What did you guys think?

[Legendof44]

As far as the keys go, I know with the whole key play thing the keys were used, but they were taken off the list of "cheers" for students last year. Unfortunately, some students still want to do it. We had 2 students come to us at half time and tell us to get everyone else to do it. We told them no because screaming, clapping, and hitting the bleachers makes 100x more noise than dangling 2 or 3 keys. Those students still insisted on shaking the keys though :bang: We ignored them and continued to be loud. Some people just don't get it :noidea:Oh Lord

Shaking your keys is basically telling people you refuse to be a fan and yell. I dont think i could imagine a more pathetic attempt at fandom.

 

[Legendof44]

It was my understanding that the ticket package was the same for all students. I could be wrong on that though. Is there a particular place you saw that? All freshmen did get a free ticket to the Wagner game, but that's the only difference I know off right now.

There is an Otto's Army "Boot Camp" which takes place in the beginning of the year where all of the freshmen go into the dome and learn the cheers and chants. It was very fun although it's tough to get all the students to remember all the chants in an hour time span. Otto's Army is considered a club and they hold meetings every week or at least every other week to discuss ways to improve the student section, ideas for new chants, etc. By the way if anyone has ideas for chants or anything let me know and I'll run it by the Otto's Army Executive Board that help run the student section. I know someone mentioned the Texas A&M idea.

As far as getting more students to go to the game it's tough to say. Winning would be the obvious answer, but unfortunately, even a great Syracuse team won't necessarily get students or even the local fans to the games. The game day atmosphere is a big thing. I like what the athletic department is doing with the train whistle and DJ. It's definitely a start. It's too bad that for most students going to games isn't something that they look forward to during the week whereas at other schools such as A&M, Penn St, etc. both the fans and students look forward to game day. Yes these schools are bigger, but it's their mentality that is so much different than students and local fans here.

Start times are a huge factor. Much bigger than I thought they were until I got on campus. I was somewhat surprised to see the amount of students who weren't up until 1 or 2 o'clock at the earliest. Maybe half of them would get up if the game was earlier but not all of them.

Let me rephrase: After speaking to friends and other students while writing this post, start times are HUGE and I mean Billy Fuccillo HUGE. Students with season tickets are not going to the Tulane game because the start time is too early. (Unbelievably Frustrating to say the least) I got some to at least think about it, but these are kids who have a ticket, yet already have in their mind that the game is too early so they're not going. Unfortunately, the University doesn't have too much say with start times because it's all based on television slots so there isn't much they can do about that.

All in all, start times and a fun atmosphere are the keys. I know from experience that theres nothing (and I mean nothing) better or more fun than 40,000-45,000 people in the dome with a loud student section. We need to get the students to buy in, but we also need the casual local fans to buy in too because they are going to be the majority of the crowd.

Sorry for the long response, but hopefully you have a better idea of how the student portion works. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask and again give me any ideas you have. The Athletic Department comes to the Otto's Army executive board and asks them for input and talks to them about a lot of decisions before they are made-even moving the court to the middle was discussed-so there is a decent relationship. Obviously the school wants the students to play a role which is great.

"but it's their mentality that is so much different than students and local fans here."

NO . The Local fans were the only fans that were in The Dome saturday with the exception of the freshman. Get it straight.

 

[FAL]

"but it's their mentality that is so much different than students and local fans here."

NO . The Local fans were the only fans that were in The Dome saturday with the exception of the freshman. Get it straight.

And... did you notice the student section at the beginning of the 2nd half? Over one-half gone. So much for student support.

PS: This is not directed at TrickySU -- we certainly appreciate his and others' like him support. Just wish more of the students would jump on the band wagon... and at least stay there past halftime.

 

[TrickySU]

"but it's their mentality that is so much different than students and local fans here."

NO . The Local fans were the only fans that were in The Dome saturday with the exception of the freshman. Get it straight.

