(07-08-2013 09:27 AM)7 Wrote:  

(07-08-2013 09:25 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(07-08-2013 08:25 AM)7 Wrote:  How do local businesses lose money? People don't eat on weeknights?

Where did I say that they lose money? They just don't make the money they make from Huskie fans on Saturday.They lose out on business that they get from Saturday crowds. This was told to me by several DeKalb and Sycamore business managers/owners.

And, not every business in DeKalb/Sycamore is a restaurant. Restaurants in the area do very well even during the offseason.

But in theory, couldn't they seen an increase in business they wouldn't normally see on Tuesday's while still getting the normal weekend crowd as well?

Due to the low attendance of weeknight games, and the fact that many fewer out of towners go to weeknight games the business will see a lower take on a weeknight game. Locals can eat at home cheap before the game. Its the people coming in for a game that need to eat in town, those numbers are way down on a weeknight game that you can barely get to in time after work and the drive in.

(07-08-2013 10:50 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  Speaking of business support of NIU...I love the Huskie head flag at the oasis!

I haven't seen this! Very cool

(07-08-2013 10:52 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(07-08-2013 10:44 AM)NIURedBlack Wrote:  

(07-08-2013 09:43 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  All makes sense to me. My group makes a full day out of it on Saturdays. I know several other families who do the same, including some relatives and friends of ours. We go to several stores in DeKalb/Sycamore (and spend too much money), plus we eat two meals at restaurants in the area. We also sometimes patronize attractions such as the Elwood House. If we were to attend a weeknight game, we would not go to any local establishments, including restaurants, due to time restrictions. Straight to the game and then home.

+1

We usually eat out after a weekend game, usually stop at some of the shopping on the north side.

On the flip side, sure DeKalb/Sycamore businesses love the increased revenue from Huskie fans but can we say that they show NIU and the Huskies the same amount of support? Other than the usual players like VCB, Fatty's, Castle Bank, ect. Most times I go to businesses on game day, they have no idea there was a game. Might have to place more of the blame on NIU for that.

Very true. I have been to establishments that show little support for NIU (no sponsorship, posters, banners, etc.). We often go to Farm & Fleet in Sycamore. F&F has virtually nothing NIU, yet they have a bunch of Illini stuff. There are other places like this, too.

As with everything, I guess this boils down to marketing. The business need to feel a part of Huskie Nation. Hopefully, with the new President and AD, this will happen.

Even a nearby place like Fatty's would get more business on a Saturday I would think. If I have to work the next day I'm not going out after the game (and I don't have time before the game). On a Saturday I would.

is the student attendance truly that much higher on a weeknight vs. a weekend? if not, then to me it makes sense to go weekend to try to draw in more 'non-student' crowd. not just within the stadium, but possibly to increase the pre-game or post-game local eatery/pub attendance.

(07-08-2013 11:26 AM)NIURedBlack Wrote:  

(07-08-2013 10:50 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  Speaking of business support of NIU...I love the Huskie head flag at the oasis!

I haven't seen this! Very cool

Looks great driving on 88 and seeing more NIU logos

Was at a fast food joint 30+ min from Madison yet they had the walls covered in Badger football posters. I doubt they get any business bump because of games.