UConn Podcast: Leaving Games Early Debate

[BlueMAB]

So you wouldn't leave a Broadway play because "you're not emotionally involved in the outcome" but you'd leave a UConn football game that you actually are emotionally involved with. Now that's rational thinking. Look, if you have to leave for your kids emergency that's understandable. But a gridlocked parking lot is no excuse. Leaving early is indeed an insult to the players, the coaches and your own team loyalties. But it is a free country so knock yourself out.

You're missing the point. Plays and movies are poor analogies.

I said I've left early if we're getting blown out. That's not an irrational position no matter you spin it. My time, is my time. I don't owe anyone on that field my time. If they are insulted, tough. Do better.

 

[DoctorWho85]

Unfortunately, it's become more of what can you do for me mentality that the AD has to deal with. I like the idea of university sponsored tailgates for the students. I also like the idea of implementing some sort of reward system for students and season ticket holders. Similar to what the Jets said they were going to do with that card you scan at the gate. Get rewards points for arriving early, staying late and being loud (Causing time outs, false starts, etc...). These points should be redeemable for UConn gear or tickets to basketball or hockey games. I know a lot of us hear don't need any incentive to stay or show up early or be loud outside of the team being on the field, but couldn't hurt to try something new.

 

[31GuardTrap]

In a weird kind of way (probably in relation to Fishy's point about New Englanders obsession with traffic), part of me gets excited to see some people leave games early. It means that if I stay until the end of the game, eat some post-game cookies with my brother (tradition), and talk about the game and upcoming schedule for about 10-15 minutes, I will have absolutely zero traffic resistance by the time we are ready to part ways. Not one car - ever.

But I would be more than happy to sacrifice my own traffic obsessions for a few more game clock minutes of rocking Rent atmosphere, especially if it helps us win games.

Umm.....cookies? I like cookies.

 

[Dooley]

Umm.....cookies? I like cookies.

LOL yeah, chocolate chunk usually from Price Chopper. We throw a few back while waiting for traffic to clear. We've never had to wait more than 10-15 minutes but why not wait whilst stuffing down some cookies?

 

[MASSconn]

As long as our stadium is 35 minutes from campus, you'll forever see students leaving early.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

Put a better product on the field... bottom line... thats the only way to get fans into seats.. none of this bs t-shirt nonsense or rewards system..how pathetic is that, we cant get fans in seats so we need to reward them to watch a football game? I have more free Mets t-shirts than i know what to do with. Doesnt incentivize me to go to Met games, the team being awesome and having a lot of young talent did though.

Lets ask an honest question...how many people are going games because of the tailgate experience? If we allowed people to tailgate during the game, no one would go in to watch a 7-3 game against an unexciting opponent.

 

[Nostical]

I said I've left early if we're getting blown out. That's not an irrational position no matter you spin it. My time, is my time. I don't owe anyone on that field my time. If they are insulted, tough. Do better.

That's not the attitude of a fan, it's the attitude of a consumer. Don't like a movie? Walk out. Don't like a cereal? Throw the box away. We aren't mere consumers of Husky football. We are fans. That my friend is a real and significant difference. You may not like the analogies but they are valid ones.

 

[BlueMAB]

That's not the attitude of a fan, it's the attitude of a consumer. Don't like a movie? Walk out. Don't like a cereal? Throw the box away. We aren't mere consumers of Husky football. We are fans. That my friend is a real and significant difference. You may not like the analogies but they are valid ones.

Maybe the view of the field from up there on your high horse has distorted your view of what's been happening on the field. But after what us fans have been subjected to over the past few years; anyone who chooses to not sit at home, and instead chooses to invest their time and money to still go to the games, doesn't deserve to have someone look down his nose and tell them they aren't fans. as scuba lou famously once said. eat a dick.

 

[whaler11]

That's not the attitude of a fan, it's the attitude of a consumer. Don't like a movie? Walk out. Don't like a cereal? Throw the box away. We aren't mere consumers of Husky football. We are fans. That my friend is a real and significant difference. You may not like the analogies but they are valid ones.

You have clearly defined 'fan' differently than everyone else. Your analogies are only 'valid' to you.

 

[Dooley]

Happening across the pond too...

http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2015/11...BC Sports Soccer&utm_tags=srm[soccer,article]

 

[Nostical]

Your analogies are only 'valid' to you.

