Troy University Athletics
Be Loud and Be Proud
11/19/2008 6:00:00 AM | Football
It's been a while since my last posting but in my mind, this might be the most important one that I have done in my time at Troy.
A fall Saturday in the South means it is a day of football. Everyone knows that. There is nothing better than waking up and knowing that I get to go to a stadium and watch the game that I love. Whether home or away, its time for football. I get to sit in press boxes all over America and write about what happens on the field. Good, bad and sometimes just plain ugly, but it's my passion and I enjoy it.
This Saturday, in Troy Alabama, inside Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium, there will be 72 players wearing cardinal, standing on the east sideline directly across from their student section. They will be playing for their third straight Sun Belt Conference Championship. They will be playing for their third bowl game in five seasons. With a win, they will win that honor.
We have ZERO room in our press box for media to come watch the game. The Sun Belt Commissioner, The New Orleans Bowl, The PapaJohns.com Bowl, The St. Petersburg Bowl, possibly the Independence Bowl, along with media from all over, will be in attendance to watch Troy. They will also watch the fans to see the emotion and passion they have for their team and they will ask themselves, "Is Troy a team we would want in our bowl game?"
But students and fans alike in the stands do not realize who all is at the game. So when they leave, how does that look for Troy and the university?
EVERY home game I can recall since 2002 with the exception of Marshall and Missouri, that section has emptied at half time.
In my mind, when you leave a game, that is turning your back on your team. The homecoming game against WKU, Troy had a 14-0 lead at the half. Why leave? It's a good game. Was it because you had to show up to see who won homecoming? Or was it that Alabama-LSU were playing on TV? Or simply that your frat said you had to go for a half. Regardless of the issue or your excuses, the players and coaches notice it.
For those who went to LSU, the crowd was roughly 80,000 at the start of the game. In the third quarter, there were maybe 10,000 people left. When their team got down, they abandoned them and turned their back and booed them.
Troy students pay money to the university they go to. Our players don't care what school you grew up liking or hating, you are at TROY. Cheer for them while you are here. When you leave here, your degree will say "Troy University" on it. Be proud of the fact that you go to a great school, led by great people who want the best for you outside the walls of Troy.
Put yourselves in the player's shoes. How would you feel if your fans left you to go do something else during the middle of the game? Your fans would rather watch someone else. Think about how they feel when they look up and half the crowd is gone.
The players thrive off of the fans' energy. It makes them get into the game even more than they already are. Whether you believe it or not, fans truly make a difference. They bring a passion and an emotion the players feed off of.
Here is what several players told the Dothan Eagle's Drew Champlin. If you think it goes unnoticed, you are wrong.
Offensive Lineman Chris Jamison
"We're focusing on the game, but after the game we realize that all the people have gone. It's not good. If you're a student at Troy, you should be a Troy fan. That's how I feel."
"I love our fans, our true fans that we have. I feel that if you're not a true fan, then just don't even come. I'd rather celebrate a victory or suffer a loss with people that I know are always going to be here. I don't want to be with people that are leaving at halftime when we've got a great team right here in Troy."
"We'll still be good with or without the fans. When I say that, I mean the true fans, the loyal fans. That's why we want to get back to New Orleans, for them."
Linebacker Boris Lee
"Sometimes for a player to be on the field and look up at the stands and see empty spots, it does have an effect on us but we have to play through it. If we come out of the helmet and see a packed stadium, I get the feeling we can go out and perform at our highest level."
Quarterback Levi Brown
"They usually do. That's nothing new. It's disappointing. We'd like to see the student section stay the whole game and cheer for us. It's disappointing to see them leave at halftime, but that's part of it."
Defensive back Jorrick Calvin
"I look over there most of the time, but I don't really pay attention to it. We play for the fans and we play for ourselves, but if they're not there, that doesn't mean we don't stop playing. Just play through it and do your responsibilities no matter who's watching you."
Coach Larry Blakeney
"My challenge is to the players and coaches to get it right. My challenge is also to our people. There's no Auburn and Alabama game this week. If you are Troy related, we need you to come help us win this league. A lot of the marbles, if not all of the marbles will be on the table Saturday night at 6 o'clock."
Greg Whibbs, former Troy placekicker and current law student at Ole Miss, also knows that importance of the home game...
"One of the things that made my experience at Troy so special was the interaction and relationships I had with the fans. The accessibility of the players and coaches creates a unique sense of belonging amongst the Trojan nation. The Trojans will always play with pride, but a large home crowd inspires a special emotion in their hearts. I encourage students, alumni, and fans alike to partake in the entire game day experience and enjoy the success of the Trojan nation and show your Trojan Pride."
Greg Whibbs Jr. 2003-08
Lee Milliner is a former offensive lineman at Troy and this is how he views the importance of the fans.....
"As a former football player for the Troy Trojans, I know first hand that as a team we played better and with more intensity when ?The Gallery' was packed and the fans were loud. Fans are a big part of Trojan football and the coaches and players feed off of the great energy of our fans. I know that if we will come together as Dr. Hawkins has asked in his "Call to Arms", we can give the Trojans the energy they need to come out with a Trojan Victory on Saturday."
Lee Milliner 2001-05
So, we need to support our Trojans by wearing CARDINAL this Saturday and by remaining at the game for 4 QUARTERS!!! You do make a difference in the game, so why not be there Saturday night as we go for the third title in a row!
As always, Go Trojans!!
- Jason -
