Alright guys so we should get on to the next couple steps here. We have a core group (small but its here) who want to see this happen, so now what. My experience tells me advertise, talk to your friends, talk to co-workers, let everyone know what we are doing here and what we want to see.

For some of us who are still in High School/College talk to your soccer teams, they would probably be most apt to want to watch higher level soccer. As well as Facebook groups work, we have to make sure to expand to all age groups. So its up to all of us to tirelessly bring this group up into conversation...but most of all when May 17th rolls around its up to us to drag our friends and their buddies out to the game if they like it or not.

Recently we have begun a campaign at UM-Dearborn to get students to athletic events. Our students are stubborn to support sports but we have slowly dragged more and more out to the games and they now realize it is a blast, we have increased our numbers from 7 at the start of the year to 75 last night at our last hockey game of the year. So if we can get our stubborn students out to the games we should be able to get soccer fans out to Pontiac. So spread the word, thats my advice for right now and lets see how this thing grows in the coming month. I still think its a good idea to have a meeting, but lets wait a couple weeks I suppose and see if we can draw in a few more guys in here.

Dragging college students out to athletic events (even the basic football/basketball games) boggles my mind.

Supporting college athletics and going to the games is one of the main parts of the college experience. Even if you're not into sports, at MOST colleges (no matter how big or small) the football game or the basketball game is THE place to be (usually). Most times it's an excuse to have a party -- and who doesn't appreciate THAT?

You should see the crowds at Temple University basketball games. I mean, I know John Chaney is gone, and the team isn't a national power anymore (maybe again one day, but the stadium is on campus, tickets are cheap (if not free)...makes no sense.

You know as an Athlete at Michigan - Dearborn it boggled my mind to that we had to drag these kids to the games. It doesn't help that we are mostly a commuter campus but the great majority of students live within 15 minutes of campus.

But everything you just said is like exactly what I tell them, seriously who doesn't want to go party? We have kids complaining all the time about not having a "college" life because its a commuter campus and I want to smack every one of them and be like go to a basketball game! UGH! anyways...yes its frustrating...but its turning around, and this group hopefully won't be so frustrating!

At my highschool they only support teams that are good. Excpet we had a soccer supporters club called the stallion battilon. we are the mavericks so it makes sense kinda. Anyway i have a couple friends that said they would come out i'm gonna try to get them on this website. What we relly need are some scarfs.

Scarfs will be a must have once we get this thing rolling for sure. A nice green and gold scarf would be kick ***!

so whats next?

Right now just keep talking to your friends, convince some of your buddies to become supporters. Lets be honest we have 3 months roughly till the start of the season, starting to really get crazy organized right now is sort of jumping the gun. I would like to know that this can grow, and it will and it may be slowly at first and thats ok. The key part will be when the season gets here to get your friends out, nothing is more convincing than the actual experience. That is my suggestion, the more we can get activity on the forums the better for now...lets pace ourselves. If anyone has a better idea feel free to give a shout out.

I think the key is getting everyone from all the other message boards on board -- developing that roster, and start exchanging ideas.

Once that happens, maybe someone can talk to someone at the club to see what kind of relationship can be developed from that.

maybe we should make a sign up thread?

I'll propose that we should have the first real Organizational Meeting for the supporters group on Saturday, March 29, at Ultimate Soccer Arenas, in conjunction with the college games that day (game times 10:00 a.m. and noon).

(I'll probably be on a business trip on the April 5 date, but you could have a follow-up meeting then if you want.)

If people can't make that morning/afternoon for the college games, we could make it that evening for the MLS openers on TV.

If you think we need a pre-meeting before that, suggest a date/time/location.

Agenda Topics (most will be discussions only, no binding decisions to be made):

Scope of the group: that pesky question of "Bucks only, or general-soccer group?"

Goals of the group. This could be drafted in the form of a "mission statement" or a simple list of goals.

Club structure and potential officers.

Sketch of a club charter.

Ideas for a logo for the group. (Maybe I can then get T-Shirt pricing from Go-Armadillo, to have some shirts ready by the May 17 opener.)

Funding, fundraising, club dues for idividuals/familes.

Any potential road bus trips?

