We're Coming!!!

[Elvis was a Bison]

Green and Gold on a red field? It's beginning to look alot like Christmas, except the sleigh will be pulled by Bison instead of reindeer. Another Big Sky/Missouri Valley match-up to talk about this week. Life is truly good.

 

[kalm]

Green and Gold on a red field? It's beginning to look alot like Christmas, except the sleigh will be pulled by Bison instead of reindeer. Another Big Sky/Missouri Valley match-up to talk about this week. Life is truly good.

Try thinking about baseball. :mrgreen:

 

[EWURanger]

I'm really starting to dislike these guys. One playoff appearance since they've been eligible, and it seems as if in most of their fans minds they've already got this thing wrapped up. :roll: Probably shouldn't paint their entire fan base with such a broad brush, but:

Apparently it's not fair that we're hosting this game. Nevermind we were the #5 seed.

Also, TJ is not that shifty. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Can't wait til Saturday.

 

[akbison]

Apparently it's not fair that we're hosting this game. Nevermind we were the #5 seed.

The fan base for NDSU is only commenting that they can't host the game because your stadium has a maximum capacity of 8,600?

The first weekend of playoffs while being Thanksgiving weekend, NDSU was still able to gather 12,000 people to show for the game. Had this game been NONE seeded then it would have been financially more productive for both teams and the NCAA for NDSU to host.

But I for one am glad the game is in Cheney. Surgery friday at UW pending medical release playoff game at Cheney on Saturday.

 

[FreeBird]

Apparently it's not fair that we're hosting this game. Nevermind we were the #5 seed.

The fan base for NDSU is only commenting that they can't host the game because your stadium has a maximum capacity of 8,600?

The first weekend of playoffs while being Thanksgiving weekend, NDSU was still able to gather 12,000 people to show for the game. Had this game been NONE seeded then it would have been financially more productive for both teams and the NCAA for NDSU to host.

But I for one am glad the game is in Cheney. Surgery friday at UW pending medical release playoff game at Cheney on Saturday.

I hope the surgery goes well and you can make the game. You'll find the folks in Cheney to be very hospitable to visitors.

I'm glad that the seeds get home field advantage. There should be a reward for playing well on the field.

That being said, it would be even better if Spokane could support a winning team.

 

[akbison]

Freebird, thanks for the well wishes. Hopefully I can make it to the game that is the plan.

Much agreed performance in the regular season should count for something and it did by giving you another home game, you earned it. Best of luck with gaining some more support from Spokane. Our student body has been pretty low on showing up all year as well.

I actually spent sometime out in Spokane Valley a few years back, nice people and nice area.

 

[EdubAlum]

Freebird, thanks for the well wishes. Hopefully I can make it to the game that is the plan.

Much agreed performance in the regular season should count for something and it did by giving you another home game, you earned it. Best of luck with gaining some more support from Spokane. Our student body has been pretty low on showing up all year as well.

I actually spent sometime out in Spokane Valley a few years back, nice people and nice area.

your students have no excuse to not show up to the game....it's in a dome and heated!

 

[FreeBird]

Freebird, thanks for the well wishes. Hopefully I can make it to the game that is the plan.

Much agreed performance in the regular season should count for something and it did by giving you another home game, you earned it. Best of luck with gaining some more support from Spokane. Our student body has been pretty low on showing up all year as well.

I actually spent sometime out in Spokane Valley a few years back, nice people and nice area.

your students have no excuse to not show up to the game....it's in a dome and heated!

I'd be okay with that reasoning if the Eagles drew well through out Spokane County early in the season, but they don't. I'd be okay if the reason was that they are too busy supporting the Shock, but that arena only holds 10,000 and the game times rarely if ever conflict. I'd be okay with that if the reason was that they were supporting Washington State, but they're not, Washington State has the lowest attendance of any BCS conference team at 25,000. I'd be okay with that if Eastern didn't consistently put a playoff contending team on the field, but they do. I'd be okay with that if Eastern ticket prices were high, but they're not. I'd be okay with that if Eastern didn't do anything to promote the team, but I think given the red turf, the Dam cup, and promotions pretty much every week, I can't think of much more they could do.

