FACT IS. If we are spending the amount of money advertised on athletic facilities and planning on staying in the MAC then it is a colossal waste of money. Who is going to spend money on boxes to see NIU battle Akron on a Tuesday night?

They're not going to stay in the MAC. They're most likely going to end up in the AAC.

(12-15-2014 12:48 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(12-15-2014 12:47 AM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:If NIU ever joined the Big 12, NIU could sell as many tickets as there were seats, that isn't even a question

Oh, I don't doubt average attendance would increase. Sellouts on cold rainy or snowy days for games (some being Thurs night games)? And on decent weather days with/when the stadium expands to 32k against a non-huge-name team?

I think the B12 would be in position to say "Prove it. Play a big team at home. Or obviously playing fellow division rival that's huge that year... and make it a sellout." I think NIU's working on the former, scheduling those bigger name teams for home-home games.

Heck you might be able to sell out games at NIU with the ten thousands upon ten thousands of Big 12 alumni in the Chicago area. You could name your season ticket base, and you would reach that number. Ticket sales/attendance would not be an issue for NIU, at all.

Are you inferring that 1/3 to 1/2 of HS would be the opponent? Is that really a selling point? Or will this alumni be converted to NIU fans?

(12-15-2014 09:03 AM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  

(12-15-2014 12:48 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(12-15-2014 12:47 AM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:If NIU ever joined the Big 12, NIU could sell as many tickets as there were seats, that isn't even a question

Oh, I don't doubt average attendance would increase. Sellouts on cold rainy or snowy days for games (some being Thurs night games)? And on decent weather days with/when the stadium expands to 32k against a non-huge-name team?

I think the B12 would be in position to say "Prove it. Play a big team at home. Or obviously playing fellow division rival that's huge that year... and make it a sellout." I think NIU's working on the former, scheduling those bigger name teams for home-home games.

Heck you might be able to sell out games at NIU with the ten thousands upon ten thousands of Big 12 alumni in the Chicago area. You could name your season ticket base, and you would reach that number. Ticket sales/attendance would not be an issue for NIU, at all.

Are you inferring that 1/3 to 1/2 of HS would be the opponent? Is that really a selling point? Or will this alumni be converted to NIU fans?

Look, we are talking about stadium PARTLY so that big time opponents can bring their gaggle of fans. Lets just be honest. It helps.

(12-16-2014 10:34 AM)niuguy Wrote:  

(12-15-2014 09:03 AM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  

(12-15-2014 12:48 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(12-15-2014 12:47 AM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:If NIU ever joined the Big 12, NIU could sell as many tickets as there were seats, that isn't even a question

Oh, I don't doubt average attendance would increase. Sellouts on cold rainy or snowy days for games (some being Thurs night games)? And on decent weather days with/when the stadium expands to 32k against a non-huge-name team?

I think the B12 would be in position to say "Prove it. Play a big team at home. Or obviously playing fellow division rival that's huge that year... and make it a sellout." I think NIU's working on the former, scheduling those bigger name teams for home-home games.

Heck you might be able to sell out games at NIU with the ten thousands upon ten thousands of Big 12 alumni in the Chicago area. You could name your season ticket base, and you would reach that number. Ticket sales/attendance would not be an issue for NIU, at all.

Are you inferring that 1/3 to 1/2 of HS would be the opponent? Is that really a selling point? Or will this alumni be converted to NIU fans?

Look, we are talking about stadium PARTLY so that big time opponents can bring their gaggle of fans. Lets just be honest. It helps.

Absolutely. You would obviously greatly expand your NIU fan base with a move to the Big 12, but admittedly you would have to probably put up with a large visiting fanbase contingent a la Northwestern.

(12-16-2014 11:34 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(12-16-2014 10:34 AM)niuguy Wrote:  

(12-15-2014 09:03 AM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  

(12-15-2014 12:48 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(12-15-2014 12:47 AM)toddjnsn Wrote:  Oh, I don't doubt average attendance would increase. Sellouts on cold rainy or snowy days for games (some being Thurs night games)? And on decent weather days with/when the stadium expands to 32k against a non-huge-name team?

I think the B12 would be in position to say "Prove it. Play a big team at home. Or obviously playing fellow division rival that's huge that year... and make it a sellout." I think NIU's working on the former, scheduling those bigger name teams for home-home games.

Heck you might be able to sell out games at NIU with the ten thousands upon ten thousands of Big 12 alumni in the Chicago area. You could name your season ticket base, and you would reach that number. Ticket sales/attendance would not be an issue for NIU, at all.

Are you inferring that 1/3 to 1/2 of HS would be the opponent? Is that really a selling point? Or will this alumni be converted to NIU fans?

Look, we are talking about stadium PARTLY so that big time opponents can bring their gaggle of fans. Lets just be honest. It helps.

Absolutely. You would obviously greatly expand your NIU fan base with a move to the Big 12, but admittedly you would have to probably put up with a large visiting fanbase contingent a la Northwestern.

It doesn't matter which asses fill the bleachers, as long as they pay for the privilege.

I love the idea, lots of gains for the program if Big-12 happens, and major recruiting in Texas too! Keep the momentum & building going on here. Great article again by Rozner!
Go Huskies!!