Maine Black Bears - Return to the Glory Years or On to Oblivion?

[ticapnews]

Re: Maine Black Bears - Return to the Glory Years or On to Oblivion?

Quinnipiac coming to Orono for 2 games next year. Not sure of dates.

Looking at the schedules of both teams the only available dates are October 14-15 (Homecoming), December 16-17 and January 6-7.

Homecoming vs the national runners-up would be a good draw. January 6-7 would be tough since it is during winter break.

 

[Drew S.]

Re: Maine Black Bears - Return to the Glory Years or On to Oblivion?

The schedule is starting to take shape. It looks like the Hockey East schedule will mirror last year's and the series at Miami and Colgate are set. We can also approximate the UNH non-conference games.

October 1 - OPEN Canadian team
October 7-8 OPEN RPI
October 14-15 OPEN (Homecoming) Quinnipiac
October 21-22 @Miami
October 28-29 @Colgate
November 4-5 BOSTON COLLEGE
November 11 LOWELL
November 13 @LOWELL
November 18-19 @VERMONT
November 25-26 OPEN Brown or other for one game
December 2 @NEW HAMPSHIRE
December 3 NEW HAMPSHIRE
December 9-10 OPEN
December 16-17 OPEN
December 27-31 New Hampshire (Manchester)/New Hampshire (Portland)
January 6-7 OPEN Brown or other for one game
January 13-14 @CONNECTICUT
January 20 @BOSTON U
January 22 BOSTON U
January 27-28 UMASS
February 3-4 @PROVIDENCE
February 10-11 NOTRE DAME
February 17-18 @MERRIMACK
February 24-25 NORTHEASTERN

There is a home game with Brown scheduled at some point, but it can't be in October because the Ivy League doesn't start play until October 21. It can be assumed that there are two remaining home series, plus one remaining road game against someone. That would give Maine 16 home/16 road/2 neutral site. There is also the annual exhibition game vs New Brunswick. More than likely the teams brought in will be ECAC and/or AHC squads. There is an outside chance of Michigan State but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Are my edits above right? If they are there is not much we can complain about this year schedule wise. Its bizarre Timmy had such a tough time with the schedule. I wonder if he didn't put the effort in or other coaches didn't like him.

 

[ticapnews]

Re: Maine Black Bears - Return to the Glory Years or On to Oblivion?

Are my edits above right? If they are there is not much we can complain about this year schedule wise. Its bizarre Timmy had such a tough time with the schedule. I wonder if he didn't put the effort in or other coaches didn't like him.

I hope that is right. The 34th game is likely to be 11/1 at an ECAC school on the way back from Colgate (much like the team stopped at Quinnipiac on the way back from Union). This year it seems like Union might be the destination. That's just a guess, but based on the recent history between the two schools seems the best fit. If it is Union, or another ECAC team, that would mean eight of the 12 non-conference games would be against ECAC foes.

I don't know if other coaches didn't like Tim or if he just waited too long so the good opponents were taken. I will say that Red has excellent relations with most of the coaches in D-I. It's still April and we have a very solid idea of what the schedule will look like next season. A few years ago we were waiting until June to learn of the schedule.

 

[Drew S.]

I hope that is right. The 34th game is likely to be 11/1 at an ECAC school on the way back from Colgate (much like the team stopped at Quinnipiac on the way back from Union). This year it seems like Union might be the destination. That's just a guess, but based on the recent history between the two schools seems the best fit. If it is Union, or another ECAC team, that would mean eight of the 12 non-conference games would be against ECAC foes.

I don't know if other coaches didn't like Tim or if he just waited too long so the good opponents were taken. I will say that Red has excellent relations with most of the coaches in D-I. It's still April and we have a very solid idea of what the schedule will look like next season. A few years ago we were waiting until June to learn of the schedule.

I wonder if maybe they would play the week before? It could save them driving back to Orono after the Miami series. In any case, the schedule is miles ahead of where it was a few years ago.

 

[Runsub5]

Re: Maine Black Bears - Return to the Glory Years or On to Oblivion?

As a season ticket holder I received a survey from the athletic department. First question wanted to know how long have I been a season ticket holder. Other questions were about how to improve the fan experience. No questions about cost of tickets.

 

[walrus]

Re: Maine Black Bears - Return to the Glory Years or On to Oblivion?

As a season ticket holder I received a survey from the athletic department. First question wanted to know how long have I been a season ticket holder. Other questions were about how to improve the fan experience. No questions about cost of tickets.

They ask about improving fan experience and I left a comment, how about putting a better team on the ice.

 

[BBDiehard14]

Re: Maine Black Bears - Return to the Glory Years or On to Oblivion?

RPI released its schedule and they will be in Orono the second weekend of October. It's looking like that will be our home-opening series this year.

 

[ticapnews]

Re: Maine Black Bears - Return to the Glory Years or On to Oblivion?

