C Bomb
Underwhelming Motivational Speaker
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2011
- Messages
- 1,159
- Like
- 1,885
I don't usually start threads, but the attendance of my first SU football game I believe warranted this action. First, thank you to JBauer44, you went above and beyond and your persistance is to be commended. I really appreciated having the opportunity watch a game with fellow rabid Cuse fans. It made me seem just a little less odd down here in the old north state. TexanMark, thank you for helping get the tickets set up and thanks to the others behind the scenes.
Originally from around Utica, my fascination with sports (particularly football) was just developing in my eleventh year and which coincided very nicely with the '87 team. My allegiance was forever secured when Dick McPherson visited my school the next year with Duane Kinnon and Rob Thomson in tow. (Do the coaches go around to schools in the are any more?) Our high school team made it to Dome that year for sectionals and when I was there, I went out of my way to buy a football program. I read that thing over and over again, looking over stats, the bowl game appearances, the all americans, the records, just all of it.
Growing up on a dairy farm, there was a multitude of reason why I never attended a game. Time, money, indifferent parents who could care less about sports, the hour trip to the dome, and a couple more. When it came time for college, I decided to go away instead of going to my dream school. There was a stretch of 3-4 years where I never left central NY and it was time to stretch my legs a bit.
The Army brought me south after college. I'd probably still be in, but unfortunately I was hurt the month prior to 9/11 and never gave myself enough time to recover, especially in light of the majority of my next two years being spent in southwest asia. Probably would have helped if I would have slowed down too, but when you are young, stupid, and in great shape, you think you can do anything. Any way, the wear and tear wore me down and basically from the time I stepped off the plane back from Baghdad I started medically separating from the service. Two long years of doctors visits and numerous xrays. Fortunately, my unit allowed me to stay on with them as the training and admin NCO. I didn't really want to be stuck behind a desk, but it taught me a lot (thank you first sergeant Dave, heavy sarc) and it ended up being a good experience in the end.
This is where the board comes in. 10 years ago at approximately this time of year is when I discovered the board. There was a lot of time spent in battle dress uniform while catching up on the Orange in my down time from my duties. It was a wonderful revelation to find a site that had such ardent and dedicated fans. Being so far away, it gave me a little sense of being home and helped me gave me some respite in some darker times.
Anyway, the tail gate was great. It was so nice to put faces to names finally. Food was more than ample and libations were more than adequate in quantity. Great conversations and great comraderie in enemy territory, especially in light of how difficult they made it for us.
Parking wise, we ended up about a mile away at the Backyard Bistro. My mile trek to the board tail gate and the walk back brought me in contact with many Wolf Pack fans. Every one was polite and I had no problem going amongst all the tailgating in my full orange "regalia". In the end, my wife had the worst treatment by an opposing fan, having been stared down and given a disgusting look by an 8 year old on the way to parking lot after the game. My wife took it as a "how dare you wear orange here" type of look.
I thought Carter Finley was very nice venue for a football game. Even though they tucked us away in the corner, the seats seemed pretty good. I think we did our best to make presence known. I honestly was expecting a more packed house, but guess the students being away for break limited it overall. Also, it was funny because I had heard rumblings about fans not coming back after half time. Well, they indeed lost decent amount of the crowd. Tied game, I thought more fans would have been back in there seats after kickoff. Also, I didn't like them doing their WOLF pause PACK cheer after their touchdown. Dyshawn was still on his back on field and seemed inappropriate. Also, got a chuckle from their announcer. "Will Beauman for the punt" came out sounding like "Obama for the punt".
I ended up watching the game when I got home last night, and there were a couple things you couldn't really perceive on the telecast. They would put the band on loud speakers with about 15-20 seconds on the play clock sometimes to rile up the fans. If you realy heard the band, you were probably hearing it coming from the loud speakers. Additionally, crowd noise would be piped or miked in also. Do they do this at the Dome? This being my first game, it just seems wrong to pipe in noise as Hunt was calling the play or making an audible.
It was great to sit around such great fans such as JJReddawg, Cusedude, Orange in Va, TexanMark, and Tomcat (sorry if I bumped you a few to many times) Orlando, and many more. I was a little too into the game at times and my voice has payed the price this day after. I am fortunate that I don't typically have to conversate at work on Sundays. I have already told my coworkers who work today to just text me if they need to communicate.
As for the game, needless to say, it got frustrating at times. There was this weird dichotomy of it seeming like Cuse was firmly in control, but yet doing a lot ensure that state had a chance to win. The line was moving people and pass protection seemed good. They just wore down state in the second half. The tackles for loss tell a lot about that side of ball.
Man, Terrel has some good poise in the pocket. Wow, he is elusive, but it seems like his top end speed isn't there. I'd heard rumblings here, but to see him get tracked down (albeit twenty yards down the field) just gives me more reason to appreciate how well he does glide and take off.
