A few thoughts about being back in the Dome for football

[adk(roc)CUSE]

adk(roc)CUSEStarter
I wasn't always a causal Syracuse football fan. There was a time in the in the late 80's and 90's when my father and I had season tickets and SU football was just as important to me as the Buffalo Bills and Syracuse basketball. However over time the Bills/and Orange hoops remained passions for me while Syracuse football, the Yankees and Devils hockey all slipped a bit to varying degrees. I still watch them whenever I can. Remain knowledgeable about the goings on. But they don't effect my mood (for better or worse) quite the same way as Hoops and the Bills do. With all this said I admit I sadly do not get out to the Dome to support the football team as often as I like or should. Perhaps a game every few years, where as I regularly attend 3-4 basketball games a year. It's especially sad as at one point my father and I had attended about 60 straight home games over a 10 year period.

This past Saturday I went to my first football game int he Dome since we upset the undefeated ninth ranked Louisville team a few years ago. I brought 3 friends that had never been to a Syracuse football game before. Here are a few thoughts on the game day experience having taken a step back from where I used to be as a fan:

-I've been to the Dome probably somewhere between 125-150 times in my life. Far more than some, far less than others. One thing I had never experienced however was a Syracuse tailgate. My father always liked to hang out by the Sheraton on game days and well, you can't really tailgate for basketball in February. I was a little skeptical about the experience as the guys I was bringing I have Bills season tickets with. We all take our tailgating very seriously and Buffalo is a unique environment. I knew Syracuse could not compare to that scene and warned my friends that we might be the only people actually tailgating. I had bought a parking pass for the UNV lot from a board member and was pleasantly surprised Saturday to see that there were quite a few people with decent set ups and grilling away. I always knew there were some people who set up a across the street from Marshal Square Mall but didn't realize that there were actually quite a lot. Many with very respectable set ups! The guys were happy and the day was off to a great start.


-I forgot just how HOT the Dome can get on a hot/humid day. All four off us were sweating our asses off. I had warned them it would be warm inside but I forgot just how warm it could feel. Back in the days of a packed Dome in September i'm not sure how I survived!

-It was sad to see the place as empty as it was. This is nothing new and it was expected. I remember the place being filled to the rafters, everyone standing, people banging on the air ducts up in the corners and how intimidating it could be. What I didn't expect though was that it was still LOUD in there despite the empty seats. Especially late as we were trying to put the game away and Pitt was in our end for their last gasp drive (which never should have happened, shovel pass???). My crew and I got shot a disdainful look for from down the row for banging on the bleachers to make more noise, but oh well. I was proud of the people who were there and into it.

-A "die hard" fan sitting in front of me and I had a disagreement. He insisted Marvin Graves played for Syracuse in the 80's. I explained to him he must be thinking McPherson. I told him then we had Philcox for a year (or 2?) and Marvin Graves was a freshman in 1990. This annoyed me more than it should but know what the heck you are talking about.

-While we were sitting in section 118 I decided to run up to 329 and take a picture from mine and my fathers old seats. He's still alive but the moment still made me tear up a bit. SO many good memories driving to and from the Adirondacks every week with him to watch so many moments both glorious and agonizing. Crowd spilling onto the field against Texas, Gedney coming up short, McNabb to Brominski, Oklahoma, Tenessee, 66-13.

-All in all it was a wonderful day. I worried that a less than capacity Dome and a tailgate not as intense as Buffalo might sour the guys on their first SU football game, it really stressed me out during the week more than it should have, but truth be told they had a blast and didn't even notice the things that I thought might hinder their experience. We all agreed we will make it a yearly event to attend one Syracuse game. The Orange gained three fans on that day. Myself? I called another friend (SU hoops die hard, casual football like myself) and locked in plans to go to the Wake Forest game November 11th.

It was great being there for football again; now lets go shock Clemson Friday.

Go Orange

 

[upperdeck]

it was louder sat at the end than it ever got at LSU.

 

[shu 49]

adk(roc)CUSEStarter
I wasn't always a causal Syracuse football fan. There was a time in the in the late 80's and 90's when my father and I had season tickets and SU football was just as important to me as the Buffalo Bills and Syracuse basketball. However over time the Bills/and Orange hoops remained passions for me while Syracuse football, the Yankees and Devils hockey all slipped a bit to varying degrees. I still watch them whenever I can. Remain knowledgeable about the goings on. But they don't effect my mood (for better or worse) quite the same way as Hoops and the Bills do. With all this said I admit I sadly do not get out to the Dome to support the football team as often as I like or should. Perhaps a game every few years, where as I regularly attend 3-4 basketball games a year. It's especially sad as at one point my father and I had attended about 60 straight home games over a 10 year period.

