(11-09-2016 12:41 PM)FearTheLion Wrote: There are tons of us around DC metro just like the others.
Yes, indeed. I live in NOVA and have ODU sticker pasted to the back of two vehicles we own. I also seem to be winning fans over gradually with our football program where I work. Growing pains......but it's working![/align]
I have an ODU license plate and every once in a while I'll get someone saying something in a parking lot. I wear an ODU hat, t-shirts, etc everywhere I go and rarely if ever do I see anything with ODU on it. I live in Alexandria and work in DC.
The one good thing is that when people do ask me about ODU its usually about our "new" football team and not about womens basketball (nothing against womens basketball, but its not as cool as football. It just isn't). However, a lot of them still think we're in FCS and most don't know who is in CUSA (my answer - "Its the same conference that Marshall is in").
Also, people confuse us with VCU all the time.
Funny story from out here in Tucson: I had on an ODU t-shirt on a day we took the cat to the vet. The veterinarian saw my shirt and said "ODU...ACC?" I guess he doesn't follow college sports too much. And here we are plotting ways to get into the AAC. Some out here think we're in the ACC.
(11-08-2016 06:50 PM)booman Wrote: I remember the first time in foreman, y'all were so loud I defense became a mess. Please don't tell me you are losing that edge?
I think the fans were much better at getting loud when we were FCS. It could be that the FCS teams were easier to rattle and once the crowd smells blood, it really makes them loud and crazy. There isn't as often a reward now, so people have kind of lost the habit. It was good for Marshall. One of the best in the past couple of years.
I think as the crowd feels there's more in it for us and the team (read bowl game, better bowl game, conference championship) the noise will get louder. It takes energy to produce and give that emotion and the crowd needs something to feed off of.
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"When we were FCS" was still technically our honeymoon period, and we were winning, a LOT. Plus we were playing JMU, W&M, Richmond, Towson, Delaware, etc, all who were either within the same state or one over, and ones we had built rivalries throughout the years in other sports.
The lackluster fan support for our new conference, our losing/typing record, and the departure of a once-in-a-lifetime athlete like Heinicke really killed fan interest. If we kept winning like we did in the CAA, I'm sure fans would oversell out Foreman Field every year.
My buddy just re-enrolled at ODU this year and last weekend he asked a bunch of people if they were going to the game, and not a single person said yes. The desire to go just isn't there for some reason, especially from students (which should technically be the best turnout week in and week out)
Thats disappointing to hear. I bet its similar with basketball.
The problem with a school like ODU is that no one is a fan of the athletic programs until they get here. If they are football or basketball fans they probably root for UVA, VT and even VCU if they come from VA. Maybe its different with folks from the hampton roads area, but I doubt there are many die hard ODU fans in HS right now in other parts of the state.
People jump on the bandwagon.
A few years of really good success and people will ride the ODU train as well.
I only go to football games, and even then it's few and far between. Never mind that the tickets are free.
I grew up being a Uof Minnesota fan and have developed into a VT fan since I moved here. It took me being at ODU for 2 years before I finally started caring about the football team.
The lack of history of the program, plus it's lack of national attention isn't doing it any favors.
(11-08-2016 09:06 PM)LuckyLion Wrote: I think the fans were much better at getting loud when we were FCS. It could be that the FCS teams were easier to rattle and once the crowd smells blood, it really makes them loud and crazy. There isn't as often a reward now, so people have kind of lost the habit. It was good for Marshall. One of the best in the past couple of years.
I think as the crowd feels there's more in it for us and the team (read bowl game, better bowl game, conference championship) the noise will get louder. It takes energy to produce and give that emotion and the crowd needs something to feed off of.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
"When we were FCS" was still technically our honeymoon period, and we were winning, a LOT. Plus we were playing JMU, W&M, Richmond, Towson, Delaware, etc, all who were either within the same state or one over, and ones we had built rivalries throughout the years in other sports.
The lackluster fan support for our new conference, our losing/typing record, and the departure of a once-in-a-lifetime athlete like Heinicke really killed fan interest. If we kept winning like we did in the CAA, I'm sure fans would oversell out Foreman Field every year.
My buddy just re-enrolled at ODU this year and last weekend he asked a bunch of people if they were going to the game, and not a single person said yes. The desire to go just isn't there for some reason, especially from students (which should technically be the best turnout week in and week out)
Thats disappointing to hear. I bet its similar with basketball.
