(11-24-2015 06:36 PM)armour248 Wrote:  Fix the tailgating situation and then schedule like Appalachian State. They just signed a 1 and 1 with Miami FL. Miami travels to Boone, NC in 2016 and App St travels to Miami in 2021. The comments in the thread linked below also indicate that Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern are close to signing a 2 for 1. App State capacity = 24,000, Georgia Southern = 25,000

https://www.reddit.com/r/CFB/comments/3u..._home_and/

I'm not posting this to complain or call anyone out, and I know this topic has been beaten to death, it's just ridiculously frustrating that no one from the midwest will play NIU in Huskie Stadium. It's a joke. Our schedulepalooza consisted of Maryland, Utah, San Diego State and BYU...the closest opponent is 1000+ miles away and most of those games are still years away. That was a giant leap forward in scheduling from what Compher gave us, but why the hell can't we get even a decent B1G or B12 team to play in DeKalb (I know Maryland is a B1G team now)? Or a Miami (FL) for that matter? Kansas played here somewhat recently but that game was scheduled a decade ago. Is our only chance if politicians mandate instate match ups? Schedule some actual big games in DeKalb and don't release single game tickets for those games until as late as possible...require season tickets or ticket packages to get a ticket. People will pay for those types of games and they'll feel obligated to attend the other games they get in their package. Our past failures in scheduling should have no bearing on the ability to get big names into DeKalb in the future.

Need to be careful here. Some of us out of state fans want to view a game or two on campus on occasion and packages do not work well for us.

(11-24-2015 07:18 PM)DogPoundNorth Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 07:16 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 07:10 PM)DogPoundNorth Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 07:05 PM)armour248 Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 06:59 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  What do P5 teams have to gain by traveling to DeKalb?
If they lose they look bad. There is no money in that for them.
We lack the muscle and clout to make it happen.

Wish it was not true. Would love to see good teams come to DeKalb. Might even help our attendance.

What does a P5 team have to gain by traveling to Boone, NC or Statesboro, GA? What does a P5 team have to gain by traveling to Toledo, OH? All of those teams are on the same level as NIU. These are just lame excuses that we have come up with to make ourselves feel better about our crap home schedules. Like I said, Frazier at least improved on it with the games he added, but there is still no reason we can't sign 2 for 1s where big name teams actually come to DeKalb.

If you don't think updating/upgrading the stadium isn't a part of that than I don't know what to say lol. HS is WAY BEHIND on the times, no team wants to send their fans to place where they can't even get a box together. You can do that at GA SO, App State, and Toledo. It's hard enough to tell your fans I scheduled an away game at one of the best G5 teams in the country, it's even harder telling them they will all need to sit in bleachers on one side of the stadium to watch the game.

Boxes make financial sense and offer a rate of return. Any other stadium additions do not. People said the same thing about our BB facilities and NIU waisted tens of millions of $ building the convo. Result being higher tuition, higher maintenance costs, lower Bond rating, higher interest payments
and a BB program that has not benefitted as predicted either by attendance or by performance.

You don't get it, and that's okay....Maybe go cheer for Illinois State, I hear they are killing it the FCS

I do get that the students are pissed off and not coming to Football games.
There is something to be said about wanting a return on your investment.
Students are the biggest investors at NIU, they should have a major say.
Maybe if we keep out tuition costs down we can stop the attrition of students to Illinois State.(which is like a glorified community college)

(11-24-2015 07:09 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 06:49 PM)DogPoundNorth Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 06:44 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 06:39 PM)DogPoundNorth Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 06:36 PM)armour248 Wrote:  Fix the tailgating situation and then schedule like Appalachian State. They just signed a 1 and 1 with Miami FL. Miami travels to Boone, NC in 2016 and App St travels to Miami in 2021. The comments in the thread linked below also indicate that Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern are close to signing a 2 for 1. App State capacity = 24,000, Georgia Southern = 25,000

https://www.reddit.com/r/CFB/comments/3u..._home_and/

I'm not posting this to complain or call anyone out, and I know this topic has been beaten to death, it's just ridiculously frustrating that no one from the midwest will play NIU in Huskie Stadium. It's a joke. Our schedulepalooza consisted of Maryland, Utah, San Diego State and BYU...the closest opponent is 1000+ miles away and most of those games are still years away. That was a giant leap forward in scheduling from what Compher gave us, but why the hell can't we get even a decent B1G or B12 team to play in DeKalb? Or a Miami (FL) for that matter? I know Kansas played here somewhat recently but that game was scheduled a decade ago. Is our only chance if politicians mandate instate match ups? Schedule some actual big games in DeKalb and don't release single game tickets for those games until as late as possible...require season tickets or ticket packages to get a ticket.

