Me too.
I had the same thoughts.
(10-23-2011 05:36 AM)NUPudge Wrote: [ -> ]EMU family,
I couldn't sleep last night because something was really bothering me. After the EMU game clock stopped at 00:00 and the game ended, why didn't the EMU fans storm-out on the field to celebrate with the players? I was sitting in my seat with my video gear waiting to record this magic moment. I know I am new to the EMU family, but I know for a fact if this was another D-1 school who had gone thru years of losing this would had been a magical moment between fans and players. I am open to hearing others thoughts about this. 
I am shaking my head about this…
I think this at least partly has to do with the configuration of Rynearson Stadium. If you're in the west stands, there are really only two paths to get down onto the field, one staircase each at the north and near the south end. Because of the track, the walkway at the front of the stands is too high for most people to be comfortable jumping the railing -- I know I wouldn't do it -- and there are no additional stairs in the middle of the stand. The band is right between the student section and the nearest (north) stairs, and there are security people who won't let anyone pass in front of that section while the band is there.
Add it all up, and it's just not conducive to rushing the field, no matter how big the win.
They did actually allow people down on the field after the game to celebrate -- fans can go on the field after every game, and I often see people playing catch -- but there's just no way to really have a big rush onto the field.
Just one more problem with the stadium configuration...
There were a handful of students who did make the leap over the edge, but there weren't many.
(10-23-2011 07:22 AM)cmadler Wrote: [ -> ] (10-23-2011 05:36 AM)NUPudge Wrote: [ -> ]EMU family,
I couldn't sleep last night because something was really bothering me. After the EMU game clock stopped at 00:00 and the game ended, why didn't the EMU fans storm-out on the field to celebrate with the players? I was sitting in my seat with my video gear waiting to record this magic moment. I know I am new to the EMU family, but I know for a fact if this was another D-1 school who had gone thru years of losing this would had been a magical moment between fans and players. I am open to hearing others thoughts about this.
I am shaking my head about this…
I think this at least partly has to do with the configuration of Rynearson Stadium. If you're in the west stands, there are really only two paths to get down onto the field, one staircase each at the north and near the south end. Because of the track, the walkway at the front of the stands is too high for most people to be comfortable jumping the railing -- I know I wouldn't do it -- and there are no additional stairs in the middle of the stand. The band is right between the student section and the nearest (north) stairs, and there are security people who won't let anyone pass in front of that section while the band is there.
Add it all up, and it's just not conducive to rushing the field, no matter how big the win.
They did actually allow people down on the field after the game to celebrate -- fans can go on the field after every game, and I often see people playing catch -- but there's just no way to really have a big rush onto the field.
Just one more problem with the stadium configuration...
I must disagree with you about the staduim configuration. All the schools in the BT has the high rails and limited stairs.. college kids are young and can jumb over the rail and run across the short track.. Not me !!!!!!
(10-23-2011 07:57 AM)NUPudge Wrote: [ -> ] (10-23-2011 07:22 AM)cmadler Wrote: [ -> ] (10-23-2011 05:36 AM)NUPudge Wrote: [ -> ]EMU family,
I couldn't sleep last night because something was really bothering me. After the EMU game clock stopped at 00:00 and the game ended, why didn't the EMU fans storm-out on the field to celebrate with the players? I was sitting in my seat with my video gear waiting to record this magic moment. I know I am new to the EMU family, but I know for a fact if this was another D-1 school who had gone thru years of losing this would had been a magical moment between fans and players. I am open to hearing others thoughts about this.
I am shaking my head about this…
I think this at least partly has to do with the configuration of Rynearson Stadium. If you're in the west stands, there are really only two paths to get down onto the field, one staircase each at the north and near the south end. Because of the track, the walkway at the front of the stands is too high for most people to be comfortable jumping the railing -- I know I wouldn't do it -- and there are no additional stairs in the middle of the stand. The band is right between the student section and the nearest (north) stairs, and there are security people who won't let anyone pass in front of that section while the band is there.
Add it all up, and it's just not conducive to rushing the field, no matter how big the win.
They did actually allow people down on the field after the game to celebrate -- fans can go on the field after every game, and I often see people playing catch -- but there's just no way to really have a big rush onto the field.
Just one more problem with the stadium configuration...
I must disagree with you about the staduim configuration. All the schools in the BT has the high rails and limited stairs.. college kids are young and can jumb over the rail and run across the short track.. Not me !!!!!!
NU Pudge -I left a reply for you on the Bronco board.
Perhaps the answer is the tradition of the team coming over to the student section after a win to sing the fight song. Students are expecting the team to come to them. Stadium configuration is also a valid reason.
Bob, I must disagree with you now... That was a great win and the student body and others under 24 should had stormed the field to join the players.. The EMU players ran on the field to celebrate the win.. Can I share my thoughts? I think there was no tradition of doing it, everyone was in shock, and they were waiting for someone else to start it off.. If we win the next 3 home games maybe it will happen..
