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HawaiiToNIU Offline
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Post: #61
RE: Depressing!
(05-22-2020 04:02 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  
(05-22-2020 03:55 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  
(05-22-2020 03:47 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  
(05-22-2020 03:14 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  
(05-22-2020 02:05 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  Imagine having 6 home games, 5 on Saturdays, all game days above 50 degrees. Sounds like fantasy to us, reality to other schools.

Attendance playing field none to level for MAC schools.

Get our Saturdays back ASAP please to start.

That would be great news, but ... since this thread is depressing, the ESPN-MAC contract does not expire until 2027, and ESPN wanted it to fill gaps in live events on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. No impetus to renegotiate. Schools have failed to learn to adapt, so there has not been/is no emphasis on the 4 home Saturday games we do have. Instead, NIU moves the only "big" of the year -- BYU, if it's played -- to Bridgeview in a half-a attempt to chase 160,000 alumni who previously have shown little to no interest en masse. And that's a Saturday game; correct if wrong.

Athletics has done NOTHING marketing-wise to attract more attendance and fan support. They have assumed the attitude, "Here we are; come and get us." There are very few products for which this works. They need to advertise the fun of going to a game, create some excitement, and let people know we are here - a short ride from home. They have failed miserably at this. It will not change unless and until we get a new AD with some marketing savvy, who is willing to allocate a few bucks well spent.

The first 1,000 fans got Hammock jerseys. That was cool?

The giveaways are great! And they should have more if they can continue to get the sponsors to pay for them. But, they need to market the hell out of this. If they don't have the money for a bit of solid advertising, maybe they should get out of the business. People are not going to come just because you are there. You need to draw them in by creating some excitement. We are not a big P5 school that fans flock to. So you need to do something to get them to come.

When I went there, the basketball games gave away a bunch of free stuff. T shirts, burritos at halftimes, and cheerleaders running around with hot pizzas. Still no one came.

The NIU vs Northwestern game was the most I've ever seen in the convo. Jon Shurna vs Xavier Silas.
05-22-2020 04:12 PM
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Dog Fan Offline
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Post: #62
Depressing!
(05-22-2020 04:12 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  
(05-22-2020 04:02 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  
(05-22-2020 03:55 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  
(05-22-2020 03:47 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  
(05-22-2020 03:14 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  That would be great news, but ... since this thread is depressing, the ESPN-MAC contract does not expire until 2027, and ESPN wanted it to fill gaps in live events on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. No impetus to renegotiate. Schools have failed to learn to adapt, so there has not been/is no emphasis on the 4 home Saturday games we do have. Instead, NIU moves the only "big" of the year -- BYU, if it's played -- to Bridgeview in a half-a attempt to chase 160,000 alumni who previously have shown little to no interest en masse. And that's a Saturday game; correct if wrong.

Athletics has done NOTHING marketing-wise to attract more attendance and fan support. They have assumed the attitude, "Here we are; come and get us." There are very few products for which this works. They need to advertise the fun of going to a game, create some excitement, and let people know we are here - a short ride from home. They have failed miserably at this. It will not change unless and until we get a new AD with some marketing savvy, who is willing to allocate a few bucks well spent.

The first 1,000 fans got Hammock jerseys. That was cool?

The giveaways are great! And they should have more if they can continue to get the sponsors to pay for them. But, they need to market the hell out of this. If they don't have the money for a bit of solid advertising, maybe they should get out of the business. People are not going to come just because you are there. You need to draw them in by creating some excitement. We are not a big P5 school that fans flock to. So you need to do something to get them to come.

When I went there, the basketball games gave away a bunch of free stuff. T shirts, burritos at halftimes, and cheerleaders running around with hot pizzas. Still no one came.

The NIU vs Northwestern game was the most I've ever seen in the convo. Jon Shurna vs Xavier Silas.


There were a lot of people at Cram the Convo in February when they gave out the basketball jerseys. In February 2019 when they gave out the bobbleheads, there were hundreds lined up over an hour before the women’s game. The problem is (as we all know), they didn’t do much to keep them there and coming back, with long lines at concessions and running out of hot dogs before the first game started.
05-22-2020 04:38 PM
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NIU007 Offline
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Post: #63
RE: Depressing!
(05-22-2020 02:05 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  Imagine having 6 home games, 5 on Saturdays, all game days above 50 degrees. Sounds like fantasy to us, reality to other schools.

