The Michigan game from the stands

bonick03 · Oct 6, 2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefIlliniwek

Come on Bonick... maybe their chants of "Sit Down and Shut Up Already" were simply their (more tactful) way of retaliating to the insults you slung their way. You made a statement earlier in your post about how all the UM fans think they are better than you... clearly you thought you were better than them and showed them that by your statement to them how terrible they are as fans. I'm not going to tell you how to react to fan bases, because that is your business... but hold yourself to the standards you set.

It was playful banter. Honestly, we were all joking around with each other. No hard feelings on either end. I was all alone with my wife, so I wasn't about to get anyone around me pissed off. We all had a great time bashing each other's schools and teams. They recognized how much they suck in basketball, and I reciognized how much we've sucked in football in the past few decades. When they told me to "Sit down and shut up already" it was done with a laugh. I was starting to annoy them with my playful banter, but at no point was anyone actually getting angry (except when UM kept fumbling the ball).

And, as I usually do at the start of each game at the Big House, I made a point to show everyone around my UM student ID from when I went to grad school there (class of '03).

Harmless trash-talking is all it was. In my recounting of the events, I may have made it sound more aggressive than it actually was. By the end of the game we were all shaking hands and talking about our evening plans. So they all knew I was just a goofy pain in the ass.

Apparently I need to work on explaining myself better on these boards.

ChiefIlliniwek · Oct 6, 2008, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonick03

It was playful banter. Honestly, we were all joking around with each other. No hard feelings on either end. I was all alone with my wife, so I wasn't about to get anyone around me pissed off. We all had a great time bashing each other's schools and teams. They recognized how much they suck in basketball, and I reciognized how much we've sucked in football in the past few decades. When they told me to "Sit down and shut up already" it was done with a laugh. I was starting to annoy them with my playful banter, but at no point was anyone actually getting angry (except when UM kept fumbling the ball).

And, as I usually do at the start of each game at the Big House, I made a point to show everyone around my UM student ID from when I went to grad school there (class of '03).

Harmless trash-talking is all it was. In my recounting of the events, I may have made it sound more aggressive than it actually was. By the end of the game we were all shaking hands and talking about our evening plans. So they all knew I was just a goofy pain in the ass.

Apparently I need to work on explaining myself better on these boards.

No, I think your posts are great! It's just one of those things that gets lost with any text type of message... no feeling or emotion, or mood can be painted without getting novelesque. I apologize for assuming that you were being obnoxious as all I had to go on was what I had read. (And I'm so used to your sheer hatred for your purple friends from Evanston, that I just figured that type of animosity had come out during the game... .my bad!)

Harmless trash talking is pretty much par for the course, and I always enjoy a little good natured ribbing, and I'm glad to know that there were no hard feelings with you or any of the fans around you.

*davidlee930* · Oct 6, 2008, 09:28 PM

Gees, lengthy debate here. I believe I'm still young and energetic, and when I'm at sporting events I guess I may be too energetic for my own good. People constantly tell me to sit down, and I rarely listen. I guess I'm an ass or I'm inconsiderate according to some of your standards, but I'm not completely selfish. As long as the people telling me to sit down have a good reason I'll listen (most of the time they don't).

But pretty much, I agree that if the it's an exciting game, and you're sitting, you better have a damned good reason. Cause in a game especially college football, the fans are the 12th man on the field and if you came to be idle, you might as well watch the game on tv and give up your seat to someone who'd be that 12th man.

petergriffin · Oct 6, 2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonick03

And WHY THE HELL DID ZOOK KEEP THE STATERS IN TILL THE VERY END?????? What the *&%$?!! Does he want to get them all injured when we're up by 25 win 4:00 to play?

Because this is till a very very very young team in which every rep counts. We did lose to two very good teams and our young guys still need more game time. EIU and LA Lafayette don't coun't. We should stop scheduling those. I think some people forget Juice is still developing and Benn is only a sophomore. We have a stable of backs...but I would say Dufrene has locked that starting spot up for the rest of the season now. I agree with keeping the starters in there because this team is still rebuilding...

bonick03 · Oct 6, 2008, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petergriffin

Because this is till a very very very young team in which every rep counts. We did lose to two very good teams and our young guys still need more game time. EIU and LA Lafayette don't coun't. We should stop scheduling those. I think some people forget Juice is still developing and Benn is only a sophomore. We have a stable of backs...but I would say Dufrene has locked that starting spot up for the rest of the season now. I agree with keeping the starters in there because this team is still rebuilding...

I agree to an extent. There are even younger and less experienced guys on the bench that could use that time too. Especially when we're just running clock for 5 minutes. Let McGee and the freshmen backs do that.

