(12-26-2016 12:40 PM)goherd24herdfans Wrote:  Just walking into this? Sidewalk fan? Seeming to be an insulting term, but this conference could use about a million side walk fans. Hell, if you are a successful program, you do have "sidewalk fans"

Everybody wants them. You must not have met any. Allow me to share social media in the south as an example. Let's say state or ole miss wins on a weekend when usm loses, and you see "Joe" post that his dawgs or Rebs won and then buzzards got beat, haha yuck yuck." Joe may have gone to MC or William Carey, but he uses "we" like he has gotten bowl swag as a coach or player. A few years ago it was intense and our fans were calling some out for what it was worth. It's really ridiculous that Sunday morning church can be tense because of what happens on Saturday night at a stadium or possibly following on social media. Very whack and disappointing as adults. But welcome to the Deep South.

(12-26-2016 12:48 PM)Eagle in the gym Wrote:  

(12-26-2016 12:40 PM)goherd24herdfans Wrote:  Just walking into this? Sidewalk fan? Seeming to be an insulting term, but this conference could use about a million side walk fans. Hell, if you are a successful program, you do have "sidewalk fans"

Everybody wants them. You must not have met any. Allow me to share social media in the south as an example. Let's say state or ole miss wins on a weekend when usm loses, and you see "Joe" post that his dawgs or Rebs won and then buzzards got beat, haha yuck yuck." Joe may have gone to MC or William Carey, but he uses "we" like he has gotten bowl swag as a coach or player. A few years ago it was intense and our fans were calling some out for what it was worth. It's really ridiculous that Sunday morning church can be tense because of what happens on Saturday night at a stadium or possibly following on social media. Very whack and disappointing as adults. But welcome to the Deep South.

I think the term "Walmart fan" is more accurate...

But as for my household. Graduate and married a graduate. Two children attended, one has a bachelors and a recently obtained doctorate.

I suppose maybe I am too sensitive, but "sidewalk fan" seems a little harsh for everyone other than an alumnus or student. Though I am from Texas, I am retired military and have lived in Virginia for 27 years -- longer than I have lived anywhere else in my life. Both of my daughters graduated from ODU. I have 18 semesters invested in that University. I contribute annually to the Old Dominion Athletic Fund (ODAF). I will am one of the Old Dominion faithful who have ensured a sell-out at every football game since the Monarchs resumed the game in 2009 after a 69-year hiatus.

Let me put it this way. I love ODU football more than Aggie football -- so to be referred to as a sidewalk fan just sorely grates my soul. Gig 'em Monarchs!

UAB Grad. Wasn't a fan until I decided I was going there. I live in Dayton, so I just cheer for the Flyers since they're the local team, mainly because I miss going to college basketball games. Did the same thing when I was in Tulsa.

I wish we had more "sidewalk fans" for sure. I see some of my friends that are sidewalk fans of schools like UNC and Duke and they bleed more tar heel blue than some of the ODU fans I know. It's really a interesting dynamic, fandom.

(12-28-2016 09:57 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  I suppose maybe I am too sensitive, but "sidewalk fan" seems a little harsh for everyone other than an alumnus or student. Though I am from Texas, I am retired military and have lived in Virginia for 27 years -- longer than I have lived anywhere else in my life. Both of my daughters graduated from ODU. I have 18 semesters invested in that University. I contribute annually to the Old Dominion Athletic Fund (ODAF). I will am one of the Old Dominion faithful who have ensured a sell-out at every football game since the Monarchs resumed the game in 2009 after a 69-year hiatus.

Let me put it this way. I love ODU football more than Aggie football -- so to be referred to as a sidewalk fan just sorely grates my soul. Gig 'em Monarchs!

Perhaps it's your admirable Texan outlook --don't mess with Texas.

But your stated reason for feeling sensitive about the term "sidewalk fan" is for me one of the very best reasons for being a proud supporter of ODU. Ours is a welcoming place -- more so (I believe) than other schools/locales.

My wife and I are both New York refugees. When we decided to relocate to Virginia in the mid-80's, our choices were between Richmond and Norfolk. The Richmond job offer was actually better than the one in Norfolk, but my wife had the wisdom to recognize that this community would be more welcoming place than entrenched Richmond.

We've never once regretted that decision. Once we were here, becoming an ODU fan just seemed to be an easy and natural step. The only difference that I see is that I don't share the same level of disdain for our former CAA rivals -- JMU, W&M, George Mason, etc. [The exception, of course, is for VCU fans (sorry Cyniclone), who are repulsive all on their own.]

There may be ODU supporters out there who privately think less of us naturalized fans, but I've never once been made to unwelcome.

The vote option isn't there but graduate of USM