Coach Chambers Got Your Back Anyway
by Eric Gibson on Feb 14, 2012 1:30 PM EST
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PrintThere's a promotion for every basketball home game sponsored by McDonald's. If Penn State scores 70 or more in a game (a tall task, no doubt), all ticket stubs are worthy of one free Big Mac. In typical fashion, this is all our student section cares about during the game. So even though there was a funeral atmosphere for most of the contest on Saturday despite PSU's incredible play, things picked up drastically in the last two minutes of the game. You might have been confused if you were watching on tv, but all that noise on the last few possessions were students smelling a free Big Mac.
Penn State scored their 67th point with 2:22 to go in the game. This was also the point in the game where Frazier needed just one more assist for a triple-double. You probably thought Penn State students might have been aware of this fact the way they were carrying on in a blowout win after being practically silent the whole game. This would have actually been appropriate. But nope, what they wanted was a free Big Mac for the trouble they had to endure to go to a Penn State basketball game.
The Nits had the ball at the end of the game. The pressure the students put on Matt Glover to take a final three to clinch the promotion started to really pick up. Glover looked over to the bench, and Coach Chambers gave the greatest look of, 'are you (mouth-cover) kidding me?' The game came to an appropriate close, and students were disappointed they couldn't hit McDonald's that night at 2AM for a free sandwich.
However, despite an incredible lackluster turnout by the student section as a whole (even though an anonymous donor for CVC gave out 500 FREE tix!), despite the fact the only time they were united was for a Subway sandwich and a chance for a Big Mac, and despite putting on a terrible showing of support for our future star Brandon Austin, Coach Chambers has organized a way to repay our disgruntled, entitled students out of his own pocket.
Yes, you all get a chance for a FREE Big Mac anyway. Go to the downtown McDonald's tomorrow from 12-1PM. Chambers will be there to hook you up. You didn't even have to go to the game. All you have to do is wear a Nittany Nation t-shirt.
All hail Pat Chambers! (And come to a basketball game for once (and if you do, actually look like you have pride in our school)).
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Excuse my language,
but that’s fucking terrible.
by lion09 on Feb 14, 2012 1:34 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Wow.
I think every student should just go down there and shake his hand, because he deserves a lot of respect. Anyone who actually accepts the Big Mac offer should just recluse themselves from any future sporting events.
It is easy to go down into Hell; night and day, the gates of dark Death stand wide; but to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air - there's the rub, the task.
by Succss With Honor Always on Feb 14, 2012 1:37 PM EST reply actions
I am supportive of this.
Seriously, let’s get some student or something to start one of them social media campaign dealies to NOT accept the stupid hamburger sandwiches, but instead tell Coach C how much we appreciate him.
"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace
by PSUinBOSSton on Feb 14, 2012 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
I have a Canadian dollar
for the first student to show up with two ticket stubs requesting a big mac for their friend who couldn’t be there.
"If there’s a villain in this tragedy. It lies in that investigation, not in Joe Paterno’s response to it," ~ Phil Knight
As much as it irks me to admit...
We all know that’s going to happen which is unfortunate. My fellow peers suck. Nothing else to it.
by SaintJoePa045 on Feb 14, 2012 5:54 PM EST up reply actions
That's funny because when watching I thought the crowd really wanted Frazier's 10th assist
Didn’t realize it was b/c of the Big Mac promotion. Hard to believe there is any promotion for only scoring 70 points, even with this team.
Maybe 70 is the grams of fat in a Big Mac?
"Goodnight, Gorbachev"
I say and kiss my pillow
In my bed alone
It's a pretty safe promotion for McD's.
It happens maybe once a year. And with the low attendance at games, I can easily see how it’s worth it for all the advertising they get out of it.
Love this guy
Hope the team develops and the fans start to show up.
Someone buy Coach Chambers a Big Mac!
I’m lov’in it!
"a Pride of Lions that is Penn State football. All of us - players, coaches, students, alumni & fans - are in the Pride. And once in, you never get out." - Jay Paterno
Brandon Austin
Terrible show of support? Can we get some elaboration on this? I have fears that Austin won’t follow through on his verbal.
Crowd wasnt bad
Just they were not loud at all. Pretty much seemed completely disinterested from what i saw
by ReddWhitenBlue on Feb 14, 2012 1:57 PM EST up reply actions
I wouldn't have fears because it's not like we've ever had a supportive student section.
