Letter from Peter Fields re: fan incidents at recent games

Post by **kmax** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 3:08 pm

Following last weekend's football game and the vandalism of the NDSU fans' tailgate I wrote to Peter Fields to let him know that I and many people here on our boards felt some things needed to be addressed to ensure Bobcat football games are a fun and safe place for all fans. The following is a letter from Peter Fields to the members of BobcatNation. In addition Peter let me know that he has already personally spoke with the NDSU fan whose property was damaged.

Dear Bobcat Nation supporters,

In the first month of the 2005 football season, the Bobcat program has
experienced some amazing occurrences. Our first two home games of the
season sold out for the first time ever, and that will likely be the
case again this weekend. Opposing players and coaches have commented on
how loud our Stadium is at key moments of games. Signs of pride in
Bobcat Athletics are visible throughout the State. I hope all Bobcats
take pride in these tremendously positive steps.

We are preparing for a large influx of fans this weekend for Homecoming.
We will welcome people that are only able to return to Bozeman
occasionally, as well as a few from our area that are curious about the
good things happening in the Bobcat Football program. This creates
opportunities and issues that we don't face every game.

Everyone at the game, from our loyal supporters in Bobcat Nation to our
student body and long-time season ticket holders, has the chance to show
our guests from Idaho State and Bobcats that aren't able to regularly attend
our events what we're all about. I am confident that in addition to
being loud our crowd will cheer for the Bobcats without denigrating our
opponents, appreciate sportsmanship and competition, and be gracious to
visiting fans, players and coaches alike.

As with growth of any kind, we have experienced some unwanted side
effects this season. We have had reports of several types of negative,
inappropriate behavior both inside the Stadium and in the parking areas
outside. We have heard of negative words and actions directed at
visiting fans and team personnel. Reports have circulated of vandalism
and alcohol abuse.

None of us welcomes this behavior. I will not stand for it, and I know
you won't either. I call on you, our most loyal and vocal supporters, to
set the tone inside the Stadium. More than that, help us if you see
trouble in the stands or the parking areas. Please report problems to
uniformed officers or security personnel. If our guests from another
school complain of poor treatment, please help them locate the proper
authorities. And as important as any of this, please continue to display
to those who don't enjoy the opportunity to attend Bobcat games
regularly the positive behavior for which we are becoming known.

As we all take pride in the tremendous strides that our program has
made, poor behavior by one or two reflects on all of us. Everyone who
cares about Bobcat football has helped us move forward, and everyone who
cares about this program will help us eliminate unwanted and
inappropriate behavior in and around our Stadium.

Thanks for your great support. Thanks for being great fans. And, thanks
for your help in this matter. I look forward to another full Stadium on
Saturday, and another great afternoon of football.

Peter Fields
Director of Athletics

As a personal note, I would like to thank Peter for taking the time to discuss this matter with me over email and give this update for us here at BobcatNation. We have an administration that is top notch here at MSU and are going all out to make Bobcat Athletics top notch in every way. Let's not let our fellow fans (and I use this term loosely) ruin what all of these Administrators, Coaches and Student-Athletes have worked so hard to build.

Cat Pride · Post by **Cat Pride** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 3:26 pm

Well said Mr. Fields, and well said kmax.

GavinDonos · Post by **GavinDonos** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 3:57 pm

I'll do my part to promote a good gameday environment... but it gets tough having to keep my eye on El Gato and MM7CAT all game long. I miss all the big plays

I agree with Mr. Fields, tho. It is also our responsibility, as
elite Bobcat fans

, to promote a positive gameday atmosphere.

CatFamily · Post by **CatFamily** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 4:05 pm

THANK YOU MR. FIELDS for the reply to BobcatNation! This was a first class effort on your and the administrations part to address this issue for us. You are right... we need to be responsible to Bobcat Athletics and help monitor the situations! MSU has always been a first class place to be and even more so now and you have been a big part of the success.

And KMAX, a BIG THANK YOU for contacting our Athletic Director about our concerns. That is why you make the big bucks KMAX. A beer or two or three to you next time I get to Bozeman for a Bobcat game!! KUDOS!

