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I just saw the video on New Traditions at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, and I've got to be honest with you in how I feel, as many other long time KState fans feel the same way. The Power Towel seems like it could be a good idea that many people would really get into; unfortunately, the Willie chant is mildly embarrassing. Maybe it was just the production of the video, but I cringed at the thought of this song being played in the stands and pray to god that this video doesn't accompany it.
As a fan that has traveled to many venues, I've gotten a feel for what tradition is and isn't. Some schools have successfully started new traditions, while others seem like a flagrant rip-off of other traditions. Watching this video reminded me of the Iowa State's of the world. While I mean no disrespect to Iowa State, every Iowa state game day atmosphere I've ever been to is full of cheap, canned-effect, video production with fans that have no knowledge of their school or athletic history. Kansas State is better than this. Maybe I'm being too judgmental, but we both know that a lot of this comes down to image and image is all about perspective. Kansas State is an athletic program that deserves to be in the spotlight. And when trying to develop new traditions to raise ourselves above the rest, they should be founded on stable ground, not some cheap video effects with our beloved mascot playing an electric guitar in front of purple and silver fireworks. I know for a fact that this will be laughed at by every big time opponent that enters our stadium, as I still laugh at some of the stuff I've seen at some of the smaller schools. This is where perspective comes into place, as I’ll never see Iowa State as a team with a rich football tradition partly because of how their athletic dept treats their tradition.
We don't need to resort to this stuff as we already have a solid history that new traditions can spawn off of. Wabash Cannonball for example, something that will never be topped.
If a new tradition is something desired to help transition us into a new era of Kansas State Football, open it up to the fans. We've got some creative minds out there. Maybe through online voting of new traditions or something circulated through out the student body. Heck, some schools have Cheer practice for their student body and fans - why can't we get our fans to come together and help build Kansas State into something we all want?
Anyway, just my two cents. New traditions are fine and dandy and I know that some have to be coerced into getting started.
While I'm at it, Might as well get a few others off my chest. Here's a KState fan's opinion on a couple of things I've recently noticed.
*Team's walk to the stadium through the crowd: Loved It
*WE ARE K STATE: hated it, It's been overdone and publicized by too many schools
*Halftime photo's of young wildcats: I think it's great; loved it.
*Video weight lifting thing of the fans lifting a cartoon-ish bar bell on the video board: Hated it, even some of the twelve year olds I brought to the game thought it was dumb.
*Upcoming year's Power towel: I could learn to love it
*Willie Chant: I hope you didn't spend money on that.
