Just Sad

[Sir ScarletKnight]

Less than one minute to go.

Game hinging on a couple of free throws.

Exciting game.
Close game.

The opposing player comes to the line.

The crowd goes...nowhere. They just sit on their hands and yawn a bit.

The folks in the 100s level seating drive me absolutely nuts. These excuses of, "We've had to sit through misery" are just silly. Yes, you have. But now you've got a TEAM. It's a close game where the crowd can truly make a difference. I'm not saying you have to stand the whole time. But it should NOT just be the student section making noise in a down to the wire game against a marquee conference opponent like Michigan.

So tell me. What will it take for these people (and if it's you, then you), to make some goshdarn noise at the end of a close game?

 

[SleepingGiantIsAwake]

Chief: The crowd was fine, so stop the nonsense.

RU played hard, love watching these guys this year. Definitely winnable games just missing a a stud player or two.

 

[ColonelRutgers]

Less than one minute to go.

Game hinging on a couple of free throws.

Exciting game.
Close game.

The opposing player comes to the line.

The crowd goes...nowhere. They just sit on their hands and yawn a bit.

The folks in the 100s level seating drive me absolutely nuts. These excuses of, "We've had to sit through misery" are just silly. Yes, you have. But now you've got a TEAM. It's a close game where the crowd can truly make a difference. I'm not saying you have to stand the whole time. But it should NOT just be the student section making noise in a down to the wire game against a marquee conference opponent like Michigan.

So tell me. What will it take for these people (and if it's you, then you), to make some goshdarn noise at the end of a close game?

What a joke. Yeah, those people in the 200's really rock. I thought I spotted one person clapping once. And frankly, the sideliners make more noise and are more into the game than the students with the exception of about 15 Riot Squad guys. Hell, even the band couldn't get a tuba player to show up tonight.

 

[Sir ScarletKnight]

What a joke. Yeah, those people in the 200's really rock. I thought I spotted one person clapping once. And frankly, the sideliners make more noise and are more into the game than the students with the exception of about 15 Riot Squad guys. Hell, even the band couldn't get a tuba player to show up tonight.

The 200s weren't great either. The student section at least got into it at the end of the game.

 

[ColonelRutgers]

The 200s weren't great either. The student section at least got into it at the end of the game.

Wrong. The students could barely muster an "R". There are about 10-15 students that do anything. The rest are about as into it as much as the 200 level fans who do ZERO.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

The people in 100s made more noise than all the people who didn't go to the game.

 

[82RU]

The people in 100s made more noise than all the people who didn't go to the game.

There were many Michigan fans there. I was surrounded in section 213.

 

[bac2therac]

the crowd was fine but I wish more students would come..and besides the 50 hardcore ones the rest have no clue on what to do or cheer..so sad, more student participating even in the Fred Hill years

 

[knights1212]

Those of us in 214 were very loud. I see many people sitting below my son and myself just sitting in the 100's. The sections across from the scoring table hardly ever cheer. It is very disappointing.

 

[JimmyJack39]

the crowd was fine but I wish more students would come..and besides the 50 hardcore ones the rest have no clue on what to do or cheer..so sad, more student participating even in the Fred Hill years

What do you expect when our program has been one of the worst in the country the last 10 years and a laughing stock the past 4? The attendance is better than it was last year and we're slowly building this thing back. When the wins start coming, you'll see a big crowd and hear them.

 

[RedChucken123]

I couldn't make the game today, but I know what you mean.
I deal with the same thing sometimes when I'm at football games. (Basketball games, I've started going with some fellow good fans.) I'll be yelling my head off and some person in our colors will look at me like I'm crazy.

We have fans/supporters, but we need more of what I'd like to call hardcore FANATICS. I started my undergrad in 2007, so I had some decent years of football to root for and went to some special games that made a positive impression on me. We could use memorable wins and public buzz to create that next generation of fanatics, cuz the fans that aren't cheering are going to be tough to change, even if they have the bucks to buy prime seating.

You need a couple crazy heads like me in every section to get people going. If I'm the ONLY person in my section yelling, even I get self-conscious sometimes and take a couple breaks, but if there is some random dude yelling with me from who knows where, we feed off each other's energy and hopefully others too.

 

[Sir ScarletKnight]

What do you expect when our program has been one of the worst in the country the last 10 years and a laughing stock the past 4? The attendance is better than it was last year and we're slowly building this thing back. When the wins start coming, you'll see a big crowd and hear them.

