How did you become a fan of your team?

[ktg8trgrl]

I became a Gator fan way back in the mid 60's when I was a young lad, and watching the Gators on local TV in Jax FL. And of course, we also had this little game in the Gator Bowl between Florida and those damned Dawgs from up North. Been a Gator fan for almost 50 years now.

That being said, as a new member on this board, I would like to introduce myself by saying "to hell with those Dawgs", and "screw those Noles!"

 

[geneh_33]

I think you'll find the answer in the second paragraph of my write up, my friend.

"I'll never forget the 12 year losing streak to Idaho in the 80s and 90s. Those Dennis Erickson and John L. Smith Vandal teams owned us. John L. in particular would intentionally run up the score. He'd be kicking onside kicks and throwing deep while up multiple TDs with just minutes left. all the while smirking and laughing at our team and our fans from the sideline. And we'd be shivering in the stands not going anywhere, waiting for the final gun to sound. Those images will stay with me forever."

When you're getting your butts beat and the other team is throwing it in your face, gloating, and running up the score some bitterness tends to develop!

Believe it or not they play some good high school football up there in Northern Idaho. It starts at the high school level. We hated those teams and they absolutely hated the Boise teams with a passion. The playoff match ups alway divide the state. Northern Idaho is some of the most gorgeous country you'll ever see in your life. It's actually even more scenic than the Boise area to be honest with you which is beautiful in its own right. They are proud of that fact and like to throw it in our faces. The problem is it's cold and sparsely populated up there (Boise is much. much further south and has a much warmer climate). And there's not a lot to do other than outdoorsy stuff and that right there breeds jealousy. Ask anyone from Northern Idaho. The majority of them will tell you point blank that they literally hate the city of Boise and every single one of them will tell you that they despise Boise State with every fiber in their being. Hey, join the club!

Good post. I can honestly say I can't blame you for hating them. I hate it when people run the score up and grind a victory in the loser's face. That sucks.

That is the reason why GT beat up Cumberland College 222-0, the worst smear in the history of college football. It was because the prior baseball season to that, Cumberland went out and got minor leaguers to play for them and beat GT mercilessly, rubbing it in their faces. Needless to say, GT got its revenge.

 

[Boise4Life]

Just a little history, geneh. But I personally don't hate them as much as I might have let on. Hell, these days they are so bad I almost feel sorry for them.

 

[Berkeley_Blues]

Born and raised in Boise and proud of it. I come from a die hard football family. Every male in our family played high school football, most played in college (at several different levels), and two of my family members even played in the pros in the 80s and 90s. In Boise we call our youth leagues Optimist football. I don't know if they've kept the tradition because Boise has grown so incredibly fast, but when I was a kid your first game of the year was always played at Bronco Stadium on the Blue. It was called the Jamberee. You basically spent all summer itching for that first game to get there. It was a dream come true when it did.

My folks have had season tickets ever since I can remember. We never missed a game (unless we happened to be out of town for something else). We hit many if not most of the road games. In those days Boise was playing 1-AA/FCS ball in the Big Sky, so lots of trips to Missula and Pocatello, ID and Reno and Moscow, ID, etc. We had a lot of 5-6 and 7-4 type teams in those days. Sometimes we made the playoffs, more times than not we did not but those guys were still my heros. I idolized them. I'll never forget the first game played on the Blue turf, a 70 something to zero win over Humboldt State. I was 9 at the time. I'll also never forget the 12 year losing streak to Idaho in the 80s and 90s. Those Dennis Erickson and John L. Smith Vandal teams owned us. John L. in particular would intentionally run up the score. He'd be kicking onside kicks and throwing deep while up multiple TDs with just minutes left. all the while smirking and laughing at our team and our fans from the sideline. And we'd be shivering in the stands not going anywhere, waiting for the final gun to sound. Those images will stay with me forever.

I live in the Phoenix area now which has come in handy considering Boise's success in the Fiesta Bowl. After the Oklahoma game I'm not going to lie, I cried. My cousin was a LB on that team. The entire time he was in Phoenix after the game, the smile never left his face. He was on Cloud 9.

My team's come a long way from those days of getting blasted by the Montanas, Nevadas, and Idahos of the world at the FCS level. What they have been able to accomplish in such a short time at the FBS level blows my mind. It's nothing short of remarkable. I never thought I'd live to see the day. No way, not in a million years. They make me so proud to say I'm a Bronco for life.

Great post.

What Boise State has done is truly remarkable.

 

[geneh_33]

I grew up in suburban Detroit and was born into a family of Irish Catholics that bled Notre Dame. Never could stand them (ND, not the family). I accepted a baseball scholarship to the University of Michigan in the mid 80's after tearing a rotator cuff muscle the summer before and losing a scholly to my dream school, ASU. Spent one year on the team before it became apparent that the injury would permanently sideline a baseball career. I was then faced with no scholarship and no money to continue my education at the university. My story got around and some student coaches on the football team tried to help out by getting me applications for grants and scholarships but it wasn't going to work out. On a spring day, I walked out of class and there was a short, frazzled looking guy waiting to talk to me. His name was Bo Schembechler. He walked me into his office and sat me down and asked me why I wanted to stay at the school. I told him I always thought my athletic ability would someday pay my bills and now that that dream was over, I was going to need an education. My grades were good but nowhere near the level needed to justify an academic scholarship. It was then that I was offered a one year football scholarship despite having not played the sport since junior high school. Bo told me if my grades reflected "Michigan Spirit" the next year, he would do his best to ensure I would receive a full academic scholarship. I did, and he did. Without his words and motivation, my life would have turned out quite different. THAT is why I am a fan of Michigan Football.

