(02-13-2020 06:37 PM)NIU1981 Wrote:  

(02-13-2020 05:49 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(02-13-2020 10:37 AM)NIU1981 Wrote:  I actually think they have a chance to get a bigger crowd in Bridgeview than DeKalb for this game. I'm totally sympathetic to season ticket holders (I am one) and DeKalb businesses but it's worth a try. I've seen quite a bit of enthusiasm for this game among my friends due to it being located closer than DeKalb.

SeatGeek could be super loud with roofs on both sides, might be a fun venue for a one-off game.

Are those friends of your's going to only attend that one game only because it's closer and not attend any games in DeKalb after that because it's "too far"?

We've played four games in Chicago now and that has not brought more casual fans to Huskie Stadium. I doubt playing a game outside of Chicago in a soccer stadium is going to gain more new fans that will now suddenly drive to DeKalb to watch us play Rhode Island, or Akron on a weekday.

These friends are casual fans who I can get to a game at Huskie Stadium maybe once every four years. This game will have no impact on that. Nor would they have attended this game if it was at Huskie Stadium by the way. My point was that at least we may be able to get a good crowd for this one game. Also as I've noted in other posts, I don't think anything short of changing conferences can improve attendance in DeKalb, just my opinion.

We’ve had Utah, Boston College and SanDiego State in Dekalb. Did any new casual fans start regularly attending NIU football after those games? It’s a promotion. It’s goal is promoting the Huskie brand. Almost nothing will bring new fans in outside of an excellent team or a media hyped superstar player.

Guess I won't renew season tickets. Will buy game to game.

(02-13-2020 06:26 PM)Stay Cool Wrote:  

(02-13-2020 05:41 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(02-13-2020 05:38 PM)TXHuskieJA26 Wrote:  

(02-13-2020 05:35 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(02-13-2020 04:31 PM)calvin12 Wrote:  commute to bridgeview is much better than the one to DeKalb. Great stadium in a terrible location don't do it, there's a place called green bay that would disagree with you. I don't like moving the game out of Huskie Stadium at all, but its a much better option than Wrigley, Sox, or Soldier fields would be. Its also a much better commute than Washington state to Chicago as you had the game in Husky Stadium

So, you think NIU would draw better at SeatGeek than at Wrigley?

Alright....

Personally, I prefer to play games in locations where you actually have 2 endzones!

And at a place where urinating is not a group activity

Keep that up and Dog Fan is gonna be in here confronting you about them there being fighting words

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Yes, public urination as a group is something I have always enjoyed. This is why I am a major proponent of the urinal troughs. It is male bonding at its very best. I consider urinating by yourself as anti-social behavior. Think of the conversations you can have with the fellas standing next to you! You may even make new friends - your pee buddies. Now, in this era of equality and “me too”, I am proposing unisex urinal troughs. I mean, it’s only fair. Yes, some design changes may (or may not) be necessary, but think of the opportunities! You may even meet your future wife at the trough. You may think it’s strange for love to develop while urinating in the trough, but I certainly don’t! And then when your kids ask you how you met, think of the story you’ll tell!

48 hours ago, if someone posted it would be a good idea to play BYU in Bridgeview, everyone here would’ve replied with laughing guy emoticons because no one would’ve taken it seriously.

The fact 48 hours later people on social media are legitimately (non-joking) asking STF to move a game to Joliet Memorial Stadium says everything you need to know.

Why does it bother people it’s in Bridgeview? You’re not required to buy property if you attend. It’s expressway accessible, has parking, tailgating and a beautiful stadium. You’re going to hop off the highway and spend 8 minutes on a local street then into the lot. Same as going to games in Dekalb.

(02-13-2020 08:16 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  Why does it bother people it’s in Bridgeview? You’re not required to buy property if you attend. It’s expressway accessible, has parking, tailgating and a beautiful stadium. You’re going to hop off the highway and spend 8 minutes on a local street then into the lot. Same as going to games in Dekalb.

But is there a Fatty's?

