[Cider Jim]

I blew up one of them and just held it. Does that count, Fumble?

[El Scorcho]

I blew up one of them and just held it. Does that count, Fumble?

Only if you were still "pounding away" with it.

[Cider Jim]

I was hitting it on the little red chair in front of me (thankfully, no one was sitting there at the time).

[thepostman]

My biggest problem is they ask us to tailgate. They want us out there creating an atmosphere as people come onto campus. Even when FlameFans doesn't tailgate, I'm still out there.

At the same time, they want us to get to the game, be loud, and all of that. That was fine last year when the SFC reserved seats, etc. I could get into the stadium 45 minutes-hour before the game, have my seats, and still be able to tailgate.

The problem comes when we have to get in the stadium almost two hours early. I don't get the opportunity to tailgate with most of the people that come by. I try to do both things that the athletic department asks, it's just pretty much impossible to tailgate and get the good seats. It just finally came to a head on Saturday. I'm not the only one upset about it, I'm just the most vocal. One of the girls came up to me yesterday and said we need to camp out in the stands at 8am so we can get those spots.

If I would've showed up to the game at 2, got to the stadium late, and the seats were gone then, I wouldn't have complained. I was on campus at 8:45 (the only other people there were workers and Steve Lloyd) in the stadium hanging up banners and things of that nature. The church thing would be a good analogy if you had people getting to church 7 hours early. That's where the problem comes.

i didn't see this response til now...but I just don't understand. I just see more kids and am happy that they are there...I know its annoying when people don't know much about who we play...but thats where you tell them about it...in time it will get better...

most college stadiums don't allow kids in before the gates officially open anyways...

you say you aren't the only one upset about this Jon, but I'm not the only one that thinks this is silly...just the only one saying anything...

[dwhite]

I agree with Jon here. He's absolutely right.

They (the AD) have asked us to come out early, tailgate, and be part of the atmosphere they are trying to create here on gamedays. We've been out there every week (except St. Francis - softball tournament) and I know Jon has as well. We are trying to be a part of the atmosphere, but we have to shut our tailgates down an hour early to get into the stadium to hold on to our seats. On the other hand, you have guys who roll out of bed, put on a red shirt, and go try to save 30 seats for all of their friends who come 5 minutes before kick-off (at best). For two years now we have gone into the stadium about 4-5 hours before game time to rope off an area using streamers and signs where we'll stand during the game. Up until halfway through this year there was no problem with it - probably because we weren't near capacty most of the time. This year, at the Shippensburg game we walked into the stadium to see our signs ripped up and thrown on the ground and our seats gone. It is annoying, week after week, to have to stop being part of one "atmosphere" to go be part of another "atmosphere". The atmosphere around the tailgate should follow us into the game. It's not like we get there a few minutes before game time, we're there 30 minutes or so prior to kick-off, but by that time our seats are long gone.

I mentioned this to Ms. Barber last week at our tailgate, and just asked her to mention to Mr. Barber if she got the chance. We (us, Jon, and others) love to tailgate, and we are some of the best, most vocal students during the game, but at this point, we're having to choose one or the other. That, I think, is Jon's frustration, and I agree with him wholeheartedly.

THAT SAID: BEAT VMI!

[thepostman]

my point is that is how large student sections are....you can't choose your seat, its the way it is....I do understand where you guys are coming from...but I just don't completely agree that is all because all I care about is having our students actually show up....they will get educated with the teams we play and be better fans...but at this point its just great to finally see people come out and support the team....

and I am with ya

BEAT VMI!!!!!

[SuperJon]

If that's the case then it's time to do student tickets. The earlier you show up in the week, the better tickets you get. If you just show up at gametime, you get behind the people with actual tickets.

[WoW1933]

01LU Grad, it's a little salty but not bad...

[jcmanson]

If that's the case then it's time to do student tickets. The earlier you show up in the week, the better tickets you get. If you just show up at gametime, you get behind the people with actual tickets.

Good idea, BUT then students wouldn't show up an hour early like they did in the opener and against Coastal. They would all stroll in after the game has started.

[SuperJon]

I'd rather them not show up an hour early. I'd rather them be tailgating up until about 30 minutes before game time.

[jcmanson]

I'd rather them not show up an hour early. I'd rather them be tailgating up until about 30 minutes before game time.

Jon, you know that's not going to happen. You know that at this stage of our program it's all we can do to get them to the game before it starts.

[thepostman]

If that's the case then it's time to do student tickets. The earlier you show up in the week, the better tickets you get. If you just show up at gametime, you get behind the people with actual tickets.

that could work, or you could have like 500 tickets for the area right on the 50 and that area and they are released every monday or something and the first people to get those get the good seats, the rest is first come first serve....

i know the system we have isn't perfect, and i really do understand your frustration...but having a great turnout of students is the main objective right now, and I am happy with how that is coming along

[FlamingChick]

If that's the case then it's time to do student tickets. The earlier you show up in the week, the better tickets you get. If you just show up at gametime, you get behind the people with actual tickets.

One thing LU could look into doing is offer reserved seating to members of the Student Flames Club. When I was at ODU they started a group called Monarch Maniacs where students paid $10 and got reserved seating in a special section for all of the home basketball games. In addition to the reserved seating, members got a free T-shirt, discounts around campus, and they arranged buses for road games (for a nominal fee, of course). I believe this is very similar to what the student flames club does at LU except the reserved seating aspect, so maybe one of you guys or gals should contact Bob Good and recommend that reserved seating be added

[thepostman]

they did that last year flaming chic and the SFC flopped....