The unofficial online home for fans of the Kent State University Golden Flashes. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Silly me. I was cautiously optimistic that our AD would produce an enhanced atmosphere for the men’s game against Oregon State. He was too busy showing off his football coach. I understand that students are gone. However, we are the third largest school in Ohio!

I have heard very few radio announcements this year which should help attendance
No band? I know they are off semester but get them to the game. I bet if we were in the SE avocado bowl the band would be there
Concessions? A line literally out the door
Parking? No signs to help with non-existent parking.

This is our premiere sport? Can somebody give Joel the memo? He seems to think that introducing a 26 year old assistant OC at a pathetic football school should get his priority.

Bev! Please let this abomination of an AD go!

(12-22-2017 07:14 AM)KSU93 Wrote:  Silly me. I was cautiously optimistic that our AD would produce an enhanced atmosphere for the men’s game against Oregon State. He was too busy showing off his football coach. I understand that students are gone. However, we are the third largest school in Ohio!

I have heard very few radio announcements this year which should help attendance
No band? I know they are off semester but get them to the game. I bet if we were in the SE avocado bowl the band would be there
Concessions? A line literally out the door
Parking? No signs to help with non-existent parking.

This is our premiere sport? Can somebody give Joel the memo? He seems to think that introducing a 26 year old assistant OC at a pathetic football school should get his priority.

Bev! Please let this abomination of an AD go!

To the schools credit they did call at least some alumni - we got one such a call (first time that has happened) and bought tickets but at the last minute couldn't attend

First and foremost, great win last night. Hopefully it is a springboard for the team because I believe the next opponent is every bit as good as Oregon State. From a basketball standpoint it is a good day to be a KSU fan.

To your post post. The CYO tournament game day experience is among the main reasons we rarely make the trip anymore. Gotta give the brass band a pass though man, you think those kids want to be on campus on December 21?

As for the poorly staffed :stirthepot:parking, inept concession concept, and the cheap atmosphere created by the braintrust....right now attending a Kent State game is no different from attending a mount union game, a CSU game or a canton frigging charge game. Same gimmicks, same distractions, same noise. Only difference is this is supposed to be the flagship program. Ugh.

(12-22-2017 09:31 AM)fallsdog Wrote:  First and foremost, great win last night. Hopefully it is a springboard for the team because I believe the next opponent is every bit as good as Oregon State. From a basketball standpoint it is a good day to be a KSU fan.

To your post post. The CYO tournament game day experience is among the main reasons we rarely make the trip anymore. Gotta give the brass band a pass though man, you think those kids want to be on campus on December 21?

As for the poorly staffed :stirthepot:parking, inept concession concept, and the cheap atmosphere created by the braintrust....right now attending a Kent State game is no different from attending a mount union game, a CSU game or a canton frigging charge game. Same gimmicks, same distractions, same noise. Only difference is this is supposed to be the flagship program. Ugh.

I take it your not a fan of the spirit people and rock, paper, scissors!!

(12-22-2017 12:15 PM)burden Wrote:  

(12-22-2017 09:31 AM)fallsdog Wrote:  First and foremost, great win last night. Hopefully it is a springboard for the team because I believe the next opponent is every bit as good as Oregon State. From a basketball standpoint it is a good day to be a KSU fan.

To your post post. The CYO tournament game day experience is among the main reasons we rarely make the trip anymore. Gotta give the brass band a pass though man, you think those kids want to be on campus on December 21?

As for the poorly staffed :stirthepot:parking, inept concession concept, and the cheap atmosphere created by the braintrust....right now attending a Kent State game is no different from attending a mount union game, a CSU game or a canton frigging charge game. Same gimmicks, same distractions, same noise. Only difference is this is supposed to be the flagship program. Ugh.

I take it your not a fan of the spirit people and rock, paper, scissors!!

Someone finally fixed the light above the outside stairway. That's a plus. LOL

Fallsdog - I value your opinion on such matters. And rest assured, members of the athletic department frequently read this kinda stuff. So I think it's safe to say they'd be interested in why they've lost a younger customer who is right in the middle of their target demographic.

