2 Free Tix - Delaware St @ Delaware on Sunday

[93henfan]

I still don't understand you guys who apparently want the Hens to bring in top level, OOC teams to Newark in September. The goal every year should be having top level OOC teams come to Newark in November and December. The ACC games are booked and the Hens have to play 2, 3, 4 ranked teams in conference play every year.

Most of this sentiment began in the days of schedules that included West Chester and two FCS scrubs. Ziady got rid of West Chester (good) but has since proceeded to book an automatic loss versus an ACC school for the foreseeable future. It would have been more exciting for fans to rotate one game a year between middling local FBS (Navy, Temple) and marquee FCS, but there's no money in those games, so Sacred Heart and Colgate it is. I appreciate the predicament he's in.

[89Hen]

Most of this sentiment began in the days of schedules that included West Chester and two FCS scrubs. Ziady got rid of West Chester (good) but has since proceeded to book an automatic loss versus an ACC school for the foreseeable future. It would have been more exciting for fans to rotate one game a year between middling local FBS (Navy, Temple) and marquee FCS, but there's no money in those games, so Sacred Heart and Colgate it is. I appreciate the predicament he's in.

What's funny is that the same guys who wanted games against regional I-A's are also the ones who complain about the home slate. You can't have both. Personally, I like the idea of playing ACC schools. I toyed with the idea of going to the Pitt game this year (thank God I didn't) and will most likely go to a few of the upcoming ones in NC.

BTW, to see somebody complain about URI as a home game is plain stupid.

[GannonFan]

Most of this sentiment began in the days of schedules that included West Chester and two FCS scrubs. Ziady got rid of West Chester (good) but has since proceeded to book an automatic loss versus an ACC school for the foreseeable future. It would have been more exciting for fans to rotate one game a year between middling local FBS (Navy, Temple) and marquee FCS, but there's no money in those games, so Sacred Heart and Colgate it is. I appreciate the predicament he's in.

What's funny is that the same guys who wanted games against regional I-A's are also the ones who complain about the home slate. You can't have both. Personally, I like the idea of playing ACC schools. I toyed with the idea of going to the Pitt game this year (thank God I didn't) and will most likely go to a few of the upcoming ones in NC.

BTW, to see somebody complain about URI as a home game is plain stupid.

The thing is, those of us who want regional games against I-A's would like to do so on more equitable footing, i.e. as a fellow I-A playing another I-A. Face it, UD is now only scheduling IA teams every year because they need the money now (although getting just $300k from Pitt is abysmal - we got paid little and took an ass-whupping). If they hadn't pissed off so many people and lost the fanbase back with the introduction of the UDAF, they wouldn't have to schedule those teams because they would still have a fanbase that would actually look forward to the playoffs and getting to play quality FCS teams then. However, the part of the fanbase that relished that is gone, and now to regain a fanbase you have to move to FBS to do it - you can't draw in enough new people just playing an FCS schedule anymore.

[89Hen]

What's funny is that the same guys who wanted games against regional I-A's are also the ones who complain about the home slate. You can't have both. Personally, I like the idea of playing ACC schools. I toyed with the idea of going to the Pitt game this year (thank God I didn't) and will most likely go to a few of the upcoming ones in NC.

BTW, to see somebody complain about URI as a home game is plain stupid.

The thing is, those of us who want regional games against I-A's would like to do so on more equitable footing, i.e. as a fellow I-A playing another I-A. Face it, UD is now only scheduling IA teams every year because they need the money now (although getting just $300k from Pitt is abysmal - we got paid little and took an ass-whupping). If they hadn't pissed off so many people and lost the fanbase back with the introduction of the UDAF, they wouldn't have to schedule those teams because they would still have a fanbase that would actually look forward to the playoffs and getting to play quality FCS teams then. However, the part of the fanbase that relished that is gone, and now to regain a fanbase you have to move to FBS to do it - you can't draw in enough new people just playing an FCS schedule anymore.

What is option two? The one that doesn't consist of moving to I-A.

[93henfan]

The thing is, those of us who want regional games against I-A's would like to do so on more equitable footing, i.e. as a fellow I-A playing another I-A. Face it, UD is now only scheduling IA teams every year because they need the money now (although getting just $300k from Pitt is abysmal - we got paid little and took an ass-whupping). If they hadn't pissed off so many people and lost the fanbase back with the introduction of the UDAF, they wouldn't have to schedule those teams because they would still have a fanbase that would actually look forward to the playoffs and getting to play quality FCS teams then. However, the part of the fanbase that relished that is gone, and now to regain a fanbase you have to move to FBS to do it - you can't draw in enough new people just playing an FCS schedule anymore.

What is option two? The one that doesn't consist of moving to I-A.

Cut the cord.

[89Hen]

What is option two? The one that doesn't consist of moving to I-A.

Cut the cord.

I'd have to believe that's option 3.

[93henfan]

Cut the cord.

I'd have to believe that's option 3.

Well, let's throw it back to you then. What is your option 2?

Go D2 and reduce the total athletic budget?

Try to stay FCS with 8-12K in the stands each week?