RPI released its schedule and they will be in Orono the second weekend of October. It's looking like that will be our home-opening series this year.

They're playing someplace called Oreno. I checked my Atlas but I can't find it.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Maine Black Bears - Return to the Glory Years or On to Oblivion?

They're playing someplace called Oreno. I checked my Atlas but I can't find it.

It's about 86 miles east of Lake Place.

 

[rufus]

Re: Maine Black Bears - Return to the Glory Years or On to Oblivion?

They ask about improving fan experience and I left a comment, how about putting a better team on the ice.

Harsh.

 

[UncleRay]

Re: Maine Black Bears - Return to the Glory Years or On to Oblivion?

Wally speaks the truth. As always.

 

[ticapnews]

They ask about improving fan experience and I left a comment, how about putting a better team on the ice.

I'm sure when they showed that comment to Red his response was, "That's brilliant! Can I possibly have more money to hire this genius as a coach?"

 

[walrus]

Re: Maine Black Bears - Return to the Glory Years or On to Oblivion?

I'm sure when they showed that comment to Red his response was, "That's brilliant! Can I possibly have more money to hire this genius as a coach?"

I'm sure Red wasn't to interested in a questionnaire that was asking if a free scarf would get fans in the door.

You really should go back to Priceless as your handle. I know you said you were never going to post on here again but you've stated that a half a dozen times before so whats another failure on your part?

 

[rufus]

Re: Maine Black Bears - Return to the Glory Years or On to Oblivion?

A free scarf??!!! Really?

Wow, the team couldn't win a game all season, but man, if I could get a free scarf out of the deal, count me in!!

 

[BassAle]

Re: Maine Black Bears - Return to the Glory Years or On to Oblivion?

If they get rid of the Oakie Shake and throw in a scarf maybe I will renew my season tickets!

 

[ticapnews]

Re: Maine Black Bears - Return to the Glory Years or On to Oblivion?

I'm sure Red wasn't to interested in a questionnaire that was asking if a free scarf would get fans in the door.

You really should go back to Priceless as your handle. I know you said you were never going to post on here again but you've stated that a half a dozen times before so whats another failure on your part?

Priceless no longer exists. I only started posting here again because I'm writing recaps and doing special features for the site.

If my presence here annoys you that much, click on my profile on the left, then choose "Add to ignore list"

As for scarves, the point is that the athletic department is asking for your (realistic) input on what would motivate you to buy season tickets. The end goal is to build value into the season ticket to free them up to run BOGO and other promotions during the season to boost attendance, without angering STH because other people are getting tickets cheaper. Other schools do this. I have been a STH with two NHL clubs. This is a HUGE part of what they do. I'm sure STH in Boston are telling Neely and Sweeney to put a better team on the ice. That really doesn't help. What helps is that I know that come October one of the players might be knocking on my door to hand deliver my tickets. Or that I may get to travel with the team. Or that I get a percentage off at the team store and the concessions. It's all about building value into the ticket so I don't really care when they have promotions like half-price for college kids.

These are questions I asked here and in other fan forums 2-3 years ago and the answer was always "Put a better team on the ice." That doesn't help John Diamond and the other marketing guys sell tickets. It handcuffs them. Then people complain when attendance suffers. Well, if you'd either tell them how you want them to build value into the season ticket or tell them that you don't care if they do promotions during the season that slash ticket prices, then they can go after the attendance problem. Or you can continue to give wise-@s$ answers and they will continue to be handcuffed; attendance will continue to drop, the Alfond will continue to be a morgue and the resources Red and Ben have to "put a better team on the ice" will get smaller and smaller. We're already at a point where the budget is a joke in Hockey East. Are you hoping it will become the laughingstock of the AHC as well?

 

[walrus]

Re: Maine Black Bears - Return to the Glory Years or On to Oblivion?

Priceless no longer exists. I only started posting here again because I'm writing recaps and doing special features for the site.

If my presence here annoys you that much, click on my profile on the left, then choose "Add to ignore list"

As for scarves, the point is that the athletic department is asking for your (realistic) input on what would motivate you to buy season tickets. The end goal is to build value into the season ticket to free them up to run BOGO and other promotions during the season to boost attendance, without angering STH because other people are getting tickets cheaper. Other schools do this. I have been a STH with two NHL clubs. This is a HUGE part of what they do. I'm sure STH in Boston are telling Neely and Sweeney to put a better team on the ice. That really doesn't help. What helps is that I know that come October one of the players might be knocking on my door to hand deliver my tickets. Or that I may get to travel with the team. Or that I get a percentage off at the team store and the concessions. It's all about building value into the ticket so I don't really care when they have promotions like half-price for college kids.

