A Serious Suggestion Regarding Seating/Stadium Noise

[The Hack]

We have our umpteenth thread about crowd noise, or the lack thereof, running, so I thought I would introduce an idea and see if it meets with approval.
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Create sections of the stadium designated as "yell like hell" sections. In other words, set aside several sections where everyone is expected to stand and make noise, and let folks who don't wish to do so have their sections. State in the ticket policies that no one will be admonished for standing and yelling in the sections so set aside.
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This has sort of happened by accident in the past. I was unable to attend last year's Arkansas game, but in the last 5 minutes, the crowd was amazing, making it almost impossible to hear the radio guys. I assumed the quietest fans had left the earliest, leaving behind the rowdiest, who were all downstairs when the comeback happened.

[Joe Hardy]

that's an ok idea, I guess.

in reality though why should we need to section off people who aren't there to cheer on the team. This isn't a broadway performance....this isn't a ballet for people to spend a quiet night out at. It's a football game. I just don't see how people can watch games on tv that take place in Knoxville, Gainesville, Baton Rouge, Columbus, South Bend, Ann Arbor, Happy Valley...etc and not see the way those crowds act compared to ours. Those places would never think of having a "quiet section" because you know what...it would be empty. No tickets sold.

but like I said about recruiting in the other thread. if people want to keep Commonwealth a "tomb", then don't expect any big time players to ever want to be a part of the program.

[leroybyrd]

Is this really all we can expect? Will our fans never learn what it is to be a football fan?

I sat in the Florida section this year for the Florida game. This should be required service for every UK fan, they should be required to sit in the Florida section just once for a UK-UF game.

Those are real football fans. Very loud when they needed to be, very quiet when they needed to be. Stood up about 80% of the game, like it was expected of them, like they wouldn't think of doing anything else.

[The Hack]

Joe, nothing in my post was designed to creat a quiet zone, but rather to provide protection for the loudest among us. We have heard stories of people kicked out for standing up and making noise. I have had arguments with folks behind me about standing up. It tends to dampen the mood for standing up. Hence, if I were in a section where I could, I'd be up almost all the time. I think this could increase noise, not by creating quiet zones, but zones where you are expected to make noise, and stand up.

[Watchtower]

Originally Posted by Joe Hardy

that's an ok idea, I guess.

in reality though why should we need to section off people who aren't there to cheer on the team. This isn't a broadway performance....this isn't a ballet for people to spend a quiet night out at. It's a football game. I just don't see how people can watch games on tv that take place in Knoxville, Gainesville, Baton Rouge, Columbus, South Bend, Ann Arbor, Happy Valley...etc and not see the way those crowds act compared to ours. Those places would never think of having a "quiet section" because you know what...it would be empty. No tickets sold.

but like I said about recruiting in the other thread. if people want to keep Commonwealth a "tomb", then don't expect any big time players to ever want to be a part of the program.

Some people like to WATCH the game while others want to stand, yell and cheer. I have never liked "the wave" because it takes away from the game. Big time players go where the coaches are good. I've been to all of the stadiums listed above except Ann Arbor. If the fans have something to cheer about, they cheer. If they don't have something to cheer about, they go silent. Great example: 1998: Baton Rouge: UK silenced the LSU crowd. Another: UGA 1976: Prince Charles in attendance: UK turned Sanford Stadium into a tomb. Ramsay had all the dawgs reeling. I don't remember the UNC fans cheering in the Peach Bowl. Most left early.

[Doug Hardin]

I think there are a lot of people like me who would like to stand and scream on every defensive play (not just critical third downs), but we're too polite and/or non-confrontational to do that when there are people around us who wouldn't be able to see the game if we did that.

I wish it weren't necessary, but I think Hack has a decent idea.

[poodoo]

Originally Posted by The Hack

We have our umpteenth thread about crowd noise, or the lack thereof, running, so I thought I would introduce an idea and see if it meets with approval.
-
Create sections of the stadium designated as "yell like hell" sections. In other words, set aside several sections where everyone is expected to stand and make noise, and let folks who don't wish to do so have their sections. State in the ticket policies that no one will be admonished for standing and yelling in the sections so set aside.
-
This has sort of happened by accident in the past. I was unable to attend last year's Arkansas game, but in the last 5 minutes, the crowd was amazing, making it almost impossible to hear the radio guys. I assumed the quietest fans had left the earliest, leaving behind the rowdiest, who were all downstairs when the comeback happened.

Yes, Hack, in general, the "rowdiest" had been left inside the stadium. Too, the coaches and players noted that it had been much louder with the small amount of fans who had remained. Maybe some fans did move down, but I had not noticed, for I had been too busy stomping and screaming and watching the game.

