THE GRIZ REIGN IS OFFICIALLY OVER!

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

A few hundred people going to the Swinging Doors or driving to WSU is insignificant.

Compared to the size of the Spokane marktet and effecting our draw.

It is significant and a sign of how tremendously successful the Montana program is from a general point of view. But there is something like 40,000 EWU grads living in the Spokane area, so the competition from Montana for butts in the seats is not significant.

Sorry, I should have clarified.

Again, I'm not quibbling with yours and Z's points that Montana's formula for success is pretty much what EWU needs to follow. But we have some different challenges and need greater exposure. Nearly every person I've brought to a game at Woodward enjoys the product and ends up becoming a repeat customer. This includes Griz fans, Cat fans, and WSU fans. We just need to get them to that first game. The red carpet and the press it has already created will help.

Got it but the ol' "we got to compete for fans" thing concerning Montana vs. whoever just doesn't hold a lot of water and I get your points otherwise.

WSU avg. attendance last year was less than WaGriz. They were not putting a hurting on ya with only 22K in the stands each home game. If there was ever a good time for EWU to be making a move like they are then it definitely is RIGHT NOW.

Of those 40,000 EWU alumns liveing in Spokane there is probably but a couple hundred going to the WSU games so making the move to get the others to make EWU a Saturday destination is very doable.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Let me know when I can expect my prize.

What does 2008 (when the Eags didnt even make the playoffs) have to do with 2010. Stop livin in the past baby...
As my boy SE would say UM is ripe for the pickin in 2010. & remember what i said about facility upgrades & team performance. Montana has by far the best fcs stadium, and a good team for years. Now that UM's upgrade frenzy is over the GRIZ REIGN is over.
Ipso Facto-Game.Set.Match.BF

What does 2008 have to do with this year? Nothing, the point is that it was YOUR PREDICTION that was lacking in any integrity. Forgive me for not taking this one as valid due to YOUR past predictions.

The expansion is over at UM? Sheeit brother that is some bad news for the few thousand on the waiting list for season tickets. Just because one was just finished doesn't mean that they are done my friend. You should really try and look at the future instead of just the past.

We will have more upgrades in the next 5-10 yrs. than EWU will have just trying to catch up to where we were in 2001 so does this mean that because of that FACT that UM will stay the leader? I'm trying to harness in your logic here.

[BlackFalkin]

The standard for ripping the tits off of something, looks to have been raised to an unreachable height!
A+ on that one, Ursus!

Hey guy, UNPLUG your lips off of this man's johnson will ya. FOR THE LOVE OF JEFF the brown noisin around here is 'being raised to an unreachable height'!

[kalm]

Got it but the ol' "we got to compete for fans" thing concerning Montana vs. whoever just doesn't hold a lot of water and I get your points otherwise.

I disagree. There are many factors to why Montana has enjoyed success. And it's not a knock against the program that one of those factors is less competition. It's not everything, but it certainly helps.

Another example: Idaho State could go on a tear with BSC championships, playoff runs, even a national championship, but the fact remains that Pokie is smaller than Missoula and Boise State and to a lesser degree Idaho dominate the scene in-state.

You Nancy's need to quit being so sensitive about the competition thing. It's a reality, and it's ok.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

I disagree. There are many factors to why Montana has enjoyed success. And it's not a knock against the program that one of those factors is less competition. It's not everything, but it certainly helps.

Another example: Idaho State could go on a tear with BSC championships, playoff runs, even a national championship, but the fact remains that Pokie is smaller than Missoula and Boise State and to a lesser degree Idaho dominate the scene in-state.

You Nancy's need to quit being so sensitive about the competition thing. It's a reality, and it's ok.

Well you can disagree but you're wrong. No big deal. You ain't losing a bunch of fans to WSU and that is just plain silly as an argument.

WSU pulling an avg. of 22k wasn't put a hurting on ya in that market but if you want to use that as an excuse then by all means see if people will buy it but I don't. I hope I wasn't being too sensitive about it. I mean just because I don't trust your argument implicitly surely puts me in that category again.

If there are 40,000 EWU alums in Spokane then it would seem to me that you are on the right track in selling me an argument if you are going with the fact that EWU hasn't marketed to those folks well enough. That I can buy.

[kemajic]

1995-2001: Montana has 6 outright titles in 7 years.
2002-2009: Montana has 3 outright titles in 8 years.

