The last few days I have been thinking a lot about all the extra effort Bronco and the football team have put in the last few years to raise the bar and now the quest for perfection. I keep wanting to do something to help show my gratitude for this amazing ride and maybe even help a little along the way. I guess the best way to do that is to do what Bronco and the boys have asked us to do. Get to the game early, wear blue, and be loud. I think there was a noticable improvement in these areas last year but we still have a long way to go as a fan base. My question is what can we do as avid fans to motivate the others to get with it? I know that BYU football games are many times family gatherings with grandma and grandpa and 2 month old baby billy so it is understandable that not everyone wants to be on their feet yelling the entire game. So, I guess that just means we all have to be that much louder! I actually think many people want to get into it and be loud but are a little hesitant about it. Last year my wife and I moved back to Utah mid way through the season. My parents let us have a pair of their tickets for games once we moved back. Of course the tickets were in the geriatric west bleachers. The first game we went to I brought my mini BYU megaphone like I always do. As the opposing team took the ball on offense I started my traditional AHHHHHHHHHH! befor and during each play. I could tell the folks around me were like "where did this guy come from?" After a couple of plays I think my wife felt sorry for me and started yelling with me. Then I made my parents start yelling as well. I could hear a ton of people around me laughing at us, but pretty soon everybody on the rows in front of and behind us were joining in. I am sure you all have a story like this, but I bring it up to show that people are willing to get loud if somebody is willing to act the idiot first. So there you go it is up to us faithful Cougar fan idiots to rise and shout before and during each play! A very long post to simply say PLEASE be loud this year. I strongly recommend the BYU mini mega phones at the BYU bookstore. They are like a dollar and they work suprisingly well! For some dumb reason they passed them out AFTER the BYU utah game last year. A lot of good it did us AFTER the game. Any how I grabbed 20 or so, so if anyone wants or needs one let me know. BE LOUD!!

In total honesty I don't know why there are so many subdued Cougar fans that come faithfully to games, but have no emotional involvement in the contest. I've never seen this phenomenon any were else on this planet.

The west stands is where I am at and while I don't sit with all the CC members that have the great seats, I think blaming the lack of enthusiasm on the older crowd is not totally correct. I have just as many younger people around me that seem like they have no emotional involvement in the games either. They just don't sneer at you when you do cheer. They are much more passive in that regard, but they sit and talk like they're at their local fast food joint oblivious to what's going on down on the field. I really don't understand either group.

Yes, I do the same kind of noise you speak of and I get stares and I just glare back at them. No one has ever tried to shush me as I'd just shush them back and tell them to go home and watch it on the TV if they didn't want any crowd noise. I'm not shy about doing that whatsoever. I'm not certain as to why those folks think it is in poor taste to cheer on your team, but I've found Utahans to be a peculiar lot of people in total honesty. Some of their idiosyncrasies are admirable, but there are quite a few that drive me nuts.

I've seen louder sacrament meetings than some of the games tend to be.

You obviously don't sit in the right place. Our North End Zone seats, several rows behind the band, are FULL of enthusiastic fans believe me. Some of us are even old, but we yell and cheer with the best of them. Come and sit with us!

I get a couple of tickets every year, and often for one reason or another my wife and kids don't come so I invite a friend. I set down the basic rules before hand
1: Wear a dark blue shirt or stay home
2: We get there about an 1hr early
3: I have never left a game early regardless of the score and/or weather
as long as they are willing to agree to these terms they are invited.

I always apologize in advance for standing up on big plays and tell them I have no control it just happens, most just laugh and agree. I always give high fives to as many people as I can reach on big plays. Gets those around me going.

AF_Puma wrote:

I've found Utahans to be a peculiar lot of people in total honesty. Some of their idiosyncrasies are admirable, but there are quite a few that drive me nuts.

That's probably true of anywhere you live. Atleast I've never lived anywhere and thought, "man, this people are perfect. Nothing they do is annoying"

Back to the point, I think we need is Lavell to do a commercial again only this year he says "Sit Down. Be Reverant. Encourage others to be Reverant. Talk about the weather. Just...NOT...Here"

AF_Puma wrote:

In total honesty I don't know why there are so many subdued Cougar fans that come faithfully to games, but have no emotional involvement in the contest. I've never seen this phenomenon any were else on this planet.

The west stands is where I am at and while I don't sit with all the CC members that have the great seats, I think blaming the lack of enthusiasm on the older crowd is not totally correct. I have just as many younger people around me that seem like they have no emotional involvement in the games either. They just don't sneer at you when you do cheer. They are much more passive in that regard, but they sit and talk like they're at their local fast food joint oblivious to what's going on down on the field. I really don't understand either group.

Yes, I do the same kind of noise you speak of and I get stares and I just glare back at them. No one has ever tried to shush me as I'd just shush them back and tell them to go home and watch it on the TV if they didn't want any crowd noise. I'm not shy about doing that whatsoever. I'm not certain as to why those folks think it is in poor taste to cheer on your team, but I've found Utahans to be a peculiar lot of people in total honesty. Some of their idiosyncrasies are admirable, but there are quite a few that drive me nuts.

I've seen louder sacrament meetings than some of the games tend to be.

Do you go to church in Traverse Mountain.