You want to host Big Ten teams you charge Big Ten prices. NIU needs to start raising its home ticket prices gradually.

(01-18-2011 03:08 PM)Top Dog Wrote:  You want to host Big Ten teams you charge Big Ten prices. NIU needs to start raising its home ticket prices gradually.

And they still won't come play us at Huskie Stadium. We will kill off all our casual fans as well because the ticket prices are too high. Not a good idea.

(01-18-2011 03:08 PM)Top Dog Wrote:  You want to host Big Ten teams you charge Big Ten prices. NIU needs to start raising its home ticket prices gradually.

Only if the W's keep coming...

My proposal - Season ticket prices go up by the amount of wins the previous season. So this past 11 win season increases the 2011 season ticket prices by $11 from the 2010 season ticket prices. (Being sarcastic!)

(01-18-2011 03:21 PM)HuskiemobileMan Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 03:08 PM)Top Dog Wrote:  You want to host Big Ten teams you charge Big Ten prices. NIU needs to start raising its home ticket prices gradually.

And they still won't come play us at Huskie Stadium. We will kill off all our casual fans as well because the ticket prices are too high. Not a good idea.

Wisconsin did agree to come to Huskie Stadium in 2009 but we decided to go for the big pay check hosting at SF instead.

I expect to see Purdue at Huskie Stadium by the end of the decade. 2014 or 2015 is the first likely chance. If that happens I do not expect ticket prices to be as high as the SF/Wis tickets.

(01-18-2011 03:25 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 03:08 PM)Top Dog Wrote:  You want to host Big Ten teams you charge Big Ten prices. NIU needs to start raising its home ticket prices gradually.

Only if the W's keep coming...

My proposal - Season ticket prices go up by the amount of wins the previous season. So this past 11 win season increases the 2011 season ticket prices by $11 from the 2010 season ticket prices.

I think NIU should raise it's ticket prices to be comparable with the Big Ten - maybe even more, since we are so much better than them. So, who cares if the stands are only half full with rich snobs? We have already raised the basketball single game ticket prices 60% this year ($5 to $8). Everything these days is going up 60+%: income taxes, phone bills, BB single game tickets, etc. Might as well raise the FB tickets 60% too. I'm sure that this would have no effect on folks buying tickets because they all got 60% raises, right??

(01-18-2011 03:38 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 03:25 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 03:08 PM)Top Dog Wrote:  You want to host Big Ten teams you charge Big Ten prices. NIU needs to start raising its home ticket prices gradually.

Only if the W's keep coming...

My proposal - Season ticket prices go up by the amount of wins the previous season. So this past 11 win season increases the 2011 season ticket prices by $11 from the 2010 season ticket prices.

I think NIU should raise it's ticket prices to be comparable with the Big Ten - maybe even more, since we are so much better than them. So, who cares if the stands are only half full with rich snobs? We have already raised the basketball single game ticket prices 60% this year ($5 to $8). Everything these days is going up 60+%: income taxes, phone bills, BB single game tickets, etc. Might as well raise the FB tickets 60% too. I'm sure that this would have no effect on folks buying tickets because they all got 60% raises, right??

Ya what the heck is up with car/home insurance ALWAYS going up like 20% a year! Granted its not 60% but still. I have NEVER gotten in an accident or gotten pulled over yet they keep on jacking up my rates!

We haven't come close to selling out and had disappointing turnouts for some games, and we're going to raise the ticket prices?

(01-18-2011 04:25 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  We haven't come close to selling out and had disappointing turnouts for some games, and we're going to raise the ticket prices?

Ya doesn't seem like a good idea... Why do we need to raise ticket prices when our new coach is making 40k less than our old coach, we have $500k extra in the bank and we will have an extra big check coming from the SF game? Not to mention the expected bump in home ticket sales from the success of the 2010 season AND we will host 1 additional home game at Huskie Stadium.

We are looking at additional income of 2mil in 2011! (including Minn buy out $)

Seems like a perfect storm to keep season and individual tickets the same if not lower!

Well lets see if they get greedy.

(01-18-2011 04:47 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 04:25 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  We haven't come close to selling out and had disappointing turnouts for some games, and we're going to raise the ticket prices?

Ya doesn't seem like a good idea... Why do we need to raise ticket prices when our new coach is making 40k less than our old coach, we have $500k extra in the bank and we will have an extra big check coming from the SF game? Not to mention the expected bump in home ticket sales from the success of the 2010 season AND we will host 1 additional home game at Huskie Stadium.

