The unofficial online home for fans of the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(09-10-2018 09:08 AM)ODU_NYG Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 08:02 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  Moving was not a mistake. But it will be if we don't step up with the money to get better facilities. We are being left behind by other G5 programs.

Facility musts:
New complete 30k stadium - Phase 1 gets us to 21k-22k but we need the north endzone badly. The admins are seeing what a terrible student section is doing to the atmosphere.
Indoor practice facility - BW may like to practice in the rain but players dont and whether we NEED it or not. We must have one to compete in recruiting.

Are they seeing this and actually caring about it? I get the impression that the students are the last group of fans they care about.

In Harry's last article, he said the following;

"ODU plans some upgrades to help students. They’ll get a dedicated entrance that will allow them to enter the game without the usual traffic jam of people trying to enter Ballard Stadium. Selig said the school is also thinking about dedicating a designated tailgate area for students.

A new scoreboard, upgraded concessions for students, a state-of-the-art sound system, and perhaps most importantly, improved WIFI, should make football more attractive for students."

http://www.odusports.com/ViewArticle.dbm...=211771195

Hopefully they can see the new scoreboard.

(09-10-2018 09:46 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 09:08 AM)ODU_NYG Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 08:02 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  Moving was not a mistake. But it will be if we don't step up with the money to get better facilities. We are being left behind by other G5 programs.

Facility musts:
New complete 30k stadium - Phase 1 gets us to 21k-22k but we need the north endzone badly. The admins are seeing what a terrible student section is doing to the atmosphere.
Indoor practice facility - BW may like to practice in the rain but players dont and whether we NEED it or not. We must have one to compete in recruiting.

Are they seeing this and actually caring about it? I get the impression that the students are the last group of fans they care about.

In Harry's last article, he said the following;

"ODU plans some upgrades to help students. They’ll get a dedicated entrance that will allow them to enter the game without the usual traffic jam of people trying to enter Ballard Stadium. Selig said the school is also thinking about dedicating a designated tailgate area for students.

A new scoreboard, upgraded concessions for students, a state-of-the-art sound system, and perhaps most importantly, improved WIFI, should make football more attractive for students."

http://www.odusports.com/ViewArticle.dbm...=211771195

Hopefully they can see the new scoreboard.
[/quote]

The problem is that they still have the crappiest seats in the stadium. But on the flip side you cant really expect people to pay for those seats so you have to put the students there. Its a catch 22 and ODU needs to fix it. This is non-negotiable. Time to pay up and that endzone done within 2 years.

(09-10-2018 09:46 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 09:08 AM)ODU_NYG Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 08:02 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  Moving was not a mistake. But it will be if we don't step up with the money to get better facilities. We are being left behind by other G5 programs.

Facility musts:
New complete 30k stadium - Phase 1 gets us to 21k-22k but we need the north endzone badly. The admins are seeing what a terrible student section is doing to the atmosphere.
Indoor practice facility - BW may like to practice in the rain but players dont and whether we NEED it or not. We must have one to compete in recruiting.

Are they seeing this and actually caring about it? I get the impression that the students are the last group of fans they care about.

In Harry's last article, he said the following;

"ODU plans some upgrades to help students. They’ll get a dedicated entrance that will allow them to enter the game without the usual traffic jam of people trying to enter Ballard Stadium. Selig said the school is also thinking about dedicating a designated tailgate area for students.

A new scoreboard, upgraded concessions for students, a state-of-the-art sound system, and perhaps most importantly, improved WIFI, should make football more attractive for students."

http://www.odusports.com/ViewArticle.dbm...=211771195

Hopefully they can see the new scoreboard.

If the students will only attend if they can stare at their phone for 3 hours, I'd just as soon cut off the wifi completely and give their tickets to anyone in the general public that shows up to watch the game.

(09-10-2018 09:55 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 09:46 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 09:08 AM)ODU_NYG Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 08:02 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  Moving was not a mistake. But it will be if we don't step up with the money to get better facilities. We are being left behind by other G5 programs.

Facility musts:
New complete 30k stadium - Phase 1 gets us to 21k-22k but we need the north endzone badly. The admins are seeing what a terrible student section is doing to the atmosphere.
Indoor practice facility - BW may like to practice in the rain but players dont and whether we NEED it or not. We must have one to compete in recruiting.

Are they seeing this and actually caring about it? I get the impression that the students are the last group of fans they care about.

