Game Thread: Mason (8-1) vs. Jacksonville State (2-4), Tuesday, Dec. 3rd, 7:00 PM

[Mason32]

We can create new traditions.

I'd argue that has to happen somewhat naturally

 

[gmubrian]

We can create new traditions.

I don't disagree, but at the risk of violating my self imposed ban on criticizing the AD, it seems as if the Mason (AD)'s tradition is to always be creating new, awkward traditions (pay for the right to tailgate in a parking lot that others park for free in as one example...), never really sticking with something and/or embracing our past.

I'd argue that has to happen somewhat naturally

This is a good point, but, if the AD isn't going to support home grown traditions, they have to at least not hinder them, maybe stay out of the way or turn a blind eye (cough, cough, fan cheer guide, cough, cough).

Hopefully the tailgating will remain long enough to catch on. I have my doubts based on the past, though. I am guessing there won't be that many people the first year (or two if if lasts that long) and they will give up on that and start something else.

 

[MasonSAE4]

We can create new traditions.

Agreed, but tough to have something catch on with so few people at games.

 

[Quentin Daniels]

We can create new traditions.

But not overnight. Traditions are created by years and years of shared experiences.

Like me getting up on a ladder the morning after Thanksgiving and swearing like a drunk sailor that just got stung by a hornet about &^%*#@%& Christmas Lights!!!!!

Sure I could be a big pu$$y and buy the LED projector, but tradition, man. Tradition.

 

[MasonSAE4]

But not overnight. Traditions are created by years and years of shared experiences.

Like me getting up on a ladder the morning after Thanksgiving and swearing like a drunk sailor that just got stung by a hornet about &^%*#@%& Christmas Lights!!!!!

Sure I could be a big pu$$y and buy the LED projector, but tradition, man. Tradition.

Projectors are for commies

 

[patriotchild]

We’ve also created a number of traditions and then immediately abandoned them, particularly those that had visibility during/post final four success (Gunston and gold rush come to mind first).

We’ve also over complicated things like the fight song, patriot platoon, tailgating, our logo, jerseys, school brand, etc.

And then on the other hand we’ve hung on to things, like living on a prayer, for way too long.

at this point the best/most consistent “tradition” we have is doc nix and the green machine.

 

[By George.]

We’ve also created a number of traditions and then immediately abandoned them, particularly those that had visibility during/post final four success (Gunston and gold rush come to mind first).

We’ve also over complicated things like the fight song, patriot platoon, tailgating, our logo, jerseys, school brand, etc.

And then on the other hand we’ve hung on to things, like living on a prayer, for way too long.

at this point the best/most consistent “tradition” we have is doc nix and the green machine.

Bingo!

We’re working on a meeting with both student government and the G-Force together. We’re building a little street team of students, trying to start new traditions.

I love the green machine but they do make it hard to get chants going. I was trying to get a “shake his hand” chant going before the JMU game, I talked to 20 diff students, messaged them on twitter and the band NEVER stops rocking. They have been the sole source of energy for awhile so I get it but multiple meetings need to take place, one with Doc. Some type of Dave Paulsen chant is a must.

 

[masonjoe]

Bingo!

We’re working on a meeting with both student government and the G-Force together. We’re building a little street team of students, trying to start new traditions.

I love the green machine but they do make it hard to get chants going. I was trying to get a “shake his hand” chant going before the JMU game, I talked to 20 diff students, messaged them on twitter and the band NEVER stops rocking. They have been the sole source of energy for awhile so I get it but multiple meetings need to take place, one with Doc. Some type of Dave Paulsen chant is a must.

Didn’t you not really follow the team while a student and then jumped on the bandwagon in 2011? Why are you expecting so many current students do any different?

 

[GMUgemini]

Didn’t you not really follow the team while a student and then jumped on the bandwagon in 2011? Why are you expecting so many current students do any different?

I think we're asking for the students who do show up to games to show a pulse? You're getting like, what, 2% of the undergrad population in that building (maybe 3-4% on a big day? -- what's our record 1,200 during the blizzard game against vcu)?

By the way, would love to bring some European/South American soccer culture into the building and do something different. Check out this video and tell me you wouldn't love to be in some of these stadiums when this is happening:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8S3u81zc4U


p.s. I know you ain't bringing in smoke bombs and giant, complex Tifo signs that fill the entire arena.

 

[By George.]

Didn’t you not really follow the team while a student and then jumped on the bandwagon in 2011? Why are you expecting so many current students do any different?

Was I attending every Mason game when I went to NOVA? Nope. Went to a couple but have gone hard since 2009. Do I expect younger students to fill 3/4 of their section, galvanize and bring max energy? Yes. We are working on assisting this.

I actually wish your trolling was accurate....or funny....

 

[gmubrian]

Bingo!

We’re working on a meeting with both student government and the G-Force together. We’re building a little street team of students, trying to start new traditions.

