(12-15-2013 11:05 PM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  

(12-15-2013 06:33 PM)adcorbett Wrote:  

(12-14-2013 07:00 PM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  I honestly don't think there's 17,000 seats on the airlines around that time period to get to Phoenix or anywhere near there. The logistics of traveling at a peak holiday period for that many people is ridiculous.

The point I would make to you is that this is what EVERY team not in Florida deals with. And while it may seem as though people are picking on UCF, perhaps if your fans had listened to many of us months ago when they were ragging on Pitt or Uconn or trying to rag on Cincy for bowl numbers, this would not be happening. Had you all not ragged on NIU, who is facing the EXACT same thing, this would not be happening. UCF is not the only school where the vast majority of people who want to attend have to fly. Your opponent is one. Three of the four teams playing in Pascedena will have to fly. One of the teams in the Orange bowl likely have to fly (though some "could" drive it is at the point where a drive is too long for most). And many more smaller ones.

(12-14-2013 10:13 PM)Goldenbuc Wrote:  I know a lot of people are licking their chops to slam UCF for tickets sales, but this trip is brutal. $700-900 flights just aren't that doable for many.

Note that at this point last year, NIU had sold 5500 tickets. I recall some posters bashing them then. Here we are a year later, and well, shoe's on the other foot.

Lots more options for flying to Florida. If you're flying into Miami for the Orange Bowl, you have three - yes, three - local airports with significant service to the north and a bunch more within 4 hour drives. Then you still have Orlando (2 airports), Tampa, Sarasota, and Fort Myers, all with significant service to the north including Chicago. And Jax is only 5 hours. Lots of options.

Just like the people flying to Pasadena...lots of options. LA has 5 airports, then you have San Diego and Vegas (4 hours). Plus the national championship game is not on a peak travel weekend. Michigan State (and NIU) also has the benefit of travel set up for northern vacationers going to warm places...not much travel set up in mind for warm and sunny Florida to warm and sunny Arizona.

Flying to Phoenix, you've got Phoenix and Tucson. Vegas then is 4.5 hours and Albuquerque and El Paso are both 6 hour drives, and it's all on a peak travel weekend when already limited east-west flights were booked.

Driving for Orlando-Phoenix vs Chicago-Miami is 33% longer, so the driving option was definitely better for NIU.

Plus, the Michigan State people taking out loans for the bowl trip are ridiculous, and I'd never support someone doing that for any football game.

It's the final traditional Rose Bowl and our first in 25 years, tickets are at 1000+ from what I've heard on the radio, air travel is another 800 and hotels are 100+ a night... Ugh. Corporate America.

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While the numbers are terrible, I think winning will alleviate some of that stress. Had UConn won, they might not have gotten as much bad press about ticket sales. But who knows. I like to think in my own fantasy that if we won, we won't be criticized as much about ticket sales, but who knows. I just hope we win whether that is in front of 5,000 or 15,000 UCF fans. Winning will help alleviate the bad press of not travelling all that well.

(12-16-2013 04:29 PM)BobL Wrote:  What will be misleading is that the number of tickets sold through the university is the number everyone will talk about, regardless of how many are actually in the stands wearing black and gold. For the OB last season tickets on stubhub were less than half of what the price was thru the university. In the end NIU easily had 20k at the game but only 7500(includes the band and the student tickets) were sold thru the university.

NIU had 20,000 there? I didn't see the game. I was in NO for the Sugar Bowl and was out that night.

I worked the NIU-FSU game...Whoever said more than 15,000 went is a troll.

That stadium had less than 46,000 people in attendance (albeit the ticket sales). Even the Execs were talking about how it was the poorest showing...EVER.

The sad thing was NIU brought less than 5,000 for sure. I'm assuming it was sort of what UCF is going through right now

I do know one reason UCF had no shot at the Orange Bowl was because the Orange did so poorly last year, they are under local pressure to ensure they got someone who would fill up hotel rooms first and foremost. UCF might be able to bring 30,000 fans, but the length of stay made them a deal breaker after NIU AND FSU last year,

(12-16-2013 07:26 PM)adcorbett Wrote:  I do know one reason UCF had no shot at the Orange Bowl was because the Orange did so poorly last year, they are under local pressure to ensure they got someone who would fill up hotel rooms first and foremost. UCF might be able to bring 30,000 fans, but the length of stay made them a deal breaker after NIU AND FSU last year,

Yes, lots of UCF fans probably woulda drove down for the game, spent no nights in hotels at all, and the main purpose of those bowl games is to separate out-of-towners from their money via hotel stays, restaurant and bar tabs, gambling, etc.