The problem with a school like ODU is that no one is a fan of the athletic programs until they get here. If they are football or basketball fans they probably root for UVA, VT and even VCU if they come from VA. Maybe its different with folks from the hampton roads area, but I doubt there are many die hard ODU fans in HS right now in other parts of the state.
People jump on the bandwagon.
A few years of really good success and people will ride the ODU train as well.
I only go to football games, and even then it's few and far between. Never mind that the tickets are free.
I grew up being a Uof Minnesota fan and have developed into a VT fan since I moved here. It took me being at ODU for 2 years before I finally started caring about the football team.
The lack of history of the program, plus it's lack of national attention isn't doing it any favors.
Just want to plug the basketball team here - you are really doing yourself a disservice if you are not getting out to watch some games in the Ted. We are so lucky to have that arena. It sounds like you are a student - don't throw away those free tickets, you're paying for them! The bball squad is legit, and the games are a very good time. I was never a college basketball fan prior to undergrad, but after just a few games I was HOOKED. Get out there and give it a shot a few times!
(11-08-2016 09:09 PM)Big Bluezilla Wrote: I think as the crowd feels there's more in it for us and the team (read bowl game, better bowl game, conference championship) the noise will get louder. It takes energy to produce and give that emotion and the crowd needs something to feed off of.
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"When we were FCS" was still technically our honeymoon period, and we were winning, a LOT. Plus we were playing JMU, W&M, Richmond, Towson, Delaware, etc, all who were either within the same state or one over, and ones we had built rivalries throughout the years in other sports.
The lackluster fan support for our new conference, our losing/typing record, and the departure of a once-in-a-lifetime athlete like Heinicke really killed fan interest. If we kept winning like we did in the CAA, I'm sure fans would oversell out Foreman Field every year.
My buddy just re-enrolled at ODU this year and last weekend he asked a bunch of people if they were going to the game, and not a single person said yes. The desire to go just isn't there for some reason, especially from students (which should technically be the best turnout week in and week out)
Thats disappointing to hear. I bet its similar with basketball.
The problem with a school like ODU is that no one is a fan of the athletic programs until they get here. If they are football or basketball fans they probably root for UVA, VT and even VCU if they come from VA. Maybe its different with folks from the hampton roads area, but I doubt there are many die hard ODU fans in HS right now in other parts of the state.
People jump on the bandwagon.
A few years of really good success and people will ride the ODU train as well.
I only go to football games, and even then it's few and far between. Never mind that the tickets are free.
I grew up being a Uof Minnesota fan and have developed into a VT fan since I moved here. It took me being at ODU for 2 years before I finally started caring about the football team.
The lack of history of the program, plus it's lack of national attention isn't doing it any favors.
Just want to plug the basketball team here - you are really doing yourself a disservice if you are not getting out to watch some games in the Ted. We are so lucky to have that arena. It sounds like you are a student - don't throw away those free tickets, you're paying for them! The bball squad is legit, and the games are a very good time. I was never a college basketball fan prior to undergrad, but after just a few games I was HOOKED. Get out there and give it a shot a few times!
Yes I am a student. I've been to the Ted to see the Spartyka with free tickets a few times. I've tried going to basketball games twice in my life. Didn't like it. Watched the boys on TV when they were in the NIT and though it was cool to see them come back I still couldn't find myself to enjoy watching the sport.
Different strokes for different folks. I wish the teams well.
I hope everyone was saving their voices, because I thought our crowd was dead to tonight, despite having 8,200 there. Baker tried desperately a few times to get the crowd going and we failed to respond. That's on us.
(11-11-2016 10:07 PM)ODUCoach Wrote: I hope everyone was saving their voices, because I thought our crowd was dead to tonight, despite having 8,200 there. Baker tried desperately a few times to get the crowd going and we failed to respond. That's on us.
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Style of play matters and the refs completely drained any kind of flow from the game.
(11-11-2016 10:07 PM)ODUCoach Wrote: I hope everyone was saving their voices, because I thought our crowd was dead to tonight, despite having 8,200 there. Baker tried desperately a few times to get the crowd going and we failed to respond. That's on us.
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The only time the crowd erupted was when the "Big Guy" came out.
