we have a long ways to go

[MSUCATFAN]

It seems the Griz have sold out every seat for every game this year in one hour. WOW. As much as is pisses me off to see this, they are marketing the crap out of this state, and it is working. I know we have come a long way, and I love seeing the stands nearly filled, but we still have a long way to go. They have better facilities, better marketing, and more importantly, the griz game day experience kills our game day experience. I hope the people that make the decision recognize some changes need to be made. We should not be content with mediocracy. Maybe we need to do some research on bigger schools and what works for them to make the bobcat game day experience more appealing.

[DriftCat]

Personally, I don't need a dancing bear, smoke machines, or whatever else they have going on up there. I never been to a MSU game where I have not had a great time.......unless they lose. I love the Cats and will cheer for them stadium renovations or not.

[CARDIAC_CATS]

Personally, I don't need a dancing bear, smoke machines, or whatever else they have going on up there. I never been to a MSU game where I have not had a great time.......unless they lose. I love the Cats and will cheer for them stadium renovations or not.

Exactly! I have many Griz fans that come up with me to the Bozeman games and they love the games. They also say the tailgating is WAYYYY better so we do have that on them on game day. We are there to have fun and cheer on our team ... what more do we need!

[CARDIAC_CATS]

Maybe we need to do some research on bigger schools and what works for them to make the bobcat game day experience more appealing.

What do you recommend? I know a lot of big schools have their 'synched' up cheers and stuff like that. I actually am too into the game to watch a mascot run into the goalpost over and over and over etc. All that fluff I don't really care about except for the football game.

[MSUCATFAN]

I don't claim to have all the answers, and do enjoy the games, but when you go to a griz game, there is just a buz or feeling in the stadium when you are there, that is not there in our stadium. Even playing in the griz stadium, there is a different feeling than in the cat stadium.

I do agree that our tailgating experience is way better.

[MSU01]

I strongly disagree with the statement that the Griz have a significantly better gameday experience than we do. Here's what the Griz have: More people in the seats. Of course that is going to generate somewhat of a better atmosphere, but you can't deny that Bobcat Stadium is a great place to watch a game as well. I couldn't possibly care less about mascot antics or videos on the big screen...I'm there to watch a football game.

Constantly comparing the MSU football facilities to the Griz is counterproductive because then we forget just how good we do have it in comparison to the likes of ISU, Sac (Hornet Stadium is AWFUL), EWU, etc...we do need improvements and they're going to happen, but it's not going to all happen at once and (let's be realistic here) we're never going to completely catch up with the Griz stadium!

[CARDIAC_CATS]

I don't claim to have all the answers, and do enjoy the games, but when you go to a griz game, there is just a buz or feeling in the stadium when you are there, that is not there in our stadium. Even playing in the griz stadium, there is a different feeling than in the cat stadium.

I do agree that our tailgating experience is way better.

I know I always have a 'buzz' feeling when I'm in Bobcat stadium Maybe that is the Jagermeister though

[mslacatfan]

It seems the Griz have sold out every seat for every game this year in one hour. WOW. As much as is pisses me off to see this, they are marketing the crap out of this state, and it is working. I know we have come a long way, and I love seeing the stands nearly filled, but we still have a long way to go. They have better facilities, better marketing, and more importantly, the griz game day experience kills our game day experience. I hope the people that make the decision recognize some changes need to be made. We should not be content with mediocracy. Maybe we need to do some research on bigger schools and what works for them to make the bobcat game day experience more appealing.

Just win! Thats all the cats have to do, just win. Thats how the griz got to were they are right now, they have won or shared the big sky title for like 16 years or something crazy. Also, I disagree with you for the most part, I think over the past 5 years the Bobcat games have been AMAZING (and get better every year), the gameday experience is incredible, we sold out our season tickets as well (a month earlier than the previous record). There is a reason I am literally counting the days until our first home game, I think your crazy if you can find anything negative to say about our gameday experience-

[BearCat]

It seems the Griz have sold out every seat for every game this year in one hour. WOW. As much as is pisses me off to see this, they are marketing the crap out of this state, and it is working. I know we have come a long way, and I love seeing the stands nearly filled, but we still have a long way to go. They have better facilities, better marketing, and more importantly, the griz game day experience kills our game day experience. I hope the people that make the decision recognize some changes need to be made. We should not be content with mediocracy. Maybe we need to do some research on bigger schools and what works for them to make the bobcat game day experience more appealing.

