Oh I completely get all of your points, it's not the best idea to raise a price of a product that's overall not that great.
My point is that it's still affordable. And they do give you multiple options to attempt to ease the new burden.
Dear Friends,
I don't hold much water to the statement that Athletic Director Lyke has been dictatorial in her assessment of raising ticket prices. She probably knows that the athletic department needs to raise capital, and Eastern's ticket prices have been at ten dollars for probably close to a decade. So, in my opinion, this should not be about winning or losing seasons to determine ticket prices. Even with the increases, I would be willing to bet that Eastern is still near the bottom of the MAC when it comes to entrance fees.
EMU ticket prices haven't increased in over 10 years.
When you take inflation into consideration, the tickets are actually cheaper now than they were 10 years ago.
Can anyone think of another item you can buy where that is the case?
Some simple research got me these prices....
Toledo Single's: $25
Buffalo: $18
WMU: $18 endzones... $12 avail on a limited basis
BGSU: $15-$18
CMU $22 Adult tickets
... Im just going to stop there, hopefully you see the point.
Our $15 dollar tickets certainly are on par for the MAC
If they want to make it family friendly they'll move games to 6PM. Kids activities are jammed into Saturdays and many cannot attend even if they wanted to. Ticket prices don't matter to me if games are at 1PM.
(04-03-2014 05:22 PM)easterneagles79 Wrote: [ -> ]Some simple research got me these prices....
Toledo Single's: $25
Buffalo: $18
WMU: $18 endzones... $12 avail on a limited basis
BGSU: $15-$18
CMU $22 Adult tickets
... Im just going to stop there, hopefully you see the point.
Our $15 dollar tickets certainly are on par for the MAC
I made pretty much that same point a while ago. I think tickets for NIU games are right around $28. The problem here is that way too many people here have gotten used to paying next to nothing, period, to attend football games at EMU yet they complain about this or that, like EMU having an inflatable dome instead of a permanent (steel/concrete) practice structure. An increase in ticket prices isn't going to get EMU a permanent practice structure but it may help.
Here's the deal, the facilities don't take care of themselves. It takes money. I'm sure AD Lyke came in and saw some "issues" with the financial health of our "big time" athletic programs, especially financially, and had to make some changes. Instituting higher ticket prices is a smart way to do that.
It's for everyone to stop whining and act like real fans. How many of y'all attend U-M games and think nothing of dropping $50/$60 for a ticket and paying at least $20 to park?
(04-03-2014 08:43 PM)HuronRob Wrote: [ -> ] (04-03-2014 05:22 PM)easterneagles79 Wrote: [ -> ]Some simple research got me these prices....
Toledo Single's: $25
Buffalo: $18
WMU: $18 endzones... $12 avail on a limited basis
BGSU: $15-$18
CMU $22 Adult tickets
... Im just going to stop there, hopefully you see the point.
Our $15 dollar tickets certainly are on par for the MAC
I made pretty much that same point a while ago. I think tickets for NIU games are right around $28. The problem here is that way too many people here have gotten used to paying next to nothing, period, to attend football games at EMU yet they complain about this or that, like EMU having an inflatable dome instead of a permanent (steel/concrete) practice structure. An increase in ticket prices isn't going to get EMU a permanent practice structure but it may help.
Here's the deal, the facilities don't take care of themselves. It takes money. I'm sure AD Lyke came in and saw some "issues" with the financial health of our "big time" athletic programs, especially financially, and had to make some changes. Instituting higher ticket prices is a smart way to do that.
It's for everyone to stop whining and act like real fans. How many of y'all attend U-M games and think nothing of dropping $50/$60 for a ticket and paying at least $20 to park?
Well I have free parking through my dads business (If you guys ever need somewhere to park let me know) just down the road either on Main St or South Industrial, but I only go to the scUM vs MSU game. I really only go to sporting events at EMU outside of that one weekend every other year. I have no problem paying 20/30 to go to the game, I just won't buy merchandise like I normally do. What I have a problem with is the lack of reason for raising the price, are we going to get a new scoreboard? Maybe match the midfield E to our actual E logo?
