Iowa fans and class
I have noticed recently that fans of Big Ten teams not from OSU, PSU and MSU (and specifically Iowa in this case: http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/few-things-about-iowa-football-you-might-no… )are generally much classier than said counterparts. From what I've seen they say what they have to say, then wish both teams luck and of course say go _____ (insert team affiliation here).
This is a stark difference to me when compared to fans of not only the aforementioned Big Ten teams, but also teams such as Florida, LSU, USC,Texas, OU, ND, etc.
Is it perhaps because these fans (the classy ones) know both the joy of winning and the familiar humble of defeat? I say this because, despite good years on and off, these teams do not have the staying capacity of the powerhouse programs. (This obviously excludes MSU, who for some reason is cockier than a bag of cocks every year despite being a mediocre team on a year-to-year average).
Or is it because the fans from these schools aren't quite as spoiled and pyschotic as the other fans, making them seem better than they really are by comparison?
Or am I just completely, Charlie-Weis-after-a-three-week-chocolate-and-xanax-bender, loony?
This is a stark difference to me when compared to fans of not only the aforementioned Big Ten teams, but also teams such as Florida, LSU, USC,
Is it perhaps because these fans (the classy ones) know both the joy of winning and the familiar humble of defeat? I say this because, despite good years on and off, these teams do not have the staying capacity of the powerhouse programs. (This obviously excludes MSU, who for some reason is cockier than a bag of cocks every year despite being a mediocre team on a year-to-year average).
Or is it because the fans from these schools aren't quite as spoiled and pyschotic as the other fans, making them seem better than they really are by comparison?
Or am I just completely, Charlie-Weis-after-a-three-week-chocolate-and-xanax-bender, loony?
October 6th, 2009 at 4:12 PM ^
I do think, in general you'll see more class from fans of a team that's used to having bad years from time to time. There are exceptions, of course.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:12 PM ^
I would probably agree with the exception being MSU fans. They are by no means a "powerhouse" program. They definitely know the "joy of wining" and the "humble defeat" as you put it but they are still....hmmmm I need a word or 2. Lets just go with obnoxiously stupid.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:13 PM ^
Edited to include said douchebaggery.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:27 PM ^
When we have Sparty to drag our (B10) class level down, any mention of class is throwing stones when in a glass house.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:33 PM ^
I in no way said the B10 is classier than the rest of the conferences, merely that I noticed that fans of teams that are not traditional powerhouses are generally friendlier and classier.
I specifically mentioned the B10 because we are in the B10 and thus I have more of a first-hand knowledge base to work with on these fans than I would have of, say Kansas, Washington, Vanderbilt, etc.
I specifically mentioned the B10 because we are in the B10 and thus I have more of a first-hand knowledge base to work with on these fans than I would have of, say Kansas, Washington, Vanderbilt, etc.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:34 PM ^
I misread that.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:38 PM ^
Shit happens when you party naked.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:30 PM ^
Texas fans are nothing but class. I tailgated next to a bunch of them at the Rose Bowl in 06. There was good natured ribbing before the game and good natured celebrating after they won. Never once did I feel like they did anything that was classless in any way before, during, or after the game.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:37 PM ^
I have no personal experience with Texas fans (as I have with Florida and USC fans as well as the B10 fans), and thus withdraw said comment.
I was more trying to get at the "powerhouse-football-team fans" example, and you've got to admit: Texas is a powerhouse football program.
Hats off to them for being good and classy.
I was more trying to get at the "powerhouse-football-team fans" example, and you've got to admit: Texas is a powerhouse football program.
Hats off to them for being good and classy.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:41 PM ^
What was your experience with SC fans that makes you think they are classless? A better question, were they SC alums or just some random nuts in SoCal or elsewhere?
October 6th, 2009 at 4:47 PM ^
I had some experience while wearing M gear in LA while on vacation (pre-2006) and got a ton of trash talk and such thrown my way prior to the 2006 Rose Bowl (I wasn't at the game mind you, but I was active on some chat boards).
That being said, I don't know which ones were alums and which were not. I'd like to think the alums would be a bit more civil, but I have no way of knowing for sure.
That being said, I don't know which ones were alums and which were not. I'd like to think the alums would be a bit more civil, but I have no way of knowing for sure.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:48 PM ^
We are.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:49 PM ^
I will take you on your word sir.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:57 PM ^
I live in LA and actually get a good number of "Go Blue"'s from random passerby when I'm wearing Michigan apparel. I have yet to be trash talked or anything by SC fans. Actually, one congratulated me on our win against ND when I was grocery shopping after the game. I'm not arguing that SC fans aren't obnoxious, just that I've never had a negative run-in with any of their fans/alumni.
October 6th, 2009 at 8:35 PM ^
I fully deserve the neg for the previous comment. I don't know what I was thinking asking a simple question of someone.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:07 PM ^
One of my best friends is a Texas fan and they ARE used to their share of pain; they had a streak against OU much like ours against OSU now, and there are lots of similarities between our programs (they're ending now, but before the RR-era). Him and the few other TX fans I've met were classy, even LAST YEAR, which says a lot.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:43 PM ^
makes me think of Battleships. The best of a bygone era.
