Game Day Experience???

[4everwarriors]

The Pettits still own that team? How many Pettits are still around?

Negative

[warriorchick]

Well, that needs to change with the new arena. The BC was build for the NHL team that never came. The new building needs to be designed for hoops...with the Bucks and MU receiving the best dates.

What new arena?

[CoachRaymondsClass]

All of what has been complained about is in the hands of MU Athletic Dept. Here is how it used to run (from personal experience).

MU hired Nelligan, now absorbed by Learfield (mentioned at end of game radio.) to sell sponsorships on-commission. MU won't pay for the Free Premiums Promotion (generally). They expected a sponsor to buy the premiums (and Nelligan didn't like selling the premium promotions because that part of the sponsorship was not commissionable, but just a pass-through). You can do the math for the sponsor's budget for 10,000+ premiums at any per unit price $1 to $10. Both factors contribute to the give-away decline.

I had some dealings with Learfield in the past (BIG schools) and their presentation and pricing was different than Nelligan. Nelligan underwhelmed me. Clearfield was better. MU may be operating under a different compensation arrangement now.

I don't know who is responsible for the planning and staging of the in-stadium gameday hoopla and experience, but it is surely someone in the MU Athletic Dept. I agree that it is in decline, and I felt that it had grown tired many seasons ago. Learfield was hired by and reports to someone at MU and the same would be true for the gameday experience.

This is a case where if you are a season-ticket holder and critical, I recommend that you take the same small amount of time that you took to post here and email the new AD your concerns. I am sure the new AD is working to evaluate the results of MU BB marketing.

MU isn't going to act and improve from on posts on Scoops. Don't expect those in-place to self-criticize (for those who say Athletic Dept employees read Scoops). MU can't afford declining BB attendance and revenues.

[mujivitz06]

Most of the giveaways are gone because research done by the athletic dept. and the grad school 2 or 3 years ago show a staggeringly low amount of people care about them at all when it comes to an incentive to attend. Something like 1 or 2 percent. So they realized it was a waste of money - or at least an avenue in which a lot of money could be saved. Probably the right decision for our program.

I believe the reason the experience is down a bit is mostly because the younger generation is not what it used to be. It is an epidemic that spans across the college sports landscape. They don't come as much and when they do they just aren't into it. Too many cool kids that always think they have something better to do. It's sad but in this day and age people don't feel they need the construct of large live events to build their social systems. 10 years ago the student section was filled with kids making signs, doing creative things. People aren't into the games anymore for some reason. Sorry for ranting.

[Benny B]

Most of the giveaways are gone because research done by the athletic dept. and the grad school 2 or 3 years ago show a staggeringly low amount of people care about them at all when it comes to an incentive to attend. Something like 1 or 2 percent. So they realized it was a waste of money - or at least an avenue in which a lot of money could be saved. Probably the right decision for our program.

I believe the reason the experience is down a bit is mostly because the younger generation is not what it used to be. It is an epidemic that spans across the college sports landscape. They don't come as much and when they do they just aren't into it. Too many cool kids that always think they have something better to do. It's sad but in this day and age people don't feel they need the construct of large live events to build their social systems. 10 years ago the student section was filled with kids making signs, doing creative things. People aren't into the games anymore for some reason. Sorry for ranting.

I'm looking forward to about 10-15 years from now when we GenXers are going to have the entire world to ourselves.

[esotericmindguy]

Most of the giveaways are gone because research done by the athletic dept. and the grad school 2 or 3 years ago show a staggeringly low amount of people care about them at all when it comes to an incentive to attend. Something like 1 or 2 percent. So they realized it was a waste of money - or at least an avenue in which a lot of money could be saved. Probably the right decision for our program.

I believe the reason the experience is down a bit is mostly because the younger generation is not what it used to be. It is an epidemic that spans across the college sports landscape. They don't come as much and when they do they just aren't into it. Too many cool kids that always think they have something better to do. It's sad but in this day and age people don't feel they need the construct of large live events to build their social systems. 10 years ago the student section was filled with kids making signs, doing creative things. People aren't into the games anymore for some reason. Sorry for ranting.

I agree with the first part but not the second. I think the games featuring Brian Wardle coming of double screens all game, Deane calling timeouts 30 seconds in and Greg Clausen setting illegal screens was worse. We showed up 5 minutes after the game started and sat wherever we wanted, this went on for 3 years until Wade turned program around. That was 15 years ago and students didn't go to the games.

