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Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Not sure if it's okay to quote an entire facebook post. I'm sure The Angry Elf will correct me if not. This is from Anish's facebook page:
Three years ago I set foot in Fargo, North Dakota for the first time.
As someone who grew up in the shadow of New York City, most cities look small to me. Fargo just seemed distant. It felt like a remote snowy oasis in a wilderness of nothingness. It was Wuthering Heights meets Lost Horizon. I remember staring intently out the window as the plane made its descent. I saw miles and miles of snow and my thought bubble read "WHERE AM I???"
That first day, the bitter December frost sent a shock through my body the second I got off the plane. When I exited the airport to grab my rental car, I probably muttered a few expletives. It was a Molotov cocktail of cold, wind, and hangriness.
That weekend, I checked out the tourist center and got my picture taken with the woodchipper. After all, the movie, 'Fargo', was my only reference point for my temporary stay. I found out quickly many of the locals hated the movie. They felt it was a caricature. But the very next morning I went to a local diner for "flapjacks" and was offered a side of toast - pronounced "toeeee-st." I even met a Gunderson.
The Yankees fan in me took a detour to the Roger Maris museum and then I was off to the Fargodome to call a game. It was a semifinal tilt between North Dakota State and New Hampshire. I heard it could get loud but capacity was about 19,000. "How loud could it really get?" I wondered.
Both New Hampshire and I found out right away. The crowd impacted the game from the onset. New Hampshire struggled with false start penalties. A bad snap led to a turnover. Miscommunication complicated matters and the game got out of hand quickly. 19,000 sounded like 90,000.
I was blown away by the passion and the intelligence of the fans. They probably impacted the game by 10-14 points. When the home team had the ball, you could only hear the sound of silence. When the visitors had the ball, you heard a cacophony of chaos. You could not even hear your thoughts.
I returned to Fargo a few times after the first visit... six more times to be exact. I learned a few things. I learned that while Fargo might be the coldest place in America, Fargoans might have the warmest hearts. The people make this place. America needs more people like the ones I encountered in Fargo. They were friendly, giving, helpful, kind, compassionate, appreciative and encouraging.
From the hotel staff, to the folks working the rental counter, to wait staff, to strangers who pointed me in the right direction, the hospitality was overwhelmingly positive. On social media, the fans seemed overly appreciative of our coverage and our willingness to document North Dakota State's historical run (the Bison - pronounced Bizon - would win five consecutive championships).
I saw what a football team meant to a community. North Dakota State is a part of Fargo's connective tissue. They are to Fargo what the Packers are to Green Bay - right down to the color scheme. This was more than just civic pride in success. This was a cultural phenomenon.
On my most recent trip, some James Madison fans were on the flight. JMU was set to face North Dakota State in the semifinals. The North Dakota State fans repeatedly wished the visitors luck. They gave them places to eat and things to do. They offered up phone numbers and email addresses if the visitors had questions. These were strangers, but it meant a lot to the locals to see the strangers enjoy their time in Fargo. As someone who grew up on Yankees-Red Sox, "good luck" would be the last thing you'd say to the fan of the other team.
North Dakota State lost the game on Friday. Truth be told, if that game was played ten times, James Madison wins 8 times. The better team won that night. JMU's win ended the greatest five-year run in college football history. That night our crew went out after the game for a meal. Fans were mostly upbeat. They comprehended the totality of what happened. Sure it was a tough night for them, but it was an incredible five-year run. They got it. They had perspective. They weren't bitter or angry. They were appreciative.
If you're a college football fan, the Fargodome is a bucket list item. It's indoors, so you don't have to brave the cold. But do spend some time in Fargo. You'll meet some of the best fans in America. I know I have. All this is meant to say thank you for the kindness and hospitality you've shown me over the last few years. It's truly humbling. I'm from NJ. Many of us Jerseyans are naturally cynical. But every time I leave Fargo, I'm reminded that there is an intrinsic goodness in people... and one could not ask for a better feeling.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Nice. His knowledge of NDSU football is impressive, and he seems like a genuinely nice guy, especially for a New Jersian!
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Anish is the man and I'm glad he calls all of the ndsu national games.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
He talked about Fargo on sports center before the game too. I hope hes not thinking he won't be back!
