Sports: Column
Zetlin: No more empty student section
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Also by Derek Zetlin:
- Zetlin: UW molds Clay into better running back (October 5, 2009)
- Zetlin: Tolzien comes out of nowhere to win starting job (September 4, 2009)
- Zetlin: Change in defense could help football recruitment (April 29, 2009)
- Punter Gano sets tone early in rout over Wisconsin (January 20, 2009)
- Football season bust brings scrutiny to UW staff (January 20, 2009)
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The foundation is in place; now it’s your turn to add the finishing touch.
Last winter, Pennsylvania native Terrelle Pryor had a choice to make. Being the No. 1 high school football recruit in the country, Pryor forwent national signing day to create his own special holiday, the day he would announce whether he’d become a Buckeye or a Wolverine.
Like many of you, at the time, that bothered me. Why is Wisconsin not in the mix to land this sure-thing, future Heisman candidate? The Badgers could obviously use a stud quarterback. It’s not like they’re some mediocre program, either; they’ve won a pair Rose Bowls in the past 10 years, and now they’re a perennial Top 25, even Top 10 program. Plus, Madison is the ultimate college town. It can’t be the weather; Columbus and Ann Arbor aren’t exactly Los Angeles.
I just couldn’t understand.
But as I sat in the press box Saturday and looked to my left, it finally dawned on me: UW isn’t a football school, it’s a party school. Games in Camp Randall Stadium have transformed from sporting events to social events, where the scores of the contests have become irrelevant subplots to many.
It’s time for that to change.
Two summers ago, I worked with a kid who went to Indiana University.
“I can’t wait for tailgate season,” he told me as the days started to get shorter.
“Uh, don’t you mean football season?” I asked.
“Nah, no one actually goes to the games,” he said. “Our team sucks. We just tailgate.”
If that were the case here, I’d understand. But you and I both know that that’s about as truthful as Brett Favre’s retirement plan. Under Bret Bielema, this team is 23-5 in two-plus seasons including a perfect 16-0 home record during that stretch. In other words, you have something to cheer about.
Start taking advantage of that luxury.
Oh, and I’m fully aware of the debacle that occurred Saturday; I know you couldn’t get to your seat because the athletic department thought it would be a good idea to fill up the student section one person at a time. But don’t kid yourself; this problem existed before the Thundering Herd came to town.
You were the ones who complained about the new lottery system. I agree; it makes no sense! But how can you complain when you mosey your way into the stadium during the fifth possession of the game?
If you care about this football team, you’re shooting yourself in the foot. What if Pryor — or any other big time recruit, for that matter — turned on ESPN or the Big Ten Network last season and saw an embarrassing student section 60 percent empty at kickoff and only 80 percent full after the first quarter? Would you choose Madison if Ohio State and Michigan were on their hands and knees at your doorstep?
Didn’t think so.
But this isn’t just about recruiting; there happen to be some football-related issues that correlate as well. During the first quarter Saturday against Marshall, the Badgers looked more like the Little Giants than the No. 11 ranked team in the nation. But had 13,600 of their fellow students been screaming louder than your middle-school girlfriend at her first Backstreet Boys concert during introductions, could that have made a difference? I certainly wouldn’t bet against it.
Down 7-0, the UW defense had their heels on the goal-line, with the Herd flirting at the one. Could a full student section — which was virtually on top of the play — have caused a false start or a bad snap? Again, not an outrageous possibility.
Instead, Marshall punched it in to take a 14-0 lead. And I’ll tell you what, if Wisconsin spots Penn State, Illinois or Ohio State — the next three squads to come to Madison — a pair of touchdowns, don’t count on celebrating a victory after the game.
If you have student tickets, don’t be selfish; show up on time. If you’d rather party, I’m not one to judge, but sell your tickets ahead of time! I walk down Dayton Street in a button down and khakis with my iPod on so I don’t have to listen to all the fun I’m missing. I get it. But there are plenty of people who would have their keys out, ready for kickoff if only their names were picked in July.
Again, this has been an ongoing trend at least since I set foot on campus 25 months ago. Don’t pretend like the athletic department’s asinine policy Saturday was the sole reason for the surplus of empty seats.
It wasn’t.