He sure as hell didn’t commit because of our fans in the first place, so I don’t think it’ll ever be an issue.
But I witnessed him basically walk through the entire student section without being recognized or congratulated by anyone. Then we couldn’t even fill the lower courtside section that fits around 750 students. Then other than the 50 or so regulars of Nittany Nation, the place had an incredibly tame atmosphere for an exciting performance from the home team. At least the alumni came out in force for CVC (there was probably 10k there), but they’re always silent. The students are the ones that need to give the place life and they absolutely did not on Saturday.
Those same 50 NN regulars though then tried to get a Brandon Austin cheer going and he appreciated that. But it was a lot weaker than it could have been because the students were so apathetic.
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
even though the students
always come out for football, its shocking how many don’t know anything about our team, i am constantly being asked by students around me in the student section who players are, or what position they play…so i am not shocked that basketball fans wouldn’t know a junior in high school
Still worried
BJC just doesn’t match the atmosphere offered by the other schools interested in Austin. Hopefully Chambers is as good of a salesman as he appears to be.
The students need to show up and support this guy and the program. Things are headed in the right direction. It’s my belief that if things don’t work out under Chambers then its a pretty clear sign that mediocrity is this program’s pinnacle.
Maybe he can try handing out Big Macs AT the game?
by NittanyBlueHen on Feb 14, 2012 2:15 PM EST up reply actions
50 regulars? serioously?
with 43,000 students that is a 0.11% showing. There must be a lot more going on in SC during the winter than when I was in school.
"If there’s a villain in this tragedy. It lies in that investigation, not in Joe Paterno’s response to it," ~ Phil Knight
It is sad because I was there...
…and by the end of the game I was wondering why there wasn’t a Brandon Austin chant or a “Play for us” chant.
My first thoughts were the same as lion09's
FUCKING TERRIBLE!
If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time. - Franco Harris
The guy is busting his ass.
He is literally buying you lunch and all he asks in return is that you show up at some games and cheer.
"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace
by PSUinBOSSton on Feb 14, 2012 1:59 PM EST up reply actions
If I lived 3 hours closer...
I’d go to those games.
Shit man…Dave Joyner…do whatever you can to keep this man happy.
That's great
I hope students pay attention to this and make some noise next game (or at least show up).
Outlook doesn't look too good the rest of the year, either.
Iowa – “I had a ton of exams and I gotta get ready for THON.”
Northwestern – 9PM on State Patty’s day? Will they get 100 students?
Michigan – Over Spring Break. Forget about it.
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
I love Pat Chambers
But I must shamefully admit, the strongest emotion I came away from this article with was the emotion of wanting to eat a Big Mac.
Ideally, while sitting across a fixed-in-place playmobil-style McDonalds dining table from Pat Chambers.
When the team succeeds, the students will come.
The NIT run in 2009 proved that. The home games we had were pretty packed.
I don’t have any doubt that Chambers will bring this team back to a competitive level, and once he does, the students will come. It’s frustrating, but that’s the way it is.
by psuwxman on Feb 14, 2012 2:30 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Obvious solution
Give Chambers a pressurized t-shirt gun and let him fire Big Macs into the crowd. I’m only half kidding.
by Chris Grovich on Feb 14, 2012 2:32 PM EST via mobile reply actions
You were thinking Double Whoppers instead?
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Values vs. Value meal
This was a pretty pathetic response at the end of the game. I have not missed a home game this season. This team goes out and busts it every time they step on the floor. For the “Fans”, it was not just the student section but they seemed the loudest, to practically boo our own team when we did the right thing by holding the ball was really crappy. These guys deserve much better than this. Maybe it goes to show you just how good those Big Macs taste. ;). But seriously, where are the values?
Peter
I think the booing was a joke
Granted, I wasnt there, but I have a hard time believing that any student section would boo a their team when they just crushed the opposing team, simply because they didnt get a free big mac.
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Same complaints I've heard for 15 years
2001 the place was packed for the second half of the season, simply because the team was good. Winning equals selling tickets. How many people go to Clippers games now? Stop trying to beg and plead. The team has to win and win consistently. Period. Enjoy your Big Mac’s! Coach C is heading in the right direction, but its a long trip.
"That's why you don't play! 'Cuz you're no good!" -Joe Paterno
by pmm156 on Feb 14, 2012 2:48 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
See: 76ers, The, 2011-12.
