(11-22-2016 07:14 PM)techdawg28 Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 06:33 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 06:07 PM)Saint Greg Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 05:43 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 04:48 PM)wh49er Wrote:  Why doesn't LA Tech play at least one home game there every year?

Having floated similar ideas among USM fans, I can tell you that there's a significant part of our fan base that wants to have as many true home games (i.e. games in M.M. Roberts Stadium) as possible. They don't care if we can get better opponents at Ladd-Peebles or the Superdome. They don't care if it will help the program financially or help expand the fan base to play elsewhere. These people won't drive to Mobile, New Orleans, or Jackson for a game under any circumstance. They suck (and I could even call out people here), but these people exist and may even be in the majority at some schools.

Same here. I don't think you'll see Tech playing another regular season game in Shreveport. There are a group of fans that are dead set against it. The last game we played there was great with a big game atmosphere.

It has to be the right opponent.

Which is why we won't have 40K against WKU (even for a conference championship). That crowd against Maryland was for our first bowl at the current version of FBS (we played in the Indy Bowl in 1977 in front of a much smaller crowd). You've also got to factor that like most bowl games you get people who buy tickets regardless of who is playing, which sets a baseline for the bowl that isn't there for a regular season game. And even a regular season game has the advantage of pre-marketing for a long time (unlike a conference championship game that won't technically be determined until Friday afternoon).

When we play an A&M, Oklahoma State, Cal, or Miami it makes sense to play in Shreveport because our stadium only seats 30K. But when we have tried to play conference games there, you just end up with the same (or fewer) people in a bigger stadium (which looks worse).

It's not the end of the world to play in Shreveport, but it isn't nearly as good of an experience. When the stars align it's a nice option to have.

You've also got lazy non-football fan students that will go to the Joe because they get to yell and let loose, but probably won't want to go an hour away. I don't like such people, but they exist.

Playing big name teams in Shreveport I see as both good and bad. The good side is that people in Shreveport that aren't necessarily Tech fans can see an ad saying "Oh hey! Tech is playing Texas A&M here in Shreveport. I guess I'll go check that out." You also get casual alumni that aren't huge football fans that say "oh, we're playing here in Shreveport? Sure, I'll go."

The bad is that, as I said above, some lazy students may not come and it feels (to me) disrespectful that we can't host a big name school in our own stadium. I personally would love to see those big schools in the Joe. I understand Independence is larger, but I would still vastly prefer seeing them in the Joe, especially seeing the Joe full.

Also, I've never been to Independence, but I've heard that some Tech fans don't like that stadium. True?

Those schools don't want to come to Ruston. Mississippi State has and will again next year. Most of the hate for Shreveport and the Independence Bowl comes from a grudge some Tech fans hold for the bowl not inviting Tech more in the 90's...and for the 2012 bowl fiasco.

(11-22-2016 07:36 PM)ODUMONARCHZ1 Wrote:  Definitely have a feeling we'll get put somewhere not remotely close and it's unfortunate that a lot of fans won't be able to go our teams first bowl game

Sent from my SM-G928P using CSNbbs mobile app

Could be worse, you first bowl game could be in a snowstorm in Detroit like ours...Just be happy you are in a bowl game....

East teams really only have 1 bowl in Florida each season, CUSA caters more west closer to own HQ's....Would be nice to add another bowl game closer to our Eastern schools so we could travel well...