Like Doug, I would love to stand and scream on EVERY defensive down. If your plan were adopted, I guess Mr. Poodoo and I would just have to separate for the length of the games, though. Oh, yes, if such sections were available, I'd do just that -- in support of our football Cats.

[trueUKgamer]

Originally Posted by poodoo

Yes, Hack, in general, the "rowdiest" had been left inside the stadium. Too, the coaches and players noted that it had been much louder with the small amount of fans who had remained. Maybe some fans did move down, but I had not noticed, for I had been too busy stomping and screaming and watching the game.

Like Doug, I would love to stand and scream on EVERY defensive down. If your plan were adopted, I guess Mr. Poodoo and I would just have to separate for the length of the games, though. Oh, yes, if such sections were available, I'd do just that -- in support of our football Cats.

I was in the upper student section and was walking down to leave the game after the turnover in the late third quater. I got to the bottom level and saw there were no guards preventing me from going into the lower arena sections and the game was about to come back from commercial break. I went to the lower student section and it was quite empty then after the first TD to get it to 20-14, there was a full section. It just expanded too. To the Kfund seats and stuff. I wasn't forunate enough to have tickets to the LSU game in 2007 but I have NEVER heard a place as loud as CWS that day. And the great thing is it was with the true fans, not the people that can afford the good seats.

[Joe Hardy]

Originally Posted by The Hack

Joe, nothing in my post was designed to creat a quiet zone, but rather to provide protection for the loudest among us. We have heard stories of people kicked out for standing up and making noise. I have had arguments with folks behind me about standing up. It tends to dampen the mood for standing up. Hence, if I were in a section where I could, I'd be up almost all the time. I think this could increase noise, not by creating quiet zones, but zones where you are expected to make noise, and stand up.

ok I gotcha

I just figured if you meant yell like hell sections that would mean that in the other sections it would be deemed inappropriate to yell...and of course those "quieter"sections, if I understand your plan correctly, would make up most of the stadium.

I think then the problem would be with quantifying how much noise was appropriate for each section. I think your plan is well-intended but honestly, with no disrespect intended, I don't like it.

Although I could maybe see having a "family" area where rowdy behavior was discouraged. Of course that might not work either because of all the good-mannered season ticket holders who aint giving up their seats who act like they're at a Swan Lake recital on big third downs.

the problems at Commonwealth, IMO, are deep rooted this way, and probably won't change anytime soon, even if we were to put a better product on the field.

[The Hack]

Well, Joe, you might not like the idea, but several in this thread have complained that the entire stadium is a quiet zone. I sit in the front seat of the upper deck, and fight this battle every week, one way or the other. If you wish the stadium to be louder, it has to be encouraged. Currently, it is discouraged. What's your proposal? Don't just point out a problem, and complain, seek to solve it.

[Catsby20]

I believe that it is encouraged. SOme people are just set in their ways and don't believe that a football game is a place to make noise. If you think about it Rupp is the same way in many respects. It's hard to get that lower level involved unless of course we're playing UL or someone similar. The casual observer is rampant at UK. Next time you are in Rupp count the yellow sweaters. I promise, it's hilarious.

[The Hack]

Yes, Catsby20, but they addressed this, partially, by creating "the Erupption zone," which is loud the whole game. If anyone in the EZ compalined that the person in front of them stood the whole game, they would first be laughed at by security, and then would be committed, if they complained, again.
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Now, the "yell like hell" sections I propose would have to be between the thirties to be most effective. I guess it would be impractical to create, but so was the EZ in Rupp. Some of the old-timers had to be moved.

[johnkyblue]

Put 'em in my endzone and make it impossible for the opposing team to score there... please. OK, fine, I admit it isn't MY endzone, even MY section, but... it will be. :devilface:

[The Black Watch]

I would like to see season tickets go away. A shake-up in the crowd every game would be good. New blood, you know. But it will never happen. Too much $$$ at stake.

[Catsby20]

Originally Posted by The Hack

Yes, Catsby20, but they addressed this, partially, by creating "the Erupption zone," which is loud the whole game. If anyone in the EZ compalined that the person in front of them stood the whole game, they would first be laughed at by security, and then would be committed, if they complained, again.
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Now, the "yell like hell" sections I propose would have to be between the thirties to be most effective. I guess it would be impractical to create, but so was the EZ in Rupp. Some of the old-timers had to be moved.

True and I think that your idea is a good one. However, the student section should already be that "yell like hell" section and the fact they had to create the Erruption Zone I always thought was that it was because the students had complained they didn't have any around the floor seating.