I expect them to cheer when they finally have a reason to cheer. The building had plenty of people, a marquee opponent, and a great game. What else do you need?

 

[Sir ScarletKnight]

the crowd was fine but I wish more students would come..and besides the 50 hardcore ones the rest have no clue on what to do or cheer..so sad, more student participating even in the Fred Hill years

6:30 tip-off in the middle of midterms. Student attendance is already miles better than last year.

 

[Scarlet Jerry]

I thought that the crowd was good tonight once we closed the gap in the second half. They even got load at the refs after some questionable calls.

Scarlet Jerry

 

[RedChucken123]

It'll get there. I feel like as of the moment, you get the students that can appreciate the nuances of basketball (great rebounding, great defense, gradual improvement). When we get some buzz from a little bit of success, that's when you can get the casual fan.

I like basketball, but I only went to like 3 games last year. Only went to 1 as an undergrad to be honest. (I felt like there wasn't much to get excited about. I'd read the Targum and notice something like loss to St. Peter's in Jersey City and be like, "wth". SP could be good, but I didn't care. It was a name that I recognized that wasn't a power conference). I've been to like 6 this year and watch them all, if I can't make it. The fact that I know every player on the team just goes to show that people are noticing.

 

[RU-ROCS]

I'm not sure where you were looking, but in the back of my section (114) we stood and cheered for most of the last 10 minutes of the game.

 

[mikefla]

watching TV the crowd sounded very loud,,,even the TV announcers mentioned it

 

[4theknights]

Those of us in 214 were very loud. I see many people sitting below my son and myself just sitting in the 100's. The sections across from the scoring table hardly ever cheer. It is very disappointing.

I have season tix in 214 and I agree..if we fall behind a few points after making a run like we did when we led 56-52, the crowd noise below me subsides when it needs to rally the team. The advancement of the team/program is further long than the fans.

 

[mrslate]

The criticism of the fans - especially by those who watch on TV - is just about the dumbest thing ever posted on this board, and that is saying something. The self-loathing of posters never ceases to amaze me, and just demonstrates the psychological damage that have been done over decades of losing. The crowd was fine. Get over yourselves, please.

 

[LeapinLou]

I was at the game last night. All things considered, the crowd is great. Once we start winning consistently, the RAC will be nuts.

 

[knight82]

I sit in the 100s across from the scorer's table. There used to be a woman who sat in front of me who would hold her ears with her hands every time I yelled. And she would turn around and glare at me. Which made me cheer even louder.

 

[ScarletDave]

OP, how about the Riot Squad shows up to Big Ten games with more than 15 people? Or, take those few kids that stand up in the front and spread them out in the student section so the whole section gets up? It's sad watching BTN with full student sections all standing making noise the whole game (and the bottom of the league teams too) and our kids sit on their hands and phones for the whole game. Took Pat Hobbs coming up the stairs with 3 mins left to get people to stand up and even then not the whole section did. Some girls just stared at him and shook their head. You have to be kidding me. Also, would be nice for the Riot Squad to show up to the Women's games too. Everyone knows next year is really the year but they deserve full support too. Last game their were exactly 2, yes 2 people in the ENTIRE student section with 1 minute 30 seconds on the clock before the game started.

 

[bac2therac]

6:30 tip-off in the middle of midterms. Student attendance is already miles better than last year.

actually I do not think student attendance is any better than last year...and midterm excuses oh my, there is an excuse every game..first its night classes, then its noon games, then its 9PM games, then its during winter break, then its during finals, then its during the non conference slate....there has not been one student crowd this year where I would say wow they really did a great job...even in the Hill and even in the Jordan years there were better student sections

the bottom line is the students are frontrunners and do not want to come out and cheer for a team that is building and giving full effort but not winning much, its not a knowledgable student section by any stretch of the imagination, I think that went out the window with Mike Rice

 

[ScarletKid2008]

At this stage. Honestly if people go to the games and wear RU gear , I say "thank you for supporting RU". If they have season tickets and don't sell them to the opposing team - I say "You're a great & loyal RU fan"

Given the past and what they've sat through, I say if they're there and have bought seasons then we should all be thanking them !