I'm fine with this but i'm going to Dc on april 5th for the dc home opener. I can do anytime just as long as the MLS sgame we watch is DC

I like the idea, but I dunno if I can make either of those dates...maybe the 29th I could make a late night thing, I got a Lab trip in Canada during the day. The 5th won't work for me either, I have a Rugby tournament in Detroit...which by the way if anyone is interested in some good College Rugby lol, that will be the place to be.

But I think the last couple weeks of March, first of April are good ideas for meeting weeks, maybe a MLS game during the week we can meet somewhere? Or do weekends work better?

I'll be in Columbus for Crew v TFC.

OK, maybe we are running into the MLS openers on March 29 or April 5 (hope that at least some people make it to Ultimate for those games, though). And of course, I knew that not everyone could make every date.

I had thought that T-minus 7 weeks (Mar 29) or 6 weeks (Apr 5) before the Bucks opener would have been a good "checkpoint" for timing. Anything less that that, and you run a risk of not making it on time.

If you want midweek, there are the Concacaf Champions Cup games on the tube Wednesday, March 12 (DCU at 8, Houston at 10); Tuesday, March 18 (DCU at 7:30); or Wednesday, March 19 (Houston at 8:30). Maybe the restaurant at Ultimate would be finished by then (it looked almost done when I was there this week), or we could find somewhere else.

Also, there is the MLS double-header on Thursday, April 3 on The Duece (New Eng-Chi at 8:30, San Jose-LA at 10:30). And note that the second round of the Champions Cup is slated for April 1-3 and 8-10. (There might be a women's game at Ultimate on April 1, also.)

And, of course, there are always games from Europe on...


So, wanna say that we could have "pre-meetings" during the CCC games and March 29, and a "formal" kickoff meeting on April 3?

Again, guys, just wanted to get this ball rolling, before the snow melts.

Ya I can go for the midweek stuff for sure. Wednesdays are probably a little bit better than Tuesdays but I can make either. I love the idea to meet for the Doubleheader on the Deuce...so count me in for anything during the week!

That sounds good!

The mid week stuff is gonna be hard for me to make because of school but you guys can just go ahead and do it if you want.

It seems that one of the College Cups would be a great time for the first meeting, especially to attract people who aren't on the message boards.

April 5th might be better as I'd expect more people will attend that date than the first.

I've left a message with the team, asking their preferences of meeting dates. Note, again, that this will be an organizational meeting, not a membership drive.

Hey all, have we figured out a date yet?

Since this is the thread getting action right now, I thought I'd post this here.

An acquaintance of mine plays at Ultimate Soccer on Monday evenings, and he tells me that the seats still have not been installed on the big field, the one the Bucks will play on. Obviously we aren't going to be getting any ticket info until those are are in, or nearly so.

With those college games coming up in 3 weeks, USA better get cracking.

The scaffolding for the seats is already being put in place. All indications are that they will be ready for College Cup I on the 29th.

Still kinda' working on this. Even though the team prefers the April 5 date with the college games, I am not available; flying to Germany on business that day. I figured that I might have to do some "mini-meetings" on March 29 (daytime at Ultimate, or nighttime for an MLS double-header on FSC) and April 3 (MLS Double-header on the Deuce). Another TV game is March 26 (USA at Poland) which should be shown on tape-delay that night.

yeah it seems a lot of people can't make the april 5 one.

Ya April 5th isn't gona work for me...I'll be busy until about 6 PM on the 29th of March though if we can do something that night I can be there.

Hey guys its getting down to crunch time here, do we have a date and time yet?

We should just go to a place with FSC on sat night maybe get some dinner and watch a game. here is a list with all the places with FSC.

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/802152/FSC-Pub-Guide---Midwest

I don't know where you guys live but maybe Novi or we can call a bufflo wild wings somewhere. I live 2 miles from Milford that would be great too

Novi is easier for me, but I'm fairly flexible. Somebody take charge here.

"Somebody take charge here." I'll repeat my frustrations at how this has seemed to bogged down to nothing. I said these before, and got the "keep a stiff upper lip, chum" speach. Now everyone sees just how difficult it is to get this first step going.

That FSC Pub Guide still lists Spectadium, which has now been closed for over a year. Don't trust it. And just putting a list of places will only get the "this place is too far from me" replies.

