(02-27-2020 04:43 PM)HuskiePride12 Wrote:  

(02-27-2020 01:15 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(02-18-2020 10:42 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(02-18-2020 02:03 PM)Illini60940 Wrote:  

(02-18-2020 01:52 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  FYI. Average attendance, home games, post-BCS Orange Bowl:

2013: 20,669
2014: 13,563
2015: 13,942
2016: 10,879
2017; 11,291
2018: 10,404
2019: 8,518

Regardless of the teams' records, head coaches, weather, location, opponents, facilities, etc., the actual living breathing fans are not showing up at Huskie Stadium. It doesn't matter what STF does or doesn't do. There are too many factors beyond his or NIU's control. But STF is still obligated to try, and the BYU/SeatGeek game is another.

I don't like the idea of moving the one big game to Bridgeview, but I hope it works anyway. Those 160,000 Chicago alumni are not coming to DeKalb, and DeKalb/Sycamore does not have the population base to generate more attendance. It will not, I agree, increase attendance in DeKalb, but maybe the "engagement" is about getting some to contribute $.

This is a pipe dream, but fun to play with: if 160,000 alumni each contributed $100, that's $16 million. Too much? OK, at $10 apiece, that's $1.6 million.

It is actually $16M

The problem for NIU is the town of Dekalb, which needs to grow and show signs of life. Kids don't care about how a schools basketball team is doing, they want to be able to walk to Starbucks, Chipolte, BWW, microbrews and whatever else the current trend is.

When talking to the people at EIU, they tell me the same thing, but its difficult to get these companies to locate to these smaller town.

Yep. NIU and even moreso EIU/WIU are all in fatally flawed locations (SIU in Carbondale is fine because it has a regional identity in Little Egypt). Coles County (EIU) hasn’t been relevant since the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

These schools needed to be located in Naperville (NIU), Quad Cities (WIU), and Danville/Effingham/Kankakee (EIU).

The Western suburbs will continue to expand, even if slowly, so NIU not situated too badly, although yes, being in St.Charles or the like would be strategically better right now. Agree that EIU/WIU in worse/odd locations. Seems like EIU is almost unnecessary given the proximity of the other major state schools like ISU and Illness.

I wonder if the state has a chopping block concept in place for the future and what schools might go first in the current version of that schematic? EIU and a few smaller colleges if Illinois went lean and mean?

I think a school like Chicago State should have been shut down already. I'm sorry, but small state funded schools like that should be gone and distribute the cash to the other schools even though it won't be a large amount.

The whole system needs to be reworked to fit todays needs. UICU, UIC and ISU need to be the core group of schools, for the most part let them keep doing what they are currently doing as its working.

And then redefine the directional schools, with each specializing in a certain set of programs.

(02-18-2020 01:52 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  FYI. Average attendance, home games, post-BCS Orange Bowl:

2013: 20,669
2014: 13,563
2015: 13,942
2016: 10,879
2017; 11,291
2018: 10,404
2019: 8,518

Regardless of the teams' records, head coaches, weather, location, opponents, facilities, etc., the actual living breathing fans are not showing up at Huskie Stadium. It doesn't matter what STF does or doesn't do. There are too many factors beyond his or NIU's control. But STF is still obligated to try, and the BYU/SeatGeek game is another.

I don't like the idea of moving the one big game to Bridgeview, but I hope it works anyway. Those 160,000 Chicago alumni are not coming to DeKalb, and DeKalb/Sycamore does not have the population base to generate more attendance. It will not, I agree, increase attendance in DeKalb, but maybe the "engagement" is about getting some to contribute $.

This is a pipe dream, but fun to play with: if 160,000 alumni each contributed $100, that's $16 million. Too much? OK, at $10 apiece, that's $1.6 million.

The question NIU needs to answer is: who were those 7,000 fans who left in 2014 from 2013? All the excuses don’t hold up for the 2013 season. They only had 3 Saturday games in 2013. Started 4 out of 5 on the road. Temps were in single digits for the Tuesday night game.

What would it take to get them to return?

(02-28-2020 08:58 AM)Illini60940 Wrote:  

(02-27-2020 04:43 PM)HuskiePride12 Wrote:  

(02-27-2020 01:15 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(02-18-2020 10:42 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(02-18-2020 02:03 PM)Illini60940 Wrote:  It is actually $16M

The problem for NIU is the town of Dekalb, which needs to grow and show signs of life. Kids don't care about how a schools basketball team is doing, they want to be able to walk to Starbucks, Chipolte, BWW, microbrews and whatever else the current trend is.