Any way, I could go on, but I have to get to work and I've already been a little longwinded. It was nice to take in my first Cuse football game. Thanks to everyone and I look forward to it again.
Originally from around Utica, my fascination with sports (particularly football) was just developing in my eleventh year and which coincided very nicely with the '87 team. My allegiance was forever secured when Dick McPherson visited my school the next year with Duane Kinnon and Rob Thomson in tow. (Do the coaches go around to schools in the are any more?) Our high school team made it to Dome that year for sectionals and when I was there, I went out of my way to buy a football program. I read that thing over and over again, looking over stats, the bowl game appearances, the all americans, the records, just all of it.
Growing up on a dairy farm, there was a multitude of reason why I never attended a game. Time, money, indifferent parents who could care less about sports, the hour trip to the dome, and a couple more. When it came time for college, I decided to go away instead of going to my dream school. There was a stretch of 3-4 years where I never left central NY and it was time to stretch my legs a bit.
The Army brought me south after college. I'd probably still be in, but unfortunately I was hurt the month prior to 9/11 and never gave myself enough time to recover, especially in light of the majority of my next two years being spent in southwest asia. Probably would have helped if I would have slowed down too, but when you are young, stupid, and in great shape, you think you can do anything. Any way, the wear and tear wore me down and basically from the time I stepped off the plane back from Baghdad I started medically separating from the service. Two long years of doctors visits and numerous xrays. Fortunately, my unit allowed me to stay on with them as the training and admin NCO. I didn't really want to be stuck behind a desk, but it taught me a lot (thank you first sergeant Dave, heavy sarc) and it ended up being a good experience in the end.
This is where the board comes in. 10 years ago at approximately this time of year is when I discovered the board. There was a lot of time spent in battle dress uniform while catching up on the Orange in my down time from my duties. It was a wonderful revelation to find a site that had such ardent and dedicated fans. Being so far away, it gave me a little sense of being home and helped me gave me some respite in some darker times.
Anyway, the tail gate was great. It was so nice to put faces to names finally. Food was more than ample and libations were more than adequate in quantity. Great conversations and great comraderie in enemy territory, especially in light of how difficult they made it for us.
Parking wise, we ended up about a mile away at the Backyard Bistro. My mile trek to the board tail gate and the walk back brought me in contact with many Wolf Pack fans. Every one was polite and I had no problem going amongst all the tailgating in my full orange "regalia". In the end, my wife had the worst treatment by an opposing fan, having been stared down and given a disgusting look by an 8 year old on the way to parking lot after the game. My wife took it as a "how dare you wear orange here" type of look.
I thought Carter Finley was very nice venue for a football game. Even though they tucked us away in the corner, the seats seemed pretty good. I think we did our best to make presence known. I honestly was expecting a more packed house, but guess the students being away for break limited it overall. Also, it was funny because I had heard rumblings about fans not coming back after half time. Well, they indeed lost decent amount of the crowd. Tied game, I thought more fans would have been back in there seats after kickoff. Also, I didn't like them doing their WOLF pause PACK cheer after their touchdown. Dyshawn was still on his back on field and seemed inappropriate. Also, got a chuckle from their announcer. "Will Beauman for the punt" came out sounding like "Obama for the punt".
I ended up watching the game when I got home last night, and there were a couple things you couldn't really perceive on the telecast. They would put the band on loud speakers with about 15-20 seconds on the play clock sometimes to rile up the fans. If you realy heard the band, you were probably hearing it coming from the loud speakers. Additionally, crowd noise would be piped or miked in also. Do they do this at the Dome? This being my first game, it just seems wrong to pipe in noise as Hunt was calling the play or making an audible.
It was great to sit around such great fans such as JJReddawg, Cusedude, Orange in Va, TexanMark, and Tomcat (sorry if I bumped you a few to many times) Orlando, and many more. I was a little too into the game at times and my voice has payed the price this day after. I am fortunate that I don't typically have to conversate at work on Sundays. I have already told my coworkers who work today to just text me if they need to communicate.
As for the game, needless to say, it got frustrating at times. There was this weird dichotomy of it seeming like Cuse was firmly in control, but yet doing a lot ensure that state had a chance to win. The line was moving people and pass protection seemed good. They just wore down state in the second half. The tackles for loss tell a lot about that side of ball.
Man, Terrel has some good poise in the pocket. Wow, he is elusive, but it seems like his top end speed isn't there. I'd heard rumblings here, but to see him get tracked down (albeit twenty yards down the field) just gives me more reason to appreciate how well he does glide and take off.
Any way, I could go on, but I have to get to work and I've already been a little longwinded. It was nice to take in my first Cuse football game. Thanks to everyone and I look forward to it again.
