(04-15-2010 11:10 AM)OwlFamily Wrote:  To be honest the Troy faithful REALLY seem to take the rooting for "insert Big time State school here" thing to extremes.
.....

Sorry Troy fans, but I always did think this hatred of people in your state who root for UA/Burn is a bit irrational.

Florida is much different than Alabama in this sense. You guys have, what, like 7 different I-A teams now? What some consider the big three in Miami, FSU, and Florida. Throw in UCF and South Florida who have had some success lately. Then the newcomers in FAU/FIU. And the state is huge. In Alabama, there are the big two, then the other two, in most people's mind. Troy is still in their infancy when it comes to I-A football, but the program has been around for a long time. UAB is often viewed as the little brother to Alabama, especially since there are some quirky board of director things going on there. People still think of us as Little Old Troy State. Even some of the UAB fans look down upon Troy, since they are in the almighty C-USA and we're in the lowly Sun Belt.

(04-15-2010 11:14 AM)KAjunRaider Wrote:  I think for the Troy fans that only root for Troy, they see the large amount of BAMA and Auburn gear on their campus and it makes them sick. I can sympathize.

Same thing happens in Lafayette and Monroe re: LSU. I saw a good number of folks in Troy one year with an Auburn tent that never even made it inside for the MT vs. Troy game. They tailgated and watched the Iron Bowl game outside the fence. I've seen the same thing happen at both Louisiana schools. Hell, many of our students who came on the student bus to Monroe, stayed outside and drank with the ULMLSU fans.

When we played in obKnoxiousville a few years back, we brought 10,000 or so, and many in our student section were wearing orange. I'd rather them not even make the trip.

The Troy guy who made the first post had to know he'd get some negative reaction. Like Lewis Grizzard said "Damn, brother, I don't believe I woulda told that"

Well, I did put on my flame retardant suit first!

It is the tailgate scene and the number of cheers that go up in our stadium whenever the Alabama or Auburn scores are announced that bother us. Like you said, there are some that don't even go inside. And some of our loyal fans have told us stories of the TV's in the boxes being tuned to a game other than the one they're attending.

When I go to a game in Tuscaloosa with my Dad, I'm there with him and cheer for Alabama. But also, when he comes to Troy with me, or flies to Baton Rouge with me, or Gainesville, or in this year's case, to FAU, he's a Troy fan with me.

Also, when several of our starting players post things on twitter or facebook about how the Bama/Auburn gear on campus disgusts them, we sort of take it personally since we are there to support the athletes.

(04-15-2010 11:34 AM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  it isnt that we hate everyone who pulls for Auburn or Alabama. it is the people who attend Troy University, but claim the Tigers or Tide as their team rather than the Trojans. these people are generally a bit snobby about the fact too. causes a lot of friction on campus. ill tell you this though, according to people I know who are still in school down there, the Barner and Bammer fan population is becoming the minority. i guess when your program is a winner it gets easier to claim them as "YOUR TEAM."

personally i just dont understand the mindset of these folks. they grow up pulling for a team, i get that. i grew up an Auburn fan because my Mother attended Auburn. When I got to Troy I decided I would pull for Troy for the same reason my mother pulls for Auburn...it's MY school. All of my memories, my friends, my youth, was all spent at TROY, not Auburn.

In Alabama, we dont have any professional football. I think this is a big reason that Auburn and Alabama are so big...they are like our pro teams. still, it makes so little sense to go to Troy and pull for one of the other two. you dont see Auburn fans at Alabama or vice versa. accept it or not, football prowess affects the image of your University. Troy competes with Bama and Auburn for recruits, so they are rivals. why on earth would you pull for your rival?

Another weird thing is it seems to be confined totally to football. students who claim Auburn as their team will pull for Troy's baseball program to kick their butts.

anyways, its already began to change. i mean, people are going to pick a side during the Iron Bowl because it's the Iron Bowl, but Troy is becomming primary to most now.

With South I can understand, they havent had a football team until last season. It'll get better there too, especially if they can get good. Troy is going to do everything in its power to smash South every time we play them. I hope we dominate them the way we dominate Middle. Guess we'll see.

Yeah, my brother in law is about to graduate, and he has told me similar stories.

Now if we can just keep the Bama gear out of our homecoming parade.

I use to be one of those anal Troy fans who hated all things Auburn and Alabama. I use to get all riled up about it like so many others.