Seems to me that Montana is becoming progressively less dominant in the BSC. There's much more parity now. A lot of Montana's wins over top-half BSC teams in recent years are eeked out in the final minutes. I'm not saying that Montana isn't still at the top, because obviously they are, but it's just plain stupid to say they're "getting progressively more dominant in the BSC."

As per BF's claim; outlandish yes, but plausible. The Griz are ripe for the pickin' in 2010.

You take the prize for spin doctoring. As BF suggested, recent history is more important.

2002-2005 Montana had 0 outright titles in 4 years; BSC record 21-7; trip to NC in '04
2006-2009 Montana had 3 outright titles in 4 years; BSC record 31-1; trips to NC in '08 & '09

That is a trend of increasing domination whether you are in dilusional denial or not. Even in down years, Montana is at least co-champion. Can you name a conference that has been more dominated by one team over the last four years?

When the Griz were ripe for the pickin' was in 2008 when you had us in Cheney the week after we lost to Weber with a very young rebuilding team. You managed 3 points with people like Peach, Nichols and Boyce. There is no evidence they have been replaced; meanwhile, the new Montana staff will push the throtle against that puny defense you put out every year and that turf will be red with eagle blood.

[Hell Toupee]

This crazy ass, ridiculous 330 post thread can be summed up in one single sentence. All Eastern fans just wish that their program was as successful and beloved as the UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA GRIZZLIES! That's it. Their is no disputing it because you are lying if you say otherwise.

[BlueHen86]

The standard for ripping the tits off of something, looks to have been raised to an unreachable height!
A+ on that one, Ursus!

Hey guy, UNPLUG your lips off of this man's johnson will ya. FOR THE LOVE OF JEFF the brown noisin around here is 'being raised to an unreachable height'!

You seem to get really upset anytime someone agrees with someone else. Maybe it's because nobody ever agrees with you. Why don't you log in under your other account, G3tMon3y, and then you can agree with yourself.

That was why you created the second account in the first place right? Might as well put it to good use.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Hey guy, UNPLUG your lips off of this man's johnson will ya. FOR THE LOVE OF JEFF the brown noisin around here is 'being raised to an unreachable height'!

You seem to get really upset anytime someone agrees with someone else. Maybe it's because nobody ever agrees with you. Why don't you log in under your other account, G3tMon3y, and then you can agree with yourself.

That was why you created the second account in the first place right? Might as well put it to good use.

I think you're misreading him there BH. I'm pretty sure that he was mad at Grizo for hogging up some of BF's time at the glorious "Tower of Ursus" and is not happy that I allow it because Grizo goes the extra mile to get that time. (no blackfalkin)

[Screamin_Eagle174]

1995-2001: Montana has 6 outright titles in 7 years.
2002-2009: Montana has 3 outright titles in 8 years.

Seems to me that Montana is becoming progressively less dominant in the BSC. There's much more parity now. A lot of Montana's wins over top-half BSC teams in recent years are eeked out in the final minutes. I'm not saying that Montana isn't still at the top, because obviously they are, but it's just plain stupid to say they're "getting progressively more dominant in the BSC."

As per BF's claim; outlandish yes, but plausible. The Griz are ripe for the pickin' in 2010.

You take the prize for spin doctoring. As BF suggested, recent history is more important.

2002-2005 Montana had 0 outright titles in 4 years; BSC record 21-7; trip to NC in '04
2006-2009 Montana had 3 outright titles in 4 years; BSC record 31-1; trips to NC in '08 & '09

That is a trend of increasing domination whether you are in dilusional denial or not. Even in down years, Montana is at least co-champion. Can you name a conference that has been more dominated by one team over the last four years?

Trips to and eventual losses in the NC game have nothing to do with BIG SKY domination.


Southern Conference.

When the Griz were ripe for the pickin' was in 2008 when you had us in Cheney the week after we lost to Weber with a very young rebuilding team. You managed 3 points with people like Peach, Nichols and Boyce. There is no evidence they have been replaced; meanwhile, the new Montana staff will push the throtle against that puny defense you put out every year and that turf will be red with eagle blood.

There's no evidence that Montana's new staff will have the same continued success, especially against EWU, a team UM struggles with most years. Much like UM's team in 2010 compared to 2009, EWU's 2008 team didn't change much from 2007, same batch of all-stars, the only big difference being a coaching staff change.