"Is that a shot at me? 'cause that makes me want to read it all the less."
Professional Sports are a completely different animal.
I hope I don’t have to explain why.
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
Beat me to it.
"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace
by PSUinBOSSton on Feb 14, 2012 2:54 PM EST up reply actions
You explained it better below.
Thank you. You don’t get this in Pro Sports.
I’m sure plenty of ‘Penn State’ fans wouldn’t mind coloring a Tar Heel or Dukie, though. Or Villanova Wildcat. Or whatever other frontrunner basketball program they lie.
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
I think you can make a clear distinction between a pro and college team.
They don’t charge $100 for a ticket, $40 for parking, and lack affiliation with something you really care about. This is your University team, there should be more support than what it gets. Especially this group the way they’re busting their butts.
"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace
by PSUinBOSSton on Feb 14, 2012 2:54 PM EST up reply actions
But does that mean you have to shell out cash to go to games?
especially if you’re a poor college kid? I mean, you can still support the team and your school without having to pay to go to every single game. Basically it comes down to either there’s just little to no interest in basketball from our fans (I say this because non-football sports like Volleyball and soccer seem to draw in decent crowds), people are more likely to follow and support a winning team, or more likely a combination of the two. Winning is going to change that and bring in more interest and awareness to this team.
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500 free tickets were given out.
There couldn’t have been more than 600 students there. There were like 1,000 student season ticket holders at the start of the season.
1500 people had ‘free’ access to the game. 600 showed up.
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
And what are student tickets at the door now costing?
"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace
by PSUinBOSSton on Feb 14, 2012 3:05 PM EST up reply actions
Which is a cover charge to most bars in town.
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
This is true
however, I think Chambers is making the right moves doing this kind of stuff (plus the Joe tribute). Endearing himself to the student body to build a sort-of grass roots type following, since we dont really have the tradition that brings people to the games already.
I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
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Winning cures all
If we start to win and legitimately have a shot to compete with the big boys in the B10, students will come out and be loud. It’s how it’s always been at PSU. Even the football games saw student attendance drop big time during the lull of the early 2000s.
It would be nice to pack the BJC every night regardless, but until we show signs that we can compete with the big boys, it wont happen.
But it's ok to distinguish what won't happen and what should happen.
The team is absolutely busting their butts. Coach Chambers is all over the place. Their effort, in my opinion, deserves more effort from the students.
As someone who was in the building a bit, I will tell you that I absolutely do not fault people for rarely if ever attending those 01-02 and 02-03 Jerry Dunn teams. This team is different.
"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace
by PSUinBOSSton on Feb 14, 2012 3:18 PM EST up reply actions
Pat Chambers is a boss.
I’m joining Nittany Nation and making it 51 regulars. The effort he shows is ridiculous.
"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.
I wish I didn't live 2 hours away
or there would be 52 regulars.
"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.
Need to get the kids more into it
It seems that too many young people today have become used to the idea that sports is about watching TV and playing fantasy. That’s partly because tickets to pro events have become too expensive. But then they don’t realize how much better it is to see games in person, even if the standard of play is much lower than what you could see on TV. I’d rather go see PSU play soccer live than watch Serie A on TV. It’s just so much more personal and visceral when you’re up close and can see the sweat and the effort and hear the players talking to each other.
I don’t go to PSU basketball very often, because I don’t like basketball much, but I’m so excited about the direction of both programs now and especially the energy that Chambers is bringing that even I would like to go to start going to some more games.
How many sports are really better in person than on tv?
I’d say hands down hockey is one, but that’s because I grew up playing it and am interested in other things than a close up view of someone stickhandling through the neutral zone. I want to see the bigger picture, where are his passing options, does he have room to go right or left…etc.
I don’t have a basketball background, but enjoyed the NIT run. I saw all of the games on tv, none live. I prefer to be able to see replays, have a good view and gasp hear the commentary about some of the basic fundamentals of the game that I would totally miss sitting in the second level of the BJC.
Baseball to me for the sake of the sport is more intense on tv, than it is from the upper deck too. Sure I’d rather go to a baseball game than watch one on tv, but that’s for all the reasons that have nothing to do with actual baseball. I don’t really care if the outfielders are shaded 3 steps right or left.
Golf, also far better on tv.
The experience of going to a game may be more entertaining than watching it on tv, but I don’t know if that has anything to do with sports, but rather just being an a crowd.
