A Sea Of Red

Now that our home games are over, I thought I'd start a thread to gauge everyone's feelings regarding the home game atmosphere this year. I think that it definitely got better as it went along, with the Coastal and VMI games being high points of the season. So, feel free to share what you did like, what you didn't like and explain both.

For me, the highlights this year included:

1. The Students: Yes, VMI, I like our student section. I understand they're getting a lot of heat for some taunting, but I'm just please to see them filling the stands. This is the first season they've really shown up in force and, by the end of the year, their in-unison cheers were a great addition to game days. (Move those chains is quickly growing on me.)

2. The Jumbotron: I really didn't care about it the first week that it showed up, but now that we're running instant replays I don't think I could go back. Love it.

3. Attendance: Winning brings out spectators? Who'd have thunk it?! The 14k average for the season is great. Hopefully it will get even better as time goes on.

The um, not so high-lights were:

1. The music: It started out great, but seemed to regress as the season went on. If I never heard that "let's get loud" song again, I'd be a-okay with that. Not all of it is that bad, and it may even just be this one song that ruins it for me. Whatever the case, I felt like it was pretty lame by the end of the year.

2. The "home" side: What will it take to get these people to stand up and cheer? I can't fathom having a more exciting offensive season than we did this year and yet people sit there like they're watching a movie. I don't get it. I considered making signage to hold up at the last game that said something to the effect of "Worst. Fans. Ever.", but I'd rather them sit there and stare than not come at all.

Overall:

I feel like the atmosphere built on what was started last year and was improved overall. It could be better, but I think that will be up to the fans. Until the home side can learn to get up and get loud, I think things as they were for the last three games will probably be about as good as it gets at LU for a little while.

That's a pretty dead-on synopsis, Scorcho. It would be great for our student section to get a great reputation for its enthusiasm and creativity. I truly hope some of his younger comrades can keep up what Supe started.

Random Thoughts:

--wondering how long it will take before we begin our "Expand or Not to Expand" discussion.
--loved the "71" flag, but wish they played the bagpipes every game
--hated the "Jump! Jump!" cheer
--loved the "Move Those Chains" cheer
--liked the red chairbacks, even if you are kind of cramped sitting that close
--impressed by all the tailgating (remember when JB was the lone tailgater his first year here, then it caught on like wild fire)
--encouraged by how well our fans travel for road games, esp. W&M and Elon
--proud of our Jumbotron (even if it's a rental)
--awed by our team's defense (Redd), offense (Jennings, Terrell, Smith, & OL), and special teams (Jackson, Bolden, & Noah)
--am thankful to God for our coaching staff

As a now former member of the marching band I personally wish the band played a lot more often. Now I will say that they folks up top tended to be pretty quick on the play button. I'll look forward to one or two home games from the Baptist side next year.

BJWilliams wrote: I'll look forward to one or two home games from the Baptist side next year.

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I dread that day




No Im not trying to be a jerk, Im just not excited about that

Why so? Having spent the last bunch of years on the student side, itll be a nice change. I mean I'll still sit on the student side for most of them.

BJWilliams wrote:Why so? Having spent the last bunch of years on the student side, itll be a nice change.

If you want to fall asleep.

There needs to be more vocal and enthusiastic folks on the Baptist side. If you want it to change, why need lead the charge?

I only had one game to judge everything this season and it was the apparently lackluster atmosphere at homecoming. But I can tell you that I was impressed that gameday has gone from being just a game to an all-day experience. JB is firing on all cylinders in that regard right now and I'm anxious to see what he has next. I'm actually starting a brainstorming thread (in response to this great topic) for folks to come up with their ideas to improve the overall football gameday experience while the season is fresh in our minds.

All of those FlameFans who played integral roles in improving things the past couple of years are applauded heartily by this alum.

Understandable. Hopefully I can find Smoothie or some of the otehr FF guys on that side. It'll take some getting used to having my Saturdays again.

I see synergy

Actually if "BJ and Co." move to the Baptist side each year, it won't be long before a vocal group forms over their as well. Teaching the Baptists that you can smile and cheer without fear of retribution from God.


Remember guys we're a few short years away from the student side looking like the current Baptist side. Give it time... we've go a great foundation going now. BJ... I say take your place in the red seats.

Loved:

The thundesticks, need them at every game.
Jumbotron
Students, especially the last two games.
WINS!!!!!!!!!!
First down chant
LU chant to start thr game.
Suites- wish I could afford one, boy would the FF board have a blast then. Margaritas anyone? Maybe I will win the lottery.
Flame machines in the end zone.
Flames tent at away games

Could be better:

Tribute to Dr. F, agree bagpipes at all games. Better rememberance, still laike the eternal flame deal.
Baptist side, but realistically can't expect the Geritol Gang to act like 20 year old students, just glad they are showing up and supporting the program.
Tailgating- the FF and Lloyds are good, but need more. Expect the Lloyds not ot participate much going forward.
Don't care for the little dots every week with the little slogan.
Food at away games.

I am sure I forgot something, but that is happening more often too.

I made sure to ask Steve last night if he was going to be back next year. He said he plans on being there next year. He said there were some Tech games he wanted to go to, but was going to be at Liberty as well. A lot of it depends on where Stevie Ray is next year.

you guys covered a lot, but i still can't stand the horrid Student flame club kid with the mic.....he is so awful im embarrased for him. I really think he just like the attention of being out there, if not then get someone else.

Did you notice he didn't even have a Liberty shirt on yesterday?

Yea, nothing about him ( not even his attire ) is positive of Liberty.

well pretty much everything has been covered...students are starting to come to the games now and really get into them....with time more will come to know more about our team and the teams we play...but the attendance alone is really encouraging...I will be gone from the burg come July if all goes as planned so the chances of being up next season at all for a game is slim...but if I do, I don't know how I could not go to the student section....

oh yeah...that kid from the SFC needs to go....I want to punch him everytime he starts yelling

Frankly, as I was standing on the sidelines watching him I thought to myself that Id do a better job

no offense BJ...but please don't get any ideas!!!

lol...you got it bro! Id rather not be the guy everyone wants to punch in the throat. I just think that the LU chant could have been done a little better. Its almost liek he was baiting the crowd to make noise, particularly on the baptist side

We need to lose the parade so our crowd will be better for Homecoming games...

Hold My Own wrote:We need to lose the parade so our crowd will be better for Homecoming games...

WE had a pretty fair crowd when we had it at night. Id say have the game at 7 or 7:30 PM

TallyW wrote:I see synergy

Actually if "BJ and Co." move to the Baptist side each year, it won't be long before a vocal group forms over their as well. Teaching the Baptists that you can smile and cheer without fear of retribution from God.


Remember guys we're a few short years away from the student side looking like the current Baptist side. Give it time... we've go a great foundation going now. BJ... I say take your place in the red seats.

Agreed. SMOOTHIE and I were pretty much an island unto ourselves when I was down. The issue is the Baptist side is inhabited by who are the same people offended by "suck" and "shut-up" and evidently feel anything other than a golf clap will guarantee eternal damnation. (That may be a bit of a stretch )

anyway - a good mix of younger guys over there will begin to change the atmosphere. (As well as a few more winning seaons; which will further build the fan base )

Rocketfan wrote:you guys covered a lot, but i still can't stand the horrid Student flame club kid with the mic.....he is so awful im embarrased for him. I really think he just like the attention of being out there, if not then get someone else.

Come on... you have to like the "GIVE IT TO MEEEEEEEE!!!!!!" he did at the St. Francis game

TallyW wrote:I see synergy

Actually if "BJ and Co." move to the Baptist side each year, it won't be long before a vocal group forms over their as well. Teaching the Baptists that you can smile and cheer without fear of retribution from God.


Remember guys we're a few short years away from the student side looking like the current Baptist side. Give it time... we've go a great foundation going now. BJ... I say take your place in the red seats.

Where the heck have you been! I drop a Tally reference every now and then and I think it goes by unnoticed on your part...come around once in a while!

Night homecoming games would be good. I think the problem was when to have the alumni "dinner" -- people coming in from out of town can't always make it Friday night (the last one I went to was NOT well attended, and the food was actually decent!). Maybe change it to alumni tailgate party or something, and it would work.

Get rid of the canned music and let the band play more. LU has a band with some SOUND now, and they're being wasted. Get some stand music that becomes traditional to the school (a la "Hang On Sloopy" at Ohio State). {BTW, BJ -- what happened to the trumpets traveling around the stadium doing Swing Charge to each section?}

There were a few of us who tried to wake up the Baptist side, but it soon became obvious that it wasn't going to happen. Slow takeover seems to be the best idea.

I'm looking forward to next year -- hopefully we'll get down for more than just Homecoming. With in-laws in the area, it's easy for us to do, if the job schedule works out.