Then I realized, I make decisions for myself like a big boy...why don't I let others make decisions for themselves as well?

Once I stopped being a member of the 'Fan Police' life became much better.

It really isn't that big of a deal and while I can understand, in a way, why people get so upset about the "combo-fans" in reality they should really worry more about themselves and stop trying to control other people's lives.

I grew up a fan of neither Alabama nor Auburn... my dad was transferred from Raleigh, NC to B'ham and I grew up attending basketball and baseball camps and games at UAB. I graduated from UAB and support them 100% because UAB is MY school. I don't get this attitude of "well I'm a grad of school X but I pull for team Y." Bammer and the Tiggers aren't pro teams... they are just other schools' teams, no matter how big they get.

The USA "fans" at the Coors Classic this past basketball season blew my mind. Some lady wearing a USA shirt and a houndstooth scarf asked if my wife and I would be staying after the UAB-USA game to cheer on Bama. Our response was a polite "I don't think we will."
She was highly offended at this and said "Well why not? You are UAB fans aren't you? You should support The Capstone."
Our simple reply was "We're UAB Blazer fans and UAB alums, not Crimson Tide fans."
The lady looked like we had just shot her cat.

(04-15-2010 10:45 PM)Schard Wrote:  I grew up a fan of neither Alabama nor Auburn... my dad was transferred from Raleigh, NC to B'ham and I grew up attending basketball and baseball camps and games at UAB. I graduated from UAB and support them 100% because UAB is MY school. I don't get this attitude of "well I'm a grad of school X but I pull for team Y." Bammer and the Tiggers aren't pro teams... they are just other schools' teams, no matter how big they get.

The USA "fans" at the Coors Classic this past basketball season blew my mind. Some lady wearing a USA shirt and a houndstooth scarf asked if my wife and I would be staying after the UAB-USA game to cheer on Bama. Our response was a polite "I don't think we will."
She was highly offended at this and said "Well why not? You are UAB fans aren't you? You should support The Capstone."
Our simple reply was "We're UAB Blazer fans and UAB alums, not Crimson Tide fans."
The lady looked like we had just shot her cat.

Bama and Auburn fans are very passionate (sometimes too much so)about their teams no matter if they attended those schools or not, or attended another school. I went to Alabama for a year and transferred to USA due to lack of funds. I became a huge fan of Jaguar athletics.
When South plays Bama, I root for the Jags. When we start "getting beat up" as someone said, I'm a still a Jaguar fan 'til the end.

Threads lie this (and Facebook postings from old fraternity brothers and fellow Troy alumni who comment about attending other I-A teams' games) make me feel physically ill.

Look, what y'all do is your business, be it Bama or whomever, but you brought this to a Sun Belt board and if you get bashed, talked about, cursed...my apologies. Try bamaonline or another of their numerous worship sites; it would be better received...

(04-16-2010 12:19 PM)BMarkey Wrote:  Threads lie this (and Facebook postings from old fraternity brothers and fellow Troy alumni who comment about attending other I-A teams' games) make me feel physically ill.

Hey Bob. Similar to how you attend FAU games since your daughter is there, my Dad regularly goes to Alabama and Troy games, since that's where his kids went. We're coming down your way for the Troy/FAU game this December. I think everyone here knows I'm a Troy fan first and foremost.

(04-16-2010 12:29 PM)trojanbrutha Wrote:  Look, what y'all do is your business, be it Bama or whomever, but you brought this to a Sun Belt board and if you get bashed, talked about, cursed...my apologies. Try bamaonline or another of their numerous worship sites; it would be better received...

I jokingly put that in my first post about getting flamed. I thought maybe one or two comments would be posted. Didn't realize there would be the argument that happened.

But if there's a chance to go to a college football game, and no way that I can attend the Troy game that weekend, I'm up for it. That's one of the first things we look at each year when planning on which tix to buy. Everyone knows I'm at all Troy home games, and then we pick a few road games to attend. And if there's a Saturday we can ride over to Tuscaloosa for a game, we do that as well. I think I've been to 1 Bama game in the past 2 years - Tulane in 2008 when we had a bye week after the LSU game was postponed, which we were planning on and eventually went to at the later date. I've been to 13 Troy games in that same span.

I have no problem with going to a game for the sake of entertainment, or for a family member. I wet to the Peach Bowl (Florida and Miami) a few years ago. BTW, my daughter actually participates in the FAU games with the band. But my loyalties are clear and, yes, I catch hell for them at FAU games while wearing Troy gear (when FAU is playing Troy).