I don't think its whinning, and believe I do attend some of the games which may be more than some that defend the price increase. However this board is also for those with various views on the topic and I thinks it good to express both sides. Some valid points are perhap they should look at the price for ages 12-18 with a high school idea. I not only bring that up for my own family situation but for others.
I've posted and said this in the past that EMU sports is a great family entertainment value-hopefully it will remain so.
As far as supporting the school I think we all know where I stand on that one.
(04-04-2014 09:56 AM)emu79 Wrote: [ -> ]I don't think its whinning, and believe I do attend some of the games which may be more than some that defend the price increase. However this board is also for those with various views on the topic and I thinks it good to express both sides. Some valid points are perhap they should look at the price for ages 12-18 with a high school idea. I not only bring that up for my own family situation but for others.
I've posted and said this in the past that EMU sports is a great family entertainment value-hopefully it will remain so.
As far as supporting the school I think we all know where I stand on that one.
I've been a season ticket holder since 1983, my freshman year at EMU, and I don't have a problem with the increase in the price of the ticket or charging for parking. At some point EMU football has to stop bleeding money because, as it was, there was not much of a chance that it was helping to fund the other programs like the football programs at other schools do.
(04-03-2014 01:37 PM)emu79 Wrote: [ -> ] (04-03-2014 12:43 PM)easterneagles79 Wrote: [ -> ] (04-03-2014 12:25 PM)DexterDevil Wrote: [ -> ]First off, its an increase of 20 just for me to get in, not 10, and sure the parking fee is a good idea for upkeep and etc, but what warrants the 10 dollar increase/ticket? Increased performance? Better socioeconomic area? Increased demand? More fan friendly amenities? Seriously.
Posted from my mobile device using the CSNbbs App
Well, correct me if im wrong (havent paid in forever because im a student)
But werent tickets last year $10 ?
$15 Dollar GA tickets (advanced purchase)
$5 Parking
$20 Dollar experience
..... Which is $10 dollars more than last year.
Actually without parking its a $5 dollar increase per adult person and $5 for parking. So for a family of 4 it its about $20. But again you miss my point take a look around and you'll realize that the price of everything is going up but not what's in your pocketbook. You call getting beat by 20-30 points per game an experience? I call it sadism.
Honestly, not to beat you up about this but... Should colleges, in general, charge according to the performance of their teams? So, for example, when U-M does poorly, like when Rich Rodriguez was there, they should charge $20 per ticket in subsequent seasons but charge more, say $80-$100 per ticket (on top of the other fees you have to pay), when they go 10-2? Imagine the chaos that would ensure from that kind of strategy. Would you be willing to pay $35 dollars per ticket at EMU if they went 10-2? My guess is no.
The problem in all of this is that too many people have gotten used to EMU charging just a little more than high schools do for admission to their high school games. At some point EMU has to charge admission prices that are commensurate with other Division I schools, regardless of the record or how many points we get beat by. In 2013; Virginia, Purdue, Southern Mississippi, UTEP, Kentucky, and California all finished at 2-10 or worse. I wonder if their ticket prices are $10/$11 per games? I doubt it. I wonder if these schools will lower their ticket prices for 2014 just because they had poor seasons in 2013? Again, I doubt it.
EMU has always been in the lower tier for what they charge for admission. Even with the increase in ticket prices, EMU will still be one of the least expensive tickets in Division I football.
Given with what I'm seeing in the football program I will gladly pay more to see the games along with the parking.
I will too, just saying they need to offer something in return, like actual increased performance
I wonder if State or Michigan will continue to charge for parking if they were to go 2-10? Will their fans revolt against paying for parking if they were to go 2-10?
Somehow, I doubt it. The State and Michigan fans would still pony up the cost for the privilege for admission. Yet, here at EMU fans complain about paying for parking because their team went 2-10 with a former coach, who was fired because he was an incompetent d-bag.
The ODU fan who was asking questions here said that ODU charges a minimum of $26 per ticket for admission! $26!!!! For a first year FBS program! OMG!!! How are they ever going to make it? Will the fans refuse to pay that price?