When talking to the people at EIU, they tell me the same thing, but its difficult to get these companies to locate to these smaller town.

Yep. NIU and even moreso EIU/WIU are all in fatally flawed locations (SIU in Carbondale is fine because it has a regional identity in Little Egypt). Coles County (EIU) hasn’t been relevant since the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

These schools needed to be located in Naperville (NIU), Quad Cities (WIU), and Danville/Effingham/Kankakee (EIU).

The Western suburbs will continue to expand, even if slowly, so NIU not situated too badly, although yes, being in St.Charles or the like would be strategically better right now. Agree that EIU/WIU in worse/odd locations. Seems like EIU is almost unnecessary given the proximity of the other major state schools like ISU and Illness.

I wonder if the state has a chopping block concept in place for the future and what schools might go first in the current version of that schematic? EIU and a few smaller colleges if Illinois went lean and mean?

I think a school like Chicago State should have been shut down already. I'm sorry, but small state funded schools like that should be gone and distribute the cash to the other schools even though it won't be a large amount.

The whole system needs to be reworked to fit todays needs. UICU, UIC and ISU need to be the core group of schools, for the most part let them keep doing what they are currently doing as its working.

And then redefine the directional schools, with each specializing in a certain set of programs.

You sure seem to advocate for ISU a lot... you gonna start telling me you're a guidance counselor too? Football coach?

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(02-28-2020 09:59 AM)Stay Cool Wrote:  

(02-28-2020 08:58 AM)Illini60940 Wrote:  

(02-27-2020 04:43 PM)HuskiePride12 Wrote:  

(02-27-2020 01:15 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(02-18-2020 10:42 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  Yep. NIU and even moreso EIU/WIU are all in fatally flawed locations (SIU in Carbondale is fine because it has a regional identity in Little Egypt). Coles County (EIU) hasn’t been relevant since the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

These schools needed to be located in Naperville (NIU), Quad Cities (WIU), and Danville/Effingham/Kankakee (EIU).

The Western suburbs will continue to expand, even if slowly, so NIU not situated too badly, although yes, being in St.Charles or the like would be strategically better right now. Agree that EIU/WIU in worse/odd locations. Seems like EIU is almost unnecessary given the proximity of the other major state schools like ISU and Illness.

I wonder if the state has a chopping block concept in place for the future and what schools might go first in the current version of that schematic? EIU and a few smaller colleges if Illinois went lean and mean?

I think a school like Chicago State should have been shut down already. I'm sorry, but small state funded schools like that should be gone and distribute the cash to the other schools even though it won't be a large amount.

The whole system needs to be reworked to fit todays needs. UICU, UIC and ISU need to be the core group of schools, for the most part let them keep doing what they are currently doing as its working.

And then redefine the directional schools, with each specializing in a certain set of programs.

You sure seem to advocate for ISU a lot... you gonna start telling me you're a guidance counselor too? Football coach?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Have not advocated for them at all, just makes sense for the state to play to the strengths, which are the 3 schools I mentioned. If the directional schools are going to survive, their schools are going to need to be reworked because the current methods are not working.

I am not a guidance , a retired school admin that's currently doing some contract work for the state

(02-28-2020 10:43 AM)Illini60940 Wrote:  

(02-28-2020 09:59 AM)Stay Cool Wrote:  

(02-28-2020 08:58 AM)Illini60940 Wrote:  

(02-27-2020 04:43 PM)HuskiePride12 Wrote:  

(02-27-2020 01:15 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  The Western suburbs will continue to expand, even if slowly, so NIU not situated too badly, although yes, being in St.Charles or the like would be strategically better right now. Agree that EIU/WIU in worse/odd locations. Seems like EIU is almost unnecessary given the proximity of the other major state schools like ISU and Illness.

I wonder if the state has a chopping block concept in place for the future and what schools might go first in the current version of that schematic? EIU and a few smaller colleges if Illinois went lean and mean?

I think a school like Chicago State should have been shut down already. I'm sorry, but small state funded schools like that should be gone and distribute the cash to the other schools even though it won't be a large amount.

The whole system needs to be reworked to fit todays needs. UICU, UIC and ISU need to be the core group of schools, for the most part let them keep doing what they are currently doing as its working.

And then redefine the directional schools, with each specializing in a certain set of programs.

