My observations:

Vast majority of 60-80 in attendance represent the choir.

Staff and familiar Huskie cling ons.

Bennet back in Wisc "cleaning out her locker"

Gooden and golf coach Porten spoke briefly.

Rich Harvest in hunt to host 2013 NCAA national championships.

Patton flat out said NIU will win next year. Not so sure I knew how much winning he has promising. He acknowledged being as surprised and disappointed as anyone with how the season played out.

Team definately underachieved he said and staff failed to get players to buy into team play. He took full responsibility for not being more successful at building more of a team concept and things got worse not better as season progressed. Some players more concerned about sugar plums put into their heads and playing at next level. He referenced God and the Bible leading him in building a stable staff and winning program.
{Personally I'm not big on God leading anyone or groups anywhere for God would also be accountable for leading groups to where they don't want to be - last place}

NIU working to schedule Marquette next season. OUCH ! SIU back on schedule.

Wickes interviewing at Oklahoma this week.

Kill was Kill @ Hyperspeed.

Spoke often about the Huskies not being Kills team. Wants all to think of Huskies as "we" and our - not him.

I asked the Q: "How do WE feel about playing BCS games in SF rather than Huskie Stadium?"

Basically he stated both have merit and are essential to move program forward.

Stressed the importance repeatedly of season ticket holder base holding the key to getting BCS teams to DeKalb more often. He has been out there every day promoting increased involvement and season ticket sales.

Tons of other great Killisms flowed and have been heard often times before. He can stir a crowd.

If there is any huge unknown going into fall, it's also a critical one - replacing Salerno.

After two seasons as HC Kill still sez the team is young. Are we drinking from the fountain of youth every season?
Instead of the fan anthem being "we are the world" perhaps we should chant each new season "we are the young." When will the team ever NOT be so young?

{Most everyone in attendance is likely a season tix holder already.}

Collins retiring in June.

Is there a way for a moderator or others smarter and less lazy than I to move this off S&N. I wasn't even drinking (much) last nite when I erroneously posted observations there. One keg of beer at Champs is no excuse.

Thanks. But why S&N board?

(05-20-2010 01:20 AM)RobertN Wrote:  Thanks. But why S&N board?

+1 Great post Cybes....throw this on the regular board.

Interesting comments by Patton about players dreaming of NBA.

We've been pretty lucky w/ our place kickers. Azar, Nendick, Salerno have all be better than average players. That is one position in D-1 where it is always a huge crapshoot. I've seen the bigboys have horrible kickers botching wins. Looks like we have a couple Juco placekickers on the roster along with our punters. I thought Salerno had a younger bro on the team, I don't see his name there now.

Anyone know what happened with salerno's younger brother?

I believe Salerno's brother was cut

Great post Cybes. Thanks for the update.

Would you have considered it a good turnout where they will return next year?

Unless dept attracts and confirms more for the location nxt yr, the probabability is great for looking elsewhere IMHO.

CHAMPS:
friendly and efficient staff

Easy to reach off 88, 294, 90.

sufficient and convenient parking

okay buffet but "room" not well suited for a speaker

Too few outside of the choir in attendance.

I don't think there is much (any) advertisement/ communication of the event, so who is going to go?

Many people today live very busy lives with a 9 to 5 focus.

Unless you stick stuff under their noses repeatedly, it aint gonna stick.

Direct mailings and automated phone messages to season tix holders to bring a relative, friend, colleague or neighbor is what is needed.

I think that was one message Kill was promoting but did not directly make.

"WE" who want more of the Huskies need to do more.

(05-22-2010 01:46 AM)cyberdawg Wrote:  Many people today live very busy lives with a 9 to 5 focus.

Unless you stick stuff under their noses repeatedly, it aint gonna stick.

Direct mailings and automated phone messages to season tix holders to bring a relative, friend, colleague or neighbor is what is needed.

I think that was one message Kill was promoting but did not directly make.

"WE" who want more of the Huskies need to do more.

Not just to present season ticket holders. That makes it really difficult to grow. There are plenty of fans that purchase individual game tickets, for whom athletics has their address and could send a flyer, or they could make a better effort to get e-mail addresses and send blast e-mails. This is a huge shortcoming that i thought they were working on a few years ago, but I don;t see any evidence of it. It looks like the effort died.

Also, put an add in the local newspaper sports section AND get the local paper to write an article on it. It doesn't have to be an ad, you can also work to get FREE publicity. Once you get people there, then you can work on getting them to buy tickets, season tickets or single game.

word of mouth is often the best form of marketing products and services.

Bring a guest : friend, inlaw, colleague or neighbor to a game. Buy their ticket.
Perhaps a few will purchase mini packages of season tx.

I think that is more of what Kill was expressing between the lines.

If "WE" fans want more and expect more , then do more.

Don't idly sit by and count on others to do everything for us.

All avenues need growth including efforts of sports marketing dept and fans in the choir.

Agreed, that's how they do it at Michigan. Get off your butt and get your hands dirty.

(05-26-2010 11:22 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  Agreed, that's how they do it at Michigan. Get off your butt and get your hands dirty.

Does Michigan really need help with getting fans to their stadium or with their marketing and publicity??