RBA Seating Enhancement

[ChiRedbirdfan]

There is an article, Chi. I will try to find it. Saw it about a year ago. And I have seen if for myself, scrolling through games on ESPN+. Many empty seats behind the benches with a few students. And Chi, just look at the crowds in student sections in general. Aside from the Dukes and Michigans of the world. If you are not aware this is a situation virtually everywhere, it taints your comments on the subject, I think. But of course, It is just Illinois State dropping the ball. SMH.

The lowly Illini are even making changes. I guess all is going so swell at ISU athletics that we are a role model for all other universities and no suggestions or changes needed.

 

[bb fan]

Have you read this discussion, Chi? We are making changes. We are moving the band next to the visitor bench. We are putting the students behind both baskets. We are moving the seats there closer to the floor. Folks are sending me some links in response to the discussion. Here is one. I will post more. Interesting, here that we are drawing better than 5 PAC12 teams. But, according to you we are the worst.
https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2019/01/19/huntsman-center-has-lot/
I have many more for you if you wish.

 

[bb fan]

Another link for this convo...
https://247sports.com/college/missouri-state/Board/59469/Contents/Student-Attendance-at-College-Sports-Declining-Nationally-107640278/

 

[Sladerunningbear]

Put the students on the rocking horses.

 

[ISU FAN 1]

Just tell the students that every game is on ESPN + and they'll show up in droves to be seen bobbing up and down for two hours. Just tell them it's blacked out locally so they won't be able to DVR it

The sight of ISU coeds bobbing up and down sounds like a winner to me.

 

[DWRedbird]

I think serving beer would bring in more casual fans to the game. More than a few folks that I work with who have no ties to ISU would be willing to go if they could get a beer or 3 at the games.

As to where we put the students, I like them on both ends. I think it will help create atmosphere at both ends of the arena if the students come out and get boisterous at both ends, and could be a ton of fun, especially if we can get both ends to coordinate on cheers and chants and stuff and have it carry across the arena.

That said we have to bring them in. I think winning will help, so would making an NCAA tourney appearance and becoming a little more nationally relevant.

 

[JHBird]

Many years ago one of my friend's commented about how their 16 year old didn't even want to learn how to drive. Why would they when they have the internet? It's not like they need to drive somewhere to be with their friends. They're online with them all the time. Why go to a basketball game when their Facebook needs updating, or when they can sit alone in their dark bedrooms playing video games....

That attitude is coming home to roost. They don't go out shopping as much, or to movies. It's changing our whole economy, not just college sports.

 

[SgtHulka]

Just tell the students that every game is on ESPN + and they'll show up in droves to be seen bobbing up and down for two hours. Just tell them it's blacked out locally so they won't be able to DVR it

The sight of ISU coeds bobbing up and down sounds like a winner to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLHhEiV_9tk

 

[Phantom]

Just tell the students that every game is on ESPN + and they'll show up in droves to be seen bobbing up and down for two hours. Just tell them it's blacked out locally so they won't be able to DVR it

The sight of ISU coeds bobbing up and down sounds like a winner to me.

The sight, and the experience, was always a winner. :clap:

Lord I miss ISU

 

[bb fan]

Interesting points here, folks. Thanks. Yeah, I think technology has taken away our sense of community involvement. I hate making comments like this. I am becoming the crotchity old man I made fun of when I was younger, I suppose. And I have always been one to embrace tech, professionally and personally. But what technology has done is allow everyone to build their very own, highly customized and personalized bunker around themselves. Doing something like going out there with 8,000 other folks to Redbird Arena or Horton Fieldhouse is becoming a very foreign concept to younger demos. Younger folks now tend not to join organizations and committees. And get out there and get involved in brick and mortar stuff. Volunteerism is down. I am not sure what this means to society as a whole, but it has not been a great thing for college sports attendance, certainly.

 

[Tpguy]

I'd like to see them eliminate every other row of seats so we didn't have to stand up to see over anybody standing up and cheering in front of us.

 

[Bird Friend]

Here's what Drake is doing to get their students to the ISU game:

https://twitter.com/DrakeADHardin/status/1090391416474353666

 

[Adunk33]

I have a feeling selling alcohol at games is coming. I think the department sees how much money is being lost (or not gained) by not having it. Initially, it will bring more students to games. Then.... ISU will police it very hard and be insanely strict with their rules. I 100% understand following the law and not wanting to promote underage drinking. But I would bet they have a staff member or two dedicated to seeing if a kid has the stamp or wrist band or whatever. If someone without one takes a drink, they'll get booted and their group of maybe four friends they come to the game with will leave with them.

Come to think of it, this could be part of the reason they decided to split the student section into separate ends. One end is 21+ and requires a stamp, or wrist band, the other is under 21? Then on the other hand, I had mostly older friends in college. It'd suck not to be able to go to the game with them, which would cause even more struggle.

 

[Tpguy]

Here's what Drake is doing to get their students to the ISU game:

https://twitter.com/DrakeADHardin/status/1090391416474353666

I wish there was a bus going from Normal, our students would love the free food.

 

[ISU FAN 1]

Just tell the students that every game is on ESPN + and they'll show up in droves to be seen bobbing up and down for two hours. Just tell them it's blacked out locally so they won't be able to DVR it

The sight of ISU coeds bobbing up and down sounds like a winner to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLHhEiV_9tk

Best thing Kimmel has ever done. And Carolla was awesome too.

 

[WeLoveTheBirds]

For those of you who have not seen the new lower bowl seating layout.
https://goredbirds.com/sports/2019/1/2/redbird-arena-seating-enhancement.aspx

 

[WeLoveTheBirds]

If we could fill both ends with students that would be awesome. Need to make that happen next year.
How? Is the ongoing question.

 

[ISU FAN 1]

Interesting points here, folks. Thanks. Yeah, I think technology has taken away our sense of community involvement. I hate making comments like this. I am becoming the crotchity old man I made fun of when I was younger, I suppose. And I have always been one to embrace tech, professionally and personally. But what technology has done is allow everyone to build their very own, highly customized and personalized bunker around themselves. Doing something like going out there with 8,000 other folks to Redbird Arena or Horton Fieldhouse is becoming a very foreign concept to younger demos. Younger folks now tend not to join organizations and committees. And get out there and get involved in brick and mortar stuff. Volunteerism is down. I am not sure what this means to society as a whole, but it has not been a great thing for college sports attendance, certainly.

Was talking to someone in the Weisbecker Scholarship fund office about a donation history discrepancy regarding a State Farm marching gift from a few years ago. She said that State Farm matching gift requests are way down, assigning blame to the new tax code that favors using the standard deduction over using itemized deductions. I was somewhat shocked to think that people were donating to go to games for the tax deduction. Maybe the migration to State Farm hub locations, and shrinking Bloomington footprint also playing a role. As State Farm continues to hand out severance, even those still remaining may be cutting the budget wondering if they’ll be the next State Farm casualty.

 

[SgtHulka]

The sight of ISU coeds bobbing up and down sounds like a winner to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLHhEiV_9tk

Best thing Kimmel has ever done. And Carolla was awesome too.

Ziggy Zaggy, Ziggy Zaggy, Oi, Oi Oi

 

[Birdswin]

One thing that has NOT been brought up - that it seems like it comes up a lot - is the people who never stand up and bitch about people who do stand up. I have not seen one mention or comment concerning this differential? May be no one cares anymore? Just wondering?