(02-13-2020 06:54 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(02-13-2020 06:37 PM)NIU1981 Wrote:  

(02-13-2020 05:49 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(02-13-2020 10:37 AM)NIU1981 Wrote:  I actually think they have a chance to get a bigger crowd in Bridgeview than DeKalb for this game. I'm totally sympathetic to season ticket holders (I am one) and DeKalb businesses but it's worth a try. I've seen quite a bit of enthusiasm for this game among my friends due to it being located closer than DeKalb.

SeatGeek could be super loud with roofs on both sides, might be a fun venue for a one-off game.

Are those friends of your's going to only attend that one game only because it's closer and not attend any games in DeKalb after that because it's "too far"?

We've played four games in Chicago now and that has not brought more casual fans to Huskie Stadium. I doubt playing a game outside of Chicago in a soccer stadium is going to gain more new fans that will now suddenly drive to DeKalb to watch us play Rhode Island, or Akron on a weekday.

These friends are casual fans who I can get to a game at Huskie Stadium maybe once every four years. This game will have no impact on that. Nor would they have attended this game if it was at Huskie Stadium by the way. My point was that at least we may be able to get a good crowd for this one game. Also as I've noted in other posts, I don't think anything short of changing conferences can improve attendance in DeKalb, just my opinion.

We’ve had Utah, Boston College and SanDiego State in Dekalb. Did any new casual fans start regularly attending NIU football after those games? It’s a promotion. It’s goal is promoting the Huskie brand. Almost nothing will bring new fans in outside of an excellent team or a media hyped superstar player.

Kind of hard to successfully promote when almost half the games are played on cold November weekdays. Not everyone can make it to Dekalb by 6pm in the middle of the work week.

(02-13-2020 06:37 PM)NIU1981 Wrote:  

(02-13-2020 05:49 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(02-13-2020 10:37 AM)NIU1981 Wrote:  I actually think they have a chance to get a bigger crowd in Bridgeview than DeKalb for this game. I'm totally sympathetic to season ticket holders (I am one) and DeKalb businesses but it's worth a try. I've seen quite a bit of enthusiasm for this game among my friends due to it being located closer than DeKalb.

SeatGeek could be super loud with roofs on both sides, might be a fun venue for a one-off game.

Are those friends of your's going to only attend that one game only because it's closer and not attend any games in DeKalb after that because it's "too far"?

We've played four games in Chicago now and that has not brought more casual fans to Huskie Stadium. I doubt playing a game outside of Chicago in a soccer stadium is going to gain more new fans that will now suddenly drive to DeKalb to watch us play Rhode Island, or Akron on a weekday.

These friends are casual fans who I can get to a game at Huskie Stadium maybe once every four years. This game will have no impact on that. Nor would they have attended this game if it was at Huskie Stadium by the way. My point was that at least we may be able to get a good crowd for this one game. Also as I've noted in other posts, I don't think anything short of changing conferences can improve attendance in DeKalb, just my opinion.

We need to get student enrollment up to the 26,000 mark again. That would definitely improve many things in DeKalb.

(02-13-2020 08:16 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  Why does it bother people it’s in Bridgeview? You’re not required to buy property if you attend. It’s expressway accessible, has parking, tailgating and a beautiful stadium. You’re going to hop off the highway and spend 8 minutes on a local street then into the lot. Same as going to games in Dekalb.

I would prefer my regular tailgate spot in the grass at Huskie Stadium over an unfamiliar parking lot in Bridgeview. I like famliarity...if i wanted a road game I would go to one, which I do. This game sucks for the fans that like Dekalb.

Are there hotels anywhere close?

(02-13-2020 08:55 PM)Big_Man Wrote:  

(02-13-2020 06:37 PM)NIU1981 Wrote:  

(02-13-2020 05:49 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(02-13-2020 10:37 AM)NIU1981 Wrote:  I actually think they have a chance to get a bigger crowd in Bridgeview than DeKalb for this game. I'm totally sympathetic to season ticket holders (I am one) and DeKalb businesses but it's worth a try. I've seen quite a bit of enthusiasm for this game among my friends due to it being located closer than DeKalb.

SeatGeek could be super loud with roofs on both sides, might be a fun venue for a one-off game.

