we have a long ways to go

[CARDIAC_CATS]

As a regular from about '75 to '80, the cheerleaders were standing on the track in front of the stands. (Although my recollection may be influenced by the onset of oldtimers and the cumulative effects of small quantities of various libations.) Someone correct me if I was totally whacked at that time and don't remember squat. (OK - I'll admit to being mostly whacked at the games, but I'm pretty certain about the track.)

GO KATS

I went to my first cat game in 78, attended at least one game a year until the mid 80's, I dont ever remember there being a track. I think there used to be endzone seating down where the warming hut is. I dont think there is enough room for a 1/4 mile track. Fields with tracks usually have the stands a loong ways from the field.

Yeah I don't think there was a track/room as the stands would have to be pushed back even more than they are now (check out Boise State's track distance around their field). Our stands are a lot closer than that (especially on the new box side .. not a lot of room over there either).

[John K]

Personally, I don't need a dancing bear, smoke machines, or whatever else they have going on up there. I never been to a MSU game where I have not had a great time.......unless they lose. I love the Cats and will cheer for them stadium renovations or not.

Maybe this was already covered and I missed it, I didn't read all 4 pages. I would say most people on Bobcatnation are die hards and don't need a dancing bear, smoke and what ever to get them to a football game because they're there for a football game. But those are exactly the things that get the 10 year old kid and mom with their dad to the game, not just the dad. They get the 20 year old female college student with her boyfriend to the game, not just the boyfriend. I used to get so annoyed at the Griz games, half the people are more interested in Monte and being on the scoreboard then the game. Then I realized that's what makes the bigger crowd and a great game day atmosphere. In my opinion you have to market the non-die hard fans, because win or lose, great facilities or not, the die hards will always be there.

Good posting....That is exactly why the Griz have so much more support statewide (although I believe that we are catching up, or at least were, before Field's bungling of the Kramer situation, but I digress....). I went to a GF White Sox baseball game a couple of weeks ago, and must have seen about 100 people wearing Griz hats and/or shirts, and NOT EVEN ONE person wearing Bobcat apparel (except for me of course). Were many of these so-called "bandwagon fans"....of course they were. I am old enough however, to remember the days (mid 70's to mid 80's) when these non-die hard fans followed MSU, rather than UM, thanks mainly to our 2 national championships and our dominance of the Cat-Griz game during that era. Plus, we had a much superior facility prior to Washington-Griz being built in 1986.

The more bandwagon fans that come to our games and buy MSU apparel, the more money we generate to improve our program even further. I personally despise fans of any sport at any level who change their allegiance based upon which team is winning at any given point in time, but any sports program or team cannot truly prosper without them. We are certainly getting a fair number of them ourselves in the past 4-5 years, and I for one say "welcome aboard". How else do you explain our average attendance doubling in that time, and our season tickets selling out a month earlier than ever before this year? We did not suddenly double the number of MSU alumni and Boosters during this time, did we?

I referenced the GF White Sox earlier, and they have been successful for so many years because they have built such strong support within the community among non-hard core baseball fans. On the other hand, the GF Explorers CBA basketball team struggled last year, as did the CBA team that was here 20 years ago, because they were never able to develop a strong following among casual fans. Like it or not, these bandwagon fans will be instrumental if MSU is ever going to "reach the next level".

[cats2506]

Maybe this was already covered and I missed it, I didn't read all 4 pages. I would say most people on Bobcatnation are die hards and don't need a dancing bear, smoke and what ever to get them to a football game because they're there for a football game. But those are exactly the things that get the 10 year old kid and mom with their dad to the game, not just the dad. They get the 20 year old female college student with her boyfriend to the game, not just the boyfriend. I used to get so annoyed at the Griz games, half the people are more interested in Monte and being on the scoreboard then the game. Then I realized that's what makes the bigger crowd and a great game day atmosphere. In my opinion you have to market the non-die hard fans, because win or lose, great facilities or not, the die hards will always be there.

