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Post by pnthr30 on Nov 5, 2004 9:56:13 GMT -6
First of all, I was fairly impressed by the number of students at the game on Wednesday. Typically an exhibition game, downtown nonetheless, is not real well attended by students. Don't get me wrong, there is definite room for improvement, but at least it is a start.............anyways, on to my question........I know this has been brought up before, but I really think something should be done - is there ANY way to get the student section to change ends? We are probably one of only a handful of schools in the country where the student sections sits on the home team side. IMHO this kind of defeats the purpose of having a loud, racous, crowd/band, etc. We want the opposition shooting into that in the second half (not UWM), we also want the band on the same side as the opponent (as close as NCAA rules allow). I love the band and wish they were at more games (anyone have any insight into what the deal is with them this year), but we need the band to be playing in the other teams ear, not in the furthest corner from them! Anyone know who to talk to about this (changing ends)? If it is going to be changed, it should be changed ASAP before people get into a habit of setting up shop on the south end (like they did last year).
Any thoughts?
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Post by PANTHERfan on Nov 5, 2004 11:44:18 GMT -6
this does certainly make a lot of sense. maybe this is a dumb thing to say, but it almost seems easier to switch sides that the teams sit on. i'm not sure if that's possible or not?
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Post by Hack on Nov 5, 2004 11:51:05 GMT -6
I would NOT be in favor of switching the teams' benches.
I picked out my season tickets so that I would be sitting behind UWM's bench.
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Post by pnthr30 on Nov 5, 2004 11:54:41 GMT -6
this does certainly make a lot of sense. maybe this is a dumb thing to say, but it almost seems easier to switch sides that the teams sit on. i'm not sure if that's possible or not? Since the team is what we are going to see, I don't know if it is appropriate to ask them to move.............. Is their anthing "set up" in the student section anyways? The only difference is that there are no seats there. Can't the students just walk to the other end of the court? After one or two games, I would like to think that the US Cellular staff would recognize that they would like to move.......and just switch which end is not filled with seats.
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Post by pnthr30 on Nov 5, 2004 11:58:19 GMT -6
I would NOT be in favor of switching the teams' benches. I picked out my season tickets so that I would be sitting behind UWM's bench. I hear you, and agree whole heartedly! There would be A LOT of angry season ticket holders - and seeing as how we are fighting to get new ones, it doesn't make sense to get the ones we do have upset. Simply put, changing where UWM sits would throw a curveball at the ticketing staff - one they just don't need to, and shouldn't have to, deal with.
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Post by PANTHERfan on Nov 5, 2004 12:03:58 GMT -6
yeah, i hear you about the season ticket thing. i picked my seats so i could be near both the bench and the student section. while a move sounds good in theory, i'd be disappointed to not be near the students.
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Post by pnthr30 on Nov 5, 2004 12:09:58 GMT -6
Any move made would upset some people, no doubt about that.........I am just using the logic that we are there to watch the team - and if there is anything we, as fans, can do to make it easier on them or give them an advantage (even a little one), we should do it.
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Post by PBandEuph on Nov 5, 2004 14:40:15 GMT -6
As to the Panther Band question. There is a very serious effort being made by the music department to have the band at all home games this year, and it looks to be a real good possibility. There is also an attempt being made to purchase some new instruments for the band (Marching Baritones and Sousaphones) to help the band become louder and project better. I'll keep you all posted on our status when I am given more information. Peace.
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Post by pnthr30 on Nov 5, 2004 15:12:22 GMT -6
Thanks for the update PBandEuph! Keep us informed!
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Post by Spike1057 on Nov 5, 2004 16:19:39 GMT -6
30-You make a good point. but what about games against teams who bring big fans against UWM. Do you want them able to sit behind your bench, and your area at the end of a game. I guess if you look at a smaller arena like UIC they only have one end, which I find stupid, but it does keep all fans from other teams far away from the court.
Not sure on the rules but I believe there is something about Bands and where they are allowed to set up. But your right it would be nice to put your band right in the other benches ear.
I know two years ago against Butler, i was given a mega phone from the Cheerleaders to yell into BU's huddle and was then told by officals that i could not have that so close to their bench.
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Post by pnthr30 on Nov 5, 2004 17:10:29 GMT -6
Good point, but I will take a chance with that ......... after all, there has been one game that I can remember (ever) where there was any kind of "visiting" student section.....and that was the championship game with UIC last year. In short, for the 99% of the other games, I would rather have the UWM students behind the opposing basket (like in 90% of the other college arenas).
Also, I think you are right, I don't know the exact wording/terminology of the rule, but I think there is something pertaining to the distance the band must be from the opposing bench in the NCAA rulebook.
I think this is a relatively new rule, because I can remember times when we played in the Fieldhouse in Madison, and you couldn't hear ANYTHING in the huddle.
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Post by nohopspanther on Nov 5, 2004 17:28:19 GMT -6
Reguarding band set-up, we basically break NCAA rules during home games at the Klotsche Center. Everytime someone brought up the rule complaining about our placement we would get moved. I know, damn me for playing the drums 10 feet from their bench too loud.
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Post by uwmfan on Nov 5, 2004 21:38:09 GMT -6
Hopping in a little bit late on this topic, but I agree with you P30 that this should be addressed. You asked how or to whom to approach, and I think it needs to be pitched directly to Bruce himself. If he buys into it (and I think he will...) I don't think he'd find any resistance unless there were some sort of restrictions preventing it.
As for the possibility of the opposing team's fans wreaking havoc, again, if it is agreed that those seats be closed off unless capacity is an issue, then simply eliminate the seats under our 2nd half basket.
Since this would affect season ticket holders, I don't think you could ask to have the change instituted this season. As mentioned, ticket staff, etc. would need time to prepare, as would Bruce, et al...
Again, anything to give us an edge. Heck, the band doesn't have to be in the "exact" corner, but getting 'em in the same zip code would be a great start!
Here's to a great season, and no international teams on the schedule (always appreciative of minimizing the tongue twisters!)
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Post by PBandEuph on Nov 13, 2004 21:46:24 GMT -6
Just wanted to let you all know that the band will be at the first game this coming Saturday. Almost everyone from last years panther band is returning, so we should be pretty good right out of the gate. The buckets brigade, or whatever the hell they want to call us, will be returning. Hopefully we can get everyone in the student section stomping along like we did a few times last year.
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Post by uwfenske aka hardhat on Nov 13, 2004 22:16:09 GMT -6
That is awesome!!! I will be happy to see you all there. Hearing the fight song via the recording is not the same. Have you all learned any new songs? I would like to request.... well, just a couple new ones.
'and when the panther prowls, we'll give a howl'
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