Wow, that story is the best so far! I never knew that Bo was such a good man.

 

[jalopy]

Wow, that story is the best so far! I never knew that Bo was such a good man.

I don't the what the definition of a good man is but Bo demanded respect, and he earned it. He worked as hard as he demanded of others.

 

[geneh_33]

Just a little history, geneh. But I personally don't hate them as much as I might have let on. Hell, these days they are so bad I almost feel sorry for them.

Idaho does suck, no doubt, been terrible for years now. It is hard to hate somebody who is a punching bag.

 

[Uman5]

Long story- Short.
Played for Wisconsin. Got degree from Texas. Wife went to Miami. She took me to the first game I did not play in ('91 Cotton Bowl). Had a blast, started going down to Miami for games...Became a fan. Now it pisses her off that I have more friends that played for Miami than her.

 

[obxyankeefan]

The coastal will be UNC, VT or Pitt, IMO. I think GT will fall off a bit, as will Miami. Virginia will have trouble winning a conference game.

I hate to say it, but I will take a no win season if it gets rid of London.

 

[ellupo]

I grew up in suburban Detroit and was born into a family of Irish Catholics that bled Notre Dame. Never could stand them (ND, not the family). I accepted a baseball scholarship to the University of Michigan in the mid 80's after tearing a rotator cuff muscle the summer before and losing a scholly to my dream school, ASU. Spent one year on the team before it became apparent that the injury would permanently sideline a baseball career. I was then faced with no scholarship and no money to continue my education at the university. My story got around and some student coaches on the football team tried to help out by getting me applications for grants and scholarships but it wasn't going to work out. On a spring day, I walked out of class and there was a short, frazzled looking guy waiting to talk to me. His name was Bo Schembechler. He walked me into his office and sat me down and asked me why I wanted to stay at the school. I told him I always thought my athletic ability would someday pay my bills and now that that dream was over, I was going to need an education. My grades were good but nowhere near the level needed to justify an academic scholarship. It was then that I was offered a one year football scholarship despite having not played the sport since junior high school. Bo told me if my grades reflected "Michigan Spirit" the next year, he would do his best to ensure I would receive a full academic scholarship. I did, and he did. Without his words and motivation, my life would have turned out quite different. THAT is why I am a fan of Michigan Football.

Bo another great Ohio man.

 

[WhiteMamba]

Bo another great Ohio man.

What up ellupo...

 

[jalopy]

Bo another great Ohio man.

I think he loved Woody as much as Millie.

 

[ellupo]

What up ellupo...

Whats up Mamba. Finally got me a login over here.

 

[WhiteMamba]

Whats up Mamba. Finally got me a login over here.

Nice.. You will like it here. Its a lot funner... Guise have a good sense of humor here and you can say Fuck here as well...

 

[seahawksfan234]

Born and raised in Seattle and with the University of Washington being the closest major university to where I grew up it was only appropriate. Also the fact that I and basically my entire family went there also have something to do with it.

 

[WhiteMamba]

Man I love everything about Seattle except for the sports teams..LOL Obvious the Hawks bein a Raider and Mariners bein an A's fan... Even the Sounders...

But that city is absolutely amazing... Great vibe...

13 coins anyone???

 

[WizardHawk]

Speaking of your love for Seattle mamba, a funny thing happened on my way home from one of our north seattle facilities. Had to stop and eat some Dick's before hitting the freeway. I don't get up north all that often and usually don't have time to eat when I do, but I had to hit that hard today. I like 'em so much I had two.

 

[WhiteMamba]

Speaking of your love for Seattle mamba, a funny thing happened on my way home from one of our north seattle facilities. Had to stop and eat some Dick's before hitting the freeway. I don't get up north all that often and usually don't have time to eat when I do, but I had to hit that hard today. I like 'em so much I had two.

Bro dont even tell me.. Jealous FACE!!! I would go two cheezys a fry and 2 chocolate shakes!!!! Man I need to go get some Dicks soon...

God that sounds Ghey... But Hey. Once youve had Dick's there is only one great fast food joint in the world....

 

[Boise4Life]

Speaking of your love for Seattle mamba, a funny thing happened on my way home from one of our north seattle facilities. Had to stop and eat some Dick's before hitting the freeway. I don't get up north all that often and usually don't have time to eat when I do, but I had to hit that hard today. I like 'em so much I had two.

That might be the gayest fucking post I've ever read in my life.

 

[WizardHawk]

Bro dont even tell me.. Jealous FACE!!! I would go two cheezys a fry and 2 chocolate shakes!!!! Man I need to go get some Dicks soon...

God that sounds Ghey... But Hey. Once youve had Dick's there is only one great fast food joint in the world....

Close. It was 2 chez, fry, and 1 vanilla shake.

That might be the gayest fucking post I've ever read in my life.

Maybe it would be better if they were named Pussy's, but once you've had Dicks you never go back to McDonalds.