UConn Podcast: Leaving Games Early Debate

[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.

 

[J187Money]

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

First - that was directed at Nostical. I quoted your quote of him.

Second - its not really a dig. If you have "connections" to the team you will feel differently than if you don't. Nostical clearly talks to players / families, so what else could his talk track be? Would any band parent go on the BY and say who cares about the band?

Third - why you mad bro?

Lastly - since I'm clearly not a fan under Nostical's definition - maybe he should pony up for Butch's tickets next year. I'm not worthy. LMAO.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

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

You're talking about going to the bathroom and averting your gaze in the same post. Not a good look.

 

[John]

Amateur!!!

Remember old Sullivan Stadium when fans used to just pee in the stands rather than miss a play?

 

[Husky25]

Remember old Sullivan Stadium when fans used to just pee in the stands rather than miss a play?

That's because the toilets flushed up. If you're going to get pi$$ on your feet anyway, might as well be your own and watch the game in the process.

 

[CL82]

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

I don't know Whaler, I think he points out an interesting distinction. A consumer merely consumes. That's the movie analogy. You pay your money and you can view as long as you'd like. If you are not pleased with the product you leave; you cease consuming. A fan on the other hand is a "fanatic," personally vested in the team. He doesn't view the the players on the field as providing a product that he can consume or not as he sees fit. He identifies with them, is ecstatic when they win and suffers when they lose. There's a difference.

Now, that said, I 100% agree with the point that it is kind of silly to be critical of people that are buying tickets and supporting the team while we are struggling to fill stadium and that "consumers" of the team are as valuable, if less passionate, than the "fans" of the team.

 

[uconnric]

Can't we just lock up this thread until it reappears next year?

 

[J187Money]

I don't know Whaler, I think he points out an interesting distinction. A consumer merely consumes. That's the movie analogy. You pay your money and you can view as long as you'd like. If you are not pleased with the product you leave; you cease consuming. A fan on the other hand is a "fanatic," personally vested in the team. He doesn't view the the players on the field as providing a product that he can consume or not as he sees fit. He identifies with them, is ecstatic when they win and suffers when they lose. There's a difference.

Now, that said, I 100% agree with the point that it is kind of silly to be critical of people that are buying tickets and supporting the team while we are struggling to fill stadium and that "consumers" of the team are as valuable, if less passionate, than the "fans" of the team.

You can do all of that without being in the stands for 100% of the snaps. Maybe Dale should consider everyone who doesn't travel to away games and paint themselves a non-fan.

I skipped the SMU game last year. The weather was bad and the team was terrible. OTOH, I nearly froze to death and waited until the final whistle during the UCF game last year, because if THEY were going to fight that hard in conditions *I* could certainly tough it out.

I travel to Lambeau 2-3 times a year. I go there in January (by myself generally - at great expense) to stand there in -6 degree weather during playoff games. I go to Wisconsin in the summer to play in Packer charity golf tournaments. Am I not a true fan because I decided to beat the traffic at Mile High last weekend when they fell behind 29-10?

There is a line between good fans and bad fans. Where Nostical is drawing the line is two standard deviations from where the line really ought to be.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

You can do all of that without being in the stands for 100% of the snaps. Maybe Dale should consider everyone who doesn't travel to away games and paint themselves a non-fan.

I skipped the SMU game last year. The weather was bad and the team was terrible. OTOH, I nearly froze to death and waited until the final whistle during the UCF game last year, because if THEY were going to fight that hard in ty conditions *I* could certainly tough it out.

I travel to Lambeau 2-3 times a year. I go there in January (by myself generally - at great expense) to stand there in -6 degree weather during playoff games. I go to Wisconsin in the summer to play in Packer charity golf tournaments. Am I not a true fan because I decided to beat the traffic at Mile High last weekend when they fell behind 29-10?

There is a line between good fans and bad fans. Where Nostical is drawing the line is two standard deviations from where the line really ought to be.

What a non fan you are. I had to explain to my son why SMU was having so much g-damn trouble running the Victory Formation last year.

<pats self on back>

 

[DoctorWho85]

In a 100% perfect fandom world, there would be no distractions for everyone in the stands outside of the stadium. The fact of the matter is life happens and not everyone is going to be able to stay til the clock hits 0:00 in fourth quarter. I have been to one game since 2012 (last year of season tickets) because I decided that I want to pay off my student loans in 5 years and buy a condo this year, so I picked up a second job back then and worked 7 days a week since. Does that make me any less of a fan than the season ticket holders staying to sing the Alma Mater at every home game? No it doesn't. You can argue maybe I'm less dedicated at this point, but I have not missed any game since 2003 when I first walked on the field with the UCMB opening day of the Rent. At the end of the day it was priorities for me. I'd much rather be debt free in the next couple years (allowing to me to upgrade to chair backs and get closer to the field) then to be a season ticket holder and forever owe to the banks.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I don't know Whaler, I think he points out an interesting distinction. A consumer merely consumes. That's the movie analogy. You pay your money and you can view as long as you'd like. If you are not pleased with the product you leave; you cease consuming. A fan on the other hand is a "fanatic," personally vested in the team. He doesn't view the the players on the field as providing a product that he can consume or not as he sees fit. He identifies with them, is ecstatic when they win and suffers when they lose. There's a difference.

