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Honoring Caleb Porter


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I thought this deserved it's own thread. I have spoken with a few of you about it on a couple of occasions, but I think it needs to be addressed on a bigger scale. Ever since it was announced that this was Porter's last season, the focus immediately turned to who would be the next coach, "#Embick2013," and looking past this season. The attitude seems to be that even though Porter is still the coach, that because he is leaving and Embick is taking over, Embick is now our coach and Porter never happened. Well, I'm not really okay with this. Until Porter accepted another job to advance his career, he was a saint. Although I haven't heard much negative talk about him, I haven't seen the same support for him. Anyway, this is turning into a rant about my personal feelings on the topic, but really the main reason I wanted to start this thread was because I don't think it would be right to let the Porter era end without some sort of thank you.

I don't need to list the accomplishments we have had under Porter, we all know them. And I think it would be an insult to his time here to not do SOMETHING. I just don't know what. I think some kind of awesome tifo would be really cool, but that would take some thought and some work. Ian, I know you will probably read this, and I think you should try to get the leadership of the rowdies involved. I asked AJ about this one time and he said something about balloons. I just don't think balloons is really good enough. I just want to honor Porter for all he has done. If there is any kind of mixed feelings about him, I guess I sort of understand since this is kind of an unprecedented situation. Yeah he is leaving us, but it's not for another school. If that were the case I would be pretty upset. He deserves something though. I believe he has given nothing less than 100% to Akron up until now and won't commit any less until December 15. I think we owe him the same.

Only other dilemma with doing something is when is the appropriate time to do it? Best time is his last home game, but of course we don't know when that will be. This weekend is our last regular season home game. I know that's soon. We could also bank on the MAC tournament. And we know we'll have some NCAA home games. But when is the best time to do it? Please leave your thoughts on this so we can try to put something together.

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The best time would be after the season has concluded. We should have a nice campus celebration for him. :bow:

I thought this deserved it's own thread. I have spoken with a few of you about it on a couple of occasions, but I think it needs to be addressed on a bigger scale. Ever since it was announced that this was Porter's last season, the focus immediately turned to who would be the next coach, "#Embick2013," and looking past this season. The attitude seems to be that even though Porter is still the coach, that because he is leaving and Embick is taking over, Embick is now our coach and Porter never happened. Well, I'm not really okay with this. Until Porter accepted another job to advance his career, he was a saint. Although I haven't heard much negative talk about him, I haven't seen the same support for him. Anyway, this is turning into a rant about my personal feelings on the topic, but really the main reason I wanted to start this thread was because I don't think it would be right to let the Porter era end without some sort of thank you.

I don't need to list the accomplishments we have had under Porter, we all know them. And I think it would be an insult to his time here to not do SOMETHING. I just don't know what. I think some kind of awesome tifo would be really cool, but that would take some thought and some work. Ian, I know you will probably read this, and I think you should try to get the leadership of the rowdies involved. I asked AJ about this one time and he said something about balloons. I just don't think balloons is really good enough. I just want to honor Porter for all he has done. If there is any kind of mixed feelings about him, I guess I sort of understand since this is kind of an unprecedented situation. Yeah he is leaving us, but it's not for another school. If that were the case I would be pretty upset. He deserves something though. I believe he has given nothing less than 100% to Akron up until now and won't commit any less until December 15. I think we owe him the same.

Only other dilemma with doing something is when is the appropriate time to do it? Best time is his last home game, but of course we don't know when that will be. This weekend is our last regular season home game. I know that's soon. We could also bank on the MAC tournament. And we know we'll have some NCAA home games. But when is the best time to do it? Please leave your thoughts on this so we can try to put something together.

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The best time would be after the season has concluded. We should have a nice campus celebration for him. :bow:

Porter will be gone the day after the College Cup. Hopefully, he's working up till then. :NCAAC: I don't have any grand ideas, but I think it should be immediately after a MAC Tourney game and involve some sort of tribute from the ROWDIES. Maybe we could return the many favors and buy him pizza? :D Also, even though it's before my time on campus, a return of as many members of the Goal Patrol as possible would be pretty awesome!

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Thank You Yaz for bringing this up.

I think the proper soccer send off would be a tifo project. Doesn't need to be overdone, but a simple thank you on blue & gold would be enough. Balloons would be ridiculous, and I think it would be best this Saturday, but with the short time period. I'd say either the MAC championship or Game 1 of the NCAA College Cup run. I've always said I'd help if someone organized a tifo project, at this time I'm in no position to organize with my current schedule. Paint, cloth, and space.

You could make a bar scarf out of blue and gold bed sheets sewn together with text painted on top. Or one large blue sheet, painted in gold. Keep it simple.

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Porter will be gone the day after the College Cup. Hopefully, he's working up till then. :NCAAC: I don't have any grand ideas, but I think it should be immediately after a MAC Tourney game and involve some sort of tribute from the ROWDIES. Maybe we could return the many favors and buy him pizza? :D Also, even though it's before my time on campus, a return of as many members of the Goal Patrol as possible would be pretty awesome!

Good thread!

There are plenty of folks WAY too old to be AK Rowdies who also feel very indebted to Caleb Porter. We are not on campus as you are. But most of us would support whatever you decide to do. Ian, AJ, et al, I agree that this should be initiated by the AK Rowdies.

Please forgive my maudlin sentimentality, but I once again suggest singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" ala Liverpool FC. (Has anyone seen the series on FOXSOC?) The song is short, classy, and traditional. Better yet, get some choral group from the university to do it.

I promise not to mention it again, if you just think about it. Balloons are pretty FF from good enough, if you ask me.

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A tifo after the national anthem this Saturday for the Western Michigan. We could buy white bed sheets and paint them with something. Any artists want to come up with an idea?

Been trying to push this idea but the Rowdies are non-committal on it.

Would love to get some help from the U in getting this done, but I fear that they don't really care either.

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Been trying to push this idea but the Rowdies are non-committal on it.

Would love to get some help from the U in getting this done, but I fear that they don't really care either.

You don't need the University help. You need 10 people/friends/students/soccer fanatics to put in some work.

Same material can be used for large banners in these two stick flag boards I have bookmarked. Maybe this will inspire someone or give some others a few ideas.

Tutorial: Two-Stick Flags

Rust Belt Tifo

Tifo flag

Personally I just enjoy this Tifo making video - Turkish club Fenerbahce supporters

Like I mentioned earlier, keep it simple with text only. It's so simple and if you pick a time and day with material in hand, I'd throw in some work.

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Yes, I would agree, but I can't draw that well. You then need someone to lay out the art in squares or use an overhead projector to layout the art.

It would probably have to be drawn up free hand. Amazon has used slide projectors for $88, but it would not arrive in time to do this.

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