In Harry's last article, he said the following;

"ODU plans some upgrades to help students. They’ll get a dedicated entrance that will allow them to enter the game without the usual traffic jam of people trying to enter Ballard Stadium. Selig said the school is also thinking about dedicating a designated tailgate area for students.

A new scoreboard, upgraded concessions for students, a state-of-the-art sound system, and perhaps most importantly, improved WIFI, should make football more attractive for students."

http://www.odusports.com/ViewArticle.dbm...=211771195

Hopefully they can see the new scoreboard.

If the students will only attend if they can stare at their phone for 3 hours, I'd just as soon cut off the wifi completely and give their tickets to anyone in the general public that shows up to watch the game.

I disagree. If ODu students are at the game and posting on social media about how much fun they are having (despite the score) then thats a good thing. I'll get more people to show up. You have to try and think like a college student who has grown up with social media, the internet and powerful mobile phones.

(09-10-2018 11:06 AM)ODU_NYG Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 09:55 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 09:46 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 09:08 AM)ODU_NYG Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 08:02 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  Moving was not a mistake. But it will be if we don't step up with the money to get better facilities. We are being left behind by other G5 programs.

Facility musts:
New complete 30k stadium - Phase 1 gets us to 21k-22k but we need the north endzone badly. The admins are seeing what a terrible student section is doing to the atmosphere.
Indoor practice facility - BW may like to practice in the rain but players dont and whether we NEED it or not. We must have one to compete in recruiting.

Are they seeing this and actually caring about it? I get the impression that the students are the last group of fans they care about.

In Harry's last article, he said the following;

"ODU plans some upgrades to help students. They’ll get a dedicated entrance that will allow them to enter the game without the usual traffic jam of people trying to enter Ballard Stadium. Selig said the school is also thinking about dedicating a designated tailgate area for students.

A new scoreboard, upgraded concessions for students, a state-of-the-art sound system, and perhaps most importantly, improved WIFI, should make football more attractive for students."

http://www.odusports.com/ViewArticle.dbm...=211771195

Hopefully they can see the new scoreboard.

If the students will only attend if they can stare at their phone for 3 hours, I'd just as soon cut off the wifi completely and give their tickets to anyone in the general public that shows up to watch the game.

I disagree. If ODu students are at the game and posting on social media about how much fun they are having (despite the score) then thats a good thing. I'll get more people to show up. You have to try and think like a college student who has grown up with social media, the internet and powerful mobile phones.

That's fine but my question is, what is making them stay and do they even want to cheer on their team? Do they just not give a s***?

They will regret not going to more games when its all over.

I think students should get the first 4 rows around the stadium (minus behind the visitors) and make them the focus.

(09-10-2018 11:35 AM)bit_9 Wrote:  I think students should get the first 4 rows around the stadium (minus behind the visitors) and make them the focus.

Sounds like a decent idea. I do wonder if the first row will be higher after the renovation. Currently, its hard to watch the game in the first few rows as they're too low to see over the team on the sideline.

(09-10-2018 04:24 AM)mac Wrote:  

(09-09-2018 04:23 PM)TheDancinMonarch Wrote:  

(09-09-2018 04:06 PM)LetsGoODU Wrote:  Huge mistake. 10 years too early with the wrong coach.

Bingo! It’s pretty obvious to folks looking at this a bit removed from ODU football. The ten die hard football fans who post here just can’t see it though. ODU just doesn’t have the money to be an FBS team currently and it doesn’t look good for the next number of years either.

I think ODU would do well in a G5 conference that includes JMU, App State, Ga South, Marshall, Charlotte, Delaware? etc.

My definition of do well is a happy fan base (you guys were) and exposure for the school(s). The die hards could go to away games and home games would be full with occasional sell outs...everybody gets a VT or UVa type game at home each year and can compete. The conference has a team(s) flirting with a top 25 ranking with an occasional beat down of a top half p5.

Stadium needs, decent amenities and seats 25,000 to 32,000 is the norm with one or two that grow to 40,000 over time.

(09-10-2018 11:40 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 11:35 AM)bit_9 Wrote:  I think students should get the first 4 rows around the stadium (minus behind the visitors) and make them the focus.

Sounds like a decent idea. I do wonder if the first row will be higher after the renovation. Currently, its hard to watch the game in the first few rows as they're too low to see over the team on the sideline.

I know "sight-lines" were a metric for new stadium so would hope so.

(09-10-2018 09:08 AM)ODU_NYG Wrote:  Are they seeing this and actually caring about it? I get the impression that the students are the last group of fans they care about.

Agree. 100% focus on donors has us out of balance for college sports.

