The Fresno State baseball team opened its season at home this weekend. Yes, I know you knew that, but in the event someone just got back from a NASA tour of the moon, I didn̢۪t think I could take a chance.
In any event, this blog is all-inclusive, with some details for the fringe fan and some nuts and bolts for the baseball diehard.
Part 1: First things first
First things first: let’s get into this whole business of the “bandwagonâ€Â fans. It has been utterly ridiculous that this non-issue has gotten so much attention. Stories, columns and fans have been bashing people for deciding to show up to the Diamond ‘Dogs’ season opening game. Signs at the game called out fans for a lack of support last season.
What are they accomplishing by doing this? Nothing, that̢۪s what. Every expanding fan base has a core of diehards and a whole lot of bandwagoning going on around that. The school̢۪s job and the team̢۪s job is to take advantage of their curiosity and make a connection with those fans. They need to show them how the team represents them in the community, show them the effort they give on and off the field and show them that, win or lose, they will always have something to be proud of and entertained by.
Really quick, let me give you some examples. Southern California (or USC) football is a prime example. For the last five years, the Trojans have averaged about 88,000 fans per home game. Not bad for a team that plays in a place that seats a little more than 90,000. But what was attendance like before that? The most common number came in the 50,000s, almost 40,000 less than their current average. It must have been having an NFL coach like Pete Carroll come in, right? Try again. Actually, the average skyrocketed after the team reached the pinnacle of college football, earning the nation̢۪s top ranking and winning a national championship. Geez, that sounds familiar.
Second and final example: student attendance at Fresno State football. When Pat Hill was hired 12 years ago, about 400 students were consistently attending football games. By 2001, when Fresno State reached a no. 8 national ranking, that average was more than 4,000 per game. Well gosh, it looks to me as if those bandwagoners have struck again. Even with the program̢۪s inconsistency since then, that number has maintained. That̢۪s because Pat Hill worked his butt off to make sure those students wanted to be a part of what his program is doing.
So you went to the game last year when the team was 8-12. Good job. Be proud that you are setting an example as a person who takes pride in our baseball program, which happens to be one of the most storied and tradition-laden programs in the country. You̢۪re only embarrassing yourself and tainting your presence by criticizing new, eager followers. Your value: one seat for eight dollars. Bandwagoner value: one seat for eight dollars. Open your arms, teach them about our team and show them why you love the team.
I̢۪ve been to almost every game since 1985 (while I was still in the womb), and I̢۪m freaking proud of that. Where were you people who watched the team last year then? Where were you before your family or friends played on the team? Who cares? You̢۪re here now.
When it comes down to it, that̢۪s what really matters.
jaclo • Mar 27, 2009 at 8:41 am
I want some kool aide. I dont drink it but it sounds tasty.
jaclo • Mar 27, 2009 at 3:41 pm
I want some kool aide. I dont drink it but it sounds tasty.
Darrell Copeland III • Feb 24, 2009 at 3:02 pm
That̢۪s awesome Logan, but it̢۪s part of what you signed up for. Just because you̢۪re an editor doesn̢۪t mean you can̢۪t have an opinion. People understand that comments are only reflective of one person̢۪s opinion, and your view on Pat Hill is not the only one among media members.
I think it̢۪s worse that you would put your opinion as though you were someone else because it can be misleading, so good job for putting your name on it. It̢۪s just like writing columns (which are solely your opinion and part of your job).
The blog was not about the football program, but rather I used the student attendance at games as an example of bandwagon fans turning into a consistent presence at the games. Even a poorly attended student section is more than four times what it was a decade ago. If you think Hill had nothing to do with that and didn̢۪t/doesn̢۪t care, then you̢۪re just flat wrong. That a statement I have researched and proven true. If you can̢۪t differentiate between its reference as a metaphor and an opinion on the program, sorry.