I think you make some good points but just my 2 cents worth.

I am back interested in Bobcat football for one reason and one reason only. My son loves it, maybe he is not your typical 9yr old but he can go to a game and spend the whole time watching every play, he knows more stats than most adults at the game. Last year on the way to the Furman game he studied the stats all the way to the game, while there he was talking about records with others near us. BUT he also is a member of Champs Lil Cats, and always points out when Champ is on the field what he is doing. I don’t want a circus atmosphere but you do need a certain amount of hype to make it fun for the kids.

[DaGriz]

Maybe this was already covered and I missed it, I didn't read all 4 pages. I would say most people on Bobcatnation are die hards and don't need a dancing bear, smoke and what ever to get them to a football game because they're there for a football game. But those are exactly the things that get the 10 year old kid and mom with their dad to the game, not just the dad. They get the 20 year old female college student with her boyfriend to the game, not just the boyfriend. I used to get so annoyed at the Griz games, half the people are more interested in Monte and being on the scoreboard then the game. Then I realized that's what makes the bigger crowd and a great game day atmosphere. In my opinion you have to market the non-die hard fans, because win or lose, great facilities or not, the die hards will always be there.

I think you make some good points but just my 2 cents worth.

I am back interested in Bobcat football for one reason and one reason only. My son loves it, maybe he is not your typical 9yr old but he can go to a game and spend the whole time watching every play, he knows more stats than most adults at the game. Last year on the way to the Furman game he studied the stats all the way to the game, while there he was talking about records with others near us. BUT he also is a member of Champs Lil Cats, and always points out when Champ is on the field what he is doing. I don’t want a circus atmosphere but you do need a certain amount of hype to make it fun for the kids.

You're a lucky dad.

[Citizen Griz]

Take it easy. MSU has long term plans for its stadium. I got the walking tour of the place from Mike Malone on opening day the year of the remodel. As much as he talked about the new additions to the stadium, he also talked about completing the horseshoe on the south end and also about luxury boxes on the east side.
Mike was a believer, but he died and that had to change things quite a bit. At one point the school had an RFP out for artificial turf. That changed. The budget became a hastle. That changed things. Keep in mind the stadium overhaul was also tied into the fieldhouse overhaul. People seem to think MSU only remodeled one side of the stadium and added some toilets, but combined with the fieldhouse changes it was a lot more than that.
I'd have to say Montana puts a lot of time and money into it's gameday presentation, more than many of you are aware of based on your posts. But why the hell should MSU be anything like Montana on game day? Don't let the tail wag the dog. Build your own traditions.
The best thing 'Cat fans could do is bring a friend to the game, fill the stands and prove there's a need for more, more, more, more.
Bozeman loves a party and if MSU can get that vibe going, the Bobcats and the local yuppies will go together like taters and pigs (little sweet pea humor for you yocals).

[SACCAT]

Take it easy. MSU has long term plans for its stadium. I got the walking tour of the place from Mike Malone on opening day the year of the remodel. As much as he talked about the new additions to the stadium, he also talked about completing the horseshoe on the south end and also about luxury boxes on the east side.
Mike was a believer, but he died and that had to change things quite a bit. At one point the school had an RFP out for artificial turf. That changed. The budget became a hastle. That changed things. Keep in mind the stadium overhaul was also tied into the fieldhouse overhaul. People seem to think MSU only remodeled one side of the stadium and added some toilets, but combined with the fieldhouse changes it was a lot more than that.
I'd have to say Montana puts a lot of time and money into it's gameday presentation, more than many of you are aware of based on your posts. But why the hell should MSU be anything like Montana on game day? Don't let the tail wag the dog. Build your own traditions.
The best thing 'Cat fans could do is bring a friend to the game, fill the stands and prove there's a need for more, more, more, more.
Bozeman loves a party and if MSU can get that vibe going, the Bobcats and the local yuppies will go together like taters and pigs (little sweet pea humor for you yocals).

