A Missing Link for Bison Football

Recently I've come to a conclusion...whether it be right or wrong.

For all of the great attendance, the fundraising success, what appears to be good recruiting, and excellent success over the past few years...there is something missing.

It is the students of NDSU. I do not believe that they have bought into Bison Football as 'their' school football team. Maybe times have changed...and a vast majority of the students really don't care.

But I have a theory that has been met with considerable resistance on another Bison website. And I have been ridiculed for being so passionate about it. Part of the problem is that I live in Southern California...and I've been called an outsider. I see the point. But I 'am' a passionate Bison fan that watches every game, and have either listened to, or watched, every Bison game since the Erhardt era. OK...there might have been one or two missed ones due to weddings, etc.

I believe that a strong message has been sent to the students of NDSU. Especially through the transition, as the money has grown, the attendance has grown, and things have intensified over-all.

It has to do with student seating. I'm a former high school band director of 25 years...with a reasonable success record. Realizing that I had weaknesses in my teaching...I had one strength. It was understanding the attitude of large groups of students, and what motivated them. I was known as the Pied Piper for years...like a magnet for the band program...at 3 different high schools in those 25 years. The kids, generally, knew that I was on their side...and understood what their feelings were about school life.

After attending the WIU game this fall, my gut told me something about the atmosphere in the dome. I observed islands of fans yelling their guts out...but they couldn't hear each other. (I'm into acoustics too.) The student body was carrying its weight in a big way. Smaller pockets of super fans were trying their best. But they worked against each other.

At the other website...there have been discussions about poor student attendance...and leaving games early. I 'think' that I understand the problem. It has to do with the kind of seating that the students have...and the proximity of the other fans that want to get involved. They're separated...and the student seats are mostly in an area where it's hard to see the game...at least the stuff that makes it interesting to watch.

I've done a study of other universities, and where they place their students. I posted this study on the other Bison website...only to be met with significant resistance. A portion of the study refered to a decision made at Michigan in 2006. They moved some of their students out of the endzone to get them back into the action...which displaced some long-time season ticket holders. The university made this decision, stating something to the effect that the students are their priority, and that they view student involvement at their games to be vital to the game-time environment. Some called it apples and oranges. To me...it's not. It's educational philosophy.

I don't know for sure...but I believe pretty strongly that NDSU students should have much better seating...and that there should be designated areas where more rabid non-students can be seated closer to the student section, so that they can feed off of the student energy...creating a 'wall' of support. I 'know' that the students would appreciate it also. Young people still want the support of the community. It is vital to their success, and how they feel about their school experience.

It has been said that I was at a bad game to view the support. My take is that I was at the perfect game. I saw apathy in a great deal of the stadium. It was far too quiet. The game was very winnable...yet a large majority of people in the FD were very quiet. It was extremely odd...and angering.

I think that fans should be responsible for cheering when things are down. I witnessed the students trying to keep things going, while much of the crowd just sat there.

I have touched a raw nerve with long-time Bison donors and ticket holders. They want no part of this discussion.

I suggest that unless students buy into the program...the success that everyone craves will be elusive. And even 'with' success without big student involvement...it will be somewhat hollow.

I'm not looking to be in a popularity contest on this topic. I realize that it angers some people. I have been told that I have no right to judge, being an outsider.

But I look at it from a different perspective. Perhaps, being an outsider logistically, I might actually be a good person to analyze the situation.

Perfect I am not...but my gut tells me that the student body at NDSU has been snuffed out by the donors, big-money, booster population.

I found website that shows different student seating philosophies across the country. The Missouri philosophy is striking. Students own one side of the stadium. Their program is currently flying 'very' high. Wonder if this could have anything to do with their success. I also wonder if the players themselves would appreciate having their classmates closer to the action, and interacting with them during the game, in terms of vocal support.

Here's the website:

http://www.collegegridirons.com/seatingcharts.htm

Peace my friends. My intentions are good. I am a long-distance passionate Bison fan. It's in my blood. My wife & I remain in Southern California because of high-paying teaching jobs. Our hearts are in the upper midwest. We'd like to move back...but we can't afford it right now.

I will attach some small pics of some stadium setups.

"Sticks & stones may break my bones..."

I'll take the hits. It's not a problem.