Dear Montana Fan...

[kalm]

From an article by the Spokesman Review's John Blanchette:

Dear Montana fan,

I’m not sure how to say this, so I’m just going to say it.

Help.

That’s right, help.

If you’re not doing anything Friday night – and I know there’s no football game in your town (sorry) – do you think you could be coaxed over the mountains to fill a few seats at Roos Field?

Apparently, people here can’t attend games because they’re far too busy.

So far, Eastern Washington has hosted two games in the FCS playoffs – you know, for the national championship? – and managed to attract a total of 7,725 customers. That’s roughly the number of people who shoe-horn themselves into the bar across the bridge from Washington-Grizzly Stadium to watch on TV because they can’t get one of the 25,000 tickets when Montana plays a Division II palooka in September.

There’s a football team in Cheney that deserves a bigger audience, and an audience three hours to the east that’s used to being at a football game this time of year (sorry)...

OK, “deserves” is an awkward concept. Attendance at a football game is not a civic responsibility. Elections deserve 100 percent turnout and never get them.

Still, this is a community that goes ga-ga over big events, and some not so big. Skating? The first time the national championships came to Spokane there were people standing at the convention center to watch 12-year-olds fall down, and setting attendance records at the Arena. The NCAA basketball tournament fills the joint. The Memorial Cup drew mega-crowds even for Guelph vs. Val d’Or. The Zags, the Shock, the Indians – none lacks for an audience

And yet when EWU hosted Southeast Missouri State two weeks ago, a whopping 3,665 showed up, nearly 2,000 less than Eastern’s worst-attended regular-season game.

Yes, it was Apple Cup weekend and the Zags were on TV, and likely there was a discount coupon for a pizza that could only be used at that hour. Alibis R Us.

This indifference can’t be pinned on the school’s marketing efforts. They’ve worked that angle like crazy this year, playing off the gimmick of the new red field, and sold more season tickets than ever. There have been giveaways or themes every game, and this week they’ve even arm-twisted some businesses into buying tickets for kids.

There are 35,000 Eastern alums in Spokane County. Presumably, many have spouses, kids, friends and neighbors who enjoy football.

And yet we’ll field the usual few phone calls at the newspaper this week complaining about how Eastern is ignored, because it’s easier than looking inward and admitting, gee, too few who went to school there give a damn about athletics – or even the school, for that matter.

So, getting back to the earlier appeal – come on over, Griz fans. If I recall, many of you did just that back in 1997 when the Eagles were advancing in the playoffs and your team had been eliminated (sorry). Yes, you’ll have to put up with the red field, but the football played on it is still good, and you’ve proven you appreciate good football.

As for you folks here, the game’s on TV. It’s a great opportunity to use that pizza coupon.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/d ... gles-fans/

[Silenoz]

Would if I could. Plus who would want to give up the opportunity to see Szczur play?

[JBS]

They should play the game here.

[kalm]

They should play the game here.

It would triple our attendance.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Shit it's too bad this didn't hit the papers on Monday or Tuesday cuz I bet it would have stirred a lot of people that are riding the fence here in Missoula.

Hope it pulls some over and hope it spurs some of the people in the Spokane area that are skipping this shit.

[Grizalltheway]

I'd definitely consider heading over, but I'll be up in Whitefish shredding the nasty all weekend.

[EWURanger]

Decent article and it's always cool to see some Griz fans at the games.........

35 thousand EWU alums in the Spokane area and we can't fill our stadium to capacity? Jesus, Spokane is a lame football town. We say we support all these different teams, but only 4,000 some to watch WSU in the Spokane arena the other night? Really? And WSU football is by FAR the worst supported team in the Pac-10. What the hell is wrong with sports fans in this area...........ohhhhhhh, it's too cold. Wear a frickin jacket!

[93henfan]

It would be a nice gesture by the Montana fans, sort of how the Delaware fans help fill Villanova's stadium for them once every other year.

[GannonFan]

It would be a nice gesture by the Montana fans, sort of how the Delaware fans help fill Villanova's stadium for them once every other year.

Yeah, but that's to root for the Hens. Can't imagine any scenario where I'd head off to nova's stadium to root for them against pretty much anybody. Well, maybe if they played the dallas cowboys, although I'm sure I'd just root for injuries then.

[Appaholic]

It would be a nice gesture by the Montana fans, sort of how the App St fans help fill Western Carolina's & Elon's stadium for them once every other year.

fifSoCon

[kalm]

It would be a nice gesture by the Montana fans, sort of how the Delaware fans help fill Villanova's stadium for them once every other year.

Yeah, but that's to root for the Hens. Can't imagine any scenario where I'd head off to nova's stadium to root for them against pretty much anybody. Well, maybe if they played the dallas cowboys, although I'm sure I'd just root for injuries then.

Another shining example of west coast superiority.

[GannonFan]

Yeah, but that's to root for the Hens. Can't imagine any scenario where I'd head off to nova's stadium to root for them against pretty much anybody. Well, maybe if they played the dallas cowboys, although I'm sure I'd just root for injuries then.

Another shining example of west coast superiority.

Says you. You keep telling yourself that while you're holding hands with Griz fans singing "kumbaya" while you watch two CAA teams tee it up in the championship game, marking the first time two teams from the same conference have met in the title game.