Does anyone know if the restaurant at USA is open yet? I was going to check tonight.

I don't know if anyone wants to meet to watch the 8:00 replay of the USA-Poland game, and have some talks on the group.

Maybe I'll just stick to my original thought of going to the college games this Saturday morning, have a "mini-meeting," then doing the same that night for the MLS double-header openers on FSC. I'll find a place that has FSC by then. I could then do the same for Thursday, April 3, for the double-header on ESPN2. I am not available for April 5.

Or maybe I should just make all of you come to an Ignition game.....

OK why don't we do something for April 3rd then for the MLS doubleheader. That sounds like that is something that can work. I am fine with the Novi Buffalo Wild Wings, if anyone has any problems than voice your concerns otherwise I think with the two people who suggested it already and myself it should be ok. The first MLS game starts at 8:30PM on April 3rd for those of you who don't know, and its New England vs Chicago. I can be there and will be there as long as a few other people say they will also be there.

SJJMichigan, you're right someone has to just do it, so that is when we are meeting...if you have a major issue with it, just PM me or voice it here...the only way it will change is if enough people complain, but I don't think that will happen.

So lets get this thing rolling.

PS...I will probably be at the Ignition game this Friday, if anyone else is going to be there we can at least met and say hello.

Yeah I can make the third sounds good.

The restaurant at USA isn't yet in operation. It should open next week. The coffee shop is open however.

Someone from the Bucks will be able to attend on April 3rd in Novi.

Sure, April 3 @ BWW in Novi is good with me. I'll be there.

Sounds like April 3 is set for the "big meeting" for the group organization. Malta, did you reserve a room at BWW? For everyone's info, the game starts at 8:30 on the telly, but we will start meeting by 7:30, and hope to finish by the 9:30-ish halftime whistle, so that everyone could get home on a school night.

I will also have some "mini meetings" at USA on March 29 at the College Cup.

Also, possibly a meeting March 29 that evening (maybe I'll try to find a restaurant that near the USA, that isn't booked yet, and has FSC); maybe I'll just get to USA at around 6:00-6:30, see if anyone else shows up, then go to a place.

I might also make it to USA on Tuesday, April 1, for a women's game that night. But this will depend on my work slate, since I'll be having out-of-town visitors at the office.

Promise, that the next batch of meetings will be more centrally-located. This would be sometime in mid-late April.

Thanks, everyone, for helping organize this. I'm putting together the agendas. If you want to help, you will be asked to head up a committee. And also, we will look at a potential slate of officers.

I will call to reserve the room or a table whatever I can get at BWW tomorrow and than inform everyone of what you can look for. I will be able to be at the meeting at 8 or 8:30...so I will be there just a bit late.

I hope the next meetings will be located at the USA restaurant when it opens! See you all Thursday.

Can someone fill me in on how the meeting goes? Thanks to college, I'm not coming home until mere days before the opener.

You can put the team down for 2, with one of us definitely coming and both likely to come.

Hey, I am new to the board, but am excited about the upcoming season. I can't make the meeting on Thursday, but would like to be kept updated. Ciao!

Were we planning on getting a website started? Or do you think the Bucks would be willing to make the Herd's website part of THEIR website? I guess that would require the group to be officially affiliated with the club.

Thoughts?

Hey guys, I checked with Buffalo Wild Wings and they don't take reservations so...I am going to say the first one to get there ask to be seated with about 8 people, and tell them you are for The Herd or the Michigan Bucks so when people come in late (me...) they can find the table.

Also I think once we sit down at this meeting we can figure out a website and such, again probably something that can be brought up tomorrow!

Alright sounds good I will be wearing my AS Roma jersey so look for me.

While I am a soccer fan, I'll be wearing a hockey jersey tomorrow (a Plymouth Whalers one). I will try to get there at around 7:15.

Cmoney,

What year is your AS Roma kit? I was living in Rome in spring 2000 and picked up a '99-00 edition. Probably one of my highlites of my time there was seeing Roma beat Fiorentina at the Stadio Olympico. That was the year before Batistuta transfered to AS Roma. That next year they won the scudetto. Those were good times! (I apologize for my brief trip down memory lane)

So when is the shindig supposed to begin?

