2018-19 basketball enhancements

[Cajunsmike]

The biggest monetary benefit of NCAA basketball is making the dance. Several posters have said they support basketball because they realize it is our 2nd best opportunity to make money and publicity for our school. Making the NCAA tournament is the only thing we should be talking about. For goodness sake, how the hell can your team slogan be "mission march" but winning a regular season title and NIT is better?

You ever notice that no one talks about winning 27 games last year? What people remember is losing to a hapless team on senior night and not making the dance. That's what people talk about. Obviously we'd all like to win throughout the season, but the ONLY mission should be "getting lucky for 3 days". Those lucky three days gets you PAID and PUBLICIZED.

Agree completely. Conference officials do too and that is why they are taking steps to give advantages to the top 2 seeds in the conference tournament. From that perspective, it does add a little importance to the regular conference season due to the aforementioned advantage. I have heard that basketball season tickets are ahead of last year at this time. The strong regular season probably is playing a part in that.

[VObserver]

I dont think that a great regular season is "better" than going to the dance, but it is the best way to improve both your chances of getting there and your chances of winning a game or two when you do.

Last year we had a great record, but not a great regular season. We beat a bunch of nobodies, and lost to every somebody we played.

[CajunRebel]

According to the press release, the new hospitality areas are for fans seated courtside in rows 1-4 and for those at the $2500 RCAF level. Is that not accurate?

Yep. After the discussion we just had about not pricing out our own fans, it is very clear that the athletic department is not having the same converstion we are.

New for 2018: The Bayou Bar people enjoyed, except now there’s a $2,500 cover to get in. The athletic department is so freakin’ out of touch on this one it makes my head hurt.

It would be cheaper to get premium seats for a Pels game.

[ManAboutTown]

Yep. After the discussion we just had about not pricing out our own fans, it is very clear that the athletic department is not having the same converstion we are.

New for 2018: The Bayou Bar people enjoyed, except now there’s a $2,500 cover to get in. The athletic department is so freakin’ out of touch on this one it makes my head hurt.

I’ve never seen guys do the homework and research before making a decision like this regime. I can assure you, something is telling them there is a market for this. One thing they are not, is ‘out of touch.’

[Duggie35]

I agree with you MAT. I don't always agree with every decision, but they are indeed in touch with the fans. I don't ever recall being asked to participate in as many survey's as this administration has put out there.

[CajunRebel]

I’ve never seen guys do the homework and research before making a decision like this regime. I can assure you, something is telling them there is a market for this. One thing they are not, is ‘out of touch.’

Adding a bar for premium seats is fine.

But taking away the bar that was meant to lure in the casual fan is a perfect microcosm for how this athletic department has been conducting its business the past few years.

[ManAboutTown]

Adding a bar for premium seats is fine.

But taking away the bar that was meant to lure in the casual fan is a perfect microcosm for how this athletic department has been conducting its business the past few years.

I’d like you to expound upon that. The bar idea was a test run last year. It was obviously successful enough to offer as a premium item. Businesses do this kind of thing all the time. Ever hear of a free 7 day trial?

That’s just good business, man. I assume you think it’s a way to fleece poor fans?

[CajunVic]

I agree with you MAT. I don't always agree with every decision, but they are indeed in touch with the fans. I don't ever recall being asked to participate in as many survey's as this administration has put out there.

Not really sure whether "in touch" or "out of touch" is the true analysis applicable to this administration.

Almost every enhancement move they make appears to be angled towards benefitting those making donations and thereby increasing the donation level of the casual fan.

I say almost because there have been some enhancements implemented in an attempt to lure more student participation.

The higher the donation level, the better the benefits.

It's definitely an organized plan to encourage increased donations.

We will see in time whether they are successful at increasing the donation level of the casual fan or whether they run off the casual fan.

PRODUCT ON THE FIELD, COURT OR DIAMOND WILL PROBABLY A BIG FACTOR ON THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF THAT PHILOSOPHY.

[CajunRebel]

I’d like you to expound upon that. The bar idea was a test run last year. It was obviously successful enough to offer as a premium item. Businesses do this kind of thing all the time. Ever hear of a free 7 day trial?

That’s just good business, man. I assume you think it’s a way to fleece poor fans?

Apples and oranges.

Ever been to Smoothie King Center? Do you understand why they spent money renovating it and putting in a bar in the 300 level (like most other NBA arenas?) Do you understand why we copied that idea? They didn’t do it to sell more premium seats. They did it to draw in casual fans. They did it to sell tickets in the 300 level. It still matters to them that the house is full every night. I’m starting to question if it matters to us.

This isn’t a zero sum game. We should be able appeal to both groups of fans.

[ManAboutTown]

Apples and oranges.

Ever been to Smoothie King Center? Do you understand why they spent money renovating it and putting in a bar in the 300 level (like most other NBA arenas?) Do you understand why we copied that idea? They didn’t do it to sell more premium seats. They did it to draw in casual fans. It still matters to them that the house is full every night. I’m starting to question if it matters to us.

The causal fan at an nba game spends $100+ bucks a person. Comparing us to an nba experience is the apples and oranges.