TV Party (Tonight!)

This is written as my own personal opinion and not the opinion of Hudson Street Hooligans... yadda, yadda, yadda.

We're gonna have a T.V. party tonight!

Alright!

We're gonna have a T.V. party alright!

Tonight!

We've got nothing better to do
Than watch T.V. and have a couple of brews

All our friends are gonna hang out here tonight

Alright!

-Black Flag

I've seriously been thinking about this all day. I understand. I really understand guys. You're upset. My question to you is simple. What will change?

I've been deeply troubled for a while now. I want you to watch this video.



I want you to look at the people behind Mike at the beginning of this video.

Then look at this video.



These seem to be in harmony with a concern I've had for a while. We don't have a direction problem in Nordecke. We have an influence problem.

Now look at this video.



Whether or not you like the "You Suck Asshole" chant this is a group that is cohesive and understands what should be done and when it should be done.

Now look at this video (last one, I promise)



Look at the section as a whole. With the exception of some of the very top rows everyone is participating and everyone understands what is going on. What's the difference between then and now?

The front row.

Yes, I'll be the first to admit I enjoy standing up front for a few games a year, but that's not my point. The section in 08-10 consisted of interspersed pockets of fans who understood what was going on, what would happen next and helped to motivate the more timid (read "newer") members of the corner to join in. That seemed to change in mid to late 2010 which lead to what I describe as the "front row mentality."

I don't mean those words as a slight nor do I mean to cast dispersions at those who decide that they must be as close to the front of the section as possible for every game, but I would like to ask them a question. Does this help the mission and goal of the section or does this help you?

The mission and goal of the section, as I understand it, is to support the club, be intimidating as hell for the opposition and raise the atmosphere and experience that people have when visiting Columbus Crew Stadium.

How can this mission be accomplished throughout a 23 row section if the majority of opinion leaders and influencers are cramming as close as they can to the field?

The short answer is, it can't.

Cramming everyone who would influence others to participate to the front of the section benefits the individual, not the group and to that point, is contrary to the stated goal of a "supporters group."

Lets look at this a different way though. What did we have 2-4 years ago that we lack now? We had the following things.

1) A more organized and cohesive group of support.

2) More new fans being integrated and educated as they showed up.

3) A larger footprint of what I would consider the "vocal" supporters section.

So what do we have now?

1) A much more concentrated footprint of core "vocal" support.

2) New fans who are confused and not participating.

It seems to me then that we as HSH would want to create the following goal.

Within the next two games increase the participation level of our section so that everyone in the first 12 rows of the Hudson Street section is participating in 90% of the vocal activity. (You've got to start somewhere right?)

How do we accomplish this goal? Some have said a capo is the way to go in order to influence the section. A capo is a possibility, but on its own I believe could prove disastrous to us.

Currently the people above approximately row 5 are pretty disengaged with any chanting/singing etc. with the exception of very basic chants or clapping. Without anyone with them to influence them what is one dude with a bullhorn going to do?

At this point you're preaching to the choir. Without some sort of sphere of influence it just becomes some really annoying guy standing there that they're going to ignore. Hell... they're already ignoring the first four rows anyway. What's one more person going to do?

Also... I have yet to see a capo in MLS that isn't a giant douche. Look at this guy.



I know... earlier I promised no more videos, but seriously. That guy looks so damn proud of himself doesn't he?

Now check these dudes out... as my girlfriend so eloquently put it "Are they at gymnastics practice?"



I thought we were all about being original in Columbus. I thought we weren't European atmosphere because screw Europe... we're Columbus. We've had better atmosphere than any other stadium in the league AND had a better time than any of these losers all without getting a choir director.

It's simple to me. Do you like the atmosphere of the front row? Then take 5 steps backward and create that atmosphere in the fifth row. Better yet, take 10 steps backward and create that atmosphere in the tenth row. Influence those around you to join in and make the entire section just as batshit insane as it was three years ago.

If you want a capo so be it. I'm not going to stop anyone from doing it. The idea of staying sober and spending the entire game with my back turned to the field does not seem like my cup of tea, but if you want to do it, by all means.

Just do me a favor.

Don't do it to get on TV.

Now she walks through her sunken dream
To the seat with the clearest view
And she's hooked to the silver screen
But the film is a saddening bore
'Cause she's lived it ten times or more
She could spit in the eyes of fools
As they ask her to focus on

Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man! Look at those cavemen go
It's the freakiest show
Take a look at the Lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man! Wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?

- Bowie