An idea for UCF (and any other fan base needing to sell bowl tickets, for that matter) to sell their ticket allotment while helping out a good cause: see how Syracuse blog Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician is organizing fans that can't go to the Texas Bowl to buy tickets from the school's allotment and send children from the local YMCA and children's hospital instead (plus the kids get food, drinks and a Syracuse T-shirt):

http://www.nunesmagician.com/2013/12/16/...me-tickets

http://www.nunesmagician.com/2013/12/17/...ion-tniaam

They originally were targeting to get enough donations to buy up 200 tickets for kids by Friday when they first posted this yesterday, but they blew past that goal in less than 24 hours and are now targeting to send over 1000 kids. It's great cause and actually helps out the school's ticket allotment, to boot.

Ucf gets the bcs bowl bid and the most prominent thread is about ticket sales

The butthurt felt by the old guard big east is intense

(12-17-2013 10:01 AM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  An idea for UCF (and any other fan base needing to sell bowl tickets, for that matter) to sell their ticket allotment while helping out a good cause: see how Syracuse blog Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician is organizing fans that can't go to the Texas Bowl to buy tickets from the school's allotment and send children from the local YMCA and children's hospital instead (plus the kids get food, drinks and a Syracuse T-shirt):

http://www.nunesmagician.com/2013/12/16/...me-tickets

http://www.nunesmagician.com/2013/12/17/...ion-tniaam

They originally were targeting to get enough donations to buy up 200 tickets for kids by Friday when they first posted this yesterday, but they blew past that goal in less than 24 hours and are now targeting ,to send over 1000 kids. It's great cause and actually helps out the school's ticket allotment, to boot.

Frank, UCF is already working with Luke AFB to donate tickets to active duty Air Force personnel, to the Fiesta Bowl from UCF fans that have bought tickets to support the school, but cant attend. Last number I heard was up to 500 tickets have been donated.

Tough situation for UCF or any school for that matter to be in. I read somewhere that Baylor was only up to 9000 tickets and they're just a hop, skip and jump away from traveling to that game. But the bottom line is that it's a BCS game against a major opponent. It's a chance for a G5 school and its fans to make a statement. I'm sure most of us could come up with several outside the box ideas to increase attendance for the game, but at the end of the day, the administration, students and fans of UCF have to realize the opportunity they have (which I'm sure they do) and do whatever it takes to get to that bowl. The opportunity may come round again, but we all know how that's going to work.

Good luck to the Knights.

(12-17-2013 12:24 PM)ECUPirated Wrote:  Tough situation for UCF or any school for that matter to be in. I read somewhere that Baylor was only up to 9000 tickets and they're just a hop, skip and jump away from traveling to that game. But the bottom line is that it's a BCS game against a major opponent. It's a chance for a G5 school and its fans to make a statement. I'm sure most of us could come up with several outside the box ideas to increase attendance for the game, but at the end of the day, the administration, students and fans of UCF have to realize the opportunity they have (which I'm sure they do) and do whatever it takes to get to that bowl. The opportunity may come round again, but we all know how that's going to work.

Good luck to the Knights.

TCU having played two bowls in the Phoenix area, Fiesta & Buffalo Wild Wings, it is an expensive area to visit with a last minute notice travel plans.

Even with that said, it might be your only big bowl like this ever, so one should make every effort to go. TCU took approx. 25k to our first BCS bowl. Even ordered extra tickets outside our allotment b/c of the demand. Still, tons of folks buy off the secondary market as the school allotment tickets are the not always the best.

(12-16-2013 06:49 PM)chrisiskingx Wrote:  I worked the NIU-FSU game...Whoever said more than 15,000 went is a troll.

That stadium had less than 46,000 people in attendance (albeit the ticket sales). Even the Execs were talking about how it was the poorest showing...EVER.

The sad thing was NIU brought less than 5,000 for sure. I'm assuming it was sort of what UCF is going through right now

I was there. For those doubters watch a replay of the game. Also
Not sure where the 46k number comes from. But I would estimate of those there NIU fans made up 35%

(12-17-2013 12:24 PM)ECUPirated Wrote:  Tough situation for UCF or any school for that matter to be in. I read somewhere that Baylor was only up to 9000 tickets and they're just a hop, skip and jump away from traveling to that game.

Yes, if you are Superman and can hop and skip and jump 1,100 miles.

Why are schools like UCF in trouble over these games?

http://www.azcentral.com/news/bcs/bcs-index.php

(12-17-2013 01:35 PM)BobL Wrote:  

(12-16-2013 06:49 PM)chrisiskingx Wrote:  I worked the NIU-FSU game...Whoever said more than 15,000 went is a troll.

That stadium had less than 46,000 people in attendance (albeit the ticket sales). Even the Execs were talking about how it was the poorest showing...EVER.

The sad thing was NIU brought less than 5,000 for sure. I'm assuming it was sort of what UCF is going through right now

I was there. For those doubters watch a replay of the game. Also
Not sure where the 46k number comes from. But I would estimate of those there NIU fans made up 35%

I attend every single Miami football home game at Sun Life Stadium. If people think that crowd is 46k then Michigan must average 60k. There were easily 60k - 65k there...

