Game Production - has degraded

[Phantom]

Interesting knowledge - had NO idea about the cheerleaders and Redline Express. What could possibly be any issues with what they do during the game?? Although I have old eyes and sit in the upper bowl - the "talent level" of both squads has depreciated. Bring back the Corphyees!!!!!

All this goes back about 15 years, but at the time it was everything from their performances to uniforms, to even hair and makeup if you can believe that. Both teams of course pointed out dozens of examples of how other schools do it and that they should keep up with that - you know, basically perform like Division 1 spirit squads should - and got a lot of tsk tsk tsk / "we don't do that here" treatment. Thus, no fun/no energy and that's why there's significant turnover every year. Also at the time, decision-makers did not like that the Redline's halftime performances in STL became quite popular among Valley fans each year. So further restrictions arose because of that.

 

[gobirds85]

IMHO, ISU has continued to degrade the experience of going to the game. This is the longest period since '81 of not attending a game and there isn't anything planned on the horizon. It doesn't look fun while watching on the Ocho. The pep band doesn't look engaged and the student section is almost non-existent. It looks like a bu game. They need to put someone in charge that actually cares about Redbird bball. I nominate Reggie Redbird and ADunk. These two Birds would whip that place back into shape.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all.

 

[TBS_20]

Just win. Winning brings in more money to pay for better programming

The dance teams are embarrassing now. And, not because the sexually suggestive moves are gone, but the talent is horrible. They are going through the motions. It's like they don't even want to be there.

 

[dpdoughbird06]

The PA guy should mention the stand until the other team scores thing when it pops up on the jumbotron. He mentions it when the tip is happening. Again, you can’t understand what he’s saying when he does say it

The PA guy should stand until the other team scores. He’s courtside so anyone who wants to see the action would have to stand, too, no?

 

[FriscoBird90]

I'll write it, because many of my fellow graybeards are thinking it. A good place to start would be to say, "To heck with the lawyers. Bring back the flaming tubas."

 

[Aggie]

They seem to be quite confused on how to execute things. The balance between house music and the band is way off, and the gameday script (yes, there really is one) has become so formulaic and stuffy that it's just boring. I thought it was bad in 2007 but its gotten much worse since. As for the Redline, they simply are not allowed to do things. Being friends with two recent former coaches, the conversations they had to have with admin over the most ridiculous things was, well, ridiculous. Pick virtually any school/any game on TV and watch their dance teams. THAT is what the Redline should be, and used to be, but here, they're flat out told no. Same with the cheerleaders. Friends with the recent former coach too who was basically supplanted because of clique-y and shady shit with parents and other coaches and it sounded like junior high drama.

The long and short of it is that decision makers don't want anything to be fun or energetic. They want it to be cute and boring. When you take the entertainment and spontaneous energy away, you're basically telling people: don't come to games.

Lots of high schools have better game atmosphere. Go back to what worked. More band, less canned. Have the dance line and cheerleaders actually cheer and lead. Normal Illinois is NOT the United Center. Target your audience that is actually going to attend and FINANCE the program.

 

[RBFANTOO]

I'll write it, because many of my fellow graybeards are thinking it. A good place to start would be to say, "To heck with the lawyers. Bring back the flaming tubas."

I agree. I loved the Tubas. Not sure but thought they were called the "Dueling Tubas"? I seem to recall an accident put an end to them.

 

[fdbird83]

Lots of high schools have better game atmosphere. Go back to what worked. More band, less canned. Have the dance line and cheerleaders actually cheer and lead. Normal Illinois is NOT the United Center. Target your audience that is actually going to attend and FINANCE the program.

Why have a pep band if your not going to let them play all the time.

 

[isuquinndog]

I agree. I loved the Tubas. Not sure but thought they were called the "Dueling Tubas"? I seem to recall an accident put an end to them.