(11-11-2016 10:07 PM)ODUCoach Wrote: I hope everyone was saving their voices, because I thought our crowd was dead to tonight, despite having 8,200 there. Baker tried desperately a few times to get the crowd going and we failed to respond. That's on us.
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The only time the crowd erupted was when the "Big Guy" came out.
Yes! He's our unofficial mascot. And the very next play Baker had a corner 3 that just barely missed. The crowd would have gone ape if that hit... so close to having a strong atmosphere. The student section was full but they might as well have not existed. I'm not sure what needs to happen to let them know they are a key part of home court advantage and they aren't doing a very good job at it.
(11-11-2016 10:07 PM)ODUCoach Wrote: I hope everyone was saving their voices, because I thought our crowd was dead to tonight, despite having 8,200 there. Baker tried desperately a few times to get the crowd going and we failed to respond. That's on us.
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The only time the crowd erupted was when the "Big Guy" came out.
He needs to get at least a little pay, MBB support, Ted Staff support, something, (if he would not be insulted because he is a true fan) because - He is the Guy. The one arrow in our quiver, at least for now. Maybe he could do some additional stuff to get the fans up and cheering. At least give it a shot. (Get it arrow - shot...)
(11-09-2016 12:41 PM)FearTheLion Wrote: There are tons of us around DC metro just like the others.
Yes, indeed. I live in NOVA and have ODU sticker pasted to the back of two vehicles we own. I also seem to be winning fans over gradually with our football program where I work. Growing pains......but it's working![/align]
I have an ODU license plate and every once in a while I'll get someone saying something in a parking lot. I wear an ODU hat, t-shirts, etc everywhere I go and rarely if ever do I see anything with ODU on it. I live in Alexandria and work in DC.
The one good thing is that when people do ask me about ODU its usually about our "new" football team and not about womens basketball (nothing against womens basketball, but its not as cool as football. It just isn't). However, a lot of them still think we're in FCS and most don't know who is in CUSA (my answer - "Its the same conference that Marshall is in").
Also, people confuse us with VCU all the time.
I am, and have always been, a strong proponent of "Wearing Your Colors on the Road". I have had many occurrences where people have commented to me.
I traveled to the WKU football game a few weeks back. On the way, I stopped at a place to eat and when walking out, I held the door open for a woman in her 50's walking in. As she passed me, she stopped and pointed to my tee-shirt that simply read "OLD DOMINION" on it and said "I love them".
I smiled and then continued on my way. It took me a few minutes to figure it out. How would this lady know anything about Old Dominion University, I kept asking myself. Then it hit me. She was talking about the band. Good grief.
(11-11-2016 10:07 PM)ODUCoach Wrote: I hope everyone was saving their voices, because I thought our crowd was dead to tonight, despite having 8,200 there. Baker tried desperately a few times to get the crowd going and we failed to respond. That's on us.
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Style of play matters and the refs completely drained any kind of flow from the game.
I agree completely, both that the crowd was quiet and that the refs crushed the flow of the game. I yelled "let them play" probably five times.
(11-12-2016 11:00 AM)odu09 Wrote: They kind of look like a cross between a boy band and a group of guys who always reminiscence about how great high school was
Well they consist of alumni of JMU and VCU. They chose the name "Old Dominion" because of where they wish they really went to school
(11-11-2016 10:07 PM)ODUCoach Wrote: I hope everyone was saving their voices, because I thought our crowd was dead to tonight, despite having 8,200 there. Baker tried desperately a few times to get the crowd going and we failed to respond. That's on us.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Style of play matters and the refs completely drained any kind of flow from the game.
I agree completely, both that the crowd was quiet and that the refs crushed the flow of the game. I yelled "let them play" probably five times.
The students showed up but they did not do anything. I don't want to be too critical because the turnout was better last night than it has been in a while, but when will they realize that they are part of the home court advantage? They act like it's an NBA game. There's a group of students who always come and cheer but the rest of them sit there and react. We used to have student sections that stood the entire game and were part of the crazy atmosphere. That was my favorite part of being in the student section, so many students had the teams back and would be rowdy as hell.
Also, I think the band should wear a different color. They make that section look like an empty patch because their shirts blend in with the seats. I know Dr. T has a system but I think it would look better if they wore white or maybe even light blue
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Game Atmosphere Discussion
![[Image: Old-Dominion-2.jpg]](http://www.durhamfair.com/images/2016/Old-Dominion-2.jpg)