Marquette needs to put a better product on the court and I believe they will next year. Duane Wilson, Cohen, Fischer and JJJ have shown flashes. Add a top 5 class and people will come back. Season tickets for 2 seats is what, 1200? Plus parking and concession, you're looking at a $2000 commitment. Most fans will pass knowing good tickets will be easy to come by on game day.

[mujivitz06]

I'm looking forward to about 10-15 years from now when we GenXers are going to have the entire world to ourselves.

It will be an alarming decay in our world. It will be like the part of Lion King that is under rule by Scar...barren and full of despair.

[mujivitz06]

I agree with the first part but not the second. I think the games featuring Brian Wardle coming of double screens all game, Deane calling timeouts 30 seconds in and Greg Clausen setting illegal screens was worse. We showed up 5 minutes after the game started and sat wherever we wanted, this went on for 3 years until Wade turned program around. That was 15 years ago and students didn't go to the games.

Marquette needs to put a better product on the court and I believe they will next year. Duane Wilson, Cohen, Fischer and JJJ have shown flashes. Add a top 5 class and people will come back. Season tickets for 2 seats is what, 1200? Plus parking and concession, you're looking at a $2000 commitment. Most fans will pass knowing good tickets will be easy to come by on game day.

You can get 2 season tix for much less. I think I pay 250-300 for mine.

[Sir Lawrence]

All of what has been complained about is in the hands of MU Athletic Dept. Here is how it used to run (from personal experience).

MU hired Nelligan, now absorbed by Learfield (mentioned at end of game radio.) to sell sponsorships on-commission. MU won't pay for the Free Premiums Promotion (generally). They expected a sponsor to buy the premiums (and Nelligan didn't like selling the premium promotions because that part of the sponsorship was not commissionable, but just a pass-through). You can do the math for the sponsor's budget for 10,000+ premiums at any per unit price $1 to $10. Both factors contribute to the give-away decline.

I had some dealings with Learfield in the past (BIG schools) and their presentation and pricing was different than Nelligan. Nelligan underwhelmed me. Clearfield was better. MU may be operating under a different compensation arrangement now.

I don't know who is responsible for the planning and staging of the in-stadium gameday hoopla and experience, but it is surely someone in the MU Athletic Dept. I agree that it is in decline, and I felt that it had grown tired many seasons ago. Learfield was hired by and reports to someone at MU and the same would be true for the gameday experience.

This is a case where if you are a season-ticket holder and critical, I recommend that you take the same small amount of time that you took to post here and email the new AD your concerns. I am sure the new AD is working to evaluate the results of MU BB marketing.

MU isn't going to act and improve from on posts on Scoops. Don't expect those in-place to self-criticize (for those who say Athletic Dept employees read Scoops). MU can't afford declining BB attendance and revenues.

Great post.  I've met with whichever group was running promotions last season, as my company was considering running a promotion/partnering with MU.  We currently partner with both the Brewers and Packers.  There are many UW grads in my organization, so pushing MU was always going to be a tough sell.   The presentation was weak sauce.  And overpriced.  

And I agree that the current game time experience needs freshening.  I've complained in this forum before about this:  it starts with the major stakeholders.  

[WarriorPA]

I know a ton of people on the board complain about the 8pm starts on weeknights, but it probably actually helps student attendance. There are some later classes and most college kids are on a different clock than the working world. Last night is a perfect example, if kids want to eat and enjoy a few pregame beverages, they don't even show up until 830/9. That's just college kids. I know it's not family friendly or early morning friendly, but as someone else also said, it's worth the TV deal with FoxSports.

Not to mention as someone in medicine who gets stuck at work late on a somewhat regular basis, I appreciate the late starts when I get out of work late and can still stop home, throw on some gold, and go . I can live with being tired in the name of MUBB.

[MUsoxfan]

We're a smaller school with an alumni base that isn't necessarily concentrated in Wisconsin. It's hard to sell out a huge arena when the team isn't particularly good.

I was there from 99-03. The BC was a ghost town in the late 90's. I bought a $7 student ticket at center court in the lower level my freshman year. The student section was a couple hundred strong.

Then Crean the carnival barker started doing his thing. Wade comes in, and MU rode the wave of popularity and success throughout the decade. Crean is a dirtbag, but nobody sold the MU gameday experience like he did.

Alumni, students and the casual Milwaukee basketball fan will come out when there's a perception of success. That's just not happening now. In a couple years, Wojo will be winning and MU will be a draw again. No amount of giveaways or t-shirt cannons will draw all that many more people to watch an average team

There's nothing more exciting than the BC when it's sold out. On the flip side, there's not much more depressing than a half-full BC. (Well other than any game in Rosemont)

Only winning and a coach that lives to sell the program will fill the place

[Benny B]

It will be an alarming decay in our world. It will be like the part of Lion King that is under rule by Scar...barren and full of despair.

