Did anyone else just receive this email? I'm unable to attend, but this looks like a great opportunity to voice the opinions we've shared on the threads here regarding ODU football.
Hello,
As you are aware, ODU Football is going through an exciting time as they join a new conference. The ODU Athletic Department has asked a group of MBA students to gather information from the fan’s perspective on the ODU Football experience such as game-day experiences, ticket prices, etc. The focus group is tentatively scheduled for Friday, September 27th at 6pm on campus and should last approximately an hour and a half.
Participants will receive two tickets to an ODU basketball game.
If you are able to attend the focus group, please enter your name and preferred contact information using the form below. We will only use this information to remind you prior to the event.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1IjPRNOw...A/viewform
Thank you for your continued support of ODU Athletics.
Yes, I got an invitation and am excited to share some opinions.
(09-20-2013 11:32 AM)Sancho Wrote: [ -> ]Yes, I got an invitation and am excited to share some opinions.
I'd read the "what was missing from tonight's game" thread.......that's some pretty raw feedback about the very topic they are looking to explore.
Let me help those that are going to attend.
- There is no exciting ODU football promotional video showing the team taking the field, big hits, big plays, and Stadium cheering.
- The stadium sound system needs to be fixed NOW !! Not acceptable for any section to hear clearly what is being said. The only excuse should be the crowd is to loud to hear the announcements not the sound system performance.
- The Game Atmosphere including replays, videos, and intros are horrible
- There is NO fan involvement / engagement.
- There are no traditions being established. Other than the M O N A R C H S song.
- Really...the only small tradition was the Howitzer and someone made the stupid decision to can that !!
- Can't we afford Blue and White Smoke
- Isn't there a Flag pole where we could raise a Monarch / ODU Flag to some exciting music at the start of the game or 4th quarter ?
- What is our student section referred too ? Maybe the University should hold a contest to name the student section !! get students and fans involved.
- Pregame should be all about building up excitement towards kick off
- Big Blue entrance should be one of the last things done before the Team takes the field
Is it too hard to make a decent video to pump up the crowd before game time ?
Is it too hard to show replays of hard hits or questionable calls ?
Is it too hard to bring the Howitzer back ?
Is it too hard to create an ODU thunder stick or Vu Vu Zela ?
Is it too hard to create some traditions like raising the Monarchs Flag at the start of the game ?
Is it too hard to create some cheers for first downs or We are Monarchs ?
Is it too hard to create a home field advantage ?
No !! What is Hard is to get the Athletic Department to do something about it and take ownership !!! We need traditions and to establish deep pride of our Athletic programs...start with football and I bet it carries over to other sports. No more excuses that we are only in our 5th year. Step up now so that when we move to our new stadium we can carry these forward. many in our Athletic program are still thinking small time !! Aim High !!
- We are moving to bigger better things....time to do bigger and better things.
Small things that don't cost money but build pride of fans and ownership of fans. And odu ad and band director need to lead the way. I also would like to see some staff admin on the ad side with fbs conference experience. All this caa experience is great but so is new blood new energy. Get rid of the last of jarrett regime and start fresh.
(09-20-2013 12:59 PM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote: [ -> ]Let me help those that are going to attend.
- There is no exciting ODU football promotional video showing the team taking the field, big hits, big plays, and Stadium cheering.
- The stadium sound system needs to be fixed NOW !! Not acceptable for any section to hear clearly what is being said. The only excuse should be the crowd is to loud to hear the announcements not the sound system performance.
- The Game Atmosphere including replays, videos, and intros are horrible
- There is NO fan involvement / engagement.
- There are no traditions being established. Other than the M O N A R C H S song.
- Really...the only small tradition was the Howitzer and someone made the stupid decision to can that !!
- Can't we afford Blue and White Smoke
- Isn't there a Flag pole where we could raise a Monarch / ODU Flag to some exciting music at the start of the game or 4th quarter ?
- What is our student section referred too ? Maybe the University should hold a contest to name the student section !! get students and fans involved.
- Pregame should be all about building up excitement towards kick off
- Big Blue entrance should be one of the last things done before the Team takes the field
Is it too hard to make a decent video to pump up the crowd before game time ?
Is it too hard to show replays of hard hits or questionable calls ?
Is it too hard to bring the Howitzer back ?
Is it too hard to create an ODU thunder stick or Vu Vu Zela ?
Is it too hard to create some traditions like raising the Monarchs Flag at the start of the game ?
Is it too hard to create some cheers for first downs or We are Monarchs ?
Is it too hard to create a home field advantage ?
No !! What is Hard is to get the Athletic Department to do something about it and take ownership !!! We need traditions and to establish deep pride of our Athletic programs...start with football and I bet it carries over to other sports. No more excuses that we are only in our 5th year. Step up now so that when we move to our new stadium we can carry these forward. many in our Athletic program are still thinking small time !! Aim High !!
- We are moving to bigger better things....time to do bigger and better things.
All of this. Although I thought we didn't get the howitzer because of a scheduling issue... as long as it's back I won't ***** too much about that.
But the rest, absofreaknlutely. Or at least communicated back that those things are in the plans.