[Joe Hardy]

Originally Posted by The Hack

Well, Joe, you might not like the idea, but several in this thread have complained that the entire stadium is a quiet zone. I sit in the front seat of the upper deck, and fight this battle every week, one way or the other. If you wish the stadium to be louder, it has to be encouraged. Currently, it is discouraged. What's your proposal? Don't just point out a problem, and complain, seek to solve it.

Hack, don't get offended man. It's not your proposal that I have a problem with. It's the fact that we're even having to talk about ways to make the stadium louder.
I want so bad for us to move up into the "big-time" program ranks, but personally I can't really do anything about it short of traveling 800 miles for home games. Trust me if I had my way my wife would let us move back to my hometown and I'd be a season ticket holder every year.
for now though I don't really have any solutions other than "people need to be louder" or "people should use the tickets they purchase". But did I really need to say that ? seems pretty obvious.

Hack, I will say though that if the school was to do something section-wise, your plan would be great. I guess it just sucks overall that we would even have to do something like that.

[Diz2]

Originally Posted by The Hack

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This has sort of happened by accident in the past. I was unable to attend last year's Arkansas game, but in the last 5 minutes, the crowd was amazing, making it almost impossible to hear the radio guys. I assumed the quietest fans had left the earliest, leaving behind the rowdiest, who were all downstairs when the comeback happened.

I was there, and the noise came from the drumming on the metal seats. When all the fat bottoms are removed, the metal bleachers become great noise makers. You can hit them with anything.
Also, the remaining fans were obviously drinking blue koolaid. 14 points in 6 minutes was good for any quarterback receiver combo. Hartline and Cobb made it look automatic.

Last Saturday we playing dress-up, instead.

[blueshock]

Originally Posted by The Black Watch

I would like to see season tickets go away. A shake-up in the crowd every game would be good. New blood, you know. But it will never happen. Too much $$$ at stake.

hey now, i'm a season ticket holder and i love my seats. i stand up and yell. i've never left a game early... NEVER! and our section is full of season ticket holders that have sat together for years and we have fun. as a matter of fact there was a lady sitting in front of me this weekend that turned around and apologized for standing up because the folks in front of her were standing up. we just all started laughing and telling her it wasn't like that in our section. we actually encourage standing up around here

i think hack may be on to something. yes you shouldn't have to do things like a "yell like hell" zone but UK football has a culture of being somewhat apathetic. maybe this would get something started.

[The Hack]

While I get pretty frustrated when the crowd isn't as noisy as I would like, I have been, now, to 8 venues, including Athens, Fayetteville, Knoxville, Nashville, and Starkville. Actually, we fit pretty well within the level of noise by.many of the crowds I have witnessed. Georgia in 2007 was by far the most impressive. Tennessee has always been a letdown to me, simply because the size should create a lot more noise. They DO USE A SPEAKER SYSTEM. Starkville isn't too loud, but hearing cowbells for three hours gets real old, real fast. Fayetteville's noise level was a bit better than ours, but their stadium is almost completely verticle, like two walls going straight up with people stuck to them. But with 74,000 there, it was very quiet as soon as Kentucky got a 4th quarter lead.
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Georgia was consistently loud on all defensive plays. Very impressive.
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We usually have the majority in Nashville, and we get pretty rowdy.

[The Black Watch]

Originally Posted by The Hack

While I get pretty frustrated when the crowd isn't as noisy as I would like, I have been, now, to 8 venues, including Athens, Fayetteville, Knoxville, Nashville, and Starkville. Actually, we fit pretty well within the level of noise by.many of the crowds I have witnessed. Georgia in 2007 was by far the most impressive. Tennessee has always been a letdown to me, simply because the size should create a lot more noise. They DO USE A SPEAKER SYSTEM. Starkville isn't too loud, but hearing cowbells for three hours gets real old, real fast. Fayetteville's noise level was a bit better than ours, but their stadium is almost completely verticle, like two walls going straight up with people stuck to them. But with 74,000 there, it was very quiet as soon as Kentucky got a 4th quarter lead.
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Georgia was consistently loud on all defensive plays. Very impressive.
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We usually have the majority in Nashville, and we get pretty rowdy.

I agree. Our crowd is usually pretty good. Oh, some could be louder, and loud at better times. But all in all, we do pretty good. Could we do better? YES. But far too often the crowd is a whipping boy, especially here. I had a discussion with johnkyblue on this same topic. It's tough to be the only guy in your area going nuts. Several times I have embarassed my wife. Once upon a time I used two metal trash can lids until some people complained. The crowd is important. But we don't decide games. The coaches and teams do. We can help, but it's up to them to do their thing. Our team must get to that magical place where crowds don't exist and they just execute, to take it to the next level. The level of champions.