I absolutely agree with GF's point that Delaware has driven away 10,000 people who truly enjoyed and appreciated a very affordable Saturday out watching a I-AA/FCS team with a national reputation. Now they have priced out and/or completely pissed off those people and they are not coming back for FCS. Maybe FBS, but never FCS. Fool them once, yada, yada...

[bluehenbillk]

I'd have to think they were surprised that maybe only 5,000 people showed up Sunday for the game.

[89Hen]

I'd have to believe that's option 3.

Well, let's throw it back to you then. What is your option 2?

Go D2 and reduce the total athletic budget?

Try to stay FCS with 8-12K in the stands each week?

I absolutely agree with GF's point that Delaware has driven away 10,000 people who truly enjoyed and appreciated a very affordable Saturday out watching a I-AA/FCS team with a national reputation. Now they have priced out and/or completely pissed off those people and they are not coming back for FCS. Maybe FBS, but never FCS. Fool them once, yada, yada...

Option 2 is they stay in the CAA, make some upgrades to gameday experience while keeping the costs down for the average fan. Attendance stays close to 20k. You guys saying it will be 10k doesn't mean that's where it's going.

[89Hen]

I'd have to think they were surprised that maybe only 5,000 people showed up Sunday for the game.

Who is they? I would have been surprised if it were crowded. Between church, soccer games, Eagles, etc... there were lots of reasons for folks to stay away.

[GannonFan]

Well, let's throw it back to you then. What is your option 2?

Go D2 and reduce the total athletic budget?

Try to stay FCS with 8-12K in the stands each week?

I absolutely agree with GF's point that Delaware has driven away 10,000 people who truly enjoyed and appreciated a very affordable Saturday out watching a I-AA/FCS team with a national reputation. Now they have priced out and/or completely pissed off those people and they are not coming back for FCS. Maybe FBS, but never FCS. Fool them once, yada, yada...

Option 2 is they stay in the CAA, make some upgrades to gameday experience while keeping the costs down for the average fan. Attendance stays close to 20k. You guys saying it will be 10k doesn't mean that's where it's going.

The thing is, I don't think we're really all that close to 20k today, certainly not people in the seats. My family has something like 16 tickets among us, and we never get more than 10 people out to the games for various reasons. Based on what the stadium looked like last year, it's clear that there's a significant difference between tickets sold and fannies in the seats. We're realistically at 15k, no more, right now. Problem is, I think it's really hard to attract the fans. Success on the field won't do it, we saw in 2010 with Devlin's team that even one of the better teams in the program's history saw attendance drop that year. And they've actually gone a long way now and have improved the gameday atmosphere (better concessions, better start times, dressed the place up nice) but those things aren't enough to overcome the fact that it's still expensive and it's still just FCS football. Just can't bring in new fans in a situation like that.

Face it, unless there's a change in the administration to one that actually wants football, UD football will continue to wither on the vine and continue to slowly fade away.

[89Hen]

it's still expensive

Compared to what? Before I stopped going, it was dirt cheap for me to have season tix (family plan), the parking was cheap, the concessions were cheap. Just went on JMU site and they are $27 for the Delaware game. Single game for Hens look like they're $20 for outside the 40's and $30 between the 40's. I recall W&M being slightly more expensive, Towson maybe a little cheaper.

[YoUDeeMan]

it's still expensive

Compared to what? Before I stopped going, it was dirt cheap for me to have season tix (family plan), the parking was cheap, the concessions were cheap. Just went on JMU site and they are $27 for the Delaware game. Single game for Hens look like they're $20 for outside the 40's and $30 between the 40's. I recall W&M being slightly more expensive, Towson maybe a little cheaper.

The family 5-pack season ticket plan is only $235 (less than $7/ticket, but, tickets are int he North end zone). Add in the lowest parking plan of $70 (out in the single parking areas), and the total is $305 for a season. Not bad.

That isn't counting the concessions.

It compares to the price of matinee movie tickets (again, without the concessions). But, with the limited view in the end zone, it is similar to movie tickets in the front row, or with someone's head in your way. You also aren't going to get rained on, or suffer from being too hot or too cold, in a movie theater...and you aren't locked in to certain dates with movie tickets.

Anywhere else in the stadium is more expensive. Other seats are $120 each in the next to worst sections(ADHIMN)...family of four = $480, plus parking = $550. Family of 5 = $670. Closer seats than that are more expensive, and also adds the donation requirements.

So, $305 bucks for season long poor seating, or you have to drop between $550 and $670 for something a bit better.

Of course, you could purchase individual game tickets...which is what a lot of people have done. But UD is than relying on great weather, interesting opponents (wait, no they aren't), and a whole host of other variables. A few bad weather games and profits go down quickly.

[SunCoastBlueHen]

It compares to the price of matinee movie tickets

To expand on the movie analogy and entertainment value:

Delaware football past is to Caddyshack as Delaware football current is to Caddyshack II

[bluehenbillk]

The cost of going to a UD game is $37.50 per person for our season seats (35 yard line), not including concessions. The $37.50 per person is our game ticket/parking/donation cost. That's not entirely that bad - I just paid $90 per for a Penn State game in November & that was just tickets.

