at Drake, 1/30, 7:00 PM, ESPN+

[ISU FAN 1]

I could add to the history in great detail, but too much to say in this forum.

5 Birds is better than 1 in 1978 was still one of my favorite posters. Bird dunking and getting a T because he could not hear the whistle was an example of the 6th man in Horton. That game and the UNLV game were the two best I attended during college and the DePaul game a few years later was also awesome. Of course, we won, so that really, really helped.

:text-+1:
https://youtu.be/YREV3gFsZ4A

 

[SgtHulka]

Horton Atmosphere was Fantastic!! I had student season tickets all four years Fall 79 to Spring 83. It was Great - the entire West side of the permanent or balcony seats were filled with students. I, along with many others, just had the sense, if we were loud enough - the Birds would not lose at Horton, whoever we played. There was a sense of involvement - I still have my WJBC button - "I'm the REDBIRDS' 6th MAN" - and that was a real feeling.

When was the last time, anyone - talked about the crowd being a 6th Man??? We need that back. But, first, students have to have a sense of "this is our school" and take pride in showing support. Everyone - students, athletics - all CHOSE to come to ISU - to Proud of that. Athletic ability is a God given talent - support it.

I am sure there are folks who are more eloquent and can explain it better - but, it needs to be said time and time again - This is what the Administration and Athletic Department should include in their address to students, whenever and wherever it takes place.

:clap:

Horton was a great place for games, not so much for concerts. My dad and I used to go when the doors opened as right behind the scorers table was general admission. In later years we moved up to the upper deck behind the band. Lots of great games! Depaul and Aguirre, Dickhead Versace and cotton ball wigs, Nolan and his polka dot shirts , Whitlow, Collins, Donewald with his slouched arms and legs crossed scowl, Ricky's dunks, perusing the photo montage in the concession area wall at halftime, Malaine and Lamb clogging the lane, the north bleachers death trap, Bu!!s v Sixers, ACDC busting my eardrums, Eddy Currys high school team trotting out on the floor in a holiday tournament looking like a college kid surrounded by grade schoolers

 

[91Bird]

Oh man...so many great memories at Horton! Hank the Tank...Rickie Johnson...Raynard Malaine....Brad Duncan...Rickey Jackson...Dwayne Tyus. Opposing coaches we hated like Nolan Richardson and Dick Versace. That place got so loud. I had someone's knees in my back in the north end bleachers but that was when I fell in love with ISU basketball. Honestly I've grown disgruntled and apathetic over the years as we haven't been able to win the big game so many times. Surely one of these years we'll get over the hump.

 

[The Beak]

Oh man...so many great memories at Horton! Hank the Tank...Rickie Johnson...Raynard Malaine....Brad Duncan...Rickey Jackson...Dwayne Tyus. Opposing coaches we hated like Nolan Richardson and Dick Versace. That place got so loud. I had someone's knees in my back in the north end bleachers but that was when I fell in love with ISU basketball. Honestly I've grown disgruntled and apathetic over the years as we haven't been able to win the big game so many times. Surely one of these years we'll get over the hump.

It's not their fault, but younger fans today have no idea what Horton was like ... and why it was so special.

Time has moved on. We're fortunate to have experienced a Ricky Johnson dunk and Brad Duncan two pointer
from no man's land that would be an NBA-3 today.

 

[gobirds72]

Oh man...so many great memories at Horton! Hank the Tank...Rickie Johnson...Raynard Malaine....Brad Duncan...Rickey Jackson...Dwayne Tyus. Opposing coaches we hated like Nolan Richardson and Dick Versace. That place got so loud. I had someone's knees in my back in the north end bleachers but that was when I fell in love with ISU basketball. Honestly I've grown disgruntled and apathetic over the years as we haven't been able to win the big game so many times. Surely one of these years we'll get over the hump.

It's not their fault, but younger fans today have no idea what Horton was like ... and why it was so special.

Time has moved on. We're fortunate to have experienced a Ricky Johnson dunk and Brad Duncan two pointer
from no man's land that would be an NBA-3 today.

Donewald did a great job for the longest time replenishing his roster! You guys forgot Michael McKinney!

 

[chuckie1980]

Birdswin….I typed up and deleted about the same exact thing describing my 1975-80 "normal" life.

Another couple of things...

One of the crazy aspects of Horton.....I would be getting out of my evening classes and thinking...GAME TIME. I would run over to Horton and get inside on the east concourse....I would slowly walk to the north end of the gym floor...and what to my wondering eyes should appear....were the bleachers that reached to heaven (or not). When the admin put in the effort of assembling those heaven reaching bleachers....you know we had a hot game scheduled for the night.

My first visit...when I met my first glistening Redbird....RON DeVries....my seat with my sis and father were in the middle of the walk up to heaven.

And with the times of the late 70s...that 6th man always had a sense of community support behind him/her. As a kid you showed up to the game with family. At school...you had to have a friend at the game....but you also look upon the west side stands...and noted where the frats and sororities were sitting....and there was 14 MAN...and the TriTower floors and groups. Those communities of shared living arrangements....there is no other greater power of TEAM SPIRIT and LOYALTY as being a Redbird fan with your dorm mates.

 

[ricohill]

Love these memories. Wish we could get it back to the good old days. I would even settle for the 90s when SIU, Bradley, etc...would be sell outs.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

Love these memories. Wish we could get it back to the good old days. I would even settle for the 90s when SIU, Bradley, etc...would be sell outs.

I truly believe it is possible but some meaningful changes need to happen and it is more than just an occasional NCAA tournament bid as the collegiate athletic landscape and entire entertainment/media world is vastly different. Winning will help bring fans but first the foundation needs to be there to enable winning.

 

[ricohill]

Love these memories. Wish we could get it back to the good old days. I would even settle for the 90s when SIU, Bradley, etc...would be sell outs.

I truly believe it is possible but some meaningful changes need to happen and it is more than just an occasional NCAA tournament bid as the collegiate athletic landscape and entire entertainment/media world is vastly different. Winning will help bring fans but first the foundation needs to be there to enable winning.

Agree, I’m not going to ruin today because I’ve said my piece on what needs to change (clean out the athletic department). Don’t think it would be tough to get back to the old days. Just takes creativity and hard work.

Let’s get it started today by winning in front of a decent sized crowd.

 

[Tpguy]

Oh man...so many great memories at Horton! Hank the Tank...Rickie Johnson...Raynard Malaine....Brad Duncan...Rickey Jackson...Dwayne Tyus. Opposing coaches we hated like Nolan Richardson and Dick Versace. That place got so loud. I had someone's knees in my back in the north end bleachers but that was when I fell in love with ISU basketball. Honestly I've grown disgruntled and apathetic over the years as we haven't been able to win the big game so many times. Surely one of these years we'll get over the hump.

It's not their fault, but younger fans today have no idea what Horton was like ... and why it was so special.

Time has moved on. We're fortunate to have experienced a Ricky Johnson dunk and Brad Duncan two pointer
from no man's land that would be an NBA-3 today.

Donewald did a great job for the longest time replenishing his roster! You guys forgot Michael McKinney!

We also played some great teams and saw some great players in those days.