BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

[mookie1995]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

UML attendance, not including our exhibition game, is running slightly higher through first four home games this season when compared to last season (21,732/5,433 average vs. 20,685/5,171 average). Don't know what's up with your students (too many other things going on?) but with the exception of our second game which fell on Saturday of Columbus Day weekend, the student sections have been bursting and even that game it was a better turnout than I would've expected.

And I think the in-game announcing and other activities do add to the atmosphere, not that it drives attendance necessarily, but is important. We've had one good announcer for one game and another very monotone, robotic guy for three games and he's bad which some have noticed while they've stopped posting/announcing out of town scores between periods which is annoying. So I hear fans who complain about in-game graphics, announcing, etc. which is too bad at BU as the facility is great.

if bu had jasmine mookie could scalp his tickets for $500,000 each game.

 

[riverchief1]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

if bu had jasmine mookie could scalp his tickets for $500,000 each game.

Yeah, the Jasmine factor must be part of the attendance equation at UML.

Mookie would have loved her attire on Friday night.

 

[chickod]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

Watched the Sacred Heart game on live stream and picture quality is markedly better than in past years. However, when there was a switch from one camera to another, it often would take a few seconds for the image to sharpen. Camera decision-making needs some improving. In one instance, we got to watch someone pouting in the penalty box while the puck was in play. And occasionally, faceoffs are missed because the camera is on the scoreboard to show messaging.

I watched both games and I agree...in fact I put up a similar post over the weekend. My one complaint (well you KNOW there had to be one) is that they cut away INSTANTLY after the game. Forget the handshake line, you barely hear the final horn and the feed just comes to an end. The other thing, in this same vein, that really bothered me was the altercation behind the net after the penalty. I wondered at the time if it was a "policy" thing, since Campus Insiders (I assume) is a "nationwide" production (obviously the production of the game is local), since there is a gigantic list of every game in every sport that you can select to have streamed. Is there some "fear" because perhaps these people aren't hockey experts (or aficionados) that there is going to be some "violence" so they cut away before anything even happens. It's annoying to sit there and watch the frozen scoreboard feed when there is stuff going on and you don't have any idea what is happening, just because a couple of players and pushing and shoving. There doesn't seem to be a great sense of when to show what. It is true about the image and it makes me wonder if there is some issue with bandwidth.

But having said all that, the quality of the video is MUCH better and the video and audio syncing is excellent.

 

[chickod]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

Don't know what's up with your students (too many other things going on?) but with the exception of our second game which fell on Saturday of Columbus Day weekend, the student sections have been bursting and even that game it was a better turnout than I would've expected.

I brought this up last year and got a lot of flak for it (but what else is new?)...Boston is changing. It has a much greater international flair. It is no longer a "commuter" school (obviously it hasn't been for years, but many of us who are alums have/had ties to people who knew BU when it WAS a commuter school), which greatly reduces the "local" tenre. Hockey is just not in the blood of many of these students. You could say, "Yeah, but when you go to college you 'pick up' the characteristics of the environment around you and the habits of its people." But I just think that the tremendous fervor that was associated with BU hockey was for years driven by the awareness of the history by the locals. Which is a lot different than just "reading" about the history. The families of the students lived and breathed and experienced the stories, legends and atmosphere. My Dad told me stories about how he sat in Braves field, and how he saw Harry Agganis play, and so on. That's not the same thing as coming to BU and reading in a brochure, "Oh, yeah, it has a great hockey tradition." People who don't care about hockey will say "So what?" I know I will once again get a lot of pushback, but I say two things: 1) So what? That's my opinion, and 2) Then YOU tell me why the attendance is down. The program still performs at the elite level, yet the numbers just don't seem to be there. I also believe, quite frankly, that there are just more diversions and distractions and technology hasn't helped that. Remember, you can stream the games, record the games and watch later, etc etc etc. You can go online and watch replays, highlights, etc. All of the factors that I have mentioned are bound to reduce the gate. Or let's put it this way. Tell me why all of these things would INCREASE the gate. Because I don't see how.

 

[ZRhett1]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

I agree with most of that, Chickod.

Unfortunately, I just don't think hockey sells itself on campus as much as it used to. Sure, there's definitely the die-hards, but, at least during my time there (graduated 2 years ago), BU does seemingly nothing to combat the overall changing sports culture.