We are looking at additional income of 2mil in 2011! (including Minn buy out $)

Seems like a perfect storm to keep season and individual tickets the same if not lower!

Well lets see if they get greedy.

We need the money for lots of things, including covering bowl losses, IPF, stadium improvements, increased salaries, etc. The way to do that is to maximize the number of OOC games we play at the big schools, maximize the number of games at SF, and increase ticket prices if and when warranted. I offered several suggestions a while ago on raising money - especially through increased corporate sponsorships - but apparently my ideas were no good and we must have tapped the corporate market.

(01-18-2011 04:54 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 04:47 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 04:25 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  We haven't come close to selling out and had disappointing turnouts for some games, and we're going to raise the ticket prices?

Ya doesn't seem like a good idea... Why do we need to raise ticket prices when our new coach is making 40k less than our old coach, we have $500k extra in the bank and we will have an extra big check coming from the SF game? Not to mention the expected bump in home ticket sales from the success of the 2010 season AND we will host 1 additional home game at Huskie Stadium.

We are looking at additional income of 2mil in 2011! (including Minn buy out $)

Seems like a perfect storm to keep season and individual tickets the same if not lower!

Well lets see if they get greedy.

We need the money for lots of things, including covering bowl losses, IPF, stadium improvements, increased salaries, etc. The way to do that is to maximize the number of OOC games we play at the big schools, maximize the number of games at SF, and increase ticket prices if and when warranted. I offered several suggestions a while ago on raising money - especially through increased corporate sponsorships - but apparently my ideas were no good and we must have tapped the corporate market.

Yes but the team already is 2mil better off than in 2010. So why not keep ticket prices the same to get the fans to pack the stadium to get more corporate interest $. I to have offered suggestions to raise money that they tell me they "will look into" or is "not worth it". Oh-well, I have a set budget for my donation, tickets & parking per year and I plan on spending it all but not a dime more...for the regular season anyways.

(01-18-2011 04:54 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 04:47 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 04:25 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  We haven't come close to selling out and had disappointing turnouts for some games, and we're going to raise the ticket prices?

Ya doesn't seem like a good idea... Why do we need to raise ticket prices when our new coach is making 40k less than our old coach, we have $500k extra in the bank and we will have an extra big check coming from the SF game? Not to mention the expected bump in home ticket sales from the success of the 2010 season AND we will host 1 additional home game at Huskie Stadium.

We are looking at additional income of 2mil in 2011! (including Minn buy out $)

Seems like a perfect storm to keep season and individual tickets the same if not lower!

Well lets see if they get greedy.

We need the money for lots of things, including covering bowl losses, IPF, stadium improvements, increased salaries, etc. The way to do that is to maximize the number of OOC games we play at the big schools, maximize the number of games at SF, and increase ticket prices if and when warranted. I offered several suggestions a while ago on raising money - especially through increased corporate sponsorships - but apparently my ideas were no good and we must have tapped the corporate market.

That's a thought. We shouldn't play any games at home if we get paid more for playing on the road. It might be cheaper to close the East stands and put everyone in the West stands. There should be plenty of room with higher ticket prices causing many to stay home. We can sell one of the goal posts on Ebay and just go the same direction on every drive like they did at Wrigley Field.

(01-17-2011 05:03 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(01-17-2011 04:56 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(01-17-2011 04:49 PM)armour248 Wrote:  Not sure how the prices of the Wrigley game or Bears games have anything to do with prices for NIU vs Wisconsin at Soldier Field. Attendance for the NU-Illini game was only 41,000. Soldier Field holds another 20,000. The supply and demand for the two games aren't even close.

Agreed, no way a ticket in the front row on the 50 is going to be more than $75 through NIU. For the 300 club level seats at the Bears games you are paying more for the club part than the seat.

I think it would be very cool if NIU took over the 200 club level and Wisconsin took over the 300 club level and that way each school could host a great pre-game party for the donors... Did anything like this happen in 2007?

Not that I know of. HASF members had the pre-game event with hamburgers and hot dogs sponsored by the Alumni Association (and/or Fatty's). But, I'm sure the high rollers were wined and dined by Peters and Compher. I usually see the high rollers walking around with an entourage.

