Golden Nuggets: Fan 101
by Berkelium97 on Oct 6, 2009 5:04 PM PDT
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PrintAfter attending this past weekend's Cal-USC game, CalBearsExaminer's Rob Calonge thinks Bear Backers ought to enroll in Fan 101.
SELL OUT YOUR GAMES
One thing that really struck me was how many cardinal tops I saw in the crowd. Maybe Cal should've had the 'Blue Out' game again, because there wasn't nearly enough blue for a home game. Many of the USC fans I talked to bought their tickets from Bear Backers.
What? Why would you even consider doing something like that?
There was absolutely no home-field advantage for the Golden Bears. How can there be a crowd advantage when one-third of the crowd was rooting for the visiting team? Simply put, there can't be.
...WHEN NOT TO MAKE NOISE
The only time you should be sitting on your hands is when YOUR offense is on the field, in between plays. You see, that's the time that they are actually trying to communicate with each other so that they can score points and win the ballgame.
What does 'in between plays' mean? From the time you see the quarterback trying to get the play from the sidelines to the time the ball is snapped--key word being snapped. Just because your team is set and ready to snap the ball doesn't mean that they have stopped communicating with each other. Offensive linemen are attempting to call out blocking coverage, the quarterback is attempting to point things out to his teammates or possibly calling out a new play altogether, and everyone else on the offense is trying to hear the communication.
When you begin chanting and making noise before the snap, you are putting your own team at a disadvantage.
WHEN TO LOSE YOUR VOICE AND MAKE AS MUCH NOISE AS POSSIBLE
There are two options here. The first option is, every moment that doesn't violate the 'when to make noise' rule. The second option is, every time the opposing team needs to communicate. The first option may be a FAN 201 course so we'll go over the second option for now.
The most important time to go crazy is when the opposing offense is on the field. Don't wait until they break the huddle to begin raising Cain! Think of when not to make noise, and do the complete opposite. Don't let big plays by the opposition silence you either--that's when you should get louder.
When you're loud, you not only make it difficult for the opposition to communicate, but you also make it that much harder for the offensive line to get a jump on YOUR team's defensive players. This usually helps to result in many sacks, interceptions, and sometimes a fumble or two.
After the jump we'll read some doom and gloom from the Daily Cal (and their columnist references a post on CGB!), why Gregory and co are glad to have a bye week, why Tedford Inc is a poor investment right now, and more.
- Daily Cal's Joseph Cannon on doom, gloom, and booing (yes, he defends his decision to boo). But hey, at least he reads CGB:
After the Trojans rolled over the Bears, sunshine pumpers latched onto Mike Tepper's catch and run as a bright spot, leading one blogger to call it the "BEST. LEAP. EVER." And while this was entertaining, let me remind you of football rules-you can't do that.
Forget the rules of football, I was shocked the laws of physics allowed Tepper to hurdle that guy!
- Bob Gregory says the bye week couldn't have come at a better time.
- Wilner gives Cal's performance an F, says Ludwig is wasting Best's last year playing college ball. Wilner also wonders if Stanford is really in the Rose Bowl race (hint: NO).
- BusterSports says Tedford's stock is plummeting and places him at 8th on the Pac-10's coaches rankings for week five.
- No. 41/62 basketball recruit Anthony Brown chose Stanford over Cal and UCLA.
- Men's golf finished 12th (out of 15) at the Windon Memorial Tournament.
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What, the fans were out of it in a game the team was absolutely never in? Calonge needs a Pultizer for this insight.
For the record, the last time I was at Oregon, I sat right in the middle of an alumni section, with a ticket I bought from a diehard Oregon fan, for only slightly above face value, the morning of the game. There were lots of Cal fans, and lots of them very obviously bought tickets from Oregon alums.
To refute these points…
On Saturday, the stadium was full at the start except for those trapped underneath the west side (hey, wait, there is a story there you could actually report.)
