O-Zone

[Bleacher Bum]

I don't wanna comment on the game yet simply because I just got home from the game and I'm getting ready to go boozing, but I do have a few things I want to say. I'm starting my own thread cuz I don't want this post to get lost in the OU Postgame comments. I want to comment on the O-Zone. After hearing so many good things about how great their student section is, I was thoroughly disappointed in their showing. I respect their numbers and their organization. Their section was packed and I was really excited to finally see them live in their element. The giant brick and the the little tunnel vision thingies are brilliant, but their fans are not loud or into the game unless OU just tied the game or took the lead. Right as the game started, the atmosphere was great, I was thinking to myself, "Now THIS is a homecourt advantage." We were even asking each other how the Bobcats can lose a game in that building. But then as the game went on, they all seemed bored. The only time they were loud was right after a tie or a point to take the lead. I know I have a biased opinion since I go to Akron, but it seems that lately the Rowdies have been loud on EVERY possession. That's the point. If your team is down by 12, you are loud to make sure you don't go down by more. If you are up by 12, you are loud to make sure the other team cannot cut into the lead. I expected a lot more from the O-Zone tonight. All I was impressed with was their numbers, but hey, there's not much to do in Athens, so those seats will get filled. There's too many alternatives in Akron that keep the JAR empty.Also, I want to comment on the teenie boppers that came behind us to make fun of us towards the end of the game. If you're going to chant a player's name, can you at least get it right? His name is NOT "Bubba Walters"! It's Bubba Walther! Jackasses! It's also not cool to throw shit at other fans during the game. I got nothing wrong with giving some guff here and there. Hell, I dish it out too, but constantly throwing crap from behind us is just straight up classless.

[Balki Bartokomous]

Ohio ... classless? No! I't can't be. Seriously though, Ohio fans are more annoying then Can't fans.

[sgm405]

In all honesty, The Rowdies aren't much to brag about. We don't fill up half of a tiny section, let alone two tiny sections. It's borderline embarrassing. The students that do show up do a great job of getting into the game, but it's just not enough to me. So while we're on topic, here's why I think this has happened...The stupid shirt rule. Seriously. You simply never ever ever ever EVER turn away students from the student section, especially when there are empty seats. And if you do insist on the students wearing the shirts, you a) bring extras to games, Allow new people to sign up, and c) Don't let little kids sit in the student section and turn away kids. By doing this, A LOT of students were alienated. I know many people who choose to sit general admin now, even though (I think) the rule is gone. And I don't blame them. If you were a student who had been coming to games for years and showed up to find that you now had to sit up top because you missed a meeting that barely anyone knew about...and that it was too late to sign up, you might be ticked too. So what can we do? A few things...1) Recruit kids from the dorms. Put up fliers, put stuff in their mailboxes...whatever. And then offer free stuff to get them to games...just get them there. Once they find out it is fun and that we have a pretty good product on the floor, hopefully they come back. 2) More free stuff. Last year was great - winter hats, peanuts, anything free helps to put butts in the seats. 3) Apologize to the students. I know they're trying hard - I do - but the leadership of the Rowdies really alienated and insulted a lot of students. Send an email out, or post a bulletin on the website. Stand up, admit mistakes, and ask them to come back. I have a strong feeling that they would. We were a great student section last year...the best I've ever seen at Akron...maybe I don't have all of the answers, but we've got to figure out what went wrong from last year to this year...and fast.

[Bleacher Bum]

sgm, I was not saying that the Rowdies are a better organization. The O-Zone's numbers and organization are extremely impressive. I'm just saying that their fans do not seem to be in the game as much as the Rowdies. Remember the Nevada game? Every Nevada possession in the first half there was a "Z-Fense" chant and the second half was us jumping up and down and screaming "Ohh!" EVERY POSSESSION! That is impressive! If there was a student organization that had OU's numbers and our enthusiasm, look out! Hopefully we can maintain our ability to cheer while our numbers grow. I know a lot of people are pissed about the shirts and the selling of our seats, but during conference play, i really think things are going to pick up, especially if the team does well.