The Hawkeye fans are a cut above, from my experience (somewhat small sample size).
The Hawkeye fans are a cut above, from my experience (somewhat small sample size).
October 6th, 2009 at 4:49 PM ^
Just wait til HartAttack gets on here, he's a history major with a soft spot for naval warfare.
And from my experiences, Iowa fans are indeed a cut above.
And from my experiences, Iowa fans are indeed a cut above.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:52 PM ^
Found another:
October 6th, 2009 at 5:58 PM ^
I always love that picture. The ship is all of 50,000 tons and the recoil moves the ship 50 fucking feet sideways. If you ask me those bad boys ought to still be in service. Naval Gunfire Support: 1 shot, 15 kills.
October 7th, 2009 at 7:51 AM ^
Once railgun tech becomes more than just prototype weaponry, battleships will be back in business (and have a range of hundreds of miles! And Tate-like accuracy!)
October 6th, 2009 at 5:16 PM ^
Eh, for my money the most fearsome warship ever to sail the seas was the Yamato class.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:38 PM ^
did not have a good won/loss record. Lack of air cover made it tough for them. They'd have kicked ass in 1905 or 1918, though.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:46 PM ^
You could say that about every WWII battleship in existence, except for the American ones, because we didn't, you know, get our carriers sunk four at a time.
Really, lack of fuel was a bigger problem anyway. Had they been given free rein to cruise the Pacific they'd have fucked shit up something fierce.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:53 PM ^
So I put my hands up, theyre playin my song
The butterflies fly away, Im noddin my head like Yeah!
Movin my hips like Yeah!
Got my hands up, theyre playin my song
They know Im gonna be okay
Yeah! Its a party in the USA!
Yeah! Its a party in the USA!
October 6th, 2009 at 4:57 PM ^
of buckeye "class" in the video in my signature.
Sorry I don't know how to embed
October 6th, 2009 at 5:02 PM ^
12 fresh lean cow udders
1 pint whipping cream
1 cup brown sugar
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts
1/2 cup butter
1 small smelt, filleted
Soak the cow udders in Nair to remove the hair. Repeat several times if necessary until all hair is removed. Rinse in warm water. Place a stick of butter into a warm frying pan. Wait until all of the butter has melted, then add the cow udders. Fry them for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Chop the artichoke hearts and smelt on a cutting board into fine pieces. In a large bowl, add the whipping cream, brown sugar and the chopped artichokes, and smelt. With a mixer on low, whip until creamy with a consistency like vanilla pudding. Remove the udders from the pan and make a long slice down the side of each udder. Spread the pudding mixture into each slit. Serve warm or cold and have an "Udderly Wonderful" snack.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:30 PM ^
And Iowa fans rank right up there as classy and friendly. These people really wanted you to leave with a positive impression of their city. Same goes for Wisconsin, super passionate fans, but the second the game was over, the Badger fans sitting in front of me were, "How long you in town? Try this place if you want a good meal", etc. I've been well-treated by Purdue fans, Illinois fans, even Penn State fans (of course my visit to Happy Valley predated PSUs Decade of Futility against U of M, which may have had something to do with their good behavior).
October 6th, 2009 at 5:44 PM ^
...and their fans were very welcoming and friendly. Got invited to numerous tailgates while walking around pre-game. Of course, that was before the aforementioned DOF (Decade of Futility...sorry, a little sarcastic shot across the bow at the internet's/text messaging's overuse of abbvs./acronyms).
October 6th, 2009 at 7:28 PM ^
I don't think level of success is really the issue. It's more about how a fanbase feels about Michigan. If a fanbase hates us, they will predictably be rude. If their hate is directed elsewhere, they'll often be more polite. Texas fans were great to us, but I'm sure Oklahoma fans think they're jerks. We just aren't an object of UT's hate.
October 6th, 2009 at 7:42 PM ^
we have to consider football in Iowa City in the years before Hayden Fry showed up on the scene in 1979. I read somewhere that despite the sub .500 finishes throughout the 1970s, Iowa fans remained loyal, didn't leave football games early, and were generally supportive of their football program. They had some lean years back then with guys like Frank Lauterbur and Bobby Commings at the helm, but the support for Hawkeye football in the state is strong regardless, in good and in bad years.
They are pretty classy football fans from my observation, and that goes for basketball games too.
As far as hate goes, I remember that they don't like Nebraska and Iowa State very much.
October 7th, 2009 at 4:49 AM ^
Fans of college football teams anywhere trying to define "class."
We've got our jerks, they've got their jerks, we ALL have jerks and good fans. I've always wondered why so much enrgy is put toward worrying about what other people think and how they act.
And the sheer unadulterated arrogance of feeling one is capable of determining the "class" of entire fan bases or populations based off random, minute samples and/or interactions with them is extremely pretentious at best, and probably disingenuous most of the time.
But--carry on.
October 7th, 2009 at 7:55 AM ^
Then perhaps the definition of 'class' is not letting your jerks be louder than your good fans. i.e.: the jerks are called out for being jerks and thus are "put in their place" by the good fans.