|
|
Post by SportsFan on Jan 22, 2020 13:28:59 GMT -5
Also - I think this is a great problem to have. We are all so happy with the on court product, that our focus is elsewhere. Some improvements in scheduling and atmosphere can go a long way in recruiting as well.
Go Raiders!
|
|
|
|
Post by Glory Days on Jan 22, 2020 19:09:54 GMT -5
This is true for those of us who follow the team closely, and participate in boards like this. This isnt the case for casual fans (which we need to boost attendance), the majority of students, and families with younger kids. WSU basketball is a priority for the majority of us on this board, but we need more than the diehard fans to show up if we want to create more diehard fans. Creating a more entertaining atmosphere for everyone can only benefit WSU. No one is saying that we should start boycotting games until things get better. I will still be at every home game. I just dont understand those who are against improving the game day atmosphere. I am hoping Friday will be packed, and loud! I've had multiple season tickets to WSU, Xavier, UC, OSU, and that school across town every year for the last 25 years. I primarily attend WSU games and use the other tickets for my business to give to my employees and vendors that I work with throughout the state. In all of that time I have only been asked 3 questions when I have offered tickets to anyone for any of those teams: what day is the game? what time is the game? and who are they playing? I have NEVER been asked what the half time or time out entertainment is like at any of those venues. If you guys really thinks any of that crap drives casual fans to games you are delusional. Someone already stated it above but you are either interested in seeing a team play a game or you are not. No one is making a decision to attend/not attend a game based on what happens during timeouts and half time. There have also been a few suggestions in this thread that I literally laughed out loud at because they were that stupid. Someone suggested we have junior high kids play a mini game at half time. Someone else suggested we have kids/professors from one college play the kids/professors from another college from within WSU at half time. If seeing two DIVISION 1 TEAMS slug it out isn't going to bring you in to see a game, why in the hell would you think watching those other groups compete against one another at half time would? There are a lot of things that could be improved at games but the bottom line is the athletic department cannot afford to spend more on games unless they take away money from somewhere else in our basketball budget. I much rather we spend our money on our coach's salary, our recruiting budget, our S&C program, and our schedule than us waste a dime on any of this crap. |
|
|
|
Post by refrigeratorraider on Jan 22, 2020 20:08:27 GMT -5
I'll add a few comments regarding various discussions:
Rowdy - I've seen him walking around at nearly every game. He tends to spend most of the time by the student section and cheerleaders, but I've seen him walking around and posing for pictures all over.
The PA guy - I think he is doing a good job. The only time I've had some difficulty understanding him is when someone is presenting the gameball pregame and he speedreads about the individual.
Halftime entertainment - I'm not sure if it's been mentioned, but something to remember: The youth basketball teams and youth dance groups, which provide entertainment for about half the games this season, are buying tickets/paying to be the halftime show. This is bringing in additional revenue, putting more butts in seats, and potentially creating new Raider fans. This is much better than paying for a touring act provide entertainment.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nutt House on Jan 22, 2020 21:00:11 GMT -5
Halftime entertainment - I'm not sure if it's been mentioned, but something to remember: The youth basketball teams and youth dance groups, which provide entertainment for about half the games this season, are buying tickets/paying to be the halftime show. This is bringing in additional revenue, putting more butts in seats, and potentially creating new Raider fans. This is much better than paying for a touring act provide entertainment. those youth teams and dance groups do not pay to come to the game. They get free entry and 2 additional tickets per kid for their parents. |
|
|
|
Post by refrigeratorraider on Jan 22, 2020 21:28:26 GMT -5
Halftime entertainment - I'm not sure if it's been mentioned, but something to remember: The youth basketball teams and youth dance groups, which provide entertainment for about half the games this season, are buying tickets/paying to be the halftime show. This is bringing in additional revenue, putting more butts in seats, and potentially creating new Raider fans. This is much better than paying for a touring act provide entertainment. those youth teams and dance groups do not pay to come to the game. They get free entry and 2 additional tickets per kid for their parents. I thought they paid for a certain number of tickets and could perform at halftime. I must have read about a different university doing that and thought that's how WSU did it. |