[sgm405]

sgm, I was not saying that the Rowdies are a better organization. The O-Zone's numbers and organization are extremely impressive. I'm just saying that their fans do not seem to be in the game as much as the Rowdies. Remember the Nevada game? Every Nevada possession in the first half there was a "Z-Fense" chant and the second half was us jumping up and down and screaming "Ohh!" EVERY POSSESSION! That is impressive! If there was a student organization that had OU's numbers and our enthusiasm, look out! Hopefully we can maintain our ability to cheer while our numbers grow. I know a lot of people are pissed about the shirts and the selling of our seats, but during conference play, i really think things are going to pick up, especially if the team does well.

Ohh no no I know...I should've prefaced my comments with an explanation. I didn't think you were saying that at all. The topic of a student section just got my thoughts heading towards ours...my mind wanders hahahahaI agree the students that do show up make a difference...that's why I think it's soooo important to get the old students back and get new blood in as well.

[Bleacher Bum]

that's why I think it's soooo important to get the old students back and get new blood in as well. 

Once that happens..........

[sgm405]

that's why I think it's soooo important to get the old students back and get new blood in as well. 

Once that happens..........

Agreed. Aside from that, can we get some marketing up in here? lol. Where have all the radio/tv ads gone?

[Bleacher Bum]

Aside from that, can we get some marketing up in here? lol. Where have all the radio/tv ads gone?

That's a great question. I'll even take one of those "Fear the Roo" jingles on the radio over nothing!

[OZoner]

I think that everyone focuses on the times when the other crowd is quiet and ignores when their own crowd is. I could say the same thing about the Rowdies that you said about us... but I don't think either is true. No crowd is going to be screaming on every single possession (that just requires too much energy); the important part is to know when to really make noise. I think that's something we do well. Obviously, I disagree that we were only loud when the game was tied/we led. It was sort of a weird setup tonight with only half the cheerleaders and no 110 (they're in Mobile). We get behind the team whether they're up or down. Hopefully you come back again and can see that. I also have to say that Akron straight up shut us up on a few occasions. They're really good at that- probably better than any other team in the conference.Also, I apologize for the stuff being thrown at you. That's not cool.

[Bleacher Bum]

I think that everyone focuses on the times when the other crowd is quiet and ignores when their own crowd is.  I could say the same thing about the Rowdies that you said about us... but I don't think either is true.  No crowd is going to be screaming on every single possession (that just requires too much energy); the important part is to know when to really make noise.  I think that's something we do well.  Obviously, I disagree that we were only loud when the game was tied/we led.  It was sort of a weird setup tonight with only half the cheerleaders and no 110 (they're in Mobile).  We get behind the team whether they're up or down.  Hopefully you come back again and can see that.  I also have to say that Akron straight up shut us up on a few occasions.  They're really good at that- probably better than any other team in the conference.Also, I apologize for the stuff being thrown at you.  That's not cool.

I was actually wondering why you only had 6 total cheerleaders. One of my buds suggested the rest were probably at the bowl game, which made sense. Is the 110 the band? Excuse my ignorance here, but I don't know much about OU traditions. The band was not wearing OU colors, this why I'm makind the assumption. When we played Nevada, except for the numbers, our enthusiasm was stupendous. I'm hoping we can keep up that excitement the whole season and just keep adding fans.By the way...not gonna lie...I was laughing my ass off when ya'll chanted "Urkel" to Dru.

[OZoner]

Yeah, the 110 is the band. The Fairfield Union High School band filled in (and did a pretty good job, I think). Obviously, I'm very proud of our group and what we do. I hope you guys are able to get your numbers up and keep the intensity up. It's good for the conference as a whole.

[zipsbandman]

I wouldn't worry too much about student turnout. Remember that we have played piss poor opponents aside from Nevada. We've had some really boring OOC games. Plus we are still on winter break and naturally there will be few students around. Look for a big pickup once classes start. You know who comes to the JAR when the semester begins and that is a great way to kick things off. The students will really show once we start playing well known MAC rivals.

[ZachTheZip]

I wouldn't worry too much about student turnout.  Remember that we have played piss poor opponents aside from Nevada.  We've had some really boring OOC games.  Plus we are still on winter break and naturally there will be few students around.  Look for a big pickup once classes start.  You know who comes to the JAR when the semester begins and that is a great way to kick things off.   The students will really show once we start playing well known MAC rivals.