I love the green machine but they do make it hard to get chants going. I was trying to get a “shake his hand” chant going before the JMU game, I talked to 20 diff students, messaged them on twitter and the band NEVER stops rocking. They have been the sole source of energy for awhile so I get it but multiple meetings need to take place, one with Doc. Some type of Dave Paulsen chant is a must.

You guys are doing awesome work! Keep it up. You remind me of myself back in the day, except you guys are making real inroads.

A suggestion to consider. Include the fraternities as well. Pick something simple at first, not necessarily specific to the opponent, just something that can be repeated at every game. Maybe at the same time each game or in the same situation. Maybe a specific chant after a made 3 point shot. It doesn’t even have to be totally related to the three point shot. Just something simple that everyone can learn easy and know when to do it. Something even corny that we can make our own by doing it over and over.

 

[patriotchild]

Didn’t you not really follow the team while a student and then jumped on the bandwagon in 2011? Why are you expecting so many current students do any different?

Come on. No one was doing this when we were good. There was no bandwagon after 2011. The fact that these guys have put so much effort into this since then is commendable and a true labor of love. Who gives a crap when they started following the team. Imagine how much darker this period would be without the effort.

 

[GMUgemini]

Come on. No one was doing this when we were good. There was no bandwagon after 2011. The fact that these guys have put so much effort into this since then is commendable and a true labor of love. Who gives a crap when they started following the team. Imagine how much darker this period would be without the effort.

Yeah, I mean, the whole thing fell apart immediately after 2011...any bandwagon under construction turned into a burning pile of sticks that got pushed off a cliff.

 

[Mason32]

Was I attending every Mason game when I went to NOVA? Nope. Went to a couple but have gone hard since 2009. Do I expect younger students to fill 3/4 of their section, galvanize and bring max energy? Yes. We are working on assisting this.

I actually wish your trolling was accurate....or funny....

Wait you didn’t even attend Mason?

 

[GMU1983]

Bingo!

We’re working on a meeting with both student government and the G-Force together. We’re building a little street team of students, trying to start new traditions.

I love the green machine but they do make it hard to get chants going. I was trying to get a “shake his hand” chant going before the JMU game, I talked to 20 diff students, messaged them on twitter and the band NEVER stops rocking. They have been the sole source of energy for awhile so I get it but multiple meetings need to take place, one with Doc. Some type of Dave Paulsen chant is a must.

You are correct green machine is great but sometimes they need to stop playing. Especially after an opponents time out caused by our great play or a comeback. They suck student involvement right out of the arena.

 

[sleeperpick]

You are correct green machine is great but sometimes they need to stop playing. Especially after an opponents time out caused by our great play or a comeback. They suck student involvement right out of the arena.

Unpopular opinion but you are correct. They also have yelled the sit down stupid chant multiple times in the past for a fouled out opponent during our free throw attempts

 

[GMU1983]

Unpopular opinion but you are correct. They also have yelled the sit down stupid chant multiple times in the past for a fouled out opponent during our free throw attempts

I don’t know how the administration doesn’t get it. One discussion between doc nix, the cheerleaders, and the overhead music guy and it all could work to maximize noise and student involvement. This is easy. We all deal with complicated and complex problems at work and this is not complicated. They send us surveys after the season and I have said this over and over again!

 

[99 Patriot]

Thank god these boards have something to complain about when we're 9-1. I was worried I was going to come here and find optimism, or maybe a fun nickname for our "J" lineup of Jamal, Javon, Justin, Jordan and AJ. Instead we're back to crowd engagement, not facing elite teams in an early season tournament and explaining how we're still not likely to be that good in conference. All that said, kudos to those who are trying to improve things and not just add to the list of complaints.

 

[Mason32]

I don’t know how the administration doesn’t get it. One discussion between doc nix, the cheerleaders, and the overhead music guy and it all could work to maximize noise and student involvement. This is easy. We all deal with complicated and complex problems at work and this is not complicated. They send us surveys after the season and I have said this over and over again!

Is it an issue with the admin trying to please the old season ticket holders because EBA is strictly run as a business because of the relationship with Washington Monument sports? Do other schools have more freedom to operate without such agreements?

 

[By George.]

Wait you didn’t even attend Mason?

NOVA isn’t a 4 year school...I then got my degree at Mason, while living with Chris who told me to come to games with him routinely. I then graduated and had season tickets through the recent alumni package. Once that ran out, we (Chris and Bryan) started By George and then teamed up with Giant Killer. Why my fan hood is in question is beyond me, who else was in the Caymans?! You’re welcome for doing my best to change the culture at EBA.

A lot of good ideas in this thread, if any of you would like to join me in a meeting with Brad to voice concerns, I could probably make that happen. One of the issues is, we bitch on here and to our friends but no one actually hears us. Yes the fan guide was a great idea but the school will never be comfortable with language like “suck on that” but we could probably hand it out to students before they enter the building and brand it with the Masonhoops logo or something.

Yes, we’re 9-1 and this sounds like just bitching but players constantly talk about needing our hype, feeding off of it and the effects it has on pulling recruits when they’re watching the game at EBA.