The sky is falling!
HR,
It's not because they went 2-10 last year. It's because they have not had a winning season since Lewinski and Clinton were going at it. Hell a good number of your players coming in this year were not born the last time the team was better than 500.
That is why EMU fans complaining about the product/parking fees is different. EMU needs to be focused on getting people to games, not on getting them to pay for parking when they get there..
(04-16-2014 08:48 AM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote: [ -> ]HR,
It's not because they went 2-10 last year. It's because they have not had a winning season since Lewinski and Clinton were going at it. Hell a good number of your players coming in this year were not born the last time the team was better than 500.
That is why EMU fans complaining about the product/parking fees is different. EMU needs to be focused on getting people to games, not on getting them to pay for parking when they get there..
+1
Dear Bull In Exile,
Sorry to disagree. Eastern needs to increase its funding for the athletic programs now, not when we have a winning season. Our athletic director has been smart to realize that fact. Keeping prices for football tickets at $10.00 and free parking, was not increasing the needed revenues and this is the right move. The few that may not show up is not worth the loss of revenue that parking fees will add. The same goes for the increased ticket prices.
(04-16-2014 12:16 PM)Ken Barna Wrote: [ -> ]Dear Bull In Exile,
Sorry to disagree. Eastern needs to increase its funding for the athletic programs now, not when we have a winning season. Our athletic director has been smart to realize that fact. Keeping prices for football tickets at $10.00 and free parking, was not increasing the needed revenues and this is the right move. The few that may not show up is not worth the loss of revenue that parking fees will add. The same goes for the increased ticket prices.
Ken,
Thanks for your thoughts. I get where you're coming from, its really a chicken and egg problem.
I hope you are right and the move works out for EMU but in my experience watching Buffalo sometimes you have to spend money (or pass on some revenue streams) to make money.
EMU needs to build a fan base before they can start gouging them. If you're only getting 3K-8K to show up at games how many cars is that? How many fans have to say "forget it" for the parking fee money to be insignificant?
Im sure your AD has done research on this.
Danny White at UB had quite a few people sniping at him for "giving away tickets" for basketball and football this past season. In the end the teams drew better crowds and revenue than any time over the past decade (at least). Now he has most of the season ticket holders already renewed for next season.
(04-16-2014 08:48 AM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote: [ -> ]HR,
It's not because they went 2-10 last year. It's because they have not had a winning season since Lewinski and Clinton were going at it. Hell a good number of your players coming in this year were not born the last time the team was better than 500.
That is why EMU fans complaining about the product/parking fees is different. EMU needs to be focused on getting people to games, not on getting them to pay for parking when they get there..
Hey, I have a great idea! EMU should just open the gates and let all the fans in for free! Free parking. No price for admission. I mean, hell, they've been so bad for so long they shouldn't charge anything at all.
That's what I want to see happen.
In fact, I'm considering not going to anymore games until they achieve a winning record.
Talk about garbage from someone not even associated with the school or program.
Honestly, I've had with all this pissing and moaning.
I wonder how many people will just park at Walgreens, and walk on a nice autumn afternoon?
(04-16-2014 05:10 PM)HuronRob Wrote: [ -> ] (04-16-2014 08:48 AM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote: [ -> ]HR,
It's not because they went 2-10 last year. It's because they have not had a winning season since Lewinski and Clinton were going at it. Hell a good number of your players coming in this year were not born the last time the team was better than 500.
That is why EMU fans complaining about the product/parking fees is different. EMU needs to be focused on getting people to games, not on getting them to pay for parking when they get there..
Hey, I have a great idea! EMU should just open the gates and let all the fans in for free! Free parking. No price for admission. I mean, hell, they've been so bad for so long they shouldn't charge anything at all.
That's what I want to see happen.
In fact, I'm considering not going to anymore games until they achieve a winning record.
Talk about garbage from someone not even associated with the school or program.
Honestly, I've had with all this pissing and moaning.
Actually the first two paragraphs aren't bad ideas.