 

[Sir ScarletKnight]

OP, how about the Riot Squad shows up to Big Ten games with more than 15 people? Or, take those few kids that stand up in the front and spread them out in the student section so the whole section gets up? It's sad watching BTN with full student sections all standing making noise the whole game (and the bottom of the league teams too) and our kids sit on their hands and phones for the whole game. Took Pat Hobbs coming up the stairs with 3 mins left to get people to stand up and even then not the whole section did. Some girls just stared at him and shook their head. You have to be kidding me. Also, would be nice for the Riot Squad to show up to the Women's games too. Everyone knows next year is really the year but they deserve full support too. Last game their were exactly 2, yes 2 people in the ENTIRE student section with 1 minute 30 seconds on the clock before the game started.

The unfortunate fact is that Riot Squad can't FORCE people to go to the games. Our membership fluctuates based on how good the teams are. We can give incentives in gear and food, but we can't force people. Tailgates are a good driver for getting people, but they're hard to put together for week games, and in the winter in general. Unfortunately Athletics will not allow us to hold tailgates in the RAC for basketball games, though we have permission from Sodexo. Gear takes money, and we're a student org at the mercy of RUSA allocations. Although we sell old gear to try to raise money for new gear, and are always looking for sponsors to provide additional money/gear, it's not always easy, and it still doesn't beat having a winning team/winning tradition.

We've tried the "spread and conquer" mentality before. It just got us looks of annoyance and disdain.

Same thing with the women's games. We can't force people to go, and women's basketball already has a "not as good" footnote to it in terms of a game to watch. Add on that the team is having a bad year, and you're not gonna get anywhere.

 

[ColonelRutgers]

Wait, the OP is in the Riot Squad and he's criticizing the 100 level people? God bless you for coming to games but you should focus your attention on getting your classmates involved not criticizing 100 level fans. Our student section is weak. All you had to do was watch the lame R-U chants yesterday. Mugging for tv cameras doesn't make a great student section.

 

[Sir ScarletKnight]

Wait, the OP is in the Riot Squad and he's criticizing the 100 level people? God bless you for coming to games but you should focus your attention on getting your classmates involved not criticizing 100 level fans. Our student section is weak. All you had to do was watch the lame R-U chants yesterday. Mugging for tv cameras doesn't make a great student section.

There's two sides to an R-U chant.

 

[ColonelRutgers]

Every college basketball crowd takes it lead from the student section. If you're relying on the wine and cheese crowd to be leaders you're going to be disappointed. Most of us in the 100's know because we were students and know what a real, engaged student section can do to get the whole building going. And this ain't it. 15 students pointing and doing an "R" is embarrassing.

 

[DanceAppreciationTA]

actually I do not think student attendance is any better than last year...and midterm excuses oh my, there is an excuse every game..first its night classes, then its noon games, then its 9PM games, then its during winter break, then its during finals, then its during the non conference slate....there has not been one student crowd this year where I would say wow they really did a great job...even in the Hill and even in the Jordan years there were better student sections

the bottom line is the students are frontrunners and do not want to come out and cheer for a team that is building and giving full effort but not winning much, its not a knowledgable student section by any stretch of the imagination, I think that went out the window with Mike Rice

BOTTOM LINE: THERE IS NO CULTURE/TRADITION OF SUPPORT AT RU!
And that goes for all levels, from alumni (last in donations) to students (attendance) to faculty (op-ed pieces against everything) to the folks in the state government (cuts in funding)

And at this point, blaming should be the last thing we do. We should be working together to build that culture instead of undermining folks

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

riot squad.....stop the USA chant when a player not from the United States comes to the line. Very poor taste.

Plus how does Thiam, Doorson, Sa and Eugene feel. Plus recruits.

 

[MGSA99]

Basketball has to be an event for the students to show up. Right now, it is nowhere on their radar. As @Emptyseatsgalore says, Rutgers students are fed up.

 

[AshCatchEm]

I expect them to cheer when they finally have a reason to cheer. The building had plenty of people, a marquee opponent, and a great game. What else do you need?

A winning season

 

[bethlehemfan]

The riot squad is great not embarrassing. They're great. What's embarrassing is the lack of student support beyond the riot squad. The older fans are just shell-shocked. I don't think attacking either side helps. This team is catching people's attention and drawing in some casual fans who were put off by the utter garbage coaching job done by the prior coach. If this team learns how to win more of these games next year the rac will start to rock. It's already gotten a bit better just based on the signs of a pulse thanks to coach pike and the players buying in. The team hasn't been ready to win yet. It's not the fans fault.

 

[RUJMM78]

A winning season

Players that can shoot will result in a winning season.

