Student denied 10K on halfcourt shot contest

[GGGG]

You can't attend a school if you don't know it exists.

But again, I can come up with many, many better ways to make students *who are likely to attend West Chester* know of its existence with $10,000.

[GGGG]

If you know anything about viral marketing, this is exactly the type of situations where it is done.

Apparently I know more about it than you do, because this is pretty much the opposite of viral marketing.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

The kid is 18. His sister, who was mentioned in the story, is 16.

I'd be frustrated if I was the kid's dad but the rules are pretty clear-cut. If anything, the emcee is largely to blame as he should have known the rules and never let it get to the point of a second shot.

My bad, read the last paragraph wrong.

[wardle2wade]

This scenario happened at MU about 15 years ago.  It was a big ESPN game against Louisville or Cincinnati (can't remember) and the place was packed.  The guy made a second half-court shot and everyone went nuts and MU won.  However, this kid knew ahead of time that he only had one shot so it wasn't a big deal afterward.

Yep, that MU game was the first thing I thought of when I head this.  It was the MU-Wake Forest game during the 2003 final four campaign.  It was a rare February non-conference Sunday game and was well-attended.  The student hustled after making the layup, ft, and three, and managed to get off a second half-courter which went in.  The Bradley went nuts, and everyone assumed he won until word spread the next few days.  I believe the prize was a car.

I found the box score although it says it was played at the US Cellular, it was at the Bradley of course.  http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=230400269

[CreightonWarrior]

Yep, that MU game was the first thing I thought of when I head this.  It was the MU-Wake Forest game during the 2003 final four campaign.  It was a rare February non-conference Sunday game and was well-attended.  The student hustled after making the layup, ft, and three, and managed to get off a second half-courter which went in.  The Bradley went nuts, and everyone assumed he won until word spread the next few days.  I believe the prize was a car.

I found the box score although it says it was played at the US Cellular, it was at the Bradley of course.  http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=230400269

The worst part of that Marquette game?
Officials: Jim Burr, Mike Kitts, Mike Wood

[Coleman]

Apparently I know more about it than you do, because this is pretty much the opposite of viral marketing.

I'm listening

[wardle2wade]

Haha I saw that about Burr too.  Even in 11-year old box scores, he still commands our attention.  

[GGGG]

I'm listening

Viral marketing is generally a low-cost alternative where you actually use your customers to pass along your marketing message to people they know...by sharing on Facebook, retweeting on Twitter, etc.

What Ners suggested, having a press conference to announce that they are going to give him the money, isn't viral.

AND I JUST REALIZED...that's not what you were commenting about.  That this is the type of situation that *could* go viral.  My bad.  I don't agree with you, but I misunderstood what you were saying.

[Coleman]

Viral marketing is generally a low-cost alternative where you actually use your customers to pass along your marketing message to people they know...by sharing on Facebook, retweeting on Twitter, etc.

What Ners suggested, having a press conference to announce that they are going to give him the money, isn't viral.

AND I JUST REALIZED...that's not what you were commenting about.  That this is the type of situation that *could* go viral.  My bad.  I don't agree with you, but I misunderstood what you were saying.

Right. By this point, the opportunity is lost. I was saying if they cut the kid a check, in that moment, the attention it is getting now would have been that sort of publicity.

[jesmu84]

http://www.barstoolsports.com/barstoolu/super-page/pizza-hut-offers-west-chester-u-half-court-shot-bro-10k-and-free-pizza-for-a-year/

[ChicosBailBonds]

As someone who runs a University's PR program, I can tell you two things. 

1. $10,000 is not an insignificant amount of discretionary money for marketing purposes at a smaller, public university. 

2. Cutting this kid a check would be a terribly inefficient way to use said $10,000.

You stole my thunder

[Benny B]

http://www.barstoolsports.com/barstoolu/super-page/pizza-hut-offers-west-chester-u-half-court-shot-bro-10k-and-free-pizza-for-a-year/

The most Pizza Hut has accomplished with this move, economically, is that they have probably won over a small contingent of people in PA with lasting results.  The rest of us won't care a couple weeks from now (as has been previously mentioned).  Do something good, and it's quickly forgotten.  But do something stupid, and you can be immortalized into someone's memory.

The stupidity here is the negative consequence of emboldening this kid's father, i.e. encouraging others in the future to complain until you get something that doesn't belong to you.  That's not the lesson I want my kids to grow up with; so adios, Pizza Hut... I'm sure you won't care about losing me as a customer, especially since I probably should have abandoned you a long time ago.  Good luck with your bottom line once you've converted your entire customer base to whiny, entitled freeloaders.

Imagine if this kid's last name were Maymon.  Would you still give him the $10,000 after his dad made a ruckus?

[GGGG]

West Chester taking down the video is really, really weak. 

[Coleman]

The most Pizza Hut has accomplished with this move, economically, is that they have probably won over a small contingent of people in PA with lasting results.  The rest of us won't care a couple weeks from now (as has been previously mentioned).  Do something good, and it's quickly forgotten.  But do something stupid, and you can be immortalized into someone's memory.

The stupidity here is the negative consequence of emboldening this kid's father, i.e. encouraging others in the future to complain until you get something that doesn't belong to you.  That's not the lesson I want my kids to grow up with; so adios, Pizza Hut... I'm sure you won't care about losing me as a customer, especially since I probably should have abandoned you a long time ago.  Good luck with your bottom line once you've converted your entire customer base to whiny, entitled freeloaders.

Imagine if this kid's last name were Maymon.  Would you still give him the $10,000 after his dad made a ruckus?

Squeeky wheel gets the grease. Now he has ten grand and unlimited 'Za. Can't hold that against him.

[MU82]

The thing that jumped out at me in the story was the final quote from the kid's father:

"It would help, that's all I'm going to say. We've struggled the last five years. My wife and I both work full time and we're struggling like everyone else to make ends meet. Financially it would be a huge help."

Wow. Really? Both parents work full time? That is such a rarity. Hell, give them $50,000!

[Benny B]

Squeeky wheel gets the grease. Now he has ten grand and unlimited 'Za. Can't hold that against him.

When my wheel squeaks, I grease it myself.  I don't go crying a tale of woe in the town square because I can't figure out how to work a can of WD-40.