in the student section's defense, I can't even understand what they're saying in this video, let alone across the stadium
I don't think we heard the 1-2-3-4, at least in mass-numbers for a few seasons. But, I love this Purdue tradition, minus the newish ending...it's extremely impressive in a full stadium. Plus, it simply infuriates the opposing fans- always a good thing. I've heard poor attempts to mock it by nearly every group of fans who visit. They mock it because it's grating. And it's even more grating when the offense is humming along a la the Brees or Orton-led teams.
While I think the student tickets should be free and first-come, first-serve, we all know they're not right now. Some thought the tickets were free before Tiller- not the case. In fact, I just looked at my student ticket from '93- $54 for the season. It was a punch ticket w/ 6 games...every game we had to present an idea and the ticket and they'd punch it. Kinda archaic, especially when you compare it to the fancy-pants scanners being used by these whipper-snappers at the gates! (that was all for effect, by the way).
Do it for the kids
If enough students want the "bitch" stuff to stop, it will. Until then, it will keep going. The old people won't do anything about except "bitch". I guess I'm one of those, in this case. I've got a three year old who's already thoroughly-brainwashed as a Boiler fan. He can't understand much of what's going on around him- from people dressed like Santa Clause and barely able to stand to yelling "bitch" at the end of cheers, I'd rather not have him exposed to these things...But, I do want him to share my love for gameday...He already does like it.
I asked him last week if he was a Purdue fan...he said, "I'm a big Purdue football fan..." He continued, "and I like Chris Kramer too." He met Kramer earlier this season after a football game and it had an impact...but he hasn't yet been to Mackey for a Purdue game. The fact that it's so crowded and he can't run around in the stands makes it a bit less-ideal. Hopefully in a year or two, when his sister is up and at 'em, we'll have the same problem at Ross-Ade.
Not all bad
Let's all remember, not all alums are like the people that tell me to shut up at games or guarantee their boycott of the events via the Exponent...Most are good fans, but the "bitches" ruin it for everyone. If you sit near one, let 'em know that you're not going anywhere...don't taunt them, but firmly remind them that you paid for your ticket too and have the right to cheer just as they have the right to sit on their fat arses and do nothing.
But, make sure not to do anything that will get you kicked out of the stadium- a ton of cursing, personal attacks on other fans and throwing stuff will only be allowed in the student section...and even then, I've seen people kicked out for going too far with that.
One of my favorite new traditions, started by some alums in section 119 started a few seasons ago. Back when my family and I all sat in 119...a block of 8 tickets...everytime our Boilers scored, a couple of guys a few rows below us would throw various Little Debbie treats to those behind them. It was pretty enjoyable...problem was, in '07 and '08, they were throwing less-and-less snack cakes as the once-powerful Boiler offense had been reduced to a sputtering shell of its once-powerful self. This year, it looks like things might be moving back in the right direction...and those faithful fellows in 119 can toss some Twinkies and Oatmeal Creme Pies, yet again.
See, not all alums are lousy fans.
The Refs Deserve it (and get paid, no less)
Now, in my opinion, it's kind of our job to make the opponent's fans feel unwelcome by drowning out their cheers with sheer numbers. I'm not saying throw things at opposing fans...are cursing at them like the ladies of Wisconsin do. But I can't stand when our band plays their fight song...and I hate it when RA is converted into Columbus West. Much of that is the fault of people simply not buying tickets...but the other part is fans not being vociferous in their support of their Boilers. So be loud...make homefield advantage a true advantage. There's no reason opposing fans should ever leave RA feeling like it's their home- it's not.
But, I've never been a fan of booing anyone (except the refs), except maybe opposing player or coach who is dirty. If a guy goes all Zach Reckman on a Boiler, that might be a good place to boo a player...opposing player, mind you. Or if a coach is acting like King Charlie and demanding the officials stay on the field and respect his authority, that could be a good place to boo an opposing coach. But, booing Purdue players and coaches is not ever good. Even if you don't like the play-calling and you're booing a paid state employee like Hope or Tiller, you're killing the morale of the players...And speaking of killing morale, what good does it do to ever say a Purdue player "sucks". The kids that bleed for the program, later in their life, limp for the program while earning a scholarship shouldn't be crushed by the fans, in my opinion. There are bad guys on teams, even Purdue teams (I know, shocker), but unless they're demanding to be given their transfer papers, ruining the locker room or giving the Purdue students the finger (yes, these all happened), don't bail on them! They're still Boilers, yo.
Agree to Disagree
There are a ton of perspectives on the culture of sports...and not everyone can be as wise and erudite as J and I (sarcasm, by the way)...but we all know things can be better at Ross Ade and Mackey arena...it all starts with the students setting the tone. A mother of a student section can create an environment in a venue that makes it a hard place to play...and eventually, those students become alums. And hopefully, those alums don't loser their collective satchels as they become 5, 10, 20-year alums.
But, all college sporting events are absolutely about the students...from the players on the field, to the student section, to the band, to the cheerleaders...it's about the people who attend the university.
