Brainstorming time: what can WE do?

shallwemaui10 wrote:just play better

Really, the team has to play better for you to yell, or cheer, or support the Pilots? Really?

Nothing in support of their efforts?

Whatever!

As a newcomer to the 'grown-up' side of the stands I don't want to ruffle feathers or make too many waves so I try to keep things to a minimum (plus it's no fun to yell alone). I feel like I'm yelling in the ears of the people in front of me, especially when few others are yelling at the same time. I don't want people to dread coming to games because of that obnoxious guy behind them.

Perhaps I'm too concerned with the thoughts/feelings of others, though.

actually, it's a pretty good bet that I've been to more pilot games than any of you. In fact I can look through the crowd and many of the ticket holders have been there from the Avina years, when Raivio Sr. played. Over the past 5 years or so, we have made the largest strides we ever have in terms of the students and fans, but unless the team improves, and I mean really improves, there isn't anything else that really matters. Did Zag fans fill every gym in the league in the 80s when they were the same 15-14 as the Pilots. No. The fans followed, when the team improved and sustained it. During the first 2 years of the Chavez years, we had a loud crowd. Can you guess why? THE TEAM WAS GOOD.

shallwemaui10 wrote:actually, it's a pretty good bet that I've been to more pilot games than any of you. In fact I can look through the crowd and many of the ticket holders have been there from the Avina years, when Raivio Sr. played. Over the past 5 years or so, we have made the largest strides we ever have in terms of the students and fans, but unless the team improves, and I mean really improves, there isn't anything else that really matters. Did Zag fans fill every gym in the league in the 80s when they were the same 15-14 as the Pilots. No. The fans followed, when the team improved and sustained it. During the first 2 years of the Chavez years, we had a loud crowd. Can you guess why? THE TEAM WAS GOOD.

So which came first, the chicken or the egg?

shallwemaui10 wrote:actually, it's a pretty good bet that I've been to more pilot games than any of you. In fact I can look through the crowd and many of the ticket holders have been there from the Avina years, when Raivio Sr. played. Over the past 5 years or so, we have made the largest strides we ever have in terms of the students and fans, but unless the team improves, and I mean really improves, there isn't anything else that really matters. Did Zag fans fill every gym in the league in the 80s when they were the same 15-14 as the Pilots. No. The fans followed, when the team improved and sustained it. During the first 2 years of the Chavez years, we had a loud crowd. Can you guess why? THE TEAM WAS GOOD.

This is an excellent point. In any UP sport, whether it be soccer, basketball, or even Baseball, having a team which competes at the conference and National levels makes a huge difference. When the men's and women's basketball teams went to the tournament, the Chiles center had very good attendance and the crowds were enthusiastic, when the Men's soccer team was deep in the tournament every year, they outdrew the women. Their success in fact built Merlo.

In the 1990's I was commiserating with a UP coach about reduced attendance and enthusiasm at games, and he reminded me that it was the success of the teams is what really was the driving force. The coach was also careful to credit the fewer fans that came out when the team wasn't on top of the world.

When i was a kid, i was a Mets fan. I dont mean a Tom Seaver Mets fan, i mean an Elio Chacone - jesse Gondor Mets fan. casey Stengel once said anybody could be a Yankees fan. There is no trouble finding "fans" who will support a winner. the key is to get and keep fans who appreciate the struggles of players though the good times and the bad times. Those are the fans you really want to keep.

Do people know all the words to the fight song? Are we about due to suggest to the U that we hand out cards with the words on the back again? (Remember the ones that said GO PILOTS! on one side, and the lyrics on the back?) Would we have volunteers to help hand them out?

Uh, don't we have a big screen everyone can see? Fight song karaoke.

So which came first, the chicken or the egg?

I have been known to stand and yell for good defense, and bad calls, etc. However, sometimes the torrent of unforced turnovers saps my energy. So it is a little bit of both. We fans need to be loud, and the team needs to give it total effort and focus.

up7587 wrote:

Do people know all the words to the fight song? Are we about due to suggest to the U that we hand out cards with the words on the back again? (Remember the ones that said GO PILOTS! on one side, and the lyrics on the back?) Would we have volunteers to help hand them out?