[AZGrizFan]

You take the prize for spin doctoring. As BF suggested, recent history is more important.

2002-2005 Montana had 0 outright titles in 4 years; BSC record 21-7; trip to NC in '04
2006-2009 Montana had 3 outright titles in 4 years; BSC record 31-1; trips to NC in '08 & '09

That is a trend of increasing domination whether you are in dilusional denial or not. Even in down years, Montana is at least co-champion. Can you name a conference that has been more dominated by one team over the last four years?

Trips to and eventual losses in the NC game have nothing to do with BIG SKY domination.


Southern Conference.

When the Griz were ripe for the pickin' was in 2008 when you had us in Cheney the week after we lost to Weber with a very young rebuilding team. You managed 3 points with people like Peach, Nichols and Boyce. There is no evidence they have been replaced; meanwhile, the new Montana staff will push the throtle against that puny defense you put out every year and that turf will be red with eagle blood.

There's no evidence that Montana's new staff will have the same continued success, especially against EWU, a team UM struggles with most years. Much like UM's team in 2010 compared to 2009, EWU's 2008 team didn't change much from 2007, same batch of all-stars, the only big difference being a coaching staff change.

Just admit you got your ass handed to you by kemajic and move on.

[Shellin]

You take the prize for spin doctoring. As BF suggested, recent history is more important.

2002-2005 Montana had 0 outright titles in 4 years; BSC record 21-7; trip to NC in '04
2006-2009 Montana had 3 outright titles in 4 years; BSC record 31-1; trips to NC in '08 & '09

Trips to and eventual losses in the NC game have nothing to do with BIG SKY domination.

Maybe not, but 31-1 certainly does.

[kalm]

Well you can disagree but you're wrong. No big deal. You ain't losing a bunch of fans to WSU and that is just plain silly as an argument.

WSU pulling an avg. of 22k wasn't put a hurting on ya in that market but if you want to use that as an excuse then by all means see if people will buy it but I don't. I hope I wasn't being too sensitive about it. I mean just because I don't trust your argument implicitly surely puts me in that category again.

If there are 40,000 EWU alums in Spokane then it would seem to me that you are on the right track in selling me an argument if you are going with the fact that EWU hasn't marketed to those folks well enough. That I can buy.

Remember, this started with Z dismissing the effect of competition in EWU's market. WSU, Idaho, GU basketball, and the Spokane Shock all compete with EWU for a fan base, sponsorships, donations, and exposure. That's a fact. You might scoff at the Zags and the Shock, but with budgets tight, people might only be able to afford season tickets to one team

And there's still the exposure component which contributes to a fan base. I remember the day EWU won it's first outright BSC basketball title. The next day our paper ran a "where are they now" piece on former Zag player Casey Calvary playing for Boise in the ABA.

Your only argument is the degree to which competition hurts EWU compared to the Griz. You and Z have both argued that it boils down to the on-field product and that the competitive nature of our market is insignificant.

So another good example of what I'm talking about is MSU who averages over twice the attendance that Eastern does. Do you think their "product" is better? Do you think the cats when compared to EWU face the same competition based challenges?

Every Saturday gameday, the Spokesman Review runs a two page "meet the cougars, meet the opponent" spread. On Sundays, they devote an additional two pages to the outcome. And this is when they only have three wins in two seasons. In '97 when we made it to the semi's it was pretty much wall to wall coverage of the first cougar Rose Bowl trip in 50 years.

Then you have Idaho who steals additional press even when they are bad, but when they are decent like last season get more of the spotlight than EWU.

Throw in the Huskies, and well...I hope you get the point.

Who pushes out the Griz or the Cats in the Missoula and Bozeman papers?

I don't know every college football fan among Spokane County's 500K residents, but I personally know several who travel to Pullman versus Cheney whether it's out of tradition, or to watch PAC 10 level football or USC. I'm sure there are a few more that I'm not aware of.

Now, given the media exposure angle how many potential EWU fans stay at home and watch the cougs on T.V.? How many GU fanatics that attend early season EWU games committ to a hoops game in November that would otherwise go to a late season EWU football game?

All of these things add up.

[AZGrizFan]

Well you can disagree but you're wrong. No big deal. You ain't losing a bunch of fans to WSU and that is just plain silly as an argument.