Attendance playing field none to level for MAC schools.

Get our Saturdays back ASAP please to start.

+1000000
05-23-2020 04:46 PM
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NIU007 Offline
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Post: #64
RE: Depressing!
The Victor E Huskie bobbleheads was a neat idea. They're trying, but they need to work on concessions at both the convocation center and Huskie stadium. Though they needed to do that while we were still getting good crowds.
05-23-2020 04:48 PM
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Rabid Squirrel Offline
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Post: #65
RE: Depressing!
(05-23-2020 04:46 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  
(05-22-2020 02:05 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  Imagine having 6 home games, 5 on Saturdays, all game days above 50 degrees. Sounds like fantasy to us, reality to other schools.

Attendance playing field none to level for MAC schools.

Get our Saturdays back ASAP please to start.

+1000000

Do you think we can average 15K with all Saturday games? It would be close. I've wondered if the NCAA allows us and all MAC teams to skirt the 15k minimum because of the MACtion deal.
05-24-2020 09:38 AM
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Post: #66
RE: Depressing!
(05-24-2020 09:38 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  
(05-23-2020 04:46 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  
(05-22-2020 02:05 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  Imagine having 6 home games, 5 on Saturdays, all game days above 50 degrees. Sounds like fantasy to us, reality to other schools.

Attendance playing field none to level for MAC schools.

Get our Saturdays back ASAP please to start.

+1000000

Do you think we can average 15K with all Saturday games? It would be close. I've wondered if the NCAA allows us and all MAC teams to skirt the 15k minimum because of the MACtion deal.

NCAA

I'm guessing the "paid" attendance part lets them skirt the issue.
05-24-2020 10:42 AM
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HawaiiToNIU Offline
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Post: #67
RE: Depressing!
Let's just bump down to FCS and move to the Missouri Valley
05-24-2020 10:59 AM
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JoeNovak Offline
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Post: #68
RE: Depressing!
(05-24-2020 10:59 AM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Let's just bump down to FCS and move to the Missouri Valley

No thanks.
05-24-2020 10:16 PM
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Post: #69
Depressing!
(05-24-2020 10:59 AM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Let's just bump down to FCS and move to the Missouri Valley


That’s one way for NIU to get the ESPN contract off its back.
05-25-2020 09:12 AM
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pvk75 Offline
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Post: #70
RE: Depressing!
To join another conference, you have to have an invite. Not likely from the MVC ... or anyone else.

I attended NIU in the early to mid-'70s and developed into a really serious alumni-fan by the early 1980s when Bill Mallory was HC, and the talk got serious about some day being in the Big 12. That ship sailed a long time ago, or maybe bad moves by NIU just sank it.

Schools that are candidates for moving up probably include UCF, USF, Boise State, San Diego State, Cincinnati, Memphis, Houston, BYU, etc etc. Add others at will. If there is any relignment, the P5 may take 1-2 schools. That's why the AAC is trying so hard to become the "P6th" ... no room at the inn in the P5. Adding UConn bball made the Big East stronger, just as losing it complicated things for the AAC because MBB is right behind FB as the lead sports. In any case, the list in front of MAC schools is long and perhaps getting longer (e.g., where were USF and UCF 10 years ago?)

Imo, fans of most schools in conferences like those in the MAC (except Buffalo ... maybe! ... in future) have to learn to accept that they are not moving up. Each MAC school needs to focus on how it -- in its own market and with individual circumstances -- can a) stabilize post Covid-19, b) concentrate on rebuilding interest locally, which means taking care of its own (alumni, community, students and employees), and c) get a foot in the door on a higher stage (P5 games, tournaments, etc.).

Post-crisis, this means a change in AD attitude (this is NOT the Big10 or SEC) and either work around, over or through the MAC HQ and its penchant for sacrificing local to get national.