(12-17-2013 12:04 PM)shere khan Wrote:  Ucf gets the bcs bowl bid and the most prominent thread is about ticket sales

The butthurt felt by the old guard big east is intense

Look at who started the thread there Tigger. You can take your whiny attempt to divide schools along old conference lines out of here.

(12-17-2013 02:48 PM)Ole Blue Wrote:  

(12-17-2013 01:35 PM)BobL Wrote:  

(12-16-2013 06:49 PM)chrisiskingx Wrote:  I worked the NIU-FSU game...Whoever said more than 15,000 went is a troll.

That stadium had less than 46,000 people in attendance (albeit the ticket sales). Even the Execs were talking about how it was the poorest showing...EVER.

The sad thing was NIU brought less than 5,000 for sure. I'm assuming it was sort of what UCF is going through right now

I was there. For those doubters watch a replay of the game. Also
Not sure where the 46k number comes from. But I would estimate of those there NIU fans made up 35%

I attend every single Miami football home game at Sun Life Stadium. If people think that crowd is 46k then Michigan must average 60k. There were easily 60k - 65k there...

I agree, this photo is the best I could find showing NIU side.

(12-17-2013 02:36 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(12-17-2013 12:24 PM)ECUPirated Wrote:  Tough situation for UCF or any school for that matter to be in. I read somewhere that Baylor was only up to 9000 tickets and they're just a hop, skip and jump away from traveling to that game.

Yes, if you are Superman and can hop and skip and jump 1,100 miles.

C'mon QV, you're smart enough to get the just of what I was saying.

Yes, Waco is 1100 miles from Glendale, but Orlando is double that.

You gotta consider as well, that Baylor has NEVER been to a BCS game since the modern BCS started, so this a first for them just like it is for UCF.

I drove 950 miles to see the Pirates play in the friggin New Orleans Bowl against a Sunbelt team and the best Baylor can manage so far is 9000 for a BCS game that's a straight shot west over I-20/I-10.

That's a tough trip for UCF fans, but this is a golden opportunity for the Knights and they need to take advantage of it.

(12-17-2013 03:42 PM)ECUPirated Wrote:  

(12-17-2013 02:36 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  Yes, if you are Superman and can hop and skip and jump 1,100 miles.

C'mon QV, you're smart enough to get the just of what I was saying.

Yes, Waco is 1100 miles from Glendale, but Orlando is double that.

Anythign over 12 hours is generally flying distance for most people. 1,000 miles for sure. So once you have to get on a plane, the distance itself is mostly negligible. At that point it becomes about access. I would bet it takes more time to fly from Waco to Phoenix than Orlando to Phoenix by the sheer fact that Orlando (and Miami and Tampa) have such large airports you can get a direct flight to nearly anywhere in the country. Waco? Not so much. I am sure they may be direct flights, but by and large you are laying over in Dallas.

I was curious to look it up, and as of today on Priceline, it costs $875 to fly from Waco to Phoenix, 50% more than the $576 to fly from Orlando to Phoenix (both were flying out on 12/28 and coming back on 1/2 - I did only a quick search for both and did not play with it to find better seats from alternate airports, days, etc).

The only difference is you "could" drive from Waco to Phoenix. I get that. But it is further than I would drive, and I certainly would not drive that far through the desert (seen too many movies) but it is at least possible whereas UCF is not. But for most people going, they have to fly. Especially if they have to work during the week after the game.

Most and all of the Baylor Alumns/Fans dont live in Waco.. they are either in Houston, Dallas or Austin... it doesnt cost them $875 to fly from there to Phoenix. I would say its abt the same cost as flying from Orlando.

(12-17-2013 04:58 PM)adcorbett Wrote:  

(12-17-2013 03:42 PM)ECUPirated Wrote:  

(12-17-2013 02:36 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  Yes, if you are Superman and can hop and skip and jump 1,100 miles.

C'mon QV, you're smart enough to get the just of what I was saying.

Yes, Waco is 1100 miles from Glendale, but Orlando is double that.

Anythign over 12 hours is generally flying distance for most people. 1,000 miles for sure. So once you have to get on a plane, the distance itself is mostly negligible. At that point it becomes about access. I would bet it takes more time to fly from Waco to Phoenix than Orlando to Phoenix by the sheer fact that Orlando (and Miami and Tampa) have such large airports you can get a direct flight to nearly anywhere in the country. Waco? Not so much. I am sure they may be direct flights, but by and large you are laying over in Dallas.

I was curious to look it up, and as of today on Priceline, it costs $875 to fly from Waco to Phoenix, 50% more than the $576 to fly from Orlando to Phoenix (both were flying out on 12/28 and coming back on 1/2 - I did only a quick search for both and did not play with it to find better seats from alternate airports, days, etc).

The only difference is you "could" drive from Waco to Phoenix. I get that. But it is further than I would drive, and I certainly would not drive that far through the desert (seen too many movies) but it is at least possible whereas UCF is not. But for most people going, they have to fly. Especially if they have to work during the week after the game.