7:30.

Unfortunately Kyle won't be able to make it tomorrow but I will be there. So minus one from whatever count you guys have.

See ya at 7:30.

Alright I'd say, again whoever is there first, make a table for 8 and if its too many at least we have room around the table. After all it is 50 Cent Boneless Wing night!

I'll be in a Malta T-shirt and a light blue Italy jacket.

Is it really? I haven't been to B Dubs in so long.

Now I'm excited!

I don't think I've ever dined at a BWW. Is their chicken caesar salad any good?

i have a new roma kit. Also i have the one from last year. I didn't get into soocer, football, and futbol untill the 06 world cup.

Guys,

Was fun meeting you all last night. I'm encouraged to see the enthusiasm in the group and I think we have the right people invested in this.

Up the Herd!

Ok.... I'm at DomainTools checking out domain name availability. .INFO's are cheap, though .COM's look better. Anyone know a registrar running a sale on .COMs?

Somebody shoot me; I forget the name of the other guy across the table from me last night who has layout skills. Shout out for me here. Have any preferences for a nice WordPress theme? I like Cutline(google it; very nice) myself, but I'm not the best judge of these things.

Wasn't it Dan?

Ok, I've got the following candidates for a domain name, minus the TLD:

theherd
herdofbucks
bucksherd
thebucksherd
uptheherd

Of course, TheHerd would be ideal, but it ain't happenin'. I list it here for completeness only. More suggestions please people!

Why isn't theherd "happening"? Already taken?

I like uptheherd but some might not get it.

Really all of those will work. Just a matter of choice.

Ya it was Dan that said he could help you with the Web designing.

As far as a name goes...I'm good with either bucksherd or uptheherd. One thing I was thinking about is sort of like where do herds of Bucks gather? I mean it would need to be catchy because the only thing I can think of is like "TheHerdsforest" or something like that. Cause the Website is going to be a place where the Herd comes together correct? I don't know...now that I type it looks silly. BUT I think that would be a great thing to call our section in the stands, "The Forest" or something. We call our section at UM-Dearborn the "Wolves Den" so...just a few more ideas.

yeah we could call our section the woods or the forest like the kansas city wizards sit in the cauldrin. Or the dc fans in the eagles nest.

Where do you find the herd?

In a pasture.

Or if you really want to be funny call your site:
In Rut

Keep it up, you're on track.

Right now I like UpTheHerd, though InRut is pretty funny. Where do you find a herd? At the Bait Pile? Salt Lick?

Let's see everybody check in before making a call on this one. And of course the guys at BigSoccer should be called in on this one. Give it 24 hours and I'll make the call.

Yes, I am Dan. I am experienced with doing website layout, so that is something I would be happy to help out with. Cutline looks like it will work well for the website.

I checked last night, and the only "theherd" domain that was listed as available was theherd.biz. To be clever, you could call the section "The Field"...but, I'm guessing that might be a little too confusing. "The Forest" or "The Pasture" would be the way to go, in my opinion.

Forest is better than pasture....i think of horses and cows when i think of pasture

Well we figured out what to call the section haha....again my vote for domain name is either "uptheherd" or "bucksherd".

Also how is the seating going? Is the seating broken up into like sections or just it just one general seating policy? What I'm getting at is where can the Herd stand and make it there own?

I think its a team issue, obviously wherever they want to sit us is fine, but we don't want to be standing in front of group of people who are sitting down and tick them off.

I'll cast my vote for "uptheherd"

Although, I would be open to other ideas.

I just noticed there are bleachers behind each goal...is that a place to put the Herd? I haven't been inside USA yet so I don't really know.

I'll cast my vote for "uptheherd"

I also think forest is better then pasture

Hmmm.... UpTheHerd is looking like a clear fave at this point. Let's allow a bit more time just in case someone has a flash of inspiration.

Dan: I'm thinking now that I'm gonna wait 'till I get home tomorrow after the games and take down the domain then. I'll roll out the new WP 2.5 on it, install Cutline and then an appropriate header graphic will complete the look for now.

I likewise agree with "UpTheHerd" for the domain name.

i like UpTheHerd as well.

