Fans At SIU

[buballer82]

Not only was I unimpressed by the 6 inches of space on a bleacher SIU arena has reserved for their seats, I was very dissappointed with the SIU fans. Most times it is a younger crowd that acts immature, yelling, cussing, and throwing projectiles at opposing fans. Sadly the group I was with had all of these things happen not from some rowdy college kids, but some gray headed fans sitting behind us. It started as soon as we took our seats. A group of old women were relentless in downing our team accompanied by saying they needed to wring our necks while putting their hands around my neck. hahaha real funny. It continued all game without letup. We didn't get obnoxious, which mind you 4 guys in there twentys could have easily done. We were very respectful. After cheering loudly while Bradley was coming back in the final minutes of the game, one sixty something year old SIU supporter proceded to throw an object and hit my brother in the head. As he was leaving after the game he told us to watch our backs on the way out. SIU fan, please respect your opponents and their fans!!!! Your actions are completely uncalled for and are not a good representation of SIU or The Valley.

[KillerB]

I'm sorry to hear you had that kind of experience. That was kind of what I expected.. but I had just the opposite. Several people welcomed me after being told I was a Braves fan and we chatted and exchanged some good natured barbs during the game. Of course based on the way the Braves played for 30 minutes.. I mostly was on the receiving end. But I was pleasantly surprised at how nicely I was treated.

[Da Coach]

I sat behind the Bradley bench, and was able to listen to a few of the SIU fans berate and swear at the Bradley coach and players throughout the game. Some of the language would make a sailor blush.
I am sure there are some forms of negative behavior toward visiting teams and coaches at any arena. But I also sit behind the visitors bench at Carver and I have never heard anything even close to what some of the SIU fans felt they had the right to yell.

I talked to a few of the SIU fans and got a bit more insight. They have been spoiled by recent success, and feel cheated that this year's team is not as good and was dominated by Bradley earlier. There is also virtually nothing else for people to do or teams to follow in the Carbondale area. So Saluki basketball is everything to some fans. This probably leads to a little more of the obnoxious type of fan. They represent a small minority, and most are very good fans. It's too bad the administration doesn't do more to discourage the really obnoxious stuff.

[houstontxbrave]

I have been to games at Evansville, Indy State and at SIU... the behavior at all 3 places was and is worse then at any other arena in the conference. This includes when Ive been to CU, ISU and Drake. I have never been to WSU or UNI. Infact Ive seen better behavior and sportsmanship at the OU/Texas game then at the 3 above schools.

This is going to sound however it sounds but I think the behavior has a lot to do with where those fans live daily. They just are a lot less "respectful or acceptable" of anyone other then their own.

[PTownHawkeye]

I have been to a few Valley venues and here are a couple thoughts....just one fan's opinion.

Illinois St: Been there 6 of the past 9 years and have had some pretty bad experiences. I sat with a couple posters on this board at Redbird in the past couple years who can attest to the fact that we are reserved and respectable fans thoughout the whole game, just as I would hope a visitor to Carver would be. However, despite this behavior, we have had ISU fans come just short of challenging us to a fight 2 of the past 4 years. I am a very levelheaded person and would never ever get in a fight over a sporting event, but I have come very close to having to defend myself. It is ironic because I now work 3 blocks from Redbird Arena. In ISU's defense, I have gotten to know many die-hard fans while working down here and have had very positive impressions of almost all of them, and will chalk up my past issues to a few bad eggs in a generally good fanbase.

SIU: Went to one game back in 1999 or 2000. Will never go back. See bubraves82 initial post.

Indiana St: My favorite place to visit...I've been there 4 of the past 5 years and always find their fanbase to be friendly and docile. Since they average such a low attendence, the people who do go to the games tend to be very informed and knowlegable. I plan to make the trek to Terre Haute every year from now on.

UNI: I have had 4 good and fun experiences in Cedar Falls. The fans are good smack talkers and generally have been friendly. One year, a few UNI fans I met even took my roomate and I out to the bar district and bought us drinks after the game...it was a great time. I'm looking forward to going there again tomorrow!

Drake: For being a poor performing team, they always had a great student representation, and that always stood out to me. Their fans are very into the games and I can speak only of good experiences with the 2 times I've been there. Looking forward to going again this year.

Next year, I'm hoping for Saturday games at Mo St and Evansville so I can experience those two atmospheres, but I don't plan to make it to Wichita or Omaha anytime in the near future.

[Guinness]

Uh, its a sports game. Do not enter with virgin ears. Ever been to a Cubs game? Its worse. A group of young middle school Detroit fans came to a game last year with a banner for their team. The whole stadium, young and old, berated them the whole game.

When you walk into a stadium that is not yours, guess what is going to happen...

[Chico]

My 2 favorite arenas from past history are Indiana State and Drake. We were always welcome before and after their games. I still remember going to the Spaghetti Factory after the Les to Hawkins pass game. The Drake fans mingled with our group and wished the Braves well the remainer of the season. The worst arena and fans. The old Redbird Arena and their fans.

[unbekannt]

Uh, its a sports game. Do not enter with virgin ears. Ever been to a Cubs game? Its worse. A group of young middle school Detroit fans came to a game last year with a banner for their team. The whole stadium, young and old, berated them the whole game.

When you walk into a stadium that is not yours, guess what is going to happen...

