Hirschfeld: KU football fans don’t rival those at K-State
Kansas’ ‘golf-clappers’ just don’t stack up
By Matt Hirschfeld (Contact)
Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007
The weekend before last, I had the opportunity to attend my first KU football game against Florida International. The weekend prior to my first KU game, I had the unfortunate experience of my first K-State game. Comparison was inevitable with such close proximity in time. After some first impressions and much deliberation afterward, shame on you Jayhawks. Shame on you.
I’ve never been a diehard fan of the sport in general; I see it more as an occasional form of drunken entertainment rather than a weekend fixture. Both KU and K-State faced off against veritable high school teams, so the games were not on either side’s “games to watch” list. That is no excuse, though, for piss poor fans.
When that pride is expressed through a “golf clap,” it not only damages the spirits of the diehard football fanatics, it damages the spirit of the University.
My friends at K-State are all very aware that I go to KU (and trust me, they don’t let me forget it). Even though I was a stranger to K-State’s game chants and groans, they taught me every last one until I had them down pat. For a split second, I had a notion of what all the fuss was about.
The K-State crowd went crazy at every fumble, interception and touchdown. I’ve never seen more middle fingers fly up in the air in the course of one event. Their cheers were unoriginal in content but the enthusiasm the crowd put forth made them a K-State chant, not a cliché football chant.
KU’s crowd was amused at best. There were some hardcore Jayhawkers in the crowd, but, in general, indifference seemed the crowd’s greatest concern. Most would give an enthused yell when KU would score a touchdown or give a half-hearted boo when something did not go in KU’s favor. Some, though, gave the half-assed “golf clap” and checked their phone to see if their other bored friend texted them back yet.
Sure, both KU and K-State jingle their keys (for reasons I am still unaware). And I was taken aback when KU chanted their “Rip their effin’ heads off” cheer, but that was the most enthusiasm that could be observed throughout the entire game.
It could be assumed that the Jayhawks’ record at the end of the season is not at the top of most students’ priorities. It also could be said, though, that KU’s pride is at the top of all students’ main concern while attending college. When that pride is expressed through a “golf clap,” it not only damages the spirits of the diehard football fanatics, it damages the spirit of the University.
From an outsider looking in, those Wildcats have got us beat. There was one experience at the K-State game, though, that refutes the previous statement. Near the end of the Wildcats’ video montage of the players and the team, there was footage of a pig wearing a K-State jersey with the American flag waving in the background.
Not to say that K-State doesn’t lack class, but a pig’s a pig in my book. Maybe the Jayhawks need to get drunker before the game or find other forms of stimulation to get more pumped, but on Oct. 6, I do not want to see KU get beat by a bunch of pig-lovin’ farm boys.
Hirschfeld is an Augusta junior in journalism.
Discussion
All comments are moderated by Kansan.com staff. For our full user policy, click here.
you clearly aren't a true sports fan, so who gives a rats ass what you have to say about our fanbase? you can take your sorry ass (and that bad attitude) to Manhattan since we're too "piss poor". You clearly don't know shyte. Stop giving your opinion.
Actually I've been to many K-State games and I would have to agree they do have a better crowd when it comes to football. I'm not saying we don't have die hard football fans here at KU, I'm just saying their crowd is more into showing their football spirit. But we can cut ourselves some slack...our football program hasn't been as dominant as theirs has (and for quite some time). I would also like to point out that there was a time at K-State football games when people ONLY went to tailgate, because they sucked. So it has taken time for their crowd to become as enthusiastic as they are. Now before any of you rush to defend, I ask you, have you been to a K-State football game? Have you been seen their crowd? I know we can do better KU! We have the spirit we just need to bring it to our football games as we do at our basketball games.
I respect your opinion...K-State may be a more spirited (and, admittedly, experienced football school)
but your reasons are flawed. More middle fingers flying represents better spirit? I'd say it represents a disrespect for the other team and for the fans themselves. It also makes KSU look trashy.
KU is just a classier place!
Coming from someone who views football as drunken entertainment, and a person who has never been to a KU football game except for the FIU game you opinion doesnt mean sh*t. How was the Nebraska game in 05 when KU dominated? Or what about last year when KU stomped all over K-State. You wouldnt know because you werent there! Why? Because football is drunken entertainment. Like actual die hard fans maybe you should go to every game. Then judge our fans. And by the way, I've been to many K-State games in the Synder years and KU fans surpass K-State fans. Why? Because we have something called class.
And by you I mean your.
Wow, with your remarkable CSI type analysis skills of the entire sport of college football and your keen study of the dynamics of large crowds, I would suggest to you that it is not too late to throw your hat in the ring for a run for President. This country needs somebody like you that can analyze world events so quickly that we prevent them from ever surfacing. I would suggest you turn your attention global warming first!
The only thing that could be more embarrassing then being you, and having written such a poorly researched and poorly presented work for this English Comp 101 type newspaper the University of Kansas tolerates, would be some, generally respectable, state newspaper that would actually pick up your piece and offer it to it’s readers.
So by class, are you referring to the "Rip their effin’ heads off” cheer? Reminiscent of Rutgers.
Fortunately for us, class isn't required to win a Big XII title.
I appreciate your strong opinion.
I was raised a K-State fan, and I have been to several of their games, and I bleed crimson and blue, but I gotta admit, their fans are better than ours. We're freaking classless at times, and idiots. We do not need to boo the officials after getting called for very obvious penalties. We do not need to yell "rip his f***ing head off".
Share your 2¢
Requires free registration.