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Will Hilton Magic Be Back?

It will take more than just Fred being here. He is going to have to win a fair amount of games for it to be back and even then I have my doubts. Overall the culture has changed and I don't think it's just due to losses. Many people come to games (yes they are mainly older) just to come to games and enjoy a game, imo those are the people that are killing the atmosphere, not just here and not just in this application. No one wants to be "that guy" anymore I have sat many places around Hilton including the student section and around these older people and just what I would call casual fans and every time I get passionate or start yelling about what we are they are doing right/wrong they all turn around and stare. The culture has turned it into almost a concert atmosphere. I hope to god I am wrong but I don't see it getting back to what it used to be, it may improve but it will never be that loud/crazy again.
 
I agree that being competitive is an important part of it. No hope is no way to go into games.

It really is more about optomism IMO. You think you have a chance to win every game and want to help the guys do it. Last year, for example, when things went bad the crowd went silent or worse, got angry and yelled at the coaches/players. Before, the other team would go on a run and the crowd would rise up to help our team right the ship.

In the short term this is what Fred gives us more than anything. All the people like me that remember him as a player will do anything to see him succeed. If that means yelling like a maniac for a couple ours so be it. Will it result in a couple of surprising home wins? Never know but it can't hurt.
 
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J-Diggy said:
The students behind the visitors bench, and the pep band in that corner as well, made it really tough on the opposing team - especially during time outs. They were literally surrounded.
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Its too bad the band cant go back to that corner. Believe there was a big 12 rule put in against it, iirc.
 
wxman1 said:
It will take more than just Fred being here. He is going to have to win a fair amount of games for it to be back and even then I have my doubts. Overall the culture has changed and I don't think it's just due to losses. Many people come to games (yes they are mainly older) just to come to games and enjoy a game, imo those are the people that are killing the atmosphere, not just here and not just in this application. No one wants to be "that guy" anymore I have sat many places around Hilton including the student section and around these older people and just what I would call casual fans and every time I get passionate or start yelling about what we are they are doing right/wrong they all turn around and stare. The culture has turned it into almost a concert atmosphere. I hope to god I am wrong but I don't see it getting back to what it used to be, it may improve but it will never be that loud/crazy again.
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I think quite the opposite. And I wonder if we haven't almost come full circle to a similar place where we were when Johnny took over. ISU fans are so starved for success... Hilton might once again be a powder keg ready to go off. We just need someting to cheer about.

We've seen times even over the last couple years where the crowd was very excitable and rev'd up. Last year's KU game maybe being the last. But it's still there.
 
DaddyMac said:
I think quite the opposite. And I wonder if we haven't almost come full circle to a similar place where we were when Johnny took over. ISU fans are so starved for success... Hilton might once again be a powder keg ready to go off. We just need someting to cheer about.

We've seen times even over the last couple years where the crowd was very excitable and rev'd up. Last year's KU game maybe being the last. But it's still there.
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I agree it has been close and shown glimpses and I think it could get back to that but at the same time I have my doubts. Time will tell.
 
BryceC said:
I'm not sure if it will ever be the same. It's a different time. It can be outstanding though and Freddy plus winning will get us there quickly.
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I kind of had the same thoughts. Hilton Magic might never be the same as it was back in the hey day (johnnys antics, fans leaping out of their seat, students throughout the arena), but there's no reason Hilton Magic can't come back in a totally new and different way. The only thing, I care about is that when other teams come into our coliseum, they're going to know that it's going to be a tough night. How this atmosphere is created matters not to me.
 
Maybe we should have students around the walking area between the lower and upper area. (concourse?) Granted, I'm willing to bet it's not allowed, but it would be one way to get students in areas that aren't CA...
 
It's all about the noise people.

Hilton's ceiling was designed to reflect the sound back down onto the floor and into the seating areas (I was a tour guide there, back in the day). Not all arenas are designed that way. It was meant to be deafening. The fans have to somehow bring that noise back to a level where the players on the floor for the opposing team cannot hear what their coach is saying to them from the bench. Where they can actually feel the vibration from the noise while they are on the floor. When Hilton gets that noise back from the fans, then it will be a difficult place for visiting teams again.

So, make some noise! Lots of it......no matter what the other people around you are doing or not doing. Eventually even the "old people" will join in.
 
MNCyGuy said:
Is anybody else relishing the thought of conference opponents walking into Hilton next year, being taken aback and saying to themselves "what the hell happened to this place?!"
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I've been thinking this ever since I heard Freddie was back. Just thinking "Our players are going to freak when they feel the floor shaking. The other team's players are going to **** themselves."
I've got a buddy from Chicago that goes to ISU now and he has NO IDEA what it used to be like. He was at the KU game this year which was the largest crowd I had seen in awhile, and I told him this is nothing compared to the old days. He is in for a treat come next season! I'm going to help make sure of it.
 
Which came first the chicken or the egg?

One thing for sure, Fred should help fuel it at the begining. But team then needs to win some games to sustain it.
 
MNCyGuy said:
Is anybody else relishing the thought of conference opponents walking into Hilton next year, being taken aback and saying to themselves "what the hell happened to this place?!"
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That very thought came to me, too. This could be an ace-in-the-hole w/ the Hoiberg hire, even if the rejuvenation of the Hilton atmosphere in year 1 has to be somewhat "manufactured by association." It could feed on its own momentum.

If ISU is 13-19 in Year 3, of course, that's all out the window. But while enthusiasm and hope is still fresh, whatever can be done to recapture the aura in the early stages, do it.
 
oldman said:
I personally think the new scoreboard has sucked some of the life out of the crowd. It draws your attention away. The scoreboard should be for showing scores and maybe replays. Let the team be our entertainment. That said, I think we can get the magic back, and saw glimpses of it during the Texas game.
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An excellent point that I hadn't thought of. Show stats, show replays of big plays, get people yelling. That's about it.
 
The first thing: the players should show some passions. They have to be tough and competitive: they have to have "swaggers". One of the complaints I read during McD's era was the players looked apathetic or appeared to have lack of urgency (correct me if I'm wrong). I would like to see players who can stir emotions. Yes, the players can be out-talented, but they can not be out-performed.

You need to have players who are not afraid to square off the opponents. Get couple of players who can be "cheerleaders" (FH should be able to invite Mark Madsen if he can't find someone)

It's not just playing, but playing with passion.

I don't expect the team to win 17 games next year, but if they worked hard, competitive and the fans can see, HM will be back. Winning hopefully will follow soon.
 
JustRedman said:
I've been thinking this ever since I heard Freddie was back. Just thinking "Our players are going to freak when they feel the floor shaking. The other team's players are going to **** themselves."
I've got a buddy from Chicago that goes to ISU now and he has NO IDEA what it used to be like. He was at the KU game this year which was the largest crowd I had seen in awhile, and I told him this is nothing compared to the old days. He is in for a treat come next season! I'm going to help make sure of it.
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How spot on was this? Can I get a photoshop pic of Mike Gizzell ******** himself?
 
ISUFan22 said:
Tons of lip service can be applied here about Hilton Magic. The only thing that will get it back is - winning. And to really get it back, win games at home you were not expected to win - or were down late in the game only to come back and win.
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Mission Accomplished.

I get a kick out of these old threads being resurrected. How little we knew back then about what was to come. Makes you wonder what good things are in store for us in the future. I like where things are headed.
 
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