Where are the fanatics?

To say I was disappointed this past Saturday is such an understatement that I can't quantify it! But I'm not talking about my disappointment with the team. Yes, they didn't show up until the 4th quarter. However, I'm talking about my frustration with the lack of fan support at the biggest game of the season!

On a day when our beloved Trojans were playing for the conference championship and a bowl trip we had a whopping 18,000 people in the stands. 18K! Where did all those pretend Troy fans go to in 2 short months?!

Do you remember Okie State? We had a nice crowd that day! What were we playing for then? Nothing! No conference championship on the line. It appears to me that when we play the "big boys" Troy fans come out of the woodwork! When we went on the road to Arkansas, Florida, and Georgia we had a great following. Where were all those people?

But my disappointment goes well beyond the numbers. The few that did show up were comatose at best! Where were the fanatics?! (Thanks to Trojan Man for showing up once again...you inspire me...you are a true fanatic!) Several times during the game I looked around and there were only a few up and cheering. Pathetic. How can we hold our team accountable if we as fans aren't willing to do our part?

The answer is that we don't have a very big, dedicated fan base. We have a bunch of wannabe fans. We have a bunch of people who consider Troy as their "second" team. That makes me want to puke.

In life I've learned to deal in reality. As hard as reality is at times, it's better to face the truth and go from there. The sad truth about the Trojan Nation right now is this: The contingent of Trojan Fanatics is small and almost non-existent. But there is hope. There is optimism in this statement. While we are few, we are here. And we will remain. We will grow.

So, fellow fanatics, do not despair, do not give up hope. It is bleak today, but there is always tomorrow (or Spring Practice in 3 1/2 months!). Let's do our part to spread the word before next season begins. Let's get organized and loud! We must lead the Trojan Nation to understand what it means to be a fan! We show up, we cheer...no matter what!

Go Trojans!