It depends on where you land. It's very costly for last minute flights, last years game for WKU avg was around $1500 a person and that's a lot of money for the avg fan on xmas week. Most of your northern teams don't have the luxury of a game close enough to drive to in a reasonable amount of time. I think the closest game WKU might be in would be 13-15hr drive and the Boca game would be 17-20hr drive

(11-22-2016 11:09 PM)wkuhilltopperfan Wrote:  It depends on where you land. It's very costly for last minute flights, last years game for WKU avg was around $1500 a person and that's a lot of money for the avg fan on xmas week. Most of your northern teams don't have the luxury of a game close enough to drive to in a reasonable amount of time. I think the closest game WKU might be in would be 13-15hr drive and the Boca game would be 17-20hr drive

Grandpa better get out of my way....doing 55

I've slowed down over the last couple years after getting a couple 90 (marked down from 95/98) in a 70. I live a hour north of Bg and the quickest trip I had to Ft Lauderdale was 14 hours. That with 2 stops for gas a about 30 minutes for food

(11-22-2016 11:23 PM)WKUYG Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 11:09 PM)wkuhilltopperfan Wrote:  It depends on where you land. It's very costly for last minute flights, last years game for WKU avg was around $1500 a person and that's a lot of money for the avg fan on xmas week. Most of your northern teams don't have the luxury of a game close enough to drive to in a reasonable amount of time. I think the closest game WKU might be in would be 13-15hr drive and the Boca game would be 17-20hr drive

Grandpa better get out of my way....doing 55

I've slowed down over the last couple years after getting a couple 90 (marked down from 95/98) in a 70. I live a hour north of Bg and the quickest trip I had to Ft Lauderdale was 14 hours. That with 2 stops for gas a about 30 minutes for food

Holy crap. Lol. That drive is around 1300 miles isn't it?

about 1020 miles

I personally think it's a lot safer speeding than going with a flow of drivers all doing 70-72. That bunches cars up. I used that on one of the times I got stopped. The policeman agreed with me that it is safer not following a flow of traffic all doing about the same speed. He said...

"if you kept it close to 80 I wouldn't had stopped you"

I'm usually not pressed for time when I drive fast... I'm more alert the faster I go

(11-22-2016 11:47 PM)WKUYG Wrote:  about 1020 miles

I personally think it's a lot safer speeding than going with a flow of drivers all doing 70-72. That bunches cars up. I used that on one of the times I got stopped. The policeman agreed with me that it is safer not following a flow of traffic all doing about the same speed. He said...

"if you kept it close to 80 I wouldn't had stopped you"

I'm usually not pressed for time when I drive fast... I'm more alert the faster I go

Adrenaline, I agree I am a 78-80...... 90 plus.... Better not lol

(11-22-2016 10:58 PM)WKUFan518 Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 07:36 PM)ODUMONARCHZ1 Wrote:  Definitely have a feeling we'll get put somewhere not remotely close and it's unfortunate that a lot of fans won't be able to go our teams first bowl game

Sent from my SM-G928P using CSNbbs mobile app

Could be worse, you first bowl game could be in a snowstorm in Detroit like ours...Just be happy you are in a bowl game....

East teams really only have 1 bowl in Florida each season, CUSA caters more west closer to own HQ's....Would be nice to add another bowl game closer to our Eastern schools so we could travel well...

Well in odd years we get 2 Florida bowls, St Petersburg (Marshall last year) and Miami Beach.

As far as adding more, we'd probably have to steal a spot from the Sun Belt or MAC to do that. Would be nice if we had St Petersburg, Miami Beach, AND Boca Raton every year. But then again, we have trouble filling the bowl obligations we have now. We'll need to consistently fill what we have before we can think about adding more.

(11-22-2016 05:43 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 04:48 PM)wh49er Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 04:17 PM)SICemDAWGS! Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 04:04 PM)WKUFan518 Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 03:59 PM)SICemDAWGS! Wrote:  This. Tech had over 40k at our first bowl game against Maryland, but that was down the road in Shreveport.

Seriously 40K? You don't have half of that in your own stadium? So if its WKU vs. La. Tech for CUSA title,we can expect 40k at game or not more then 10k?

If the weather holds off then I fully expect 35k+ for Tech at the CCG if it's in Shreveport. In 2008 we had 40k+ for the bowl game as well. Don't ask why, but for whatever reason everyone shows up to Shreveport that can only make one or two games in Ruston.


Independence Stadium seats 59k and the only area that was sparse was the South end zone (to the right). NIU might have had 2k there, but that is being generous.

