Tailgating Discussion

[Cajun Monkee]

3) knowing how much something costs somewhere else without knowing also how well it sells somewhere else tells you nothing. Rice for example: they charge $200 per game for their cheapest spots. UL fans outnumbered Rice fans 2 or 3 to 1 in Houston and tailgating was next to nonexistent. For our admin to say, “we aren’t overcharging. Look. Rice charges more” would be beyond inept when their parking lot is empty. These schools can charge these prices all they want. It doesn’t mean the spots sell. We should be looking for the price point that WILL sell in Lafayette, LA and the reasons why our old tailgaters or donors have stopped.

Again this goes back to my theory that this admin doesn’t really care to know why things have dwindled because this would require 1. Effort and 2. Self reflection if those answers involved our practices. We refuse to do the work. There are two former tailgate spot holders and/or RCAF members in this thread alone. These people hold the answers we should be seeking. Do we care enough to pick up the damn phone?

GreatestStory literally said:

"Let me start with pricing, "

and,

"Is their any other G5 school requiring this type of investment? ...or even a P5?"

He literally asked for other examples.

At this point, the only thing I see us doing is offering a considerable number of tailgating spots for free.

Parking would have to be free. For everybody. The only exception I would have is that you HAVE to buy a ticket or tickets to park for free.

And tickets would be reduced in price and ALL seats would be on a first come/first served basis.

[cjr3888]

I notice three things (just looking at USA, Southern Miss, Rice, Ole Miss and Moo State - I realized the last two are outside of our peer group):

1) We don't offer single game rentals; looks like most others do.

2) We don't offer add-ons (tents, tables, chairs, and then TVs, generators.

3) Our prices seem to be at least competitive, and (from what I'm seeing) cheaper.

Am I missing something?

There was talk after last season about doing single game rentals. It was tried this season but don't know how successful it was.

The schools that offer the add-ons use a third party vendor, either Tailgate Concierge or RevelXP.

[Cajun Monkee]

There was talk after last season about doing single game rentals. It was tried this season but don't know how successful it was.

The schools that offer the add-ons use a third party vendor, either Tailgate Concierge or RevelXP.

1. I've had friends contact the Athletic Department about single game rentals for the RV spots. Paid $500.00.

2. Yeah, saw that. Deposits must be insane.

[CajunRage]

What makes you think giving away TG spots would generate that kind of crowd? The apathy for this program in this community has nothing to do with the price of TG spots. If you give them away you will have the same amount of people there but now you are making 0 on them.

I know what's not generating a crowd.....

[zeppelincajun]

I know what's not generating a crowd.....

And as I recall from older threads you are a former tailgater, season ticket holder, and RCAF member. Have you ever been contacted by the university for your input?

[facelessjonmoon]

IMO they should open the grass area around fraternity row and Bourgeois hall for first come first serve free tailgating. It gives you a little more of an on campus feel that the open field.

This right here. Been thinking that for a long time

It would be an awesome spot to tailgate especially for fraternities and students

It's a natural grove

[CajunRage]

And as I recall from older threads you are a former tailgater, season ticket holder, and RCAF member. Have you ever been contacted by the university for your input?

not once

[Turbine]

What makes you think giving away TG spots would generate that kind of crowd?

People want to be where people are and right now the upper deck ain't selling the come here moment, while a lot of full of tailgaters can and did.

[BananaHammock]

Not sure another thread is needed on this, people have had enough of the administration and are showing it by not tailgating or coming to games. When things were good they should have been polling people about why they attend, why do they tailgate, etc... and try to continue that pattern. Instead we seem to be upside down and wondering how we got there.

[BabbForHeisman]

This shouldn't be that hard. Offer tailgating spots in 3 tiers, based on quality of spot. $50/game, $100/game, $150/game. When you get a tailgating "season pass", you select which games you want. You must purchase at least 3 (maybe 4) games. After a set deadline, all spots go on sale for single games only, at 25% more than the season pass price.

It's not hard.

Also, no RCAF donation required. You're not going to lose all that money. If the RCAF requirement goes away, some people (not all, but some) will increase their donations accordingly. Plus, RCAF requirements with tailgate spots are a relatively small line item in the income sheet anyway.

WE HAVE TO MAKE IT EASY FOR PEOPLE TO COME TO THE GAMES.

[Turbine]

This shouldn't be that hard. Offer tailgating spots in 3 tiers, based on quality of spot. $50/game, $100/game, $150/game. When you get a tailgating "season pass", you select which games you want. You must purchase at least 3 (maybe 4) games. After a set deadline, all spots go on sale for single games only, at 25% more than the season pass price.

It's not hard.

Also, no RCAF donation required. You're not going to lose all that money. If the RCAF requirement goes away, some people (not all, but some) will increase their donations accordingly. Plus, RCAF requirements with tailgate spots are a relatively small line item in the income sheet anyway.

WE HAVE TO MAKE IT EASY FOR PEOPLE TO COME TO THE GAMES.

Institute this now for next year and they will make 3 times the money as last year.

Let people get on board NOW. Early,adopters will become your best sales force.

[zeppelincajun]

not once

We claim to want to be big time. Could fool me.