You sure seem to advocate for ISU a lot... you gonna start telling me you're a guidance counselor too? Football coach?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Have not advocated for them at all, just makes sense for the state to play to the strengths, which are the 3 schools I mentioned. If the directional schools are going to survive, their schools are going to need to be reworked because the current methods are not working.

I am not a guidance , a retired school admin that's currently doing some contract work for the state

Your opinion isn't logical, almost as if your organizing your core-school strategy by nomenclature alone.

Why would you have two flagship schools in the center of the state near each other, both away from the population center? It would make more sense to lump ISU (despite their awe-inspiring name) in with EIU and WIU, let U of I own the down state region, UIC downtown, and NIU the populous western suburbs/Rockford/Aurora.

(02-28-2020 11:45 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(02-28-2020 10:43 AM)Illini60940 Wrote:  

(02-28-2020 09:59 AM)Stay Cool Wrote:  

(02-28-2020 08:58 AM)Illini60940 Wrote:  

(02-27-2020 04:43 PM)HuskiePride12 Wrote:  I think a school like Chicago State should have been shut down already. I'm sorry, but small state funded schools like that should be gone and distribute the cash to the other schools even though it won't be a large amount.

The whole system needs to be reworked to fit todays needs. UICU, UIC and ISU need to be the core group of schools, for the most part let them keep doing what they are currently doing as its working.

And then redefine the directional schools, with each specializing in a certain set of programs.

You sure seem to advocate for ISU a lot... you gonna start telling me you're a guidance counselor too? Football coach?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Have not advocated for them at all, just makes sense for the state to play to the strengths, which are the 3 schools I mentioned. If the directional schools are going to survive, their schools are going to need to be reworked because the current methods are not working.

I am not a guidance , a retired school admin that's currently doing some contract work for the state

Your opinion isn't logical, almost as if your organizing your core-school strategy by nomenclature alone.

Why would you have two flagship schools in the center of the state near each other, both away from the population center? It would make more sense to lump ISU (despite their awe-inspiring name) in with EIU and WIU, let U of I own the down state region, UIC downtown, and NIU the populous western suburbs/Rockford/Aurora.

I still don't see what Iowa State has to do with any of this...

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(02-28-2020 11:45 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(02-28-2020 10:43 AM)Illini60940 Wrote:  

(02-28-2020 09:59 AM)Stay Cool Wrote:  

(02-28-2020 08:58 AM)Illini60940 Wrote:  

(02-27-2020 04:43 PM)HuskiePride12 Wrote:  I think a school like Chicago State should have been shut down already. I'm sorry, but small state funded schools like that should be gone and distribute the cash to the other schools even though it won't be a large amount.

The whole system needs to be reworked to fit todays needs. UICU, UIC and ISU need to be the core group of schools, for the most part let them keep doing what they are currently doing as its working.

And then redefine the directional schools, with each specializing in a certain set of programs.

You sure seem to advocate for ISU a lot... you gonna start telling me you're a guidance counselor too? Football coach?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Have not advocated for them at all, just makes sense for the state to play to the strengths, which are the 3 schools I mentioned. If the directional schools are going to survive, their schools are going to need to be reworked because the current methods are not working.

I am not a guidance , a retired school admin that's currently doing some contract work for the state

Your opinion isn't logical, almost as if your organizing your core-school strategy by nomenclature alone.

Why would you have two flagship schools in the center of the state near each other, both away from the population center? It would make more sense to lump ISU (despite their awe-inspiring name) in with EIU and WIU, let U of I own the down state region, UIC downtown, and NIU the populous western suburbs/Rockford/Aurora.

The logical thing to do is to leave the top 3 schools alone and let them do their thing as its working for them and they are successful. The directional schools are not working, as we have seen with the huge enrollment declines. I guess if they want to remain status quo and be places students avoid, that's also a plan, but doesn't seem like a very good one.

You just can't make NIU the choice for western suburban kids, they have made it clear NIU is not their first choice within the current set up, so in my view its time to change the approach.

Finally tracked your IP. So long, TheNealT

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(02-28-2020 02:53 PM)Stay Cool Wrote:  Finally tracked your IP. So long, TheNealT

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

While I fully agree that guys a troll, it is true sadly. The whole niu vs uiuc debate has been beaten to death. EOD they get the lions share of state funding, massive campus, flagship etc. is what it is.