To me, not wanting to be associated with a loss hardly makes you different than a bandwagoner. I know differently though because I know you better than most, but you know that̢۪s a ridiculous statement. Through thick and thin man.
My job is to be critical of things when I see fit, and contrary to what you seem to think, my recent post was very critical—of people who criticize bandwagon fans. Take another look. What’s worse is when people are critical of FS athletics without knowing the full story.
Lastly, I don̢۪t drink Kool-Aid (without an e by the way), I drink water. It helps me form an educated and accurate opinion. I̢۪m done responding to you on here. I have no problem with some friendly office banter.
Darrell Copeland III • Feb 24, 2009 at 10:02 pm
That’s awesome Logan, but it’s part of what you signed up for. Just because you’re an editor doesn’t mean you can’t have an opinion. People understand that comments are only reflective of one person’s opinion, and your view on Pat Hill is not the only one among media members.
I think it’s worse that you would put your opinion as though you were someone else because it can be misleading, so good job for putting your name on it. It’s just like writing columns (which are solely your opinion and part of your job).
The blog was not about the football program, but rather I used the student attendance at games as an example of bandwagon fans turning into a consistent presence at the games. Even a poorly attended student section is more than four times what it was a decade ago. If you think Hill had nothing to do with that and didn’t/doesn’t care, then you’re just flat wrong. That a statement I have researched and proven true. If you can’t differentiate between its reference as a metaphor and an opinion on the program, sorry.
To me, not wanting to be associated with a loss hardly makes you different than a bandwagoner. I know differently though because I know you better than most, but you know that’s a ridiculous statement. Through thick and thin man.
My job is to be critical of things when I see fit, and contrary to what you seem to think, my recent post was very critical””of people who criticize bandwagon fans. Take another look. What’s worse is when people are critical of FS athletics without knowing the full story.
Lastly, I don’t drink Kool-Aid (without an e by the way), I drink water. It helps me form an educated and accurate opinion. I’m done responding to you on here. I have no problem with some friendly office banter.
Logan Hopkins • Feb 24, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I did not want to get involved in this with my name, because as the sports editor, I am trying to remain objective and cover sports without a personal agenda.
When I wrote that comment, I wrote it as a real Bulldogs fan and did not want my personal opinion to be associated with my job.
But since you called me out… my personal opinion is stated above. I am disappointed with the current state of the Fresno State football program and believe Pat Hill is more responsible than anyone else for the failures.
It is OK to be critical of FS sports. It won̢۪t make you less of a fan.
Stop drinking the Kool-Aide. Hey Darrell, is that a metaphor?
Logan Hopkins • Feb 24, 2009 at 9:12 pm
I did not want to get involved in this with my name, because as the sports editor, I am trying to remain objective and cover sports without a personal agenda.
When I wrote that comment, I wrote it as a real Bulldogs fan and did not want my personal opinion to be associated with my job.
But since you called me out… my personal opinion is stated above. I am disappointed with the current state of the Fresno State football program and believe Pat Hill is more responsible than anyone else for the failures.
It is OK to be critical of FS sports. It won’t make you less of a fan.
Stop drinking the Kool-Aide. Hey Darrell, is that a metaphor?
Darrell • Feb 24, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Hey ?? (or fsdogs2, or whatever you keep changing your name too), wow, your comment speaks for itself. Any intelligent person can see your agenda. Pay attention to what’s being said in there, and realize it’s a blog, perhaps a foreign term to you. Catch on to the metaphor man, because it’s relevant.
Stop hiding behind fake names, because I know exactly who you are. Be a man and put your real name on there, that way people can see your picture on the staff page.
You do your job, I’ll do mine.
Darrell • Feb 24, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Hey ?? (or fsdogs2, or whatever you keep changing your name too), wow, your comment speaks for itself. Any intelligent person can see your agenda. Pay attention to what’s being said in there, and realize it’s a blog, perhaps a foreign term to you. Catch on to the metaphor man, because it’s relevant.
