SEZ

[alarson]

I'm well aware of the BAC level of most of the fans, but serving alcohol won't decrease that level. I think if most college kids had the opportunity to purchase booze inside the stadium they would, which doesn't give them any time to sober up during the game. I don't think it's much of a reach to expect more fights, swearing, vomit, dui's, conduct un-becoming, ******-bagery etc.

Anyway, I realize this is a lot of money we're talking about, but I'm just not sure if it's actually worth it if we don't absolutely need the cash.

PS, This is coming from someone who on several occasions could have made a serious claim to being the drunkest person in Jack Trice.

College students wont be the ones buying this. They'll still sneak in alcohol (because its cheaper than $9 beers). Most college students are loaded going in, and keep loaded off of snuck in alcohol... and then they go and party back at the tailgate or at the bars after the game. ISU selling alcohol will have zero effect on this segment.

Also, likely ISU would do what other venues have done and stop selling alcohol shortly after halftime, to give fans some time to process the beer.

 

[Al_4_State]

I'm well aware of the BAC level of most of the fans, but serving alcohol won't decrease that level. I think if most college kids had the opportunity to purchase booze inside the stadium they would, which doesn't give them any time to sober up during the game. I don't think it's much of a reach to expect more fights, swearing, vomit, dui's, conduct un-becoming, ******-bagery etc.

Anyway, I realize this is a lot of money we're talking about, but I'm just not sure if it's actually worth it if we don't absolutely need the cash.

PS, This is coming from someone who on several occasions could have made a serious claim to being the drunkest person in Jack Trice.

I'm pretty sure most of the drunk people in the student section are drinking throughout the games anyway.

I have a buddy who sat in the student section last year, and he was literally strapped with multiple flasks for every game.

Besides, those beers are going to be sold for more $ than a pitcher costs in Campustown. I don't think many students will be buying them.

 

[cyhiphopp]

I'm well aware of the BAC level of most of the fans, but serving alcohol won't decrease that level. I think if most college kids had the opportunity to purchase booze inside the stadium they would, which doesn't give them any time to sober up during the game. I don't think it's much of a reach to expect more fights, swearing, vomit, dui's, conduct un-becoming, ******-bagery etc.

Anyway, I realize this is a lot of money we're talking about, but I'm just not sure if it's actually worth it if we don't absolutely need the cash.

PS, This is coming from someone who on several occasions could have made a serious claim to being the drunkest person in Jack Trice.

I realy think the prices will prevent people from overdoing it. Those getting hammered at games are doing it by smuggling in beers and shotgunning during halftime.

 

[alarson]

Actually I think it is quite the opposite. I like the ticket deals that JP has offered in the past including last year. It is pure genius. If you want to fill JTS, get more donations, get more members in the Gridiron Club, etc... you need to build the fanbase. Winning helps that but there are plenty of fans that are happy to cheer from a distance or sports fans that aren't aligned with Iowa or Iowa State. This gives these folks an opportunity to snag some cheap tickets and come and see the product that is an Iowa State football game, tailgating, etc....

Imagine being a distant ISU fan (one that never attends games or chooses to not buy season tickets) or a fan with no allegiance to ISU or Iowa. Those are the people who potentially got cheap tickets for the Okie State game last year. How many of those people walked away after that epic game and said.... "I am getting tickets next season." There is nothing that JP and the marketing group can say to draw these people in but if you can offer them a cheap ticket and get them into the stadium it becomes a much easier sell. They get to see the product first hand, experience the environment, the crowd, the facilities, the caliber of competition, the quality of team that CPR is putting on the field, etc.... and you have a much better shot of turning them into fans that will start attending more games and eventually become season ticket holders, donors, etc....

Getting their butts in the seats is the best marketing you can get and also the hardest to pull off. Cheap tickets can make that a lot easier. :yes:

Plus, even if you practically give away the actual tickets, you make money elsewhere. $20 in parking, however much in food and merchandise bought, etc.