(09-10-2018 11:35 AM)bit_9 Wrote:  I think students should get the first 4 rows around the stadium (minus behind the visitors) and make them the focus.

Totally agree with this. And other ODAF donors should want it too. We need an atmosphere and grey hairs are just not going to bring it.

Students might care about separate entrances and Wi-Fi access, but they really want to be in a crowded building that is booming and is negatively impacting opponents. And they want more up-to-date hip hop music too. Every college football has that. Even Liberty has that one figured out too.

(09-10-2018 11:40 AM)Purplehazed Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 04:24 AM)mac Wrote:  

(09-09-2018 04:23 PM)TheDancinMonarch Wrote:  

(09-09-2018 04:06 PM)LetsGoODU Wrote:  Huge mistake. 10 years too early with the wrong coach.

Bingo! It’s pretty obvious to folks looking at this a bit removed from ODU football. The ten die hard football fans who post here just can’t see it though. ODU just doesn’t have the money to be an FBS team currently and it doesn’t look good for the next number of years either.

I think ODU would do well in a G5 conference that includes JMU, App State, Ga South, Marshall, Charlotte, Delaware? etc.

My definition of do well is a happy fan base (you guys were) and exposure for the school(s). The die hards could go to away games and home games would be full with occasional sell outs...everybody gets a VT or UVa type game at home each year and can compete. The conference has a team(s) flirting with a top 25 ranking with an occasional beat down of a top half p5.

Stadium needs, decent amenities and seats 25,000 to 32,000 is the norm with one or two that grow to 40,000 over time.

What is JMUs obsession with bringing Delaware along?

(09-10-2018 11:35 AM)bit_9 Wrote:  I think students should get the first 4 rows around the stadium (minus behind the visitors) and make them the focus.

Conflicted here. If the fans are actually engaged (usually important games), you may be spreading them too thin to create too much noise/excitement. (plus I would guess students like sitting around each other) The other issue in the non important games/early games/2nd half of boring games, those first 4 rows will be empty.

The other issue is I can handle sitting by the students (I did the first 2-3 years). I would not my young kids to sit near the students, they are wild (expectedly so as I was the same way).

In terms of better viewing, the end zone seats are far better viewing that the first few rows up on either side. I use to love sitting in the end zone and watching Heinicke work his magic.

(09-10-2018 12:18 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 11:35 AM)bit_9 Wrote:  I think students should get the first 4 rows around the stadium (minus behind the visitors) and make them the focus.

Conflicted here. If the fans are actually engaged (usually important games), you may be spreading them too thin to create too much noise/excitement. (plus I would guess students like sitting around each other) The other issue in the non important games/early games/2nd half of boring games, those first 4 rows will be empty.

The other issue is I can handle sitting by the students (I did the first 2-3 years). I would not my young kids to sit near the students, they are wild (expectedly so as I was the same way).

In terms of better viewing, the end zone seats are far better viewing that the first few rows up on either side. I use to love sitting in the end zone and watching Heinicke work his magic.

First, are we looking at the same student section? I dont think so.

Second. "In terms of better viewing, the end zone seats are far better viewing that the first few rows up on either side. I use to love sitting in the end zone and watching Heinicke work his magic." This will change next year. Sidelines will be 10 ft closer and 10 ft up to look over the teams on the sidelines.

The only thing I hated about sitting in the endzone as a student was the inability to see the scoreboard for replays. The seats are uncomfortable but I stand the whole game anyways.

(09-10-2018 12:18 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 11:35 AM)bit_9 Wrote:  I think students should get the first 4 rows around the stadium (minus behind the visitors) and make them the focus.

Conflicted here. If the fans are actually engaged (usually important games), you may be spreading them too thin to create too much noise/excitement. (plus I would guess students like sitting around each other) The other issue in the non important games/early games/2nd half of boring games, those first 4 rows will be empty.

The other issue is I can handle sitting by the students (I did the first 2-3 years). I would not my young kids to sit near the students, they are wild (expectedly so as I was the same way).

In terms of better viewing, the end zone seats are far better viewing that the first few rows up on either side. I use to love sitting in the end zone and watching Heinicke work his magic.

Those are good points. Maybe that does spread the issue around. The issues is just engaging the students and making sure they know it's important to the university that they're their. That might all get better once it's all connected.

At UNC they had the students in the end zone if I recall (some barked at us and got kicked out) but not sure if it's an issue for them also.