We need to upgrade the stadium and make it nicer. Georgian Southern and App State, although comparable in size are just MUCH nicer than Huskie Stadium. They have both gone through recent renovations and blow HS out of the water. Upgrade the stadium, then you get the games you want.

Sorry upgrading the stadium other than corporate boxes will not attract fans or offer a rate of return on investment.
$44 a seat is very poor value for money, for a stadium not linked by public transport.
To raise money we might consider more games at Soldier field. It is far easier to get to than DeKalb.

That would defeat the entire point of the post, wondering why teams don't go to DEKALB to play games. We've already done the soldier field thing...it sucks.

It is very profitable.
At a time where according to "experts" the State of Illinois is in Financial trouble and tuition is being increased much faster than the CPI , cost does matter.

Many NIU students do not understand how NIU FB success can increase the value of their degree.
Instead they may view athletics as a waist of money which translates into higher tuition which they have to pay.
Maybe profit and rate of return may be more important to NIU students and alumni than Football attendance in DeKalb.
Personally I am more concerned about Television and radio numbers for the game.

Can you please explain to me how NIU FB success can increase the value of a student's degree? Do you have hard data on this?

Why do not students and Alumni want to attend games in DeKalb?
Nothing to do with the FB stadium.
DeKalb sucks. DeKalb has a huge image problem. Residents want to keep it small, simple and keep Chicago out.
People outside DeKalb do not wish to be subjected to DeKalb. Neither the police force, who stop many cars, or receive a ticket for parking in DeKalb.
Minorities feel that they are racially profiled and even NIU students feel the hostility of residents and drive home whenever they can.
When students graduate most never wish to return to DeKalb.
It is in the middle of genetically modified corn fields. They have lost their luster as a solution to World hunger.
The home of Barbed wire is no longer seen as an attractive destination.
NIU could have moved to Rockford but did not.(A far more attractive place than DeKalb).
What is it going to take to change the image of DeKalb.
First step is realizing that DeKalb has a major image problem and neither a multi-million $ renovation to Huskie Stadium or the Convo will change that.

(11-24-2015 07:32 PM)NIU75 Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 07:09 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 06:49 PM)DogPoundNorth Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 06:44 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 06:39 PM)DogPoundNorth Wrote:  We need to upgrade the stadium and make it nicer. Georgian Southern and App State, although comparable in size are just MUCH nicer than Huskie Stadium. They have both gone through recent renovations and blow HS out of the water. Upgrade the stadium, then you get the games you want.

Sorry upgrading the stadium other than corporate boxes will not attract fans or offer a rate of return on investment.
$44 a seat is very poor value for money, for a stadium not linked by public transport.
To raise money we might consider more games at Soldier field. It is far easier to get to than DeKalb.

That would defeat the entire point of the post, wondering why teams don't go to DEKALB to play games. We've already done the soldier field thing...it sucks.

It is very profitable.
At a time where according to "experts" the State of Illinois is in Financial trouble and tuition is being increased much faster than the CPI , cost does matter.

Many NIU students do not understand how NIU FB success can increase the value of their degree.
Instead they may view athletics as a waist of money which translates into higher tuition which they have to pay.
Maybe profit and rate of return may be more important to NIU students and alumni than Football attendance in DeKalb.
Personally I am more concerned about Television and radio numbers for the game.

Can you please explain to me how NIU FB success can increase the value of a student's degree? Do you have hard data on this?

Sorry. No Gold standard random double blind studies available.
FB success is said to increase NIU name recognition, positive association with NIU, Alumni donations and NIU freshman applications.
FB success (not the FB stadium)is the front porch of a University.
NIU's Orange Bowl appearance was a marketing Bonanza.

(11-24-2015 07:36 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  NIU could have moved to Rockford but did not.(A far more attractive place than DeKalb).

(11-24-2015 07:52 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 07:36 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  NIU could have moved to Rockford but did not.(A far more attractive place than DeKalb).

Hate to pile on here but

(11-24-2015 09:05 PM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 07:52 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 07:36 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  NIU could have moved to Rockford but did not.(A far more attractive place than DeKalb).