I actually didn’t think the mixture of Cal to USC fans was bad – this has always been an issue, but there really isn’t a way to prevent it. I don’t know what the hell he means, sell out your games – even in a sellout, we sell four or five sections to USC – that is just how college football works.
Was there ever an instance of Cal fans actually making noise at the wrong time? Sorry, but we have this one down now.
The fans did stay to the end in pretty shocking numbers. If there is one thing Cal fans do well, it is stay until the end.
I think allowing visiting bands to play is stupid, but since all the California Pac-10 schools do it, I don’t see it as something that is going to end anytime soon.
In conclusion – I know that fans love to think that they have an impact on the outcome of the game…but what the hell, man. Cal fans have no blame to take for this one. And Cal has one of the better home field advantages in the country – remember the last time we lost at home was USC two years ago.
Actually, the student section was making noise at all the wrong times on offense. Lots of shushing and “shut ups!” during this one. I guess it breaks down when the game goes bad.
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash Kunnath on Oct 6, 2009 5:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Yea I had to keep yelling at the people around me. I blame the PA announcer. “FIRST DOWN BEAAAAAAAARS” tends to elicit that reaction.
But like cheering for a first down is totally OK. I guess I just didn’t notice that…but its not like it was ever really an issue.
A rules clarification
After the Trojans rolled over the Bears, sunshine pumpers latched onto Mike Tepper’s catch and run as a bright spot, leading one blogger to call it the “BEST. LEAP. EVER.” And while this was entertaining, let me remind you of football rules-you can’t do that.
Tepper’s hurdle of the opposing player was totally within the context of the rules. It’s not totally clear what rule Cannon is talking about in his column — it’s true that you can’t throw a pass to one of your linemen, who are typically ineligible receivers based on the play’s initial formation — but if he thinks the hurdling is not OK, he’s incorrect. From the rulebook:
RULE 2, SECTION 14, ARTICLE 1. a. Hurdling is an attempt by a player to jump with one or both feet or knees foremost over an opponent who is still on his feet (Exception: The runner) (Rule 9-1-2-i).
b. "On his feet’’ means that no part of the opponent’s body other than one or both feet is in contact with the ground.
c. Hurdling an offensive player before the snap is a dead-ball foul. This includes offensive players in a three- or four-point stance.
RULE 9, SECTION 1, ARTICLE 2. i. There shall be no hurdling (Exception: The runner may hurdle an opponent.).
Not only was Tepper allowed to jump over the opponent because he had the ball, but I believe that, since the defender was on the ground, it would have been legal regardless. Nevertheless, illegal touching dooms us all. (Had the pass been tipped by a defender, it would have been legal.)
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
Hurdling – legal
OL intentionally catching a pass passed to him – legal if OL is an eligible receiver, if he’s not an eligible receiver, then it’s illegal touching. It’s also legal for him to catch a tipped pass that was touched by an eligible receiver (I’m pretty sure).
OL touching a pass unintentionally (such the QB throws a ball into the back of the OL) – legal and is not “illegal touching”
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
Was there ever an instance of Cal fans actually making noise at the wrong time? Sorry, but we have this one down now.
I’m trying to get the gist of what you said. If you mean we know this and Calogne is beating a dead horse, ok, but if you mean that the majority of us Cal fans know when not to make noise, I’m going to have to disagree. There were plenty of times when the student section was cheering and being loud when Riley was getting signals and trying to get the snap count off. This happened on damn near every play of that first, nearly successful, drive. I was incredulous. Not cool at all.
Furthermore, when the student section tried to get the alumni involved with, “Hey, alumni, GO-”, it was the most embarrassing attempt I’d ever taken part of. Alumni were unresponsive, but that may have been due to the student section putting forth a half hearted effort.
In conclusion – I know that fans love to think that they have an impact on the outcome of the game…but what the hell, man. Cal fans have no blame to take for this one.