Why doesn't LA Tech play at least one home game there every year?

Having floated similar ideas among USM fans, I can tell you that there's a significant part of our fan base that wants to have as many true home games (i.e. games in M.M. Roberts Stadium) as possible. They don't care if we can get better opponents at Ladd-Peebles or the Superdome. They don't care if it will help the program financially or help expand the fan base to play elsewhere. These people won't drive to Mobile, New Orleans, or Jackson for a game under any circumstance. They suck (and I could even call out people here), but these people exist and may even be in the majority at some schools.

I'd say they're just in their comfort zone. They know where to park, where their friends will be, where they tailgate, where the hotchick tailgates, etc etc.

I would love to see a bowl game located around the Nashville or Cinncy area against the MAC or AAC, MT/WKU/UAB and Marshall would draw really good to a game around this area. That would also be a close game for the MAC or AAC compared to what they normally get. Memphis/Cinncy/Bowling Green/Miami OH/Ohio would all be a easy travel game

(11-22-2016 04:17 PM)SICemDAWGS! Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 04:04 PM)WKUFan518 Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 03:59 PM)SICemDAWGS! Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 03:53 PM)Doots4Dawgs Wrote:  Proximity matters

This. Tech had over 40k at our first bowl game against Maryland, but that was down the road in Shreveport.

Seriously 40K? You don't have half of that in your own stadium? So if its WKU vs. La. Tech for CUSA title,we can expect 40k at game or not more then 10k?

If the weather holds off then I fully expect 35k+ for Tech at the CCG if it's in Shreveport. In 2008 we had 40k+ for the bowl game as well. Don't ask why, but for whatever reason everyone shows up to Shreveport that can only make one or two games in Ruston.


Independence Stadium seats 59k and the only area that was sparse was the South end zone (to the right). NIU might have had 2k there, but that is being generous.

That would be awesome but this not a bowl game and we won't be playing Texas A&M. 25k would be an outstanding crowd

For those of you following your team to a bowl game for the umpteenth time in a row, the rose is likely off the vine and your turnout will be less than you would like. But for newbies like ODU and UTSA, I hope you get bowls within a reasonable distance because you will likely take thousands to your bowl game.

Also, don't fall into the trap of thinking your fans are not buying tickets because the school has a bunch of tickets left over from it's official allotment. Fans are smarter these days and buy tickets on line for a lot less. The last time UTEP went to the New Mexico Bowl it was reported that the school only sold less than 5k but when game day came around there were over 12k Miner fans at the game.

(11-23-2016 08:45 AM)Dawgxas Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 04:17 PM)SICemDAWGS! Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 04:04 PM)WKUFan518 Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 03:59 PM)SICemDAWGS! Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 03:53 PM)Doots4Dawgs Wrote:  Proximity matters

This. Tech had over 40k at our first bowl game against Maryland, but that was down the road in Shreveport.

Seriously 40K? You don't have half of that in your own stadium? So if its WKU vs. La. Tech for CUSA title,we can expect 40k at game or not more then 10k?

If the weather holds off then I fully expect 35k+ for Tech at the CCG if it's in Shreveport. In 2008 we had 40k+ for the bowl game as well. Don't ask why, but for whatever reason everyone shows up to Shreveport that can only make one or two games in Ruston.


Independence Stadium seats 59k and the only area that was sparse was the South end zone (to the right). NIU might have had 2k there, but that is being generous.

That would be awesome but this not a bowl game and we won't be playing Texas A&M. 25k would be an outstanding crowd

You're probably right, but I know several alumni who haven't been to a game since the Utah State game in 2012 that will be in S'port next week should the dogs win Friday. I base meh fan support off these friends, as they generally choose to showcase their support for their alma mater when that school in Red Stick is having a lean year coupled with a good season by Tech. I sent them to FanBase and Pewter Company to get gear while they were in for Turkey Day because "they don't have any anymore." Maybe I'm misjudging, but I think 30k isn't a stretch and if the general East Texas, La, South Arky alumni are drifting that way then 35k is certainly feasible. It will also fall on how Tmac and LG can navigate ways to get the students to S'port, classes will be back in session so hopefully we find a way to get them there.

