(06-03-2022 09:03 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(06-03-2022 08:46 AM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  

(06-02-2022 11:59 AM)BleedsHuskieRed Wrote:  

(06-02-2022 10:23 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(06-02-2022 10:03 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  It would be interesting to know if this is an industry wide phenomenon or just something that’s happened at NIU.

It is not industry-wide. I knew the last UIC AD and spoke with him a lot. From what he told me, UIC Athletics treats their donors well. Even small donations are recognized with a letter signed by the AD. A bit more personal attention.

If I donate to something, especially a small donation, and I get something in the mail that cost money to produce and send, I just laugh at the wasted money.

If I donate, do not send me anything.

There is this new thing called email. Pretty low cost. I get them from alumni association. If I want to read or delete, my choice.

Honestly, I don't even think I got an automated thanks.

No, and this is just one example of the disconnect between Athletics and its donors.

Every year at this time, I cut a check to the HAF that is in the mid 4 figures. My total annual donations are in the high 4 figures. Year after year. Don't you think this is even worth a 58-cent stamp on a template letter with a personally scribbled one-sentence note and the signature of STF? Athletics used to indeed do this. Read the websites on how to deal with donors, and they all say that you should show respect and personal appreciation for people who donate their hard-earned money. Plus, I may have been raised more properly and old-fashioned, but when someone gives you something like this, you send them a thank you acknowledgement - if for nothing else to let them know that they are valued and appreciated. Not the mass used-car salesman talk of "Hey, Huskie Nation!" Maybe I am wrong and things have changed for the worse. But, I'm pretty happy and comfortable with the way I've been raised.

As the lyrics to Young Man Blues go... "It's the old man
He's got all the money."

I am sure you are not alone. If people can't figure out demographics who is donating and what THEY like, prefer and appreciate.

And funny how we can't understand why we can't raise "millions" to do this or that, can't keep grads involved with athletics, can't figure out why people don't come back.I mean honestly, the reality is that 90%+ don't give a crap about giving the school a dime, even for alumni dues. HAF, what, 99.85% And then not understand that .15%?

People say don't take it out on the school. But reality is how many get alienated and move on?

I need to clarify this a bit. Not all of Athletics is like this. As part of my annual HAF donation (as well as other times throughout the year), I donate some money to women's basketball. I get letters, cards, photos, etc. from Coach Carlsen or a member of her staff as well as from one or more of the players. This may sound like a bit much, but is appreciated and it not only expresses the team's appreciation of the support, but it also teaches the players the proper way to express thanks and acknowledgement for the donations. I increase my donations to women's basketball annually. Beginning soon, that support will increase tremendously as I re-channel much of my other donations to women's basketball.

(06-03-2022 07:22 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(06-02-2022 07:27 PM)numbersdontlie Wrote:  I donate money directly to football because it provides me with an immense amount of entertainment and pride. I don't expect anything in return. I go to games when the team is in the southeast and will be looking forward to watching on ESPN+/3/ocho when they are on TV.

Where are you in the Southeast? I just relocated to Charleston SC.

Just outside of Atlanta, GA

(06-04-2022 11:32 AM)numbersdontlie Wrote:  

(06-03-2022 07:22 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(06-02-2022 07:27 PM)numbersdontlie Wrote:  I donate money directly to football because it provides me with an immense amount of entertainment and pride. I don't expect anything in return. I go to games when the team is in the southeast and will be looking forward to watching on ESPN+/3/ocho when they are on TV.

Where are you in the Southeast? I just relocated to Charleston SC.

Just outside of Atlanta, GA

Very nice, just did a few days at the Embassy Suites in Buckhead. Let me know if you're ever down this way during football season

(05-27-2022 02:14 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(05-27-2022 02:04 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Good points. Just some thoughts, perhaps a bit early to consider tho ...

Could this become the new normal for openers? If so, sad to see another "fall tradition" cast aside for ... ? Then again, college football for all but the P5/big draws and a few of the top G5s is becoming made-for-TV.

Looking ahead, NIU future skeds have the following openers:
SIU on 9-9-2023
WIU in 8-31-2024
Holy Cross on 8-30-2025
Illinois State on 9-12-2026

Three of the next four openers are in-state FCS. Since LIU @ Toledo also got moved to weeknight this year, the 3 future in-states + Holy Cross become targets if this Thursday opener becomes the norm.

If it does, pre-game tailgating will tank, as will opportunities to tie in with other local events on Saturdays (an unexplored but possibly beneficial arrangement). So will efforts to improve Huskie Stadium, except for premium donors. Why spend the $?

Unless NIU draws big for Vanderbilt and Homecoming/Toledo, total home attendance this season could be the worst in years. But as DF points out, think anyone wll care? Maybe that's why the ticket/PSL/donatio rules were changed. Gotta milk that cow while they still can.

NIU opened on Thursday night 7 seasons in a row from 1997-2003. They were all good matchups too.

Maryland game did OK.

(06-05-2022 10:21 PM)sarasotahuskie Wrote:  

(05-27-2022 02:14 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(05-27-2022 02:04 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Good points. Just some thoughts, perhaps a bit early to consider tho ...

Could this become the new normal for openers? If so, sad to see another "fall tradition" cast aside for ... ? Then again, college football for all but the P5/big draws and a few of the top G5s is becoming made-for-TV.