Exactly. The students will definetely be back and we will most likely sell out the JAR for the Can't State game. All hell will break loose when the students find out it is too late to sign up for the Rowdies, and those that did sign up need to wear that stupid shirt. I can't wait to see what happens. Hopefully they will allow sign-ups again so the administration sees just how big the student support has the potential to be.

[Valpo Zip]

In fact, i was impressed with the numbers... in a winter break game, in the night before their bowl game they had a crowd that is good enough to sell out the JAR...Talking about classless people, some of the ozoners, after they saw us being rowdy in the first half, they left their seats during the half time break, and came to our section and started throwing stuff at us and act stupid.The worst part of it is that 0-zoners can go towards anyone in their seats and push them around... no ushers and no one will tell them to stay away from the reserved seats. I guess that this is how things work in hillbilly land.

[jeaglet1]

In fact, i was impressed with the numbers... in a winter break game, in the night before their bowl game they had a crowd that is good enough to sell out the JAR...Talking about classless people, some of the ozoners, after they saw us being rowdy in the first half, they left their seats during the half time break, and came to our section and started throwing stuff at us and act stupid.The worst part of it is that 0-zoners can go towards anyone in their seats and push them around... no ushers and no one will tell them to stay away from the reserved seats. I guess that this is how things work in hillbilly land.

For every classless person in Athens, I bet you I can find their counter part in Akron, or Can't, or Buffalo, etc... I was at the OU Akron football game last year and saw drinks poured on OU fans, and taunts I wouldnt even care to repeat. It happens everywhere. I wouldn't judge the average fan by the bad apples. I know I wouldnt want to be judged on the basis of some knuckle heads I see at games. Don't get me wrong, I'm not condoning it by any means. Seems to me this has been a heated game ever since Hipsher grabbed his junk, flipped the O-Zone the double bird and nearly started a riot...As far as the crowd, I wasnt at the game, but given the bowl game tonight, I don't think you should use this game as a point of reference. I know when they come to Cleveland, OU's band is usually the best.

[zipsbandman]

OU as a whole probably has the most arrogant, classless fans of the MAC. Miami's are just arrogant. Can't's are just stupid. As a whole, OU's fans seem to posess a little bit of Can't and Miami. There are a lot of good ones like the ozone poster but for some reason OU is very easy to dislike. The zips will return the favor in the friendly confines of the JAR, and in the meantime we'll take out our frustrations on the sweaters on Thursday.

[Zips Win!]

OU as a whole probably has the most arrogant, classless fans of the MAC. Miami's are just arrogant. Can't's are just stupid. As a whole, OU's fans seem to posess a little bit of Can't and Miami. There are a lot of good ones like the ozone poster but for some reason OU is very easy to dislike. The zips will return the favor in the friendly confines of the JAR, and in the meantime we'll take out our frustrations on the sweaters on Thursday.

I was at the game on Saturday. I thought the OU fans were great. They were probably well over 500 in attendance and they were very loud, as a college atmosphere should be. Their chants were great.....if we just could have made a few more shots, it wouldn't have mattered.They only arrogant person in the building was Bubba and as far as classless, look at the zebras. When Bubba taunted the Akron bench, he should have been teed up immediately. The officials had no control of the game.

[sgm405]

In fact, i was impressed with the numbers... in a winter break game, in the night before their bowl game they had a crowd that is good enough to sell out the JAR...Talking about classless people, some of the ozoners, after they saw us being rowdy in the first half, they left their seats during the half time break, and came to our section and started throwing stuff at us and act stupid.The worst part of it is that 0-zoners can go towards anyone in their seats and push them around... no ushers and no one will tell them to stay away from the reserved seats. I guess that this is how things work in hillbilly land.

For every classless person in Athens, I bet you I can find their counter part in Akron, or Can't, or Buffalo, etc... I was at the OU Akron football game last year and saw drinks poured on OU fans, and taunts I wouldnt even care to repeat. It happens everywhere. I wouldn't judge the average fan by the bad apples. I know I wouldnt want to be judged on the basis of some knuckle heads I see at games. Don't get me wrong, I'm not condoning it by any means. Seems to me this has been a heated game ever since Hipsher grabbed his junk, flipped the O-Zone the double bird and nearly started a riot...As far as the crowd, I wasnt at the game, but given the bowl game tonight, I don't think you should use this game as a point of reference. I know when they come to Cleveland, OU's band is usually the best.