 

[FELONIOUSMONK]

They haven't had to cheer for 10 years. They have to learn how to do it again.

 

[nikoru09]

Rutgers, is the biggest catch 22 concerning athletics in the history of college
athletics. I will never ever, put the blame on any athlete ,who competes here.
in fact I thank them for there commitment......I know this has been covered
over, and over again to the point of wtf....when I watched that doc.on the
final four team...I knew all along, that Rutgers higher ups wanted this
university to be jersey's other ivy league univ.....never really invested in
athletics.it seems like sports didn't jive with the top snobs.. a-holes
rooting my ass off fourty friggin years for a univ. who's top brass didn't
give a crap... so, who suffers athletes, students, and alumni. say what
you want about dick vitale,but he would have given ru hoops the
energy, and passion needed to win.....couldn't have that though , gruninger
thought Dickie wasn't acting ivy league enough. for his uppity ass.

now late in the game ru wants to play catch up in one of the best
athletic conf. in the nation. should have started 40 yrs ago. I
really feel bad for all of us true longtime supporters, and fanatics
I'm not a college graduate as you can see by my punctuation
and grammar....im just a jersey guy, who wants to be proud of
his state university.....its .so friggin frustrating. in 2006 you would
have thought we were on the way, in fb. , and in 76 ,with hoops,
nope, just the same old ,same old......I used to tell a friend of
mine that Rutgers has a curse on its athletic teams.like
both of the sox teams. well, the curse is no longer with them.
when will this freakin curse end. just hoping, that 2017 is the
year that brings what we all want to see, a cultural change that
brings a consistent winning product for all to see, nation wide.

i think the right ad is here, and the right coaches for the big 2
sports. we waited so long,. what's another decade. except
my life expectancy might spoil the big payoff ,that might
be on its way. i don't where fred grunninger is now, but i
might have a sit down with him either up there, or down
there......when will this debacle end?

 

[RUonBrain]

Rutgers, is the biggest catch 22 concerning athletics in the history of college
athletics. I will never ever, put the blame on any athlete ,who competes here.
in fact I thank them for there commitment......I know this has been covered
over, and over again to the point of wtf....when I watched that doc.on the
final four team...I knew all along, that Rutgers higher ups wanted this
university to be jersey's other ivy league univ.....never really invested in
athletics.it seems like sports didn't jive with the top snobs.. a-holes
rooting my ass off fourty friggin years for a univ. who's top brass didn't
give a crap... so, who suffers athletes, students, and alumni. say what
you want about dick vitale,but he would have given ru hoops the
energy, and passion needed to win.....couldn't have that though , gruninger
thought Dickie wasn't acting ivy league enough. for his uppity ass.

now late in the game ru wants to play catch up in one of the best
athletic conf. in the nation. should have started 40 yrs ago. I
really feel bad for all of us true longtime supporters, and fanatics
I'm not a college graduate as you can see by my punctuation
and grammar....im just a jersey guy, who wants to be proud of
his state university.....its .so friggin frustrating. in 2006 you would
have thought we were on the way, in fb. , and in 76 ,with hoops,
nope, just the same old ,same old......I used to tell a friend of
mine that Rutgers has a curse on its athletic teams.like
both of the sox teams. well, the curse is no longer with them.
when will this freakin curse end. just hoping, that 2017 is the
year that brings what we all want to see, a cultural change that
brings a consistent winning product for all to see, nation wide.

i think the right ad is here, and the right coaches for the big 2
sports. we waited so long,. what's another decade. except
my life expectancy might spoil the big payoff ,that might
be on its way. i don't where fred grunninger is now, but i
might have a sit down with him either up there, or down
there......when will this debacle end?

Lol

I love and appreciate the passion!

 

[Knightmoves]

Less than one minute to go.

Game hinging on a couple of free throws.

Exciting game.
Close game.

The opposing player comes to the line.

The crowd goes...nowhere. They just sit on their hands and yawn a bit.

The folks in the 100s level seating drive me absolutely nuts. These excuses of, "We've had to sit through misery" are just silly. Yes, you have. But now you've got a TEAM. It's a close game where the crowd can truly make a difference. I'm not saying you have to stand the whole time. But it should NOT just be the student section making noise in a down to the wire game against a marquee conference opponent like Michigan.

So tell me. What will it take for these people (and if it's you, then you), to make some goshdarn noise at the end of a close game?

Sorry but this post is a total Fail.