WSU pulling an avg. of 22k wasn't put a hurting on ya in that market but if you want to use that as an excuse then by all means see if people will buy it but I don't. I hope I wasn't being too sensitive about it. I mean just because I don't trust your argument implicitly surely puts me in that category again.

If there are 40,000 EWU alums in Spokane then it would seem to me that you are on the right track in selling me an argument if you are going with the fact that EWU hasn't marketed to those folks well enough. That I can buy.

Remember, this started with Z dismissing the effect of competition in EWU's market. WSU, Idaho, GU basketball, and the Spokane Shock all compete with EWU for a fan base, sponsorships, donations, and exposure. That's a fact. You might scoff at the Zags and the Shock, but with budgets tight, people might only be able to afford season tickets to one team.

All of these things add up.

You forgot the Griz, remember? My only point is that we're 230 miles away from you and we are apparently (by your own admission) higher than you in the pecking order in Spokane. THAT says more about product than anything else. There can't POSSIBLY be more UM alumni than EWU alumni in the area.

[CatBlitz22]

I want for nothing more than to see this thread die a horrible horrible death.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I want for nothing more than to see the Griz reign die a horrible horrible death.

Dude, it's already over. Count it!

[native]

Truncating the results doesn't change what Hen put up.

89hen forgot about Weber in '08 also

Yup!

I don't know if you're right about the Grizz, BF, but you've sure got the best avatar today!

[kalm]

Remember, this started with Z dismissing the effect of competition in EWU's market. WSU, Idaho, GU basketball, and the Spokane Shock all compete with EWU for a fan base, sponsorships, donations, and exposure. That's a fact. You might scoff at the Zags and the Shock, but with budgets tight, people might only be able to afford season tickets to one team.

All of these things add up.

You forgot the Griz, remember? My only point is that we're 230 miles away from you and we are apparently (by your own admission) higher than you in the pecking order in Spokane. THAT says more about product than anything else. There can't POSSIBLY be more UM alumni than EWU alumni in the area.

Yes, and there's a Pittsburg Steelers bar here too.

The pecking order when it comes to availability of hats at Spokane apparel stores is not the pecking order when it comes to popularity or media exposure in general.

The fact remains that even if we had all of your success and averaged 25K in attendance, we would still be competing with WSU, Idaho, etc for fans and exposure and you for the most part, you wouldn't be.

[AZGrizFan]

You forgot the Griz, remember? My only point is that we're 230 miles away from you and we are apparently (by your own admission) higher than you in the pecking order in Spokane. THAT says more about product than anything else. There can't POSSIBLY be more UM alumni than EWU alumni in the area.

Yes, and there's a Pittsburg Steelers bar here too.

The pecking order when it comes to availability of hats at Spokane apparel stores is not the pecking order when it comes to popularity or media exposure in general.

The fact remains that even if we had all of your success and averaged 25K in attendance, we would still be competing with WSU, Idaho, etc for fans and exposure and you for the most part, you wouldn't be.

As long as you keep using that crutch, you'll ALWAYS be chasing the Griz and NEVER catching them.

[89Hen]

BSC record 31-1

They don't call it the Big Fluffy for nothing.

[AZGrizFan]

BSC record 31-1

They don't call it the Big Fluffy for nothing.

THEY don't call it that. YOU do.

[Col Hogan]

BSC record 31-1

They don't call it the Big Fluffy for nothing.

THEY don't call it that. YOU do.

But there's a reason WE do call it that...

31 - 1 is pure DOMINATION...no other way to describe it...

Domination - The word is derived from the Latin dominus, meaning lord or master, as an owner versus his slave
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominate_(disambiguation)

[kemajic]

They don't call it the Big Fluffy for nothing.

THEY don't call it that. YOU do.

But there's a reason WE do call it that...

31 - 1 is pure DOMINATION...no other way to describe it...

Domination - The word is derived from the Latin dominus, meaning lord or master, as an owner versus his slave
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominate_(disambiguation)

Thanks, Col. Actually, we call it the Big Sigh....

[Montanan]

IT's OFFICIAL! AD Chaves announces EWU's new all sports slogan...

[Col Hogan]

But there's a reason WE do call it that...

31 - 1 is pure DOMINATION...no other way to describe it...

Domination - The word is derived from the Latin dominus, meaning lord or master, as an owner versus his slave
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominate_(disambiguation)

Thanks, Col. Actually, we call it the Big Sigh....