*Illinir1* · Oct 6, 2008, 10:19 PM

Let's see if the following link to my gallery of all the pictures I took on game day will work.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...localeid=en_US

We sat in the Illinois Section 9, row 89. It was a blast up there. With about 4 minutes left in the game we moved down to the first row in the SE corner where we expected the team would come to celebrate. And they did! See the pics. I was in the first row on the railing. First I thought I was going over the railing from the crush of people, then I was pinned hard against it. And I was loving every minute of it. This was a GREAT trip and day all around. GO ILLINI....BEAT THE GOLDEN RATS!

bonick03 · Oct 6, 2008, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illinir1

Let's see if the following link to my gallery of all the pictures I took on game day will work.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...localeid=en_US

We sat in the Illinois Section 9, row 89. It was a blast up there. With about 4 minutes left in the game we moved down to the first row in the SE corner where we expected the team would come to celebrate. And they did! See the pics. I was in the first row on the railing. First I thought I was going over the railing from the crush of people, then I was pinned hard against it. And I was loving every minute of it. This was a GREAT trip and day all around. GO ILLINI....BEAT THE GOLDEN RATS!

HOLY COW!!!!! I took this picture of you! THAT'S AWESOME! And then you took a picture of me and my wife. How cool!!!!

Dan · Oct 6, 2008, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illinir1

Let's see if the following link to my gallery of all the pictures I took on game day will work.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...localeid=en_US

We sat in the Illinois Section 9, row 89. It was a blast up there. With about 4 minutes left in the game we moved down to the first row in the SE corner where we expected the team would come to celebrate. And they did! See the pics. I was in the first row on the railing. First I thought I was going over the railing from the crush of people, then I was pinned hard against it. And I was loving every minute of it. This was a GREAT trip and day all around. GO ILLINI....BEAT THE GOLDEN RATS!

Victory cigar!

Thanks for sharing the pics, the ones of the players celebrating with the fans are priceless.

p.s. - I didn't know Bo had his own wine. Oooffff

Dan · Oct 6, 2008, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonick03

HOLY COW!!!!! I took this picture of you! THAT'S AWESOME! And then you took a picture of me and my wife. How cool!!!!

IllinoisLoyalty: where magic moments happen

Dan · Oct 6, 2008, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illinir1

Let's see if the following link to my gallery of all the pictures I took on game day will work.

Also, I saw one of my friend's dads in the crowd in one of your photos. Very cool indeed

fightingillini fan 4-ever · Oct 6, 2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illinir1

Let's see if the following link to my gallery of all the pictures I took on game day will work.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...localeid=en_US

!

Thanks for the pics..GO ILLINI!!!!!!!!!!

bonick03 · Oct 6, 2008, 11:36 PM

Okay. As promised. These are all scaled down big time, so if you think you'd like to see something a little bigger, let me know.

This pin has traveled with us many times - and it finally came true!

Illini fans REPRESENT! Look closely at the 40 in his hand. Nice.

Orange arrows indicate potential a**-whoopin.

GPS says: "You are here - in hell."

THERE'S THE COOLEST SECTION IN THE STADIUM! You guys rocked! I wanted to be up there so badly. . .

Juice, after the national anthem, raising his helmet as if to say, "The next time I take this helmet off, an a**-whooping of epic proportions will have been completed in this hizzouse."

How do you spell Michigan? S-U-C-K-S.

The crowd raises their voices as one to shout, "DOWN IN FRONT, LADY!"

Now that's one huge student section. Large, but sucky.

Our cheerleaders are better than your cheerleaders (see old men looking stupid at bottom of frame ).

Look how big Cumberland is! He completely dwarfs the DBs from Michigan.

This is the more accurate picture. In the last frame, I had to photoshop him down a few sizes.

That's a lot of people!

About to score. . .

About to score again. . .

After the game:

Here they come!

No, YOU rock, Juice!

Benn is a stud.

Look at the reach on Martez! Holy mother! He could probably tear down the whole stadium with one hand if he tried!

Brit didn't get enough of us - he had to come back for more.

Brit hamming it up with the reporters, undoubtedly for the BTN and the Illinois Journey show.

And here are a few attempts at a panorama. I'm not nearly as good as Dan with this stuff, but I'm trying.

This is from my seats in the 19th row.

illinifan87 · Oct 6, 2008, 11:45 PM

I've heard for as big as that place is the atmosphere sucks, unless Michigan is doing well.

zogillinifan · Oct 6, 2008, 11:47 PM

Wow, awesome pics Bonick! The photoshopped picture of Cumberland is hilarious!

*davidlee930* · Oct 7, 2008, 12:21 AM

oh my goodness I think i just creamed my pants a lil. these pics are great! you had awesome seats too.

fightingillini fan 4-ever · Oct 7, 2008, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zogillinifan

Wow, awesome pics Bonick! The photoshopped picture of Cumberland is hilarious!