Very poor argument. Just because some arenas are worse doesn't justify poor fan behavior, particularly throwing objects at games. Poor fan behavior-violence, profanity, and throwing objects-should not be tolerated in sporting arenas. There will obviously always be profanity, but it needs to be limited (ex: ISU's "you $uck ****" chant is unacceptable). When these situations are allowed to continue, people don't want to go to the games or bring their kids to the games. I don't know if I would follow basketball as well as I do if I hadn't been going to BU games since I was very young. When kids don't like your product...

I have been to a Cubs game, and I had no problems. Nor did any non-Cubs fans in our section (I did not sit in the bleachers, which I understand would be worse).

I went to the ISU game last year and won't go back. The fans in our section were aweful and also threw things. I brought this to the attention of the usher who did nothing. You CANNOT throw anything at games (unless it's a hockey puck during intermission or a HR ball). Remember Detroit?

There really needs to be better regulation of this problem at all sporting events. The NFL has begun to tackle this issue (fan removal, staying seated), but the problem almost certainly revolves around alcohol. The ironic thing is that I've never seen visiting fans treated as poorly as BU fans were at ISU eventhough Carver sells beer and ISU does not.

I don't know what the solution is, but it definitely is a problem that needs to be addressed. More security (or EFFECTIVE security) and removing fans for multiple games or a season for bad behavoir would do a lot to deter and decrease poor behavior.

[Guinness]

That is rediculous. Why dont we just babysit everyones actions. No one can swear! Take away the beer! Everyone must behave perfectly!

If you dont like it, dont go. They're not harming you. Swearing, bad language, immoral chants, etc. Grow some thick skin, mommy and daddy cant shelter you forever. They're talking about people throwing empty cups. Again, no harm, no foul.

[lefty]

That is rediculous. Why dont we just babysit everyones actions. No one can swear! Take away the beer! Everyone must behave perfectly!

If you dont like it, dont go. They're not harming you. Swearing, bad language, immoral chants, etc. Grow some thick skin, mommy and daddy cant shelter you forever. They're talking about people throwing empty cups. Again, no harm, no foul.

Yeah that's right people should cuss regardless who's around. They shouldn't have to worry if there are any kids who around who also like to go to college basketball games. They shouldn't have to be considerate of others at all..

Mybe it would be better for all if YOU stayed home and you can cuss and say all you want in the privacy of your living room.

[lefty]

I sat behind the Bradley bench, and was able to listen to a few of the SIU fans berate and swear at the Bradley coach and players throughout the game. Some of the language would make a sailor blush.
I am sure there are some forms of negative behavior toward visiting teams and coaches at any arena. But I also sit behind the visitors bench at Carver and I have never heard anything even close to what some of the SIU fans felt they had the right to yell.

I talked to a few of the SIU fans and got a bit more insight. They have been spoiled by recent success, and feel cheated that this year's team is not as good and was dominated by Bradley earlier. There is also virtually nothing else for people to do or teams to follow in the Carbondale area. So Saluki basketball is everything to some fans. This probably leads to a little more of the obnoxious type of fan. They represent a small minority, and most are very good fans. It's too bad the administration doesn't do more to discourage the really obnoxious stuff.

I've seen and heard some things in my area that I wouldn't repeat...mostly about officials but some about coaches especially when they sat on the other side. But that was also back in the day of some really great coaching rivalries...Herrin,Barnett,Donewald,Smithson,etc

[buballer82]

Guiness, my brother was hit in the head with a quarter. I don't know if you've been hit in the head with coins before but have someone launch some nickels and quarters at your head sometime. Doesn't feel too good at all. Its about treating people with respect. I've been cussed at, heard the immoral chants, etc, but this guy clearly crossed the line.

[numbr_9]

That is rediculous. Why dont we just babysit everyones actions. No one can swear! Take away the beer! Everyone must behave perfectly!

If you dont like it, dont go. They're not harming you. Swearing, bad language, immoral chants, etc. Grow some thick skin, mommy and daddy cant shelter you forever. They're talking about people throwing empty cups. Again, no harm, no foul.

I disagree totally. throwing empty cups or garbage on an opposing fan is ALWAYS unacceptable. dont give me this "mommy and daddy" schtick. there's a civil way to support your team and even taunt opposing fans, and then there's a way to be a classless jack---. I'd hope that all Bradley fans refrain from yelling profanity, threatening violence (which some posters said happened to them, if you took the time to read the whole thread), and throwing garbage of any kind onto other teams fans. What's so bad about expecting people to treat others with respect, as adults should?

[SFP]

Throwing, hitting or physically intimidating any fan is classless and should be dealt with the arena security period. If not I would wonder what the institution is about. I do expect to be harassed a bit but not through profanity when I head to an opposing arena. There are a few places though that I would not wear the away team colors, Boston, NY and Philadelphia but you would expect a university event be filled with educated patrons.

[LoneStar_Brave]

Any abusive language should be unacceptable in any way, shape, or form regarless if you are at a sporting event. I find it difficult to take the "pro harassment" side of the debate. I have yet to be on the receiving end of crass behavior.

I have worn my Cardinal gear in the bleachers at Wrigley and came away with a good experience (Cards were up on the Cubs by about 25 games at the time, so not much trash talking anyway)

When I went to Florida this year, I had several Gators fans make contact with me... primarily to tap me on the shoulder and inquire "Where is Bradley?".

I went to a BU game at SIU many (sigh...many) years ago and didn't observe any problems... of course the stadium was only about 1/2 full and the students were on break.