Hate to pile on here but

Actually, Ottawa had the choice between the appellate courthouse and NIU. Boy, did they F Up. Imagine how cool the campus would be sitting between the three rivers and a stone's hop from Starved Rock. It is awfully hard to go back 150 years and predict what would happen, but I think if NIU was in Ottawa things might be a whole lot different. Distance to the burbs and city pretty is much the same, but a few more asthetic reasons to visit over DeKalb. Not to mention I think the whole Communiversity would have went over better in Ottawa. I grew up in Ottawa and spent my early adult life in DeKalb. I must say Ottawa seemed to give more of a sh!t what was going on it's community.

(11-25-2015 01:41 AM)Cowboy95 Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 09:05 PM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 07:52 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 07:36 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  NIU could have moved to Rockford but did not.(A far more attractive place than DeKalb).

Hate to pile on here but

Actually, Ottawa had the choice between the appellate courthouse and NIU. Boy, did they F Up. Imagine how cool the campus would be sitting between the three rivers and a stone's hop from Starved Rock. It is awfully hard to go back 150 years and predict what would happen, but I think if NIU was in Ottawa things might be a whole lot different. Distance to the burbs and city pretty is much the same, but a few more asthetic reasons to visit over DeKalb. Not to mention I think the whole Communiversity would have went over better in Ottawa. I grew up in Ottawa and spent my early adult life in DeKalb. I must say Ottawa seemed to give more of a sh!t what was going on it's community.

I will always have fond memories of DeKalb, as I imagine most who post here will. However, I completely agree with you that Ottawa would have been a much nicer choice aesthetically for the NIU campus. Very cool town.

I remember hearing a story about the DeKalb town leaders somehow swelling the mighty Kish to make it look more impressive when they were trying to woo the decision makers to bring NIU to DeKalb. I'm not sure if that's true or if I've somehow created that memory in my head.

(11-25-2015 01:58 AM)VegasHuskie Wrote:  

(11-25-2015 01:41 AM)Cowboy95 Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 09:05 PM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 07:52 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  

(11-24-2015 07:36 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  NIU could have moved to Rockford but did not.(A far more attractive place than DeKalb).

Hate to pile on here but

Actually, Ottawa had the choice between the appellate courthouse and NIU. Boy, did they F Up. Imagine how cool the campus would be sitting between the three rivers and a stone's hop from Starved Rock. It is awfully hard to go back 150 years and predict what would happen, but I think if NIU was in Ottawa things might be a whole lot different. Distance to the burbs and city pretty is much the same, but a few more asthetic reasons to visit over DeKalb. Not to mention I think the whole Communiversity would have went over better in Ottawa. I grew up in Ottawa and spent my early adult life in DeKalb. I must say Ottawa seemed to give more of a sh!t what was going on it's community.

I will always have fond memories of DeKalb, as I imagine most who post here will. However, I completely agree with you that Ottawa would have been a much nicer choice aesthetically for the NIU campus. Very cool town.

I remember hearing a story about the DeKalb town leaders somehow swelling the mighty Kish to make it look more impressive when they were trying to woo the decision makers to bring NIU to DeKalb. I'm not sure if that's true or if I've somehow created that memory in my head.

Growing up in Ottawa this was occasionally a topic of discussion because the courthouse has done next to nothing for the town. Hell, Lincoln and Douglass thought enough of the place to hold a debate, so the Courthouse probably seemed like the smart choice back in 18 hundred whatever. Anyway, no use in crying over what might have been, let's go WMU (and pray Fiedler can pull off a miracle in Detroit).

I always thought the LaSalle/Ottawa/Peru/Utica area would have been a perfect place for NISNS/NISTC-NISC-NIU. Along the Illinois River, near Starved Rock--another 30 minute drive more from Chicago. I guess barbed wire won over beauty.

Zero atmosphere in Huskie Stadium last night. Pretty sad.

Yea the atmosphere was dead most of the night except parts of the third and fourth quarter when it was a close game. Cold and windy conditions didn't help fans get energized.

It sure is colder in Dekalb when NIU falls behind and eventually loses. The whole weeknight deal seems less glamorous after a tough loss. The 22 game win streak was great, let's get it restarted again next year.

games during thanksgiving week have always been poorly attended since i have been going to games. this should not be a surprise.

(11-25-2015 10:06 AM)KMR_NIU_13 Wrote:  Yea the atmosphere was dead most of the night except parts of the third and fourth quarter when it was a close game. Cold and windy conditions didn't help fans get energized.

It sure is colder in Dekalb when NIU falls behind and eventually loses. The whole weeknight deal seems less glamorous after a tough loss. The 22 game win streak was great, let's get it restarted again next year.

The atmosphere was not helped by the play on the field. We were without the ball most of the first half.