This past Saturday I went to my first football game int he Dome since we upset the undefeated ninth ranked Louisville team a few years ago. I brought 3 friends that had never been to a Syracuse football game before. Here are a few thoughts on the game day experience having taken a step back from where I used to be as a fan:

-I've been to the Dome probably somewhere between 125-150 times in my life. Far more than some, far less than others. One thing I had never experienced however was a Syracuse tailgate. My father always liked to hang out by the Sheraton on game days and well, you can't really tailgate for basketball in February. I was a little skeptical about the experience as the guys I was bringing I have Bills season tickets with. We all take our tailgating very seriously and Buffalo is a unique environment. I knew Syracuse could not compare to that scene and warned my friends that we might be the only people actually tailgating. I had bought a parking pass for the UNV lot from a board member and was pleasantly surprised Saturday to see that there were quite a few people with decent set ups and grilling away. I always knew there were some people who set up a across the street from Marshal Square Mall but didn't realize that there were actually quite a lot. Many with very respectable set ups! The guys were happy and the day was off to a great start.


-I forgot just how HOT the Dome can get on a hot/humid day. All four off us were sweating our asses off. I had warned them it would be warm inside but I forgot just how warm it could feel. Back in the days of a packed Dome in September i'm not sure how I survived!

-It was sad to see the place as empty as it was. This is nothing new and it was expected. I remember the place being filled to the rafters, everyone standing, people banging on the air ducts up in the corners and how intimidating it could be. What I didn't expect though was that it was still LOUD in there despite the empty seats. Especially late as we were trying to put the game away and Pitt was in our end for their last gasp drive (which never should have happened, shovel pass???). My crew and I got shot a disdainful look for from down the row for banging on the bleachers to make more noise, but oh well. I was proud of the people who were there and into it.

-A "die hard" fan sitting in front of me and I had a disagreement. He insisted Marvin Graves played for Syracuse in the 80's. I explained to him he must be thinking McPherson. I told him then we had Philcox for a year (or 2?) and Marvin Graves was a freshman in 1990. This annoyed me more than it should but know what the heck you are talking about.

-While we were sitting in section 118 I decided to run up to 329 and take a picture from mine and my fathers old seats. He's still alive but the moment still made me tear up a bit. SO many good memories driving to and from the Adirondacks every week with him to watch so many moments both glorious and agonizing. Crowd spilling onto the field against Texas, Gedney coming up short, McNabb to Brominski, Oklahoma, Tenessee, 66-13.

-All in all it was a wonderful day. I worried that a less than capacity Dome and a tailgate not as intense as Buffalo might sour the guys on their first SU football game, it really stressed me out during the week more than it should have, but truth be told they had a blast and didn't even notice the things that I thought might hinder their experience. We all agreed we will make it a yearly event to attend one Syracuse game. The Orange gained three fans on that day. Myself? I called a another friend (SU hoops die hard, casual football like myself) and locked in plans to go to the Wake Forest game November 11th.

It was great being there for football again; now lets go shock Clemson Friday.

Go Orange

i agree the dome I'n 90 s was captivating when Tennessee was at our home and we should have won. Crazy how no one goes anymore but it's still loud. Hot as balls but always has been. I also have a place in eagle bay and am a huge su guy watching at tavern. Enjoy time there as it is very memorable

 

[skurey]

Yeah my ears were starting to ring at the end

 

[CuseCrew08]

Great post, makes me wish I lived closer to the 'Cuse...

 

[Trueblue25]

We'll get it loud again for Clemson, rest assured.

 

[zjscuse]

The blame on the empty seats rests soley on the shoulders of D. Gross and GROB. Being a diehard at 23 is a bit of a rarity these days and every time i mention a cuse game to friends they just laugh. I dont blame them the program has stunk since they where 8 years old. We were so close to being back into it after the 2012 marrone season there was actually some hype. No questions asked if he stayed fer one more season itd prolly be a different story ( he had a nice class rolling). Long story short we have the right guy now barring a big upset this year. Im confident next year is the year we start putting some butts back in those seats again. Iv always said this program is a sleeping giant. the way sports are nowadays we'll get some people confident to give there saturday to a game. We just have to have a better product on the field.