Why not at least have the Advertising kids in COM come up with a bunch of promotional material to put up around campus??? AdLab is a whopping $200 for a semester worth of advertising work. The problem is the students have "better" things to do on their Friday or Saturday nights. Get the team out around campus, give out free tickets in classes, do SOMETHING to convince the students that there's something to do BEFORE they go out.

I'm likely one of very few that thinks this is a good idea and would love to hear why it wouldn't work, but if BU can't fill both student sections, why not make the 118 contingent larger (spill into 116/117 and 119/ 120) and reallocate 108 into premium seats / young-alum? I feel like this would lead to more students surrounding the continuously growing (and great sounding!) band and make for a greater student section. I get that BU doesn't want opposing fans behind our goalie for two periods, but is that really ever an issue? At least while I was a student, 108 was laughable or non-existent.

Just a thought.

 

[Sean Pickett]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

I brought this up last year and got a lot of flak for it (but what else is new?)...Boston is changing. It has a much greater international flair. It is no longer a "commuter" school (obviously it hasn't been for years, but many of us who are alums have/had ties to people who knew BU when it WAS a commuter school), which greatly reduces the "local" tenre. Hockey is just not in the blood of many of these students. You could say, "Yeah, but when you go to college you 'pick up' the characteristics of the environment around you and the habits of its people." But I just think that the tremendous fervor that was associated with BU hockey was for years driven by the awareness of the history by the locals. Which is a lot different than just "reading" about the history. The families of the students lived and breathed and experienced the stories, legends and atmosphere. My Dad told me stories about how he sat in Braves field, and how he saw Harry Agganis play, and so on. That's not the same thing as coming to BU and reading in a brochure, "Oh, yeah, it has a great hockey tradition." People who don't care about hockey will say "So what?" I know I will once again get a lot of pushback, but I say two things: 1) So what? That's my opinion, and 2) Then YOU tell me why the attendance is down. The program still performs at the elite level, yet the numbers just don't seem to be there. I also believe, quite frankly, that there are just more diversions and distractions and technology hasn't helped that. Remember, you can stream the games, record the games and watch later, etc etc etc. You can go online and watch replays, highlights, etc. All of the factors that I have mentioned are bound to reduce the gate. Or let's put it this way. Tell me why all of these things would INCREASE the gate. Because I don't see how.

Cost is obviously an issue, as is traffic in the city, especially last weekend with the Head of the Charles. But what about you? Why did you decide to watch the free streaming feed vs going to the games in person? What does BU need to do to get you to attend the games?

Sean

 

[brassbonanza]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

I agree with most of that, Chickod.

Unfortunately, I just don't think hockey sells itself on campus as much as it used to. Sure, there's definitely the die-hards, but, at least during my time there (graduated 2 years ago), BU does seemingly nothing to combat the overall changing sports culture.

Why not at least have the Advertising kids in COM come up with a bunch of promotional material to put up around campus??? AdLab is a whopping $200 for a semester worth of advertising work. The problem is the students have "better" things to do on their Friday or Saturday nights. Get the team out around campus, give out free tickets in classes, do SOMETHING to convince the students that there's something to do BEFORE they go out.

I'm likely one of very few that thinks this is a good idea and would love to hear why it wouldn't work, but if BU can't fill both student sections, why not make the 118 contingent larger (spill into 116/117 and 119/ 120) and reallocate 108 into premium seats / young-alum? I feel like this would lead to more students surrounding the continuously growing (and great sounding!) band and make for a greater student section. I get that BU doesn't want opposing fans behind our goalie for two periods, but is that really ever an issue? At least while I was a student, 108 was laughable or non-existent.

Just a thought.

Technically, 117 and 119 are student sections, as are 107 and 109 if there's demand. Chick's point about the changing demographics at BU is very true. I even noticed this when I was an upperclassmen (graduated 09) that the students coming to BU had far more diverse backgrounds, coming from even more locations outside the US, and were not nearly as interested in sports, much less hockey. It certainly has done wonders for the university in terms of raising its academic profile, so that's a huge plus. But it does present a challenge with building a fanbase among the students. BU is increasingly a cosmopolitan school, and rightfully so given the setting. Again, this presents a challenge in building interest among the student body as they have so much else to do, as you noted above.