Hey guys, its been awhile since i talked to you all. Been busy checking out of the Marine Corps. I see that i have missed alot so far. Ill be back in MI the beginning of May. I pretty excited about this since i just got back from the DC United homeopener on April 5. I like " The Forest" for our supporters section but what is " Up the Herd". Did we decide to change the name from " The Herd"?

"Up the Herd" is simply the domain name for a website we are in the process of creating. Its going to start out very basic and than over time we can craft it to make it look better. So for example it would be something like www.uptheherd.net or something.

Ok cool. When should start buying season tickets? And Maltaman you said something about when you buy season tickets they give you a shirt and scarves. Is this true and has anyone gotten tickets yet?

Were trying to work out a price for The Herd that includes season tickets and some extras for joining.

It's likely that the group's "seating" will be on one of the endlines rather than in the main stand.

We should have something finalized by next week.

hawaiiseasider I was at the open opener for dc I sat in section 134. I was at the screaming eagles tailgate. That was a sweet game.

Hell ya it was. I was right by you with Barra Brava. It was a sweet game. When i move to MI ill be traveling alot probably to go to alot of there away games, like Chicago, NYRB, and Columbus.

hey guys

good luck with getting this off the ground

i live in manchester, england but my dad lives in walled lake so i have adopted the Bucks as one of my teams

am hoping to get to a bucks game when i'm over in july so may see you guys there

matt

Bucks might be broadcasting some of their games this year online...so you (and anyone else around the world who wants to adopt them as their team) can follow them from afar.

Oh nice, will it just be home games, or do we get to see the Bucks on the road?

Not sure...we're working on the details. As soon as we get it squared away we'll post it on the website.

We have less than a month till the first preseason friendly (May 9th vs Windsor)...so how is everything coming as far as the things we discussed at the meeting? AKA - Website, logo, seating etc.

I can say for the logo I have talked to my cousin and she is gona see what she can do...it will probably take a few weeks with either her or my buddy seeing as its Finals for college students.

Any other updates? I just thought someone should write something on here because its been a bit boring.

Now that the tickets are out, we should come together and come up with ideas as far as where to meet before, types of songs/chants. And Maltaman did you see if like drums or horns are allowed at the games. If im going too far just let me know because im use to the DC United games.

Drums will definitely be allowed and its the same as far as I know for air horns, that might change though at the referee's or the owners of USA's discretion.

I think you'll find more people that think airhorns are obnoxious than ones who don't

Just my 2 cents...

Thats was what I was thinking, though especially obnoxious in an indoor building.

Drums and other non-artificial noisemakers would be preferable.

Ya maybe a no on the airhorns, but I know we have a drum (at least I'm fairly certain) and we have a few cowbells to work with for the first game. Because the forums have like the same 8 people its hard to say too much about who has what...hopefully after the first game we can get more people on the forums for a bit better planning.

As far as chants go, I know you (seasider) and than cmoney have both been to a lot of DCU games so you two should be in charge of the chants is my guess.

Ya cmoney and I should be able to make some chants but some of the DCU chants are in spanish so we will have to stay away from that. On the 17th my parents and relatives are having a " welcome home from the military party" for me, im not sure what time it is going to be held at but i hope at noon so i can make the game. Maltaman you said the bucks had a preseason game on the 9th i think, are we getting together for that?

Ya they have a preseason against Windsor on the 9th. I think we should get together for that, I plan on going up there for it, and I know a few others do too. It would be good at the very least to meet everyone and get familiar with the place.

I will be there on the 9th, for sure.

Hey, just curious, have we made any progress on the website idea?

What time and where is that preseason game against windsor being held at? Ya i think getting together before the first game will kind of give us a warm up.LOL.

This chant should be pretty cool, we dont have as many people but its easy to learn so maybe even the regular kids and families might catch on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiLw62FHfM0

The preseason game starts at 7:30 on the 9th and its at Home (Ultimate). I say we could meet up around 7 O'clock probably. And yes I would love for other people to catch on to what we are chanting cause hopefully it will draw more people to come stand with us be a part of the kick *** Herd!

