Live from the celebration

[eeshocker]

He also said something to the effect of his heart and home is in Wichita. Can't remember the exact words, but that is what I took from it. It may have been coach speak, but it sounded good to me. Let's give the guy the benefit of the doubt.

[1972Shocker]

About 3,500 in attendance would be my guess. Pretty enthusiastic group.

Not bad considering the time of day and the day of the week.

Gregg definitely said nothing that would limit his options and that was pretty much what I expected.

The main thing is that the team was properly recognized and thanked by the Shocker faithful in attendance.

Thank you Shocks and Congratulations!

:good: :goshocks: :clap:

[ShockerFever]

The players and Marshall were great. The 3,500 in attendance were great. That was a great feeling in there.


And now I must tap in with a few of the negatives:

1.) The crowd turnout was ok. I was expecting at least what a Shocker Madness would bring in.. maybe 5 - 6 k. I know given the time of day and short notice it made a difference. But I felt the more we had the more Marshall could see how big this was to us. Still a loud bunch though.

2.) The Hitman must never be contacted for something WSU-related again. The constant riling up of the crowd only to wait and wait was over the top. I felt the crowd was using their energy on him as he pleaded for noise and noise than spending it on the team and coaches when they entered. "5 minutes away", 30 minutes later.. "They're almost here". Newsflash: Don't give false updates if you have no idea what you're talking about. "The Shockers.. ARE.. IN .. THE...



.... PARKING LOT." Thanks Hitman for another rousing teaser. This was an ultimate fail. Please never again.

3.) The event wasn't the best organized thing in the world. That's on Sexton. I dunno, I just think he's too quirky and I dunno. Sometimes I wonder how he was given the position that he has. He muffed up through his opening statements, run-ons here, fragments there, inaudible moments at times. Just not a guy I feel right for the position. Maybe Schaus spoiled me, I dunno. Really didn't care for at the end as fans were filing down for congrats and autographs to hear Sexton grab the mic and tell people that the players were coming up to the stands and to stay where they were. Who the HELL CARES? Let them get their damn autographs and say their congrats. The floor was the only place to do it. Did he really just say that? Kinda funny too because everyone ignored him and went onto the floor anyways.


Sorry for the dousing of negativity. A pretty good celebration with a couple of imperfect things to this most demanding of a Shocker fan.

Thanks to Coach Marshall, the players, and Kennedy to save that thing from the flusher.

:posterwu:

[1972Shocker]

Fever, I pretty much agree with your comments about Hitman Williams.

As far as the quality of the function it's not like we have a lot of experience with this. What did Mike say, the 2nd one in his 31 years of PBP. Not sure how Jim Schaus would have handled it since we never had one of these deals during his tenure. We did have the impromptu celebrations after winning the MVC Title in Koch Arena and at the airport for the 2006 Sweet 16 team.

I really don't know what kind of crowd they were expecting.

It was difficult to tell how much student participation we had. I would say that seemed disappointing to me, although it may have been greater than I perceived it was.

Overall I thought it was fine.

[GarH]

I hardly expected him to say "I'll never leave, so there's no need for WSU to worry about giving me a raise."

[GarH]

How many were there?

[shockerfan]

How many were there?

It was more than 3,500. Almost half the building was full. I would say it was around 4,500 or more.

[DUShock]

My honest estimate is 4500-ish.

It's a great day to be a Shocker!!!!

[Ta Town Shocker]

I had a great time and thought the turnout was solid. The parking lots were pretty full. Considering there was less than 100 of us to send them off on Sunday I would say we had a pretty good return crowd. All the players were enjoying it and stayed to sign autographs. I heard one of the assistant coaches towards the end urging one of the players to go eat so my guess is that they hadn't eaten since lunch and all were signing autographs til almost 7. I have the utmost respect for all the players. It was kind of a sad moment knowing that the seniors have ended their careers. Best of luck to Hatch, Ellis, Blair, Brown and Durley. You will be remembered forever.

[WuDrWu]

It was a tightly packed bunch of Shocker faithful, and would guess around 4k-4500.

Thought Gregg was fantastic.


Should have had some tables set up to let the kids sit and sign autographs. When ADES said to stay where you are, the guys will be coming up into the stands....ultimate FAIL.

Mike Kennedy is always great.

I will take to my grave the memory of all those kids smiling.


I wish there were more Gregg Marshall chants...and maybe even 1 Lynn Marshall chant.

[WuDrWu]

Can any of the younger, hipper, more musically inclined members of this fine board assist an old dude like myself with some of the music titles of the various sounds they played tonight, or during any of the sporting events?

Many thanks in advance.

[Ksedg]

I got some pretty nice shots tonight - if you want to see - here is a link to my facebook album.
:D

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2117637&id=1425212477&l=2d87387ba7

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

Didn't see this mentioned:

The airport fire trucks showed up to give the Shockers plane a welcome home water canon. They'll shoot water over the plane as it pulls in.

[ShockerFever]

Pretty nice treatment by the city along with the police escort.

Did any media happen to witness the water-cannon salute? I would like to see that.

[KC Shox]

Half the bowl was filled with empty seats scattered in the mass. 4500 to 5000K is about right. I did not realize the players were signing autos after the celebration, dammit!

Wu is right, I wish the crowd would have chanted something to the effect of wanting him to stay or just giving props.