So I feel the need to preface this piece on Syracuse football with some statements of clarification first. If you can’t afford to attend a game in person, I will NEVER guilt anyone into that because I know the feeling myself.
Also, when I write something like this, I’m not insulting people who don’t agree with me or calling them “bad fans”… I’m just trying to point out how we as fans can make a difference if we show up. I’m not here to lecture anyone or guilt-trip anyone but simply discuss why a packed Carrier Dome helps the team and us as a program, and The Loud House’s reputation.
Recently I was honored to speak with the Sportszilla show on ESPN Syracuse/ESPN Utica and one of the points of our discussion was fans helping to give Syracuse football a “Dome” field advantage. In 2014, even the now-retired Bud Poliquin wrote a story about how the Dome can be the #1 venue for home-field advantage.
If you’ve ever been in there when the crowd is loud and proud, you’d agree. Even past opponents and coaches have said over the years that it was a hard venue to play in.
I know…I know…Syracuse football only won one game last season so some fans want the team to prove they’re worthy of a sellout crowd. While I respect that you have a different opinion, this opinion gives me that feeling of my head wanting to explode.
I’m not here to start an argument but rather a discussion, and so I’ll state my points as to why I believe the way I do and why I think fans should show up now and be loud and proud of their home team.
Before I get to the team and program itself, let’s point out a newly renovated Dome for you to enjoy. The concessions will be better this year (though, hopefully, the tasty Dome dogs and Dome nachos remain the same).
I’ve been told there are some automated ways to make concessions a bit faster. I’m also told that the concourse may have a bit more room so that you don’t have to be so friendly with your neighbors on the way out, though I’m sure some of that is more just about 20 lanes heading in different directions at the same time.
And if you follow the Syracuse University athletics account, you’ve likely seen some very cool graphics they have planned for the new amazing scoreboard you’ll get to see finally in person. So this is a fun reason to check out the Dome alone.
Let’s energize our Syracuse football team with a pumped-up, lively Carrier Dome this fall.
But back to the product. I’m a homer who is pro-SU as I’ve admitted many times and likely will often so my takes are likely to surprise nobody. I will go to any game that I can no matter the record or opponent. I look at it like going to my son’s games to support him.
Even if his team went 1-10 last season, I’m still going to go to his games next season if he wants to play. If my daughter has a dance recital and falls, I don’t boo her and tell her I’ll only go back when she can do her routines properly. I go back, I root them on and my hope is they learned from their mistakes and get better. “YES PRINCESS! WAY TO HIT THAT MOVE!”
I know I personally responded better to positive reinforcement than booing me or ignoring me. I knew I had a bad game and my old baseball coach Rocky Curinga would instead of yelling and cursing at me, he’d just work with me at practice the next day to improve what I did wrong because he knew I wanted to get better.
Have you ever heard the Dome when it’s loud? No matter if it’s 17 thousand or 44 thousand, that noise carries, which makes it harder for opponents to call plays and more energetic for the home team to pump that adrenaline in their veins like they just inhaled a giant Mountain Dew.
Have you ever had someone encouraging you and cheering you on and you want to kick it into another gear just because they supported you? Many of these athletes come from high schools with packed bleachers rooting them on and come here hoping for the same but even more.
One of my favorite traditions for Syracuse football (and be sure to check out my boy Jeff’s article about football traditions here) is at the end of the game when the players and cheerleaders among others join together in a singing of the alma mater before heading to Varsity (if they won).
I like it because it’s a form of a bond that they share in a show of love and support for the Orange. I’m a proponent of a supportive network of fans, players and staff. If I’m going to watch something and be a fan of it, I’m going to be fully supportive of them even through the struggles.
Again, I’m not holding a gun to anyone’s head and saying “agree with me or you’re not a true fan”… I’m simply pointing out that in my mind I look at being a fan as providing a positive and supportive environment for the staff, past players, current players and saying to recruits, “Welcome to our family! Come on in and have a seat in our home!”
Not to mention the fact that if you want “better recruits,” don’t you think they might be more attracted to an environment where they can feel the roar of the crowd and the love of the fans? Winning isn’t the only factor in the decision of a 17-year-old kid and their family…it’s the desire to go to a place they’ll feel supported and cared for knowing the next few years, they’re in good hands away from home.
Maybe I’m naïve or maybe it’s just because I know it works for me, but I’m of the belief that we as fans can build a strong relationship and strong program if we do our part and support the team. Go down near the field after the game and clap them off the field.
If they lose, “you’ll get them next time!”, if they drop a pass, reassure them to try again, and if they win, show them you appreciate it especially if you can follow them down to Varsity for the banner flip.
We are one big team and if a teammate drops the ball, we encourage them so that the next time they’re open, they have confidence in themselves to make the play and know we had their back. So even if the team struggled last year, I want to be there to support them, especially after a season where no fans were allowed and now we can come back loud and proud.
I truly believe Syracuse football will be better this year as well, and I personally would love to be there to see it.