This is probably digging a dead horse out of the ground and beating it to death again but wanted to share my thoughts on our atmosphere in the stadium and the issues surrounding attendence.
First thing, I’ve been a season ticket holder since 1996 and by extension through my family since I was born in 1978 so have been around the block. Plus I’ve had the pleasure of traveling to many away games to check out other stadiums.
What I think we do right.
1. Fans who like to party/tailgate. Whether you like it or not, the people of Missouri love eating and drinking with friends. We’re natural entertainers so would aput our pre and post game scene up against most.
2. Golden Girls - They are most SEC thing we have. I’m not trying to be a creepy old man. They are a really great dance team and have so much tradition.
3. Showing up for big games. We know when we have to show up and when we do the stadium can be electric but even then we have some issues, see below.
4. A set of die hards that are as insane (in a good way) than any fan base in the country. I had a group of family member set up a tv in the kitchen at my wedding to watch Mizzou @ Texas tech. Please note it was an away game.
Our issues:
1. The stadium itself: it’s just not that special visually. From the exterior it looks small and not imposing like some others. I know it’s dig into the ground but if you’ve ever walked up to a massive stadium it really adds to the buzz.
2. Show me attitude. See above. We look for reasons not to go to good matchups which I contend are in part because the in game experience isn’t all that great.
3. Winning is sporadic. Winning cures all and our sporadic winning history hasn’t a truly large die hard fan base that will stop at nothing to be in the seats.
4. Lazy noise. While being a tiger fan I’m also coming from a being a Chiefs season ticket perspective that are fans have no idea how to make noise. Sitting all game (unless you need to) should not be normal if you want to create an atmosphere.
5. Too cool for school on our traditions. From the fight songs to MIZ-ZOU there is about a 60% participation rate in the stands. Why is this? You are there to have fun...give it a try and act like a kid for a few hours.
6. Student apathy. This is what scares me the most for the future of the game. Is it just boozing or are they just not really into football? Need to figure this out, whether it’s eaier way to get tickets together with your friends, house whatever but that section next to the band last night is insane. Suggestion: After the 1st quarter, invite the upper deck to move down.
Interested to know others thoughts but my opionion is that in order to truly create a new normal we might need to start over with a new stadium because the band aids we are applying will only get us so far. Please note I’m talking way down the line. I’m excited to see what the south end zone does, maybe that will do the trick?
MIZ
First thing, I’ve been a season ticket holder since 1996 and by extension through my family since I was born in 1978 so have been around the block. Plus I’ve had the pleasure of traveling to many away games to check out other stadiums.
What I think we do right.
1. Fans who like to party/tailgate. Whether you like it or not, the people of Missouri love eating and drinking with friends. We’re natural entertainers so would aput our pre and post game scene up against most.
2. Golden Girls - They are most SEC thing we have. I’m not trying to be a creepy old man. They are a really great dance team and have so much tradition.
3. Showing up for big games. We know when we have to show up and when we do the stadium can be electric but even then we have some issues, see below.
4. A set of die hards that are as insane (in a good way) than any fan base in the country. I had a group of family member set up a tv in the kitchen at my wedding to watch Mizzou @ Texas tech. Please note it was an away game.
Our issues:
1. The stadium itself: it’s just not that special visually. From the exterior it looks small and not imposing like some others. I know it’s dig into the ground but if you’ve ever walked up to a massive stadium it really adds to the buzz.
2. Show me attitude. See above. We look for reasons not to go to good matchups which I contend are in part because the in game experience isn’t all that great.
3. Winning is sporadic. Winning cures all and our sporadic winning history hasn’t a truly large die hard fan base that will stop at nothing to be in the seats.
4. Lazy noise. While being a tiger fan I’m also coming from a being a Chiefs season ticket perspective that are fans have no idea how to make noise. Sitting all game (unless you need to) should not be normal if you want to create an atmosphere.
5. Too cool for school on our traditions. From the fight songs to MIZ-ZOU there is about a 60% participation rate in the stands. Why is this? You are there to have fun...give it a try and act like a kid for a few hours.
6. Student apathy. This is what scares me the most for the future of the game. Is it just boozing or are they just not really into football? Need to figure this out, whether it’s eaier way to get tickets together with your friends, house whatever but that section next to the band last night is insane. Suggestion: After the 1st quarter, invite the upper deck to move down.
Interested to know others thoughts but my opionion is that in order to truly create a new normal we might need to start over with a new stadium because the band aids we are applying will only get us so far. Please note I’m talking way down the line. I’m excited to see what the south end zone does, maybe that will do the trick?
MIZ