Gotta disagree with you there. The student section was filled on the 1st level, including the section to the right of the band which was added this year. Whether it was freshmen or not, the students showed up. I'm not saying the students did great, but you can't expect students to fill the entire dome. That's why when attendance is brought up, obviously the students play a role and create a loud and great atmosphere, but if you want 45,000 or even 40,000+ in the dome thats where it's local fans. Unless you're expecting 10,000 students to be there. Heck there's 14,000 undergrads at the school. You wouldn't have sold out that game if they all showed up. It's not students when I look at the dome and see this:

That's the first play from scrimmage by the way, not late in the game.

 

[TrickySU]

And... did you notice the student section at the beginning of the 2nd half? Over one-half gone. So much for student support.

PS: This is not directed at TrickySU -- we certainly appreciate his and others' like him support. Just wish more of the students would jump on the band wagon... and at least stay there past halftime.

Definitely agree with this. Guess we shouldn't be surprised. I'll never understand why students or anyone for that matter leaves early. I mean it was a blow out, but it was fun to watch. Although I'll cut some slack on this one since at least they showed up and granted the game wasn't in doubt. The next step is to get them to stay. I'm all for locking the doors

 

[FAL]

Definitely agree with this. Guess we shouldn't be surprised. I'll never understand why students or anyone for that matter leaves early. I mean it was a blow out, but it was fun to watch. Although I'll cut some slack on this one since at least they showed up and granted the game wasn't in doubt. The next step is to get them to stay. I'm all for locking the doors

HARDNOSED!

 

[Legendof44]

Gotta disagree with you there. The student section was filled on the 1st level, including the section to the right of the band which was added this year. Whether it was freshmen or not, the students showed up. I'm not saying the students did great, but you can't expect students to fill the entire dome. That's why when attendance is brought up, obviously the students play a role and create a loud and great atmosphere, but if you want 45,000 or even 40,000+ in the dome thats where it's local fans. Unless you're expecting 10,000 students to be there. Heck there's 14,000 undergrads at the school. You wouldn't have sold out that game if they all showed up. It's not students when I look at the dome and see this:
View attachment 5021
That's the first play from scrimmage by the way, not late in the game.

Noone expects students to fill anything but their own section. Stay for the whole game and be louder than hell. And keep your keys at your dorm.

 

[Legendof44]

TRICKY...get everyone in the student section to go ALL IN with the vuvuzuela horns..get 8000 of the biggest ..most orange horn you can find and blow them all game long except for when we are on offense.. The Dome will be insane. Here is a link

http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale/wholesale-vuvuzela-horn.html

 

[mountaincuse]

I would love to see an example of these cheer lists

 

[Franz69]

This cheer would be pretty *ckin' awesome in the dome:

 

[NineOneSeven]

TRICKY...get everyone in the student section to go ALL IN with the vuvuzuela horns..get 8000 of the biggest ..most orange horn you can find and blow them all game long except for when we are on offense.. The Dome will be insane. Here is a link

http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale/wholesale-vuvuzela-horn.html

Awful

 

[TrickySU]

I would love to see an example of these cheer lists

Here's the link to the Otto's Army page: http://www.carrierdome.com/students/ottos-army.aspx#Rules

These are some of the cheers/traditions. During the student section training they explained these to us. The plan is to make a video and upload it so that we make sure all the students know what to do, in addition to any fans that want to join in. These aren't the only cheers either, but just to give you all an idea.

OTTO’S ARMY TRADITIONS
Football Season

• Team and Marching Band Run out
• Cheer “S-Y-R-A-C-U-S-E” First Down!
• “Let’s Go Orange!” Chant
• Imperial March (opponents 4th down)
• Touchdown “G-O-S-U”
• Dancing with the Marching Band
• “Hey Song”
• SU Fight Song “ Down the Field”
• SU’s Alma Mater

 

[Legendof44]

Awful

how is that awful? tell me opposing teams would be able to hear a single thing in the dome if we did that

 

[NineOneSeven]

how is that awful? tell me opposing teams would be able to hear a single thing in the dome if we did that

I think the overwhelming majority of people find vuvuzelas to be one of the most irritating sounds imaginable. If I have to cringe while attempting to cheer on my team/disrupt the other team, I think it's time to find a better alternative.

