Ball State University football fans have divided into two camps: those who wanted to go the Humanitarian Bowl and those who didn't.
When the university decided not to play undefeated Boise State University on its home turf, everyone chose a side. Not even the commentators on ESPN's "Around the Horn" could come to a consensus about whether Ball State made the right decision in passing on the game.
But as the Mid-American Conference Championship Game approaches, there is still a lot for fans to be excited about, even if they were in favor of a bowl game in Boise, Idaho.
The university has done a good job catering to fans in the end of this football season.
For today's game in Detroit, Student Government Association and the Alumni Association are providing eight buses of fans. Earlier this season, when no buses were sponsored for some away games, fans asked Ball State to step up, and it did.
The university has also taken other steps to get fans revved up about the football team. It has sent out mass e-mails, had special fan programs like the send-off party before the Central Michigan University game and shot fireworks off at Scheumann Stadium.
Fans have responded by turning out in record numbers, even at the Western Michigan University contest the night before Thanksgiving Break.
Of course, the biggest draw to fans has been, and will always be, whether the team is any good.
The Cardinals' success this year has made fans out of many students who never knew watching football could be so fun.
This success, along with the university's support of fans, is a great way to develop a loyal Cardinal fan base.
The football team has had a season that will inspire fans to keep coming to games in the future. Inevitably, the team will not have historic seasons every year.
When that time comes, the university's actions will truly make a difference. If Ball State continues to treat fans as it has this year, they will be more willing to stick around.
Fan buses, giveaways, free student tickets, fireworks and a decent stadium are all ways the university shows fans that it values them.
Ball State has made good on those measures this football season, but it would also be wise for them to keep the effort up for other sports.
Good sports fans want to root for a school all year, not just during the fall. If Ball State puts some real attention behind the basketball and volleyball teams, for instance, fans are likely to turn out just as they have for football and those sports in the past.
The football team's historic season has kicked off what could be not only a great legacy for that program but also for Cardinal fans.
The university needs to work to cultivate that foundation into a loyal and lasting fan base.
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