Are those friends of your's going to only attend that one game only because it's closer and not attend any games in DeKalb after that because it's "too far"?

We've played four games in Chicago now and that has not brought more casual fans to Huskie Stadium. I doubt playing a game outside of Chicago in a soccer stadium is going to gain more new fans that will now suddenly drive to DeKalb to watch us play Rhode Island, or Akron on a weekday.

These friends are casual fans who I can get to a game at Huskie Stadium maybe once every four years. This game will have no impact on that. Nor would they have attended this game if it was at Huskie Stadium by the way. My point was that at least we may be able to get a good crowd for this one game. Also as I've noted in other posts, I don't think anything short of changing conferences can improve attendance in DeKalb, just my opinion.

We need to get student enrollment up to the 26,000 mark again. That would definitely improve many things in DeKalb.

That would solve most everything. That or a donation with 8 zeros in it. That’s one reason to do these promotion games. Get kids in the Chicago area to be more familiar with NIU. Not saying it’s gonna work, but these games aren’t just to improve home attendance next year.

BYU was the NCAA football national champs in 1984. When would have such a champ ever visited Huskie Stadium?

Just letting the mind wander for the heck of it.

Would it make sense to move the two weekday night games to SeatGeek, with 160,000 alumni in the back yard, partial rooftops, rental suites, better wind shielding, etc.?

Then leave the four Saturday games at Huskie Stadium, with heavy, targeted marketing and promotion in both places.

The two weekday nights draw 4,000-5,000 to HS, so maybe SeatGeek being where it is could draw a few thousand more. Plus that stadium can't be in great demand in November. Midway Airport is about two miles away for incoming MAC teams, and the Hampton Inn is right there for lodging. Doesn't conflict with high school football, and might get some high school attention, at least from the immediate area. Promote with in-city alumni as "your" games.

Also, pump up the local, on-campus and Rockford/Quad Cities/Fox Valley marketing for the four Saturday games, focus on fan-friendly activities and maybe draw some folks from Chicago coming the other way. Tie in heavy with academic department tents and info. Make the four the "showcase" games for the university.

Do this every year and you build a "Chicago connection" and maybe create something special in both places.

Just a thought.

(Also posted to the fan advisory board thread ... hey, why not?!)

(02-13-2020 09:09 PM)prairiedawg Wrote:  

(02-13-2020 08:16 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  Why does it bother people it’s in Bridgeview? You’re not required to buy property if you attend. It’s expressway accessible, has parking, tailgating and a beautiful stadium. You’re going to hop off the highway and spend 8 minutes on a local street then into the lot. Same as going to games in Dekalb.

I would prefer my regular tailgate spot in the grass at Huskie Stadium over an unfamiliar parking lot in Bridgeview. I like famliarity...if i wanted a road game I would go to one, which I do. This game sucks for the fans that like Dekalb.

Are there hotels anywhere close?

Yes, and at least one of the hotels offers hourly rates.

(02-14-2020 07:57 AM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  

(02-13-2020 09:09 PM)prairiedawg Wrote:  

(02-13-2020 08:16 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  Why does it bother people it’s in Bridgeview? You’re not required to buy property if you attend. It’s expressway accessible, has parking, tailgating and a beautiful stadium. You’re going to hop off the highway and spend 8 minutes on a local street then into the lot. Same as going to games in Dekalb.

I would prefer my regular tailgate spot in the grass at Huskie Stadium over an unfamiliar parking lot in Bridgeview. I like famliarity...if i wanted a road game I would go to one, which I do. This game sucks for the fans that like Dekalb.

Are there hotels anywhere close?

Yes, and at least one of the hotels offers hourly rates.

I can vouch for that!

(02-13-2020 10:59 PM)NIU70 Wrote:  BYU was the NCAA football national champs in 1984. When would have such a champ ever visited Huskie Stadium?

They would have, this coming October 24th.

(02-13-2020 11:38 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Just letting the mind wander for the heck of it.

Would it make sense to move the two weekday night games to SeatGeek, with 160,000 alumni in the back yard, partial rooftops, rental suites, better wind shielding, etc.?