I prefer to look at it from the perspective of Simba, Timon and Pumba roaming the jungle paradise seemingly alone with not a care in the world.  Hakuna matata, baby.

[chapman]

45 y/o out of shape guys going at each other, that might be fun too.

So we should arrange a group ticket purchase and have a Scoop halftime game.  Chicken Littles vs. Slurpers.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Like most things at Marquette over the past couple of years, this has slipped as budgets dipped. Pilarz deep-sixed the gun. The game times are odd because of Fox. Opening video is sullen.

Plus side, student section is way better. The corridor clubs and beer selections are up. I like the big dice roll. Always exciting to see the gray hairs getting bopped with a giant die.

[warriorchick]

I like the big dice roll. Always exciting to see the gray hairs getting bopped with a giant die.

Wrong!  It got incredibly lame when they had to start rolling the dice down the court instead of punching them over the heads of the lower bowl seatholders like beach balls.

My guess is that some blue hair complained that she got hit in the shoulder by one.

[Johnny B]

1st world problems. Guys not going to games because of half time entertainment, t shirts and bobbleheads. My goodness you sound ridiculous. The game day experience stinks because the team stinks. In the Brian Wardle days we couldn't even fill the lower bowl with students...team was awful. Wade came and all of a sudden it was awesome. The trend of 1500 less season tickets will not continue, there is nothing to sell this year. Bring in a top 5 class and a McDonald All-American and the casual fan will come back. Simple as that.

Bingo it would help if The big east had some ranked teams as well.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Wrong!  It got incredibly lame when they had to start rolling the dice down the court instead of punching them over the heads of the lower bowl seatholders like beach balls.

My guess is that some blue hair complained that she got hit in the shoulder by one.

Damn...I missed the switch (perhaps I was enjoying the beer experience in the hallways). When the giant dice roll goess PC, there isn't much left in life.

Although, no matter the venue, it is always interesting to see fans make fool's of themselves fighting for a Bricky or Gold excess inventory t-shirt airdropped from the rafters.

[GooooMarquette]

Wrong!  It got incredibly lame when they had to start rolling the dice down the court instead of punching them over the heads of the lower bowl seatholders like beach balls.

My guess is that some blue hair complained that she got hit in the shoulder by one.

Funny.  Exactly my thought last night too.

[mujivitz06]

I prefer to look at it from the perspective of Simba, Timon and Pumba roaming the jungle paradise seemingly alone with not a care in the world.  Hakuna matata, baby.

That's normally my perspective on life, Benny.

[Mr. Nielsen]

Most leagues are on some form of national tv, CBSSN, FS1, BTN, etc. The double-headers of 6pm and 8pm are the thing. The paid crowd was over 13,000 last night with at least 2,000 students. Most schools would die for that!

[BossplayaOtto]

I have made every home game tis season thus far including the pre-season game and IMO the in-game production has been lacking as well. Last night they butchered the intro's, showing the wrong player and video. Felt like amature hour. Also frequently this season the scoreboard operator has been brutal in regards to keeping the board updated with the correct current line-up, points, fouls etc. These types of errors shouldn't happen as routinely as they do and should be corrected.

[wrmrkt]

I have made every home game tis season thus far including the pre-season game and IMO the in-game production has been lacking as well. Last night they butchered the intro's, showing the wrong player and video. Felt like amature hour. Also frequently this season the scoreboard operator has been brutal in regards to keeping the board updated with the correct current line-up, points, fouls etc. These types of errors shouldn't happen as routinely as they do and should be corrected.

This.  It was ridiculous last night.  Complete amateur hour x 2

[Johnny B]

Say watch you want about Derrick the fact is he simply isn't a great player. It's so difficult to be successful when you have 3 6'1 guards out there. I cringe when that lineup is in.

[jesmu84]

Say watch you want about Derrick the fact is he simply isn't a great player. It's so difficult to be successful when you have 3 6'1 guards out there. I cringe when that lineup is in.

Has anyone said otherwise?

[Brewtown Andy]

The Bucks I get...but the Admirals? Why is MU behind crappy minor league hockey that draws what, about 4,000 a game?

That's actually a reason why Marquette would be behind the Admirals: The hockey needs all the help they can get to draw a crowd, while Marquette doesn't.

Plus, the Admirals have to fit in 40 something games a season.