A few comments from a USU fan

[aceofspadeskb]

Hey, I just wanted to thank you all for accepting the few of us USU fans on your forums the last couple of weeks. I enjoyed my short time in balmy Laramie! I still maintain that Wyoming fans are my favorite among all of college football. I had lots of hellos and howdy's at the stadium and everyone was extremely cordial and helpful. I didn't get to sit among the Wyoming fans like I wanted to but that was mostly because I prefer the upper sections where there was nothing but open seats around us. As a long time USU fan, I've been through a lot of empty stadium seasons, I understand your pain.

I'm sorry to see Wyoming struggling so much. Here's to better years to come! Hill is a stud! I expect you will return to bowl eligibility next year no problem.

Thanks again!
Ace

Go Aggies!

 

[Aggiefan33]

Likewise. Nothing but good things from me.
Though I didn't see the fancy souvenir hot chocolate mug. They only had paper cups.

Good luck going forward. Keep giving the rock to Hill. With him and Wick back next year you will be tough.

 

[LKGates]

Utah State fan here.

Tough loss for you guys. Honestly, you beat us everywhere but the scoreboard. I'll take the win, but it isn't one I'll have warm fuzzy memories about.

I know you're getting tired of hearing this, but be patient. I think Bohl is the right guy. I think you're on track. Remember, in his first two years with us, Gary Andersen went 4-8 both years, before we had our big breakout in 2011. We didn't really look good until his fourth year.

Wyoming has too much going for it to stay down too long. Rally around your kids, and cowboy up! See you next year in Logan. But don't even think about getting that rifle. I like you guys, but not that much.

Go Pokes! Go AGGIES!

 

[ragtimejoe1]

Despite the good intentions by a few aggie fans, do we need further evidence that our entire AD needs an overhaul? We've gone so far down the crapper that usu fans are giving us pity posts. FFS.

 

[laxwyo]

Appreciate the cordial posts

 

[Aggiefan33]

Despite the good intentions by a few aggie fans, do we need further evidence that our entire AD needs an overhaul? We've gone so far down the crapper that usu fans are giving us pity posts. FFS.

I'm not trying to give you a putty post. I sure as hell didn't go on CSew's board and say I had a good time and fans were great.
We think we understand your situation as we are very similar (my opinion) small communities, not a major metropolis. Small athletic budgets.
For many years we had shitty support, shitty facilities, shitty coaches, a shitty AD. Hope is what gets people through.
Good luck on the journey.

 

[ragtimejoe1]

For many years we had shitty support, shitty facilities, shitty coaches, a shitty AD. Hope is what gets people through.

And with years of hard work, maybe we can be as good as the aggies.

Congrats on the win and good luck in whatever bowl you get to. Regarding the rest, I don't expect you to understand which is why I'm not trying to convince aggie fans of anything on your board.

 

[ragtimejoe1]

As a long time USU fan, I've been through a lot of empty stadium seasons, I understand your pain.

You are averaging something like 1 or 2 K more than us this year. It will be interesting to see how full your stadium is over the next two games.

 

[McPeachy]

For many years we had shitty support, shitty facilities, shitty coaches, a shitty AD. Hope is what gets people through. Good luck on the journey.

Just out of curiosity...

Did your entire fanbase think your AD was shitty, or was it divided?

The reason I ask, is I personally think our AD sucks dirty ass. Others here, think he is the best thing since blowjobs and sliced bread.

 

[djm19]

As a long time USU fan, I've been through a lot of empty stadium seasons, I understand your pain.

You are averaging something like 1 or 2 K more than us this year. It will be interesting to see how full your stadium is over the next two games.

Stop being a prick. Jeez man. They've been nothing but respectful and cordial and you are making WY fans look like sulking babies.

 

[ragtimejoe1]

As a long time USU fan, I've been through a lot of empty stadium seasons, I understand your pain.

You are averaging something like 1 or 2 K more than us this year. It will be interesting to see how full your stadium is over the next two games.

