi as well, and I think we could agree if there is a D1 program that the Jacks should mold themselves after it is Sconi. At least try and get some of the gametime atmosphere. It doesn't matter who they play, what the temp, the fans show up, because it is a GREAT time at the game. The party on the streets before the game is amazing, the tailgating, and the Madison police just make sure people don't get out of hand. Brookings could learn a lot from how to handle college football from Mad-town.

No kidding. There are probably an equal amount of people who don't make it into the game who do.

[91jack]

Re: Coach Stig!

As long as the UPD is the way they are, it's a drawback.
What is NDSU's winning % compared that SDSU's? Winning brings fans in. The city doesn't have as many people. When SDSU makes the playoffs, that will help, too. Win and you'll get more fans. Until then, griping won't faze anybody.
I think coach Stig is a great guy but griping seams petty in my book. Call me out(even though I'm at the games) and I don't appreciate it.

[JimmyJack]

Re: Coach Stig!

Call me out(even though I'm at the games) and I don't appreciate it.

If you're there, he's not talking about you. I have talked to Stig about the attendance situation. He appreciates every fan that is in the stands. He praises the fans every chance he gets. He just wants more people in the stands. I don't see what's wrong with that.

[KUlawJack]

Re: Coach Stig!

As long as the UPD is the way they are, it's a drawback.
What is NDSU's winning % compared that SDSU's? Winning brings fans in. The city doesn't have as many people. When SDSU makes the playoffs, that will help, too. Win and you'll get more fans. Until then, griping won't faze anybody.
I think coach Stig is a great guy but griping seams petty in my book. Call me out(even though I'm at the games) and I don't appreciate it.

He has every reason to gripe in my book - And I really wouldn't call it griping considering he is stating the facts about the situation and that it is frustrating. His team works extremely hard each week and puts a great product on the field and the fans don't show for the second half of the season. WE ARE A DIVISON I PROGRAM!!!! He isn't calling you out because you are at the games, so it has nothing to do with you. So why do you care if he is wishing more people would show if he isn't talking about you? Why do you have any reason to be defensive?

[JACKGUYII]

Re: Coach Stig!

I don't want a coach that is satisfied with 3,000 people in the stands on November afternoon!

[BTownJack]

Re: Coach Stig!

I don't want a coach that is satisfied with 3,000 people in the stands on November afternoon!

Totally agree!

[Nidaros]

Re: Coach Stig!

I don't want a coach that is satisfied with 3,000 people in the stands on November afternoon!

I too agree.

I think Coach Stig needs to voice what he is thinking too. We can all bring a friend or someone who is interested in SDSU, but never took
the time or spent the money to make it to CAS. No its not griping as far as I am concerned.

Winning in Fargo can be easy if we make the plays. Watching at home on TV and having watched a number of NDSU-SDSU games in loud Fargo-Dome and Decotah Field, that crowd will grow very silent if the opponent takes the upper hand on the field.

[jackmd]

Re: Coach Stig!

We can all be part of the solution. I told you what I am doing.

Increasing my season ticket purchases from 4 to 6. I can find 2 people who wouldn't go to the game if they didn't have a ticket and get them to the game.

I'm buying 10 extra tickets for the NDSU game, reasons are 2-fold, keep them out of the Bison's hands and get Jackrabbit fans to the game.

My plea, each and everyone of you do something similar. Whatever you can do within your means. If more tickets means less in donations don't do that. If money is tight and it will stress your budget don't do that. If you can budget for it now is the time to start.

[West-River_Jack]

Re: Coach Stig!

I plan to be a first-time season ticket holder next year (if Doc doesn't buy them all first). I can't make a 775 mile (estimate) round trip to all home games but will attempt to put them in the hands of someone who will use them for the others. I already have motel reservations for those three home weekends.

[167]

Re: Coach Stig!

Here is the deal. Brookings has what 25% of the population base that Fargo has. That alone gives you a nice customer base. Now they have had considerable more success than has SDSU and so the base has grown and grown over the years. It is hard to build the base when you are forever 6-5. Now I love football at any level and am a season ticket holder and if I lived closer to Brookings I would be at all the home games and would travel to some away games. I did go to the ISU game and would have loved to go to a playoff game. Stig has got us moving in the right direction and having beat NDSU in Fargo is just another step. The Jacks have made great strides and will continue to be patient fans. Build it and they will come.