Arena Makeover

[jamminjamarsmiley]

Smart move - For those who need a cap, you can find me before each home game at the North entrance with caps for sale at the going rate of $1 per cap. All proceeds will go towards the Lyons indoor facility project.

 

[Redbird28]

I can't believe we all went to the same ISU. It's clear to me, after reading all this that there is a new drink on the horizon to make use of the cup holders - Jello Shots. No spills, fits a couple in the area deep enough for "a hockey puck"...

Can't wait to get up to RA and see this fiasco for myself. I bet I have a good time regardless of where my drink has to sit when I am not partaking.

 

[Sladerunningbear]

I will be at the Arena selling Redbirds F My Liver Party Time Beer Helmets for $12.70. Problem solved.

Spread it.

 

[birdsflyhigh]

Soooo......I guess since no one responded about the upper bowl lights, that they are not any kind of priority. It's a shame because the darkness really makes Redbird look very shabby.

 

[Trey_Guidry4three]

I was pleasantly surprised seeing the new seats and party boxes. However, I'd love to know who had the final say on the seats with those awful cup holders. They are absolutely worthless. So typical ISU. We finally get to buy a beer and the cup holder is about 1 inch in depth...not to mention the aluminum beer bottle will tip over at the slightest nudge. Get ready to have beers, soda, water spilled on you. Whoever was in charge of signing off on the seats with the cupholders failed miserably.

I love this. This = less trashy fans and less drunks attending games

 

[Phantom]

Soooo......I guess since no one responded about the upper bowl lights, that they are not any kind of priority. It's a shame because the darkness really makes Redbird look very shabby.

Would you rather have darkness or highlight all the empty seats up there?

The majority of arenas across the country darken their upper bowl too. Not sure the exact reasons why this is done, but it happens nonetheless.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

Soooo......I guess since no one responded about the upper bowl lights, that they are not any kind of priority. It's a shame because the darkness really makes Redbird look very shabby.

Would you rather have darkness or highlight all the empty seats up there?

The majority of arenas across the country darken their upper bowl too. Not sure the exact reasons why this is done, but it happens nonetheless.

:text-+1: Hit the nail square on the head.

 

[Redbird Alum 2004]

Soooo......I guess since no one responded about the upper bowl lights, that they are not any kind of priority. It's a shame because the darkness really makes Redbird look very shabby.

I actually prefer the darkened look. A lot of arenas do it as it forces more attention in the court.

 

[redbirdfan04]

The University is just looking out for everyone. They really do not want people having that much sugar. They are just trying to prevent type 2 diabetes.

 

[Redbirdfan21]

How much were the beers? Sorry if this has been asked and answered elsewhere

 

[IHateWSU]

How much were the beers? Sorry if this has been asked and answered elsewhere

$6 for Bud/Bud Light/Ultra
$7 for 312

 

[Redbird28]

From the game notes for tonight:

Floor Access After Games
- To improve safety and eliminate liability, court access will no longer be available after games. We will continue to offer post-game events with the coaches and players on the concourse throughout the season.

--In short, one of the more unique things we did for kids is over. Too bad because it's one of those rare things that we did that actually fed in to creating long term fans from kids getting the chance to connect with the players on a personal level after the games.

 

[MarchArchPod]

From the game notes for tonight:

Floor Access After Games
- To improve safety and eliminate liability, court access will no longer be available after games. We will continue to offer post-game events with the coaches and players on the concourse throughout the season.

--In short, one of the more unique things we did for kids is over. Too bad because it's one of those rare things that we did that actually fed in to creating long term fans from kids getting the chance to connect with the players on a personal level after the games.

Did we have this insane run of children getting hurt throwing the ball around for 10 min after games? This is a lame rule, I get the whole liability and safety thing, but Illinois State is also coming off as the fun police.

 

[Phantom]

From the game notes for tonight:

Floor Access After Games
- To improve safety and eliminate liability, court access will no longer be available after games. We will continue to offer post-game events with the coaches and players on the concourse throughout the season.

--In short, one of the more unique things we did for kids is over. Too bad because it's one of those rare things that we did that actually fed in to creating long term fans from kids getting the chance to connect with the players on a personal level after the games.

That sucks. You let kids sprint down the rickety old lower bowl stairs to get some court time and talk with the players for 30 years, now suddenly they can't with new, safer, easier access seating? "Eliminate liability" must mean insurance premiums went up.

