In a late 70's 35-0 beat down of Chattanooga in the Dome, it was sold out and people were turned away at the gate, and they didn't drive in from Chattanooga. And, this was a game played same time slot as a UT game in Knoxville that day. A couple other late 70's games that I attended, 10,000 at least in there, one for a Wofford game I remember. In the outdoor stadium, there were Saturdays when both the seats and grass banks were full. In those days, both sides were usually full at all games. I know the more recent history, and it did get ugly. But, after 2003, it pasted ugly and became awful. Point, apparently Brian Noland sees an untapped potential here in spite of the history. What is he seeing that, perhaps, others can't see? Something has his attention and he seems willing to roll the dice. For sure, there is no status quo for ETSU athletics. Either the athletic program is advanced and brought on board with the twenty-five year vision for the university or it breathes its last breath and the resources are reallocated to other places. It's crunch time for ETSU athletics.

Well for one thing, I think ETSU might actually market it this time. ETSU has never really tried that in any significant way.

Im a lil ignorant when it comes to ETSU game days when you did have football. I attended the 1986 and 1988 games in Johnson City when Marshall was playing. I don't remember any fan inneraction or tailgating. Just remember getting there like an hour before the game and going straight in the dome to watch the game.

Did ETSU have a place to tailgate or have a meet and greet before the game that I just didn't see? Or was it just game day and you went from dorm to the dome or home to the dome with no hype to the game?

(02-07-2013 10:43 AM)Buc66 Wrote:  In a late 70's 35-0 beat down of Chattanooga in the Dome, it was sold out and people were turned away at the gate, and they didn't drive in from Chattanooga. And, this was a game played same time slot as a UT game in Knoxville that day. A couple other late 70's games that I attended, 10,000 at least in there, one for a Wofford game I remember. In the outdoor stadium, there were Saturdays when both the seats and grass banks were full. In those days, both sides were usually full at all games. I know the more recent history, and it did get ugly. But, after 2003, it pasted ugly and became awful. Point, apparently Brian Noland sees an untapped potential here in spite of the history. What is he seeing that, perhaps, others can't see? Something has his attention and he seems willing to roll the dice. For sure, there is no status quo for ETSU athletics. Either the athletic program is advanced and brought on board with the twenty-five year vision for the university or it breathes its last breath and the resources are reallocated to other places. It's crunch time for ETSU athletics.

That was the 1979 homecoming game you are referencing against UTC.

(02-07-2013 02:57 PM)GoBucsGo Wrote:  Well for one thing, I think ETSU might actually market it this time. ETSU has never really tried that in any significant way.

Definitely! We have to apply modern marketing techniques and get the community really involved. I think there is huge upside with our athletics and we are just now beginning to tap it.

Unfortunately....as a regular attender the only time ETSU had hoopla surrounding football is homecoming with "lunch under the tent." I don't ever recall tailgating with large numbers of Buc fanatics. I remember meet the Bucs at the Mall. I think that's about as creative as ETSU football promotion ever got. I will add that in the mid 90s, the ETSU marching band was awesome. My Tennessee graduate brother said they were better than the Pride of the Southland.

On game day....ETSU needs to imitate Marshall if the We are Marshall scenes are accurate...where everyone was tuned into game day. Buc fans have seen the reality of Marshall enthusiasm as they rolled out of West Virginia to travel with their team to watch indoor football in Johnson City.

The potential of ETSU athletics hitting on all cylinders was demonstrated by Buc basketball during the four peat starting in 1989. ETSU was at least equal, if not superior to every school in the SC. It was a golden age...some of the most fantastic memories. The potential is there. I've never seen ETSU football that way though. I'd like to know what it was like during the Grantland Rice Bowl days of John Robert Bell. I know I was jazzed by Mike Ayers football leadership. When he left for Wofford, I was crushed....later to learn that he wouldn't have returned to his Alma mater if ETSU had shown some interest. He proved that to me when he showed up in the dome for the last game in 2003 even though he had a Wofford game to coach.

