http://www.toledoblade.com/DaveHackenberg/

Yeah, an 8'oclock start on a Tuesday which is also election day. It does give me an extra hour to taligate, but I doubt I am going to be able to stay for the whole gamee. I bet the attendance this week will be under 10,000.

Oh, Hack. The flip side is the Rockets were all over major news, sports programs, and internet the next day and their offensive display didn't get lost because of the "Game of the Century". The Rockets have sold out week night basketball and football games in the past. Local fans turn out for national marque opponents and games that have Championship implications that have generated a buzz in the local media. You only have to look at the Women's BBball team last season to know that.
Unfortunately the internet and HD TV have made it easier for a wussified fan base that is afraid of rain drops or having to put an extra layer of clothing on because of the cold to stay in front of their screens at home.

(11-07-2011 08:09 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  Unfortunately the internet and HD TV have made it easier for a wussified fan base that is afraid of rain drops or having to put an extra layer of clothing on because of the cold to stay in front of their screens at home.

Hmmm, I'll take some exception to that comment Boca. As one who tries to make every single game, including away games (which we have done this year), this week's game presents a special challenge to me:

1) I'm in a relatively new job, can't afford to take 1-2 days off to enjoy tailgating and then next morning recovery. Similar situation for my wife.

2) I'm up for work at 5:30 AM. I have an important meeting Wednesday morning that I need to be prepared for and alert.

Getting home at midnight or later on a workday and getting up early the next morning is tough, especially after standing/sitting out in the non-Florida weather we experience here in Toledo in the fall. I got home and in bed at 12:30 AM after the NIU game last week and this game starts an hour later at 8:00 PM.

Tuesday night's weather is supposed to be very fan favorable and we've decided to at least show up and stick it out until halftime or into the 3rd quarter.

I wouldn't clasify the fan base as "wussified" for not finding these mid-week games appealing, it is just reality.

I agree, Ranger. It's not about raindrops or putting on some extra clothing. It's the time and day. Saturday is a day to relax and enjoy football not Tuesday night at midnight.

Boca, are you sitting by the pool with your laptop?

Wonder where Hack comes up with these story ideas...

I believe the weather affects a lot of people's decision, but that's regardless of what day or time the games is on. The thing is, I can't recall a single home game where we had inclement weather this year. Last Tuesday was beautiful and tomorrow looks to be just as good, maybe better. Last week's game certainly had championship implications and even the student turnout was meager. Go figure.

I can see if you have to get up at 5:30a, 4-5 hours might not cut it for a lot of people. The guy I go to the games with has been working six 10's through much of the Fall. Saturday he put in 13 hours. When the schedule was released he was really concerned that he might not be able to go to half of the games due to the weeknights. He's a die-hard Rocket fan so he made most of them, although he'll probably have to leave early tomorrow night.

One or maybe two weeknight games per season is one thing, but this year we had six. That's too much. Heck, a lot of people lounging at home in front of their TV's probably can't even stay up for all of them.

Weather...and don't forget the cost associated with games, when you can watch them for relatively nothing at home.

Again, they need to black out these games in the local market IMHO.

(11-07-2011 10:04 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  Weather...and don't forget the cost associated with games, when you can watch them for relatively nothing at home.

Again, they need to black out these games in the local market IMHO.

Yep, I agree !!

I'll chime in here too, representing the transplants who still try to come when we can swing it. Not that there are many of us, but I'm on the anti-weeknight wagon all the same.

For a Saturday game I can bail out of work at noon on Friday and be in Toledo by 10pm that night. Game on Saturday, drive back home Sunday. No vacation time used, and no worries about whether my crash pad for the weekend has kids to keep up on a school night.

Weeknight games, on the other hand.... Well, you do the math.

(11-07-2011 09:03 AM)RangerRocket Wrote:  

(11-07-2011 08:09 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  Unfortunately the internet and HD TV have made it easier for a wussified fan base that is afraid of rain drops or having to put an extra layer of clothing on because of the cold to stay in front of their screens at home.

Hmmm, I'll take some exception to that comment Boca. As one who tries to make every single game, including away games (which we have done this year), this week's game presents a special challenge to me:

1) I'm in a relatively new job, can't afford to take 1-2 days off to enjoy tailgating and then next morning recovery. Similar situation for my wife.

2) I'm up for work at 5:30 AM. I have an important meeting Wednesday morning that I need to be prepared for and alert.

Getting home at midnight or later on a workday and getting up early the next morning is tough, especially after standing/sitting out in the non-Florida weather we experience here in Toledo in the fall. I got home and in bed at 12:30 AM after the NIU game last week and this game starts an hour later at 8:00 PM.

Tuesday night's weather is supposed to be very fan favorable and we've decided to at least show up and stick it out until halftime or into the 3rd quarter.

I wouldn't clasify the fan base as "wussified" for not finding these mid-week games appealing, it is just reality.

Not referring to the hardcore Rocket fans such as yourself RR. I'm talking about that 5,000-6,000 that disappear during inclement weather, even on Saturdays.

(11-07-2011 09:09 AM)SylvaniaRocket Wrote:  I agree, Ranger. It's not about raindrops or putting on some extra clothing. It's the time and day. Saturday is a day to relax and enjoy football not Tuesday night at midnight.

Boca, are you sitting by the pool with your laptop?

Pool is being cleaned and treated.

(11-07-2011 11:52 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  

(11-07-2011 09:09 AM)SylvaniaRocket Wrote:  I agree, Ranger. It's not about raindrops or putting on some extra clothing. It's the time and day. Saturday is a day to relax and enjoy football not Tuesday night at midnight.

Boca, are you sitting by the pool with your laptop?

Pool is being cleaned and treated.

(11-07-2011 10:04 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  Again, they need to black out these games in the local market IMHO.

Agreed.