CSNbbs

Can anyone report on the ODU Football Focus Group. I believe it was today (Fri Sept 27, 2013)

~an hour and a half Q&A session about the ODU gameday experience. (Likes/Dislikes/suggestions). There was also some brief discussion on our expectations for the new stadium and some other topics like... parking, seating, ticket pricing, concessions, social media, ODAF, etc. [/code]

Agree Tribe. A lot of what do you think. They really seemed concerned about ticket prices and what might keep season ticket buyers from renewing.

(09-28-2013 11:06 AM)84Monarch Wrote: [ -> ]Agree Tribe. What might keep season ticket buyers from renewing.

Crappy Gameday Experience !
So far this year I do not believe they are living up to what we want, expect or desire!!!

What is wrong with the gameday experience?

(09-30-2013 10:35 AM)Gilesfan Wrote: [ -> ]What is wrong with the gameday experience?

20,000 fans each think it should be exactly the way they want, or it sucks.

(09-30-2013 10:41 AM)djnva Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-30-2013 10:35 AM)Gilesfan Wrote: [ -> ]What is wrong with the gameday experience?

20,000 fans each think it should be exactly the way they want, or it sucks.

Don't paint us all with that brush. I attend mostly for the game. I'm usually not disappointed when I leave Foreman Field. Could some of the details be tightened up, could a majority of the crowd make it to their seats in time to engage in a rowdy welcome for our Monarchs, etc? Sure, but none of that really bothers me so I have no displeasures to express. There are those that are bothered by it, and that's understandable. I just hope they are also expressing their displeasure to people who can actually do something to change it (like what happened with the baby changing tables) and not just posting it here where it won't do that much to bring change.

(09-30-2013 10:35 AM)Gilesfan Wrote: [ -> ]What is wrong with the gameday experience?

Really, there weren't that many negative things brought up... From what I can recall...Women's restroom lines, PA system in some parts of the stadium, lack of Cheerleader pregame invlolvment. Most of it was offering up suggestions on how to improve the overall experience. Some suggestions that came up...More Howitzer, better concessions, new gameday traditions, ways to get people engaged and into their seats before kickoff...etc.

I wonder if there is a correlation to teams we are playing and when fans show up? I remember the NSU game was packed before kickoff. I seem to think the W&M and JMU games were the same way.

But, everybody is expecting blowouts this year so I think they stay and tailgate a little longer.

Just a guess though.

(09-30-2013 11:28 AM)Gilesfan Wrote: [ -> ]I wonder if there is a correlation to teams we are playing and when fans show up? I remember the NSU game was packed before kickoff. I seem to think the W&M and JMU games were the same way.

But, everybody is expecting blowouts this year so I think they stay and tailgate a little longer.

Just a guess though.

I think you are right on target. Also, they tend to blow out early when the competition is weak.

There is a great book out called "The Experience Economy" Basically it says a lot of people go to restaurants, sporting events, you name it PRIMARILY for the overall experience, not necessarilly for the actual product being offered. These games are being marketed not only to die hard fans, but also fringe fans and students who expect to be entertained in all aspects. Building a brand means winning of course, but keeping fans for generations also means giving them a total package. Look at the TIDES. Not many people actually care if they win or lose, it's mostly about the experience.
ODU needs to make certain they put a great package on the field obviously, but in order to attract and retain the numbers of fans their looking for ultimately, they need to provide much more of an experience. Geez even McDonalds is an experience for the kids. God knows the product sucks!

(09-30-2013 11:38 AM)Old Dominion Wrote: [ -> ]There is a great book out called "The Experience Economy" Basically it says a lot of people go to restaurants, sporting events, you name it PRIMARILY for the overall experience, not necessarilly for the actual product being offered. These games are being marketed not only to die hard fans, but also fringe fans and students who expect to be entertained in all aspects. Building a brand means winning of course, but keeping fans for generations also means giving them a total package. Look at the TIDES. Not many people actually care if they win or lose, it's mostly about the experience.
ODU needs to make certain they put a great package on the field obviously, but in order to attract and retain the numbers of fans their looking for ultimately, they need to provide much more of an experience. Geez even McDonalds is an experience for the kids. God knows the product sucks!

That is probably a big reason for the new stadium as well.

I must admit, I am guilty on both parts. Having guaranteed parking has made me very lazy. I arrive about 30-45 mins before kickoff and usually I'm just making it to my seat as the pregame video starts up. As for leaving early, I have no excuse, except maybe the midtown tunnel.

(09-30-2013 10:56 AM)paintedblue Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-30-2013 10:41 AM)djnva Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-30-2013 10:35 AM)Gilesfan Wrote: [ -> ]What is wrong with the gameday experience?

20,000 fans each think it should be exactly the way they want, or it sucks.

Don't paint us all with that brush. I attend mostly for the game. I'm usually not disappointed when I leave Foreman Field. Could some of the details be tightened up, could a majority of the crowd make it to their seats in time to engage in a rowdy welcome for our Monarchs, etc? Sure, but none of that really bothers me so I have no displeasures to express. There are those that are bothered by it, and that's understandable. I just hope they are also expressing their displeasure to people who can actually do something to change it (like what happened with the baby changing tables) and not just posting it here where it won't do that much to bring change.

Traditions will take time. We all expect ODU's game day experience to resemble programs that have played football for 70 years or more. We have developed great fan support, beyond what the local media ever anticipated or expected of ODU. It will only get better.

Yes I think that there are things the STUDENTS could embrace and run with that would be great for the overall experience. However I have been to home games at W & M, Richmond, jmu, Tech, ECU, Maryland, NC State and UVA. Honestly I expected the ECU game to be a more intimidating game day atmosphere (they did not really nail it that night, had also gone to a game in the 80's ..... It was nice, they only had about 20-25K at that game). By far the Tech game was the best of that group (2003, I think they were lobbing for inclusion to the ACC at that time). ODU, even in our infancy is better than the others I mentioned (I attended most of those games 20 years ago).

(09-30-2013 11:38 AM)Old Dominion Wrote: [ -> ]There is a great book out called "The Experience Economy" Basically it says a lot of people go to restaurants, sporting events, you name it PRIMARILY for the overall experience, not necessarilly for the actual product being offered. These games are being marketed not only to die hard fans, but also fringe fans and students who expect to be entertained in all aspects. Building a brand means winning of course, but keeping fans for generations also means giving them a total package. Look at the TIDES. Not many people actually care if they win or lose, it's mostly about the experience.
ODU needs to make certain they put a great package on the field obviously, but in order to attract and retain the numbers of fans their looking for ultimately, they need to provide much more of an experience. Geez even McDonalds is an experience for the kids. God knows the product sucks!

I agree with this. It's like the old adage "you don't sell the steak, you sell the sizzle." Just because I don't pay more attention to the side dishes than to the entree doesn't mean I think everyone is of like mind. I know some of the smaller things can be tweaked with little investment while we are still in FF for the next four years or so. I hope that happens. After having spoken with WS regarding amenities and fan experience at our next stadium I know he is very in tune with your thoughts on the matter. I can't wait until the day the new stadium plans are released.

The crowd has always arrived late for the blow outs. Big games its a good flow of people coming in. My concern is that we are moving up and we kind of need people with the big school background to help with the next step. New promotions that maybe odu doesn't think about. Or what about how our entrance is handled. There's just a ton of things new younger minds can add to the mix. Remember the old guard didnt want football and that could have something to do with the overall admin part of our experience. So many people said hiring younger coaches brings exciitment back. I happen to believe that is the case here too.