Black Out

[mbenecke]

Before you get too upset, we recognize that our school colors are burnt orange and seal brown. However, we wanted to get the opinions of some knowledgeable alums about the idea of having a Student Section black out for a basketball game next year? Black is NOT a school color, and we do not want to have full-time black uniforms or anything like that. But how do people feel about a game with the team wearing black and the student section also wearing black? We feel that the sense of unity between the section and team would be cool, and that the black would be extremely badass, especially if it were a night game. The reason we are asking rather than moving ahead without your "consent" is that we very seriously value the input of ALL of our alumni and fans, so we would never do something that we thought might be risky without prior approval. If it's a crappy idea, feel free to shoot it down by all means.

Just a thought. Please don't shoot the messenger!

Go Falcons!

[Flipper]

Black outs are sometimes called brown outs...

[footballguy51]

I personally despise the black.

[mbenecke]

Black outs are sometimes called brown outs...

And I love the idea of a brown out! It's a school color, for crying out loud.

We ran a poll from our twitter (@bg_creatures) and it came back just 53% favorable for a 'Brown Out' on 96 votes. Unfortunately, brown is viewed unfavorably in my generation.

However, because of what I can tell is a definite "no" to a 'Black Out' from this group already, we will not seek to pursue this further. I appreciate the input! You guys (and gals) are what make this University incredible.

We will stick with orange and white for now, and hopefully brown will regain some popularity within the student body so we can use that at some point.

Roll Along!

[JohnFloyd4Life]

The theme doesn't matter, there wont be students there unless there is consistent success. There hasn't been a consistent student section since 04-05 (Josh Almanson & John Reimold's senior year) and hasn't been a large student section since 01-02 (The last time BG had a legitimately good squad) and there has never been a legitimate student section since they left Anderson. Your theme can be whatever you want but the nature of MAC fair weather students is you have to win for kids to show up.

[mbenecke]

JF4L,

We realize this. And it's a tough thing to overcome.

Our thoughts are that if we can make the environment for the students as 'fun' as possible, they will be more likely to come back. And if they come back, they might be willing to bring their friends.

I always pump up BG athletic events on my social media on the off chance that someone might see it and come to the game.

I agree with you in that I think the key to the student section growing is winning. However, we also think that a good student section is one of the keys to gaining a home court advantage, and winning. So we set our goal at making it large enough to effect the game, and then once we start winning, we think it will really start filling out.

It's a process. And a long one. But I haven't given up.

[Schadenfreude]

Black outs are sometimes called brown outs...

I'm all for a brown out. Let's do that.

[FalconTurf]

If a significant number of students will attend and participate in the crowd I personally don't care if we have a "Green Out" as long as the students want it. I don't want to pick uniforms, cheers, chants, slogans or special event nights for any programs. All I care about is success in classrooms, in competition and in bringing the community together. If 1 night of black uniforms creates environment for 1 night then go for it and I'll even wear a black BG shirt in support of my university.

[ZuluWarrior]

Unfortunately since the Stroh was built we've had a perpetual brown out - lots of empty brown seats and bleachers.

[mbenecke]

Unfortunately since the Stroh was built we've had a perpetual brown out - lots of empty brown seats and bleachers.

Very true. I absolutely loved seeing it over halfway full for the Toledo game this year. I can only hope that we steadily improve and it brings people in. I love seeing the Falcon community supporting their teams in droves.

[ZuluWarrior]

The day will come when Falcon basketball will excite the student-body, alumni and BG community - when it does the Stroh will rock and I am very cautious, but optimistic that Coach Huger is on the right track.

[Flipper]

If a significant number of students will attend and participate in the crowd I personally don't care if we have a "Green Out" as long as the students want it. I don't want to pick uniforms, cheers, chants, slogans or special event nights for any programs. All I care about is success in classrooms, in competition and in bringing the community together. If 1 night of black uniforms creates environment for 1 night then go for it and I'll even wear a black BG shirt in support of my university.

Amen...

I'm down with brown...but if the kids today aren't with that, I'm good with black. I tell my daughter that gender pronoun use with respect to trans individuals is the new generation gap ( e.g. IMO Caitlin Jenner is a he no matter what ESPN says). Maybe it's the acceptance of the color brown as an apparel option?

[MarkL]

Black out is what happens on a United flight, not at BGSU.

[CrazyFan]

A blackout is also what happens when the Tillers cell phones run out of battery after a long night of video recording bar patrons.