Bonick, You D-Man..Stands and claps*****. Thanks for the pics. GO ILLINI!!!!!!(Wish I could have been there

)

*Illest* · Oct 7, 2008, 12:32 AM

Outstanding pictures! This board is really blessed with some great photographers. What a treat to get a sense of what it was like inside the stadium.

Go Illini!

*Illest* · Oct 7, 2008, 12:34 AM

After seeing those pictures, I can't help myself.

I-L-L!!

*mdeming* · Oct 7, 2008, 12:37 AM

Awesome pictures! From the black-and-white with orange to the great panos, incredible shots. Forget what I said before, you can stand in front of me for four quarters if you're taking pictures like this. I appreciate you sharing.

fightingillini fan 4-ever · Oct 7, 2008, 12:37 AM

I-N-I to my good friend Illest that bleeds Orange and Blue

*mdeming* · Oct 7, 2008, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illest

After seeing those pictures, I can't help myself.

I-L-L!!

I-N-I!!

Dan · Oct 7, 2008, 09:59 AM

Fantastic photo set bonick. Fantastic.

Cumberland's a matchup nightmare!

bigstevet07 · Oct 7, 2008, 10:22 AM

Awesome pics bonick! I thought that first pic of Cumberland didn't look right. Thanks for fixing it in the second pic.

*OrangeFever* · Oct 7, 2008, 10:43 AM

Bonick, great pictures. Thanks for sharing those. It was great that the players came over and celebrated with the fans at the end. I bet it was an unforgettable experience.

Pryzbylewski · Oct 7, 2008, 11:30 AM

I've been to three away games so far (Penn State fan) and really no one has impressed me yet.

Spartan Stadium - 2005. Some alumni got annoyed at us standing, so we ended up shifting over to the MSU student section. One guy heckled us and tore up our sign, but another guy told us about how he only comes to the games for the Frisbee catching dog at halftime. We made friends with him and chatted about how much we hate Michigan. Good times.

Michigan Stadium - 2007. I pretty much agree with everything you said - the stadium looks like nothing from the outside. They were giving out free 'Maize-Out' shirts, which is cheating. Penn State gives out pompoms or towels (mostly to the student section) but never shirts. The UM student section arrived late, and alumni only bothered to make noise on 3rd down. Guy in front of us was really strange, and his wife couldn't decide for whom to root. People were mostly nice though, even if they had funny accents. I don't like how the away section is at the rim of the stadium, or how the stadium does not look like a stadium from the outside, and how there's a residential neighborhood right across the street.

Ross-Ade Stadium - 2008. Penn State away section made more noise than the entire rest of the stadium. People didn't even make noise on 3rd down! Student section was late and left early. Far too much celebration for getting first downs. Worst of the bunch.

I'd like to get to a game at Champaign, Madison and Columbus sometime, but only Columbus is a reasonable driving distance. Tickets cost too much, though.

Oct 6, 2008, 11:36 PM	#62
bonick03 Chief Optimism Officer Location: Chicago Posts: 3,199	Okay. As promised. These are all scaled down big time, so if you think you'd like to see something a little bigger, let me know. This pin has traveled with us many times - and it finally came true! Illini fans REPRESENT! Look closely at the 40 in his hand. Nice. Orange arrows indicate potential a-whoopin. GPS says: "You are here - in hell." THERE'S THE COOLEST SECTION IN THE STADIUM! You guys rocked! I wanted to be up there so badly. . . Juice, after the national anthem, raising his helmet as if to say, "The next time I take this helmet off, an a-whooping of epic proportions will have been completed in this hizzouse." How do you spell Michigan? S-U-C-K-S. The crowd raises their voices as one to shout, "DOWN IN FRONT, LADY!" Now that's one huge student section. Large, but sucky. Our cheerleaders are better than your cheerleaders (see old men looking stupid at bottom of frame ). Look how big Cumberland is! He completely dwarfs the DBs from Michigan. This is the more accurate picture. In the last frame, I had to photoshop him down a few sizes. That's a lot of people! About to score. . . About to score again. . . After the game: Here they come! No, YOU rock, Juice! Benn is a stud. Look at the reach on Martez! Holy mother! He could probably tear down the whole stadium with one hand if he tried! Brit didn't get enough of us - he had to come back for more. Brit hamming it up with the reporters, undoubtedly for the BTN and the Illinois Journey show. And here are a few attempts at a panorama. I'm not nearly as good as Dan with this stuff, but I'm trying. This is from my seats in the 19th row. __________________

Oct 6, 2008, 11:45 PM	#63
illinifan87 Recruiting Guru Jr. Location: Twin Cities Posts: 3,656	I've heard for as big as that place is the atmosphere sucks, unless Michigan is doing well. __________________ STEWART/COLBERT IN 2008!!!

Oct 7, 2008, 09:59 AM	#72
Dan Admin Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 8,974	Fantastic photo set bonick. Fantastic. Cumberland's a matchup nightmare! __________________ IllinoisLoyalty \| Illini Basketball \| Illini Football \| Twitter \| Facebook

Oct 7, 2008, 10:22 AM	#73
bigstevet07 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 143	Awesome pics bonick! I thought that first pic of Cumberland didn't look right. Thanks for fixing it in the second pic. __________________ GO ILLINI!! Free Football RPG game customize your player... http://goallineblitz.com/game/signup.pl?ref=6415292

Oct 6, 2008, 09:28 PM	#53
davidlee930 Location: New York, NY Posts: 3,598	Gees, lengthy debate here. I believe I'm still young and energetic, and when I'm at sporting events I guess I may be too energetic for my own good. People constantly tell me to sit down, and I rarely listen. I guess I'm an ass or I'm inconsiderate according to some of your standards, but I'm not completely selfish. As long as the people telling me to sit down have a good reason I'll listen (most of the time they don't). But pretty much, I agree that if the it's an exciting game, and you're sitting, you better have a damned good reason. Cause in a game especially college football, the fans are the 12th man on the field and if you came to be idle, you might as well watch the game on tv and give up your seat to someone who'd be that 12th man.

Oct 6, 2008, 10:19 PM	#56
Illinir1 Location: Morris, IL Posts: 187	Let's see if the following link to my gallery of all the pictures I took on game day will work. http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...localeid=en_US We sat in the Illinois Section 9, row 89. It was a blast up there. With about 4 minutes left in the game we moved down to the first row in the SE corner where we expected the team would come to celebrate. And they did! See the pics. I was in the first row on the railing. First I thought I was going over the railing from the crush of people, then I was pinned hard against it. And I was loving every minute of it. This was a GREAT trip and day all around. GO ILLINI....BEAT THE GOLDEN RATS!

Oct 6, 2008, 11:47 PM	#64
zogillinifan Posts: 1,220	Wow, awesome pics Bonick! The photoshopped picture of Cumberland is hilarious!

Oct 7, 2008, 12:21 AM	#65
davidlee930 Location: New York, NY Posts: 3,598	oh my goodness I think i just creamed my pants a lil. these pics are great! you had awesome seats too.

Oct 7, 2008, 12:32 AM	#67
Illest Location: Boston Posts: 4,989	Outstanding pictures! This board is really blessed with some great photographers. What a treat to get a sense of what it was like inside the stadium. Go Illini!

Oct 7, 2008, 12:34 AM	#68
Illest Location: Boston Posts: 4,989	After seeing those pictures, I can't help myself. *I-L-L!!*

Oct 7, 2008, 12:37 AM	#69
mdeming belIeve Posts: 1,369	Awesome pictures! From the black-and-white with orange to the great panos, incredible shots. Forget what I said before, you can stand in front of me for four quarters if you're taking pictures like this. I appreciate you sharing.

Oct 7, 2008, 12:37 AM	#70
fightingillini fan 4-ever Banned Posts: 11,969	I-N-I to my good friend Illest that bleeds Orange and Blue

Oct 7, 2008, 10:43 AM	#74
OrangeFever Reforming Pessimism Officer Location: Seattle area Posts: 11,995	Bonick, great pictures. Thanks for sharing those. It was great that the players came over and celebrated with the fans at the end. I bet it was an unforgettable experience.

Oct 7, 2008, 11:30 AM	#75
Pryzbylewski Posts: 4	I've been to three away games so far (Penn State fan) and really no one has impressed me yet. Spartan Stadium - 2005. Some alumni got annoyed at us standing, so we ended up shifting over to the MSU student section. One guy heckled us and tore up our sign, but another guy told us about how he only comes to the games for the Frisbee catching dog at halftime. We made friends with him and chatted about how much we hate Michigan. Good times. Michigan Stadium - 2007. I pretty much agree with everything you said - the stadium looks like nothing from the outside. They were giving out free 'Maize-Out' shirts, which is cheating. Penn State gives out pompoms or towels (mostly to the student section) but never shirts. The UM student section arrived late, and alumni only bothered to make noise on 3rd down. Guy in front of us was really strange, and his wife couldn't decide for whom to root. People were mostly nice though, even if they had funny accents. I don't like how the away section is at the rim of the stadium, or how the stadium does not look like a stadium from the outside, and how there's a residential neighborhood right across the street. Ross-Ade Stadium - 2008. Penn State away section made more noise than the entire rest of the stadium. People didn't even make noise on 3rd down! Student section was late and left early. Far too much celebration for getting first downs. Worst of the bunch. I'd like to get to a game at Champaign, Madison and Columbus sometime, but only Columbus is a reasonable driving distance. Tickets cost too much, though.