Stop hiding behind fake names, because I know exactly who you are. Be a man and put your real name on there, that way people can see your picture on the staff page.
You do your job, I’ll do mine.
Heather Billings • Feb 24, 2009 at 11:54 am
This is not a news article, but a blog. Like the opinion section in the print edition, blogs are written to present ideas and personal takes on the news, not to objectively present an issue.
Heather Billings • Feb 24, 2009 at 6:54 pm
This is not a news article, but a blog. Like the opinion section in the print edition, blogs are written to present ideas and personal takes on the news, not to objectively present an issue.
?? • Feb 24, 2009 at 1:33 am
What does Pat Hill have to do with baseball? That is a really poor example with absolutely nothing but opinion to back it up. The Student section numbers really haven’t “maintained.â€Â How many people were there in 2006? When was the last time the stadium sold out? Just because you go to every game doesn’t mean it was packed.
“Pat Hill worked his butt off to make sure those students wanted to be a part of what his program is doing.â€Â – Says who? He doesn’t care at all about students, except for the ones on his team. Why would student to be a part of losing 61-10 to Boise State. I don’t want to be associated with that.
This is supposed to be a media outlet – your job is to be critical of Fresno State sports, especially the mismanaged, poorly coached and underachieving football team.
This is not the Bulldog Bounce.
And stop drinking the Kool-Aide.
?? • Feb 24, 2009 at 8:33 am
What does Pat Hill have to do with baseball? That is a really poor example with absolutely nothing but opinion to back it up. The Student section numbers really haven’t “maintained.” How many people were there in 2006? When was the last time the stadium sold out? Just because you go to every game doesn’t mean it was packed.
“Pat Hill worked his butt off to make sure those students wanted to be a part of what his program is doing.” – Says who? He doesn’t care at all about students, except for the ones on his team. Why would student to be a part of losing 61-10 to Boise State. I don’t want to be associated with that.
This is supposed to be a media outlet – your job is to be critical of Fresno State sports, especially the mismanaged, poorly coached and underachieving football team.
This is not the Bulldog Bounce.
And stop drinking the Kool-Aide.
Uncle Charlie Harper • Feb 24, 2009 at 12:07 am
Well done…….we’re all in this together. It’s the big schools versus the small schools—the WAC versus the ‘Major conferences’, the traditional baseball powers versus the Diamond Dogs. Let’s quit being so divisive on the Fresno State fan against other fan issue—-yes, I found the humor in a banner or two—–not the ‘I’m on a Boat’ sign (overplayed song that has grown tiresome). The bandwagon fans were many of the same who boosted Bulldog Shop and Kennel Bookstore sales in a meager economy——let’s all support the common cause and keep denouncing and creating clever signs against the likes of UCLA, Arizona State, Stanford, Hawaii, SJ State, and all the other chumps out there.
Uncle Charlie Harper • Feb 24, 2009 at 7:07 am
Well done…….we’re all in this together. It’s the big schools versus the small schools—the WAC versus the ‘Major conferences’, the traditional baseball powers versus the Diamond Dogs. Let’s quit being so divisive on the Fresno State fan against other fan issue—-yes, I found the humor in a banner or two—–not the ‘I’m on a Boat’ sign (overplayed song that has grown tiresome). The bandwagon fans were many of the same who boosted Bulldog Shop and Kennel Bookstore sales in a meager economy——let’s all support the common cause and keep denouncing and creating clever signs against the likes of UCLA, Arizona State, Stanford, Hawaii, SJ State, and all the other chumps out there.
FSDogs1 • Feb 23, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Rarely do I read something which is so on the money! Well done. It’s easy to tell this was written by someone who knows and understands the community and Fresno State very well.
FSDogs1 • Feb 24, 2009 at 6:16 am
Rarely do I read something which is so on the money! Well done. It’s easy to tell this was written by someone who knows and understands the community and Fresno State very well.