What are the rules on fan behavior?

[Supertrex]

Can you be throw out of the Ralph for cheering??? You'd think so in my section. What a dead crowd last night. I felt very conspicuous when, for example, the sioux would clear the puck on a penalty kill and I'd have the nerve to stand up and cheer. Several times I'd stand up between drops and try to get the crowd to stand with me. About half would... The team feeds on the crowd to some extent and helps build momentum - I remember a number of come-from-behind third periods where the more the crowd roared, the better the sioux played...Of course I'm speaking to the choir here, but it very frustrating to see all these people with lower bowl tickets sitting on their hands all night.

[SiouxperDave]

The security guards were in full force in the upper bowl telling students to sit down. We were in 307 and the guards were threatening to throw students out if they didn't sit. Does anyone know the "rules" for standing?

[dj_hoime]

I agree before the drop of the puck everyone sat down and it was quiet. Some of it had to do with the band and the sound system. Also at intermission they should turn the volume down. We sit half way up on the second level with the speaker blaring at us. we had to plug our ears inbetween periods. The last minite of the game only about half the crowd was cheering when we came back from 2-0 to beat the gophers. I mean its the gophers. Come on we can do better. i get sick of the gopher fans saying Marriuci arena has a better atmosphere than the ralph. Hopefully its better tonight when we sweep.

STAND UP AND CHEER

[jloos]

The security guards were in full force in the upper bowl telling students to sit down.  We were in 307 and the guards were threatening to throw students out if they didn't sit.  Does anyone know the "rules" for standing?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was also in 307 last night. I can't believe the students were not more pissed off. There were a couple of old guys in 306A that bitched and whined until they got there money back, then they bitched and whined until the REA security threatened to kick out any student found standing. One guy wanted to fight me when I told him to chill out, he was yelling at the students to sit down. This 45-50 year old fat bastard was actually calling me out. I have never seen grown men act like such children. They were freaking out at the REA and GF cops to toss out the entire student section. If I was the REA I would have told them to piss off.

I am probably about 5 years older than most students, and would probably feel more comfortable not sitting in the student section. But I expect the students to stand and cheer and get a little wild. I find it very sad the REA caved in to these elderly peoples temper tantrums (the two complaining the most were well over 60). The one idiot from the REA said he was going to kick anyone found standing out for the entire season - if were sitting up top we don't have season tickets genious.

I say the students organize a walk out - every student get up and leave during tonights game for half a period or so, see what the atmosphere is like then.

Ok end rant, sorry if the above doesn't make sense, I'm still pissed about the way the students were treated. I was serious about organizing a walk-out I think it would be a great way to prove your point in a civilized manner. Show you are more mature than the cranky SOB's in 306A.

[forecheck]

I say the students organize a walk out - every student get up and leave during tonights game for half a period or so, see what the atmosphere is like then.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't be stupid. Yeah it sucks they tried making us sit down during the 3rd period when it was such an exciting game, but organizing a walkout? Against the Gophers? Good luck. I'd rather sit than give up my seat to watch the Sioux play.

Besides, our section (309) tried sitting a few times in the 3rd, but there were just so many things to cheer about that we would hop back up a few seconds later. The security guards never bothered us again, since we were constantly yelling. If you're making noise, they'll leave you alone. One of the older security guards was even clapping to a song between plays and smiling, which of course we encouraged.

[Jordan_Parise_FREAK!]

That's terrible! You'd think that if the old people wanted to come to a game they'd expect cheering and yes, standing up. Who doesn't stand up when the team that they're cheering for makes a goal?

[jloos]

Don't be stupid. Yeah it sucks they tried making us sit down during the 3rd period when it was such an exciting game, but organizing a walkout? Against the Gophers? Good luck. I'd rather sit than give up my seat to watch the Sioux play.

Besides, our section (309) tried sitting a few times in the 3rd, but there were just so many things to cheer about that we would hop back up a few seconds later. The security guards never bothered us again, since we were constantly yelling. If you're making noise, they'll leave you alone. One of the older security guards was even clapping to a song between plays and smiling, which of course we encouraged.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It wasn't just in the 3rd it was the entire game. You had to have been in 307 to see how bad it was. I don't appreciate being called out by a fellow Sioux Fan. The students were treated like absolute crap, the atmosphere was starting to get good and the REA security put a stop to it in deference to a couple of elderly people. I have been to thousands of hockey games, and never been as pissed as I was last night. I was threatened by a fellow fan, and threatened to get kicked out several times by security. I have no problem sitting down for most of the game, but I expect most students to stand. I guess I can't express how pissed off I was at the experience.

