OT: Whiteout creator fired from Penn State

Submitted by UMxWolverines on

He didn't originate the whiteout (Winnipeg did) but he was the one who made it so effective in Happy Valley. 

He was also responsible for Zombie Nation and all the other RAWK music (minor league baseball) stuff Penn State plays. 

Most of the fans on their 247 board are happy about this. A lot of them sound like blue-hair "get off my lawn" people, but they feel like their atmosphere has gotten way out of control. They make similar comments to ours about wanting the majority of music to come from the marching band. 

http://pennstate.247sports.com/Board/18/Bye-Bye-Minor-League-Baseball-A… http://www.statecollege.com/news/local-news/penn-state-football-top-5-c…

How do you personally feel about so much music at Michigan Stadium the past three years?

manchild56

February 28th, 2012 at 11:11 PM ^

the RAWK MUSIC but I can see why some people do not like it. But I am sorry I have never seen the band pump the crowd up like I witnessed at the UTL game this past season. The Big House was straight rocking.

UMgradMSUdad

February 28th, 2012 at 11:11 PM ^

Just reading the headline my thought was, I didn't know Mike Nesmith's mother worked at Penn State.

I do think the music is often over done, but then again, I remember when short, tight basketball shorts were in style, so what do I know.

lonewolf371

February 28th, 2012 at 11:18 PM ^

I'd hope that some people feel as I do that Seven Nation Army is waaayyyy over-used. It seemed like that song was being played 5 times a game. I'm fine with a little RAWK music, but I think it should be used a little more sparingly, and preferably play songs that aren't beaten to death by every other school in college athletics (like Seven Nation Army and Kernkraft).

RickH

February 29th, 2012 at 12:12 AM ^

I agree, wish we could find some original songs to play, especially for an intro.  I'm extremely jealous of my current school's song, Enter Sandman.  Don't know how it would work with a noon game time though, might have to be restricted for later games (if we ever found a song).

UMxWolverines

February 29th, 2012 at 12:54 AM ^

Enter Sandman belongs and was made popular by Virginia Tech. Besides, we have In the Big House. And no, I am not being sarcastic. If the beginning of that song doesn't fire you up there's something wrong with you. As long as it it's stopped in time for The Victors it definitely works.

MGoAero

February 29th, 2012 at 9:38 AM ^

I really miss the quiet anticipation while waiting to see the team poke its head out of the tunnel, and hearing the crowd slowly get to a boil until the team is released, the band starts playing, and the crowd erupts.  Now, the loudest period of time is when "In the Big House" is played before we can even see the team.  When the band takes over, it's quieter and kind of a let-down.

AmaizingBlue3

February 28th, 2012 at 11:37 PM ^

I don't mind it the music, I think Seven Nation Army is a pretty good hype song, though I know it's played quite a bit by everyone. Some of their songs choices are pretty interesting. Like "Sweet Caroline" at really intense moments in the game. Also, I find it pretty hilarious they've started playing the beginning of "The Whisper Song" by the Yin-Yang Twins. Has anyone else noticed that?

RLS-Jr

February 28th, 2012 at 11:51 PM ^

I admit that I love SNA and the sea of yellow pom poms at the big games. Whatever it takes to pump up the crowd. Flo Rida "I got a feeling" = yes. Journey and Eminem work. Fill me up buttercup = not so much.

MGoBosch

February 29th, 2012 at 12:06 AM ^

For those of you who have been to a Penn State home game, especially at night, you know that their atmosphere is unreal. Songs like zombie nation, the white pom poms, the shitty construction, etc, make that entire stadium rock like very few places on earth. I guarantee they sold those moments to recruits in the past. In a time of desperation for that fanbase, i'm surprised they would move away from someone who has garnered them national attention in a positive way. 

HELLE

February 29th, 2012 at 1:23 AM ^

and I definitely agree with the shitty construction. As far as the atmosphere, I felt like I was in the middle of an ESPN production. During UTL I never even thought about ESPN, but at PSU the pre and post game interviews were broadcast throughout the stadium. It was definitely a different feel than the Big House, maybe even a little forced.

BlueDragon

February 29th, 2012 at 1:56 AM ^

College athletics demands a certain level of musical showmanship to build atmosphere and fire up the crowd. Bands are traditionally used to accomplish this, but are hard to hear. Fortunately miking was introduced recently to Michigan Stadium enabling the band to be heard throughout the stadium. I remember walking through the upper decks of the stadium only being able to hear the clapping parts of The Victors because the band was too far away. Miking makes the marching band modus operandi less absurd in an electronic age.

The other side of the coin is canned music. Its quality varies widely. I believe that it too has a place in the stadium environment, but it is especially easy to overdo it, as in our Beaver Stadium example. It is necessary to play canned music from time to time to help make the gameday experience more universal and to conform to our pre-established ideas of what a collegiate athletic competition ought to include. The playing of the music also helps to impose our own unique rhythms and pacing to the gameday experience. For example, Ohio Stadium likes to play Hell's Bells before kickoffs, and it energizes the crowd, and the players. You don't have to sing along to 7NA if you don't want to. I will probably not sing along with you.