So what gives? Are Missoula and Fargo just that much better football towns?

Spokane County population ~460,000
Cass County (Fargo) population ~ 140,000
Missoula County popluation ~ 110,000

 

[MLEagle]

You are right that the Spokane area does not support EWU like it could or should, but your comparison of Spokane to Missoula and Fargo is apples and oranges. Fargo and Missoula are both in the middle of nowhere with no other competition for sports entertainment; UM and NDSU are considered big time in their small states. In the Spokane area EWU has to compete with WSU, GU, and U of I which are all in bigger conferences then the Big Sky.

The thing that really matters is what happens on the field, and come Saturday afternoon your beloved Bison are going home with another loss. The good thing for you is that you should be used to it since it will be your 5th loss of the year.

 

[93bird]

There are two reasons I think people don't show up. First, unless you've got a good tailgate going (and we've got the best) there's nothing for the casual fan to do before or during the game. It's been really cold the last couple weeks but there's no relief at Roos Field. The lack of decent food and beer concessions, and shelter from the weather makes it tough for most people. Secondly, many people around here still have a hard time seeing Eastern as anything other than a junior college. They can't bring themselves to watch a team from a school they've always ridiculed. They'd rather watch the Cougars fail almost every week and proclaim their Cougar pride because even though WSU is a dumpster fire of a program, the fact that it's Pac10 in name means that it's "Big Time". GU fan isn't coming to a game in Cheney period. He or she is too busy making appearances with the other retirees during Bulldog games. Spokane is a town of full of followers just waiting for somebody to make them a winner. If you're an Eagle, you make your own success. That's too difficult for most people to accept, much less watch.

 

[HannahO]

There are two reasons I think people don't show up. First, unless you've got a good tailgate going (and we've got the best) there's nothing for the casual fan to do before or during the game. It's been really cold the last couple weeks but there's no relief at Roos Field. The lack of decent food and beer concessions, and shelter from the weather makes it tough for most people. Secondly, many people around here still have a hard time seeing Eastern as anything other than a junior college. They can't bring themselves to watch a team from a school they've always ridiculed. They'd rather watch the Cougars fail almost every week and proclaim their Cougar pride because even though WSU is a dumpster fire of a program, the fact that it's Pac10 in name means that it's "Big Time". GU fan isn't coming to a game in Cheney period. He or she is too busy making appearances with the other retirees during Bulldog games. Spokane is a town of full of followers just waiting for somebody to make them a winner. If you're an Eagle, you make your own success. That's too difficult for most people to accept, much less watch.

I'm not sure that Eastern can do much about the tailgate area - it's not like they can open up a field house or convention center like some campus or professional sites but people do pretty well with RV's and awnings if they are so inclined.

The second part of your posting is spot on ... EWU is a school of blue collar, down to earth, regular guy sorts of folks. They don't have the money or prestige of the private schools like GU or Whitworth nor the rep of state's the "flagship universities" like UW or WSU. The students, fans and alumni of EWU are what this country used to be about; going out and getting the job done with whatever resources at hand without a lot of "look at me" attitude. It's actually kind of refreshing. Yes, it's disappointing they don't generate the sort of passionate support of the Montana schools or apparently NDSU, but it doesn't diminish the accomplishments of the program, players or supporters of the program. People who want to put down the game experience are the ones that will find fault regardless. One thing 20+ years in the military taught me is that no matter the circumstance, you can find something good about it (conversely, if you're so inclined you can make yourself miserable complaining about what you don't have). So bottom line, either decide you're going to have a good time, support the team and see a good football product or not, but don't put EWU down because it's not UW, or WSU, or GU - celebrate the differences and the successes these kids have with a lot less to work with.

 

[Obzerver]

I think we are building a base. Followed EWU since the Zorne days and as an alum (wife and son as well) I know there is much more interest the last several years in EWU Football. Many fellow alums who never thought about going to a game are now proud to proclaim they are indeed alums and how they would like to go to a game sometime. This is a step in the right direction...EWU has given them a reason. The same hold true for the ex players/families who are dang proud of EWU and aren't afraid to say so...it wasn't always that way as some of us coffin-dodgers know. Also, I think a large portion of the crowds that go to WSU games aren't going so much to watch the cougars as they are to watch the high caliber teams they are playing.

