Ideas to Improve Spring Game Experience

[cyhiphopp]

Just because there are some fans that don't care for the band and view it more as something that get's in the way of the football game. And I'd imagine they are the type that would be more likely to take that attitude would be more likely to be the folks that go to the spring game.

Not meaning to knock the people that aren't fans of the band, it's just not everybodys thing. Also, not saying that a good deal of the fans at the spring game don't like the band, I know I and many other former band members were there.

I don't think it's by any means a large percentage of the fan base. But there is a vocal minority.

It stinks but there are many who would prefer they just pump music over the PA for the whole game. I guess they like the NFL experience.

Personally, I think marching bands are part of what makes it college football. It's about tradition, and the fight song, not jock jams.


I do remember being mighty hung over the Saturday of VEISHEA, even when it was supposed to be "dry", so I understand why it might be a tough draw, especially for the college students.
That would leave a lot of it up to the alumni. Maybe someone in Kappa or Tau Beta could coordinate with the alumni band for next year. See how many would be interested and then contact the AD.

 

[MNCyGuy]

It stinks but there are many who would prefer they just pump music over the PA for the whole game. I guess they like the NFL experience.

Personally, I think marching bands are part of what makes it college football. It's about tradition, and the fight song, not jock jams.


I do remember being mighty hung over the Saturday of VEISHEA, even when it was supposed to be "dry", so I understand why it might be a tough draw, especially for the college students.
That would leave a lot of it up to the alumni. Maybe someone in Kappa or Tau Beta could coordinate with the alumni band for next year. See how many would be interested and then contact the AD.

The effort to reward ratio on that is pretty low. It's just not feasible on VEISHEA weekend. Not a big deal.

 

[2020cy]

If they don't want to charge money to get into the game, maybe a food item donated, that they could send to the food pantry. Something that helps out a good cause.

I also think that if the athletic dept did something like have the captains and/or coach sign your poster (just allow an hour or two) with the money going to the dept or gridiron club, then I'd be willing to pay $20 after or before the game to do that.

I'm pretty sure this is what Missouri does for their spring game with the food donation.

 

[Frak]

hAVE THE BATTLE OF THE BANDS IN THE JACK TRICE PARKING LOT AFTER THE GAME!

This kind of plays into my "out of the box" thought. Why not PLAY UP the whole VEISHEA thing for the spring game. And by that, I mean, move everything currently in the Moly Bio lots over to ISC. You'd have the stage, the vendors, the carnival. That makes it an event. And really, it's not all that much harder for the students to get to. RCA students would be closer. Then, you have the bands, the game, tailgating, kids rides, the trivia event...that makes it a huge deal with a ton of people. No other spring game out there could compete with that kind of atmosphere. Might have to open up G7 or at least make the students move their vehicles out of the S lots, but that's OK.

Next, I think that you HAVE to charge for the game. I disagree that it would turn many people away. Charge $5 and make sure kids are free. Or do like Mizzou and go $3 or 3 cans of food. Something. Right now the game is a money pit. They need to at least break even.

Get the UBS stand up and running north of the Olsen Bldg. I've been through the UBS lately and they have a ton of cool shirts. Get them out in front of the fans.

I would start the game an hour later. The VEISHEA parade usually runs past noon. If you plan on doing anything on campus at all, you can barely make it for kickoff (not that they really kick off).

How about a BBQ cook off on the patio of the Alumni Center?

 

[cyhiphopp]

This kind of plays into my "out of the box" thought. Why not PLAY UP the whole VEISHEA thing for the spring game. And by that, I mean, move everything currently in the Moly Bio lots over to ISC. You'd have the stage, the vendors, the carnival. That makes it an event. And really, it's not all that much harder for the students to get to. RCA students would be closer. Then, you have the bands, the game, tailgating, kids rides, the trivia event...that makes it a huge deal with a ton of people. No other spring game out there could compete with that kind of atmosphere. Might have to open up G7 or at least make the students move their vehicles out of the S lots, but that's OK.

Next, I think that you HAVE to charge for the game. I disagree that it would turn many people away. Charge $5 and make sure kids are free. Or do like Mizzou and go $3 or 3 cans of food. Something. Right now the game is a money pit. They need to at least break even.

Get the UBS stand up and running north of the Olsen Bldg. I've been through the UBS lately and they have a ton of cool shirts. Get them out in front of the fans.

I would start the game an hour later. The VEISHEA parade usually runs past noon. If you plan on doing anything on campus at all, you can barely make it for kickoff (not that they really kick off).

How about a BBQ cook off on the patio of the Alumni Center?

Good ideas. I love the idea of having the big events by the stadium. You could also arange in so that the parade finishes right at the ISC.

I still don't know about charging admission. However, if they build it into a bigger event, they will probably increase their concessions and apparel sales and cover the costs of the game. Not to mention any extra season tickets they could sell.

 

[IcSyU]

No way they'll ever move VEISHEA stuff out there. Now they pretty much have everything moved to Central Campus/the MU/MoleBio. It takes 5 minutes to get from one place to another, not to mention the stupidity of making all of the students move their cars when parking is already an issue.

Also, moving the parade finish would be a HUGE pain in the ***.

Apparel sales in the case of UBS don't help the athletics department much at all.

 

[MNCyGuy]

Good ideas. I love the idea of having the big events by the stadium. You could also arange in so that the parade finishes right at the ISC.

I still don't know about charging admission. However, if they build it into a bigger event, they will probably increase their concessions and apparel sales and cover the costs of the game. Not to mention any extra season tickets they could sell.

Because running the parade route across Lincoln Way would be such a convenient idea?

 

[Frak]

No way they'll ever move VEISHEA stuff out there. Now they pretty much have everything moved to Central Campus/the MU/MoleBio. It takes 5 minutes to get from one place to another, not to mention the stupidity of making all of the students move their cars when parking is already an issue.

Also, moving the parade finish would be a HUGE pain in the ***.

Apparel sales in the case of UBS don't help the athletics department much at all.

My question: WHY? Why could they never move the VEISHEA stuff to ISC? It's not like the Moly Bio lots are a tradition, they've hosted the bands and carnival all of two years. ISC isn't too far from the MU, it's right across the street from RCA, it's hosted concerts before (RAGBRAI). Maybe it's a bad idea to make students move their cars, I don't know. If it is, then open up G7 and the student tailgating lots (if weather permits). Either way, it's not too difficult to ask the students to park at Towers and run a bus every 15 minutes or something.

You are right about moving the parade finish. That WOULD be an issue with breaking tradition and huge logistical problems. That needs to stay as is.

UBS/Cy's Locker Room, yeah one probably doesn't help the AD as much. What I'm saying is...more people, more possible sales. Get the apparel in front of as many people as possible. Set up one of those huts to sell season FB tickets...or at least hillside tickets.

What I'm saying is that there are a TON of people in town. Instead of spreading them all over with no focus, I think that they need to get them all in one area. Early, it's central campus and the parade. Mid afternoon to night, it is the ISC lots with tailgating, the spring game, CHOT, the carnival and concerts.

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

VEISHEA is a university event, created originally to showcase the campus, university, colleges and student organizations. That will remain. Having the spring game on the Saturday of VEISHEA week can be used to enhance both, plus bring more people to Ames.

Lots of good ideas in this thread, and I enjoy reading them even though I'm not in a position to make any of them happen.

FYI (perhaps a similar opportunity here?): From Bob Evans Foods twitter this morning:

@bobevansfarms will be at @OhioState spring game w/ samples of brats, italian sausage & pulled pork 2morrow!​