29 comments:
I learned today that Markos Moulitsas founded SB Nation, where Hammer & Rails makes its home. Thus, I like your blog a lot more. Keep up the good work. Don't take money from radical leftists.
"giving the Purdue students the finger..."
/Dorsch'd
Student football season tickets were free during the first two seasons of the Colletto era, which were my freshman and sophomore years: 1987 and 1988. To my memory, the student tickets had always been free as well before I got to Purdue, but someone may be able to confirm or deny that with facts, not fuzzy kinda-sorta rumor memories like mine.
Not to be the "correction" guy, but the Colletto era began in 91. It was my sophomore year, Akers was there the year before. Anyhow, in 90 when I was a Frosh, I had to pay for tix, $40 I think. (It was the same little punch ticket.) The upperclassmen let me know how lame it was to pay for tix, so they must have free mid-eighties.
Anyhow, this whole alum thing brings me to a story I have to share. At ND this year, I was standing and cheering at the beginning of the 1st qtr and was loudly told to sit down by an ND fan two rows back. I told him to look at the stadium, and I kept standing. He threatened to get security, I told him go ahead. Then when we scored, I turned and cheered and told him I would not be sitting all night. He lost it, getting in my face. So a fellow Boiler from his row came down to....back me up?....noooooo....to support the little leprachaun! He told me to sit down..NOW. When I said no, he started chest bumping me and threatened to take me outside and kick my ass. WOW!! A fellow "Boiler" threatening physical violence in support of a Domer? I told him he wouldn't do any such thing, turned around and stood the rest of the game. When I occasionally looked back, him and his wife were sitting every time...missing the whole game. No wonder he wanted me to sit. Anyhow...if that guy is reading...next time stay home!
buck, My Dad graduated in '70- he told me the seats were always free then...but '88 is not ancient history...I'd love to see them set aside 5-10K of free student tickets for each game...first come, first serve.
Matt, we got a note from a Domer asking us to join the SB network- he said he liked our site...I saw a problem right away.
I have no problem w/ TMill joining, we just like our autonomy.
Chris, that story sucks. Good for you for standing on principle and not being bullied. That just sucks...and I'm disappointed more people didn't back you up.
That's a truly "disgusting" story, to use the line that shrew used when she wrote to the Exponent.
I was there 85-89 and the tickets were free...or more accurately the price was buried in your tuition somewhere.
Chris, I hate that story. It makes me want to punch the Purdue fan, not the Domer in the throat.
You said you were positive that the First Down chant dates back before '04, I can verify that it was established in it's current form (minus the "bitch"), in '02, my freshman year. The "bitch" part showed up in either '05 or '06, and it was a hot issue from the beginning. It was still the early days of Facebook back then (only open to college students), and there were large groups dedicated to both sides.
I was a student during the Brees era. I couldn't remember if the 1-2-3-4 FIRST DOWN! chant started then or if it had started earlier.
I'm pretty indifferent about adding "Bitch" to the end. If the students want to do it, they'll do it. Why do people get so easily offended?
It still astounds me that a Purdue fan would tell another Purdue fan to be quiet during a game at Ross-Ade.
I totally agree with you about the games being for the students. When I was a student (96-00) I often felt that the athletic department couldn't care less about the students. The JPC ruled the roost. They took parking away from students during games (I lived in Hilltop and on football Saturdays I had to park my car at the Co-Rec. I know that doesn't sound like a big deal, but at the time it pissed me off to no end.) They took all the best seats in Mackey and cheered like they were in a library (this was before there was a Gene Pool/Paint Crew). Yeah, I know the money from the JPC is important, but the students are more important. In fact, my hateful feelings for the JPC that started when I was a student has still prevented me from even considering joining. Well, that and the fact that I don't have a bunch of extra money laying around.
Ok, I kinda got off topic there... Oh yeah, the students are important!
I was there from 1984-1988. Tickets were included in your tuition, for additional amount every year you could opt in for tickets or opt out. My junior year during a gm. against Pitt about 20 of us brought in blow up dolls and blew them up during the 2nd half. We pretended they were our sorority partners and had all kinds of fun with them the rest of the game. We tossed them and held them up like chearleaders. We did catch some grief for that though. I have an old pic from the Exponent.
That pic needs to be shared at boiledsports@gmail.com, good sir...
I, too, was not a big fan of our band playing the opposition's fight song. I asked a friend of mine who was in the band, and he said that all of the other teams provide the same courtesy.
As lame as it is, it's consistent.
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New favorite word verification: "nipsha"
The 1st down chant has been there since at least '99. I was a freshman in 97 and can't remember for sure if it was going on back then. (those days are somehow a little blurry).
In contrast to others I can't overstate how good my section in general has been this year. We have a guy in our section (121) that throws Twinkies after each touchdown and converted PAT. Nearly the entire section stood for the duration of the Notre Dame game and for extended portions of Ohio Sate. Only once did someone complain about all of us standing and were promptly met by the criticism a of large number of boiler fans. Very happy with my seats this year.
I am somewhat dissapointed in the addition to the 1st down cheer. Not so much for the profanity, but more for a complete lack of originality. The more people complain about the students the longer it will be around.