Stop being a prick. Jeez man. They've been nothing but respectful and cordial and you are making WY fans look like sulking babies.

Meh...your opinion is yours and you're a mod. Your house. I'll leave the conversation at that as instructed, but strongly disagree.

 

[aceofspadeskb]

As a long time USU fan, I've been through a lot of empty stadium seasons, I understand your pain.

You are averaging something like 1 or 2 K more than us this year. It will be interesting to see how full your stadium is over the next two games.

Stop being a prick. Jeez man. They've been nothing but respectful and cordial and you are making WY fans look like sulking babies.

Meh...your opinion is yours and you're a mod. Your house. I'll leave the conversation at that as instructed, but strongly disagree.

No offense taken. Our stadium is smaller than yours so even though we are averaging only 1 or 2K more than you, it looks a lot fuller. We're also used to having as few as 5000(generously counted) fans attend games prior to the turnaround so 20K is really good for us.

No doubt also our attendance plummets over the next 2 games. We have rain/snow in the forecast for our game against UNM this Saturday and our next home game is a night game in November(though still not as sucky as your gift from ESPN next week).

 

[ragtimejoe1]

No offense taken. Our stadium is smaller than yours so even though we are averaging only 1 or 2K more than you, it looks a lot fuller. We're also used to having as few as 5000(generously counted) fans attend games prior to the turnaround so 20K is really good for us.

No doubt also our attendance plummets over the next 2 games. We have rain/snow in the forecast for our game against UNM this Saturday and our next home game is a night game in November(though still not as sucky as your gift from ESPN next week).

The November attendance plummet is a problem for most programs in this region. Like I said in the other post, as much as I despise byu, perhaps we should consider scheduling them in November. Schedule 2 home games that month, one of which is either byu or CSU. I think those are the only two teams we turn out for in that month.

It wasn't a slight, just that the MWC is so crappy overall, there is going to be lots of changes in standings year to year. MWC dynasties are slowly dying.

 

[pokefanchaz7]

Byu probably wouldn't schedule wyoming because it doesn't help them at all. Wyoming is out of there target area for recruiting and doesn't help with there goal of additional exposure.

 

[WestWYOPoke]

In a couple of years, they will just need someone that is willing to schedule a game with them outside of the MAC and Conf-USA. Then they probably will have no qualms scheduling with us. But I still say F*ck em.

 

[LKGates]

Byu probably wouldn't schedule wyoming because it doesn't help them at all. Wyoming is out of there target area for recruiting and doesn't help with there goal of additional exposure.

The Why? would get plenty of exposure playing in Laramie in November. In fact, they might die from it. Ba-dum-ching!

Hey Ragtimejoe1, sorry dude, no matter how hard you try, I'm still going to like you.

There's a difference between pity and sympathy. I'd say most Aggies genuinely like Wyoming and Wyoming fans. As already pointed out, similar institutions and communities. Every time I've been at a Wyoming - USU game in Romney, the Cowboy fans have been great, regardless of the outcome.

So, yeah, I have sympathy for the crappy stretch you're going through. I think Bohl is the right guy to get things turned around. I hope you have a great season next year, but we're still gonna kick your @$$ in Logan.

Go Pokes! Go AGGIES!

 

[Aggiefan33]

For many years we had shitty support, shitty facilities, shitty coaches, a shitty AD. Hope is what gets people through. Good luck on the journey.

Just out of curiosity...

Did your entire fanbase think your AD was shitty, or was it divided?

The reason I ask, is I personally think our AD sucks dirty ass. Others here, think he is the best thing since blowjobs and sliced bread.