I have 3 siblings. One brother and I went to NIU, my sister is a better saleswoman and convinced the parents to do out of state at Iowa lol. Last brother went to ISU. The reality is Bloomington is a more robust town and the fact of the matter is they have embraced the university more. It’s a shame that DeKalb leadership still doesn’t get it. They’ve never fully bought into NIU.

What’s even crazier and a quick history (!) lesson. NIU actually was going to be and frankly, should have been based in Rockford. But In typical Illinois fashion, “deals” were made, they flooded the Kishwaukee River to make it look more scenic (true story) and the rest was history. While Rockford has its own problems, it is a much bigger, more robust city. The state would then have had a very nice north to south line of medium sized college towns - Rockford NIU, Bloom/Normal ISU, Champ/Urb U of I and Carbondale SIU. WIU and EIU still would be screwed but it’s just a better structure. Coulda shoulda woulda

(02-28-2020 04:39 PM)jjprender Wrote:  While I fully agree that guys a troll, it is true sadly. The whole niu vs uiuc debate has been beaten to death. EOD they get the lions share of state funding, massive campus, flagship etc. is what it is.

I have 3 siblings. One brother and I went to NIU, my sister is a better saleswoman and convinced the parents to do out of state at Iowa lol. Last brother went to ISU. The reality is Bloomington is a more robust town and the fact of the matter is they have embraced the university more. It’s a shame that DeKalb leadership still doesn’t get it. They’ve never fully bought into NIU.

What’s even crazier and a quick history (!) lesson. NIU actually was going to be and frankly, should have been based in Rockford. But In typical Illinois fashion, “deals” were made, they flooded the Kishwaukee River to make it look more scenic (true story) and the rest was history. While Rockford has its own problems, it is a much bigger, more robust city. The state would then have had a very nice north to south line of medium sized college towns - Rockford NIU, Bloom/Normal ISU, Champ/Urb U of I and Carbondale SIU. WIU and EIU still would be screwed but it’s just a better structure. Coulda shoulda woulda

...And someone caught a fish while they toured DeKalb as I heard the story.

Anyways, Rockford has the some (not all) of the same problems as current day DeKalb: too much housing outstripping demand being 1.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

(02-28-2020 06:24 PM)Teamduh Wrote:  

(02-28-2020 04:39 PM)jjprender Wrote:  While I fully agree that guys a troll, it is true sadly. The whole niu vs uiuc debate has been beaten to death. EOD they get the lions share of state funding, massive campus, flagship etc. is what it is.

I have 3 siblings. One brother and I went to NIU, my sister is a better saleswoman and convinced the parents to do out of state at Iowa lol. Last brother went to ISU. The reality is Bloomington is a more robust town and the fact of the matter is they have embraced the university more. It’s a shame that DeKalb leadership still doesn’t get it. They’ve never fully bought into NIU.

What’s even crazier and a quick history (!) lesson. NIU actually was going to be and frankly, should have been based in Rockford. But In typical Illinois fashion, “deals” were made, they flooded the Kishwaukee River to make it look more scenic (true story) and the rest was history. While Rockford has its own problems, it is a much bigger, more robust city. The state would then have had a very nice north to south line of medium sized college towns - Rockford NIU, Bloom/Normal ISU, Champ/Urb U of I and Carbondale SIU. WIU and EIU still would be screwed but it’s just a better structure. Coulda shoulda woulda

...And someone caught a fish while they toured DeKalb as I heard the story.

Anyways, Rockford has the some (not all) of the same problems as current day DeKalb: too much housing outstripping demand being 1.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I’ve been up to rockford. It’s no utopia lol. But think about the stabilizing force of a 25k strong university. Would have hedged the manufacturing down turn Rockford experienced in the 80s and 90s. DeKalb would have stayed a small farming community which they probably wanted to be and stay ! Ha!

Looked over promos for season tickets, including the hype and hoopla about the BYU game at SeatGeek, and had a thought (yes, it happens) ...

Northern is really touting the amenities of SeatGeek ... suites, skyboxes, etc etc etc ... with lots of artwork and jazzy stuff on the website.

Seems there's a message in there somewhere, like, wouldn't it be great of we could have this stuff at Huskie Stadium? And at the game itself, you bet STF et al will be pointing out all that stuff to any and all who will listen (as maybe have some coin). Might jumpstart something.

Fact is, SG is really a nice 20,000-seat venue (note: referring to stadium itself, only). HS is 23,595, and with NIU's home attendance, it wouldn't be a far stretch to see (hope) some things happen.

Just thinkin'.