I do agree there are bad apples in every crowd. On a totally side note...What was up with a bunch of the students doing the "Hey! You suck!" to Rock N Roll Part 2 at the last home game. That's Can't State classless bullshit. Please, let's not do that again.

[OZoner]

Yeah, I wish Bubba would not taunt the opposing bench/fans. That never goes well.Ironically, he did it to us back in '05, and we hated him.

[Dr Z]

As far as the crowd, I wasnt at the game, but given the bowl game tonight, I don't think you should use this game as a point of reference.

Game?

[AwesomeDude]

I have been a member of the UA Marching band for the past 4 years and in Blue and Gold brass for the basketball games for the past three years. Even the thought of OU being the best band in cleveland is total crap to me and pisses me off to be honest. Im not saying that The blue and gold brass is better or the best i believe that each band brings something special to each event. In akron we now have a cheer during free throws the goes "your not going to make it, no your not going to make it, your not going to make it cuz you suck" that came from the band. The band is as much a fan as anyone sitting in the seats at any school. Enough about the bands because they all are BA in my mind. Im a band person for life and thats that. To the little punks that sat behind us at the OU game that was so childish of you. Chanting a just like football chant was great you had every right to do so. But tell me this, Akron won the MAC championship the year prior and got the rings. Wheres OU's rings? oh thats right CMU killed them. Even though Akron lost our bowl game i do recall us making Memphis pucker up their buttholes and almost come back to win that game. How did OU do in their bowl game last night? 28-7. need i say more. ok im done its 4:07 and Can't state Still sucks.

[OZoner]

Dude, nobody was ripping on your band. I was merely stating ours was down in Mobile.

[jeaglet1]

I have been a member of the UA Marching band for the past 4 years and in Blue and Gold brass for the basketball games for the past three years. Even the thought of OU being the best band in cleveland is total crap to me and pisses me off to be honest. Im not saying that The blue and gold brass is better or the best i believe that each band brings something special to each event. In akron we now have a cheer during free throws the goes "your not going to make it, no your not going to make it, your not going to make it cuz you suck" that came from the band. The band is as much a fan as anyone sitting in the seats at any school. Enough about the bands because they all are BA in my mind. Im a band person for life and thats that. To the little punks that sat behind us at the OU game that was so childish of you. Chanting a just like football chant was great you had every right to do so. But tell me this, Akron won the MAC championship the year prior and got the rings. Wheres OU's rings? oh thats right CMU killed them. Even though Akron lost our bowl game i do recall us making Memphis pucker up their buttholes and almost come back to win that game. How did OU do in their bowl game last night? 28-7. need i say more. ok im done its 4:07 and Can't state Still sucks.

You're getting pissed at an objective observer's opinion of which band they liked the best? I wasn't saying anything about any other band there, except I thought OU's was the best. They're mostly brass, which I think makes it a better sound. Also, you call my opinion crap, but offer absolutly no reason as to why...

[AwesomeDude]

They're mostly brass, which I think makes it a better sound. Did you even take into consideration why the akron band is called blue and gold BRASS? just a thought to strike your brain, most pep bands in the MAC conference are simply just brass and thats it. Sure there may be some sax's in there but mostly brass. I was not dissing OU's band or any other MAC schools band im saying you cant judge a schools band if you have not seen them. True to state that some are bigger and what not and some are aloud to do certain things, it all depends on the director of the band as well. Im not trying to start a riot about bands because like i said i am a bando and i love hearing the bands and getting in the groove with them. Im sure everyone likes that but dont say your band is the best there is. Thats like saying that pancakes are better than waffles. When everyone knows that no one cares as long as their stomache is full.And to the point of me stating no reason for the total crap comment, here's the reason butthole kiss my blue and gold butt and live with it.

[jeaglet1]

Why so hotsile? I dont "have" a band. I looked at all the bands in Cleveland the last few years and said I liked OU's. I like their song selection, sound, etc... I'm not saying I didn't like anyone else, just like theirs more. Plus I was able to see the Akron, OU, and OSU band at Browns game sthis year. I said nothing derogotory to you, or your band. Calm down.