I'm also not a huge fan of the alternating colors for each game. Next season just do it for a couple. I understand it generates sells I guess... but whatevers.
Or do they honestly don't feel the need to do ANY promotion and put any money into the marketing/gameday atmosphere because it's selling out? If that's the case shame on them.
5 hour tailgate time slot please.
We have got to get the "We Are" - "Monarchs" dueling chant from one side of the stadium to the other. I've contemplated getting this started with some "signs", but its really the job of the cheerleaders.
If I am not mistaken, the crew that runs the replays, music, etc. sit over at the Ted as there are no facilities for them at SB Ballard. Assuming this is true, they can't possibly get caught up in the mood of the stadium and after several hours of prep and game action have probably lost interest.
There's got to be a way to get them inside the stadium even if some space has to be sacrificed in the beer garden.
I get pumped when I'm in the stadium and when the team runs out of the tunnel. I don't need a carnival show to get my adrenaline going.
I think the quality of opponent has a lot to do with the involvement of fans. I think the Citadel game will have the fans more tuned in. Liberty, Rhode Island and Albany will provide a little more excitement. NSU too.
Word of caution here. Focus groups are usually, well,.... focused. The people calling the meeting almost always have a pre-set agenda and won't allow things to turn into a ***** session. Don't expect them to be concerned about any suggestions other than on topics they have pre-selected.
If you guys are allowed some freedom to make suggestions, then great. Be sure to fill us all in.
(09-20-2013 02:25 PM)Old Dominion Wrote: [ -> ]Word of caution here. Focus groups are usually, well,.... focused. The people calling the meeting almost always have a pre-set agenda and won't allow things to turn into a ***** session. Don't expect them to be concerned about any suggestions other than on topics they have pre-selected.
If you guys are allowed some freedom to make suggestions, then great. Be sure to fill us all in.
They indeed have an agenda, as evidenced by the creating a group from such a narrow sample demographic in the first place. If they were truly interested open opinions and suggestions, the would have sent a survey to all ODAF Season Ticket holders requesting input.
That they have
never done that speaks volumes about their own perception of themselves as knowing what is best for everyone.
For example;
1. The ad didn't see it as important that the "people" have an explanation of the missing howitzer.
2. I have 3 kids who are older now, but 20 years ago I would have wanted access to a changing table. Someone here stated that he requested just that 3 years ago, received a nice "thanks you for a great suggestion" and was then promptly ignored.
The apparent abilities of the ad and ODAF, (including re-seating and tailgating), both with basketball and football, does not seem commensurate with what is needed to go big time.
We are not talking a lot of money here.
I am hesitant to use the term arrogance as others might, but if not arrogance, then the only other word that fits the current state of affairs would be (not in a demeaning way) ignorance; as in not experienced or educated in the ways of big time programs.
Being the malcontent that I am I went ahead and submitted my own name as one who could attend. Maybe we all should.
I'm wondering if the focus group is an extension of all the Master Plan forums scheduled. If the focus group runners do have an agenda as someone mentioned, I assume participants will receive a comments or suggestion card to fill out at the end. That's another perfect opportunity to list any additional info or feedback that the group doesn't discuss.
What no one has answered is why we cried foul after when Charlotte cancelled this years game when we backed out of playing them in 2014, before all of this "we're not ready to face the competition" talk, but they will play JMU. Did we or did we not back out first? I do not give any credence to whatever comes out of Debbie White's office at this point.
A salute cannon can be had for very little money if it can be approved for use and ROTC can operate.
(09-20-2013 11:33 PM)daddyblue Wrote: [ -> ]What no one has answered is why we cried foul after when Charlotte cancelled this years game when we backed out of playing them in 2014, before all of this "we're not ready to face the competition" talk, but they will play JMU. Did we or did we not back out first? I do not give any credence to whatever comes out of Debbie White's office at this point.
A salute cannon can be had for very little money if it can be approved for use and ROTC can operate.
Good question.
We indeed backed out first, yet I am still seeing ODU posts complaining about UNCC.
It smacks of delusional arrogant entitlement - more suited to JM Poo.
(09-20-2013 11:51 PM)ODUalum78 Wrote: [ -> ] (09-20-2013 11:33 PM)daddyblue Wrote: [ -> ]What no one has answered is why we cried foul after when Charlotte cancelled this years game when we backed out of playing them in 2014, before all of this "we're not ready to face the competition" talk, but they will play JMU. Did we or did we not back out first? I do not give any credence to whatever comes out of Debbie White's office at this point.
A salute cannon can be had for very little money if it can be approved for use and ROTC can operate.
Good question.
We indeed backed out first, yet I am still seeing ODU posts complaining about UNCC.
It smacks of delusional arrogant entitlement - more suited to JM Poo.
It is probably because we cancelled a game that was scheduled for 2014, while not a great practice, it is totally different than cancelling a game which is scheduled about three months out. The difference is that it's a whole lot easier scheduling a replacement game in that time frame. Had we not been able to schedule Campbell our football program would have been on the hook for a lot of money, and we would have been some pretty upset fans with only 5 home games this season. Kudos to Bruce Stewart for pulling our bacon out of the fire on that one.