MSU fans have a long way to go to be elite!

In my very short career as a sports reporter and journalist, I have been privileged to witness great sport match-ups throughout this fine country of ours. From our nation’s capital to the great plains of North Dakota, to cheese-heads to Touchdown Jesus, I’ve had a chance to visit some of the many great sports facilities this land has to offer. My Spartan Pride swells each time I get a chance to walk on the green at Spartan Stadium, but nothing, and I mean nothing had prepared me for the Shoe.

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 Nestled snugly in the friendly town of Columbus, Ohio, Ohio State University ranks among the most outstanding universities in the United States. The beautiful campus reminded me of Michigan State, similar in size, atmosphere, and several recent editions and modern architecture. Crossing that impressive bridge into that gorgeous campus was a sight to uphold. As a sea of scarlet and buckeye necklaces enveloped our car, it was clear to see that this was THE place. Its reputation as a stellar school is only enhanced by its rich football tradition kept alive by an outstanding head coach, Jim Tressel. This is the program that does everything right. I bleed green but there is a reason that this team is the number one team in the country, and not just on the field.

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One of the main things that stuck out in my head the most about the Shoe was the fans and the atmosphere in the stadium. Behind the stained-glass windows of the Shoe were 100, 000 buckeyes screaming at full capacity. What impressed me the most was the consistency in the crowd. This stadium does not need a student section. In most college stadiums I’ve been, it was fairly easy to pick out the student sections. The massive student sections of Notre Dame and Wisconsin dwarfed the tiny section of Ohio State, but only in size. The students in Ohio were reserved a small section between the uprights at the top of the Shoe. The added advantage of having a psychological 12th player in the rambunctious student section was not a factor at Ohio State. The entire crowd was just as rowdy as any section I’ve experienced at Spartan Stadium. The camera in my hands shook under the enormous noise of Buckeyes!!

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From children to old folk alike, it was painfully obvious that these friendly people of Ohio enjoyed their football. The alums were proud of their school, and proud of their amazing football program. Never have I witnessed better fans in all of sports. To be honest, the whole stadium gave off a family-friendly vibe. Any professional team in the country would be lucky to have an atmosphere like that of Ohio State. I have heard the horror stories, but it wasn't reality for us and we where all over. Â
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Don’t misunderstand that I am a proud member of the Spartan Nation. I just can’t help, but imagine if MSU fans united in wearing the same colors when asked and if the crowd outside the student section had as much emotion as the student section. We demand championship programs from out sports program (and we should), but how often do the fans of the Spartan Nation emulate the fans of other championship programs.

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How many white outs have been called for with MSU football or basketball only to see a stadium that reflects the opposite. How many times at the Breslin have you looked about the Izzone only to see the vast majority on their butts? How many times on third down at the sacred cathedral of the Spartan Nation: Spartan Stadium, have the fans sat and observed rather than becoming a part of the game?

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I am not saying that the fans are always bad at MSU I am saying that we have a long way to go to be what we want of our program. I can’t wait for the MSU vs. SCum game in eight days. I hope that the wolvies get a dose of what a great stadium can do for a football game!