These are questions I asked here and in other fan forums 2-3 years ago and the answer was always "Put a better team on the ice." That doesn't help John Diamond and the other marketing guys sell tickets. It handcuffs them. Then people complain when attendance suffers. Well, if you'd either tell them how you want them to build value into the season ticket or tell them that you don't care if they do promotions during the season that slash ticket prices, then they can go after the attendance problem. Or you can continue to give wise-@s$ answers and they will continue to be handcuffed; attendance will continue to drop, the Alfond will continue to be a morgue and the resources Red and Ben have to "put a better team on the ice" will get smaller and smaller. We're already at a point where the budget is a joke in Hockey East. Are you hoping it will become the laughingstock of the AHC as well?

The product on the ice is what matters. You aren't going build enough value in those tickets with any kind of promotion without having a team that can compete. Baseball used to pretty popular when I was in school, I saw highlights the other day with half a dozen fans in the stands. Product on the field.
Drop the price of tickets, free parking were my suggestions along with my snide comment.

 

[BassAle]

Re: Maine Black Bears - Return to the Glory Years or On to Oblivion?

Priceless no longer exists. I only started posting here again because I'm writing recaps and doing special features for the site.

If my presence here annoys you that much, click on my profile on the left, then choose "Add to ignore list"

As for scarves, the point is that the athletic department is asking for your (realistic) input on what would motivate you to buy season tickets. The end goal is to build value into the season ticket to free them up to run BOGO and other promotions during the season to boost attendance, without angering STH because other people are getting tickets cheaper. Other schools do this. I have been a STH with two NHL clubs. This is a HUGE part of what they do. I'm sure STH in Boston are telling Neely and Sweeney to put a better team on the ice. That really doesn't help. What helps is that I know that come October one of the players might be knocking on my door to hand deliver my tickets. Or that I may get to travel with the team. Or that I get a percentage off at the team store and the concessions. It's all about building value into the ticket so I don't really care when they have promotions like half-price for college kids.

These are questions I asked here and in other fan forums 2-3 years ago and the answer was always "Put a better team on the ice." That doesn't help John Diamond and the other marketing guys sell tickets. It handcuffs them. Then people complain when attendance suffers. Well, if you'd either tell them how you want them to build value into the season ticket or tell them that you don't care if they do promotions during the season that slash ticket prices, then they can go after the attendance problem. Or you can continue to give wise-@s$ answers and they will continue to be handcuffed; attendance will continue to drop, the Alfond will continue to be a morgue and the resources Red and Ben have to "put a better team on the ice" will get smaller and smaller. We're already at a point where the budget is a joke in Hockey East. Are you hoping it will become the laughingstock of the AHC as well?

I just don't see a point in buying season tickets any more. I have been a season ticket holder since I finished grad school and could no longer get in for free. NONE of the things you mentioned would make it worth it for me to continue. I don't give a **** who delivers my tickets. I don't give a **** about discounted concessions -- I don't eat the garbage they call food.

1: There is no discount for 'buying in bulk'
2: But then there is no shortage of individual tickets; games do not sell out
3: And the product on the ice isn't compelling enough for me to travel 110 miles round trip to see a game more than a few times a season.

Why am I still getting season tickets? A few years ago I started splitting my tickets 50/50 with a friend. They no longer want tickets, and last year I was stuck with all of them. A lot of times I couldn't even give them away so my seats sat empty at least 30% of the time and I probably went to 50% of the games.

I am not getting tickets this year and nothing you mentioned would make me change my mind. About the only thing that would change my mind is a winning record and lower prices.

 

[Drew S.]

I just don't see a point in buying season tickets any more. I have been a season ticket holder since I finished grad school and could no longer get in for free. NONE of the things you mentioned would make it worth it for me to continue. I don't give a **** who delivers my tickets. I don't give a **** about discounted concessions -- I don't eat the garbage they call food.

1: There is no discount for 'buying in bulk'
2: But then there is no shortage of individual tickets; games do not sell out
3: And the product on the ice isn't compelling enough for me to travel 110 miles round trip to see a game more than a few times a season.

Why am I still getting season tickets? A few years ago I started splitting my tickets 50/50 with a friend. They no longer want tickets, and last year I was stuck with all of them. A lot of times I couldn't even give them away so my seats sat empty at least 30% of the time and I probably went to 50% of the games.

I am not getting tickets this year and nothing you mentioned would make me change my mind. About the only thing that would change my mind is a winning record and lower prices.

I was going to post the same thing. Season tickets made sense when most of the games sold out, now none of them do. The best thing the school could do would be to price them for about 60% what buying single game tickets to every game would cost.

 

[walrus]

Re: Maine Black Bears - Return to the Glory Years or On to Oblivion?

I was going to post the same thing. Season tickets made sense when most of the games sold out, now none of them do. The best thing the school could do would be to price them for about 60% what buying single game tickets to every game would cost.

There was no mention of lower ticket prices that I saw. They think some trinket is going to keep people buying. I don't