I’m also going to have to disagree on this. While CMS is never going to be as loud as Neyland or Autzen, I’m pretty sure we can be loud enough to rattle opposing O-lines and disrupt snap counts.
I totally agree that fans can have an impact. The fans at Memorial have had a impact. But nothing about Saturday’s game would have been different if we had “better” fans.
I was on the west side, so I didn’t notice anything in the student section. My guess is that if I didn’t notice it, it is unlikely it would have bothered Riley at all.
Cal fans as a whole used to be a lot worse with this – to the extent that they often only cheered on offense. They are a lot better than they used to be, and at key moments they don’t cheer excessively.
I agree that Hey Alumni, Go! was absolutely pathetic. Sorry, but it just isn’t a cheer that is appropriate when down 20 or 27 or whatever. Alumni at Cal are nothing if not realistic, and they aren’t going to cheer in a hopeless situation. I like being a Cal alum for this reason.
Again, as a fan, I can enjoy watching the game and cheering (at the right times) without having to believe that I have an impact on the result of every game. On Saturday, Cal’s fans were fine, but Cal’s team was not.
But nothing about Saturday’s game would have been different if we had "better" fans.
I don’t know if you read my softball anecdote in the “Remember our roots” thread, but I think it’s relevant. I don’t believe that you can just assume, “Oh, we’re screwed. Might as well not put in the effort.” You make that assertion with certainty, but I don’t believe in certainty. Hindsight is 20/20, and the situation at the time (fine, middle of 1st quarter to half) was anything but set in stone. As such, you can’t spectate as if your team is going to lose. Unfortunately, we’ll never have the chance to find out if you’re right or wrong.
I was on the west side, so I didn’t notice anything in the student section. My guess is that if I didn’t notice it, it is unlikely it would have bothered Riley at all.
Kinda went with what my parents told me when they attended the Maryland game.
I bought them seats for LL in the Blue Zone and they remarked, “You guys were incredibly boisterous and loud over in the student section.” You’re still twice the distance our team is from us, though, and we don’t know for sure what crowd noise sounds like on the field. Anyhow, regardless of the situation, how to cheer appropriately has to be taught to the student body.
Cal fans as a whole used to be a lot worse with this – to the extent that they often only cheered on offense. They are a lot better than they used to be, and at key moments they don’t cheer excessively.
Meh. I don’t like settling for mediocrity, but fine, alright, we made progress. I’ll temper my expectations a bit.
I agree that Hey Alumni, Go! was absolutely pathetic. Sorry, but it just isn’t a cheer that is appropriate when down 20 or 27 or whatever. Alumni at Cal are nothing if not realistic, and they aren’t going to cheer in a hopeless situation. I like being a Cal alum for this reason.
Eh, I view this as a game experience. This is a college football game and school spirit is involved to a certain degree. And, also, you’re kinda leaving the student body hanging. We looked really retarded.. It’s as if you tried to high five someone and they completely ignored you while you fell forward on your own momentum.
Trojan Fans
OK, I admit it, I sold my season tickets on eBay to a guy from the bay area who told me he is from LA and a Trojan fan. I had bought extra tickets for the game and took my dad & son, along with my buddy who I share the seats with.
We were unfortunately put in section Q – the young alumni section, and right next to three sections of U$C fans. First, those damn young alumni stood all game long- my back is still stiff from standing all night.. Second, most USC fans were fine, it’s the other 25% that were just plain obnoxious, and that was before kickoff. My “fav” was the 65 yr old guy wearing the #5 Bush jersey AND the silly Trojan band helmet. What a combo… He felt it necessary to come over to the Q section and pickup the Bank of The West “Cal” towel giveaways and then pretend to wipe his rear with them. Class act that SC fan. Others were just typical myopic bandwagon fans. Where were they pre-Pete Carroll? I was begrudgingly rooting for Tom Holmoe.