I completely agree about ditching 108 entirely and only giving out tickets in the 117-119 block. We tried to convince them to do that when I was there but they resisted as they didn't want to take away seats from existing season ticket holders. Back then, 117-119 filled for every game so the argument was somewhat understandable. Now, if they took out 108 tickets and instead only gave out 117-119 they'd meet demand easily and not take away from existing STH. It also incorporates all of the kids together so some don't feel left out or in the reject section. You're far more likely to get kids coming to their first game to come back if you make them feel a part of the experience by sitting with all of their classmates, the band, and all of the things going on on one side, instead of split off in the Siberia of 108.

It's a no-brainer, so it won't happen.

 

[defkit]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

Cost is definitely a factor. $4.75 for a bottle of water. Really? (Thank god they still have the one water fountain).

Second, going back a ways, the size of the arena takes away both the perspective that there are a lot of people there, and any element of ticket scarcity (other than a BC game). 3,806 at HAA is barely half full. At WBA, that meant the place was filled to the gills, with SRO people hanging out along the stairs, on the All-American balcony, etc.

 

[chickod]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

But what about you? Why did you decide to watch the free streaming feed vs going to the games in person? What does BU need to do to get you to attend the games?

That's a fair question and here's the answer: I was a premium seat holder for five years but job-related issues have limited my ability to attend the games in person. I relinquished my seats in 2013. I still go to occasional games when I am able to. I have been to most of the playoff games (all of the "real" tournament games - meaning not the first, or as our friends on the UNH thread call it - <b>MBPBEGAM</b> round - and local regional and Frozen Four games). It's not a cost issue with me, but rather just not pragmatic to purchase season tickets to go to three or four games. It is my hope that the situation eventually changes, but life sometimes interferes with our plans!

I'm saying this because I had mentioned the easier availability due to technology and I don't want anyone to think that I would "rather" stay home and utilize that option. I'm just saying that the "casual" fan, or the fan that may previously have been willing to drive an hour and a half to the games, because they were enough of a die-hard and/or didn't have any other option, may not be attending nearly as frequently. It's the same philosophy that, back in the day, was used by the NFL to implement the old "blackout" rule, which said that if a game wasn't sold out it would not be televised in the local market. The purported purpose was to "protect the gate," and it was valid in those days. Now, with season ticket waiting lists that extend for years, the rule is somewhat obsolete (not even sure if it still exists...certainly not here with the success of the Patriots). So it's possible that the BU fan base is just not "large enough" (meaning perhaps older, unable/unwilling to travel in as much) to support the kind of attendance numbers that existed in the past. And that was sort of my point for bringing all this up: I think the fan "base" has shrunk, if for no other reason than attrition and the fact that the base is not being "replaced" at the rate necessary to maintain the aforementioned attendance figures. Whether or not some of that lack of "replacement" is attributable to marketing or other efforts on the part of the University is not something I can speak to with any knowledge; however, I will say that my guess is that "back in the day" the fan base didn't NEED any "incentives" to get them to the games. Now, with greater competition for the entertainment dollar, perhaps BU needs to revisit ideas that they previously may have assumed were not necessary.

 

[chickod]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

Second, going back a ways, the size of the arena takes away both the perspective that there are a lot of people there, and any element of ticket scarcity (other than a BC game). 3,806 at HAA is barely half full. At WBA, that meant the place was filled to the gills, with SRO people hanging out along the stairs, on the All-American balcony, etc.

That's a really interesting point as well and something that seems to often be overlooked. My high school's auditorium seated 1,500 people (including a balcony). The new high school (built in 2000) holds 700. And I was told by people who know about these things that in the majority of new schools today, the size of these venues is decreasing. You look at a place like TD Bank Sports Center (QU) which seats 3,386 for hockey and you start to think, "Gee, were we too optimistic in building an arena that size." And it IS true that, and I'm being honest here, one of the reasons I COULD give up my season tickets is that I know I can get tickets anytime I want. It's the same philosophy the Red Sox have used for years regarding a "new" Fenway. They capitalize on the fact that people line up in the freezing cold in December to buy tickets, because if they wait until April, they won't be able to get any. I wonder if the "decision makers" looked at any demographics and/or statistical trends regarding attendance at these kinds of events before conceiving the plans.