|
|
|
Post by raiders93 on Jan 22, 2020 22:21:50 GMT -5
This is true for those of us who follow the team closely, and participate in boards like this. This isnt the case for casual fans (which we need to boost attendance), the majority of students, and families with younger kids. WSU basketball is a priority for the majority of us on this board, but we need more than the diehard fans to show up if we want to create more diehard fans. Creating a more entertaining atmosphere for everyone can only benefit WSU. No one is saying that we should start boycotting games until things get better. I will still be at every home game. I just dont understand those who are against improving the game day atmosphere. I am hoping Friday will be packed, and loud! I've had multiple season tickets to WSU, Xavier, UC, OSU, and that school across town every year for the last 25 years. I primarily attend WSU games and use the other tickets for my business to give to my employees and vendors that I work with throughout the state. In all of that time I have only been asked 3 questions when I have offered tickets to anyone for any of those teams: what day is the game? what time is the game? and who are they playing? I have NEVER been asked what the half time or time out entertainment is like at any of those venues. If you guys really thinks any of that crap drives casual fans to games you are delusional. Someone already stated it above but you are either interested in seeing a team play a game or you are not. No one is making a decision to attend/not attend a game based on what happens during timeouts and half time. There have also been a few suggestions in this thread that I literally laughed out loud at because they were that stupid. Someone suggested we have junior high kids play a mini game at half time. Someone else suggested we have kids/professors from one college play the kids/professors from another college from within WSU at half time. If seeing two DIVISION 1 TEAMS slug it out isn't going to bring you in to see a game, why in the hell would you think watching those other groups compete against one another at half time would? There are a lot of things that could be improved at games but the bottom line is the athletic department cannot afford to spend more on games unless they take away money from somewhere else in our basketball budget. I much rather we spend our money on our coach's salary, our recruiting budget, our S&C program, and our schedule than us waste a dime on any of this crap. Great post. The things that I think affect truly have an impact on the game experience, impression of WSU basketball and atmosphere for fans are the band and the cheerleaders’ role in the flow of the game. They are not utilized well at all and are spectators the majority of the time. Those two groups elevate excitement and school pride in many arenas, but not so much at the Nutter Center. Everything else can be improved upon over time, but will not affect ones decision to buy tickets or not, as you stated. |
|
|
|
Post by SportsFan on Jan 23, 2020 8:26:54 GMT -5
We need to remember that there are groups of people who attend games for different reasons than most of us do...
@glory Days - The fact that you buy season tickets, and give them away is great! It is an effective way to drive people to our games who normally may not go. And I agree, no one in that situation is going to ask about gameday atmosphere.
My point is that if we make small improvements, the people who you give tickets to may buy them on their own. They may have a young kid who becomes a lifelong fan because of his/her experience coming to WSU games. Improving the atmosphere is about getting people coming back, not drawing people in.
I have also been to all of the stadiums that you mentioned. Usually, about half of the crowd is either passively paying attention to the game while spending time with friends/family, or they are spending their time making sure their young kids are enjoying themselves. So saying that "you either want to see the team play or you dont" does not apply to everyone.
Also - can we all stop with the sarcastic remarks? It makes it really tough to have a productive conversation. (Yes, I realize this is a big ask for an internet forum)
|
|
|
|
Post by raiders93 on Jan 23, 2020 8:38:27 GMT -5
We need to remember that there are groups of people who attend games for different reasons than most of us do... My point is that if we make small improvements, the people who you give tickets to may buy them on their own. They may have a young kid who becomes a lifelong fan because of his/her experience coming to WSU games. Improving the atmosphere is about getting people coming back, not drawing people in. Also - can we all stop with the sarcastic remarks? It makes it really tough to have a productive conversation. (Yes, I realize this is a big ask for an internet forum) +1 |
|
|
|
Post by raiders93 on Jan 23, 2020 8:50:33 GMT -5
A coworker of mine who’s never been to a WSU game volunteered with KOC as an usher at the YSU game. His comments?
