(02-10-2015 01:25 PM)7 Wrote:  They're never going to outrecruit high major programs for talent in Chicago. It won't happen. It didn't even really happen when Zook was there. Benn, Martez, and Vontae were DC boys. Juice was a Chicago boy, but most of the true NFL type talent they got were from out of state.

Martez was from Chicago and Mendenhall was also from IL. They got a lot of good Chicago players. Zook could recruit with the best of them. Coaching was his issue.

I obviously know nothing...lol

(02-10-2015 12:58 PM)7 Wrote:  What does this mean? Yes, I'm sure they've figured out the economics of the game. Does this mean they're going to make more of a profit than they would at Memorial Stadium? Uh, no.

Ok, so even if it's a net push financially (and my guess is it's actually a net positive if the figures they provided are accurate, even if it's not a significant number), they get to bring a game to their alumni base. I mean, this is replacing a game that draws almost nobody anyway. Hell, I don't even go to that game. This isn't difficult, there's simply not much to lose in doing this. Worst case, they have a small crowd...like they already do in Champaign.

I'm not sure the choice is "correct", I just don't think there's much to lose in this instance.

(02-10-2015 02:29 PM)UIHuskie Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 12:58 PM)7 Wrote:  What does this mean? Yes, I'm sure they've figured out the economics of the game. Does this mean they're going to make more of a profit than they would at Memorial Stadium? Uh, no.

Ok, so even if it's a net push financially (and my guess is it's actually a net positive if the figures they provided are accurate, even if it's not a significant number), they get to bring a game to their alumni base. I mean, this is replacing a game that draws almost nobody anyway. Hell, I don't even go to that game. This isn't difficult, there's simply not much to lose in doing this. Worst case, they have a small crowd...like they already do in Champaign.

I'm not sure the choice is "correct", I just don't think there's much to lose in this instance.

Only difference is, a small crowd at a regular Memorial Stadium game gets a much different perception as a small crowd at a Soldier Field game that's been heavily promoted.

I would say it's not cost effective for them as they have to pay Chicago Park District for rental and they lose the concessions. I really don't think this is a wise move.

(02-11-2015 02:04 PM)RitzHuskie Wrote:  I would say it's not cost effective for them as they have to pay Chicago Park District for rental and they lose the concessions. I really don't think this is a wise move.

Follow the money. The Trib states U of I will make over a million per game. That is the bottom line and only reason the games have been moved.

(02-10-2015 02:44 PM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 02:29 PM)UIHuskie Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 12:58 PM)7 Wrote:  What does this mean? Yes, I'm sure they've figured out the economics of the game. Does this mean they're going to make more of a profit than they would at Memorial Stadium? Uh, no.

Ok, so even if it's a net push financially (and my guess is it's actually a net positive if the figures they provided are accurate, even if it's not a significant number), they get to bring a game to their alumni base. I mean, this is replacing a game that draws almost nobody anyway. Hell, I don't even go to that game. This isn't difficult, there's simply not much to lose in doing this. Worst case, they have a small crowd...like they already do in Champaign.

I'm not sure the choice is "correct", I just don't think there's much to lose in this instance.

Only difference is, a small crowd at a regular Memorial Stadium game gets a much different perception as a small crowd at a Soldier Field game that's been heavily promoted.

From the people i know who attended UI games this past fall, the actual body count at memorial stadium was embarassing low. 12 to 15,000 for the last game.

(02-12-2015 09:07 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 02:44 PM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 02:29 PM)UIHuskie Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 12:58 PM)7 Wrote:  What does this mean? Yes, I'm sure they've figured out the economics of the game. Does this mean they're going to make more of a profit than they would at Memorial Stadium? Uh, no.

Ok, so even if it's a net push financially (and my guess is it's actually a net positive if the figures they provided are accurate, even if it's not a significant number), they get to bring a game to their alumni base. I mean, this is replacing a game that draws almost nobody anyway. Hell, I don't even go to that game. This isn't difficult, there's simply not much to lose in doing this. Worst case, they have a small crowd...like they already do in Champaign.

I'm not sure the choice is "correct", I just don't think there's much to lose in this instance.

Only difference is, a small crowd at a regular Memorial Stadium game gets a much different perception as a small crowd at a Soldier Field game that's been heavily promoted.

From the people i know who attended UI games this past fall, the actual body count at memorial stadium was embarassing low. 12 to 15,000 for the last game.

Not denying the low attendance at Memorial Stadium. But, if the team isn't any better next season, what makes you think the game at Soldier Field will be any better?

(02-10-2015 12:07 PM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 11:33 AM)UIHuskie Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 10:36 AM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:   The alumni in Chicagoland should come out if the team is good. As of this moment, the football team is not good, hence, not likely a huge following will turn out. The chance for dismal weather at the end of November, and that it is a holiday weekend, doesn't help matters.

Also, yes, Thomas has said his goal is to better involve the alumni in Chicagoland. But when you're team is as bad as the Illini have been, and your coach is a laughingstock for many in the Chicago media and beyond, he's fighting an uphill battle.