Let's say you get to be marketing director for a season. How would YOUR game-day experience differ from what's currently offered?

Not as young as you think, Jim. In fact I may as well be a Quadragenarian. But with regards to MY gameday experience. Allow me to begin with pulling in to the Memorial Athletic and Convocation:

Parking:
Whether it is a midweek game against Eastern Michigan or a Saturday evening affair against Ohio U., the shuttle from the lot across the street to the MAC Center would be up and running starting 30 minutes before tip - off and ending 30 minutes after. And while this may seem crazy, I would light up one of those portable marquees that directs people to the appropriate FREE parking.

Concessions:
Not much you can do to change concessions sales and traffic flow. But there is no doubt that for the few games a year when you know there is a potential for a large crowd, I would make sure the stands are staffed by veterans who know how to keep a line moving. I certainly would not set up extra tables in the lobby to hold up the flow of concession traffic. There have been games when I had to buy my ticket from an inside ticket window only adding to the traffic jam. Why Georgia Why?

Pre-Game and during timeouts:
The Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center does not lend itself to flashing lights, smoke and the latest in terrible rap music. Especially when you do have a tremendous pep band, a wonderful public address announcer and a community (and surrounding areas) of people of all ages who can compete in family friendly, reasonably volumed and FUN on court activities. I didn't even mention the
cheerleaders and dance squad, who are more a part of KSU basketball than I or any of the sideshows that have yelled and carried on in recent years will ever be.

KEEP THE FOCUS ON KENT STATE, the CITY OF KENT AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS. I firmly believe that your fan base does not need to be overloaded with lights, noise and other stimulus. SELL BASKETBALL. Teach the students and other fans the fight song.

I hope there is at least one quality idea inside of this rant. Again, as I near my fourth decade I am much less interested in hype as I am in defending the post, shooting free throws and a high percentage and running an offense that limits the amount of iso basketball that we can see by turning on TNT on Thursdays.

GO FLASHES!

(12-22-2017 02:05 PM)fallsdog Wrote:  Not as young as you think, Jim. In fact I may as well be a Quadragenarian. But with regards to MY gameday experience. Allow me to begin with pulling in to the Memorial Athletic and Convocation:

Parking:
Whether it is a midweek game against Eastern Michigan or a Saturday evening affair against Ohio U., the shuttle from the lot across the street to the MAC Center would be up and running starting 30 minutes before tip - off and ending 30 minutes after. And while this may seem crazy, I would light up one of those portable marquees that directs people to the appropriate FREE parking.

Concessions:
Not much you can do to change concessions sales and traffic flow. But there is no doubt that for the few games a year when you know there is a potential for a large crowd, I would make sure the stands are staffed by veterans who know how to keep a line moving. I certainly would not set up extra tables in the lobby to hold up the flow of concession traffic. There have been games when I had to buy my ticket from an inside ticket window only adding to the traffic jam. Why Georgia Why?

Pre-Game and during timeouts:
The Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center does not lend itself to flashing lights, smoke and the latest in terrible rap music. Especially when you do have a tremendous pep band, a wonderful public address announcer and a community (and surrounding areas) of people of all ages who can compete in family friendly, reasonably volumed and FUN on court activities. I didn't even mention the
cheerleaders and dance squad, who are more a part of KSU basketball than I or any of the sideshows that have yelled and carried on in recent years will ever be.

KEEP THE FOCUS ON KENT STATE, the CITY OF KENT AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS. I firmly believe that your fan base does not need to be overloaded with lights, noise and other stimulus. SELL BASKETBALL. Teach the students and other fans the fight song.

I hope there is at least one quality idea inside of this rant. Again, as I near my fourth decade I am much less interested in hype as I am in defending the post, shooting free throws and a high percentage and running an offense that limits the amount of iso basketball that we can see by turning on TNT on Thursdays.

GO FLASHES!