I’m sorry, but blanket statements are proven false 99% of the time, and if you make a blanket statement about college football, there’s a good chance that one exception will be Joe Paterno. - AdamShell @ BSD
Also; Always carry a bottle opener and the beer will provide itself.
In general, stadium sports for the average fan
are better on TV because, as rjm notes, most are not close enough to have a human connection with the folks on the field, so getting the multiple angles, close-ups, replay, etc. makes it a better experience. The beauty of living in Happy Valley is the quality of play in all the varsity sports is so good, that the live experience for all the non-stadium sports — volleyball, hockey, wrestling, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, track — is great because you CAN be close to the action. And that makes for a REAL experience. On a pro level, I really enjoy golf, because outside of the majors, you have plenty of opportunity to get VERY close to the guys on the tees and greens and really appreciate the level of play — those guys ARE good!
Humanum est pati.
That's right
That’s why I enjoy the minor leagues and college so much, because you can be so close without paying a fortune.
But I agree that if your seats are really lousy, going to the actual game may be worse than watching it on TV. I think a lot of NFL fans are coming to that conclusion.
by reedjohnmiller on Feb 15, 2012 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
The reason why the students are held more responsible is because they're there.
I’d have to take a bus/plane to SC to be at the games.
by misdreavus79 on Feb 15, 2012 7:33 PM EST up reply actions
First time posting
I was at this game. I think you are mis-representing what really happened here. By the time the students starting chanting about Big Macs, the game was pretty much in hand (which doesn’t happen often with this team). Up until then, I thought the place was a lot louder than I expected, especially the students. I really think they were just having fun with it. I know I was yelling for a free Big Mac.
It's OK to have fun with the Big Macs.
But I disagree that the students were loud all game. It makes us look terrible that we only get loud for promotions.
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
BSD, now with 100% more vitriol towards students!
Seriously, I get it. Our basketball student section is terrible, but it is something that goes along with building a program. The majority of students don’t know what to do as basketball fans but as the team gets better the student section will as well. You can’t be mad at people for not wanting to follow a bad product and when that product starts getting better people are still going to be behind the curve.
Sure we need the student section to get better to help the current and future team. But this type of attitude by writers or in Nittany Nation is not helpful. When we have a good team for a few years and this happens, then be angry, but not now. Instead of bragging about how great the 50 members of NN were and putting down everyone else we should work on having NN be more a part of the student section and helping the student section get into it instead of being their own little club that are the real basketball fans and better than everyone else in attendance. (I’m not saying NN thinks that, I’m saying that from being at the games that is the perception that I and others have noticed.)
That came off a little harsher than I wanted it to, but I still think the main point is true. And Eric I really like the addition of quality basketball posts and stats/analysis you have brought to BSD. I also appreciate what NN is trying to do and doing for PSU basketball.
WE'RE DANCIN!!!
by bigs26 on Feb 14, 2012 5:35 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Chicken or the egg.
Real fans or bandwagon fans.
Elitist pricks or regular students.
Have your choice. Point remains, ALL teams deserve our support, not just the winning ones.
by misdreavus79 on Feb 14, 2012 5:46 PM EST up reply actions
I don't think deserving support was the question,
so much as the role students are obligated to play in it. All teams deserve all of our support, not just the support of the undergrads. The undergrads are the only ones under fire here. For every apathetic student there are at least—and this is an obnoxiously conservative estimate— two apathetic alumni. As a student you get surprisingly accostumed to people asserting that you’re doing your youth wrong, so it sort of just bounces off after a while. But any positivity is still appreciated.
bigs, I’ve been to a few games and never got the impression that NN the shit and a bag of chips compared to all of us silly non-members, but you make a decent point about how there’s a weird little distinction between them and others in the student section. I understand that most of the time they are the student section, but it would be nice to see them rally the entire section rather than just themselves. I guess that really isn’t their job, though.
"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.
Well, the students are there, while most alumni are not
which is why the students are held to a different standard.
I’d have to take a plane to catch the games.
by misdreavus79 on Feb 15, 2012 7:34 PM EST up reply actions
Absolutely,
which is why I go to all the basketball games I can and yell my head off. But that doesn’t mean that everyone is going to be that way. Its just the reality of the situation.
When a majority of the students don’t support a team, they have a reason not to. It may not be valid to you or me, but it doesn’t matter. If you suck you won’t fill a stadium and all the fans won’t be great, if you win the stadium will be packed and the fans will be awesome. It may not be how it should be but its how it is and I can’t see how getting mad will help.