That's a good question. Not sure I can speak for 'all' but for me personally
I stopped attending football while still in school. I graduated in 2002. I know of others that withheld support from athletics due to many different issues, but the underlying item being incompetency in the AD. We lacked vision, lacked facilities, lacked vision, lacked leadership.
I stayed away until we hired Gary Andersen. If Gary had not been hired, I might have stayed away longer. We had some disaster candidates that I would not have supported. That hire gave me confidence. I got 1 season ticket that first year. I am now at 4. I am working to bring in extended family now that I have convinced the wife and 2 kids. My 4 year old son is more commuted than I am I think.
The hard thing is reconciling that it sucks when you are a die hard fan. The casual fans can see it easier. They may not know or care about the reasons. A die hard fan sees what it isn't and then talks about attendance, tailgating, students, marketing, or whatever. But to me the blame starts and stops at the individual in charge.
I think we made a great hire in our AD. He created interest and excitement through leadership. I became committed with the Gary Andersen hire.
So I say have hope. Work for change in the capacity you can. I like your hire with Bohl. From what I see as an outsider he 'fits' what I see as Wyoming values, hard nosed and tough.

As for ragtime, no disrespect was intended on my end. I like Wyoming fans. If you were Boise fans, I wouldn't be over here. I would like to see this be a rivalry. I am not saying it is now.

 

[hickaggie]

For many years we had shitty support, shitty facilities, shitty coaches, a shitty AD. Hope is what gets people through. Good luck on the journey.

Just out of curiosity...

Did your entire fanbase think your AD was shitty, or was it divided?

The reason I ask, is I personally think our AD sucks dirty ass. Others here, think he is the best thing since blowjobs and sliced bread.

That's a good question. Not sure I can speak for 'all' but for me personally
I stopped attending football while still in school. I graduated in 2002. I know of others that withheld support from athletics due to many different issues, but the underlying item being incompetency in the AD. We lacked vision, lacked facilities, lacked vision, lacked leadership.
I stayed away until we hired Gary Andersen. If Gary had not been hired, I might have stayed away longer. We had some disaster candidates that I would not have supported. That hire gave me confidence. I got 1 season ticket that first year. I am now at 4. I am working to bring in extended family now that I have convinced the wife and 2 kids. My 4 year old son is more commuted than I am I think.
The hard thing is reconciling that it sucks when you are a die hard fan. The casual fans can see it easier. They may not know or care about the reasons. A die hard fan sees what it isn't and then talks about attendance, tailgating, students, marketing, or whatever. But to me the blame starts and stops at the individual in charge.
I think we made a great hire in our AD. He created interest and excitement through leadership. I became committed with the Gary Andersen hire.
So I say have hope. Work for change in the capacity you can. I like your hire with Bohl. From what I see as an outsider he 'fits' what I see as Wyoming values, hard nosed and tough.

As for ragtime, no disrespect was intended on my end. I like Wyoming fans. If you were Boise fans, I wouldn't be over here. I would like to see this be a rivalry. I am not saying it is now.

Because I've lived in Utah and now Wyoming I have a couple of insights that have nothing to do with Pity posting. First, Wyoming's attendance is remarkable in my opinion given the challenges. USU has 200,000 (just a guess) alumnus on the Wasatch front alone within 90 minutes of Cache Valley and is barely starting to pique their interest over BYU and Utah.

Wyoming can improve student attendance but what do you do on a weeknight game. Fortunately, I work for myself and managed to get off at 3:00 but by the time I got my boy on the road we still missed the first quarter from RS. Very few fans have the luxury of getting off that early. Casper and the Rock Springs area are a long turnaround drive especially with kids. Other areas of the state require at least a whole day and usually two to make a game.

I know its higher in other parts but only about 1/2 of the people here are Wyoming Natives and Denver is not that much bigger of a trip for most people when you consider the time and money commitment and so limited entertainment resources go to Bronco Exhibition and Home games for a lot of people.

Bottom line is that you guys got the stadium half full on a bad weather night with all those conditions against a team that has been completely off your radar for 40 years.

You combine all that with the fact that with necessary ticket prices and competing entertainment attendance is down in all but the maybe the SEC all across the board.

Bohl is the real deal. The physicality of the game last year to this year on Wyoming's part was night and day. Next year this team is going to be pushing hard for the Mountain Division Championship. Student attendance will be up and it won't be long before your packing the place.

Don't sell this team short. They played excellent against a very good defense in difficult conditions. A couple dropped passes and untimely penalties by some quick whistled refs cost you guys a chance to be there at the end. Special teams hurt but will improve with the depth and attitude Bohl will bring. Your speed is already better and will improve.

USU's success is not magic. If you looked at our D-line they were pretty imposing for a MW school and they go 3 deep. 6 years ago their starters did not have any other FBS offers and few FCS offers. Don't even get into the back-ups. Of course they got USU killed. Now we can lose 6 starting LBs and still hold our own because of the turnaround and depth of the D-line. (You guys realize that outside of Big Vigil our entire LB was 3rd and 4th string on the depth chart to begin the year the last 2 1/2 quarters of the game).

Bohl already has the O-line turned around. They blocked USU better than anyone all season, hands down. The D line will follow shortly. You guys just need more depth and Bohl will insure that through recruiting and pride in the strength and speed training. You have an NFL RB back if he stays healthy who will be their at least 2 more years. Great receivers. The DBs will substantially improve with line play.

The future is bright for Cowboy football and as Bohl builds it the fans will come.

 

[McPeachy]

Because I've lived in Utah and now Wyoming I have a couple of insights that have nothing to do with Pity posting. First, Wyoming's attendance is remarkable in my opinion given the challenges. USU has 200,000 (just a guess) alumnus on the Wasatch front alone within 90 minutes of Cache Valley and is barely starting to pique their interest over BYU and Utah.

Wyoming can improve student attendance but what do you do on a weeknight game. Fortunately, I work for myself and managed to get off at 3:00 but by the time I got my boy on the road we still missed the first quarter from RS. Very few fans have the luxury of getting off that early. Casper and the Rock Springs area are a long turnaround drive especially with kids. Other areas of the state require at least a whole day and usually two to make a game.

I know its higher in other parts but only about 1/2 of the people here are Wyoming Natives and Denver is not that much bigger of a trip for most people when you consider the time and money commitment and so limited entertainment resources go to Bronco Exhibition and Home games for a lot of people.

Bottom line is that you guys got the stadium half full on a bad weather night with all those conditions against a team that has been completely off your radar for 40 years.

You combine all that with the fact that with necessary ticket prices and competing entertainment attendance is down in all but the maybe the SEC all across the board.

Bohl is the real deal. The physicality of the game last year to this year on Wyoming's part was night and day. Next year this team is going to be pushing hard for the Mountain Division Championship. Student attendance will be up and it won't be long before your packing the place.

Don't sell this team short. They played excellent against a very good defense in difficult conditions. A couple dropped passes and untimely penalties by some quick whistled refs cost you guys a chance to be there at the end. Special teams hurt but will improve with the depth and attitude Bohl will bring. Your speed is already better and will improve.

USU's success is not magic. If you looked at our D-line they were pretty imposing for a MW school and they go 3 deep. 6 years ago their starters did not have any other FBS offers and few FCS offers. Don't even get into the back-ups. Of course they got USU killed. Now we can lose 6 starting LBs and still hold our own because of the turnaround and depth of the D-line. (You guys realize that outside of Big Vigil our entire LB was 3rd and 4th string on the depth chart to begin the year the last 2 1/2 quarters of the game).

Bohl already has the O-line turned around. They blocked USU better than anyone all season, hands down. The D line will follow shortly. You guys just need more depth and Bohl will insure that through recruiting and pride in the strength and speed training. You have an NFL RB back if he stays healthy who will be their at least 2 more years. Great receivers. The DBs will substantially improve with line play.

The future is bright for Cowboy football and as Bohl builds it the fans will come.

Good post, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I am sure you see it, but patience for Wyoming fans (football) is probably running at an all time low. Couple that with 2 very disappointing men's basketball seasons - where we lost our top talent 2 years in a row for different reasons.