AMEN to all of this ... where these folks think 'family friendly' and Rape Music somehow make for a great game experience is beyond me ... and all the gimmicky games ....jeez .... a simple halfcourt shot for tuition or two season tickets would suffice ... Some remember the day days whem ... "we are ... Kent State" was only chanted at the end when victory was in hand .... in short ... simple is better ...

Kent State basketball is unlike most .... seldom a stream of 3-pointers ad-nasuem and last man with the ball wins ... more like Thursday night ...grind it out, wear them down...sweat it out ... a break in the action should be just that ... a break.

(12-22-2017 07:14 AM)KSU93 Wrote:  Silly me. I was cautiously optimistic that our AD would produce an enhanced atmosphere for the men’s game against Oregon State. He was too busy showing off his football coach. I understand that students are gone. However, we are the third largest school in Ohio!

I have heard very few radio announcements this year which should help attendance
No band? I know they are off semester but get them to the game. I bet if we were in the SE avocado bowl the band would be there
Concessions? A line literally out the door
Parking? No signs to help with non-existent parking.

This is our premiere sport? Can somebody give Joel the memo? He seems to think that introducing a 26 year old assistant OC at a pathetic football school should get his priority.

Bev! Please let this abomination of an AD go!

Not sure what you are looking for in a game day experience?

no band or students? it is Christmas break and as far as the students even when school is in session their turnout is lacking. only Akron game seems to draw their interest. The Krew has done better along with the band at getting spirit going.

I agree on concessions but with the layout of MACC that will not change only thing would be more windows or open the stand that is by the annex for bigger games. OU AKR etc

I heard radio ads on the Canton station and I know they put some on a couple of the Akron stations.

There was a robo call from Sendy that went out on Monday asking people to come to game, and there is Facebook and Twitter ads.

As far as the in-game experience. I go to games for the basketball. the other stuff is just noise. The in-game stuff is very similar to the Cavs game I recently attended. silly games, a couple of dance teams appearances , cheerleaders tee shirt tosses
These things are set- up to entertain the kids, especially the younger ones that do attend. Most of the adults could care less.

Parking is an issue and always has been. The current construction is not helping and I would hope once done the signage will be updated, BUT I have been to all the MAC east arenas plus TOL and EMU and it is not much different. if you want to park close you have to pay or have a pass and even then you still have to walk just as far as Kent or farther.

I believe they are trying new things and the hype girl is much better then the guy who was doing it before.

once again not sure what you are looking for????? How about some ideas???????????

I know its a small areana but to help concessions they could have a couple of mobile concessions. Have one guy with drinks and another with food. That would save people from missing any action and remove some of the congestion at the actual concession stand.

(12-22-2017 03:52 PM)luckyflash Wrote:  

(12-22-2017 07:14 AM)KSU93 Wrote:  Silly me. I was cautiously optimistic that our AD would produce an enhanced atmosphere for the men’s game against Oregon State. He was too busy showing off his football coach. I understand that students are gone. However, we are the third largest school in Ohio!

I have heard very few radio announcements this year which should help attendance
No band? I know they are off semester but get them to the game. I bet if we were in the SE avocado bowl the band would be there
Concessions? A line literally out the door
Parking? No signs to help with non-existent parking.

This is our premiere sport? Can somebody give Joel the memo? He seems to think that introducing a 26 year old assistant OC at a pathetic football school should get his priority.

Bev! Please let this abomination of an AD go!

Not sure what you are looking for in a game day experience?

no band or students? it is Christmas break and as far as the students even when school is in session their turnout is lacking. only Akron game seems to draw their interest. The Krew has done better along with the band at getting spirit going.

I agree on concessions but with the layout of MACC that will not change only thing would be more windows or open the stand that is by the annex for bigger games. OU AKR etc

I heard radio ads on the Canton station and I know they put some on a couple of the Akron stations.

There was a robo call from Sendy that went out on Monday asking people to come to game, and there is Facebook and Twitter ads.