Just win! Thats all the cats have to do, just win. Thats how the griz got to were they are right now, they have won or shared the big sky title for like 16 years or something crazy. Also, I disagree with you for the most part, I think over the past 5 years the Bobcat games have been AMAZING (and get better every year), the gameday experience is incredible, we sold out our season tickets as well (a month earlier than the previous record). There is a reason I am literally counting the days until our first home game, I think your crazy if you can find anything negative to say about our gameday experience-

The field sucks, the scoreboard sucks, the seating sucks, the sound system sucks, and the pepsi zone is a joke. It also feels like your sitting inside a mini-storage site. Also, the reason that the Griz have the facilities that they do is : They Plan Ahead! What a novel idea. Instead of just slapping some aluminum building together they laid out the plans of how they were going to add on in 5 7, 10, 12 etc years down the line. It's that way across MSU. Nobody ever plans ahead and it's frustrating as hell. Until the enitre MSU campus catches up to UM as a whole, MSU will always be behind and whining about how much better UM has it. They don't have anymore resources than we do, they just do a better job with what they have. Go to Cat Griz - Bozeman this year, then go in Missoula next year and try to tell me that the UM gameday experience isn't at least 20 time better than MSU's. JMHO

[CelticCat]

I can understand your disdain for seating, speakers, etc.

But the field? The groundscrew does an excellent job! Yes it gets beat up and gets muddy, but it is a grass field in Montana winter, what do you expect?

Unless you expect fake grass, with no imperfections whatsoever.

[Hell's Bells]

It seems the Griz have sold out every seat for every game this year in one hour. WOW. As much as is pisses me off to see this, they are marketing the crap out of this state, and it is working. I know we have come a long way, and I love seeing the stands nearly filled, but we still have a long way to go. They have better facilities, better marketing, and more importantly, the griz game day experience kills our game day experience. I hope the people that make the decision recognize some changes need to be made. We should not be content with mediocracy. Maybe we need to do some research on bigger schools and what works for them to make the bobcat game day experience more appealing.

Just win! Thats all the cats have to do, just win. Thats how the griz got to were they are right now, they have won or shared the big sky title for like 16 years or something crazy. Also, I disagree with you for the most part, I think over the past 5 years the Bobcat games have been AMAZING (and get better every year), the gameday experience is incredible, we sold out our season tickets as well (a month earlier than the previous record). There is a reason I am literally counting the days until our first home game, I think your crazy if you can find anything negative to say about our gameday experience-

The field sucks, the scoreboard sucks, the seating sucks, the sound system sucks, and the pepsi zone is a joke. It also feels like your sitting inside a mini-storage site. Also, the reason that the Griz have the facilities that they do is : They Plan Ahead! What a novel idea. Instead of just slapping some aluminum building together they laid out the plans of how they were going to add on in 5 7, 10, 12 etc years down the line. It's that way across MSU. Nobody ever plans ahead and it's frustrating as hell. Until the enitre MSU campus catches up to UM as a whole, MSU will always be behind and whining about how much better UM has it. They don't have anymore resources than we do, they just do a better job with what they have. Go to Cat Griz - Bozeman this year, then go in Missoula next year and try to tell me that the UM gameday experience isn't at least 20 time better than MSU's. JMHO

for a stadium built in the 70's it is pretty damn good if you ask me

[FTG06']

You know what this whole thing reminds me of? A spoiled two year old who gets every flippin' thing they ask for. Who gives a crap about what dUMb has? GO OUT AND WIN, THAT'S ALL WE SHOULD CARE ABOUT!!!! Our stadium is good enough, and more importantly, so is our team. That stadium will become even more full if we WIN. Ash knows that, the players know that, and we should all know that as well.

And who knows, maybe we'll end up with all of UM's stuff if we decide to go deep in the playoffs a few years in a row.......

[GOKATS]

The field sucks, the scoreboard sucks, the seating sucks, the sound system sucks, and the pepsi zone is a joke. It also feels like your sitting inside a mini-storage site. Also, the reason that the Griz have the facilities that they do is : They Plan Ahead! What a novel idea. Instead of just slapping some aluminum building together they laid out the plans of how they were going to add on in 5 7, 10, 12 etc years down the line. It's that way across MSU. Nobody ever plans ahead and it's frustrating as hell. Until the enitre MSU campus catches up to UM as a whole, MSU will always be behind and whining about how much better UM has it. They don't have anymore resources than we do, they just do a better job with what they have. Go to Cat Griz - Bozeman this year, then go in Missoula next year and try to tell me that the UM gameday experience isn't at least 20 time better than MSU's. JMHO

Despite your sig, I suspect you're much more 'dark pink' than 'blue & gold'. When you talk about the entire campus, MSU beats UM hands down. Granted they have a better FB facility.

As far as your comments about the game day experience being at least 20 times better, you're obviously impressed with 'smoke & foo foo'.

To me, the game is having a great tailgate atmosphere and watching football. griz tailgating consists of either being invited to a corporate shindig or standing in line at the booster booth waiting to get a beer (BTW- since that's all there is I've enjoyed it and had good times chatting w/ griz fans).

I much prefer the tailgate atmosphere at MSU- real tailgating & I don't care if it's grass, mud, or snow- Bobcat fans are not pampered whimps. JMHO

[Nick]

You know what this whole thing reminds me of? A spoiled two year old who gets every flippin' thing they ask for. Who gives a crap about what dUMb has? GO OUT AND WIN, THAT'S ALL WE SHOULD CARE ABOUT!!!! Our stadium is good enough, and more importantly, so is our team. That stadium will become even more full if we WIN. Ash knows that, the players know that, and we should all know that as well.