DriftCat · Post by **DriftCat** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 4:10 pm

I will be in the endzone section this week......if I see any misbehavin' I will be thumping heads.

Cat Pride · Post by **Cat Pride** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 4:12 pm

Did anyone find out who the culprit was who vandalized the NDSU tailgate? If so, do we know their punishment? Any charges brought up against this individual(s)?

What about NDSUs reaction to how MSU has handled the situation?

Post by **kmax** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 4:16 pm

Cat Pride wrote:Did anyone find out who the culprit was who vandalized the NDSU tailgate? If so, do we know their punishment? Any charges brought up against this individual(s)?

What about NDSUs reaction to how MSU has handled the situation?

I know one person was caught with a portion of one of the flags and detained, but I do not know what happened beyond that.

I just posted a link to this thread over at bisonville as well to let Bison fans know that MSU is dealing with the issue.

bobcatbob · Post by **bobcatbob** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 8:18 pm

We will be sure to go out of our way to make the Idaho State fans feel welcome. We were very disappointed to hear about the NDSU incident. We Bobcat fans have class and are proud of our hospitality. We can't let a few rude people ruin this great atmoshpere we have here. I hope we all join together Friday and be very vigilant!

Let's Go Cat's!

RyeCat · Post by **RyeCat** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 9:00 pm

A very classy reply and, I think, proof that any crappy behavior will be headed off at the earliest possible opportunity.

MSUcantouchus · Post by **MSUcantouchus** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 9:35 pm

I am not trying to bash the reply and maybe i missed it but he mentioned nothing of a plan to crack down on things did he?

CagedBengal · Post by **CagedBengal** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 9:49 pm

I say a very classy letter. Looking forward to the trip this weekend and a good game. As always, hoping to meet some real football fans and not the clowns who give places a bad name.

Post by **rtb** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 10:13 pm

peedintunnel wrote:I am not trying to bash the reply and maybe i missed it but he mentioned nothing of a plan to crack down on things did he?

I think the message is very appropriate in acknowledging that something needs to be done on the part of everyone to keep things from happening in the future, but no one wanted a knee-jerk reaction that would kill the momentum that MSU has been building over the past few years. I am sure everyone will be doing their part to crack down on things without implementing a bunch of rules that would let a few idiots to ruin the fun for all the great fans.

Robcat · Post by **Robcat** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 10:45 am

As a PROUD Bobcat fan, I also want to be PROUD of my fellow fans. It is time we all step up say hi to a Bengel and wish them well and encourage others to do the same.

Go Cats

Proud Griz Man · Post by **Proud Griz Man** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 8:14 am

peedintunnel wrote:I am not trying to bash the reply and maybe i missed it but he mentioned nothing of a plan to crack down on things did he?

I had the same reaction Mr. UrinatingInPublic. No Action.

catbooster · Post by **catbooster** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 10:14 am

I am not trying to bash the reply and maybe i missed it but he mentioned nothing of a plan to crack down on things did he?

Although I agree with what Peter said (that we all play a part in encouraging/discouraging behavior), the same thought crossed my mind. However, in the paper a few days before Homecoming, they stated that there would be more police/security presence and that they would be more aggressive about MIP's. Additionally, the new state laws that are tougher on MIP's went into effect on Oct 1.

I noticed more police/security while tailgating and I wouldn't be surprised if there was even more attention paid to the East side tailgating area (we tailgate on the booster side).

I hope that this was not just for Homecoming, but will continue for all of the games. The article in the paper was specifically addressing the Homecoming game.

mquast53000 · Post by **mquast53000** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 10:48 am

I think this thread should be un-sticky. I personally feel like leaving this thread up makes it look like MSU has a problem enforcing the law, and that in effect makes our program look bad. It was an embarrassing incident, but it was an occurrence that was not all that sever and should begin to disappear in our memories. The positives of our program should outshine our occasional unconstructive occurrences. Leaving this thread up simply makes everyone (especially fans of other Universities) think we have a bunch of misfits running around unpoliced. This is not the case. I would like to see this incident put to rest, and that could be started by letting this thread slip down the page.

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 11:20 am

I'll second that motion.