I'm all over ETSU's football future....but it's a mountain to climb and will require media cooperation to the max. It will require an engaged faculty and staff. It will be a necessity for all area high schools to be turned in supporting by putting their butts in the seats. It requires action....not a fake Buc Pride campaign which I don't think has worked to this point. Bottom line it will require action....like when the politicians came together to win the medical school from Knoxville. I'm puzzled by media reports that executives don't know where the stadium is gonna go. I figured this football thing was all on paper...complete plan ready to roll out. This is a matter of concern.

(02-07-2013 04:42 PM)Meanmike0001 Wrote:  

(02-07-2013 10:43 AM)Buc66 Wrote:  In a late 70's 35-0 beat down of Chattanooga in the Dome, it was sold out and people were turned away at the gate, and they didn't drive in from Chattanooga. And, this was a game played same time slot as a UT game in Knoxville that day. A couple other late 70's games that I attended, 10,000 at least in there, one for a Wofford game I remember. In the outdoor stadium, there were Saturdays when both the seats and grass banks were full. In those days, both sides were usually full at all games. I know the more recent history, and it did get ugly. But, after 2003, it pasted ugly and became awful. Point, apparently Brian Noland sees an untapped potential here in spite of the history. What is he seeing that, perhaps, others can't see? Something has his attention and he seems willing to roll the dice. For sure, there is no status quo for ETSU athletics. Either the athletic program is advanced and brought on board with the twenty-five year vision for the university or it breathes its last breath and the resources are reallocated to other places. It's crunch time for ETSU athletics.

That was the 1979 homecoming game you are referencing against UTC.

It was fantastic...I can tell you as a witness. All my Chattanooga friends could only look at the ground in discussing that game!

(02-07-2013 05:14 PM)Mister Jennings Wrote:  

(02-07-2013 04:42 PM)Meanmike0001 Wrote:  

(02-07-2013 10:43 AM)Buc66 Wrote:  In a late 70's 35-0 beat down of Chattanooga in the Dome, it was sold out and people were turned away at the gate, and they didn't drive in from Chattanooga. And, this was a game played same time slot as a UT game in Knoxville that day. A couple other late 70's games that I attended, 10,000 at least in there, one for a Wofford game I remember. In the outdoor stadium, there were Saturdays when both the seats and grass banks were full. In those days, both sides were usually full at all games. I know the more recent history, and it did get ugly. But, after 2003, it pasted ugly and became awful. Point, apparently Brian Noland sees an untapped potential here in spite of the history. What is he seeing that, perhaps, others can't see? Something has his attention and he seems willing to roll the dice. For sure, there is no status quo for ETSU athletics. Either the athletic program is advanced and brought on board with the twenty-five year vision for the university or it breathes its last breath and the resources are reallocated to other places. It's crunch time for ETSU athletics.

That was the 1979 homecoming game you are referencing against UTC.

It was fantastic...I can tell you as a witness. All my Chattanooga friends could only look at the ground in discussing that game!

If I recall correctly UTC was a top twenty ranked division one team at the time of that rout.

I'm glad to hear it, 66, but two games in the last 25 years does not great fan support make.

I hope it can be done.

New stadium, new coach, new AD, and new president.

This isn't going to be the football team of 30 years ago. The dome is probably one of the worst venues in the country to watch a football game and I don't blame people for not wanting to see a game there.
With an ok team and a new stadium I believe that attendance will be much much better than it was in the past.

(02-07-2013 05:24 PM)PittsburghBucs Wrote:  I'm glad to hear it, 66, but two games in the last 25 years does not great fan support make.

I hope it can be done.

Hey, I get it, and I acknowledged such in my statement. My point, they did come on those occasions. Get it right and they will come back in even larger numbers. They've lost faith in ETSU athletics because it has been so badly screwed over by incompetence, waste, self centered agendas, and mismanagement that even a novice immediately recognizes the sorry state of the product. Angry fans tend to bad mouth the program and turn even more people off. Instead of a sigh, a "sure", or even a laugh, it has to generate a positive reaction and a perception of ETSU as a significant entity in the community and region. Again, do it right (Go's philosophy) and they'll come and celebrate ETSU with sincere pride. It's no slouch school -- it offers numerous fine degrees that actually lead to jobs and careers and helps boost the economy of NE Tennessee beyond what most recognize.

Congrats all! I remember being at ETSU in 1989 and 1990 at Mascot Camp... It was a blast to have all of the mascots, cheerleaders, and dance girls there.