WolverineHistorian

February 29th, 2012 at 3:02 PM ^

Miking the band was a good idea.  The only problem that comes with miking is the delay of the sound on the speakers.  The north end zone is a full 2 seconds ahead of the south end zone.  So while the Victors is being played, the fists on every "Hail" are coming up at different times and one side of the stadium is still singing while the other is finished.   

bo_lives

February 29th, 2012 at 2:00 AM ^

The band does an amazing job and I prefer them over the piped-in music MOST of the time. But sometimes there are just situations that call for 7 Nation Army and there's nothing you can do about it except embrace the madness.

MGoSoftball

February 29th, 2012 at 12:50 PM ^

fine by me.  But between every snap?  Come on. 

Enter Sandman should be played before the Hype VId.  Then 7 Nation should be played during opening kickoff.  Then Intruder Song should be played in 2nd Qtr.  Journey at half-time.  Kid Rock in the 3rd Qtr and Eminem in the 4th.  That is it, 'nuff said.

 

Never: Pop Evil, Sweet Caroline, or Katy Perry.

mgoblueben

February 29th, 2012 at 2:41 AM ^

Hell, whatever it takes to get the alumni off their rear ends and cheering is fine by me.  4 years  in the student section pumped every game and giving it my all to now being told to sit down and not be so loud so some old folks can act like theyre watching the masters.  If the victors or a go blue chant doesnt get you going then something is wrong.

born1ntheArbor

February 29th, 2012 at 11:46 AM ^

I've sat near old people who are just as raucaus as the student section.  There can't seriously be fans who make other fans sit down and not be so loud. Unless the person they are talking to has decided to strip naked and scream straight into their ears. 

I like that Michigan has a reputation for having some of the nicest at home fans. But it's not like you can't be cordial but still scream your head off during the game.

maiznbob

February 29th, 2012 at 4:20 AM ^

spongebob and let him rock out with the Bikini band doing the Final Countdown. Wouldn't that look great for a night game on the jumbotrons, and before you say anything, I only had one drink...really.

BlueLotCrew

February 29th, 2012 at 9:00 AM ^

As long as it is relavent and does a good job of firing up the crowd and more importantly the team. Coming out of a time out when you're on defense trying to get a stop can be difficult if the crowd isn't into it. Most of the music has been fine, but more AC/DC and less Neil Diamond is always a good thing. The band is fine but let's be honest, it does nothing for an impromptu energy blast. The band has halftime, luckily thats when I leave for the bathrooms. HAIL!

Kevbot

February 29th, 2012 at 9:05 AM ^

This is one of the few nice things about Purdue football games (I'm a student there)...the band does seem to play a lot more compared to the most recent Michigan games I've been to. It's the same with our basketball games, the band is very active in both of those sporting events.

Tater

February 29th, 2012 at 9:50 AM ^

I'm not so ignorant as to criticize any genre of music.  Anything that is up-tempo and gets people going is fine.  Old style band music, classic rock, rap, hip-hop, country, mainstream (nee "alternative"): it's all music.  A good song is a good song regardless of genre.

I know the thread has gone more toward the Big House, but going to a game anywhere has changed drastically the last twenty years or so.  It's not the genre that is irritating people in the Big House or anywhere else; it's the amount of stimulus that is being pumped into every stadium at every game, pro or college.  

There is no "white space" anymore.  The people in charge of the music in a lot of venues seem to forget that the game itself is the attraction, and don't allow it to "breathe."  It's as though most people in charge of any pro or college sport now think that if they give people ten seconds without action, blaring music, or cheesy contests, they will get up and leave.  

 

VermontMichiganFan

February 29th, 2012 at 10:49 AM ^

When the stadium was redone a lot of the thinking was what the staff and players wanted (more noise from the stadium design).

So UM has an interest in thinking about players and staff (to get a tactical advantage).  Is there any research about how much any of the color-out, or music impacts anything on the field?  Or do the players have really strong opinions- for example do recruits come and see that and like it- or do players encourage these type of events to happen to get a better home-field advantage?

I'd be interested to see if anyone knows those answers- or if this is first and foremost a way for the school to capitalize on sales/advertising for money (which I think is a fine idea).

Thanks

Wohlverine

February 29th, 2012 at 12:12 PM ^

As long as I never hear "In The Big House" by Pop Evil again, I'll feel a little better about the RAWK music. That song is embarrassing. I don't mind some of the piped-in music, but they need to do a better job of selecting songs appropriate for each scenario. I'm pretty sure they played "Build Me Up Buttercup" at the end of the Ohio State game which totally deflated the crowd in my opinion. Awful song choice. I will always prefer the marching band to anything else, but "the times, they are a'changin'.''