Seriously ...

[Laminak]

why is this so hard to comprehend? Iowa State would kill to have the "bandwagon" fans. Every fan base has a core group that will follow the team no matter what, thick or thin. The bandwagon fans may never have attended Iowa, but they buy jerseys, maybe even buy tickets to games or attend I-club gatherings in their community. These people also spend their money going to bowl games or being among the 30-40,000 Iowa fans that will go to the Iowa game at Soldier Field this fall. If you want to expand your fan base beyond just alumni, these are the people who you need to get on board. Hint: the way to win them over is not by insulting them. Of course, the bandwagon fan will be the first to leave when the program isn't winning (look at Iowa basketball), but they shouldn't be looked at with disdain.
I don't get why it would bother you if "Tavern Hawks" talk down to you about their school being better. If you have already decided that this group of people are idiots and incapable of rational thought, why should it bug you what they say?

I comprehend fully--I don't think you do (yet).

For starters, there is a big difference between a non-alum fan, casual fan, and bandwagoner. All three groups are desired (and needed) by any team. For the fanbases of any team, most despise the bandwagoner groups, while the other two groups could be okay. I don't care which sport, which team, and which level, any fan will generally despise the bandwagoners. Fans of that team will hate the "fake fans" who don't know jack about their team, make the fanbase look like idiots, and make tickets hard to come by and jack up the prices. They're also hated for not being there with them through the low points. Fans of rivals hate bandwagoners for obvious reasons. Therefore, I agree ISU would like to see bandwagoners, however the fans would not and rather see natural growth to good non-alum and casual fans.

Of course any fan is going to get annoyed and defensive when their school, work, career, state, country, spouse, kid, parent, dog, hobby, religion, whatever they like is insulted. As you said, they're idiots and should be discounted, however spoken enough time, the groupthink sets in. For example, I've had normal decent non-Tavern Hawk fans (not in jest) state, "ISU's Superbowl," completely ignorant that they're making an incorrect statement. Further examples is talking about anything other than football, where they think ISU is inferior. Many times it's hard to ignore when they pose the questions right to your face, many many times.

Believe me, I grew up an Iowa fan and have plenty of friends and family members who are Iowa fans. I would consider most of them not to be "Tavern Hawks," as most are good non-alums who stuck by and not obnoxious and those who are obnoxious, actually attended the school or have a connection to someone close who did.

So I completely agree ISU and their fans would love to increase their following past the alum-base, the negative comments for Iowa fans are solely due to the bandwagoners and those fans who aren't alums and act all superior (just because they picked a winner.)

[Chickenlounge]

LOL. There is such a huge gap between the 1930 game and the 1970 game. The 39-20 is irrelevant. I'll count the TROPHY series, as it's more relevant. You still lead 24-12 I believe.

Everyone knows Iowa is the better football team.
Everyone knows Iowa State has the better basketball team.
Everyone knows Iowa has had the better wrestling team.
Everyone knows Iowa State has the better volleyball team (yes, I do follow everyone of our sports. Do you?)

Common knowledge.

Iowa has a better baseball team.

[AHawk1]

Paul Rhoads Knows Offseason Facial Hair | Kegs 'n Eggs Blog


Nice new avatar for someone.

[Scorpio79]

He looks like a young Wilford Brimley.

[CycloneBlake]

He looks like a young Wilford Brimley.

Sans the diabeetus....

[ISUFB]

Iowa has a better baseball team.

Well played, well played

[Scorpio79]

Iowa City is a lot more progressive than Ames. Way more hot chicks from the Chicago suburbs, too.

[slickwillard]

Iowa City is a lot more progressive than Ames. Way more hot chicks from the Chicago suburbs, too.

What are they progressing at?

[aeischeid]

What are they progressing at?

You wouldn't understand....

[Scorpio79]

What are they progressing at?

MOAR HIPPIES!!!1!

[slickwillard]

MOAR HIPPIES!!!1!

This is what I was thinking.

[Scorpio79]

This is what I was thinking.

Spent a lot of time in Iowa City, have you?

[CardinalAndGold]

Surprised this thread is still going on. My job needs my expertise so I have left HN. I am back and I find this thread.

[CyGuy2]

Surprised this thread is still going on. My job needs my expertise so I have left HN. I am back and I find this thread.

You should check out the CF is down thread

[CardinalAndGold]

You should check out the CF is down thread

Good, it needs maintenance. Kick off the idiots who post random things, or kick off the football season.