And who knows, maybe we'll end up with all of UM's stuff if we decide to go deep in the playoffs a few years in a row.......

No smack intended, but partly the reason the GRIZ continue to be good every year is the recruiting power of the facilities.

....So I don't think to "go out and win" is all you should care about. The two go hand-in-hand.

[BearCat]

You know what this whole thing reminds me of? A spoiled two year old who gets every flippin' thing they ask for. Who gives a crap about what dUMb has? GO OUT AND WIN, THAT'S ALL WE SHOULD CARE ABOUT!!!! Our stadium is good enough, and more importantly, so is our team. That stadium will become even more full if we WIN. Ash knows that, the players know that, and we should all know that as well.

And who knows, maybe we'll end up with all of UM's stuff if we decide to go deep in the playoffs a few years in a row.......

No smack intended, but partly the reason the GRIZ continue to be good every year is the recruiting power of the facilities.

....So I don't think to "go out and win" is all you should care about. The two go hand-in-hand.

[gtapp]

I love the game day experience in Bozeman. Could it be improved? YES! But if no changes were made for the next 20 years I could live with that. I have to admit that improved facilities would improve recruiting to some degree but any changes to improve the fan experience would be minimal. Some changes which would be helpful:

Closing the stadium in would create more noise (and possibly more empty seats). Increased sound from fans cheering would be a bonus.

If the sound system was improved the music could be louder without it being painful to the ears. Clear sound played loudly is more tolerable than a lower volume of noise.

A big screen (like UM) would be nice but only if it was used to show replays. If you just play commercials then keep the one we have.

A larger and better band would be great! Our band is much to small to get the crowd into it. If you have to give partial scholarships to do it fine.

[GOKATS]

You know what this whole thing reminds me of? A spoiled two year old who gets every flippin' thing they ask for. Who gives a crap about what dUMb has? GO OUT AND WIN, THAT'S ALL WE SHOULD CARE ABOUT!!!! Our stadium is good enough, and more importantly, so is our team. That stadium will become even more full if we WIN. Ash knows that, the players know that, and we should all know that as well.

And who knows, maybe we'll end up with all of UM's stuff if we decide to go deep in the playoffs a few years in a row.......

No smack intended, but partly the reason the GRIZ continue to be good every year is the recruiting power of the facilities.

....So I don't think to "go out and win" is all you should care about. The two go hand-in-hand.

No smack intended, but when the griz have Mr. Personality (hauck) as the recruiter it's a damn good thing that you have top notch facilities to draw recruits.

[longhorn_22]

I love the game day experience in Bozeman. Could it be improved? YES! But if no changes were made for the next 20 years I could live with that. I have to admit that improved facilities would improve recruiting to some degree but any changes to improve the fan experience would be minimal. Some changes which would be helpful:

Closing the stadium in would create more noise (and possibly more empty seats). Increased sound from fans cheering would be a bonus.

If the sound system was improved the music could be louder without it being painful to the ears. Clear sound played loudly is more tolerable than a lower volume of noise.

A big screen (like UM) would be nice but only if it was used to show replays. If you just play commercials then keep the one we have.

A larger and better band would be great! Our band is much to small to get the crowd into it. If you have to give partial scholarships to do it fine.

I will never be for a closed stadium. Ever. It takes WAY too much away from the gameday experience in Montana. Real grass and outdoors in Bozeman is the best way to go.

[cats2506]

First let me give a little background as to where I coming from.

I grew up 40 miles from Bozeman and through high school went to one game a year. (MSU had a program that gave tickets to a game to high school teams) I went to college at NMC (now MSU Northern) when I got out of college I had a friend play on the team and he got me tickets for almost every home game, the year was 1984.

I move away and always watched the Cats in the paper but not real closely. I never was a griz fan but when I returned to Montana I saw that they had a benefactor give them a new stadium and they were able to really capitalize on it. I think that is good for them but I don’t really go for the marketing.

A few years ago my son became interested in football in a big way, luckily he had the good sense to be a natural Cat fan and I became much more interested in the program.

Last year we went to 3 games including the playoff game. The field was in excellent shape late in the season, I think the game day experience was great and I have attended games at OU in Norman and in Texas stadium. I also like the fact that we play on real grass.

I don’t want the MSU game day experience to become like the griz, remember that is the left side of Montana. I like to think that MSU is still a MONTANA school and not little California. I wouldn’t want to live over there either.

We do need more seats and I would like to see the one end bowled but there is nothing wrong with what we have. I am not saying that we shouldn’t try to improve it but stop worrying about what happens on the left side of the state and think about what would be best for Bobcat Football.

[bobcatbob]

The game day expereince at Bobcat Stadium is just as good as the Griz I agree. Where we could do better is more support from the business community around town. When you go to Missoula every business is all decked out in Griz stuff. We need to do a better job in that area. Winning is a cure all for a lot of what has been stated. We have done a great job over the past few years--we need to suatain it and even do better!

LET'S GO CATS