 

[Adunk33]

From the game notes for tonight:

Floor Access After Games
- To improve safety and eliminate liability, court access will no longer be available after games. We will continue to offer post-game events with the coaches and players on the concourse throughout the season.

--In short, one of the more unique things we did for kids is over. Too bad because it's one of those rare things that we did that actually fed in to creating long term fans from kids getting the chance to connect with the players on a personal level after the games.

I totally understand the liability issue. But I would say I am in part the big fan (and donor...well...no a big donor but a donor and a big fan) I am today because of this relationship that was established when I was a kid. Running around the floor after the games. I have a vivid memory of shooting around with Dana Ford, Vince Greene, Trey Guidrey, and Gregg Alexander. I remember a 10 foot guy named Greg Dilagard swatting a couple of my shots too.

Like I said, I understand the liability aspect, but I agree this is one of the unique fan engagement things that will make kids tell their parents that they want to go to another game.

 

[Redbird28]

From the game notes for tonight:

Floor Access After Games
- To improve safety and eliminate liability, court access will no longer be available after games. We will continue to offer post-game events with the coaches and players on the concourse throughout the season.

--In short, one of the more unique things we did for kids is over. Too bad because it's one of those rare things that we did that actually fed in to creating long term fans from kids getting the chance to connect with the players on a personal level after the games.

Did we have this insane run of children getting hurt throwing the ball around for 10 min after games? This is a lame rule, I get the whole liability and safety thing, but Illinois State is also coming off as the fun police.

Not that I ever saw. Mostly, I just saw pictures, and a lot of smiles.

Like you, I totally understand ISU not wanting to shoulder any more liability than necessary in today's litigious world, but I still hate seeing this unique practice go by the wayside. Certainly sucks for the kids.

 

[Seven]

From the game notes for tonight:

Floor Access After Games
- To improve safety and eliminate liability, court access will no longer be available after games. We will continue to offer post-game events with the coaches and players on the concourse throughout the season.

--In short, one of the more unique things we did for kids is over. Too bad because it's one of those rare things that we did that actually fed in to creating long term fans from kids getting the chance to connect with the players on a personal level after the games.

Did we have this insane run of children getting hurt throwing the ball around for 10 min after games? This is a lame rule, I get the whole liability and safety thing, but Illinois State is also coming off as the fun police.

You guys should discuss this on your podcast! I agree, many kids have become Redbird fans or students thanks to this. Really dislike it.

 

[MarchArchPod]

From the game notes for tonight:

Floor Access After Games
- To improve safety and eliminate liability, court access will no longer be available after games. We will continue to offer post-game events with the coaches and players on the concourse throughout the season.

--In short, one of the more unique things we did for kids is over. Too bad because it's one of those rare things that we did that actually fed in to creating long term fans from kids getting the chance to connect with the players on a personal level after the games.

Did we have this insane run of children getting hurt throwing the ball around for 10 min after games? This is a lame rule, I get the whole liability and safety thing, but Illinois State is also coming off as the fun police.

You guys should discuss this on your podcast! I agree, many kids have become Redbird fans or students thanks to this. Really dislike it.

I can tell you as someone that has been an Illinois State fan since I was like 5 years old, this is something that I am pretty against. I will be bringing this up on the podcast. Like I said, I get the whole liability/safety thing, but man, my memories as a youngster playing out there after games, it was great stuff, and it sucks for my little guy not being about the experience the same.

 

[Redbird28]

Did we have this insane run of children getting hurt throwing the ball around for 10 min after games? This is a lame rule, I get the whole liability and safety thing, but Illinois State is also coming off as the fun police.

You guys should discuss this on your podcast! I agree, many kids have become Redbird fans or students thanks to this. Really dislike it.

I can tell you as someone that has been an Illinois State fan since I was like 5 years old, this is something that I am pretty against. I will be bringing this up on the podcast. Like I said, I get the whole liability/safety thing, but man, my memories as a youngster playing out there after games, it was great stuff, and it sucks for my little guy not being about the experience the same.

It's not just little guys. My daughter got really in to ISU basketball partly because she got to go down and shoot after games the past few years, to the point where she actually asked if we could go to games.

When I would tell my ultra pro-Illini fan friends who have kids about this practice they were floored that the players and coaches were so accessible. I even had 1 of them ask if he could bring his kid and come with us to a game this year because of it. I literally just had to tell him that the dream is dead. Not sure if they will come now. Bummer.

 

[crazzymark]

Are they ever going to turn the lights back on in the upper bowl? IMHO it makes the whole arena look a bit dingy

With thousands of empty seats, not a chance.