I am curious to see what you consider a high roller... The HASF donation list is public and there are only like 6 guys above $10K...(Obviously there are some people who donate who aren't on the list, but your definition of high roller is definitely skewed)

At U of I, my buddy pays $10,000 for a good parking pass (across from stadium) and chance to eat at the buffet inside the stadium..At Tennessee, to get good season tickets with a good pass it is a minimum donation of $25K/year... and there is a wait list...

Want to echo what someone said earlier: All HASF members(me) can pick up their ticket packet information Feb 12th or it will be mail on the 14th. Packet contains info regarding Soldier Field game and details

Also wondering what the guy was thinking who posted that HASF donors shouldn't get first grabs. These people are the diehards, who donate monetarily to help the Athletic Dept, why should they have to stand in line with the rest who show up once a year for Homecoming.

Tickets to NIU football are insanely cheap. $85 for 5 games..And since attendance is mediocre to poor, the seats are great too. U of I is $225..


If NIU is to compete on a high level (think top 25 every year) things will have to change

(01-18-2011 05:30 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 04:54 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 04:47 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 04:25 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  We haven't come close to selling out and had disappointing turnouts for some games, and we're going to raise the ticket prices?

Ya doesn't seem like a good idea... Why do we need to raise ticket prices when our new coach is making 40k less than our old coach, we have $500k extra in the bank and we will have an extra big check coming from the SF game? Not to mention the expected bump in home ticket sales from the success of the 2010 season AND we will host 1 additional home game at Huskie Stadium.

We are looking at additional income of 2mil in 2011! (including Minn buy out $)

Seems like a perfect storm to keep season and individual tickets the same if not lower!

Well lets see if they get greedy.

We need the money for lots of things, including covering bowl losses, IPF, stadium improvements, increased salaries, etc. The way to do that is to maximize the number of OOC games we play at the big schools, maximize the number of games at SF, and increase ticket prices if and when warranted. I offered several suggestions a while ago on raising money - especially through increased corporate sponsorships - but apparently my ideas were no good and we must have tapped the corporate market.

That's a thought. We shouldn't play any games at home if we get paid more for playing on the road. It might be cheaper to close the East stands and put everyone in the West stands. There should be plenty of room with higher ticket prices causing many to stay home. We can sell one of the goal posts on Ebay and just go the same direction on every drive like they did at Wrigley Field.

Don't be silly. We need money. The way to do this is to play 3 or 4 OOC games at the big boys. We have already done this for 3 of the OOC games, so where's your criticism of that? The away games can be local enough where diehards can attend them if they want. Since NIU either can't or is averse to scheduling quality teams in Huskie Stadium, then I would much rather see all OOC games as away in venues that will provide cash for the program. I would much rather see 4 away OOC games that will bring in money than one or two home OOC games against patsies or teams that few have heard of. I can live with 4 home games against the MAC. Of course, it would be nice if all 4 of those games were played on Saturdays, but that's just not how things are with the MAC.

Playing as many away games as possible against the big boys is the way of the present and future as long as we go to bowl games every year. While great for the team, fans, and program, the bowl games are a big drain on the coffers. Where is the cash to come from? We have virtually no marketing that can generate cash, so the away games are the way to go until we learn to earn money in other ways, if possible.

(01-19-2011 09:14 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 05:30 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 04:54 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 04:47 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 04:25 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  We haven't come close to selling out and had disappointing turnouts for some games, and we're going to raise the ticket prices?

Ya doesn't seem like a good idea... Why do we need to raise ticket prices when our new coach is making 40k less than our old coach, we have $500k extra in the bank and we will have an extra big check coming from the SF game? Not to mention the expected bump in home ticket sales from the success of the 2010 season AND we will host 1 additional home game at Huskie Stadium.

We are looking at additional income of 2mil in 2011! (including Minn buy out $)

Seems like a perfect storm to keep season and individual tickets the same if not lower!

Well lets see if they get greedy.

We need the money for lots of things, including covering bowl losses, IPF, stadium improvements, increased salaries, etc. The way to do that is to maximize the number of OOC games we play at the big schools, maximize the number of games at SF, and increase ticket prices if and when warranted. I offered several suggestions a while ago on raising money - especially through increased corporate sponsorships - but apparently my ideas were no good and we must have tapped the corporate market.

That's a thought. We shouldn't play any games at home if we get paid more for playing on the road. It might be cheaper to close the East stands and put everyone in the West stands. There should be plenty of room with higher ticket prices causing many to stay home. We can sell one of the goal posts on Ebay and just go the same direction on every drive like they did at Wrigley Field.

