Game Thread 1/28....Scores and such....

[CROSBYNU63]

Re: Game Thread 1/28....Scores and such....

Well then Mr Peach we can fix that real fast, next season we could stop doing all games on the radio and video. Would save us lots of money and increase attendance, ya right.

As a season ticket holder since the inception of the program, I have donated my two tickets back to the school for their use as they see fit. In watching the games on NSN I've noticed many times that my two seats are vacant. I don't believe that any season ticket holder should be forced to turn in his ticket if not being used. Could it be that sale of standing room tixs suppliments revenue already received by the University? Perhaps a seating plan can be dispalyed for "available" seating for those SRO ticketholders who would want to sit. BTW, there are also a lot of season ticket holders that prefer to stand on the rail and/or walk around so that they can see the team from the offensive end each period. Let's not bemoan the attendance numbers while you are still putting 1,000 plus in the stands every game. Plus, if the parking situation was better a lot more people would be willing to go. Listening/watching home games on radio and NSN must also be impacting attendance.

 

[norm1909]

Re: Game Thread 1/28....Scores and such....

Well then Mr Peach we can fix that real fast, next season we could stop doing all games on the radio and video. Would save us lots of money and increase attendance, ya right.

Just do like the pros - when you aren't sold out have a local media blackout

 

[CROSBYNU63]

Re: Game Thread 1/28....Scores and such....

Here are some interesting facts: the UNE game out drew the Middlebury game. Normally we get a request from Midd for a couple of hundred tickets for their fans, this year that number was zero. Another problem is that the students are not attending like they have in the past. We were averaging around 600 last year, this year about 300. I like the idea of the local media black out, George would have a stroke.. Seriously I believe that many factors are at play here. The flood certainly put a dent in the local economy, ticket prices are high, etc. Perhaps we should begin to reduce the number of season ticket holders so we have more seats to offer groups that want to come to the games. This of course would have to be done by attrition.

 

[norm1909]

Re: Game Thread 1/28....Scores and such....

Here are some interesting facts: the UNE game out drew the Middlebury game. Normally we get a request from Midd for a couple of hundred tickets for their fans, this year that number was zero. Another problem is that the students are not attending like they have in the past. We were averaging around 600 last year, this year about 300. I like the idea of the local media black out, George would have a stroke.. Seriously I believe that many factors are at play here. The flood certainly put a dent in the local economy, ticket prices are high, etc. Perhaps we should begin to reduce the number of season ticket holders so we have more seats to offer groups that want to come to the games. This of course would have to be done by attrition.

Maybe a remodel, impove the bathrooms, concessions, etc

My two-cents - probably try some Promo-tickets to local groups that have high potential for fan recruitment, maybe the tickets could with help with their fund-raisers as well, best way to hook a fan is to get them to watch a game. Solicit some co-sponsorships with the area ski centers too, NOT promos to their out-of-area patrons, but something they can reward "local" patrons with.

 

[wickfan]

Re: Game Thread 1/28....Scores and such....

As a season ticket holder since the inception of the program, I have donated my two tickets back to the school for their use as they see fit. In watching the games on NSN I've noticed many times that my two seats are vacant. I don't believe that any season ticket holder should be forced to turn in his ticket if not being used. Could it be that sale of standing room tixs suppliments revenue already received by the University? Perhaps a seating plan can be dispalyed for "available" seating for those SRO ticketholders who would want to sit. BTW, there are also a lot of season ticket holders that prefer to stand on the rail and/or walk around so that they can see the team from the offensive end each period. Let's not bemoan the attendance numbers while you are still putting 1,000 plus in the stands every game. Plus, if the parking situation was better a lot more people would be willing to go. Listening/watching home games on radio and NSN must also be impacting attendance.

Maybe its time for the season ticket holders that dont go to the games not renew there seats. I have ben on the list for years still no pass. The other problem is the online tickets are a good thing but they only list a limited number of seats meaning they will have 1 seat in section 9 and onther seat in 8 so if you have a family of 4 you cant get seats together. when you arive at the rink several seats are empty? Put those seats online and maybe more seats would get filled.

 

[NUProf]

Re: Game Thread 1/28....Scores and such....

Another logical question to ask is - "is it better financially to donate the tickets back or hold them?" If the tickets are donated, you have a seat occupied and paid for twice - once goes to the athletic revenues, and the other goes to the BLC. If you don't donate the tickets back, the person who would have bought the ticket buys one at the ticket window and maybe finds an empty seat and sits in it. Now we have the athletic revenues get the value twice and the BLC gets no money. What about if the donated tickets are sold on the inside after the person has purchased a gen adm ticket. Put like a $4.00 surcharge on it and that money goes to the BLC. Probably wouldn't work - Just trying to think of ways of raising revenue. I've been guilty of missing a few games this year - Saturday afternoons haven't always worked out well for me. The Saturday afternoon thing has been around for years - back to Taylor Arena, so it's not like people aren't used to it.

It sounds like the Middlebury people have lost a little passion along with a few games. I was surprised that they didn't even bring a bus over.

 

[VT bragging rights]

Re: Game Thread 1/28....Scores and such....

