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Heading to the Coaches Caravan at Chick's tonight. Curious about people's opinion of these events. Seems the Athletic Department is making a commitment to making themselves available to the boosters. Provides nice access to coaches and administrators. Not sure if attendance at these events is all that impressive. I know that events like these are very well attended for ECU, VT, and UVA for example. Our supporters either don't care to make the effort or simply don't care to attend events like these in great numbers. I find that odd and wonder why that is so. I would think these events would be jam packed here locally, in Richmond and in NoVA. I guess it's the growing pains of growing a fan base. But ODU has a very committed and loyal fan base - I guess these events just don't hold much value to the masses? Not sure what more the Athletic Department can do? Any thoughts?

I'll speak for NoVA - last year the event was in DC after work near my office. great for me. not great for someone who lives or works in Tysons Corner, woodbridge, or anywhere in MD really. this years was on a Wed, at a nats game, at 2pm. I was actually already going to the game so it really was a no brainer. so again, great for me, but probably not for a lot of other people. also, I don't know how big the fan base for ODU is up here, (VT and UMD apparel is visible everywhere - its a shock to my system when I see ODU on anything) but I would guess it wouldn't make a lot of sense for them to hold more than one event up here. next year if they have it in Tysons corner, for example, I probably wouldn't be able to attend without leaving work fairly early.

also, I'm on these boards and the main ODU website regularly and it wasn't advertised very well. more casual fans would never have known about it unless someone told them.

Perhaps someone that will be able to attend tonight can ask why we were unable to secure any road games in the men's basketball schedule and instead filled every available open spot with guarantee games against bottom tier low majors. Other than the obvious stadium and basketball practice facility statuses and looking forward to upcoming seasons, not much else to talk about. I think if the event occurred in November or February, it would be much better attended.

(06-25-2014 12:32 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  Perhaps someone that will be able to attend tonight can ask why we were unable to secure any road games in the men's basketball schedule and instead filled every available open spot with guarantee games against bottom tier low majors. Other than the obvious stadium and basketball practice facility statuses and looking forward to upcoming seasons, not much else to talk about. I think if the event occurred in November or February, it would be much better attended.

I hear you, but it would be nearly impossible to get all the coaches during that time of year. they are still busy now, but this is really the only "down time" they have.

Would luv to go. Too much going on...

I have attended two coaches caravans in Richmond and both I have enjoyed. This year was the first chance I have ever had to talk and interact with the football coaching staff and Karen Barefoot. It was great fun. Seems to me it is a great chance for the staff to get out have some fun and blow off some steam. I don't believe there needs to be 100 or more people there for it to be successful. I learned a lot at the last one in Richmond. Like we have offered an offensive lineman from my high school and a whole bunch of other stuff.

Been to one in Williamsburg and one in Richmond; both were great fun and the impression given is that any and every question is fair game. It's all "off the record."

(06-25-2014 12:15 PM)ODU_NYG Wrote:  also, I'm on these boards and the main ODU website regularly and it wasn't advertised very well. more casual fans would never have known about it unless someone told them.

It's an ODAF event and it's been advertised on the ODAF site like forever. I do agree however, that it should also be advertised on odusports.com. Also, the one at Chick's Beach was very well attended last year as I suspect today's will too.

I agree that they are outstanding events that offer great opportunity to build a true relationship with staff and admin. Many schools would not give such access because the number of attendees is so large. They hold jam packed events but very little mingling with "the people". But it's because they are such great events that I am puzzled why they are not jam packed.
It is what it is and the market dictates results and turnout. I'm just surprised demand is not greater for such an awesome opportunity. I'm looking forward to a great evening.

Just returned from the Caravan at Chick's...

Karen was not there due to being stuck in traffic caused by huge thunderstorm in the Outer Banks. The new Women's Lacrosse coach spoke in her stead. She said her recruiting class is bringing in the most highly rated recruits in ODU history. ODU is trying to get the championship here. The sport is going to be in the Atlantic Sun. I think she said it's a better lacrosse conference than what they were previously in. I'm not sure what league we were in before!

Selig- Visiting team locker room and AD suite/box ongoing. Baseball indoor facility in progress. Also, really good academics. Wresting number two nationwide only behind Harvard. Baseball number two in CUSA behind only Rice. ODU lead the CUSA with players with GPA's over 3.00 Big meeting with coaches and other pertinent people with the architect Friday about final plans for Basketball Practice facility. Should be ready for the 2016 season. Need 2M more dollars

Wilder-(Does not need a microphone!) Football team had a combined GPA of 2.95. Thanked all of us for making ODU visible as the only football team to sellout all their games. I don't remember many specifics besides being happy with recruiting so maybe someone who attended can fill in some blanks

Finwood- Happy with baseball team. He enjoyed coaching this team and liked the players more than any team he's ever coached. A recruit (who's name I didn't catch) from Western Branch (I think!!) was named Tidewater player of the Year and today was named the State player of the year.

Jones- Pleased with the season and credited the players with using the "chip on their shoulders" attitude to gut out wins He had absolutely NO IDEA how the season would turn out considering what happened the previous year. This weekend I think he said all the remaining incoming players will be here to start summer school. We will definitely be more talented but that talent alone doesn't make you better. But, he thinks if the guys have that same camaraderie and us-against-them attitude with hustle he thinks they can be good. He said he's never had a season where the OOC schedule has only one true road game (Mason). That's great for not having to travel but that's not how he likes to do OOC schedules but those games were inherited..already scheduled before he arrived But, he does like that it's a fan friendly list of teams with lots of old rivals. He introduced Twardzik and said how much he has enjoyed having him here...like an extra coach since he is at every practice. In fact he has gotten Twardzik to be a sort of free throw teacher especially since we weren't very good at those last year!! That got laughs and was definitely the understatement of the night!

Drew from ODAF told me that the Chick's Caravan is always the most well-attended with around 150 in attendance last year. I would estimate close to 200 there tonight. Food was okay...not as good as the Chesapeake Country Club and nowhere as good as at Baylake Country Club the first year they had these. They intend to continue them and really push for more attendees. He said they didn't even try for one on the Peninsula since the first year was lightly attended and last year they canceled because on 4 people signed up of which 3 were from me! They were pleased with the Williamsburg, Richmond and DC attendance These were started to thank ODAF members for their support. I'm not sure if they want to expand it beyond ODAF members and their guests.

The surprising thing tonight was at the end when all the coaches came up front and Mark Benson said they would take questions...NO ONE ASKED ANY QUESTIONS! I was gobsmacked. The only thing I can figure is they were a bit late starting the coaches presentations and maybe everybody was ready to go!!

Sorry this is so long but tried to remember as much as possible.

I got there very late (after all the coaches spoke). I was able to say hello and shake hands with Jones and Wilder. They were very accessible. It seemed like many folks were bending their ears in one-on-one conversations which is better than canned questions from the audience, in my opinion. Very nice event!