Also, and I am willing to bet that if you ask a good sample size of people, you will get a lot of responses like "The atmosphere just isn't the same." And it isn't. Sometimes it seems positively cavernous in there when half-full (or less than half-full). Also, the acoustics are "better," meaning that there is less noise, which is great for concerts because you can hear the music better but lousy for sports. I can bring up the whole argument that raged for years when the "new" Boston Garden was built. And to this day, I don't care what ANYONE says, there is no way the noise level is anywhere CLOSE to the old barn. For some people, that's a big factor. The excitement that is generated by a game is a large part of the attraction. If it seems half dead, many people won't return.

I remember going to the great basketball playoff game (the win against Stony Brook which put BU in the NCAA Tournament) when the place was full and going absolutely beserk during the great comeback win. But I can contrast that to about five other games in the last eight or so years that I have attended where there were less than 500 people there and it was just embarrassing. So the question is, for the one or two times a year when they fill the place, were they justified in building an arena with that capacity? I know that some will make the argument that they "hold other events" there. We went to the Chicago/Earth Wind & Fire concert in (I think) 2009. I was frankly surprised that artists of that legacy would play at a place that small. So I wonder if it is really attracting the amount of events that was originally thought when it was designed, and, again, if the few "extra" events they may have snagged because they added another 3,000 or so seats justifies the expense. Only time will tell, I guess.

 

[brassbonanza]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

Whether or not some of that lack of "replacement" is attributable to marketing or other efforts on the part of the University is not something I can speak to with any knowledge; however, I will say that my guess is that "back in the day" the fan base didn't NEED any "incentives" to get them to the games. Now, with greater competition for the entertainment dollar, perhaps BU needs to revisit ideas that they previously may have assumed were not necessary.

I think this is where the in-game production aspects become a factor.

First, when you have situations where the pregame video has no sound (UPEI game), they royally screw up the audio and video of the Jim Prior video (Sacred Heart), they can't maintain a constant volume level for music, video, and PA (all games) it's going to push away those people showing up for the first time. I mean, we can't get the basics of our already bland production right. They get these things right at Merrimack and UVM.

Second, the bland nature of the production. It's been covered already that the video is an abject disaster, but also there are no compelling visual attractions during and before the game. BU has clearly moved to creating a more pro hockey atmosphere at Agganis, so if they're going to go that route, go all in. Lowell put in the flashing lights for goals, BC does something similar. Denver has a couple of small lighting rigs on either side of the rink that shine team colored lights on the ice during warmups, intros, and I believe after goals. Even Providence put in some flashing lights for goals. Now we don't need to literally copy those things, but creating some type of compelling visual component as part of the game creates a more fun and engaging atmosphere. Maybe install those lighting rigs and flood the net with red light after we score or something. The point is to be creative and produce an atmosphere at the arena that's going to make that same casual fan walk out of the arena saying "Hey, that was a lot of fun, I want to come back and see that again." Those casual first-time fans are the ones necessary to build the fanbase to the levels needed to consistently fill the arena. From an in-game production standpoint, what we have now is probably the worst in the league of programs that have "new" facilities, not to mention as compared to a pro or minor league team.

 

[Leonidas]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

I watched both games and I agree...in fact I put up a similar post over the weekend. My one complaint (well you KNOW there had to be one) is that they cut away INSTANTLY after the game. Forget the handshake line, you barely hear the final horn and the feed just comes to an end. The other thing, in this same vein, that really bothered me was the altercation behind the net after the penalty. I wondered at the time if it was a "policy" thing, since Campus Insiders (I assume) is a "nationwide" production (obviously the production of the game is local), since there is a gigantic list of every game in every sport that you can select to have streamed. Is there some "fear" because perhaps these people aren't hockey experts (or aficionados) that there is going to be some "violence" so they cut away before anything even happens. It's annoying to sit there and watch the frozen scoreboard feed when there is stuff going on and you don't have any idea what is happening, just because a couple of players and pushing and shoving. There doesn't seem to be a great sense of when to show what. It is true about the image and it makes me wonder if there is some issue with bandwidth.

But having said all that, the quality of the video is MUCH better and the video and audio syncing is excellent.

I am THRILLED to have free video. I think the quality is just fine.

It was noticeable that there were quick cutaways from the scrum behind the net and I'd have loved to see a replay of the QU player losing an edge on the empty netter, but if I can get free video with Bernie doing the call, what more can I ask for?