Louisiana Tech plays second fiddle to LSU in the minds of most fans and definitely the media in Shreveport so we get little help in hyping non-P5 games in the area. AND our athletic administration doesn't really invest much in marketing out of social media to the folks that are already diehards.

For this board it doesn't matter. Half of you will say that..."{insert school here} didn't have anywhere near what they claim to have sold."

Or it will be some sort of fraction of what was stated at which point said poster will go over to the corner and his balls will explode from excitement.

(11-23-2016 09:39 AM)SICemDAWGS! Wrote:  

(11-23-2016 08:45 AM)Dawgxas Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 04:17 PM)SICemDAWGS! Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 04:04 PM)WKUFan518 Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 03:59 PM)SICemDAWGS! Wrote:  This. Tech had over 40k at our first bowl game against Maryland, but that was down the road in Shreveport.

Seriously 40K? You don't have half of that in your own stadium? So if its WKU vs. La. Tech for CUSA title,we can expect 40k at game or not more then 10k?

If the weather holds off then I fully expect 35k+ for Tech at the CCG if it's in Shreveport. In 2008 we had 40k+ for the bowl game as well. Don't ask why, but for whatever reason everyone shows up to Shreveport that can only make one or two games in Ruston.


Independence Stadium seats 59k and the only area that was sparse was the South end zone (to the right). NIU might have had 2k there, but that is being generous.

That would be awesome but this not a bowl game and we won't be playing Texas A&M. 25k would be an outstanding crowd

You're probably right, but I know several alumni who haven't been to a game since the Utah State game in 2012 that will be in S'port next week should the dogs win Friday. I base meh fan support off these friends, as they generally choose to showcase their support for their alma mater when that school in Red Stick is having a lean year coupled with a good season by Tech. I sent them to FanBase and Pewter Company to get gear while they were in for Turkey Day because "they don't have any anymore." Maybe I'm misjudging, but I think 30k isn't a stretch and if the general East Texas, La, South Arky alumni are drifting that way then 35k is certainly feasible. It will also fall on how Tmac and LG can navigate ways to get the students to S'port, classes will be back in session so hopefully we find a way to get them there.

Loyal Blue Nation did a poll on Twitter asking students if they would be interested in riding a bus to the game. As I recall, the majority voted yes, so there could very well be a bus set up to take students to S'port.

(11-22-2016 03:59 PM)SICemDAWGS! Wrote:  

(11-22-2016 03:53 PM)Doots4Dawgs Wrote:  Proximity matters

This. Tech had over 40k at our first bowl game against Maryland, but that was down the road in Shreveport.

Independence Stadium seats just under 51K. Tech's first two FBS bowl games were in 1977 (win over Louisville) and 1978 (loss to East Carolina).

If we get the New Orleans Bowl, we'll take a minimum of 20k there.

If a G5 team wants to be taken seriously for support, then you need at least 25k or 1/2 of stadium capacity per team for all bowls. Bringing less than 15k is why G5 bowls get the crappy payouts.
P5 teams sell out bowls, G5 should do the same but as it happens that isn't the case for all G5 conferences and why G5 conferences don't get better bowl payouts.

(11-25-2016 09:22 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  If a G5 team wants to be taken seriously for support, then you need at least 25k or 1/2 of stadium capacity per team for all bowls. Bringing less than 15k is why G5 bowls get the crappy payouts.
P5 teams sell out bowls, G5 should do the same but as it happens that isn't the case for all G5 conferences and why G5 conferences don't get better bowl payouts.

OK.....

Maybe the top schools do but I guess you haven't paid close attention to the lesser bowls.

Not many (less than 10%) G5 schools will bring 25k or 15k to a bowl game that is not in short driving range. MYTH...