Now, that said, I 100% agree with the point that it is kind of silly to be critical of people that are buying tickets and supporting the team while we are struggling to fill stadium and that "consumers" of the team are as valuable, if less passionate, than the "fans" of the team.

Why do we need to label fans? I don't enjoy marching bands, so before the game and at halftime, I'm hitting the john and getting some beers. Even as an alum, I wouldn't stay to sing the alma mater if you paid me too. Yet there I was, explaining to my kid that the reason SMU couldn't execute the V formation was that they didn't do it all year long. J$ buys tickets for fans who can't afford them. Guys like that don't deserve to be told they are consumers and not fans.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I've mentioned this before but I had basketball and football season tickets for 8 years when I lived in CT and then kept football 2 more years when I was in NYC.

Cancelled them before this season, because it was taking me 4 hours to get to the game and then another 4 back and the P Era and Season 1 of Diaco just wore me out as a "fan".

Glad the program is back on the rise and given that and the improved schedule I think I'll be in again next year for season tickets even if I can only go to a handful of games.

Lastly, can someone provide me with a radius of where you can live outside of the Rent and still be a "true" fan if you don't go to the games? Much appreciated.

 

[CL82]

You can do all of that without being in the stands for 100% of the snaps. Maybe Dale should consider everyone who doesn't travel to away games and paint themselves a non-fan.

I skipped the SMU game last year. The weather was bad and the team was terrible. OTOH, I nearly froze to death and waited until the final whistle during the UCF game last year, because if THEY were going to fight that hard in ty conditions *I* could certainly tough it out.

I travel to Lambeau 2-3 times a year. I go there in January (by myself generally - at great expense) to stand there in -6 degree weather during playoff games. I go to Wisconsin in the summer to play in Packer charity golf tournaments. Am I not a true fan because I decided to beat the traffic at Mile High last weekend when they fell behind 29-10?

There is a line between good fans and bad fans. Where Nostical is drawing the line is two standard deviations from where the line really ought to be.

Why do we need to label fans? I don't enjoy marching bands, so before the game and at halftime, I'm hitting the john and getting some beers. Even as an alum, I wouldn't stay to sing the alma mater if you paid me too. Yet there I was, explaining to my kid that the reason SMU couldn't execute the V formation was that they didn't do it all year long. J$ buys tickets for fans who can't afford them. Guys like that don't deserve to be told they are consumers and not fans.

I don't disagree. My point was that I understand the distinction he was making. I agree, as I noted in my post, that the ranking of fans is a silly exercise. There will always be people more and less invested in the programs than you. Unless you are Dale, of course...

 

[J187Money]

In a 100% perfect fandom world, there would be no distractions for everyone in the stands outside of the stadium. The fact of the matter is life happens and not everyone is going to be able to stay til the clock hits 0:00 in fourth quarter. I have been to one game since 2012 (last year of season tickets) because I decided that I want to pay off my student loans in 5 years and buy a condo this year, so I picked up a second job back then and worked 7 days a week since. Does that make me any less of a fan than the season ticket holders staying to sing the Alma Mater at every home game? No it doesn't. You can argue maybe I'm less dedicated at this point, but I have not missed any game since 2003 when I first walked on the field with the UCMB opening day of the Rent. At the end of the day it was priorities for me. I'd much rather be debt free in the next couple years (allowing to me to upgrade to chair backs and get closer to the field) then to be a season ticket holder and forever owe to the banks.

Maybe if you sold your TV and stopped watching Doctor Who you would be out of debt sooner and you'd already be a season ticket holder. Clearly your priorities are clearly out of whack.

 

[John]

I don't know Whaler, I think he points out an interesting distinction. A consumer merely consumes. That's the movie analogy. You pay your money and you can view as long as you'd like. If you are not pleased with the product you leave; you cease consuming. A fan on the other hand is a "fanatic," personally vested in the team. He doesn't view the the players on the field as providing a product that he can consume or not as he sees fit. He identifies with them, is ecstatic when they win and suffers when they lose. There's a difference.

Now, that said, I 100% agree with the point that it is kind of silly to be critical of people that are buying tickets and supporting the team while we are struggling to fill stadium and that "consumers" of the team are as valuable, if less passionate, than the "fans" of the team.

I can see your point on consumer vs. fan, however I wonder if the complete commoditization of sports (“amateur” college included) has really obliterated that distinction and now the two are forever merged together.

 

[whaler11]

I guess there could be a distinction between fan and consumer but it can't possibly be made at 'never leaves stadium unless there is an emergency'.