To increase attendance @ Norwich the ECAC East needs to eliminate St Michael’s & St Anselm from the ECAC East. These four games do not count towards the Div III playoff picture. Norwich has always beaten St Mikes and in most cases has spanked them pretty good. St Anselm has done better but only has one or two wins in the last 12 years. I attend these games @ home & sometimes Saint Anselm’s away but never St Mike’s away. It is pretty much a forgone conclusion what the result will be. These four NC games should be set up as 2 home & 2 away games with higher caliber teams from the ECAC Northeast, ECAC West, NESAC, and SUNYAC. Play four different teams one year and the same four teams next year so each team has a home & away game.

 

[d3follower]

Re: Game Thread 1/28....Scores and such....

. . .

It sounds like the Middlebury people have lost a little passion along with a few games. I was surprised that they didn't even bring a bus over.

Middlebury fans have moved their passion to their undefeated men's basketball team . . Just look at the crowds at the game with Williams, which overlapped with Saturday's hockey game with Tufts . .

 

[NUProf]

Re: Game Thread 1/28....Scores and such....

To increase attendance @ Norwich the ECAC East needs to eliminate St Michael’s & St Anselm from the ECAC East. These four games do not count towards the Div III playoff picture. Norwich has always beaten St Mikes and in most cases has spanked them pretty good. St Anselm has done better but only has one or two wins in the last 12 years. I attend these games @ home & sometimes Saint Anselm’s away but never St Mike’s away. It is pretty much a forgone conclusion what the result will be. These four NC games should be set up as 2 home & 2 away games with higher caliber teams from the ECAC Northeast, ECAC West, NESAC, and SUNYAC. Play four different teams one year and the same four teams next year so each team has a home & away game.

Supposedly those two teams had two years to get that situation changed one way or the other. It will require NCAA action.

 

[hawk]

Re: Game Thread 1/28....Scores and such....

To increase attendance @ Norwich the ECAC East needs to eliminate St Michael’s & St Anselm from the ECAC East. These four games do not count towards the Div III playoff picture. Norwich has always beaten St Mikes and in most cases has spanked them pretty good. St Anselm has done better but only has one or two wins in the last 12 years. I attend these games @ home & sometimes Saint Anselm’s away but never St Mike’s away. It is pretty much a forgone conclusion what the result will be. These four NC games should be set up as 2 home & 2 away games with higher caliber teams from the ECAC Northeast, ECAC West, NESAC, and SUNYAC. Play four different teams one year and the same four teams next year so each team has a home & away game.

I look at St. A's and St. Mike's a little different than you. After watching St. Mike's play Norwich twice a couple of weeks ago and seeing all the slashing and late hits I don't think there are many fans would be sad to see them leave the ECAC E. For whatever season St. Mike's doesn't seem to be able to take the next step; maybe it is because they don't have an on campus rink. St. A's generally is much more competitve and Sullivan Arena is a great place to watch a game.

The D2's were guaranteed 2 years when the interlock broke up and haven't heard what the future will hold. It would be nice to have a couple more non-league games where Norwich could schedule more Canadian U teams, NESCAC teams, or Elmira and Oswego as many fans would like to see.

 

[jerrynu26]

Re: Game Thread 1/28....Scores and such....

Well, I might as well chime in..at least for the Norwich side....(after all, I have been a season ticket holder for a while).

Regarding attendance, or the decrease in actual bodies in the seats... For season ticket holders, there are some that have decided to watch form home rather than attending the arena. There are many reason for this. But as far as coming up with a plan to separate them fromt heir tickets because they don't attend? I would NEVER be in favor of that. Many of them supported the team long before they became a national powerhouse. Some were early bandwagon jumpers to be sure, BUT they were there first. I'm sorry if some of the late arrivals are on the waiting list. Being on that basically means you are a johnnie-come-lately to the party.

Regarding the Middlebury game, once THE hottest ticket in Vermont. Midd is a little down this year, which didn't help the situation. Not having a large group of Midd fans come over certainly was part of it. But I am not sure how heavily the game was promoted either. Maybe the feeling was it would sell itself.

St Mike's and St. A's- I personally would have no problem cutting them loose if they do not manage to get this DII/DIII thing resolved. The ECAC-East needs then a lot less than they need the East. But to simply say NU would just go out and schedule Elmira, and/or Oswego, etc, is simplistic at best. Finding open dates for both teams in their own league schedules s extremely difficult. Trying to do a home and home is even worse. In NU's case, as much as it seems to be nice to schedule those teams, there isn;t much advantage to NU to do a return trip. (see ECAC-East vs St M and A). As far as scheduling Canadian University teams, I won't even try to explain why that isn't going to happen to someone who cannot understand the rules of making a wager. Suffice it to say, the people who know why this won't happen are reals fans.

Geez, it's late. I wasn't even going to post. I'm sure this will generate a lot of fire and brimstone. I cannot begin to compare my experiences with Norwich hockey with many people, some who post here (from CO. and GA and spots far and wide), or others who might not post but have attended more games than you can imagine (the Hound's come to mind !), or the alums who make the trip to as many games as they are able, but will always support the team.