Uh, don't we have a big screen everyone can see? Fight song karaoke.

So which came first, the chicken or the egg?

I have been known to stand and yell for good defense, and bad calls, etc. However, sometimes the torrent of unforced turnovers saps my energy. So it is a little bit of both. We fans need to be loud, and the team needs to give it total effort and focus.

Seriously.

I never went to the school and I know the fight song. Up until dr Phil died, we heard it about 200 times a game. I have gotten to the point where I can even do the body postures for the V.I.C.T.O.R.Y part. If you dont know it, it's on the web site.

As to the refs taking the wind out of our sails, that's our own fault. We let some of the stupidest calls In history go unopposed. It doesn't matter much anyway, since the best refs in the NCAA don't seem like they are biased, just incompetent. Even the BYU announcers pointed out ( in a polite way) how the refs were " inexperienced". That was in an easy win for them.

1) In regards to the fight song, I would agree with the standing and clapping. It is a simple acknowledgement and you aren't required to know the words. People would recognize it better because of the show of support.

2) At the BYU game, the students sitting below me kept yelling at the Padre guys to stop doing soccer cheers "because this is basketball, not soccer." This needs to stop. Who cares what cheers or team... It's the PILOTS for pete's sake... just cheer.

3) NOISE. Yes. More, please.

4) I would practically give tickets away to fill seats... Maybe not at Wazzu, Gonzaga, BYU, or St. Mary's, but to other games. Maybe offer discounts closer to game time.

5) Make the team feel loved. We have a great team this year and we don't want anyone transferring. The "Kevin Bailey" cheer the students did was a great example of this.

6) BEER


Also, it seemed like BYU fans were calling out the student section for showing spirit. Not cool, in my opinion.

ShipstadPilot11 wrote:As a newcomer to the 'grown-up' side of the stands I don't want to ruffle feathers or make too many waves so I try to keep things to a minimum (plus it's no fun to yell alone). I feel like I'm yelling in the ears of the people in front of me, especially when few others are yelling at the same time. I don't want people to dread coming to games because of that obnoxious guy behind them.

Perhaps I'm too concerned with the thoughts/feelings of others, though.

Yikes, are you telling me we are on the "grown-up" side; we may have to reconsider our behavior.

I know what you're saying, we've all had to make a few apologies over the years, but for the most part, other fans are pretty supportive of noisy behavior. Sometimes the problem is there are so few people, whatever we say can be heard very clearly, when really we are just trying to make noise -- not necessarily make a statement.

Noise can be contagious, but don't fear giving it to others.

RipCityPilot wrote:
1) In regards to the fight song, I would agree with the standing and clapping. It is a simple acknowledgement and you aren't required to know the words. People would recognize it better because of the show of support.

2)

3) NOISE. Yes. More, please.

4)

5) Make the team feel loved. We have a great team this year and we don't want anyone transferring. The "Kevin Bailey" cheer the students did was a great example of this.

6) BEER

We can accomplish 1, 3, and 5. Six really works too; across Portsmouth at the Alumni House before the game and in the HOF Room before the game and at halftime - but you've got to be a Pilot Club member or guest for that.

Great stuff... keep it coming! Remember, what can WE do?! What is in within our direct control?

NoPoNeighbor wrote:Two easy things every individual fan can do:

1) Bring more people out to the games.
A couple simple ideas to boost attendance:

• Everyone here could commit to bring 10 people out to a game over the course of the year. That could have the potential to build on itself and create some buzz around town.
• Folks could write letters-to-the-editor of the Oregonian, Portland Tribune, neighborhood newsletters, and other publications calling on Portlanders to come out and support their team for the last couple games of the season.
• Everyone who is active on-line could promote the games through Facebook, Twitter, etc.
• Pilot Nation could set up a meeting with the athletic department to find ways that existing fans could facilitate bringing new fans to the game. For example, free or discounted "friends and family tickets" for regular attendees that folks could use to invite others to come out to see a game.