I don't think they expect a huge turnout, but they aren't drawing for that game in Champaign as is, so why not try something different and closer to the core of the fanbase?

They know they're fighting an uphill battle, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't try.

this is a good deal for NU. They basically have 6 yrs of home games vs UI

Not quite but as close as it gets to that.

(02-12-2015 02:11 PM)Policiious Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 12:07 PM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 11:33 AM)UIHuskie Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 10:36 AM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:   The alumni in Chicagoland should come out if the team is good. As of this moment, the football team is not good, hence, not likely a huge following will turn out. The chance for dismal weather at the end of November, and that it is a holiday weekend, doesn't help matters.

Also, yes, Thomas has said his goal is to better involve the alumni in Chicagoland. But when you're team is as bad as the Illini have been, and your coach is a laughingstock for many in the Chicago media and beyond, he's fighting an uphill battle.

I don't think they expect a huge turnout, but they aren't drawing for that game in Champaign as is, so why not try something different and closer to the core of the fanbase?

They know they're fighting an uphill battle, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't try.

this is a good deal for NU. They basically have 6 yrs of home games vs UI

Not quite but as close as it gets to that.

Tim Beckman has not excited the Illini alums.

(02-10-2015 01:42 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 01:25 PM)7 Wrote:  They're never going to outrecruit high major programs for talent in Chicago. It won't happen. It didn't even really happen when Zook was there. Benn, Martez, and Vontae were DC boys. Juice was a Chicago boy, but most of the true NFL type talent they got were from out of state.

Those are the exact kids I am thinking of who would be more impressed by a visit to Chicago in the Summer. The local kids have grown up with it. This is for the kids from the South or out West.

Look at the recruiting classes for both programs the past 3-4 years and you'll see a decline in the number of instate recruits. IL has only 6 instate this year, 7 JC's(CA, AZ, KS & IA) and 11 HS signees from out of state(TN, TX, GA, FL mostly). Those JUCO players are playing in front of hundreds to maybe a couple TH at most. A SF game in an NFL stadium will blow them away.

NU's 5 instate (out of 20) is the most in years but still only 1/4, with the rest from CA, TX, MD, MA, NJ, PA, MO) if U don't think those players won't get jacked up about playing in an NFL stadium you are dreaming.

Let's face it this state's football talent for it's pop size is MEH. NIU signed only 5 instate scholarship players this year out of 23(?) with 5 from Wisky, and 2 each from AL, MN, MI, MO along with 3 from FL and 1 each from TX & Arky (yeah) and IA.

Total up the 3 programs and you don' t come close to filling up even 1 recruiting class.

(02-12-2015 02:24 PM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-12-2015 02:11 PM)Policiious Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 12:07 PM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 11:33 AM)UIHuskie Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 10:36 AM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:   The alumni in Chicagoland should come out if the team is good. As of this moment, the football team is not good, hence, not likely a huge following will turn out. The chance for dismal weather at the end of November, and that it is a holiday weekend, doesn't help matters.

Also, yes, Thomas has said his goal is to better involve the alumni in Chicagoland. But when you're team is as bad as the Illini have been, and your coach is a laughingstock for many in the Chicago media and beyond, he's fighting an uphill battle.

I don't think they expect a huge turnout, but they aren't drawing for that game in Champaign as is, so why not try something different and closer to the core of the fanbase?

They know they're fighting an uphill battle, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't try.

this is a good deal for NU. They basically have 6 yrs of home games vs UI

Not quite but as close as it gets to that.

Tim Beckman has not excited the Illini alums.

The secret to NIU's success is the local walkons. This creates depth which is sorely needed in football. We have a large pool to choose from and are located near a major metropolitan area.

This allows our major recruiting to focus on special speed and talent around the nation.

(02-12-2015 02:24 PM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-12-2015 02:11 PM)Policiious Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 12:07 PM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 11:33 AM)UIHuskie Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 10:36 AM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:   The alumni in Chicagoland should come out if the team is good. As of this moment, the football team is not good, hence, not likely a huge following will turn out. The chance for dismal weather at the end of November, and that it is a holiday weekend, doesn't help matters.

Also, yes, Thomas has said his goal is to better involve the alumni in Chicagoland. But when you're team is as bad as the Illini have been, and your coach is a laughingstock for many in the Chicago media and beyond, he's fighting an uphill battle.

I don't think they expect a huge turnout, but they aren't drawing for that game in Champaign as is, so why not try something different and closer to the core of the fanbase?

They know they're fighting an uphill battle, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't try.

this is a good deal for NU. They basically have 6 yrs of home games vs UI

Not quite but as close as it gets to that.

Tim Beckman has not excited the Illini alums.

Beckman is a joke no doubt, but I don't think any coach could win @ Illinois to be honest, so its really a no-win situation right now for the Illini.

(02-09-2015 03:12 PM)HuskieRak Wrote:  I'm amazed this was never done before

They did play at Wrigley Field not long ago.

.