(10-23-2011 04:37 PM)NUPudge Wrote: [ -> ]Bob, I must disagree with you now... That was a great win and the student body and others under 24 should had stormed the field to join the players.. The EMU players ran on the field to celebrate the win.. Can I share my thoughts? I think there was no tradition of doing it, everyone was in shock, and they were waiting for someone else to start it off.. If we win the next 3 home games maybe it will happen..
Could not disagree more. I was a sophomore at EMU back in 1987 when we beat Bowling Green to win the MAC championship. The student body stormed the field and we took down the goalpost. THAT was a celebration! and to give you a little history, the program was in worse shape back in the early 80's than it was when Ron English took over. We set the record for most consecutive losses and we were almost booted out of the MAC. Coach Jim Harkema was hired and turned the program around, culminating in one of the most unlikely championships that you're ever going to see. AFTER we won that last game, the celebration was on and I think that is only time you storm the field.
Also, there was a hell of a lot more than 7,000 at the game.
I believe there was a least 12,000 or 13,000 fans in the seats... I am sure how they came up with that number.. I had a great time there
There's no way there were 12-13k fans in the stands. I was on the field behind the norh end zone the entire game and made a point to look at the crowd size at kickoff, start of the 2nd quarter and at the end of the 3rd.
I actually started to count the WMU side, got to 40 and said ahhhhh forget it.
On another note...
The press box had more people in it before kickoff than it has had all year during pregame.
(10-23-2011 07:12 PM)KPJ Wrote: [ -> ]There's no way there were 12-13k fans in the stands. I was on the field behind the norh end zone the entire game and made a point to look at the crowd size at kickoff, start of the 2nd quarter and at the end of the 3rd.
I actually started to count the WMU side, got to 40 and said ahhhhh forget it.
On another note...
The press box had more people in it before kickoff than it has had all year during pregame.
Okay KPJ, give me a total from where you was watching.. I was on the visitors side and look across and smiling about the count.. I think the video that EMUSteve showed was pretty good and showed a lot of people on the home side of the field.. Why do you think the fans didn't charge the field?
I would say that somewhere around 7,000 was spot on.
I think that EMU fans are "trained" to see the crowd, hear the paid attendance announced as 14,000 and think that what they saw was 14,000 when it was actually 8,000.
I would say the fans didn't rush the field for a few reasons, most of which have already been mentioned in this thread.
The only reason I would add would be...
We are building a culture at EMU. The programs has been down for so long that many students and alumni are learning how to be fans. I remember my senior year of undergrad I was "kickin' it" with a young woman from Western and she came to a football game with me. She laughed and laughed at our fans because she said we didn't know how to cheer, how to get loud when at big moments or even dress for the games. In retrospect, I think she was right.
I am a student who was in the student section and although it was a huge win... I am glad we didn't rush the field. Maybe at the end of the year of a successful season with possible bowl game appearance about to happen. ... or a MAC Championship. Then we can.
Like i said, it was a huge win... but lets just be patient for something a little more special. We don't want to look like a bunch a noobs who rush the field because we are competitive with the Michigan MAC teams.
Don't get me wrong though!!!! If we had a little bit more of a rush, rather than just the couple people who went, I would have been all down! lol. Cuz that **** is fun!!
Forbes, you are right on the money. The notion of storming the field after beating Western to go to 5-3 is the very "good enough" culture that Ron English is trying to change! Think about it, would Western's fans have stormed the field if they beat Eastern in K'zoo to go to 5-3? Hell no! They expect to win, they know what the real accomplishment is. That would have been so embarrasing. It's almost an insult to the team--like we don't believe they can be great. Ron English has said several times that the team's goal is winning the MAC championship. At least clinch a bowl invitation.
(10-23-2011 08:41 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote: [ -> ]Forbes, you are right on the money. The notion of storming the field after beating Western to go to 5-3 is the very "good enough" culture that Ron English is trying to change! Think about it, would Western's fans have stormed the field if they beat Eastern in K'zoo to go to 5-3? Hell no! They expect to win, they know what the real accomplishment is. That would have been so embarrasing. It's almost an insult to the team--like we don't believe they can be great. Ron English has said several times that the team's goal is winning the MAC championship. At least clinch a bowl invitation.
I think we will just need to agree to disagree on this one...
Well, since I've been a "fan" for more than 5 months and this is my alma mater, I think I might know what I'm talking about. No offense.
i'm with pudge on this one. it would have been fun to storm the field. i understand the "let's act like we've been there before" argument that forbes and others are making, but we've been a beaten down program for a long time. fans and players both. this feels like a turning point. i would love to celebrate it by storming the field and tossing the goal posts into the huron river. and then maybe march to the water tower and have a dance party.