Game days are arguably the most fun you’ll have as a UW student. Kids at Harvard and Yale can’t even fathom what goes on starting at 8 a.m. here in Madtown. But unlike them, you have a Top 10 football team to cheer for. And guess what, the kegs, funnels and beer bongs will still be there after the Badgers win.
I promise.
Derek is a junior majoring in economics. He’ll be in Fresno Saturday, where the Bulldogs’ student section will undoubtedly be full. He’ll also be blogging live, so if your TV isn’t working, make sure to check out The Badger Herald’s “Extra Points” sports blog at badgerherald.com/blogs/sports for up-to-the-minute coverage of the game. Oh, and Derek can be reached at dzetlin@badgerherald.com.
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Excellent column! I agree with your thoughts… yes, the athletic department screwed up with the seating this game, but the lack of early attendance has been an issue for years.
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WI does not have the history or profile of UM or OSU. It will take more than winning to achieve this. Frankly, WI and upper echelon football are not synonomous
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Great article and its been going on a lot longer than your 25 months here. “UW isn’t a football school, it’s a party school”…well said but people need to realize it can very easily be both.
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As a recent grad I have to say nice work. We need more people calling out the students for not showing up on time, and I’m not talking about the Marshall game. I was there, saw what happened and know it made things worse. The students now have two consecutive games to show what they got. Make us proud.
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Derek your whining isn’t going to change anything. We were playing Marshall and we beat them by 40! The students were having a great time and did eventually make it to the game. Who cares if they weren’t there for the start? We will be bringing the noise for Ohio State. Get ready.
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Back when I was at Madison (1988 -1992) no one went to the football games - we just showed up for the 5th quarter. They could barely give tickets away! Today’s students should appreciate having a winning football team and take advantage of going to great games in Camp Randall.
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Couldn’t agree more. Unfortunately it would take some kind of action from the athletic department to get a response. Its funny how someone said you’re whining. Pretty sure it was probably that same guy whining for a lottery because his fat lazy ass couldn’t pay attention and just buy tickets when they went on sale. He’s not whining Jack he’s making a valid point. You want to drink thats fine. How about you grow a pair of balls, drink earlier and get your ass and support your team from the first kick - like every other school in the nation. If you feel the need to show up late sell your ticket, take that money and go buy some more beer and stop calling yourself a badger fan.
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NO MORE 11am GAMES…
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I agree that it’s lame the student section wasnt full, but you also have to understand that the game wasn’t competitive. That severely impacts the fullness of the student section.
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hahaha…. whining? right. This is just down right embarrassing. Get to the game on time. If its an 11 am game….deal with it.
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You use an argument in which you state that if a top recruit were to be watching and see a half full student section that that would change their mind from coming here?
Do you have any idea how flawed that is? IF I’m a top recruit in the country, I would certainly not have my television tuned into the much anticipated match up of Marshall vs. Wisconsin! Let’s be realistic, how many non-badger/heard fans were actually watching the game?
If you honestly think these last two weekends will be the case for the next three games, you are sorely mistaken.
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competitive game or no competitive game. support the team!
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Hey 3:27 post! How do you know Pryor wasn’t watching a game before? He wasn’t watching the game because he’s dressing for OSU. His 2 choices were Big 10 competitors and there is no reason the badgers couldn’t be in that mix over time. Support your team you don’t even realize what you have on campus. Get out of bed and go catch a game. You’ll probably be the guy 10 years after you graduate wearing a badger sweatshirt telling your buddies how great Camp Randall was when you were there. Enjoy and support the top 10 team in your backyard, when it no longer exists it will be missed.
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I agree 100%. Well said!
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No offense to this fine academic institution but, Wisconsin IS NOT a storied program like those of both Ohio State and Michigan. You honestly think 14 years of solid football suddenly throw the badgers into that mix? If you do, you know NOTHING of college football or sports in general.
No one said anything about not supporting my team, but I choose to be realistic. Of all the game on television, Wisconsin vs. Marshall simply is not a ‘marquee matchup.’
I have student tickets and have not missed a game since I started attending this university. There are arguments to be made, but a college prospect just happening upon a Badger game and paying attention to how full the student section is is not one of them.
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I agree. When half the student section is full by kickoff it’s just embarrassing. I didn’t win the ticket lottery, but I love Badger football so much I paid over $500 for season tickets. People, if you’d rather be drinking than at the game, don’t enter the damn lottery! Leave the tickets for the REAL fans