[mtjack]

I support fellow Big Sky Conference teams nearly anytime. I'd be there in Cheney rooting for EWU if possible. Here's to hoping more sports fans in Spokanistan realize that this is a good team (the best in the state is not a stretch) and to get off their keisters if there's nothing more important this Saturday. If not, make sure the dedicated smaller group of fans in attendance makes as much noise as a larger group of fair-weather fans. Good luck, EWU.

Gannon and 93hen. -

I have no problem admitting that the CAA is the most talented FCS football conference from top to bottom. I will stroke your egos on that one. But your (and fans like you) snarkiness and air of superiority is grating to everyone west of the Appalachian Mountains. Pretty sure it's grating to a lot of the rest of the CAA, also. You're not helping to make any fans for your alma maters/teams. You make it easy for me to root against Delaware when I truly have no reason to. I realize that a handful of fans represents not a whole fanbase...but...you're not helping the west's or midwest's perceptions of the eastern seaboard. Just a shred of common courtesy and humility goes a long way in presenting your school in a positive light. If not, at least you'll have no reason to comment one way or the other after this Saturday.

[Silenoz]

Another shining example of west coast superiority.

Says you. You keep telling yourself that while you're holding hands with Griz fans singing "kumbaya" while you watch two CAA teams tee it up in the championship game, marking the first time two teams from the same conference have met in the title game.

Someone replace the words in this emoticon with CAA and then add it to the cs.com library

[dbackjon]

Says you. You keep telling yourself that while you're holding hands with Griz fans singing "kumbaya" while you watch two CAA teams tee it up in the championship game, marking the first time two teams from the same conference have met in the title game.

We seriously need a CAA cheerleader emoticon

Either one of these will do

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

They talk about the CAA like it's a brotherhood but that's only when it serves their purpose. They wouldn't go and support another team if theirs was out of the playoffs. That says plenty.

[Bronco]

4 from my office left at noon to go support the Eagles. The wives will make a shopping trip out of it.

[FargoBison]

Getting in a car and driving a few hours is quite a commitment to go watch a team that isn't yours play. I'd support any team in the MVFC if they were in this situation from a far, would maybe consider going to SDSU if their fans offered me beer(Yes I can be bought).

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Getting in a car and driving a few hours is quite a commitment to go watch a team that isn't yours play. I'd support any team in the MVFC if they were in this situation from a far, would maybe consider going to SDSU if their fans offered me beer(Yes I can be bought).

Good for you FB, your price is a bit low though...hold out for at least a couple.

Montana is widely the most disliked BSC foe on the board and people are always slinging shit. Hell EWU had a student dipshit writing about his hatred of Montana a few years back.

In spite of all that frigidness from the conference foes and EWU in particular they can count on us supporting them if we get the chance. Personally I haven't been able to make it this year but I have several friends that have been to each game in Cheney. I'm really disappointed that I didn't get to make the NDSU game and this one against Villanova.

[dbackjon]

Getting in a car and driving a few hours is quite a commitment to go watch a team that isn't yours play. I'd support any team in the MVFC if they were in this situation from a far, would maybe consider going to SDSU if their fans offered me beer(Yes I can be bought).

Good for you FB, your price is a bit low though...hold out for at least a couple.

Montana is widely the most disliked BSC foe on the board and people are always slinging shit. Hell EWU had a student dipshit writing about his hatred of Montana a few years back.

In spite of all that frigidness from the conference foes and EWU in particular they can count on us supporting them if we get the chance. Personally I haven't been able to make it this year but I have several friends that have been to each game in Cheney. I'm really disappointed that I didn't get to make the NDSU game and this one against Villanova.

Eh, more dislike the dipshits that reside on eGriz

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Good for you FB, your price is a bit low though...hold out for at least a couple.

Montana is widely the most disliked BSC foe on the board and people are always slinging shit. Hell EWU had a student dipshit writing about his hatred of Montana a few years back.

In spite of all that frigidness from the conference foes and EWU in particular they can count on us supporting them if we get the chance. Personally I haven't been able to make it this year but I have several friends that have been to each game in Cheney. I'm really disappointed that I didn't get to make the NDSU game and this one against Villanova.

Eh, more dislike the dipshits that reside on eGriz

You know I can't argue with ya on that one.

[BearIt]

Unfortunately, it didn't work out for me. I traded my Friday off to get yesterday off and enjoy some sweet snow on the mountain. Watching on TV though. Go Eagles!!

[D1B]

I"ll be there. I'm bringing my cats though. Ursus, can I stay at your trailer, again? PM me.

Oh, here's my cat, Slugworth IV
*I shaved his balls like you told me.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

I"ll be there. I'm bringing my cats though. Ursus, can I stay at your trailer, again? PM me.

Oh, here's my cat, Slugworth IV
*I shaved his balls like you told me.

I love getting you to do crazy shit like that you gullible fuck. Bad news though the trailer got repo'd. I can make room in the pay by the night place I'm at now though if you chip in $10.

That picture is fucking epic.

Andy Talley cleans up nice.

[D1B]

I"ll be there. I'm bringing my cats though. Ursus, can I stay at your trailer, again? PM me.

Oh, here's my cat, Slugworth IV
*I shaved his balls like you told me.

I love getting you to do crazy shit like that you gullible fuck. Bad news though the trailer got repo'd. I can make room in the pay by the night place I'm at now though if you chip in $10.

That picture is fucking epic.

Andy Talley cleans up nice.

Im broke. I spent my last $10 on Neosporin for the razor rash on Slugworth's balls. We may have to pay Grizo a visit.