Yes. They used to put each other on their shoulders. A guy would put one of the girls up on their shoulders and they would play. Well, a weaker guy and a...umm....more stout girl....got paired together. As the song ended and the guy turned towards the band to come back you could tell he was struggling bad to keep her up. Red face, look of horror on his face. It was like in slow motion as he tried to force step by step to get back to the sideline.

Well, he didn't make it. And she began to fall, face first, like a tall tree chopped down. The bell (the big open area where the sound comes out) of the sousaphone saved her face as it hit the court flat. It was the craziest thing I've ever seen. And that was the end of the flaming tubas (which are actually sousaphones).

 

[Hamdonger]

Yes. They used to put each other on their shoulders. A guy would put one of the girls up on their shoulders and they would play. Well, a weaker guy and a...umm....more stout girl....got paired together. As the song ended and the guy turned towards the band to come back you could tell he was struggling bad to keep her up. Red face, look of horror on his face. It was like in slow motion as he tried to force step by step to get back to the sideline.

Well, he didn't make it. And she began to fall, face first, like a tall tree chopped down. The bell (the big open area where the sound comes out) of the sousaphone saved her face as it hit the court flat. It was the craziest thing I've ever seen. And that was the end of the flaming tubas (which are actually sousaphones).

This right here is why I come to RedbirdFan.

 

[gobirds85]

Yes. They used to put each other on their shoulders. A guy would put one of the girls up on their shoulders and they would play. Well, a weaker guy and a...umm....more stout girl....got paired together. As the song ended and the guy turned towards the band to come back you could tell he was struggling bad to keep her up. Red face, look of horror on his face. It was like in slow motion as he tried to force step by step to get back to the sideline.

Well, he didn't make it. And she began to fall, face first, like a tall tree chopped down. The bell (the big open area where the sound comes out) of the sousaphone saved her face as it hit the court flat. It was the craziest thing I've ever seen. And that was the end of the flaming tubas (which are actually sousaphones).

Yikes!! That didn't turn out as planned. So no girls on the shoulders. Problem solved. Just let the sousaphones come out and play. If I can remember, back in the mid '80s there were no girls on the guys. Usually 4-5 guys playing "The Horse" and I could be way off here.

 

[Birdswin]

Yikes!! That didn't turn out as planned. So no girls on the shoulders. Problem solved. Just let the sousaphones come out and play. If I can remember, back in the mid '80s there were no girls on the guys. Usually 4-5 guys playing "The Horse" and I could be way off here.

You are correct - there would be six in a 3 and 3 formation - they would do a little dance. I am no expert in dancing, but something of a square dance move - nothing to fancy, but effective and entertaining. Each row changed places, "swinging" around in pairs.

 

[Loyl2u]

i think the sound system is being overdriven to the point that it is difficult to hear anyone (at men, women or volleyball games). Then add a lot of text that the announcer is told to get in the break and I never hear much of anything they are trying to say. Dont get me wrong, they should dial the volume back a tad, slow down and annunciate - but that won’t change the atmosphere- nor will any other production improvement. We all know they need butts in seats, that happens by 1)better product on the floor and/or 2) give people who have season tickets/who don’t and aren’t that interested in college basketball a reason to come to a game. They have discounted tickets in about every way imaginable-what can you offer in additional value to fill seats for a big game? I’m hopeful there could be a “big home game” this season.

 

[Redbird Alum 2004]

Been thinking about this. We need more traditions as fans. We need to have cheers ourselves that we do when on runs or things. The only thing we all know to do is clap during the fight song. I am excited to see the in game experience at Kentucky firsthand Friday.

 

[isuquinndog]

Been thinking about this. We need more traditions as fans. We need to have cheers ourselves that we do when on runs or things. The only thing we all know to do is clap during the fight song. I am excited to see the in game experience at Kentucky firsthand Friday.

We need fans first.

