(02-22-2016 08:13 PM)dekalb222 Wrote:  Maybe NIU should also play a game at Toyota Park. Are there more Alums closer to Toyota Park than the cell?

Probably not.

(02-22-2016 05:40 PM)uiniu57 Wrote:  You fail to acknowledge you exaggerated the kickoff time.
You fail to acknowledge NIU generated great attendance just over a decade ago without giving away tickets like you claimed.
You fail to explain how moving this game is going to motivate alums to come to more games let alone purchase season tickets because they'd still have to take a day off and fight all that rush hour traffic to get to decrepit DeKalb.
You have no background or sense of history to realize the city fought to land the university which technically means it was on the map before NIU began, not to mention it's fair to say there was a long period when DeKalb Ag was far better known than NISTC.
You contradict yourself by moaning about decreased attendance yet claim revenues are up. If there's no correlation between attendance and revenue then why care how many locals attend.
As the single highest employer, it's amazing that you disparage the faculty and staff, most of whom you label as peasant townies.
Where are your sources to back up your claims when it comes to breaking down attendance by convenient categories: "townie" versus townie with degree, Genoa resident, Genoa resident with degree, alum from Ogle County, suburban resident with degree who couldn't wait to leave, etc. to even know if townies are not in the stands?
Perhaps someday when you grow up and have a family, you'll realize your life doesn't revolve around what you perceive to be apathy; you might have to split your free time between maintaining a home, raising kids, attending local high school football, fighting traffic and taking the wife to the big city for entertainment, and still pay all your bills without being labeled a peasant, rube, or traitor.
Here's the bottom line for you and Rabid Squirrel -- who pointed to every aspect of a sales presentation (scheduling, the yard, HS improvements) being improved even though the 2015 and previous seasons did not yet reflect "improved scheduling," didn't include the Yard or debatable HS improvements in existence long enough to affect attendance -- the city and the university will succeed far better if each tries to help the other without worrying about what it gets back. Neither one's future is going to exclude the other.

blah blah blah

(02-22-2016 08:13 PM)dekalb222 Wrote:  Maybe NIU should also play a game at Toyota Park. Are there more Alums closer to Toyota Park than the cell?

The irony there is that the Chicago Fire out drew NIU in attendance. Apple to oranges, but damn.

(02-22-2016 08:47 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(02-22-2016 08:13 PM)dekalb222 Wrote:  Maybe NIU should also play a game at Toyota Park. Are there more Alums closer to Toyota Park than the cell?

The irony there is that the Chicago Fire out drew NIU in attendance. Apple to oranges, but damn.

Shocking considering that rabid local Dekalb/Sycamore fanbase....sigh

(02-22-2016 08:50 PM)DogPoundNorth Wrote:  

(02-22-2016 08:47 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(02-22-2016 08:13 PM)dekalb222 Wrote:  Maybe NIU should also play a game at Toyota Park. Are there more Alums closer to Toyota Park than the cell?

The irony there is that the Chicago Fire out drew NIU in attendance. Apple to oranges, but damn.

Shocking considering that rabid local Dekalb/Sycamore fanbase....sigh

How about a game in Rockford? We played a lot of basketball games there in the 80s. The beer was cheap.

(02-22-2016 08:50 PM)DogPoundNorth Wrote:  

(02-22-2016 08:47 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(02-22-2016 08:13 PM)dekalb222 Wrote:  Maybe NIU should also play a game at Toyota Park. Are there more Alums closer to Toyota Park than the cell?

The irony there is that the Chicago Fire out drew NIU in attendance. Apple to oranges, but damn.

Shocking considering that rabid local Dekalb/Sycamore fanbase....sigh

Yeah the local support for NIU is ungodly depressing to me too

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(02-20-2016 01:36 PM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  There seems to be a lot of hand wringing about this, which I don't really get. I don't think NIU will lose money on this. It makes NIU football an event, something NIU football on it's own (despite being a worthy product) struggles to do.

I don't see any reason to get very upset about this. It's a one shot deal, it might move the needle a bit, but at least it's an effort. I don't think it'll do too much positive or negative, so I'm not seeing any reason to get too upset about it.

(02-22-2016 05:12 PM)huskie1stdown Wrote:  As long as it is only 1 game. This better not be like Soldier Field were we do it every 4 years.