As far as the in-game experience. I go to games for the basketball. the other stuff is just noise. The in-game stuff is very similar to the Cavs game I recently attended. silly games, a couple of dance teams appearances , cheerleaders tee shirt tosses
These things are set- up to entertain the kids, especially the younger ones that do attend. Most of the adults could care less.

Parking is an issue and always has been. The current construction is not helping and I would hope once done the signage will be updated, BUT I have been to all the MAC east arenas plus TOL and EMU and it is not much different. if you want to park close you have to pay or have a pass and even then you still have to walk just as far as Kent or farther.

I believe they are trying new things and the hype girl is much better then the guy who was doing it before.

once again not sure what you are looking for????? How about some ideas???????????

The only thing bad about the hype woman is 2 or 3 times a year she lets the hype guy back in the building. He was there at the Northeastern game and a lot of bad memories came back. I think he is 60 years old now.

(12-22-2017 01:20 PM)JimJoyce Wrote:  Fallsdog - I value your opinion on such matters. And rest assured, members of the athletic department frequently read this kinda stuff. So I think it's safe to say they'd be interested in why they've lost a younger customer who is right in the middle of their target demographic.

Let's say you get to be marketing director for a season. How would YOUR game-day experience differ from what's currently offered?

Did they not hire someone to do all of this? They brought him over from the Cavs strictly to improve the game day experience. We have yet to see any enhancements. Seems like a waste of a hire to me. His title is Golden Flashes' director of athletics marketing and strategy. In the release, it stated he would "improve the Golden Flashes' game-day experience and student engagement." Doesn't look like either are happening.

(12-23-2017 10:58 AM)Kentastic Wrote:  

(12-22-2017 01:20 PM)JimJoyce Wrote:  Fallsdog - I value your opinion on such matters. And rest assured, members of the athletic department frequently read this kinda stuff. So I think it's safe to say they'd be interested in why they've lost a younger customer who is right in the middle of their target demographic.

Let's say you get to be marketing director for a season. How would YOUR game-day experience differ from what's currently offered?

Did they not hire someone to do all of this? They brought him over from the Cavs strictly to improve the game day experience. We have yet to see any enhancements. Seems like a waste of a hire to me. His title is Golden Flashes' director of athletics marketing and strategy. In the release, it stated he would "improve the Golden Flashes' game-day experience and student engagement." Doesn't look like either are happening.

He was brought in to improve the game-day experience for women's golf

(12-23-2017 10:58 AM)Kentastic Wrote:  

(12-22-2017 01:20 PM)JimJoyce Wrote:  Fallsdog - I value your opinion on such matters. And rest assured, members of the athletic department frequently read this kinda stuff. So I think it's safe to say they'd be interested in why they've lost a younger customer who is right in the middle of their target demographic.

Let's say you get to be marketing director for a season. How would YOUR game-day experience differ from what's currently offered?

Did they not hire someone to do all of this? They brought him over from the Cavs strictly to improve the game day experience. We have yet to see any enhancements. Seems like a waste of a hire to me. His title is Golden Flashes' director of athletics marketing and strategy. In the release, it stated he would "improve the Golden Flashes' game-day experience and student engagement." Doesn't look like either are happening.

And Guess what. It reminds me of a Cavs game. You know what. Its hard to find something that appeals to 40+ year olds and 20 something’s. You need the students to create the atmosphere. Supposedly they and the young kids like the hype and rap music so give it to them. I will just wear ear plugs if I have to.

Why should adults, particularly females and police, but really anyone who attends a collegiate athletic event with the expectation that they will not be exposed to filth, gave to listen to music filled with suggestive lyrics?

“Well because the kids like it”. Talk about creating a generation of all about me entitled individuals.

To me, it’s heartbreaking at hs games.