When I heard heard that the Fire were leaving the stadium, my very first thought was man, I wish we could pick up that stadium and plop it down where Huskie Stadium is.

Anybody know what it would cost to take down and reassemble?

Being more serious, just for FYI ... According to Wikipedia entries, it cost $98 million when built (estimated $124 million in 2019 $). Same general contractor (Turner Construction) and same architect (A. Epstein & Sons International) as the NIU Convocation Center.

I would hope, though, the adaptations -- if any -- at HS could be done piecemeal and cost less. I think the NIU website has some projects at HS and estimated costs broken down.

Anything major at HS, however, has to await construction of an Olympic Village. I believe soccer, gymnastics and wrestling have facilities inside the West Grandstand.

Being less serious (as in, ain't gonna happen soon), can you imagine what Northern could do with $124 million?

Just ask Barsema. His net worth was about that 20 plus years ago. Probably has at least doubled maybe even 2.5 times that. :)

(02-29-2020 01:01 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Looked over promos for season tickets, including the hype and hoopla about the BYU game at SeatGeek, and had a thought (yes, it happens) ...

Northern is really touting the amenities of SeatGeek ... suites, skyboxes, etc etc etc ... with lots of artwork and jazzy stuff on the website.

Seems there's a message in there somewhere, like, wouldn't it be great of we could have this stuff at Huskie Stadium? And at the game itself, you bet STF et al will be pointing out all that stuff to any and all who will listen (as maybe have some coin). Might jumpstart something.

Fact is, SG is really a nice 20,000-seat venue (note: referring to stadium itself, only). HS is 23,595, and with NIU's home attendance, it wouldn't be a far stretch to see (hope) some things happen.

Just thinkin'.

Why was the Fire so anxious to get out of there?

(03-02-2020 09:58 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(02-29-2020 01:01 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Looked over promos for season tickets, including the hype and hoopla about the BYU game at SeatGeek, and had a thought (yes, it happens) ...

Northern is really touting the amenities of SeatGeek ... suites, skyboxes, etc etc etc ... with lots of artwork and jazzy stuff on the website.

Seems there's a message in there somewhere, like, wouldn't it be great of we could have this stuff at Huskie Stadium? And at the game itself, you bet STF et al will be pointing out all that stuff to any and all who will listen (as maybe have some coin). Might jumpstart something.

Fact is, SG is really a nice 20,000-seat venue (note: referring to stadium itself, only). HS is 23,595, and with NIU's home attendance, it wouldn't be a far stretch to see (hope) some things happen.

Just thinkin'.

Why was the Fire so anxious to get out of there?

From what I was reading, the GM(?) Rodriguez said it wasn't the venue, but getting to the venue. I don't know what attendance they were averaging, but I am sure that had something to do with it (20000 max). I would think they were talking about public transportation as it doesn't seem that hard to get to. For example 35-40 minutes from Addison. For NIU football I would think very few fans would need public transportation.

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(03-02-2020 12:34 PM)pantone1935 Wrote:  

(03-02-2020 09:58 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(02-29-2020 01:01 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Looked over promos for season tickets, including the hype and hoopla about the BYU game at SeatGeek, and had a thought (yes, it happens) ...

Northern is really touting the amenities of SeatGeek ... suites, skyboxes, etc etc etc ... with lots of artwork and jazzy stuff on the website.

Seems there's a message in there somewhere, like, wouldn't it be great of we could have this stuff at Huskie Stadium? And at the game itself, you bet STF et al will be pointing out all that stuff to any and all who will listen (as maybe have some coin). Might jumpstart something.

Fact is, SG is really a nice 20,000-seat venue (note: referring to stadium itself, only). HS is 23,595, and with NIU's home attendance, it wouldn't be a far stretch to see (hope) some things happen.

Just thinkin'.

Why was the Fire so anxious to get out of there?

From what I was reading, the GM(?) Rodriguez said it wasn't the venue, but getting to the venue. I don't know what attendance they were averaging, but I am sure that had something to do with it (20000 max). I would think they were talking about public transportation as it doesn't seem that hard to get to. For example 35-40 minutes from Addison. For NIU football I would think very few fans would need public transportation.

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Fire had the lowest attendance last year of all mls clubs around 12,000. Most teams were hovering around 18,000 while clubs like Atlanta and Seattle had 40-50,000. I've definitely wanted to go to fire games in the past but there was absolutely no way for me to get there via public transportation so I've never really made it out there.