This is the best post on this topic...Thank you, I could not have said it any better.

[BentonGrizFan]

The field sucks, the scoreboard sucks, the seating sucks, the sound system sucks, and the pepsi zone is a joke. It also feels like your sitting inside a mini-storage site. Also, the reason that the Griz have the facilities that they do is : They Plan Ahead! What a novel idea. Instead of just slapping some aluminum building together they laid out the plans of how they were going to add on in 5 7, 10, 12 etc years down the line. It's that way across MSU. Nobody ever plans ahead and it's frustrating as hell. Until the enitre MSU campus catches up to UM as a whole, MSU will always be behind and whining about how much better UM has it. They don't have anymore resources than we do, they just do a better job with what they have. Go to Cat Griz - Bozeman this year, then go in Missoula next year and try to tell me that the UM gameday experience isn't at least 20 time better than MSU's. JMHO

Despite your sig, I suspect you're much more 'dark pink' than 'blue & gold'. When you talk about the entire campus, MSU beats UM hands down. Granted they have a better FB facility.

As far as your comments about the game day experience being at least 20 times better, you're obviously impressed with 'smoke & foo foo'.

To me, the game is having a great tailgate atmosphere and watching football. griz tailgating consists of either being invited to a corporate shindig or standing in line at the booster booth waiting to get a beer (BTW- since that's all there is I've enjoyed it and had good times chatting w/ griz fans).

I much prefer the tailgate atmosphere at MSU- real tailgating & I don't care if it's grass, mud, or snow- Bobcat fans are not pampered whimps. JMHO

I have to disagree about the campus'. I think UM's is better than MSU's hands down. As far as game day atmosphere, I think that you like what you know. All of my griz friends prefer Missoula and all of my cat friends prefer Bozeman. My dad has season tickets to both schools and will pick Missoula over Bozeman every time if there is a conflict of schedules. He grew up in Colorado and graduated from the College of Great Falls. He had three kids go to school in Bozeman and one smart kid (me) go to school in Missoula. That is his preference. I have always had fun when I go to games in Bozeman, but not as much as I do in Missoula. I have more invested and therefore expectations are different.

[nativecat]

I think we have it pretty dang good here in MSU world. There are fans in the stands, the team is winning (and will continue to do so), and the entire valley is finally supporting the team.

I am happy for how good it is and take any improvements that come along with an almost giddy attitude. I mean really, does anyone want to go back to the way it was in the late '80s or the '90s?

[Bleedinbluengold]

Like the Energizer Bunny.............................................................................................................................................................................................................

[BentonGrizFan]

The griz do have a great game day experience. I have been to quite a few games. My dad has season tickets to the Cats & the griz. His only connection is 3 kids at MSU and 1 at UM. He enjoys both but probably prefers UM because of the large crowds, noice, nice statium and fancy scoreboard. However when you talk about the actual games afterwards he says there was no difference in experience. It all comes down to the game. A tailgate is a tailgate. Cold beer, food, Cold beer, shots, hot babes, Cold Beer and football. Those are the major factors and they are essentially the same at both stadiums.

I personally enjoy going to Bozeman better than Missoula. It isn't such a pain to go from the tailgates to the game and back.

I believe the Missoula game day experience is marketed great and is being sold to alot of bandwagon fans. When the griz have a sub .500 season and there are 10,000 empty seats at a game that place will look extremely empty. It will happen at some point in time.

I think we should continue to improve our facilities and game day experience but not have giz envy.

I have been able to get season tickets because my wife and daughter enjoy the experience. My wife and I think it is a good investment for the money we spend. The tailgaiting, the people, Monte, the skydivers, the food, and the music keep my family's butts in the seats while I enjoy the heck out of good football. When it get's cold, I am able to take my buddies to the game. I have even given tickets to CPACAT. He is my brother and believe me he does have griz envy. He just doesn't know it yet.