Then leave the four Saturday games at Huskie Stadium, with heavy, targeted marketing and promotion in both places.

The two weekday nights draw 4,000-5,000 to HS, so maybe SeatGeek being where it is could draw a few thousand more. Plus that stadium can't be in great demand in November. Midway Airport is about two miles away for incoming MAC teams, and the Hampton Inn is right there for lodging. Doesn't conflict with high school football, and might get some high school attention, at least from the immediate area. Promote with in-city alumni as "your" games.

Also, pump up the local, on-campus and Rockford/Quad Cities/Fox Valley marketing for the four Saturday games, focus on fan-friendly activities and maybe draw some folks from Chicago coming the other way. Tie in heavy with academic department tents and info. Make the four the "showcase" games for the university.

Do this every year and you build a "Chicago connection" and maybe create something special in both places.

Just a thought.

(Also posted to the fan advisory board thread ... hey, why not?!)

Yep, I think the bigger sting is a Saturday DeKalb game getting moved, and less that the BYU game was moved. If the game was going to be on a Friday or something no matter what, and they moved it, OK.

But man, we get so few Saturday DeKalb games, moving that hurts personally.

(02-13-2020 11:38 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Just letting the mind wander for the heck of it.

Would it make sense to move the two weekday night games to SeatGeek, with 160,000 alumni in the back yard, partial rooftops, rental suites, better wind shielding, etc.?

Then leave the four Saturday games at Huskie Stadium, with heavy, targeted marketing and promotion in both places.

The two weekday nights draw 4,000-5,000 to HS, so maybe SeatGeek being where it is could draw a few thousand more. Plus that stadium can't be in great demand in November. Midway Airport is about two miles away for incoming MAC teams, and the Hampton Inn is right there for lodging. Doesn't conflict with high school football, and might get some high school attention, at least from the immediate area. Promote with in-city alumni as "your" games.

Also, pump up the local, on-campus and Rockford/Quad Cities/Fox Valley marketing for the four Saturday games, focus on fan-friendly activities and maybe draw some folks from Chicago coming the other way. Tie in heavy with academic department tents and info. Make the four the "showcase" games for the university.

Do this every year and you build a "Chicago connection" and maybe create something special in both places.

Just a thought.

(Also posted to the fan advisory board thread ... hey, why not?!)

I think thats a great idea. First you lower the price of season tickets. Make those games optional for the STHs at a discount. Second they keep running buses for the locals. Make them feel less abandoned and hope they understand that drawing 5k just isn't manageable anymore.

It all depends on the success of this game but if its anything close to a sell out I think you're on to something. Hopefully NIU would get adopted locally as a team over time. It will infuriate some but if it puts butts in the seats they have to do it. Cant let the program collapse for the 2-5k who hate it.

(02-14-2020 09:56 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(02-13-2020 11:38 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Just letting the mind wander for the heck of it.

Would it make sense to move the two weekday night games to SeatGeek, with 160,000 alumni in the back yard, partial rooftops, rental suites, better wind shielding, etc.?

Then leave the four Saturday games at Huskie Stadium, with heavy, targeted marketing and promotion in both places.

The two weekday nights draw 4,000-5,000 to HS, so maybe SeatGeek being where it is could draw a few thousand more. Plus that stadium can't be in great demand in November. Midway Airport is about two miles away for incoming MAC teams, and the Hampton Inn is right there for lodging. Doesn't conflict with high school football, and might get some high school attention, at least from the immediate area. Promote with in-city alumni as "your" games.

Also, pump up the local, on-campus and Rockford/Quad Cities/Fox Valley marketing for the four Saturday games, focus on fan-friendly activities and maybe draw some folks from Chicago coming the other way. Tie in heavy with academic department tents and info. Make the four the "showcase" games for the university.

Do this every year and you build a "Chicago connection" and maybe create something special in both places.

Just a thought.

(Also posted to the fan advisory board thread ... hey, why not?!)

I think thats a great idea. First you lower the price of season tickets. Make those games optional for the STHs at a discount. Second they keep running buses for the locals. Make them feel less abandoned and hope they understand that drawing 5k just isn't manageable anymore.