Love the SF games, this one not so much.

All college fanbases start in their home base. Show me one college team that has a weak homebase, but a strong national following. Hell, show me any sports team with a weak homebase following and a strong national following. It all starts and ends with students and locals.

FWIW-- I was already contacted by multiple college buddies about going to this game. They live in the suburbs, and I've tried multiple times to try to get them to a game when I go up. They've said no many times. Will probably be the first game for about 10-15 alums in the group since graduating

(02-23-2016 09:34 AM)HuskieRak Wrote:  FWIW-- I was already contacted by multiple college buddies about going to this game. They live in the suburbs, and I've tried multiple times to try to get them to a game when I go up. They've said no many times. Will probably be the first game for about 10-15 alums in the group since graduating

Same thing for me! This will be the first non homecoming game my alumni friends attended and really wanted to go to since college. PS normally they get together in city to watch games, especially the Maction ones, this time they can actually go.

(02-23-2016 12:29 AM)huskiealum03 Wrote:  All college fanbases start in their home base. Show me one college team that has a weak homebase, but a strong national following. Hell, show me any sports team with a weak homebase following and a strong national following. It all starts and ends with students and locals.

It's true.

When it's Game Day in the cities of strong programs you know there's a game that day as soon you get close to the area.

Driving through DeKalb/Sycamore area it looks like just another Saturday. Really don't see any clue there's a game that day until I get to Annie Glidden Road.

This is off topic from US Cell game, but you brought up a weak home base...Let's just put this to rest, the only reason people do not go to the home games (locals included) is because our stadium is a glorified high school stadium that does not provide enough of a true fan experience, this has been said before on this thread many times. When people pay money to go to a sporting event they usually make a day/night of it. Entry to the game is only part of the experience, HS needs to drastically upgrade itself to give fans a reason to get excited about going to the games, not just to tailgate and go home...I'm looking at you students/frats! I understand most of the money comes from premium seating (a huge success so far), but in order to attract the masses the average fan/student experience needs to be catered to. Us diehards will show up for just the product on the field but majority of people are going to need an extra push.

So go ahead and call our local fan base weak but just remember that the reason that it's weak is not based on whether they are loyal fans or not, because they are, it is based on whether they are willing to spend the time and money on something that they place high on their priority list. It is NIU/Frazier's job to create something for every fan to value.

Frazier has done a great job so far (alcohol sales, the Yard, EZ Club..etc.) but until that stadium is upgraded properly we can expect low average attendance and little local excitement moving forward. People want NEW things, not lipstick on a pig. I understand the master plan has been released and there are budgets...yada yada, but IMO upgrading the stadium is the ONLY way to build the brand/excitement locally and nationally.

It's not our fan base that is weak, it is our HOME BASE that is weak.

huskiealum03 Wrote:
All college fanbases start in their home base.

BUILD THAT BASE!

(02-23-2016 12:40 PM)H-U-S-K-I-E-SgoHuskies Wrote:  This is off topic from US Cell game, but you brought up a weak home base...Let's just put this to rest, the only reason people do not go to the home games (locals included) is because our stadium is a glorified high school stadium that does not provide enough of a true fan experience, this has been said before on this thread many times. When people pay money to go to a sporting event they usually make a day/night of it. Entry to the game is only part of the experience, HS needs to drastically upgrade itself to give fans a reason to get excited about going to the games, not just to tailgate and go home...I'm looking at you students/frats! I understand most of the money comes from premium seating (a huge success so far), but in order to attract the masses the average fan/student experience needs to be catered to. Us diehards will show up for just the product on the field but majority of people are going to need an extra push.

So go ahead and call our local fan base weak but just remember that the reason that it's weak is not based on whether they are loyal fans or not, because they are, it is based on whether they are willing to spend the time and money on something that they place high on their priority list. It is NIU/Frazier's job to create something for every fan to value.

Frazier has done a great job so far (alcohol sales, the Yard, EZ Club..etc.) but until that stadium is upgraded properly we can expect low average attendance and little local excitement moving forward. People want NEW things, not lipstick on a pig. I understand the master plan has been released and there are budgets...yada yada, but IMO upgrading the stadium is the ONLY way to build the brand/excitement locally and nationally.

