The Bison played football Saturday in Fargo against a close competitor, so naturally the game brought to town the world’s largest sports broadcasting channel, ESPN.
I was able to work as a sideline utility (the person who winds up and lets loose cable so the sideline camera operator can do their thing) and was also able to experience the Herd from an almost out of body experience observing the crowd but not from within it. I learned some things.
1. Get Loud, Dammit!
BisoNation, you’re louder. All those who enter the Fargodome for a Bison game, save Bison game virgins, enter with the intent of leaving with no voice and a blistering headache due to the extremely loud noise. The game on Saturday had a decibel reader that displayed decibel levels between 100 and 110 for the duration of the event. The Fargodome’s Wikipedia page says at press time that sound levels have unofficially hit over 120 decibels in previous Bison playoff games. BisoNation, this should be a set goal for every game, regardless of who the Herd’s opponent may be, or the circumstances of the game.
2. Sioux Suck Shit
No they don’t. I understand the origins of the common first-down cry, given the decades long fun-fueled hatred to our northern counterpart. News flash, BisoNation, they’re not the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux anymore. Sure, some of you will roll your eyes and say you do not care what others think about you yelling the now-considered-racist chant against UND, fine. Racism isn’t cool though. Nor is it funny, kind or generally anything positive. It just makes you, and the school you’re representing, look like jerks. Also, BisoNation, it makes us seem dumb and out-dated. Surely there ought to be a rhythmic new chant that can still incorporate “Fighting Hawks” and “suck,” right?
3. Post Touchdown Dancing
Props to you BisoNation. The dancing skills post touchdown are minimal, yet look awesome when put together as a crowd. One critique though is that there should be more work toward unison in post TD dancing, it was kind of sloppy.
4. They’re Just People
It is easy to be caught up in the mob mentality within the crowds of the Fargodome, and people on television may seem like glamorous stars as well. The opposing team from Charleston Southern, though, had very kind players and coaches, some of whom thanked me and other workers for our work following the game. I understand that it is easy to get caught in the mentality of wishing your opponents hate and hoping to kick their ass in the sportsball game, but sportsmanship should always come first as they’re just people too. I also understand that some of you may think Molly McGrath or any other television reporter would be some sort of super-human being that should be highly respected. Truth is, BisoNation, they’re just humans.