Don't be silly. We need money. The way to do this is to play 3 or 4 OOC games at the big boys. We have already done this for 3 of the OOC games, so where's your criticism of that? The away games can be local enough where diehards can attend them if they want. Since NIU either can't or is averse to scheduling quality teams in Huskie Stadium, then I would much rather see all OOC games as away in venues that will provide cash for the program. I would much rather see 4 away OOC games that will bring in money than one or two home OOC games against patsies or teams that few have heard of. I can live with 4 home games against the MAC. Of course, it would be nice if all 4 of those games were played on Saturdays, but that's just not how things are with the MAC.

Playing as many away games as possible against the big boys is the way of the present and future as long as we go to bowl games every year. While great for the team, fans, and program, the bowl games are a big drain on the coffers. Where is the cash to come from? We have virtually no marketing that can generate cash, so the away games are the way to go until we learn to earn money in other ways, if possible.

The only thing I don't like is NIU paying a FCS team to come to Huskie Stadium. If we cant get a FBS team to come within our budget than go get a check from some one else.

(01-18-2011 06:21 PM)cartershaw Wrote:  

(01-17-2011 05:03 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(01-17-2011 04:56 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(01-17-2011 04:49 PM)armour248 Wrote:  Not sure how the prices of the Wrigley game or Bears games have anything to do with prices for NIU vs Wisconsin at Soldier Field. Attendance for the NU-Illini game was only 41,000. Soldier Field holds another 20,000. The supply and demand for the two games aren't even close.

Agreed, no way a ticket in the front row on the 50 is going to be more than $75 through NIU. For the 300 club level seats at the Bears games you are paying more for the club part than the seat.

I think it would be very cool if NIU took over the 200 club level and Wisconsin took over the 300 club level and that way each school could host a great pre-game party for the donors... Did anything like this happen in 2007?

Not that I know of. HASF members had the pre-game event with hamburgers and hot dogs sponsored by the Alumni Association (and/or Fatty's). But, I'm sure the high rollers were wined and dined by Peters and Compher. I usually see the high rollers walking around with an entourage.

I am curious to see what you consider a high roller... The HASF donation list is public and there are only like 6 guys above $10K...(Obviously there are some people who donate who aren't on the list, but your definition of high roller is definitely skewed)

At U of I, my buddy pays $10,000 for a good parking pass (across from stadium) and chance to eat at the buffet inside the stadium..At Tennessee, to get good season tickets with a good pass it is a minimum donation of $25K/year... and there is a wait list...

Want to echo what someone said earlier: All HASF members(me) can pick up their ticket packet information Feb 12th or it will be mail on the 14th. Packet contains info regarding Soldier Field game and details

Also wondering what the guy was thinking who posted that HASF donors shouldn't get first grabs. These people are the diehards, who donate monetarily to help the Athletic Dept, why should they have to stand in line with the rest who show up once a year for Homecoming.

Tickets to NIU football are insanely cheap. $85 for 5 games..And since attendance is mediocre to poor, the seats are great too. U of I is $225..


If NIU is to compete on a high level (think top 25 every year) things will have to change

I am not going to mention names (but I do know who they are), but they all seem to hobnob with Athletics upper management and President Peters (at pre- and post-game events, along the sidelines, etc.). The inner circle is not big. They are together at the big away games (particularly the bowl games). Athletics may even be paving the way for them to attend. And, if they are paying big bucks to the program, then that's the way it should be. However, while Athletics' reaching out to the more mortal donors was excellent in the middle of the past decade, it has fallen considerably over the past few years. It started when Matt Mattmiller left. He was terrific, and Andrew Haring before him was fabulous.

(01-18-2011 03:21 PM)HuskiemobileMan Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 03:08 PM)Top Dog Wrote:  You want to host Big Ten teams you charge Big Ten prices. NIU needs to start raising its home ticket prices gradually.

And they still won't come play us at Huskie Stadium. We will kill off all our casual fans as well because the ticket prices are too high. Not a good idea.

Toledo has gradually raised their prices over the years. I think this season a ticket against Boise St. might be around 40 bucks. I think NIU tickets for the game at the Glass Bowl will be probably 30 bucks a ticket. Our range for our game against OSU in Cleveland our ticket prices ranged from 90 bucks to 45 for students.

(01-19-2011 10:15 AM)utpotts Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 03:21 PM)HuskiemobileMan Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 03:08 PM)Top Dog Wrote:  You want to host Big Ten teams you charge Big Ten prices. NIU needs to start raising its home ticket prices gradually.