 

[Phantom]

It's a big compounding problem. First, there were changes in production/personnel/atmosphere, as noted above. Then attendance took a total nosedive. Then, gameday production changed again, albeit in an effort to improve attendance, but it's only worsened it. Now, the narrative has become things like:

"Nobody goes to games"
"What students do show up sit on their asses"
"The band barely plays"
"Too many ad reads"
"PA too loud for the amount of people"
"The loudest the arena gets is for free wings" or whatever

All the above is negative and does nothing to bring people in. In fact, it keeps people AWAY. Bad word travels faster than good, unfortunately. The only good crowds for either Men's or Women's hoops has been for a gimmick or popular promo (Horton, IWU exhibition, Education Day, etc.) How we dug into this hellhole is a nightmare. There have been plenty of down seasons over the years that drew 2-3x as much as we do now and the atmosphere at games was still good. I just don't know, aside from sustained winning, how they plan on recapturing that. When Valpo and Indy St blow you away atmosphere/gameday experience-wise, there's a little bit of an issue lol.

 

[Birdswin]

In order to attract and keep recruits - we need ATMOSPHERE to be a selling. Listen to those podcasts of former players - the atmosphere of Horton helped. Clearly winning and good school and so on and so forth - but the items that can make a difference - attendance and atmosphere.

How often during the TV or radio broadcast does anyone talking about getting tickets for upcoming games?? Hardly ever. Listen to a St. Louis Cardinals TV or radio broadcast - it is mentioned and promoted EVERY inning. Keep planting the seed on attending - that way when somebody asks - it is a much easier Yes. Sell, sell, sell. They have ticket specials - but no one knows of them.

 

[radik]

While I agree to most everything posted in this string, I will add that I really like the new trumpet solo under 8 second half timeout rally music (that replaced the former dreaded let’s spell Redbirds with the help of flags cheer). I also love the subs for the other team missing two free throws late promo…gets the crowd into it late in a way we can impact the game. Even the new throw the ducks on the half court target piece at halftime, while seen elsewhere before, has added some new life. Those are all good changes.

But overall….announcer issues…totally agree with. But I’m with Bdub, at least we don’t have the second coming of screaming girl during each promo going on right now..

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

It's a big compounding problem. First, there were changes in production/personnel/atmosphere, as noted above. Then attendance took a total nosedive. Then, gameday production changed again, albeit in an effort to improve attendance, but it's only worsened it. Now, the narrative has become things like:

"Nobody goes to games"
"What students do show up sit on their asses"
"The band barely plays"
"Too many ad reads"
"PA too loud for the amount of people"
"The loudest the arena gets is for free wings" or whatever

All the above is negative and does nothing to bring people in. In fact, it keeps people AWAY. Bad word travels faster than good, unfortunately. The only good crowds for either Men's or Women's hoops has been for a gimmick or popular promo (Horton, IWU exhibition, Education Day, etc.) How we dug into this hellhole is a nightmare. There have been plenty of down seasons over the years that drew 2-3x as much as we do now and the atmosphere at games was still good. I just don't know, aside from sustained winning, how they plan on recapturing that. When Valpo and Indy St blow you away atmosphere/gameday experience-wise, there's a little bit of an issue lol.

+100!…and add to the compounding list inability to schedule non-conf opponents that are of fan interest plus waining fan interest in seeing existing conf opponents. I think back to the early to mid-80s Redbirds hoops schedule and the quality difference is vast

Conf example>>> MVC loses creighton and replaced by valpo; MVC loses always (imo) entertaining Wichita state and it is replaced by dog crap Murray state. Was Evansville the replacement for Tulsa?…if so that is another schedule hit

the Iwu preseason game a great example of peeps showing up if opponent is meaningful/of interest

 

[isuquinndog]

Murray St wasn't and isn't "dog crap". They have had NBA players drafted more recently and been to the NCAA tournament more recently than we have. We sure throw stones at other programs around here. We are the "dog crap" of the MVC right now.