 

[dooey139]

So true about the crowd getting loud. Some good Lets Go Orange chants and great noise on defense towards the end. Gotta think the team loves to see/hear it!

 

[AAM62]

The blame on the empty seats rests soley on the shoulders of D. Gross and GROB. Being a diehard at 23 is a bit of a rarity these days and every time i mention a cuse game to friends they just laugh. I dont blame them the program has stunk since they where 8 years old. We were so close to being back into it after the 2012 marrone season there was actually some hype. No questions asked if he stayed fer one more season itd prolly be a different story ( he had a nice class rolling). Long story short we have the right guy now barring a big upset this year. Im confident next year is the year we start putting some butts back in those seats again. Iv always said this program is a sleeping giant. the way sports are nowadays we'll get some people confident to give there saturday to a game. We just have to have a better product on the field.

Sorry but this is weak. I was a fan through that whole era but I haven't been as excited about cuse football as I am during the Dino era. Those people are just making excuses - they should check out whats happening with the program now.

 

[#FRANchise]

Sorry but this is weak. I was a fan through that whole era but I haven't been as excited about cuse football as I am during the Dino era. Those people are just making excuses - they should check out whats happening with the program now.

As a fellow 23 year old, with season tickets, I can support zjscuse's stance. I don't think a single one of my friends in Rochester (many of which are big SU basketball fans) could even tell you who our starting QB is. Maybe a couple, but only because they follow college football, not necessarily the Orange. It's not that the slump lost them as fans, it's because we grew up with SU never having a good team to draw us in, the way SU basketball did.

I didn't start following SU football until 2013-14.

 

[orangenirvana]

I was about to like this post but didn't want to ruin the good vibe...

 

[OrangeBlood]

The blame on the empty seats rests soley on the shoulders of D. Gross and GROB. Being a diehard at 23 is a bit of a rarity these days and every time i mention a cuse game to friends they just laugh. I dont blame them the program has stunk since they where 8 years old. We were so close to being back into it after the 2012 marrone season there was actually some hype. No questions asked if he stayed fer one more season itd prolly be a different story ( he had a nice class rolling). Long story short we have the right guy now barring a big upset this year. Im confident next year is the year we start putting some butts back in those seats again. Iv always said this program is a sleeping giant. the way sports are nowadays we'll get some people confident to give there saturday to a game. We just have to have a better product on the field.

I'm 24 and a Cuse Football diehard. I share so many of your experiences. Growing up (from Buffalo with an alum Dad), in high school, even while at SU, all of my friends would roll their eyes whenever I brought up SU football. Can't wait for the day we are back and they start asking me questions about SU football.

But Hey-- two of my college roommates are coming Friday night. It's a start!

 

[upperdeck]

read the Clemson board about the trouble getting the students to show up for that student section.. Winning wont solve all of it.

 

[TexanMark]

read the Clemson board about the trouble getting the students to show up for that student section.. Winning wont solve all of it.

Their problems are "rich folks problems"

Our students show late, leave early and surf their smart phones all game

I'd guess SU has 100 hard core FB fans looking at their student section.

 

[upperdeck]

it was interesting that the student section had way more bodies after the half than at the start of the game.. I also noticed they are giving away a ton of stuff to students outside the dome pre-game and many are just leaving and not actually watching the game

 

[310Pigpen]

I'm 25 and a diehard basketball and football fan. Have seasons for basketball and have considered seasons for football but didn't know how often I'd want to make the drive from Rochester. This might change next year with the girlfriends approval of having both.

 

[SaltineWarrior]

adk(roc)CUSEStarter
I wasn't always a causal Syracuse football fan. There was a time in the in the late 80's and 90's when my father and I had season tickets and SU football was just as important to me as the Buffalo Bills and Syracuse basketball. However over time the Bills/and Orange hoops remained passions for me while Syracuse football, the Yankees and Devils hockey all slipped a bit to varying degrees. I still watch them whenever I can. Remain knowledgeable about the goings on. But they don't effect my mood (for better or worse) quite the same way as Hoops and the Bills do. With all this said I admit I sadly do not get out to the Dome to support the football team as often as I like or should. Perhaps a game every few years, where as I regularly attend 3-4 basketball games a year. It's especially sad as at one point my father and I had attended about 60 straight home games over a 10 year period.