(09-10-2018 12:44 PM)bit_9 Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 12:18 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(09-10-2018 11:35 AM)bit_9 Wrote:  I think students should get the first 4 rows around the stadium (minus behind the visitors) and make them the focus.

Conflicted here. If the fans are actually engaged (usually important games), you may be spreading them too thin to create too much noise/excitement. (plus I would guess students like sitting around each other) The other issue in the non important games/early games/2nd half of boring games, those first 4 rows will be empty.

The other issue is I can handle sitting by the students (I did the first 2-3 years). I would not my young kids to sit near the students, they are wild (expectedly so as I was the same way).

In terms of better viewing, the end zone seats are far better viewing that the first few rows up on either side. I use to love sitting in the end zone and watching Heinicke work his magic.

Those are good points. Maybe that does spread the issue around. The issues is just engaging the students and making sure they know it's important to the university that they're their. That might all get better once it's all connected.

At UNC they had the students in the end zone if I recall (some barked at us and got kicked out) but not sure if it's an issue for them also.

Alabama has had trouble filling their student section during one of the most dominant runs ever. This article is a few years old but covers a lot of the issues.
https://www.athleticbusiness.com/college...dance.html

You also need to recruit students that want to be engaged and have pride in their university. Thats why I think requiring an essay with a freshman application is a great idea. If nothing else, it makes a person think about why they want to come to Old Dominion and what they want to get out of their experience. I realize that we likely aren't most student's first choice, but once they're on campus its in their own interest to take pride in the school, get involved and enjoy the ride as much as possible. When I think of my time on campus, I realize just how many new and exciting experiences were available to me. As an 18 yo kid it was incredible. Between the newspaper office, student activities, basketball games, the block on Hampton Blvd, WODU, clubs, intramural sports etc I was always doing something cool outside of class and homework. I talk to some others and its like we didnt even go to the same school. They literally went to class and went home. These kids need to realize they are in the midst of one of the best times of their life and take advantage of these opportunities.

The endzone may have the "crappiest" seats in the stadium but VT has the exact same thing, just bigger, and they're always packed even during the "down" years at the end of Beamer's time. Students don't care if they have chairbacks or not, most schools have the majority of the seats as bleachers anyways. The only gripe about the student section is the inability to see the scoreboard IMO

(09-10-2018 02:40 PM)MonGNARch Wrote:  The endzone may have the "crappiest" seats in the stadium but VT has the exact same thing, just bigger, and they're always packed even during the "down" years at the end of Beamer's time. Students don't care if they have chairbacks or not, most schools have the majority of the seats as bleachers anyways. The only gripe about the student section is the inability to see the scoreboard IMO

I disagree, our endzone is a small crappy one in a small stadium. VTs is a large crappy one in big stadium with games that matter.

there is a huge difference between the ODU student section and the VT student section. Obviously VT is one of the better programs in the country and in the ACC. They have a long history and have won a lot of big games. The students want to be a part of those games and take pride in their school and yes probably dont care as long as they get tickets to the games.

ODU on the other hand has not really had any big wins, nor a great atmosphere, pride among students is lacking, and there fore need other reasons to come to a game. It is sad because I think most of us have some pride on this board but I think thats because of the success we had with basketball and it automatically translates over to football for us. For the current student they have not really had any success and so they just dont care as much. Winning will cure everything but its going to take a lot of money and resources plus some luck to start winning games.

Money must be put into the north endzone as soon as possible. If we can spend $20 million on the north endzone and get 5k more and get attendance up to 27,000 we might actually start moving in the right direction and advancing the program.

Absolutely not. It was the right thing to do. Have to see the big picture and not just the here and now. The only regret is that we didn't do it in the mid-80's when bringing football back was first attempted. We would be so much further along. Look - we're having a bad year. Everyone has bad years. Alabama had bad years. Look at FSU - seriously - look at FSU with all of their resources and advantages. There are schools that have resources we can't imagine that are consistently bad. We've had a great start and before we knew it - we're transitioning up to FBS. Our program has basically been in a constant state of transition. We're in a rough patch - NO DOUBT. But we'll get through it. How we as fans respond is just as telling about our program as how the administrators and coaches respond. Are we just gonna pout and bail and not show up or are we gonna show up and push through this rough patch. We will right the ship. We will get better. Our stadium will improve. Our recruiting will improve. Our play on the field will improve. We're not dead. RELAX - enjoy the fact that we can tailgate on OUR campus and watch OUR football team. It's way better than wearing gear and rooting for a school you didn't attend. POSERS are everywhere. We are Monarchs! Enjoy it.