 

[CarolinaCy]

College students wont be the ones buying this. They'll still sneak in alcohol (because its cheaper than $9 beers). Most college students are loaded going in, and keep loaded off of snuck in alcohol... and then they go and party back at the tailgate or at the bars after the game. ISU selling alcohol will have zero effect on this segment.

Also, likely ISU would do what other venues have done and stop selling alcohol shortly after halftime, to give fans some time to process the beer.

I'm pretty sure most of the drunk people in the student section are drinking throughout the games anyway.

I have a buddy who sat in the student section last year, and he was literally strapped with multiple flasks for every game.

Besides, those beers are going to be sold for more $ than a pitcher costs in Campustown. I don't think many students will be buying them.

Not too mention 50-60% of students wouldn't be 21 anyway.

 

[cyhiphopp]

We currently have a good portion of our fanbase that leave at halftime to tailgate and drink a lot more beers before the second half. If they limit reentry, thos people will pay more for a few beers and drink less than they would have at their tailgates. I bet they will actually drink less if they have to buy it in the stadium.

 

[Al_4_State]

Not too mention 50-60% of students wouldn't be 21 anyway.

That too. I'm just speaking from my own experience, but when I was 20 years old in the JTS student section, there is absolutely no way in hell that I would have spent $7 to have one of my 21 year old friends go buy me a beer. I was bringing in a 20oz bottle with some whiskey in it and dumping it in a $3 Diet Coke.

 

[cyhiphopp]

Actually I think it is quite the opposite. I like the ticket deals that JP has offered in the past including last year. It is pure genius. If you want to fill JTS, get more donations, get more members in the Gridiron Club, etc... you need to build the fanbase. Winning helps that but there are plenty of fans that are happy to cheer from a distance or sports fans that aren't aligned with Iowa or Iowa State. This gives these folks an opportunity to snag some cheap tickets and come and see the product that is an Iowa State football game, tailgating, etc....

Imagine being a distant ISU fan (one that never attends games or chooses to not buy season tickets) or a fan with no allegiance to ISU or Iowa. Those are the people who potentially got cheap tickets for the Okie State game last year. How many of those people walked away after that epic game and said.... "I am getting tickets next season." There is nothing that JP and the marketing group can say to draw these people in but if you can offer them a cheap ticket and get them into the stadium it becomes a much easier sell. They get to see the product first hand, experience the environment, the crowd, the facilities, the caliber of competition, the quality of team that CPR is putting on the field, etc.... and you have a much better shot of turning them into fans that will start attending more games and eventually become season ticket holders, donors, etc....

Getting their butts in the seats is the best marketing you can get and also the hardest to pull off. Cheap tickets can make that a lot easier. :yes:

Plus, it's a way for poor shmucks like me to actually get to see a few games a year. Money is tight for me right now and I just can't afford season tickets like I used to, especially for my 2 and 4 year old. Ticket deals allow fans who can't afford season tickets to enjoy the game and bring their kids for a minimal price. Those kids will be future fans.

Good ticket deals to fill the stadium basically just fill out seats that weren't sold for season tickets. Then in the future, those that bought one or two tickets a year, can pony up for season tickets which is where they really make the money.

 

[Rabbuk]

As a college student I would not pay more than 3 bucks for a beer anywhere.

 

[AllBig12Drinker]

Why would this be a greater liability for Iowa State than West Virginia? Or pro teams? Or other ISU events that serve alcohol?

I don't buy the liability side of things. We sell alcohol on campus at the MU. We sell alcohol on campus at Johnny's in Hilton. Why not Jack Trice? What is the fundamental difference?

They already sell beer at Jack Trice in the Jack Trice club. So you are right.

We currently have a good portion of our fanbase that leave at halftime to tailgate and drink a lot more beers before the second half. If they limit reentry, thos people will pay more for a few beers and drink less than they would have at their tailgates. I bet they will actually drink less if they have to buy it in the stadium.

I completely agree with this. I am one of those people. Half time is boring to me, so I go have a couple beers because it is convenient with where I park. If they sold beer, I would probably just hit the head, grab a beer and go back to my seat.

 

[cyclonedave25]

This thread is making me miss football and tailgating.