Summary: Northern has to get hard-a--ed about its own future first. It cannot carry the conference and the conference cannot carry Northern.
(This post was last modified: 05-25-2020 12:20 PM by pvk75.)
05-25-2020 12:16 PM
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Jb 94' Offline
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Post: #71
RE: Depressing!
(05-24-2020 10:59 AM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Let's just bump down to FCS and move to the Missouri Valley

Hold the presses! Less than a year ago..so many on this board thought Nothern to be on the cusp..taking it to the next level., and bound for imminent glory???
05-25-2020 12:42 PM
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pvk75 Offline
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Post: #72
RE: Depressing!
Seems impossible to have a serious, well-meant discussion on this board about reality and NIU's future. Try to have one and this is what happens. Taking a hiatus. Take care and be well.
05-25-2020 01:21 PM
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NILAW Offline
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Post: #73
RE: Depressing!
(05-25-2020 01:21 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Seems impossible to have a serious, well-meant discussion on this board about reality and NIU's future. Try to have one and this is what happens. Taking a hiatus. Take care and be well.

I know it can get frustrating. However, you are a really good poster and I enjoy reading your posts. Just ignore those posters that lead you to want to take a hiatus. Or better yet pout them on ignore.
05-25-2020 02:18 PM
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HawaiiToNIU Offline
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Post: #74
RE: Depressing!
I was kidding.

But seriously. Saturday games....that would be awesome...all you can eat hotdogs

Attendance in the MVC looks pretty decent. The teams in that league are competitive.
05-25-2020 02:37 PM
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NIUfilmmaker Offline
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Post: #75
RE: Depressing!
(05-24-2020 10:16 PM)JoeNovak Wrote:  
(05-24-2020 10:59 AM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Let's just bump down to FCS and move to the Missouri Valley

No thanks.

No thanks squared.
05-25-2020 03:48 PM
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Milwaukee Pilot Offline
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Post: #76
RE: Depressing!
(05-25-2020 12:42 PM)Jb 94 Wrote:  
(05-24-2020 10:59 AM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Let's just bump down to FCS and move to the Missouri Valley

Hold the presses! Less than a year ago..so many on this board thought Nothern to be on the cusp..taking it to the next level., and bound for imminent glory???

We were on the cusp——until the loss in the MAC championship the year after the Orange Bowl. We would have had back to back BCS appearances and would have had an undefeated season going in to a Fiesta Bowl matchup against Alabama.

Nobody will convince me any different—the loss to Bowling Green—-and in the blowout fashion it happened—-cost this program dearly——if it really had visions of the “next level”.

As mid majors go, we certainly have been one of the better over the last ten to fifteen years and should be proud of the consistency. The state of college football and the increasing power of the power 5 is just going to make it more and more difficult.
05-25-2020 04:28 PM
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Big Red Offline
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Post: #77
RE: Depressing!
(05-25-2020 12:16 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  To join another conference, you have to have an invite. Not likely from the MVC ... or anyone else.

I attended NIU in the early to mid-'70s and developed into a really serious alumni-fan by the early 1980s when Bill Mallory was HC, and the talk got serious about some day being in the Big 12. That ship sailed a long time ago, or maybe bad moves by NIU just sank it.

Schools that are candidates for moving up probably include UCF, USF, Boise State, San Diego State, Cincinnati, Memphis, Houston, BYU, etc etc. Add others at will. If there is any relignment, the P5 may take 1-2 schools. That's why the AAC is trying so hard to become the "P6th" ... no room at the inn in the P5. Adding UConn bball made the Big East stronger, just as losing it complicated things for the AAC because MBB is right behind FB as the lead sports. In any case, the list in front of MAC schools is long and perhaps getting longer (e.g., where were USF and UCF 10 years ago?)

Imo, fans of most schools in conferences like those in the MAC (except Buffalo ... maybe! ... in future) have to learn to accept that they are not moving up. Each MAC school needs to focus on how it -- in its own market and with individual circumstances -- can a) stabilize post Covid-19, b) concentrate on rebuilding interest locally, which means taking care of its own (alumni, community, students and employees), and c) get a foot in the door on a higher stage (P5 games, tournaments, etc.).