It all depends on the success of this game but if its anything close to a sell out I think you're on to something. Hopefully NIU would get adopted locally as a team over time. It will infuriate some but if it puts butts in the seats they have to do it. Cant let the program collapse for the 2-5k who hate it.

It will collapse if you continually anger the only 5K that regularly show up for games. Many of them don't just have season tickets. They donate also.

(02-14-2020 09:56 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(02-13-2020 11:38 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Just letting the mind wander for the heck of it.

Would it make sense to move the two weekday night games to SeatGeek, with 160,000 alumni in the back yard, partial rooftops, rental suites, better wind shielding, etc.?

Then leave the four Saturday games at Huskie Stadium, with heavy, targeted marketing and promotion in both places.

The two weekday nights draw 4,000-5,000 to HS, so maybe SeatGeek being where it is could draw a few thousand more. Plus that stadium can't be in great demand in November. Midway Airport is about two miles away for incoming MAC teams, and the Hampton Inn is right there for lodging. Doesn't conflict with high school football, and might get some high school attention, at least from the immediate area. Promote with in-city alumni as "your" games.

Also, pump up the local, on-campus and Rockford/Quad Cities/Fox Valley marketing for the four Saturday games, focus on fan-friendly activities and maybe draw some folks from Chicago coming the other way. Tie in heavy with academic department tents and info. Make the four the "showcase" games for the university.

Do this every year and you build a "Chicago connection" and maybe create something special in both places.

Just a thought.

(Also posted to the fan advisory board thread ... hey, why not?!)

I think thats a great idea. First you lower the price of season tickets. Make those games optional for the STHs at a discount. Second they keep running buses for the locals. Make them feel less abandoned and hope they understand that drawing 5k just isn't manageable anymore.

It all depends on the success of this game but if its anything close to a sell out I think you're on to something. Hopefully NIU would get adopted locally as a team over time. It will infuriate some but if it puts butts in the seats they have to do it. Cant let the program collapse for the 2-5k who hate it.

This is probably the smartest-most well thought out post on this thread. I would ping STF if I was you for whatever that's worth.

As NIU007 noted, "It's obvious that having games in Chicago doesn't increase attendance in DeKalb. A one time burst of fans from Chicago doesn't make up for a long-term drop in season-ticket holders in DeKalb because they're all annoyed about these changes by STF."
To which Rabid Squirrel said; "maybe moves merchandise or donations or tv viewers. Maybe it gives them a reason to rent billboard space or do radio spots. Did any of that happen after previous games played away from campus? At best, the answer is negligible.
TXHuskieJA26 believes the efforts to improve attendance at Huskie Stadium have yielded only 5k "die hard" fans who cannot sustain the program.
1) We used to have way more "die hard" fans and better attendance in the past, so what changed? We began to get a few "lesser" name opponents -- Fresno State, Southern Miss, Oklahoma State, Louisville, Cincinnati, Kansas State, Iowa State, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Maryland -- to come to DeKalb and our fans got more interested and liked winning in the MAC until the weeknight Maction games ruined the late season attendance.
2) So how has playing at Soldier Field or Guaranteed Rate brought fans to town and if they didn't, how is SeatGeek going to accomplish that?
In another post you said "BYU is the best chance of drawing attention", so if that's true, then why take that game off campus when the most attention-getting opponent isn't part of your home schedule?
The whole concept of Schedulepalooza was to "enhance" the home game schedule; you can bet the 2021 Maryland visit to DeKalb which has been moved to 2025 will most likely not happen even though Maryland played here once before. As NIU70 pointed out, STF just took away the most unique scenario of having a former national champion program visit Huskie Stadium.
Since this administration is never forth-coming with details, facts, answers, it's impossible to know how much money was made / lost on playing Toledo at GR. One fact is that any time you play away from campus, the added expenses of transporting team, staff, cheerleaders, band, etc. combined with whatever percentage loss for tickets, parking, concessions, etc. are not worth it when it comes to long-term gain in on-campus attendance.
For the longest time NIU had to shake the label of being a "commuter school" now STF wants to have a "commuter football program"?