The walk out idea, wasn't articulated as well as I hoped. I would actually do it during the CC or some other series and do it for 1/2 a period, not the entire game. Maybe some other form of civil disobediance. This is coming from a conservative law student, I can't imagine what some of the younger students in 307 thought about the game.

[jerseychaser1]

They told section 109 to sit down a lot as well. A guy in a yellow shirt walked by us a couple of times and I did the you sit, you sit, you sit chant to him. He just thought it was funny and said sorry, but I have to do this!

I think I'm going to email the fans@theralph.com about this. Its sad to see the only sections that actually stand are the ones with the students. The only time where the other sections actually stand up and cheer is when make some noise is on the screen. I think they need to stand up some more besides the students.

[Csonked Out]

heres the honest truth, anyone who knew the way it used to be at the old ralph or even 2 or 3 years ago, will never see it that way again. The reason is simple, the students did not pay for any part of the ralph, and there for have no power in the ralph. They dont give a !@$! if the students are mad or if no one cheers, because if they can kick us out tand the sell the seats and make even more profit. I am actually kinda glad i didn't get tickets after last night, i would just be pissed off after every game. Welcome to the Ralph Engelstad Arena and home of the CORPORATE SELLOUTS, its called the University of ND for a reason, its a college hockey team, our team. I feel that should give us students certain rights, but it doesn't. People in GF think that it is the Grand Forks fighting sioux and we students are just a hassle, and guess what that may be how the Ralph Feels too. (end of rant)

[forecheck]

The students were treated like absolute crap, the atmosphere was starting to get good and the REA security put a stop to it in deference to a couple of elderly people.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey, I wanted to stand the whole game too, and was pissed when they told us to sit down. I asked the REA official whose view we could possibly be blocking, and he said the people on the ends couldn't see the opposite end of the ice. It sucks, but it makes sense.

This situation is just like the one with the students in the lower bowl the last couple years. We just didn't realize it would happen in the upper bowl too because most of us are used to sitting in the lower bowl and had no idea what went on way up there. And it all comes down to respecting other people. "In deference to a couple elderly people?" They were probably the only ones with enough balls to complain about it. If you're blocking someone else's view, suck it up and sit down.

[#1siouxfan22]

At the end of the national anthem the home of the SIOUX seemed pretty weak if you ask me.

[PCM]

This entire thread.

[Supertrex]

This entire thread.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess I started this thread to discuss ways to get people into the game and cheer more. I for one would be very pissed if you stood up in front of me for the entire game. Do you stand up when you watch a footgame at home???

I'm talking about between puck drops, during organized cheers, etc. Not for the whole game...That said, if you come to a college game, expect to see college students that cheer and stand up from time to time. The students provide the atmosphere and flavor.

[PCM]

So how does starting a thread here get people in your section to cheer? Do they all read this board? I'm guessing they don't.

I understand why you don't like it when the people around you don't get into the game the way you do. But they have that right. Not everyone goes to the games for the same reason you do. Not everyone reacts the same way you do. But the reality is, there's not much you can do about it here.

From my perspective, other than the stupid, immature, embarrassingly juvenile "Eff the Gophers!" chant, the atmosphere in the arena was fantastic.

I was sitting there thinking, "Wow! How could anyone possibly complain about there being no atmosphere in the Ralph?"

And then I come here and some people are.

[Fetch]

I agree with PCM - I'm over 50 & if you stood in front of me the whole game - I'd let you know about it (heck even part of the actual play of the game - cause if you give an inch they take a mile) There is a time to stand & a time to sit

The crowd was great !!! (the 1st period sucked) but I just took it out on the refs

Learn to get into the Game & Cheer & Not block the view of others (A little respect) is all it takes. I once in awhile find myself standing too long & then I realize it & say sorry & sit down & calm down But last yr I had seats in the top row so I could stand if I wanted too ( Maybe give the top row to those who can't respect others ? ? ? )

There is alot that can be missed by cheering too long - the game is too fast to allow that to happen

Like I said & no one replied to it - Give the Bars to the Students that want to stand

But somehow I think many(old enough Students) would complain about that too

[trfsioux]

The one idiot from the REA said he was going to kick anyone found standing out for the entire season - if were sitting up top we don't have season tickets genious. 

\

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Coming from the Tech in TRF (but using my brothers UND ID)...can't they do something to your ID card where it won't scan at the Student Entrance? Can they contact UND and have you put up on Academic Probation/Suspension...etc since it's a UND event? Anyone know how any of that works?

[jloos]

I'll try and rationalize why I was so ticked off.