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
That was a nice read. Thanks for posting
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
hell of a read..thanks Anish.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
[QUOTE=bri-dog;1186536]Not sure if it's okay to quote an entire facebook post. I'm sure The Angry Elf will correct me if not. This is from Anish's facebook page:
[COLOR=#1D2129][FONT=San Francisco]
Three years ago I set foot in Fargo, North Dakota for the first time.....
North Dakota State lost the game on Friday. Truth be told, if that game was played ten times, James Madison wins 8 times. The better team won that night. JMU's win ended the greatest five-year run in college football history. That night our crew went out after the game for a meal. Fans were mostly upbeat. They comprehended the totality of what happened. Sure it was a tough night for them, but it was an incredible five-year run. They got it. They had perspective. They weren't bitter or angry. They were appreciative.....
Good thing he doesn't have access to this Board.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
I like Anish and Ahmad Brooks. They do a good job.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Disagree with the 8 out of 10 times comment. I think JMU might have been slightly a better team but NDSU very much could have won that game and really stat wise it was pretty dang even.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
[QUOTE=GenX;1186557]
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bri-dog
Not sure if it's okay to quote an entire facebook post. I'm sure The Angry Elf will correct me if not. This is from Anish's facebook page:
[COLOR=#1D2129][FONT=San Francisco]
Three years ago I set foot in Fargo, North Dakota for the first time.....
North Dakota State lost the game on Friday. Truth be told, if that game was played ten times, James Madison wins 8 times. The better team won that night. JMU's win ended the greatest five-year run in college football history. That night our crew went out after the game for a meal. Fans were mostly upbeat. They comprehended the totality of what happened. Sure it was a tough night for them, but it was an incredible five-year run. They got it. They had perspective. They weren't bitter or angry. They were appreciative.....
Good thing he doesn't have access to this Board.
http://az616578.vo.msecnd.net/files/...09_dwight.jpeg
note: holy shit I had no idea that picture of dwight was going to be that big.
FALSE. If that game was played ten times, James Madison would only win 1 time. It just happened to be the first game that they played but NDSU would have won the next 9.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
It's easy to be appreciative of Anish and his crew as they always display a high level of knowledge about the Bison and the FCS teams they play. That's something we don't always get from the national media and announcers. Plus he is very good as a play by play man in general. I'm glad most of the top moments in recent Bison playoff history have included Anish making the calls on ESPN.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
The vast majority of the people we met in Newark and NYC are very nice people.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BisonFanAnn
Nice. His knowledge of NDSU football is impressive, and he seems like a genuinely nice guy, especially for a New Jersian!
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Nice! 8 of 10? ...don't thinks so!
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Now this is the comment that should be printed rather than that ridiculous letter to the editor from Jimmyville.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Read it twice. This is why we chose to live here. He understands Fargo (and most of ND)
He is a sports lover and it shows. He loves the game and loves his job.
He will be back
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BlueBisonRock
Now this is the comment that should be printed rather than that ridiculous letter to the editor from Jimmyville.
This ^^^ Unfortunately, that won't happen.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
The und grads at the Forum will not have a positive article about NDSU published..
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Quote:
Originally Posted by
StL Bison Fan
Read it twice. This is why we chose to live here. He understands Fargo (and most of ND)
He is a sports lover and it shows. He loves the game and loves his job.
He will be back
This^^^^
Makes me proud to say I am a Bison from Fargo North Dakota
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
great post by a great man. can't wait to have him come back and call next years semifinal game.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Not only the best FCS play-by-play man out there, not a bad writer either.
I shared it. Let's make it go viral.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Hall of Fame thread. No voting needed.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Anish knows his FCS football and it shows. He is really good at it and I enjoy his broadcasts. No more Jay Walker for anything related to FCS football, please.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TransAmBison
Hall of Fame thread. No voting needed.
I second the nomination for the hall of fame.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TransAmBison
Hall of Fame thread. No voting needed.
Do you want dictatorship? Because that's how you get dictatorship. :)
Seriously, very nice of Anish.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
I don't know about you a-holes. But I like this guy.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Quote:
Originally Posted by
tony
Do you want dictatorship? Because that's how you get dictatorship. :)
Seriously, very nice of Anish.