It's not our fan base that is weak, it is our HOME BASE that is weak.

huskiealum03 Wrote:
All college fanbases start in their home base.

BUILD THAT BASE!

+100

Wrigley field is the biggest dump in MLB. Cubs fans flock there. The Cell is relatively shiny and new in comparison and they have attendance issues. Chicago Stadium, Soldier field were old and dilapidated, but were packed when a quality product was in place.

A stadium upgrade is needed, but things like that just become relative. It may draw a few extra fans the first year it's in place, but your fan base is your fan base.

I just don't get the this notion that NIU needs to court the locals like they're Cindy Crawford. The games are a great time. Come if you want.

(02-23-2016 12:55 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  Wrigley field is the biggest dump in MLB. Cubs fans flock there. The Cell is relatively shiny and new in comparison and they have attendance issues. Chicago Stadium, Soldier field were old and dilapidated, but were packed when a quality product was in place.

A stadium upgrade is needed, but things like that just become relative. It may draw a few extra fans the first year it's in place, but your fan base is your fan base.

I just don't get the this notion that NIU needs to court the locals like they're Cindy Crawford. The games are a great time. Come if you want.

(02-23-2016 12:55 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  Wrigley field is the biggest dump in MLB. Cubs fans flock there. The Cell is relatively shiny and new in comparison and they have attendance issues. Chicago Stadium, Soldier field were old and dilapidated, but were packed when a quality product was in place.

A stadium upgrade is needed, but things like that just become relative. It may draw a few extra fans the first year it's in place, but your fan base is your fan base.

I just don't get the this notion that NIU needs to court the locals like they're Cindy Crawford. The games are a great time. Come if you want.

Come if you want? Really? We are talking about a business here, it's not just college football. That way of thinking is why we are having attendance issues. You sound like a failing business owner, "well me and my six friends like it, but if everyone else doesn't..who cares." Sad.

Most fans of any sports first and foremost request of their team is just WIN. The Huskies have done that. Yet you're saying I need cushy seats and more bathrooms to want to go?
You know what makes a game fun to attend?? Fans. Atmosphere. Not amenities. You sound like a girl who just got asked out on a date and replied, "what kind of car do you drive?"

(02-23-2016 09:34 AM)HuskieRak Wrote:  FWIW-- I was already contacted by multiple college buddies about going to this game. They live in the suburbs, and I've tried multiple times to try to get them to a game when I go up. They've said no many times. Will probably be the first game for about 10-15 alums in the group since graduating

Same here. I have more people committed already than I ever do for Homecoming.

(02-23-2016 12:55 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  Wrigley field is the biggest dump in MLB. Cubs fans flock there. The Cell is relatively shiny and new in comparison and they have attendance issues. Chicago Stadium, Soldier field were old and dilapidated, but were packed when a quality product was in place.

A stadium upgrade is needed, but things like that just become relative. It may draw a few extra fans the first year it's in place, but your fan base is your fan base.

Don't compare this to Wrigley. Cub fans flock to Wrigley because John McD did a great marketing job over the years to sell the "experience" as opposed to the product on the field. The beer, the sun, the bars, the pretty girls. Very little was focused on the quality of the team. In fact, everything was done to not focus on that.

A stadium upgrade is obviously needed. But, what is there needs to run better too. In "my concourse," during half time, you can't get to the bathrooms because the concession stand moves so slowly, that line blocks your ability to even get off the ramps. It isn't the end all be all, but I don't think it is too much to provide a setting where the casual fan can buy a hot dog and hit the bathoom during half time.

(02-23-2016 01:12 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  Most fans of any sports first and foremost request of their team is just WIN. The Huskies have done that. Yet you're saying I need cushy seats and more bathrooms to want to go?
You know what makes a game fun to attend?? Fans. Atmosphere. Not amenities. You sound like a girl who just got asked out on a date and replied, "what kind of car do you drive?"

You misread my first post. I said diehards like us, including myself, will show up at every game, but appealing to the masses is why we need the stadium upgrades. And the only way to get non-diehard fans to the game is by giving them added value. When you say atmosphere what are you talking about? The stadium upgrades would get more people in the door, FANS ,and the current lethargic atmosphere is the reason the stadium needs to be upgraded in the first place, the things around you make the ATMOSPHERE!