And they still won't come play us at Huskie Stadium. We will kill off all our casual fans as well because the ticket prices are too high. Not a good idea.

Toledo has gradually raised their prices over the years. I think this season a ticket against Boise St. might be around 40 bucks. I think NIU tickets for the game at the Glass Bowl will be probably 30 bucks a ticket. Our range for our game against OSU in Cleveland our ticket prices ranged from 90 bucks to 45 for students.

And they have better attendance averages than NIU! So whats our excuse now people???

(01-19-2011 10:23 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(01-19-2011 10:15 AM)utpotts Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 03:21 PM)HuskiemobileMan Wrote:  

(01-18-2011 03:08 PM)Top Dog Wrote:  You want to host Big Ten teams you charge Big Ten prices. NIU needs to start raising its home ticket prices gradually.

And they still won't come play us at Huskie Stadium. We will kill off all our casual fans as well because the ticket prices are too high. Not a good idea.

Toledo has gradually raised their prices over the years. I think this season a ticket against Boise St. might be around 40 bucks. I think NIU tickets for the game at the Glass Bowl will be probably 30 bucks a ticket. Our range for our game against OSU in Cleveland our ticket prices ranged from 90 bucks to 45 for students.

And they have better attendance averages than NIU! So whats our excuse now people???

An increase in ticket prices would be offset by fewer home games if we have more away OOC games. However, this would affect individual game ticket prices and the casual fan. Because NIU games are not a big draw for the casual fan (particularly for games against FCS and bad MAC teams), a big increase in price will reduce attendance.

While I understand the need for cash, I have a hard time believing that they raised individual BB game tickets 60% this year. Attendance was already in the pits, and it is lower this year than last. Not sure if this is related to fan disgust with the product (and/or coach) or the ticket price increase....or both.

What is also difficult to understand is the pricing for the BB tickets. Upper bowl unreserved (general admission) seats are $8. However, it seems like for many games, tickets are given away or sold for $1. I bought tickets at face value for the February 12 game. After I bought my tickets, I found out that Athletics is offering free tickets for the game to HASF members. While this does not bother me at all (as I know the money is needed), this just has to have an effect on some season ticket holders and fans who buy their tickets at full face value at the start of the season (or before).

(01-19-2011 10:39 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  Because NIU games are not a big draw for the casual fan (particularly for games against FCS and bad MAC teams), a big increase in price will reduce attendance.

That is true, but if NIU would schedule a well known team at Huskie Stadium they could easily justify a price increase for that individual game. If we had Boise State coming in to town we could do exactly what Toledo is doing and charge $30+ per ticket and still sell the place out. Our attendance sucks because our home games every year consist of an FCS team and 5 horrible MAC teams, a few of which are on weeknights in November/December. I understand why a casual football fan wouldn't want to attend any of our games.

I have to be honest... I'm just really surprised at what I'm reading. I'm new to the chat room concept, so maybe this is just a place where all the negativity flows... but man.

We just won 11 games!
We have a game at Soldier Field vs. Wisconsin!
There's a chance we could both be 2-0 and ranked!
We will be carried on ESPN and COULD be the featured game of the week, considering the matchups elsewhere.
People are going to be paying attention to US!!!

And our conversation is about a "60%" increase, from $5 to $8 on basketball prices?
Just imagine... the year they increased ticket prices by 100%, when they went from $1 to $2! The public outcry must have been enormous! Percentage increase viewpoints on purchases under $10?!?! Really?

We all could have paid $1500-$4,000 to take a family of 4 to Boise, buy 4 tickets, and go see a game against an unranked football mid-level team, in Fresno State. That was our bowl game... and it's a $1,500-$4,000 cost, with a big big time commitment.
What you have in front of you is BETTTTTTTEEERRRR than a bowl game... It's at a cooler venue... against a TOP RANKED TEAM, NATIONALLY, no less. It's drastically less expensive (roughly 10 frickin percent of the cost)... there's no time commitment at all... the school makes money, and we have a chance to buy as many tickets as we want...

And yet... all I read is how our program charges too much for tickets and doesn't care about the fans.

Talk about glass half empty.

I love the Huskies...
I wear a red wristband every Friday and Monday to work so people know it.
I'm proud. Because we should be proud.

Get on board now... b/c when we are #15-#25 every year for the next 5, and tickets become hard to get, I want to hang out with those who were excited from the beginning.

Dang. Now i'm worked up. :)