This past Saturday I went to my first football game int he Dome since we upset the undefeated ninth ranked Louisville team a few years ago. I brought 3 friends that had never been to a Syracuse football game before. Here are a few thoughts on the game day experience having taken a step back from where I used to be as a fan:

-I've been to the Dome probably somewhere between 125-150 times in my life. Far more than some, far less than others. One thing I had never experienced however was a Syracuse tailgate. My father always liked to hang out by the Sheraton on game days and well, you can't really tailgate for basketball in February. I was a little skeptical about the experience as the guys I was bringing I have Bills season tickets with. We all take our tailgating very seriously and Buffalo is a unique environment. I knew Syracuse could not compare to that scene and warned my friends that we might be the only people actually tailgating. I had bought a parking pass for the UNV lot from a board member and was pleasantly surprised Saturday to see that there were quite a few people with decent set ups and grilling away. I always knew there were some people who set up a across the street from Marshal Square Mall but didn't realize that there were actually quite a lot. Many with very respectable set ups! The guys were happy and the day was off to a great start.


-I forgot just how HOT the Dome can get on a hot/humid day. All four off us were sweating our asses off. I had warned them it would be warm inside but I forgot just how warm it could feel. Back in the days of a packed Dome in September i'm not sure how I survived!

-It was sad to see the place as empty as it was. This is nothing new and it was expected. I remember the place being filled to the rafters, everyone standing, people banging on the air ducts up in the corners and how intimidating it could be. What I didn't expect though was that it was still LOUD in there despite the empty seats. Especially late as we were trying to put the game away and Pitt was in our end for their last gasp drive (which never should have happened, shovel pass???). My crew and I got shot a disdainful look for from down the row for banging on the bleachers to make more noise, but oh well. I was proud of the people who were there and into it.

-A "die hard" fan sitting in front of me and I had a disagreement. He insisted Marvin Graves played for Syracuse in the 80's. I explained to him he must be thinking McPherson. I told him then we had Philcox for a year (or 2?) and Marvin Graves was a freshman in 1990. This annoyed me more than it should but know what the heck you are talking about.

-While we were sitting in section 118 I decided to run up to 329 and take a picture from mine and my fathers old seats. He's still alive but the moment still made me tear up a bit. SO many good memories driving to and from the Adirondacks every week with him to watch so many moments both glorious and agonizing. Crowd spilling onto the field against Texas, Gedney coming up short, McNabb to Brominski, Oklahoma, Tenessee, 66-13.

-All in all it was a wonderful day. I worried that a less than capacity Dome and a tailgate not as intense as Buffalo might sour the guys on their first SU football game, it really stressed me out during the week more than it should have, but truth be told they had a blast and didn't even notice the things that I thought might hinder their experience. We all agreed we will make it a yearly event to attend one Syracuse game. The Orange gained three fans on that day. Myself? I called another friend (SU hoops die hard, casual football like myself) and locked in plans to go to the Wake Forest game November 11th.

It was great being there for football again; now lets go shock Clemson Friday.

Go Orange

The student section was awful. I have no idea how a school with this size a population with such a great matchup right on campus gets so few to attend. I'm calling them out. I realize they don't get in for free (and agree they should be able to attend for free) but it is a lame excuse. Its not cost prohibitive.

 

[orange_in_VA]

I'm 28 years old. I share the same experiences as the other younger fans that have posted here. I keep calling us the "Lost Generation" of Cuse fans. Very few diehards between 18-30 years old. People our ages have never experienced Syracuse being ranked, or being a consistent winner. Like I've said before, I don't blame people for not going. The product is not worth the investment for most folks. It stinks, but it is what it is.

 

[cuse10]

The student section was awful. I have no idea how a school with this size a population with such a great matchup right on campus gets so few to attend. I'm calling them out. I realize they don't get in for free (and agree they should be able to attend for free) but it is a lame excuse. Its not cost prohibitive.

We're not the only ones with that problem

Clemson Students Show Poor Attendance During 6-0 Start

 

[Trueblue25]

24 and on my second year of football seasons, of many many many more to come.

 

[orangezen]

I also noticed they are giving away a ton of stuff to students outside the dome pre-game and many are just leaving and not actually watching the game[/QUOTE]
why not do giveaways at end of the game maybe shoot paper cannon into crowd containing some free tix or free dome dog etc mixed in ..