And to the people who were stuck in the concourse: tuff luck. Get to the stadium early! We walked up from the I-House via Bancroft Steps to Gate 8 at 3:55pm, no crowds, no nothing. Too many people used the lower gates and their seats were not in that area. Idiots!
Tepper had the best run of the game for the Bears, give the big guy some credit for his athletic ability. The blame lays with OC Ludwig. Dare I say a 6th OC in 6yrs next year?
First, those damn young alumni stood all game long-
And they kept flarn flippin yelling when SC was on defense. My ears were definitely uncomfortable!
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. What happens in California makes the world go round.
by Spazzy Mcgee on Oct 6, 2009 6:46 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Dagnabbit, kids these days! Back when I was growing up, we sat the entire game or else remained supine. We most certainly did not utter even a peep while on defense, but we were rip roaring boisterous while our team was on offense. Love to cheer on our guys!
by BerkeleyChris on Oct 7, 2009 12:39 AM PDT up reply actions
First, those damn young alumni stood all game long-
Damn straight we did. Most games, I slide over into the empty space in Section R (technically the student section, although there are hardly any students there), but for an actually sold-out game, I can’t do that.
I wish the Athletic Department would give the young alums an actual section to themselves, so that we can stand the whole game without bothering anyone — there are always far too many people who have tickets in that section, but also are older or who have families, or whatever, and don’t want to stand the whole game. I don’t begrudge your wanting to sit part of the time; I just wish the ATO would do a better job of separating us so we didn’t have to conflict.
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
by ragnarok on Oct 6, 2009 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 4 recs
I don’t get the blaming Ludwig part; what’s your rationale for that? He certainly wasn’t calling a predictable game; some examples include from how surprised the USC defense was on that infamous fourth down bootleg, or how wide open Vereen was on the infamous sideline throw.
His solution to an underperforming QB and O-line was to call screens, bootlegs, wildcats, etc. His solution to the run game getting shut down was to call misdirections, unusual formations, etc. He didn’t do all this in the first quarter since he didn’t think we’d be so consistently bad. Then he adapted fairly well to the game at hand, especially given that neither cylinder was firing.
by sec119 on Oct 6, 2009 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed 100%. Ludwig called a pretty good game, IMHO. Execution of the calls, however, were ridiculously bad.
President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
I have to think that LA fans are part of the marketing plan...
I noticed last year most Cal tickets were relatively cheap, with the exception of Stanford and UCLA. I can’t imagine at any point UCLA would be that big a draw to justify a $60 ticket, especially not a 3-4 team that was lucky to have that going into Strawberry Canyon.
I imagine Los Angeles-area schools were potentially a big market for Cal in this case.
Go Bruins!
They’re essentially rivalry games for us, so demand is pretty high even if we didn’t get a fair number of UCLA fans making the trek. The ATO knows which games are in demand, and adjusts prices accordingly. The Tennessee home game a couple years ago was priced at a premium level as well.
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
Why do old blues go to the game?
I used to think that it was wrong to criticize the older folks (which I am definitely one) for not standing and cheering. As of now, I am of the opposite opinion. Our stadium needs to become a true home field advantage and if you cannot or are unwilling to do your part, then I think that you should stay home. If we truly want a loud distracting fan base, then maybe the in-stadium experience should be reserved only for the mentally young and fit. If you are too old, too out of shape, or too lazy to stand and cheer for the Bears, why don’t you just stay home and watch the game on television? All the games are being televised and the large screen TV’s are great. Why is it necessary for you to be there? I’m curious.
by prd74 on Oct 6, 2009 8:47 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Oh my god, oh my god!
Are you THE prd74?!!? I’m a huge fan. Thank you for everything you do. You’re the danzig of YouTube.
I totes agree. They need to have their own private suites or something, which I guess what ESP is all about. It must be the whole Rose Bowl Before I Die phenomenon.
Cal Football: It could happen!