I want an empire.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Great post by Anish. You can tell the guy loves his job, does his prep work, and is sincere in what he says which is part of why I've always liked and appreciated him. That, and through the last six years I don't know if there is a playoff highlight (except maybe from SHSU I) that doesn't have either him or Scottie doing the play by play, and that's made him as much of part of a run, for me, as any of the other non-football aspects that made it all the more special to be around.
As good as he is, it seems like it's only a matter of time before he's moved on to things at ESPN that are "bigger" than the FCS playoffs, so at the end of each run there is a chance that it is the last time he does one of our games. I hope it's not, but if it is good for him because he deserves it.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TransAmBison
I want an empire.
The thing that very few realize is that this entire time, the whole 5peat streak, we have been watching Episode IV. When JMU came into the FargoDome and finally stopped the Bison by blowing up their plans for a 6peat we witnessed the ending of "A New Hope". It was the first time the Bison were stopped in their previously impenetrable fortress that was laying waste to the FCS playoffs at will.
You all know what comes next???
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xESiohGGP7g/hqdefault.jpg
I can't think of a more fitting theme for next season.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Several of my bison friends had it shared last night. Very awesome, wonder if the letter to the forum prairie firw caused him to write it or if that was a bit of coincidence.
Sent from Win8 phone on a bullet train from Hillsboro.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Quote:
Originally Posted by
EC8CH
The thing that very few realize is that this entire time, the whole 5peat streak, we have been watching Episode IV. When JMU came into the FargoDome and finally stopped the Bison by blowing up their plans for a 6peat we witnessed the ending of "A New Hope". It was the first time the Bison were stopped in their previously impenetrable fortress.
You all know what comes next???
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xESiohGGP7g/hqdefault.jpg
Well, that's fine, but if we start losing to Ewoks in the future I'm out.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...2d22fb0bd9.jpg
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bisonp
I hear ya... but that's years away.
In the mean time, I can't wait to watch the Bison freeze KC Keeler in Carbonite. (I don't know why but he just feels like the FCS's Han Solo).
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BisonAccountant44
Great post by Anish. You can tell the guy loves his job, does his prep work, and is sincere in what he says which is part of why I've always liked and appreciated him. That, and through the last six years I don't know if there is a playoff highlight (except maybe from SHSU I) that doesn't have either him or Scottie doing the play by play, and that's made him as much of part of a run, for me, as any of the other non-football aspects that made it all the more special to be around.
As good as he is, it seems like it's only a matter of time before he's moved on to things at ESPN that are "bigger" than the FCS playoffs, so at the end of each run there is a chance that it is the last time he does one of our games. I hope it's not, but if it is good for him because he deserves it.
he pretty happy in charlotte and espnu. He gets to stay there as he does college football shows recorded in charlotte, plus he does baseball and lacrosse in spring (mostly games on the east coast).
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Very nice post by my fav FCS tv game caller. Hopefully we'll see Anish again in Fargo
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Just glad Jay Walker doesn't do it anymore... he's horrible. Anish is very good!
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Forum has picked up this story.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Quote:
Originally Posted by
EC8CH
The thing that very few realize is that this entire time, the whole 5peat streak, we have been watching Episode IV. When JMU came into the FargoDome and finally stopped the Bison by blowing up their plans for a 6peat we witnessed the ending of "A New Hope". It was the first time the Bison were stopped in their previously impenetrable fortress that was laying waste to the FCS playoffs at will.
You all know what comes next???
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xESiohGGP7g/hqdefault.jpg
I can't think of a more fitting theme for next season.
Nicely done!!!!!
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Quote:
Originally Posted by
EC8CH
Hey Fanette... if someone can figure out how to put "Bison" between the & empire (in the same font), that would make a nifty sign for the first game next season.
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2 Attachment(s)
Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
Quote:
Originally Posted by
NFH Schlüssel
Hey Fanette... if someone can figure out how to put "Bison" between the & empire (in the same font), that would make a nifty sign for the first game next season.
something like one of these two? Attachment 7568Attachment 7569http://www.bisonville.com/forum/atta...9&d=1482337940
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
I think "The Empire Strikes Back'" works just fine.
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Re: Anish Shroff's Thoughts on Fargo and NDSU
someone with better photoshop skills could improve on this concept:
https://i.imgflip.com/1ge7wo.jpg
here's the original inspiration:
https://i.imgflip.com/1ge81m.jpg