[89Hen]

Of course, you could purchase individual game tickets...which is what a lot of people have done. But UD is than relying on great weather, interesting opponents (wait, no they aren't), and a whole host of other variables. A few bad weather games and profits go down quickly.

Anyone who finds the cost of and "marriage", for lack of a better word, to season tickets, single games has always been the way at UD. I believe Montana sells 80-90% of their tix in season format. Has UD ever broached the 50% mark?

I still don't understand the concept of buying tickets for your team based on who they are playing. I can see the very rare exception when a David Robinson comes to the Field House, but that's about it. Remember when GSU came to UD for a regular season game in August 2002 (I remember the month/year because my father died the day before)? IIRC the West Chester game a couple weeks later had more people in the stands. People do NOT come to see the opponents play. Navy and Temple are not coming back and if they came every year because the Hens moved up to I-A, they too would get as old as JMU, W&M, even Wagner.

[DSUrocks07]

Swing for the fences here:

UD should stay in FCS and build a new stadium (15k seats) that is expandable SHOULD they attempt to move up in the future. Make it a more intimate atmosphere and recapture that spirit that made going to Delaware Stadium one of the more exciting venues in FCS football.

Also consider a move to the Patriot League as well.

[GannonFan]

Swing for the fences here:

UD should stay in FCS and build a new stadium (15k seats) that is expandable SHOULD they attempt to move up in the future. Make it a more intimate atmosphere and recapture that spirit that made going to Delaware Stadium one of the more exciting venues in FCS football.

Also consider a move to the Patriot League as well.

It would be hard to build a new stadium that would be as close to the action as the current one is. If they just wanted to limit the attendance they should just tarp over the seats like the Jags do for their games. Anyway, the sightlines aren't the problem.

[GannonFan]

IIRC the West Chester game a couple weeks later had more people in the stands. People do NOT come to see the opponents play. Navy and Temple are not coming back and if they came every year because the Hens moved up to I-A, they too would get as old as JMU, W&M, even Wagner.

Correction, the old group of fans, you know, the ones who were run off by the heavy handedness of the administration over jacking up the fees and actually reducing the experience at the same time, those fans showed up regardless of the opponent. However, as we've said, those fans are never coming back. If you want to attract new fans (and really, that's likley a big assumption on my part, it's very possible the administration doesn't want anymore football fans) then you need to put teams on the schedule other than Wagner and Sacred Heart and Delaware St. I never recall Temple getting old back in the day when Temple was by far UD's biggest football rival (it made the rivalry with nova look to be just another game). Having a bunch of midshipmen in the house for a home game against Navy would be pretty cool - it was before. Heck, getting to play UMass at home again and getting their band back into the house would be good too. And then sprinkle in a team from the big 5 every now and then (you could get a little one like Wake Forest to play here) and you could actually attract new fans to fill in for the old ones who are never coming back.

[93henfan]

A horseshoed Tub would be insane. The sideline seating is already literally on top of the teams with a higher pitch than you see in newer stadiums. If you plugged the sound from leaving one end it would be an ear bleeder.

All pie in the sky, of course, with current trends and demand.

[89Hen]

Also consider a move to the Patriot League as well.

No thanks

[Grizalltheway]

A horseshoed Tub would be insane. The sideline seating is already literally on top of the teams with a higher pitch than you see in newer stadiums. If you plugged the sound from leaving one end it would be an ear bleeder.

All pie in the sky, of course, with current trends and demand.

Did somebody say loud and steep?

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[89Hen]

IIRC the West Chester game a couple weeks later had more people in the stands. People do NOT come to see the opponents play. Navy and Temple are not coming back and if they came every year because the Hens moved up to I-A, they too would get as old as JMU, W&M, even Wagner.

Correction, the old group of fans, you know, the ones who were run off by the heavy handedness of the administration over jacking up the fees and actually reducing the experience at the same time, those fans showed up regardless of the opponent. However, as we've said, those fans are never coming back. If you want to attract new fans (and really, that's likley a big assumption on my part, it's very possible the administration doesn't want anymore football fans) then you need to put teams on the schedule other than Wagner and Sacred Heart and Delaware St. I never recall Temple getting old back in the day when Temple was by far UD's biggest football rival (it made the rivalry with nova look to be just another game). Having a bunch of midshipmen in the house for a home game against Navy would be pretty cool - it was before. Heck, getting to play UMass at home again and getting their band back into the house would be good too. And then sprinkle in a team from the big 5 every now and then (you could get a little one like Wake Forest to play here) and you could actually attract new fans to fill in for the old ones who are never coming back.

You're talking about a move to I-A. If the Hens stick in I-AA (you have to admit that's the most likely scenario) then who would the new fans really get excited about? NDSU, Montana... I'm running out of ideas.

[89Hen]

A horseshoed Tub would be insane. The sideline seating is already literally on top of the teams with a higher pitch than you see in newer stadiums. If you plugged the sound from leaving one end it would be an ear bleeder.

All pie in the sky, of course, with current trends and demand.

Administration already has those drawings.

[93henfan]

Wa Griz is a nice stadium, as is The Tub. Not getting into a measuring contest.