Looking ahead, NIU future skeds have the following openers:
SIU on 9-9-2023
WIU in 8-31-2024
Holy Cross on 8-30-2025
Illinois State on 9-12-2026

Three of the next four openers are in-state FCS. Since LIU @ Toledo also got moved to weeknight this year, the 3 future in-states + Holy Cross become targets if this Thursday opener becomes the norm.

If it does, pre-game tailgating will tank, as will opportunities to tie in with other local events on Saturdays (an unexplored but possibly beneficial arrangement). So will efforts to improve Huskie Stadium, except for premium donors. Why spend the $?

Unless NIU draws big for Vanderbilt and Homecoming/Toledo, total home attendance this season could be the worst in years. But as DF points out, think anyone wll care? Maybe that's why the ticket/PSL/donatio rules were changed. Gotta milk that cow while they still can.

NIU opened on Thursday night 7 seasons in a row from 1997-2003. They were all good matchups too.

Maryland game did OK.

Back when they actually had 5 Saturday home games too.....

(06-06-2022 08:27 AM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  

(06-05-2022 10:21 PM)sarasotahuskie Wrote:  

(05-27-2022 02:14 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(05-27-2022 02:04 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Good points. Just some thoughts, perhaps a bit early to consider tho ...

Could this become the new normal for openers? If so, sad to see another "fall tradition" cast aside for ... ? Then again, college football for all but the P5/big draws and a few of the top G5s is becoming made-for-TV.

Looking ahead, NIU future skeds have the following openers:
SIU on 9-9-2023
WIU in 8-31-2024
Holy Cross on 8-30-2025
Illinois State on 9-12-2026

Three of the next four openers are in-state FCS. Since LIU @ Toledo also got moved to weeknight this year, the 3 future in-states + Holy Cross become targets if this Thursday opener becomes the norm.

If it does, pre-game tailgating will tank, as will opportunities to tie in with other local events on Saturdays (an unexplored but possibly beneficial arrangement). So will efforts to improve Huskie Stadium, except for premium donors. Why spend the $?

Unless NIU draws big for Vanderbilt and Homecoming/Toledo, total home attendance this season could be the worst in years. But as DF points out, think anyone wll care? Maybe that's why the ticket/PSL/donatio rules were changed. Gotta milk that cow while they still can.

NIU opened on Thursday night 7 seasons in a row from 1997-2003. They were all good matchups too.

Maryland game did OK.

Back when they actually had 5 Saturday home games too.....

I know, different times almost twenty years ago...sigh.

(06-05-2022 10:21 PM)sarasotahuskie Wrote:  

(05-27-2022 02:14 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(05-27-2022 02:04 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Good points. Just some thoughts, perhaps a bit early to consider tho ...

Could this become the new normal for openers? If so, sad to see another "fall tradition" cast aside for ... ? Then again, college football for all but the P5/big draws and a few of the top G5s is becoming made-for-TV.

Looking ahead, NIU future skeds have the following openers:
SIU on 9-9-2023
WIU in 8-31-2024
Holy Cross on 8-30-2025
Illinois State on 9-12-2026

Three of the next four openers are in-state FCS. Since LIU @ Toledo also got moved to weeknight this year, the 3 future in-states + Holy Cross become targets if this Thursday opener becomes the norm.

If it does, pre-game tailgating will tank, as will opportunities to tie in with other local events on Saturdays (an unexplored but possibly beneficial arrangement). So will efforts to improve Huskie Stadium, except for premium donors. Why spend the $?

Unless NIU draws big for Vanderbilt and Homecoming/Toledo, total home attendance this season could be the worst in years. But as DF points out, think anyone wll care? Maybe that's why the ticket/PSL/donatio rules were changed. Gotta milk that cow while they still can.

NIU opened on Thursday night 7 seasons in a row from 1997-2003. They were all good matchups too.

Maryland game did OK.

In 2003 the program had a growing fanbase.

(08-25-2022 10:41 PM)huskiealum03 Wrote:  

(06-05-2022 10:21 PM)sarasotahuskie Wrote:  

(05-27-2022 02:14 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(05-27-2022 02:04 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Good points. Just some thoughts, perhaps a bit early to consider tho ...

Could this become the new normal for openers? If so, sad to see another "fall tradition" cast aside for ... ? Then again, college football for all but the P5/big draws and a few of the top G5s is becoming made-for-TV.

Looking ahead, NIU future skeds have the following openers:
SIU on 9-9-2023
WIU in 8-31-2024
Holy Cross on 8-30-2025
Illinois State on 9-12-2026

Three of the next four openers are in-state FCS. Since LIU @ Toledo also got moved to weeknight this year, the 3 future in-states + Holy Cross become targets if this Thursday opener becomes the norm.

If it does, pre-game tailgating will tank, as will opportunities to tie in with other local events on Saturdays (an unexplored but possibly beneficial arrangement). So will efforts to improve Huskie Stadium, except for premium donors. Why spend the $?

Unless NIU draws big for Vanderbilt and Homecoming/Toledo, total home attendance this season could be the worst in years. But as DF points out, think anyone wll care? Maybe that's why the ticket/PSL/donatio rules were changed. Gotta milk that cow while they still can.

NIU opened on Thursday night 7 seasons in a row from 1997-2003. They were all good matchups too.

Maryland game did OK.

In 2003 the program had a growing fanbase.

And that was the only non-Saturday game.