[Husker] worst ever

[Bob Beach]

todd strong <strongtodd at msn.com> wrote:

> Bob, you have made some really good points this weekend. One of
> which really hit home for me.



     I appreciate that.  I just post what's on my mind.  Once in a while I get lucky and actually make a point.  :-)


> Your point  was about being bowl eligible at six wins. Yes, NU will always be selected for a bowl.
> Why? Because of you and me and the rest who travel well. There-in
> lies the main reason I feel like I can post here and even be
> critical at times. The fans are the best in college football and we
> do have a say in our opinion. Any post season this year (at least
> as of this point in the season) will be because of the fans, not
> the product.



     I agree for the most part.  However I believe the two main places that make NU fans any "better" than any other fan is attendance whether home or away and respecting the opponent.  The respect for the opponent and their fans is one thing I have really appreciated.  


     In most if not all other areas they are just like any other fan.  They will boo players and coaches which they did yesterday and other times.  They will be highly critical of coaches and players.  They will want coaches fired if certain coach/coaches don't meet what the fans want.  They will want the AD fired and be highly critical of every move he makes.  I worked in downtown Lincoln in the 70's.  I know I disliked seeing football Saturday's come and I grew to dislike it more and more as years went on.  Ask anyone that works downtown Lincoln today on football Saturdays and see how they feel about "Husker fans".  You may get some varying responses but I know what the overwhelming response will be.  There is a sports bar in the Haymarket where I know most of the bartenders and the Manager and Assistant Manager.  They went on and on about the problems they had during the USC game day.  The problems went from theft, to disrespect, to calling employees profane names, to fighting, and many other things in between.  I didn't work in food and/or beverage service when I worked downtown but every football Saturday we had problems.  Theft and rudeness was probably the biggest problems we had.


     The biggest reason downtown business put up with it is, obviously, the money that passes through.  There is another bar close to campus and at the edge of the Haymarket where the Manager told me they take in more gross dollars in the six or seven home game days than they do the rest of the year combined.  A person will put up with a certain amount of obnoxious behavior for that kind of cash.  Just for example the first bar I was referencing the Assistant Manager told me they went through 122 cases of Bud Light bottles alone.  That doesn't include all the other bottle beer, mixed drinks, tap beer, food, and etc. 


     The only point I am trying to make is other than the two things I mentioned Husker fans aren't that much different.  The things I mentioned go on in every college town on football Saturdays.  And, do remember I am speaking in generalities.  Every program has its great fans and fans that are an embarrassment.  Husker fans fit that mold as well.  Sorry for rambling.     


Bob Beach