The Windsor friendly takes place on Friday, 5/09 @ 7:30 PM. It will be at USA.

yeah we can steal a couple DC united chants as well. I was thinking at the NCAA games davidson fans sung sweet caroline cause they where from north carolina. Are there any michigan songs we can sing. All I can think of is that one journey song.(just a small town girl)

I think the best place to start is chants FOR the Bucks players. And then go from there.

Wouldn't hurt to start a new thread for chants -- just to spread things out on the board.

I also think there should be an effort to keep the chants relatively clean - we don't want to turn off the vast majority of the kids/families that attend Bucks games.

I think you guys could be pretty creative with that Journey song/chant, just thinking of it while the keeper is taking a goal kick makes me laugh.

Focus on the players, but keep Journey in mind...

I always thought a roaring bit of laughter was a great way to greet the opposing team as they were introduced.

Hey, looking forward to the upcoming season. I just purchased two season tickets for the supporters section. Should be a lot of fun, looking forward to meeting you all.

Perhaps the following chant could be adapted for the Herd. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7QITzWtcas&NR=1

Has anyone been to USA each and seen the pitch. How many seats are actually in the place? But one thing is for sure, with the drums sound and our supporters group singing and stuff, it should echo pretty loud.

I went there. It should be pretty sweet.ikd how many seats i think around 2,000. Drums should sound amazing.

Has anyone recieved the t-shirt or scarf at came with the season tickets yet? And if so what do they look like?

Sweet, I'm excited about it, Cmoney you said you had the drum right?

As far as the scarfs and Tshirts are concerned I think they were still decided on a Scarf design, and I don't think anyone has gotten them yet. I bet we we get them by the first regular season game.

Ok, then we have to decide what color we want the The Herd to where for the friendly match in case they dont have the shirts or scarves sent out yet. I dont have any Buck gear so ill have to go with a plan shirt or something.

Ya thats a good call, I would say like green shirts...maybe throw in a few orange here and there. I think we should def try to get some streamers though it will increase the awesomeness of the Herd.

Yeah, I think orange would be a good color for "Herd Shirts" (and not because that's my favorite color) - they'll stand out really nicely among the crowd.

Ill take care of the streamers.

Orange sounds like a good color to start with. Does orange sound good to eveyone else?

I think Orange is good because it's certainly part of the Bucks' team colors, but green (forest green, to be more specific?) is clearly the dominate color. So having us highlight the secondary color would be good.

Orange is good with me...I think I have something orange around here somewhere haha.

Orange definitely sounds good to me.

I hate to bang the drum (pun intended), but again I was wondering about the status of a website for the Herd. Any word from David?

I would advise to go ahead and start doing what you can do. I'm not sure what happened to Dave.

Also a suggestion and it really depends on what you guys see as more beneficial, but it might be smart during the friendly against Windsor to set something up right outside the field to let people know about The Herd. The other side of that is it might be more beneficial just to get the word out by being loud and crazy at the game, creating curiosity that way.

Tables can be provided if you need them.

Yep I do have a drum. I'll bring it for sure. For settinf up a tabel what should we put on it. We could make some flyers or a sign up list.

Anyone for kickball or dodgeball ? ? ? ? ? (e-mail from the arena):


From: Phillip Lawrence
Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 6:13 PM
To: 'ultimatesoccerarenas@gmail.com'
Subject: Open House

Phone: 248/648.7000
Fax: 248/648.7001
E-mail: ajanczarek@ultimatesoccerarenas.com
867 South Blvd
Pontiac, MI 48341

Adult Kick Ball and Dodge Ball Open House

Ultimate Soccer Arenas

We don't play indoor soccer, we play soccer indoor.

Please join us on May 8th from 8pm--10pm for a drop-in style kick ball and dodge ball open house as an introduction to our new upcoming dodge ball and kickball leagues.

$10 admission and preregistration is required for participation in our open house. Come play one hour of each activity as well as sample items from our restaurant menu.

Rules for both activities are available at:
Www.dodgeballusa.com/rules.html
Www.kickball.com

Anybody want to get together to watch the Euro final on Sunday? We could meet at the USA restaurant, or if you want to watch live soccer while watching TV soccer, we could go to the Michigan Hawks women's game at Livonia Stevenson and I'll bring a set to catch the ABC broadcast (the analog sets still work for seven more months).