Look, if you really desire to leave games early--because God knows that traffic is a killer--go to it. Just don't call yourself a Husky football fan. Call yourself a Husky football supporter, consumer, backer, enthusiast, rooter, fancier, or buff. But not a fan. Fans, barring an emergency, stay till the game is over. You have every right to disagree and call me names, even describe the height of my horse, but this team not only needs our support in tough times, it deserves our support. It's not a function of "win and entertain me and I'll consider staying longer". That's not what my definition of fans do. You obviously see this through a different prism. That's OK. It doesn't make you a bad person. Just a bad fan.

 

[storrsroars]

This really is some "holier than thou" bullbleep, for any sport, any city.

What's worse is, I used to be one of the "you're a horsebleep fan if you don't stay for the whole game" guys well into my 40s. Then I finally grew up.

I don't live in CT any longer and have never been to the Rent. But I go to plenty of games here in Pittsburgh. I'm a partial season ticket holder for the Pirates and attend both Pitt football and hoops games as my wife is an alumnus.

However, I have an endless list of stuff to do. Dollars are dollars. You can always make more. But you only get so much time in life. So if I'm choosing to spend my time and entertainment dollar on your product, give me a product worth watching. And let's remember - sports is nothing more than entertainment. It's a diversion, not life or death.

I've walked out of movies and plays before. If it sucks, I'm out. There's no larger conceit than to think your attendance is going to make the difference between the entertainment being good or not.

 

[BlueMAB]

it deserves our support.

I'll bite. Why does the team "deserve" our support?

Why do they deserve it over say, a soup kitchen in need of volunteers? A youth basketball program in need of coaches? A yard in need of raking? Why do they "deserve" my time and money more than anything else at that given time?

They don't do what they do for me. They don't play for me, or you. They don't coach for me, or you. They do it for themselves. They do it for a scholarship, they do it for a paycheck. They aren't out there for me. They don't owe me anything, and I don't owe them anything.

 

[J187Money]

I'll bite. Why does the team "deserve" our support? Why do they deserve it over say, a soup kitchen in need of volunteers? A youth basketball program in need of coaches? A yard in need of raking? Why do they "deserve" my time and money more than anything else at that given time? They don't do what they do for me. They don't play for me, or you. They don't coach for me, or you. They do it for themselves. They do it for a scholarship, they do it for a paycheck. They aren't out there for me. They don't owe me anything, and I don't owe them anything.

How can you take a different position if you hang out with player's families?

 

[whaler11]

TIL:

UConn Football has about 500 'fans'. That's how many made it to the end of the SMU game. On the bright side - I have the distinction of meeting the definition.

 

[J187Money]

TIL: UConn Football has about 500 'fans'. That's how many made it to the end of the SMU game. On the bright side - I have the distinction of meeting the definition.

I didn't even go.

 

[whaler11]

I didn't even go.

Are we allowed to go to the bathroom during the game or is disrepectful to avert your gaze for a single second?

 

[Fishy]

I didn't even go.

You son of a bitch. You almost had us fooled...almost.

 

[Waquoit]

TIL:
UConn Football has about 500 'fans'. That's how many made it to the end of the SMU game. On the bright side - I have the distinction of meeting the definition.

No problem finding the car post-game.

 

[BlueMAB]

How can you take a different position if you hang out with player's families?

The one where you just STFU and don't be a ?

 

[JMick]

Are we allowed to go to the bathroom during the game or is disrepectful to avert your gaze for a single second?

You don't have a dedicated gameday portable urinal? You're not a real fan then

 

[John]

Look, if you really desire to leave games early--because God knows that traffic is a killer--go to it. Just don't call yourself a Husky football fan. Call yourself a Husky football supporter, consumer, backer, enthusiast, rooter, fancier, or buff. But not a fan. Fans, barring an emergency, stay till the game is over. You have every right to disagree and call me names, even describe the height of my horse, but this team not only needs our support in tough times, it deserves our support. It's not a function of "win and entertain me and I'll consider staying longer". That's not what my definition of fans do. You obviously see this through a different prism. That's OK. It doesn't make you a bad person. Just a bad fan.

The fan police, gotta love it lol.

 

[huskymedic]

You don't have a dedicated gameday portable urinal? You're not a real fan then

Amateur!!!

 

[Nostical]

Are we allowed to go to the bathroom during the game?

I'm really not that draconian. There's no need for catheters as five bathroom breaks are allowed during the game. Just don't stay there too long on cold days.

 

[firstnline]

For all of us, stop stuffing your stomachs, put the beer down and for 10 minutes greet the team as they get off the bus for the Husky Walk. They need a big pump up from the fans before the game.