But I am sickened by the rah-rah threads and postings that so joyous show some person's true sports loves. I am not accusing you of that, however this thread / issue just stirs up my stomach.

I fail to understand how some alumni can so openly root for (follow or even financially support) a competing program when they poured years of their effort and money into a school that so much more needs their support and with whose support they could derive so much more satisfaction.

(04-16-2010 12:46 PM)BMarkey Wrote:  I have no problem with going to a game for the sake of entertainment, or for a family member. I wet to the Peach Bowl (Florida and Miami) a few years ago. BTW, my daughter actually participates in the FAU games with the band. But my loyalties are clear and, yes, I catch hell for them at FAU games while wearing Troy gear (when FAU is playing Troy).

But I am sickened by the rah-rah threads and postings that so joyous show some person's true sports loves. I am not accusing you of that, however this thread / issue just stirs up my stomach.

I fail to understand how some alumni can so openly rot for a competing team when they poured years of their effort and money into a school that so much more needs their support and with whose support they could derive so much more satisfaction.

To be sappy and poetic, because I'm the really sensitive type, I'll just say "The heart wants what the heart wants."

I do get agitated when a non-alum of a school seem to count it as personal accomplishment because they root for them. You chose to back a winner, you didn't rush into a burning building to save a toddler.

(04-16-2010 01:07 PM)AtlantaJag Wrote:  I do get agitated when a non-alum of a school seem to count it as personal accomplishment because they root for them. You chose to back a winner, you didn't rush into a burning building to save a toddler.

I have a somewhat different take on this one, AJ, with all due respect. Even though I'm not an alumn of USA (unless the one course I took there makes me one, which is disputable), I support the school's athletics with my bucks. Those bucks in turn go into the AD's coffers, which helps the AD hire the best coaches, build the best facilities, etc., etc. To me, this does make me a part of the cog in the wheel if not a part of the team, and it makes me feel as if I did have a small part to do with any huge victory (or tiny victory for that matter) as well as with the losses. This is how at least I feel a personal connection to the program.

When I first moved to Mobile, I was quite turned off at many of the "sidewalk alumni" who rooted Bama and AU on and acted as if they were a part of the victories. One day it finally clicked with me though -- all of that team gear represented $$$ toward that victory, however insignificant of an amount. They DID in fact deserve to feel a small sense of accomplishment for their financial and vocal support after all. Just my 2 cents...

I'm with ya' though -- we are coaches, fans and players and until we actually do something heroic, none of us should be considered heroes (or even role models for that matter -- i.e., Tiger Woods).

Sorry for the long, drawn out post and thanks for listenin' :-)

I can't speak for others nor can I understand how they do it, but that's just not for me.

"No servant can serve two masters."

It sure would be easier if I could support one of the BCS schools that's a perennial 9-10 win teams......I could sleep much better on Saturday nights during the Fall.....but for me, I'm stuck with the one that my father introduced me to.

Look, here is the thing MOST people are missing here...

USA JUST started football. USA fans don't have a TRADITION of supporting USA football because it didn't exist prior to last year! Are you saying I couldn't be a fan of ANY football team for the period before USA had football?

You mean there aren't any UALR fans that are Arkansas fans? There aren't UNO fans that are LSU fans? Are they NOT allowed to be a fan of any football team simply because their team does not have football? Get real.

Now for a hypothetical... say UALR started football next year. Do you think every fan would forget the years of following Arkansas football and everything that goes with it (buying merchandise, attending games, watching TV, rooting endlessly, tailgating, following NFL almunus, follwing recruiting, etc.)? Some posts in this thread are green with envy of the BCS schools. We'd all be lucky as hell to have half the fanbase a team like Alabama has.

(04-16-2010 02:20 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  Look, here is the thing MOST people are missing here...

USA JUST started football. USA fans don't have a TRADITION of supporting USA football because it didn't exist prior to last year! Are you saying I couldn't be a fan of ANY football team for the period before USA had football?

You mean there aren't any UALR fans that are Arkansas fans? There aren't UNO fans that are LSU fans? Are they NOT allowed to be a fan of any football team simply because their team does not have football? Get real.

