OSU vs Utah Thread

I continue to be amazed at the skill level of the women’s gala, in general, and to the Beavers play more specifically.
The way they conduct themselves on the floor is evidence of an extremely well coached ‘team’ , and you can see for yourself, the individual effort that each of the athletes put into their own development.
As far as attendance and different atmosphere, I see great support and knowledge of the game. However, I am not sure that I could say anything other than fans in the seats, creates a better or ‘ different ‘ environment. We draw better than most other programs - but , beyond that - I just don’t know what is ‘different’ about Gill .
I am not criticizing, I am just trying to understand how we can capitalize on this competitive difference maker in both recruiting and growth of the OSU program.
In Yankee Stadium , they have a section for Aaron Judge that fills up every game. The Browns, I believe, have the Dog Pound. What I am addressing is what appears to be poor student attendance. We need them., plus the season ticket holders, to add to attendance numbers and the atmosphere. Getting seats in these special sections could create a real incentive to participate/ attend.
Also, at Yankee Stadium they also ‘echo call’ each players name as they take their position on the field. This could be co- ordinated with player introductions. Make it a different and more personal experience for the athletes.
I am thinking something like the ‘Beaver Dam’ for students and they are seated in one location( maybe behind basket to harass on free throws,). Also, give them the photo placards and special signs to fire up the crowd. Make it very intimidating for ‘any’ game . Use what we have generated and grow it.
Also, this could expand to the other sports.
Lastly , we need everyone to develop and use a hand style sign for success in the sport. The sucks have that stupid O that everyone else uses.
For Beavers, we can make a fist, orient it towards the arena or field, and then lower the second and third digits ( neatest the thumb) so that they look like Beaver Teeth.

You should email those brilliant suggestions to Scott Rueck, Maryanne Vydra and Scott Barnes. And cc FKing Alexander.

I concur with everything you have stated here. I think a real push needs to be made to get the students integrated into the WBB atmosphere at Gill. Make a plea to all the living groups, sororities and frats, to get students into Gill to see one of the best products OSU has to offer. I think the AD should dedicate the entire end zone next to the band, from floor up. Make Gill a place no one wants to come into. We have the nation's # 4 team, and if students can't get behind this team then I don't know what it will take. Just my 2 cents.

I am a season ticket holder who also goes to an occasional men’s game, and I often feel like there is more excitement at the men’s game even with comparable attendance. The women attract a much older crowd — I am 59, and can be the youngest person in the surrounding seats. When I go see the guys, I am surrounded by students who are loud and rowdy.

Which one is preferable is up to you.

Gill is physically a much different venue than most teams play in.   It is a gymnasium/field house.   It was not designed for concerts, if you ever went to a concert in Gill you'd know what I mean.   It is great at amplifying the crowds volume.  I love that they are upgrading Gill, hopefully that means that they will not replace it. 

Our fans are also different than most.  A couple things stand out.  Rueck always comments on our basketball intelligence and for the most part we cheer the beavs but don't boo opposing players.  We  save that for the refs.  One thing we don't do is use foul language, go to a schmucks game and you'll hear the bullsh*t chant several times during the game.   And then there are the individuals yelling out profanities.  

If you still don't think Gill is different listen to the announcers.  In the last few years ESPN has had multiple requests to call the games at Gill.  Apparently this is unusual. 

Lastly,  listen to what Rueck has to say about it.  In the latest press conference he mentions that other coaches comment on the atmosphere we create.   

markarmour04 says: "I am 59, and can be the youngest person in the surrounding seats."

Yeah, I hear you...I'm one of those guys who make you among the youngest in the crowd....Here are some of my personal observations about the old-timers who fill Gill.....

Game in and game out WBB at Gill pretty much plays before a retiree fan base.....If you arrive early for a Sunday game 90% of the fans in seats are of retirement age - many considerably beyond...By game time it's probably down to 75%....The main support group for the team ("Rebounder's Row) is almost entirely 65 or older...At the end of season WBB banquet the tables are filled with retirement age fans...Loyal fans...

My experience with these fans is that they are fairly knowledgeable about basketball (but not overly so); more importantly, they feel a kinship with the players and the coaching staff...They know everyone's first name but they have to think twice to recall their last name. (At the Showcase in Vancouver I was chastised by several loyal fans for pronouncing Taya's name incorrectly. As though anyone who knew anything thing would know it requires a long a, not a long i.

These Beaver fans know they are not part of the team, but they feel as though they are...They repeatedly use "we" when describing the team....When a player is injured they talk not about how the injury will affect the team, but how much it must hurt the player. They take it personal - everything about the team they take personal... Sometimes they're more like parents than fans...

When the game is over many don't leave the gym. They stay. They linger. They chat. They wander down to the court and mingle with players they don't know and tell them they are so proud of how well they played. Players who never saw game time get congratulated. It's remarkable. I've never seen anything like it. And I've been seriously (very seriously) involved in the game for 50 years...

These Beaver fans talk about Coach Rueck with reverence. They love him. They love what he stands for. They see in him a teacher, a minister, a coach, a son-in-law. If he left for another program they would be disbelieving, broken-hearted...These Beaver WBB fans are unlike anything I've seen elsewhere. Collectively, in their thousands, they make Gill a special experience..It's not their numbers, it's their heart. Coach knows it, and the fans know he knows it...

That's the deal.....
GO BEAVS !!

I just have to say that I do not understand how we can just do the same thing and expect that we can maintain pace with the other PAC 12 programs.. they are ALL coming after us and if we don't upgrade the audience, bring the students in and create a unique game experience that bothers the VISITOR , then we will missed a huge opportunity in terms of revenue, attendance and continued success. I get that it is a great experience for those that attend - however, (I think) we have almost 5,000 more seats to fill and we are bouncing around the same number of attendee's every game - right now. We have to pull people from PDX and Salem and Beavers from the evil empire, etc.
The players don't get to their level by being lazy - why should we be lazy ?