Indeed, the chant was preset when I was a freshman in '99... it's just become louder since then
I think J and Dowd would remember that we used to throw empty plastic cups (I still have a few), marshmellows, and toilet paper after touchdowns and field goals. There was the occasional idiot that threw a full cup (not cool). I would love to see someone throwing Little Debbie cakes around.
I do remember doing the first down sign in 1997, but we didn't do any counting.
Tickets were $54 in 1993 (I still have my ticket someplace). We bought them because it helped you get a better seat at basketball games when it was on a point system.
The entire student section used to explode with anything you could throw anytime Purdue would score.
I remember carrying toilet paper in for that purpose.
It looked like a garbage eruption.
WHAT?!?! You mean people actually ATTEND Purdue? I thought it was just a place old people went to watch football and basketball games in silence!
I went to high school with a player who is struggling right now, and to hear other students scream that he sucks and shouldn't even be on the field really galls me. He's got hard senior classes just like I do, and I doubt those jerks could do much better.
But yes, never boo or tear down Purdue players, they really are giving it everything they've got.
The first time I remember the first down cheer was when I had season tix during the Rose Bowl year, (pretty memorable year, huh?) Except, at the time, my buddy and I would stomp our feet with the band, (Stomp 1, 2, 3, 4 istead of saying it, and then we would signal first down. Over the next year or three I remember saying 1, 2, 3, 4.
I am not sure my opinion on the whole bitch thing. Is it somewhat classless? Yes. Was I once a college student doing classless things? Yes! So I see both sides. I still take my kids to games, and I don't even think they have ever realized what is being said. I mean, I can vividly remember going to 49ers games as a kid, and people smoking pot behind us in the stands. My dad just told me those people had no class, and it reinforced my feeling of never wanting to do that.
So kids are exposed to all sorts of crap...and this particular word is used on the radio and TV regularly now. Sure, I would like it to stop, but I don't think my son will be corrupted if he hears it. That is why he has parents, to tell him what is right and wrong.
I was a student from 2000 to 2005. If my memory serves, the first down chant didn't start until 2002 or 2003.
It was definitely there in 2001. I remember doing it the first game of my freshman year and thinking how cool of a "tradition" it was...little did I know it wasn't much of one at the time. I love the "bitch" part and it came about because of the first down arm movement. People started swinging their arms back across their body after the first down motion like a "bitch slap"...thus it was only logical to add "bitch" to the end. Let the students get drunk and have fun, it's college!
That's right, Paul! We had cup wars during the waning moments of less attended games. People would collect during the third quarter, then it was bombs away when OSU was up 49-14!
It wasn't there from 94-98. I clearly remember coming back for the OSU game in 2002 (holy buckeye bullcrap) game and sitting in the student section (with Little Mark) and the first few times wondering what the crap was going on when Purdue got a first down. That tells me it has to have started right around then.
I was in the student section 03-07, and if I remember right the 'bitch' part started to become more noticeable towards the end of '06. I started noticing it then because students finally got over holding a shoe in the air during kickoffs (instead of shaking keys).
I graduated in '89 (during the Fred Akers Experiment), and tickets were free. We jingled keys on the kickoffs, and brought in marshmallows by the bag to throw. Bad on-field product, but fun times in the stands.
Believe me, there are plenty of classless, trashy college fans out there (it's a tradition for University of Oregon "fans" to storm the field after a home win and get in the face of the other players to taunt them), that a one-word explicative that apparently half of the students choose not to say anyways doesn't come close to pushing the envelope. If it makes for an intimidating home field, so much the better for the home team. Let the kids be kids.
At home games, the University of Washington band plays the opponent's song first, then launches immediately into UW's fight song: "Bow Down To Washington," just to let everyone know where the UW band stands on this sort of thing. Time for our band to get a more aggro fight song methinks.
Gregg Z.
Back in high school, we would paint our chests and "no-shirt" the games. We would get to the games about an hour and a half before kickoff so we could get the front row so the visiting team could see us. A couple of games some of the parents would get angry because we would stand the whole game. Our school officer one time came over and told us to sit, closest I've ever been to telling a cop to f-off. We also got in trouble with our principal for chanted "Alcoholics" because the visiting school had four players suspended for alcohol violations.
You could go to any high-school or college level sporting event and they will always be those people who want to sit on their arse and clap their hands for touchdowns. The students will always act immature, and if you like the energy that they bring you will just have to put up with it. They just have to realize that the students create the atmosphere that makes the games so enjoyable. If you don't like people cheering and standing, they should just go to a Pacers game and listen to pre-recorded "defense" chants. When I used to park cars in the D lot, some of the alumni were total dicks but most were nice. I just get the feeling that some alumni think that they own the university because they spend thousands of dollars to be a JPC member.
I completely agree that booing Purdue players is just stupid! But I will continue to boo Notre Dame and IU as they enter the field at the beginning of each half. They may be students, but they chose those stupid schools!
Chad, as judge and jury of this post, I'll allow it.
Jon---
I graduated in the winter of 86 and still tell the story about the blow up dolls in the student section. LOL.
That was classic.
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