1. My wife and I would prefer to sit outside of the student section, she likes to sit most of the game and doesn't care for the swearing (elementary teachers ). But the price is right, and I like the atmosphere especially during the Gopher series.

2. We sat right on the edge of 307. The entire student section in 308 and 309 was standing, so everyone in our section stood so we could see. From the second the puck dropped there were about 4 men in 306(a) that were continually yelling (including swearing) at us to sit down. I calmly (yes I was calm) told the guy sitting across from my wife and I to please stop yelling at us, and the students typically stand, there isn't much that can be done. This guy then asked me to step outside and he'd "shut me up and make me sit down".

3. Along with the tough guy there were 2 older men that were yelling at us. They were the ones that went to security. The security guard shrugged him off, saying there is nothing she can do. By the end of the period they had gotten several REA employees and cops listening to their hissy fit. This brought on the start of several guards/cops coming up and down our isle trying to get us to sit down. My wife and I were perfectly fine with sitting down, but we both have an once of common sense and realize we are in the student section and are likely going to have to stand.

4. Throughout the rest of the game 4-5 people from 306a continued to yell at us. The two older men had a cop by them yelling at him to kick us all out.

5. Soon after this an REA employee came up and down the isle and said he is going to escort every student found standing out of the building, and we will not be allowed back inside for the remainder of the year - he said something about cancelling our season tickets. I calmly told this guy that there is little that can be done, after all this is the student section. He then told me another word out of me and I'm out for the season. I don't appreciate being treated like this, nor does my wife. I swear less than 10 seconds after this the board had the Stand Up and Cheer thing.

6. Overall I felt the entire night I was being yelled at by some very childish adults. The REA gave into their fits, and began threatening the students. Like I said before, I would prefer to sit elsewhere but I don't complain about the students because I know what to expect. I have been to several other college hockey rinks and the vast majority of the time the students are standing and are much more vulgar than the UND students. Same goes for high school games.

[PCM]

I have been to several other college hockey rinks and the vast majority of the time the students are standing and are much more vulgar than the UND students.  Same goes for high school games.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So the standard you set for yourself, students and other Sioux fans is the lowest common denominator? Is that the image you want the community and university to have? Why?

[U2Bad1]

[SiouxperDave]

If you want to sit on your hands during a game and listen to it on your headphones, stay at home and watch it on TV. Each year, the REA is sucking more and more fun out of the games. I hope all of the students stand tonight. They can't kick everyone out.

[dunker2001]

When you are stuck in the middle of any of the student sections and you have students all around you standing, you can not sit down unless you don't want to see. I understand the whole being respectful thing, but when everyone around you is standing, you have to stand to see. I will admit that our section (108) was standing a lot, but it is the Gophers, so any time anything happened...we were on our feet screaming and yelling.

Also, there is no reason for the non-student fans that want to sit, to cry like babies all the time and try and call students out, that is just stupid. Grow up.

I think the atmopshere last night was great, at least in our section, it was so loud I could not hear myself. That is what these games are all about. We are at these games to cheer our team to victory like the little blurb they give us during every game says. Most of us are not there just to be seen.

If the non-students want more respect from the students, then they need to learn to respect the students, it is a two-way steet, if you are not willing to respect the other side, don't expect any respect in return.

Edited October 23, 2004 by dunker2001

[PCM]

It has been said before, and I will say it again.....it is the UNIVERSITY of North Dakota Fighting Sioux, if there were no students, there would be no university and therefore, no team.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wrong. If the taxpayers of North Dakota didn't fund the university, it wouldn't exist. Period.

The university exists for the students. It doesn't exist because of the students.

[PCM]

If you want to sit on your hands during a game and listen to it on your headphones, stay at home and watch it on TV.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The newly appointed Czar of Fan Behavior has spoken.

[dunker2001]

Wrong. If the taxpayers of North Dakota didn't fund the university, it wouldn't exist. Period.

The university exists for the students. It doesn't exist because of the students.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I stand corrected. Sorry about that.

[jloos]

Wrong. If the taxpayers of North Dakota didn't fund the university, it wouldn't exist. Period.

The university exists for the students. It doesn't exist because of the students.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Boy PCM you are sounding like the grouchy old men in 306A, do you also sit on your porch during the summer yelling at the damn neighborhood kids to get off your lawn

The above post that said respect is a two way street summed it up best IMO.

At the same time, I don't feel having a loud student section that gets into the game is a bad thing. I expect many of the students to act like college students, I didn't see any students getting out of hand. I did see some of the men in 306A cross the line, if it would have been someone in the student section calling out someone in 306A I can guarantee you they would be tossed out, and possibly charged.