WE'RE DANCIN!!!
You make it sound like it's hopeless.
And it probably is.
Maybe I took too much of my own personal frustration out in this article, but I’ve been annoyed for 5 years now about everything. I’m just as annoyed by our fans when they show up than when they don’t. Nobody even realizes they’re making the coaches job 10x harder when they completely destroy the perception of the program. Every time I’m at the BJC I always end up asking myself do these fans even want PSU to be good. And I can never convince myself that they do. They sure as hell don’t act like it.
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
by Eric Gibson on Feb 15, 2012 12:30 AM EST up reply actions
Woah.
I am not bragging about the 50 NNers because I will say they’ve really dropped off since last year. The new leadership just hasn’t been up to par, at least in previous years (I was a student for all four years of Talor Battle). They haven’t looked anywhere near as organized as before. Then again, I’ve only been at two games in the student section this year.
When I was a student, I think I went to one NN meeting. It just wasn’t my thing, but I respected the hell out of the leaders the last few years. They did some great things, culminating in the BTT appearance last year. They were engaging to fellow students and did their best to mend the entire section as a whole. I don’t really see that any more and I totally understand where you get your perception.
That kid who tackled Talor Battle. @BSD_Eric. Black Shoe Diaries
by Eric Gibson on Feb 15, 2012 12:27 AM EST up reply actions
Let's face it, the student body has been beaten down by the failure of this program.
However, it’s been proven time and time again that they’re (and I’m counting on over a decade’s worth of student bodies) going to support the team at the first sight of sustained success. We can complain that the teams deserves asses in seats regardless of their record, but that’s wishful thinking. In this sense, there are the Chicago Cubs, then every other sad sack sporting team, professional or otherwise. Fans don’t support losing programs and franchises.
But winning teams? Hell, even mostly exciting teams? People will show up. We have the right coach. He’s starting to bring in the right talent. It’s going to happen, but until then, some Big Mac promotions aren’t going to hurt anything.
I'll be at Thursday's game with the oldest grandson.
BEAT IOWA
"It doesn't matter what people think of me," Joe said. "I've lived my life. I just hope the truth comes out. And I hope the victims find peace."
I went to the Nebraska game,
my first one ever, and I have to say I really like Coach Chambers. He’s a class act. I hope he stays for a long time.
The crowd was less that expected. However, I thought it was decently loud. I know it’s not the Carrier Dome, but it wasn’t bad, Keep in mind that it was a 1PM game on a Saturday. Plus, it was cold and snowy. You can go into Beaver Stadium on a beautiful fall Saturday for a noon kickoff and you’ll see the student section at least half empty.
Like someone said, if you’re ranked and it’s a ngiht game on ESPN, the place would be crazy. Getting there is the challange. I think they have the right guy to get them there.
When you put those black shoes on tomorrow, and you put on that jersey without your name on the back, and you put that plain helmet on, that's tradition. Penn State tradition!
--Who else?
I think you're a little harsh
Yes student turnout for this game was poor, but you can’t blame them for wanting free food. My god, would you, as a college student, deny free food? Those of us lucky to have a profession can afford such luxuries (Big Mac, really?). I think it was funny and from the smiles on the basketball team as the game closed I believe they enjoyed it as well. I’m all for criticizing the students when they deserve it, but I think they deserve a little break here.
This game was loaded with free stuff though. There was the Subway toss, the Baseball team tossed out T-shirts, and a new give-a-away where they parachuted T-shirts from the scaffolding above. Overall, I think they’re gearing towards the kids.
This was the 4th game I’ve attended this season and from what I’ve noticed, general attendance seems to growing. Now, there may have been slight up tick due to the CVC, but it’s still encouraging.
So...............
Did anybody go to McD’s between noon and 1 PM to see what happened? Any reports?
Humanum est pati.
Let's clarify one thing
I can’t believe people still can’t grasp this after 8 years.
Nittany Nation IS the student section.
It is not a group in the student section; it is not part of the student section. IT IS THE NAME OF THE ENTIRE STUDENT SECTION – just as “Cameron Crazies” encompasses all Duke students, the “Izzone” encompasses all MSU students and the “Maize Rage” encompasses all M*ch*g*n students at games.
by PennStateBasketball on Feb 17, 2012 8:43 AM EST reply actions
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