 

[EWURanger]

I think we are building a base. Followed EWU since the Zorne days and as an alum (wife and son as well) I know there is much more interest the last several years in EWU Football. Many fellow alums who never thought about going to a game are now proud to proclaim they are indeed alums and how they would like to go to a game sometime. This is a step in the right direction...EWU has given them a reason. The same hold true for the ex players/families who are dang proud of EWU and aren't afraid to say so...it wasn't always that way as some of us coffin-dodgers know. Also, I think a large portion of the crowds that go to WSU games aren't going so much to watch the cougars as they are to watch the high caliber teams they are playing.

I agree.

 

[FreeBird]

Sorry for venting about the lack of football fans in Spokane. I like the old school blue collar analogy as being what Eastern is all about.

The only thing I'd contest is that Spokane provides good fan support for WSU. 25k attendance including students from a very large University, is not supporting a BCS program. As far as GU support goes, that just further demonstrates that Spokane is not a football town.

I wonder about the idea of opening up the field house for pregame during inclimate weather. You could probably charge $5 a head just to get out of the cold. Throw in some big screen TV's and a beer garden and you might have something.

 

[marceagfan5]

I wonder about the idea of opening up the field house for pregame during inclimate weather. You could probably charge $5 a head just to get out of the cold. Throw in some big screen TV's and a beer garden and you might have something.

They are trying to do this for the upcoming game...I think its free of charge and more like a pep rally...but if it goes well maybe they can do it in the future.

 

[FreeBird]

I wonder about the idea of opening up the field house for pregame during inclimate weather. You could probably charge $5 a head just to get out of the cold. Throw in some big screen TV's and a beer garden and you might have something.

They are trying to do this for the upcoming game...I think its free of charge and more like a pep rally...but if it goes well maybe they can do it in the future.

Thanks Marce, looks like I should have read the other threads first

* When: Saturday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m.-noon
* Where: Reese Court, north mezzanine
* More info: Join EWU fans as we rally before the quarterfinal playoff game. Bring your family and friends for tailgate munchies and refreshments INSIDE Reese Court. Children are welcome. RSVP at AlumniLink.

 

[kalm]

Sorry for venting about the lack of football fans in Spokane. I like the old school blue collar analogy as being what Eastern is all about.

The only thing I'd contest is that Spokane provides good fan support for WSU. 25k attendance including students from a very large University, is not supporting a BCS program. As far as GU support goes, that just further demonstrates that Spokane is not a football town.

I wonder about the idea of opening up the field house for pregame during inclimate weather. You could probably charge $5 a head just to get out of the cold. Throw in some big screen TV's and a beer garden and you might have something.

No need to apologize for the venting, I'm guessing everyone on this board feels the same way.

This success will help, but the more I think about it, the more I think LDopaPDX has been right all along in that the key is permanent grandstands on the east side of the stadium. Missoula wasn't a football town in the late 80's either and it obviously turned around.

I think much of our problem is perception. Many would-be fans don't understand that FCS is still DI football and they also fail to understand the level of talent and on-field product it brings. The high-school looking bleachers on the visitors side only add to that perception. So make the stadium look more "big time" and use a phrase along the lines of 'Spokane's DI Football Team' in all of the marketing.

As for the cold, it definitely hurts, but to paraphrase my norse ancestors - there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. My tailgate was plenty warm last week. :mrgreen:

 

[lakesbison]

BOOM.. here come the BOOM!

LETS GO BISON@!!

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

BOOM.. here come the BOOM!

LETS GO BISON@!!

That boom you hear is the sound of the bison getting their shit kicked in. Just sayin'.

 

[Elvis was a Bison]

Screamer,

You come to Bisonville...Spew a whole bunch of garbage... Then piss your pants when Lakes tells you the gospell. It must be your picture that is in the Webster under the definition of Troll. Eagles are grounded on Saturday. Take it to the bank, fool.