Post-crisis, this means a change in AD attitude (this is NOT the Big10 or SEC) and either work around, over or through the MAC HQ and its penchant for sacrificing local to get national.

Summary: Northern has to get hard-a--ed about its own future first. It cannot carry the conference and the conference cannot carry Northern.

I know he won't see my comment since he's on hiatus. But I don't think the ship sailed on joining the Big 12 because I don't think it ever came in to harbor.

I know there was a lot of talk and I'm well aware of the Facebook page, but that was all wishful thinking and was never actually a possibility. It was just fan's wishing on something that wasn't a reality.

Boise State couldn't even get in to a P5 conference and NIU was going to? I never put any kind of serious energy in to listening to that stuff. It was fun and all to think about, but I never, even once, thought it would actually happen.
05-25-2020 06:46 PM
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Rabid Squirrel Offline
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Post: #78
RE: Depressing!
(05-25-2020 06:46 PM)Big Red Wrote:  
(05-25-2020 12:16 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  To join another conference, you have to have an invite. Not likely from the MVC ... or anyone else.

I attended NIU in the early to mid-'70s and developed into a really serious alumni-fan by the early 1980s when Bill Mallory was HC, and the talk got serious about some day being in the Big 12. That ship sailed a long time ago, or maybe bad moves by NIU just sank it.

Schools that are candidates for moving up probably include UCF, USF, Boise State, San Diego State, Cincinnati, Memphis, Houston, BYU, etc etc. Add others at will. If there is any relignment, the P5 may take 1-2 schools. That's why the AAC is trying so hard to become the "P6th" ... no room at the inn in the P5. Adding UConn bball made the Big East stronger, just as losing it complicated things for the AAC because MBB is right behind FB as the lead sports. In any case, the list in front of MAC schools is long and perhaps getting longer (e.g., where were USF and UCF 10 years ago?)

Imo, fans of most schools in conferences like those in the MAC (except Buffalo ... maybe! ... in future) have to learn to accept that they are not moving up. Each MAC school needs to focus on how it -- in its own market and with individual circumstances -- can a) stabilize post Covid-19, b) concentrate on rebuilding interest locally, which means taking care of its own (alumni, community, students and employees), and c) get a foot in the door on a higher stage (P5 games, tournaments, etc.).

Post-crisis, this means a change in AD attitude (this is NOT the Big10 or SEC) and either work around, over or through the MAC HQ and its penchant for sacrificing local to get national.

Summary: Northern has to get hard-a--ed about its own future first. It cannot carry the conference and the conference cannot carry Northern.

I know he won't see my comment since he's on hiatus. But I don't think the ship sailed on joining the Big 12 because I don't think it ever came in to harbor.

I know there was a lot of talk and I'm well aware of the Facebook page, but that was all wishful thinking and was never actually a possibility. It was just fan's wishing on something that wasn't a reality.

Boise State couldn't even get in to a P5 conference and NIU was going to? I never put any kind of serious energy in to listening to that stuff. It was fun and all to think about, but I never, even once, thought it would actually happen.

That's been my thought all along. Felt like I was telling a kid there's no Santa Claus. But all that was needed for proof was for another G5 to come along and do exactly what we couldn't. And UCF did that and far far more than NIU ever did. They're also in a wayyyyy better situation than NIU. No one's come calling for UCF yet either. Was never gonna happen.
05-25-2020 07:58 PM
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epasnoopy Offline
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Post: #79
RE: Depressing!
First point: MVC would be a step down. No one cares about 1-AA football and they haven't done much in the NCAA tourney in years.

Second point: Boise State accepted an offer to the Big East to be in a power conference. But they saw the Big East was self-destructing and pulled out before ever joining. I also think they realized it made zero geographical sense to join that conference. Their best bet would be to join the Big 12. A PAC-12 invite will probably never happen for them.

https://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-hus...story.html
05-26-2020 07:03 AM
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Post: #80
RE: Depressing!
UCF is also the largest school in the country and in an area with exceptional growth. I say this for the reasoning that it is all related: Health of the school and town, attendance at football games, and to a smaller degree ability to retain players and coaches
05-26-2020 07:03 AM
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