2008 Woodie Awards
Tony's Time Out: Play by Play - Attending sports
Tony Patrico
Issue date: 8/17/07 Section: Sports
With the new school year here, I think this year is going to be one of the most exciting years in SIUE sports history. Many will say, what about next year? When will finally be Division I? True. That may be exciting; however, this is the final year of D-II competition, and our teams are out to prove they are ready for D-I.
I've attended my fair share of sporting events as a student at SIUE, and I have found them to be one of the most enjoyable things about being a student. They let me take a break from the stress of the classroom, go and do something with friends and enjoy a college experience for let me remind you no cost. However, I have seen some of the good, the bad and the ugly moments in SIUE sports fan history.
Take the SIUE soccer crowd, for example. Designated by the fans as "The Eastsiderz," many of the students attend every game, no matter the weather. The Eastsiderz cheer, heckle, and make sure their view of the game are heard loud and clear. This is also the case with the Red Storm, which supports the basketball and volleyball teams. The two consist of mostly the same people. But a select few are not good enough.
I am not trying to say I am the almighty fan of fans. I am just saying these suggestions could make your sporting experience a more memorable experience for you and a more motivating experience for the players.
Be Loud; Be Proud; You're a Cougar!
You are a student at one of the most elite schools in the area. Don't go to a game and sit next to your friends and talk about the "Gilmore Girls." Be involved, be loud. Cheer when the team scores, yell when a bad call is made, show pride for your school. This not only makes you a dedicated fan, but believe me, it motivates the players and keeps them going.
Be funny. Trust me, it helps!
If you are in the stands and yell something like, "That call is dumb," you more than likely will get a look from other students like you haven't showered for days. However, if you think of something creative, then it usually helps, and you become the hit of the game. Try giving someone a nickname or constantly calling someone "buddy" like they are your best friend. I once knew a guy who was the best at this. He would know things about players their own coach didn't know. If an opposing player was in a ballet at age eight, this guy knew about it. Google-ing players before games is also a great way to learn some information about the opposing team.
I've attended my fair share of sporting events as a student at SIUE, and I have found them to be one of the most enjoyable things about being a student. They let me take a break from the stress of the classroom, go and do something with friends and enjoy a college experience for let me remind you no cost. However, I have seen some of the good, the bad and the ugly moments in SIUE sports fan history.
Take the SIUE soccer crowd, for example. Designated by the fans as "The Eastsiderz," many of the students attend every game, no matter the weather. The Eastsiderz cheer, heckle, and make sure their view of the game are heard loud and clear. This is also the case with the Red Storm, which supports the basketball and volleyball teams. The two consist of mostly the same people. But a select few are not good enough.
I am not trying to say I am the almighty fan of fans. I am just saying these suggestions could make your sporting experience a more memorable experience for you and a more motivating experience for the players.
Be Loud; Be Proud; You're a Cougar!
You are a student at one of the most elite schools in the area. Don't go to a game and sit next to your friends and talk about the "Gilmore Girls." Be involved, be loud. Cheer when the team scores, yell when a bad call is made, show pride for your school. This not only makes you a dedicated fan, but believe me, it motivates the players and keeps them going.
Be funny. Trust me, it helps!
If you are in the stands and yell something like, "That call is dumb," you more than likely will get a look from other students like you haven't showered for days. However, if you think of something creative, then it usually helps, and you become the hit of the game. Try giving someone a nickname or constantly calling someone "buddy" like they are your best friend. I once knew a guy who was the best at this. He would know things about players their own coach didn't know. If an opposing player was in a ballet at age eight, this guy knew about it. Google-ing players before games is also a great way to learn some information about the opposing team.
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