Now for a hypothetical... say UALR started football next year. Do you think every fan would forget the years of following Arkansas football and everything that goes with it (buying merchandise, attending games, watching TV, rooting endlessly, tailgating, following NFL almunus, follwing recruiting, etc.)? Some posts in this thread are green with envy of the BCS schools. We'd all be lucky as hell to have half the fanbase a team like Alabama has.

This is true for you guys, and FAU/FIU. There are relatively few schools that have NEVER had a football team. Troy for example has had football at Troy for over 100 years throught different levels. I think thats what irks them and other schools that have been playing for a long time. Its only natural for fans of our programs to be fans of the local college team. (miami in our case, and I guess Bama in yours)

FAU/FIU/USA have alumni bases that NEVER had football as part of thier college experience in any incarnation and therefore have NO attachement. This hinders donations and attendance.

That is changing for our schools but it will take time.

(04-16-2010 02:20 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  Look, here is the thing MOST people are missing here...

USA JUST started football. USA fans don't have a TRADITION of supporting USA football because it didn't exist prior to last year! Are you saying I couldn't be a fan of ANY football team for the period before USA had football?

Excellent point.....and you're right, I overlooked that.

To clarify my frustration......what gets me is when a ASU alumni supports pig football. I'll never understand it.

So what? These "new" football schools have other sports that have competed with the big boys for decades. I don't understand how someone can be a fan of one school for football and another for, say, baseball. Either you have pride in YOUR school - all of your school - or you are a confused and/or sad case.

I used to understand the Troy fans who also rooted for one of a half-dozen (not just 'Bama) teams - when Troy was in another division. But we are on the same playing field now. Make your choice and live with it. If you choose the school at which you never spend a day, shed a tear or cut a check, so be it. Enjoy. WE don't need or want you.

(04-16-2010 03:16 PM)BMarkey Wrote:  So what? These "new" football schools have other sports that have competed with the big boys for decades. I don't understand how someone can be a fan of one school for football and another for, say, baseball. Either you have pride in YOUR school - all of your school - or you are a confused and/or sad case.

I used to understand the Troy fans who also rooted for one of a half-dozen (not just 'Bama) teams - when Troy was in another division. But we are on the same playing field now. Make your choice and live with it. If you choose the school at which you never spend a day, shed a tear or cut a check, so be it. Enjoy. WE don't need or want you.

Maybe you should re-read my posts before making yours. I do support USA in every sport. I have rooted for USA against Alabama in every sport. College football has been around for 140 years. USA played football for a total of 1 year (last year). So are you saying I wasn't allowed to be a fan of any team of football even though there was no team at 'my' school to even cheer for? That is ridiculous. Good thing I don't like hockey, since USA doesn't field a hockey team.

Back in the days before UAB football, there were MANY Bama fans in Birmingham that openly supported UAB basketball. When UAB football began making its push into Div I-A, loyalties were challenged and lines were drawn for all sports, whether we as UAB supporters wanted it or not. USA will feel this soon, just as all long-time Troy and UAB fans have witnessed first hand. Just be thankful USA isn't 45 minutes from Tuscaloosa or Auburn.

(04-16-2010 03:25 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(04-16-2010 03:16 PM)BMarkey Wrote:  So what? These "new" football schools have other sports that have competed with the big boys for decades. I don't understand how someone can be a fan of one school for football and another for, say, baseball. Either you have pride in YOUR school - all of your school - or you are a confused and/or sad case.

I used to understand the Troy fans who also rooted for one of a half-dozen (not just 'Bama) teams - when Troy was in another division. But we are on the same playing field now. Make your choice and live with it. If you choose the school at which you never spend a day, shed a tear or cut a check, so be it. Enjoy. WE don't need or want you.

Maybe you should re-read my posts before making yours. I do support USA in every sport. I have rooted for USA against Alabama in every sport. College football has been around for 140 years. USA played football for a total of 1 year (last year). So are you saying I wasn't allowed to be a fan of any team of football even though there was no team at 'my' school to even cheer for? That is ridiculous. Good thing I don't like hockey, since USA doesn't field a hockey team.

How about this man...

You cheer for whoever the hell you want and if anyone else says anything just tell them to go **** themselves. Honestly some people just are not happy unless they can control how everyone else lives as well.

>>So are you saying I wasn't allowed to be a fan of any team of football even though there was no team at 'my' school to even cheer for? That is ridiculous. Good thing I don't like hockey, since USA doesn't field a hockey team. <<

Do whatever you want. But you are not a true fan of your school if your loyalties lie with another school to which you have no connection.