You make a good point and I respect your opinion. I’m not a big believer in rap music lyrics but some lyrics from the 60’s etc. weren’t the best either. I believe cops were pigs back then. I think most kids just accept the lyrics as a political statement from today’s city folk. Maybe I’m naive but I doubt very many take it as a way to live their life. They just like the music. I don’t like the people sitting during the anthem either but let’s face it being offensive is common place today. It’s politically accepted and done by both sides. My approach is to ignore it because it’s not going away in my lifetime. The 24 hour news cycle will never let it go. Besides as a non Hispanic old white male I’m not allowed to be offended by anything other than another old non Hispanic white male. From your previous post your not nearly old enough to be in that category.

(12-23-2017 03:49 PM)fallsdog Wrote:  Why should adults, particularly females and police, but really anyone who attends a collegiate athletic event with the expectation that they will not be exposed to filth, gave to listen to music filled with suggestive lyrics?

“Well because the kids like it”. Talk about creating a generation of all about me entitled individuals.

To me, it’s heartbreaking at hs games.

I find things these events today are just too loud. Like baseball. When I was a kid, there was an organist. Now I get intro music for all batters that mostly SUCKS. In between innings, more LOUD SUCKY music.

I went to my kid's high school and there was a kid playing Carry on Wayward Son on the guitar and I'm thinking, hey, this is a good song and the kid has taste, but the song is 40 freaking years old. There hasn't been any good music in the last four decades that you want to emulate? And, that's the problem.

And it's TOO LOUD.

Signed, Grumpy Old Man

PS- Stay off my lawn!

NBA games are 100x more entertaining than a college game. It's a product where CBB is more about the game than the entertainment value. I believe that is why there is such a price discrepancy in tickets. That said, even as a mid-40's guy and a basketball enthusiast (someone who goes for the actual game and not the entertainment aspect) I like the loud, fun, stimulus of an NBA game over a CBB game. If someone can emulate that in a CBB setting, good for them IMO. Obviously, I do not get to a lot of KSU games, but I can understand what they are trying to accomplish. Like they say, different strokes for different folks.

I honestly don't think loud music is keeping old people away. If that's enough of a reason to not go then you're looking for a reason to not go. Probably step one to getting more old people to go would be put chairbacks on both sides to make them a little more affordable. My dad used to get season tickets in the chairbacks with some other old dudes. None of them go anymore because the seat tax got too steep for them and they're backs hurt if they sat anywhere else. I have no idea what the prices are for the chairbacks now but when I started getting season tickets on the other side a few years ago I know it was half or less than half of what it would've been on for chairbacks. Maybe add a section up top with bleacher backs or something too as another option for people that need the back support. You can call it dencherville. Reaching out to former season ticket holders to try to get them back might not be a bad idea either.

To attract more people from the community they should try reaching out to local businesses about doing some sort of company outing. Give the company a good price on a block of tickets for a game. That might get some new faces in the door once. Then the next day send the company an email offering their employees 25% off on tickets or something for the rest of the year to try to get them to come back.

As for on court entertainment try to come up with something like the Indians hotdog race that pits some dumb mascot against another in some competition that's tracked throughout the year. Maybe flash and the chikfilet cow play laser tag or have a foam lightsaber duel.

Then try to work the fans into something scoreboard related. Maybe at half time someone makes a gif or meme out of a sweet play from the first half. Then the fans text captions for it and the best 3 are shown on the scoreboard. College kids love their maymays and are generally quite creative with them and old people love "those funny pictures with words from Facebook". Could be a good way of engaging people as well as gaining amusement (or lolz) for the fans out of someone else's creativity. You could take that a step further and have a text poll determine the winning meme.

What would really be funny and original is if they then took the winning meme from each game and posted it on a meme stockmarket site (lolzzz.net for example) then at the last game an overall winner could be announced based on what one did the best.

A dominate basketball team will draw the maximum potential fans no matter what. I, too, am an old, white male. I couldn't care less whether they played Lawrence Welk music or hard-core gangsta' rap. If I had to choose, my preference is "old school", the way things were in the early 1960's, but I realize I don't get to choose and I wouldn't even want that responsibility if it were offered to me. I just want to see a consistent winner playing quality basketball. I can tune out anything else I don't care for.