I still firmly believe old fashioned yelling and clapping is the best way to disrupt another team and pump up ours.

 

[Marsh01]

I think the overwhelming majority of people find vuvuzelas to be one of the most irritating sounds imaginable. If I have to cringe while attempting to cheer on my team/disrupt the other team, I think it's time to find a better alternative.

I still firmly believe old fashioned yelling and clapping is the best way to disrupt another team and pump up ours.

I agree. No keys, no horns, just scream and clap.

 

[NineOneSeven]

I agree. No keys, no horns, just scream and clap.

Uconn vuvuzelas

 

[Legendof44]

I think the overwhelming majority of people find vuvuzelas to be one of the most irritating sounds imaginable. If I have to cringe while attempting to cheer on my team/disrupt the other team, I think it's time to find a better alternative.

I still firmly believe old fashioned yelling and clapping is the best way to disrupt another team and pump up ours.

I agree with the yelling and clapping.. the problem is the student section doesnt know how to clap..just jingle keys..i was trying to come up with a caveman solution.

 

[BlackKnight76]

TRICKY...get everyone in the student section to go ALL IN with the vuvuzuela horns..get 8000 of the biggest ..most orange horn you can find and blow them all game long except for when we are on offense.. The Dome will be insane. Here is a link

http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale/wholesale-vuvuzela-horn.html

Artificial noisemakers are a no-no in the Dome, unfortunately.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Liked the train. Can live with the dj if it energizes the student section and if it doesn't detract from the band.

What is it with people and marching bands? Especially SU's. It's old. It's worn out. It's BORING! Personally, I think that music choices in all the years I went to games sucked eggs. Nothing like hearing all those great Stone's songs with trombones and xylophones.

 

[All4SU]

What is it with people and marching bands? Especially SU's. It's old. It's worn out. It's BORING! Personally, I think that music choices in all the years I went to games sucked eggs. Nothing like hearing all those great Stone's songs with trombones and xylophones.

Maybe it's a generational thing, but to me marching bands just sound like college football. Not piped in music.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Maybe it's a generational thing, but to me marching bands just sound like college football. Not piped in music.

IDK. I'm 50÷.

Sent from my SCH-I200 using Tapatalk 2

 

[All4SU]

IDK. I'm 50÷.

Sent from my SCH-I200 using Tapatalk 2

But you're a hipster.

 

[two3zone]

Thought the train whistle was awesome, the DJ in the crowd was probably the most stupid thing I've ever seen at a sporting event. Focus more on the band, the cheerleaders, the dance team, or ANYTHING Syracuse related. I'm a nightclub kind of guy, I even like that music but at a sporting event I think it's absurd and unfortunately because 75% of the people who go to the game these days is 35 and older I think if anything it's annoying the fanbase that's already coming to games rather than draw them in. A DJ isn't going to draw people to the game or even generate buzz while at the game, go back to the drawing board on that one.

 

[Jeepers]

I'm still waiting to see a photo of the DJ. If piped in music is here to stay (which it's pretty safe to say it is), having an actual visible DJ is a pretty good idea. It's the equivalent of seeing the marching band.

And just to be clear, I love marching bands. But I think they can both work together.

 

[OttoMets]

I'm still waiting to see a photo of the DJ. If piped in music is here to stay (which it's pretty safe to say it is), having an actual visible DJ is a pretty good idea. It's the equivalent of seeing the marching band.

And just to be clear, I love marching bands. But I think they can both work together.

That's a good point.

Ordinarily I'd be opposed to the DJ thing, but I've found myself enjoying it (though I'm hoping they don't use him for basketball games). Haven't been able to articulate why. That must be it: live performance >>>>>> canned music. So the DJ is cool, as long as the students like it.