“That game was boring as hell.”
“Why doesn’t the band ever play?”
“Why were there only two concession stands open?”
As SF stated, these actions aren’t to draw new fans, but to create a more positive atmosphere and attractive product which makes people want to return.
|
|
|
|
Post by Big D on Jan 23, 2020 9:09:18 GMT -5
The point all of you keep ignoring is none of this CAN change unless we cut funding from our basketball program. Our budget is set in stone due to the financial problems the university is in. So none of this can or will change unless one of you steps up and writes a big ass check to WSU or you tell Nagy he needs to take a big ass pay cut. Neither option is going to happen so this whole discussion is a waste of time.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dr J on Jan 23, 2020 10:16:52 GMT -5
I agree BigD. But do think they could look at elementary schools basketball teams to play during halftime for Friday, Saturday or Sunday afternoon games. This would take some effort to put together. Maybe, someone would like to contact Athletic Department about volunteering to work with them to put low or no cost halftime entertainment together.
I remember going to the movies, as a child, and enjoying the cartoons. I went to see the movie but enjoyed the cartoons. But will go see a movie without cartoons.
|
|
|
|
Post by BasketBallJones on Jan 23, 2020 11:04:24 GMT -5
I just hope the Athletic Department has the foresight to have at least 2 or more additional concession stands open for Friday nights NKU game. If you want to really want to piss off both casual and regular attendance fans, then make them stand in line for 20 minutes at half time to get a drink and a hot dog. I really don't give a rats azz about other entertainment options other than the exciting brand of WINNIG basketball that Nagy has delivered to us, but for the love of God, how many times has the Nutter Center staff gone out of their way on Big Games to make sure the fans walk away pissed off and not want to come back EVER. I can only hope that Friday night someone gets the message and does not screw this up again.
|
|
|
|
Post by Big D on Jan 23, 2020 11:05:31 GMT -5
I agree BigD. But do think they could look at elementary schools basketball teams to play during halftime for Friday, Saturday or Sunday afternoon games. This would take some effort to put together. Maybe, someone would like to contact Athletic Department about volunteering to work with them to put low or no cost halftime entertainment together. I remember going to the movies, as a child, and enjoying the cartoons. I went to see the movie but enjoyed the cartoons. But will go see a movie without cartoons. You really do not get what I just said. Wright State is not going to add any new events even an elementary school game because that increases cost. You simply cannot have a volunteer do it because there is liability involved. A paid staffer has to make contact with those schools. They have to provide legal documents to that school to protect WSU in case a child gets injured while participating in that event then they have to watch parents sign those documents before their kids can step foot on our court. You have to have staffers available to run the event and organize it. That is all time and money that we are taking away from our already thinly stretched staff that they should be using towards something else that is vital to our programs success. In this sue happy day and age it’s not just as simple as invited some kids to play on your court at halftime. Honestly I wish it was. I wish the University didn’t get into their financial woes but until we get back on good financial footing I don’t see anything changing that isn’t 100% free and doesn’t take up any time from our staff. |
|
|
|
Post by raider85 on Jan 23, 2020 11:13:50 GMT -5
This discussion is not a waste if time. Considering the amount if responses it is obviously important to people. And it does not cost anything to have the band play or to have the spirit squads do something at time outs or halftime. At the Youngstown State game why didn't the dance team perform after the Air Force induction
|
|
|
|
Post by BasketBallJones on Jan 23, 2020 11:39:26 GMT -5
For all of you Jonesing for some halftime entairtaiment at the Nutter Center, BasketBallJones has your back. Just copy and paste this video to your smart phone or tablet, and watch it at halftime. You're all set . You can thank me at Friday nights game. I'll be in the Alumni Upper Deck enjoying a beer. Go Raiders!
|
|