I do miss Tommy Ryan doing the color, though.

 

[ericredaxe]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

I'm not sure how it would affect the ability to have the other events they host there, but for BU Hockey, the arena seems too big. I'm thinking something like 4800 would have been a better target size.

I've kept my season tickets for now, but probably only go to about 50% of the games. Plenty of reasons why I don't go to more. Part of it is just how life gets busy, not wanting to deal with traffic / pay to park, the crappy quality / consistency of the food, the lack of exciting "psyched up crowd" / atmosphere at the games.

 

[wysi]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

I brought this up last year and got a lot of flak for it (but what else is new?)...Boston is changing. It has a much greater international flair. It is no longer a "commuter" school (obviously it hasn't been for years, but many of us who are alums have/had ties to people who knew BU when it WAS a commuter school), which greatly reduces the "local" tenre. Hockey is just not in the blood of many of these students. You could say, "Yeah, but when you go to college you 'pick up' the characteristics of the environment around you and the habits of its people." But I just think that the tremendous fervor that was associated with BU hockey was for years driven by the awareness of the history by the locals. Which is a lot different than just "reading" about the history. The families of the students lived and breathed and experienced the stories, legends and atmosphere. My Dad told me stories about how he sat in Braves field, and how he saw Harry Agganis play, and so on. That's not the same thing as coming to BU and reading in a brochure, "Oh, yeah, it has a great hockey tradition." People who don't care about hockey will say "So what?" I know I will once again get a lot of pushback, but I say two things: 1) So what? That's my opinion, and 2) Then YOU tell me why the attendance is down. The program still performs at the elite level, yet the numbers just don't seem to be there. I also believe, quite frankly, that there are just more diversions and distractions and technology hasn't helped that. Remember, you can stream the games, record the games and watch later, etc etc etc. You can go online and watch replays, highlights, etc. All of the factors that I have mentioned are bound to reduce the gate. Or let's put it this way. Tell me why all of these things would INCREASE the gate. Because I don't see how.

Is the percentage of the student body from MA lower than it used to be? Back in the 80's it was around 60%.

 

[Rover]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

Simply put its too expensive. Not in terms of "we can't afford it" but from a what you pay vs what you get perspective. Ticket prices and concessions should be cut in half. On campus parking should be discounted with a valid game ticket just like at every other place in the city. The size of the arena isn't the issue. Buying tickets is weird too. I looked online before Tater came through for me on Sat, and there were only single tickets available. This in an arena that was half empty? Not sure why that is but it sorta kills the idea of walking up with a group of friends and getting tickets the day of the game.

I'm also fed up of the "oh, the athletic dept doesn't run the arena" excuse. Since BU owns the arena, one would think they have some influence on what goes on there?

 

[Scarlet]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

On campus parking should be discounted with a valid game ticket just like at every other place in the city.

Where does this happen?

 

[Rover]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

Where does this happen?

The PRU, the MFA, Aquarium, for starters.

 

[brassbonanza]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

Is the percentage of the student body from MA lower than it used to be? Back in the 80's it was around 60%.

Don't know exact numbers, but I would hazard a guess that it's way below that now. 25% of the Class of 2019 was from outside of the US so I'd bet more than 15% of that class is from the other 49 states.

 

[Scarlet]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

The PRU, the MFA, Aquarium, for starters.

Not quite an apples to apples comparison. Both the Aquarium and MFA don't own garages. The garages offers a discount if you are a member, which I would venture many people who go to both locations are not. Now, if Agganis did that for season ticket holders and charged people like yourself who only come to a few games a higher price, then maybe you'd have something. Come to think of it, that's not a bad idea.

 

[Rover]

Re: BU 2016-17 Season Thread I: The Kids are Alright

Don't know exact numbers, but I would hazard a guess that it's way below that now. 25% of the Class of 2019 was from outside of the US so I'd bet more than 15% of that class is from the other 49 states.

30,000 students on campus more or less and they can't get 5% to go to a hockey game? Sounds like they're getting an F- in promoting the product.

The reason why not filling the arena is a joke is because they can and in some cases do get people who didn't go to BU to attend the games, usually family members but also friends of season ticket holders. If a family of 4 wasn't looking at dropping $150 bucks each game between tickets, concessions and parking, maybe more of those people would attend.