I think the argument that has been made
Is that they are simply representative of the Bay Area demographic, that they have other interests outside of football, that football isn’t the only entertaining thing in their lives (as opposed to folks from Gainesville or Norman), that because of this making noise to help their team isn’t a top priority.
The defense should do it all, and both the defense and offense should entertain them. They’re just there to enjoy the game.
To that, I say MEH. When I turn into an old person, I’m-er… I guess sneaking into the student section might not really be feasible. Any CGBers wanna make a pact to band together in our older years at Cal games and try to get the alumni section rocking?
I really hate the “more things to do” excuse to explain Bay Area fans. I’m sorry this is a very large metropolitan area, but there are other large metro areas with just as much to do that are MUCH better fans (i.e. show up to games and make noise). It isn’t about having other things to do, Bay Area, perhaps more so than any other fans, are bandwagon fans. They aren’t going to show up unless you’re winning and they won’t make noise if you’re losing.
It'll be just you, me, and Peter Nincompoop.
I always see old dudes in the student section. It’s definitely doable.
by BerkeleyChris on Oct 7, 2009 12:50 AM PDT up reply actions
yell leader(s)
A significant amount of time and effort (instead of politics) into finding a good student yell leader who: knows more than one or two cheers, pushes and quiets the crowd at the correct times, and has the charisma to get the stadium excited about cheers, would be time and effort well-spent. It’s an important part of the foundation for crowd support that currently seems questionable.
by crackpipe on Oct 7, 2009 5:54 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
seriously
first time poster. I’m an alum who sneaked into the student section, but seriously, the quality of our mic men has gone down. The current mic men are horrible. I don’t think it’s just knowing cheers, and pushing and quieting crowds, it’s also KNOWING THE GAME!! Prompting Go Alumni during our own timeout is bad enough, and we even did the third down clap WHEN ‘SC GOT THE FIRST DOWN! Some of them don’t pay attention to what’s going on in the game at all! Mistimed cheers are horrible too - we start third down claps AFTER they break the huddle. REALLY!?!?! WE START MAKING NOISES DURING HUDDLE!!!
mistimed cheers, not knowing the game, makes it very difficult to sustain the energy.
by Mountain7cat on Oct 7, 2009 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions
I appreciate that most youngish alums don’t have run of the mill handles. “Bear related word”_"Bear"_"year I graduated".
Then again I’m speculating that you’re youngish since you felt comfortable going into the student section.
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. What happens in California makes the world go round.
I put my name on the mic-man sign up sheet after Eastern Washington
But they never contacted me.
I’m very upset about a lot of things.
I may give up entirely.
Stand the whole game, stay to the end, and start yelling while they're still in the huddle. GO BEARS
by JerrottWillard45 on Oct 7, 2009 9:52 AM PDT reply actions
I’m surprised, because they are down a man (they typically have 4, and probably a few alternates). Weird that they wouldn’t contact you
by BerkeleyChris on Oct 7, 2009 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions
give it your best
Seriously, it’s a significant part of crowd support and it currently seems entirely mistimed and weak. It’s more than a detail or tradition; your work could become the foundation of a huge positive change in supporting the team. There’s no such thing as too enthusiastic if you know what you’re doing. Mountain7cat would likely agree that loud fans can truly make a difference in the upcoming games, if properly encouraged.
Don’t you have to be a student to be a mic-man?
President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Probably, but what the hell...
They finally contacted me. Gave me an application to fill out, and there will be interviews and then tryouts or something at the Arizona game. Reading the application, I think they definitely expect me to be a student, but it doesn’t have any fine print (it’s not like it’s a paid position or something). Grad students allowed, definitely.
I may try out!
Maybe it would smarter to just have a detailed post that CaliforniaCMB reads describing what we expect and need from an excellent MicMan. I have strong feelings on the subject. So easy to improve timing and other things.
Stand the whole game, stay to the end, and start yelling while they're still in the huddle. GO BEARS
by JerrottWillard45 on Oct 23, 2009 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions
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