[b]2) Everyone can make a personal (and collective) commitment to making more noise throughout the game.

Absolutely, your ideas are spot on!

We bring at least 10 guests each year, but, I have to admit, I cannot think of one guest over the years that has come back on their own, only when we invite them again. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't keep trying. Just putting people in the seats has got to help crank up the volume to some extent.

I think the idea of using social networking is the best idea of all, particularly for the students, but also for our many friends that cannot go 30 minutes without checking Facebook, or Twitter, etc. There's no reason we can't have a flash mob in the purple seats at the Chiles Center. I have never met Jon in marketing, but I bet he would absolutely love to meet with those of us who are trying to make his job easier. Let's do it!

I predict we're going to have a good team and a good crowd next year, but neither will happen without hard work.

To me, the 2 biggest contributors, which have already been mentioned, are:

1. Make noise. Noise is indeed contagious. Stand up and clap after made buckets. Make some noise as the shot clock runs down and we're on defense. That gets the energy level up.

2. Bring people to games. I actually really like the idea of "friends and family" ticket discounts for season ticket holders. Trying to prime the pump. I do believe there are already lots of promotions out there (e.g., CYO night). Also, the reality is that tickets really aren't that expensive, but I still like the idea.

Of course, I haven't been to as many games this year as I would have liked to or thoughts I would be at, so I will start with the finger pointed at me!

I always thought some sort of a rewards program for season ticket holders could be cool... Think get 10 people to come to a game, get a hat, 50 get a t-shirt, get someone to buy a season ticket get a polo shirt. (or whatever) It seems the more butts in seats the better the atmosphere... As has been mentioned a good team will help people remove their hands from under their butts, but you gotta start somewhere. Why not utilize your loyal season ticket supporters and their individual networks? Seems like a no brainer to me.

Aside: seems to me if the dance thing was such an issue with BYU perhaps the ath. dept could have incentivized people to go to both somehow, or at least ensured people at the game would have had an available ride (if that was an issue). But thats another topic...

One thing I'd like to see is more student participation in PN. Many of the members here started posting (either here or on OLive) as students.

I'm all for constructive criticism, but we've been a little hard on a few students who have posted. It has either driven students away or prevented them from posting in the first place.

blacksheep wrote:One thing I'd like to see is more student participation in PN. Many of the members here started posting (either here or on OLive) as students. I'm all for constructive criticism, but we've been a little hard on a few students who have posted. It has either driven students away or prevented them from posting in the first place.

Well, Rev is doing his part through social media to create interest among the students. Below are two edited Tweets from Rev this morning:

A lot of work has been put into the Chiles Center experience but what makes it rock are the students!
Love to see all the students and young alum tonight!

You all might appreciate this one: http://www.upbeacon.net/physical-abyuse-1.2773580#.TzRN4rEgf4Y

RipCityPilot wrote:You all might appreciate this one: http://www.upbeacon.net/physical-abyuse-1.2773580#.TzRN4rEgf4Y

WOW! Well put. I appreciate what the author has said here, and realize it took guts to flat out call out the home crowd. And rightfully so.

Yes, a good team brings bigger crowds. But a bigger crowd helps produce a better effort. It is a symbiotic relationship in which both parties can benefit from each other. And while it can be argued that the men's basketball team haven't held up their end of the deal, only winning 30 percent of games, Pilots fans letting opposing teams' fans come into the Chiles Center and embarrass you, the team and the school isn't holding up your end either and it sure does not provide any extra motivation.

(The bolding was my own emphasis.)

I was just disgusted in general after the game; where was the pride? Where was the defense of our house from the crowd? I am glad that Bruce put this into words; I hope it doesnt fall on deaf ears.

PilotNut wrote:I was just disgusted in general after the game; where was the pride? Where was the defense of our house from the crowd? I am glad that Bruce put this into words; I hope it doesnt fall on deaf ears.

I don't mean to sound negative, because I'm a generally positive person, but it will fall on deaf ears.