Where are all the Loyalists?

[Newman]

GeNioS, great post! As a diehard hockey fan (hooray for the end of the lockout!!!! Now I can go to NHL games again!) and a "newbie" to soccer myself, I totally understand where you're coming from. The supporters groups totally made me feel welcome at the games and here on the boards. I agree that the experience is SOO much better when you sit...um I mean stand with them. Now if only the rest of the stadium would get involved........

[Aerick]

Yeah man! My wife and kids come too, and when they can't stand anymore, they migrate back to our seats about 10 rows up and take a breather. It's a good strategy. 🙂

[GeNioS]

Originally Posted by DadOf8

Genios, I live about 3 miles from the E-Center but I might move to Provo (better house, cheaper payments). If I don't move to Provo I will get to some Grizzlies games. I wonder if we could get a supporters group going for the Grizz or if there's even interest in something like that. Great post by the way!

It would be fun to get a supporter group for the Grizzlies. There are only a couple of issues that would most-likely prevent it from happening.

A) Tickets are way too expensive. They are playing "AA" hockey now, two steps from the NHL and if you're a diehard you know they are both pretty big steps. The season ticket price in the seats I like to sit in (and would be best for a support group) are $618. They lowered the price a whopping $62 off last year's price. $1236 for a couple is too much I think. (I think?..c'mon let's get real!)

B) I haven't seen anything from the Grizzlies that would lead me to believe that they would care about having fan support groups. Last year's Golden Eagles retro night (talk about an amazing way to reach out the old die-hards) was awful. Other than 80 year Art Teece speaking (amazing), one table of memorabilia (see below), and the "Eagles, Eagles, Fight Fight Fight!" chant I got going towards the end of the game, it was pathetic.

A couple of final comments related to the the Grizzlies and RSL. At the retro night, a lady had a table set up with memorabilia (no one knew about, of course). Amongst the collection, she had a book full of Eagles news articles. It reminded me that they were always on the front page of the sports section with big articles and photos....those days are long gone.

The Grizzlies are a footnote underneath Tiger Woods new golf clubs. When RSL plays (or the Grizzlies for that matter), it should be the only story on the front two pages with multiple articles (main story, coach article, player insight, fan interviews) and photos. People will read them and become interested. The Loyalists and the RCB should have articles with each groups commentary right next to the main article along with upcoming events. Check out the Boston Globe any day of the week the Sox, Bruins, or Celtics play. Plus, the Boston Dirt Dogs have a link right in the middle of the Sox section on the Globe website. That not even a group..just a blog.

At one time I thought about contacting the Trib to see if I could submit independent articles on the Grizzlies to be published. Then reality set in...why waste my time?.....(pretty pathetic, isn't it...shame on me I guess.) I hope that RSL continues to get more and more media coverage, not less and less.

Perhaps we can talk some hockey at the tailgate thing? Will you be there?

Thanks everyone for the kind comments. I wasn't sure how you would react to a newbie posting a long note. I'll do everything I can to be at the tailgate tomorrow. When does it fire up?

Loyalists = Loyalists + 1?

[montgjules]

Dont' forget to go do a full intro in the "Introductions" subforum! See you tomorrow! Drop by the Loyalists booth in Carnival Real. We're gonna have some fun stuff going on!

[rabble-rabble]

I've lamented the demise of the atmosphere at hockey matches elsewhere in these forums. In the last 70s-early 80s, my favorite sports team was the Golden Eagles, largely because of the atmosphere. Ray Brown would lead our cheers through the whole game and get the Salt Palace ROCKING. Loved the 4-way EAGLES chant and Eagles Eagles Fight Fight Fight! It was one sporting event I could go to, yell my head off, and not be told to quiet down by anyone because we were all yelling and participating.

Now the E-Center just has lots of jock rock and that obnoxious horn they blow after a goal (wouldn't want to hear the CROWD cheering for a goal now would we?)

I'm not meaning to criticize any of you that enjoy the Grizzlies or anything, and know that some of you probably make a lot of noise there. But compared to the old days, hockey in this town just isn't what it used to be.

[GeNioS]

Originally Posted by rabble-rabble

I'm not meaning to criticize any of you that enjoy the Grizzlies or anything, and know that some of you probably make a lot of noise there. But compared to the old days, hockey in this town just isn't what it used to be.

My father was Golden Eagles goal judge for 20 years. He played here before the Eagles were formed. I was one of the kids running under the bleachers at the Salt Palace. Goldie came to my birthday party.

When I saw the people try the 3 way cheer at the last RSL game it reminded me of the Ray Brown Eagles 4-way you mentioned. If you heard it you'll never forget it. (btw....How did he stand up and even run in that condition??? He should be studied.) We sat in Dress Circle, section 27, Row E, Seats 3&4. I wasn't old enough to sit by the opposing team bench where they had to put up the high glass...but we snuck over there all the time anyway once the game started and my Dad couldn't watch us. Talk about a warzone.

You can criticize all you want. I'll stand right next to you. Hockey in this town isn't what it used to be? Hockey in this town isn't hockey. Of course, with the new rule changes, I'm afraid that the sport I grew up watching and playing doesn't exist anywhere.

[DadOf8]

I expect to be at the tailgate. It starts at 5:00 PM. My mom just moved back to Utah from Washington D.C. and I'm taking her to the RSL game. She is notoriously late, so I'm hoping she doesn't keep me from going to the tailgate. I also hope RSL wins because my mom might be converted. And no, she's not a D.C. United fan.

[MomOf8]

Originally Posted by DadOf8

She is notoriously late, so I'm hoping she doesn't keep me from going to the tailgate.

Good luck to ya sugarbear! :wub: