- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Interesting article about AO
Posted on 3/12/15 at 8:45 pm
Posted on 3/12/15 at 8:45 pm
LINK
Interesting article about some of the problems that have come with the growth of US National team support.
A lot of the behavior they are complaining about seems below what you might see at an NFL game or College football game. Also very tame compared to ther countries supporters.
Interesting article about some of the problems that have come with the growth of US National team support.
A lot of the behavior they are complaining about seems below what you might see at an NFL game or College football game. Also very tame compared to ther countries supporters.
1
Posted on 3/12/15 at 9:11 pm to Dizz
The article was lacking. Way too anecdotal on a few cases. However, it got one thing right, it's a frat culture. The real question people should be asking is AO a profitable entity for the Nebraska folks? It is sketchy on how the dues are appropriated.
This post was edited on 3/12/15 at 9:14 pm
Posted on 3/12/15 at 9:15 pm to EastNastySwag
it did seem like the author was digging for anything dirty.
Posted on 3/12/15 at 9:55 pm to Dizz
Maybe MJ can give us the dirt since he's head of AOBR. He's one of the most genuinely nice, hard working guys I know though, and super antifrat in his methods, so IDK. I know Harry Pitts has hung out with AO a bit too so maybe he can attest to it.
Posted on 3/12/15 at 10:11 pm to cwil177
I know the heads of AO-DC, AO-NYC, and AO-Chicago are all pissed about this article. The girl who is cited at the beginning apparently had a falling out with AO because they wouldnt promote her book and that's when these complaints really started.
But yes, the article is poor. A 30,000 member athletic-support group is primarily composed of 18-35 year old males who like to drink? UTTERLY SHOCKING. Yes, there are incidents, but AO discourages them and handles them really well. Incidents happen in any 30k member group. So stupid.
But yes, the article is poor. A 30,000 member athletic-support group is primarily composed of 18-35 year old males who like to drink? UTTERLY SHOCKING. Yes, there are incidents, but AO discourages them and handles them really well. Incidents happen in any 30k member group. So stupid.
Posted on 3/12/15 at 10:12 pm to EastNastySwag
quote:
However, it got one thing right, it's a frat culture
Indeed it is. I know it causes certain people to embrace it, but also turns some away. Not much they can do to improve it due to the audience supporter groups attract.
This post was edited on 3/12/15 at 10:13 pm
Posted on 3/12/15 at 10:23 pm to oauron
If you've been to AO-BR's watch parties...they arent frat-tastic at all. Outside of the WC, it is a family-friendly atmosphere, I'd say. I hope everyone gives AOBR a chance, as it's a really great group of people who just wanna watch the USA win and do it in a group. 
Posted on 3/12/15 at 10:39 pm to AmericanHoop
ive been at work all day so just getting around to commenting
I think, and most comments ive seen, think its a garbage article.
anyone who knows me (thanks for the comments cwill) knows im about as unfrat as you can be. Im 41 and have never even been drunk before. I think AOBR is pretty damn well organized and filled with intelligent soccer fans, not a bunch of drunks who wouldnt know a soccer ball from a beer pong table
I take my role seriously, and we dont tolerate the examples given in the story
keep in mind just because its an AO party, doesnt mean everyone there is an AO member. we have approx 180 members on our roster, a good 30-40 arent even living in BR. The WC parties at Londoner had literally 3x that many people there. several there at those parties tried to lead the more vulgar chants- they werent and arent AO members, and they only games theyve made in the 4 years weve been around were those 4. those chants never got off the ground, and we had bar staff actively trying to stop them
every game weve had a part that opponents fans were at, they drank free all night and everyone got along. some of the Ghana fans even asked me how to join (though i never hears from them again.
im about to drop tonight so i'll pick this thread up tomorrow
I think, and most comments ive seen, think its a garbage article.
anyone who knows me (thanks for the comments cwill) knows im about as unfrat as you can be. Im 41 and have never even been drunk before. I think AOBR is pretty damn well organized and filled with intelligent soccer fans, not a bunch of drunks who wouldnt know a soccer ball from a beer pong table
I take my role seriously, and we dont tolerate the examples given in the story
keep in mind just because its an AO party, doesnt mean everyone there is an AO member. we have approx 180 members on our roster, a good 30-40 arent even living in BR. The WC parties at Londoner had literally 3x that many people there. several there at those parties tried to lead the more vulgar chants- they werent and arent AO members, and they only games theyve made in the 4 years weve been around were those 4. those chants never got off the ground, and we had bar staff actively trying to stop them
every game weve had a part that opponents fans were at, they drank free all night and everyone got along. some of the Ghana fans even asked me how to join (though i never hears from them again.
im about to drop tonight so i'll pick this thread up tomorrow
Posted on 3/12/15 at 10:48 pm to LSUMJ
Forgive my ignorance here, but what exactly do you guys mean by a "frat culture."
Posted on 3/12/15 at 10:51 pm to mynamebowl
quote:
but what exactly do you guys mean by a "frat culture."
drinking
drinking games
aggressive behavior
drinking
Posted on 3/12/15 at 10:57 pm to SlowFlowPro
Sounds horrible...
Posted on 3/12/15 at 11:10 pm to SlowFlowPro
quote:
drinking
drinking games
aggressive behavior
drinking
AO is a very large, almost exclusively male comprised supporter group for a professional soccer national team. What do they expect? It just sounds like a bunch of dudes that like to drink beer and root for their team.
Posted on 3/12/15 at 11:23 pm to mynamebowl
it's one of those "and look at how popular it is" situations
if people want to have a stale, PG/PC group, then nothing is stopping them (except the issue of attracting members) from starting it
if people want to have a stale, PG/PC group, then nothing is stopping them (except the issue of attracting members) from starting it
Posted on 3/12/15 at 11:29 pm to SlowFlowPro
Ultimately I don't really care about the "bro" or "frat" tag. The last AO national event I went to, everyone was courteous, friendly, and helpful--and they presented a wounded veterans organization with a check from AO, lol. If that's a frat-bro organization, fine.
The sexist/racist stuff just reads like he thought he was digging up dirt. In reality, it's a 30k member organization...there ARE bad eggs. But everyone I've met through AO (And I know members/leaders from across the country) have been cool and super anti-racist/sexist.
The sexist/racist stuff just reads like he thought he was digging up dirt. In reality, it's a 30k member organization...there ARE bad eggs. But everyone I've met through AO (And I know members/leaders from across the country) have been cool and super anti-racist/sexist.
Posted on 3/13/15 at 1:29 am to SlowFlowPro
quote:
because mexico has shown it's much more enlightened and its fans are so much nicer, even when playing in southern US venues
I would love for that count to wear a US jersey in a Mexican section. US fans were outnumbered 10 to 1 at the 2011 Gold Cup final (I was there) and the stuff the Mexican fans said and did was appalling. At least our fans don't throw urine and vomit on opposing fans and players or expose themselves to little girls.
This post was edited on 3/13/15 at 1:30 am
Posted on 3/13/15 at 7:17 am to cwil177
I know I encountered nothing but nice people at the AO pregame party I attended in Seattle for the game against Panama. Yes there will be incidents but you could write this article about any organization that has 30k plus members. shite will happen.
Posted on 3/13/15 at 8:06 am to etm512
Of course there are assholes in every large organization and have ability to make things difficult for others. But this article was just a hit job. Nothing. Some Hispanic girl gets upset about frick Mexico chants? Whoa! Stop the presses,! 
Someone needs to send her to Azteca and see how those animals behave. I got nothing but Puta screamed at my face, but that was the worst of it in my area.
Someone needs to send her to Azteca and see how those animals behave. I got nothing but Puta screamed at my face, but that was the worst of it in my area. 
Posted on 3/13/15 at 9:56 am to SlowFlowPro
quote:
there’s a segment of the U.S. fanbase that wants an outlet less focused on beers, bandanas, and boorish behavior.
This is the only part that concerns me. When I've been around the larger AO groups at bigger games, it's seems like half of that crowd knows frick-all about soccer and is there to wear their super ironic flag shorts, eagle shirt and get hammered. What happens when those people lose interest?
All of my other interactions with AO groups (I'm not an AO member, but a US Soccer Supporter's Club member - so there's usually a bunch of AO folks at USSSC-only events) have been overwhelmingly positive.
Posted on 3/13/15 at 11:34 am to Sheep
quote:
half of that crowd knows frick-all about soccer and is there to wear their super ironic flag shorts, eagle shirt and get hammered. What happens when those people lose interest?
Why do you care if some of them don't care about soccer. Maybe they just want to have a good time with a friend that does like soccer. Maybe it will convert them to a fan. Maybe not. Who gives a shite. This is the one thing that bugs me with soccer fans here - you will bitch about lack of support or respect or whatever, but when someone new wants to join in, you turn your nose up.
quote:
frick-all
Also, keep using slang you hear English people use. It's a really good look. I bet they think you're so cool.
Posted on 3/13/15 at 11:42 am to mynamebowl
you've not ever heard anyone say "frick-all" that isn't copying English folks?
you being serious right now?
you being serious right now?
Page 1 of 3
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News