Grading the Game Day Experience

[Big Poppa]

I pretty much agree. Food is not an issue with me. Nothing they have really appeals to me. If I get anything it's water or sports drink. I go to watch the game and really don't care about much of anything else.

I’m with you. Much better food at the tailgate beforehand. I have a few beers and watch the game. That’s all I need.

[facelessjonmoon]

I'll start by saying that I have been one of the most vocal critics of the game day experience at Cajun Field. That said: Here are my grades for Saturday's Game Day:

Parking: B+. This would have been an A+ if there were an easy way to access Lot D for early arrivals. The free on site parking in lots D & E [space available] makes sense.

Tailgate: A. Even though some tailgaters were moved from their traditional sites, I heard zero complaints; AND I was told that there were multiple tents set up on the East side of the stadium. If those were student tailgate spots, the grade goes to A++

Pregame: B. The Hype video was great; the students were great in their response to the entry of both teams; no National Anthem was disappointing, though I suspect it, along with the band's pregame on field show, was a victim of the lightning delay.

Piped in music during game: A+ for some Jimmy Buffett and for music in general more appropriate for the paying customers.

PA: A. The PA was still a bit annoying, but at least the volume was audible without being obnoxiously loud.

In-Game Crowd engagement: A. The T-shirt shoot, the 'row of the game' etc. were good, and appropriately done. The crowd itself was loud and engaged at least until the student section emptied.

Student Contribution to Experience: A. As long as they were there, the students were loud, boisterous and having a great time. They basically disappeared during halftime and the injury delay. Then again, it was getting late, the bars were open, and they are kids out for a good time. Hard to downgrade their score for leaving.

Handling of Digital Ticket problems: A+ Yeah, I know there were issues; but I have not heard one case of a fan being denied entrance or being significantly delayed because of snafus in the system. That is a huge + in my book. Kudos to putting the fan above getting an accurate count.

Overall Grade: A++ The first half Saturday was the best game day experience ever in Cajun Field for a crowd of 20K or less. The second half was not as good, but through no fault of the University.

ALL of the grades I gave above reflect my opinion that in this instance, the decision makers identified the problems they have with game day experience and addressed them in ways that improved said experience in almost every way.

Feel free to disagree; after all these are my opinion only.

I agree. Someone is listening and trying to improve the in game fan experience

Little tweaks like the "in game DJ" was a nice attempt to engage fans. Shooting t shirts into the crowd is an old Cajun Chicken trick

Although I'd prefer more band vs piped in music overall- the In game music selection was much improved and well placed

Regarding the electronic tickets, none of mine in my mobile Apple wallet scanned but the ticket scanner let me right in no problem. The gist I got from them is most were not scanning. At least at gate A

[KajunKrazy]

If I had posted this, everyone would be ripping my ass.

Good analysis VO. Nice to see someone noticing good things.

Now why would they do that to a good fella like you?

[SMD7636]

I wish Russo Park had concessions and televisions on football during pregame tailgate. Football was only on the big screen.

UL needs 1 big pep rally outside the stadium before the game instead of 2 in and out of Russo Park.

[KajunKrazy]

I agree. Someone is listening and trying to improve the in game fan experience

Little tweaks like the "in game DJ" was a nice attempt to engage fans. Shooting t shirts into the crowd is an old Cajun Chicken trick

Although I'd prefer more band vs piped in music overall- the In game music selection was much improved and well placed

You are correct. The stadium is a 1971 model. Something’s just wont be fixed until rebuilt. I have a feeling the new stadium will be such a great experience people will like it so much they won’t even complain if they have to walk across the street to get to it.

[CajunVic]

Now why would they do that to a good fella like you?

. . . or me . . .

[CajunVic]

You are correct. The stadium is a 1971 model. Something’s just wont be fixed until rebuilt. I have a feeling the new stadium will be such a great experience people will like it so much they won’t even complain if they have to walk across the street to get to it.

. . .don’t get too far out on a limb there KK . . .

[Swamp]

Well.... my mission to reduce cold beer intake took a break. I had a 6pack of Natty and one Ghost.

Game play was, lets call it rough, at times. We made mistakes and we made plays, I don't want to say they offset each other but ehh, we will improve. Demons are a bad team, we made some miserable mistakes, but ehh, we will improve. Game 1 - Game 2 is where those improvements will be witnessed. I hear we have a -7.5 v ODU. I gotta watch ODU season opener from Saturday. If we made these same mistakes v high caliber SBC, whoa, not good. After being ____ed for the last 30-50 hours, im cooling off. Let's Geaux.

Concessions grade: I've never eaten food at Cajun Field, not because I don't like it, I simply never have.

Tailgate: East Side Confirmation. They were tearin' it up, Ive seen tailgate there years ago (don't often enter from said direction.)

Peeps: Chicks everywhere. Wearing cowboy boots and bikini tops I saw in da Swamp. Now we talkin. Wait till next game after any students that weren't there see that sh(* on their phones. Very cool. By the way, great turn out students, that was some damn good stuff. That motivational speech y'all gave NW upon entry was LOUD!

HUGE Props to the idea maker of the ribbon board. THAT THING IS GENUIS. We now have 50 yard line game score, clock,etc.... F'N A. Furthermore, there was this glow that thing was broadcasting onto the students that was simply a gamechanging sight in da Swamp. I am now fully onboard with what UL comes up with in its improvements to Cajun Field. I got one I've been saving for until I can generate an image of it. It's a good one too and easy, probably can handle it in'house with a welder.

STADIUM AUDIO: F. There was so much complaining about it beeing "too loud" that we have high schools that probably dish out a better music experience. And the damn announcements of first downs and touchdowns do not sound like another stadium in NCAA Football. We are ammature at best.

Stadium looks awesome, that deep azz red painted everywhere just keeps getting better. UL equipment room had to be catalyst to that b/c it has the same tempo and it is awesome.

If it weren't for the audio (terrible) and mistakes I would have higher grade.

I sugar coat nothing. never will. not me.

It was a f'n awesome GAMEDAY. Exceeded expectations. By a lot. Dead Serious.

Never leave out the National Anthem again. This is your one pass.

A.

Swamp............................................out.

[facelessjonmoon]

Well.... my mission to reduce cold beer intake took a break. I had a 6pack of Natty and one Ghost.


.

Yep. The beer game was on point as always. Lines were short and options were solid

Hopefully it stays that way (and doesn't change to the cajundome model)

[Swamp]

Yea the Natty Light tent is simply always rolling. Very quick and very nice ladies dealing.

[RedTails]

I just noticed Tulane is hosting Ole Miss this week. Wonder if we'll be able to attract P5 schools after our renovation?

[CajunVic]

. . . Peeps: Chicks everywhere . . . Wearing cowboy boots and bikini tops I saw in da Swamp . . .

. . . out of everything posted to encourage attendance this is by far the one which would be the most effective . . . just sayin . . .