 

[cyhiphopp]

That too. I'm just speaking from my own experience, but when I was 20 years old in the JTS student section, there is absolutely no way in hell that I would have spent $7 to have one of my 21 year old friends go buy me a beer. I was bringing in a 20oz bottle with some whiskey in it and dumping it in a $3 Diet Coke.

Diet Coke? What are you, a girl or somethin?

 

[ribsnwhiskey]

Not to continue beating the dead horse, but it isn't like JTS will be turned into a bar just because beer would be sold. It isn't going to be happy hour or $.50 draws. Beers will cost the same as they do in the stadium club, ~$4.00 and up. If beer sales are cut off after the 3rd quarter, re-entry is disallowed and the vendors do a diligent job of checking ID's, there will be very few problems. Most people are responsible. The drunk idiots are going to be drunk idiots no matter what.

So just to summarize--JTS needs to be bowled in and beer should be sold. That is the bottom line and there is no need to debate these points anymore.....

 

[rebecacy]

The people that keep objecting to this project will never understand that it has less to do with "selling out the stadium" and everything to do with stadium aesthetics. If you wanna be considered big time, you need to look big time.

They can object all they want -- that ship has sailed and is no longer even open for debate -- not if but when. The renegotiation of TV contracts with or without ESPN before 2015/6 will more than cover the costs. IE no big lead donor needed any longer although someone will want their name on it.

 

[Cyclonestate78]

Plus, even if you practically give away the actual tickets, you make money elsewhere. $20 in parking, however much in food and merchandise bought, etc.

Exactly.

 

[aute19]

How many of those people walked away after that epic game and said.... "I am getting tickets next season."

I know that I'm in that demographic. I still don't know if I'll get season tickets because, as a graduate student, I don't know how many Saturdays I can spend at JTS (it's unfortunate, I know), but I will definitely pay for a game or two.

I went to the Okie State game for $10, including a ticket, a hot dog, and a soda. That game (and the deal on the tickets) even converted a completely non-sports friend of mine into someone who will casually watch football or basketball now.

As a complete aside, I'm hoping there's a good deal on tickets for the WVU game to incentivize getting back to Ames after Turkey Day.

 

[DurangoCy]

I think we're going to end up agreeing to disagree... I'm ashamed to be the stick in the mud on this one.

If all of the college kids are already sneaking booze into the game and aren't going to purchase beer are we going to make enough cash to make it worth the hassel?

This is just my experience from attending college/pro/ncaa games, but I don't ever remember our group of friends ever sneaking booze into the games. We'd definitely purchase a beer of two if they were selling it though, which no one needed after tailgating. No matter what, a kid who is sneaking in hard liquor is probably going to have issues. I guess the point I'm making is that we're talking about up-ing the booze intake on 5-10k fans by one or two beers in order to make money.

I'm just not sure if it's worth it, because every year we have a thread after the ISU vs. Iowa game concerning horrible experiences people had. I would guess 90% of those are alcohol related, so do we really need another source? Losing a few ISU fans (especially kids) every year is a big deal, per the other concurrent topic in this thread.

Anyway, end long winded soap box rant. I'll gladly pay $8 a beer if they start serving it in the future.

Fire away.

 

[alarson]

They can object all they want -- that ship has sailed and is no longer even open for debate -- not if but when. The renegotiation of TV contracts with or without ESPN before 2015/6 will more than cover the costs. IE no big lead donor needed any longer although someone will want their name on it.

I really hope you're right.

 

[Senolcyc]

The only people who could afford to get drunk at the prices they would charge, can already buy alcohol in the suites and club section. Non factor.

 

[rebecacy]

There will never, ever, be open beer sales at Jack Trice. I can guaruntee that 100%.
I am not opposed, I just know it will not happen. Direct from source.

I hope you are right cuz I don't like the idea but you may want to recheck it. I think the new administration is re-opening the debate. My vote is no booze and no re-entry. I like a family atmosphere and have always hated the empty 3rd Q seats. My guess is re-entry is over with now but not yet announced ....... about time too.