Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXIX: Yes, this is the Rumpel Rink!
Not trying to start a fight or anything like that, but in what ways do you feel that UW should show appreciation to you?
Being completely honest, and not trying to be snarky or condescending, but you buy tickets (at a discount as part of the season ticket package) for an event and are granted entrance to and a seat from which to watch that event...what other things should be provided for you as a ticket purchaser?
As a donor (even at the lowest level), you are given access to purchase tickets in locations that are not available to a non-donor, you have a special purchase window for tickets to other sporting events, special access to post-season tickets, access to special discounts at Bucky's Locker Room; the list is pretty impressive.
And please, let's not let this devolve into a typical message board argument, I'd honestly like to know what you expect.
Well I do get a slight discount buying tickets for the season. However, they offer discounted tickets, family four packs throughout the season that are a better deal, with concessions vouchers. Granted you don't get the premium seats, but can easily move down to those (since the place is half empty). We pay for our tickets whether we go or not as season ticket holders.
So, some things I think we deserve in order of importance (almost all related to performance):
1. National Titles
2. Frozen Fours
3. Consistent NCAA tournament appearances almost every year
4. Winning at home
5. An entertaining brand of hockey
6. Discounted concessions / coupons
7. Just some simple thank yous from the athletes and / or athletic dept.
8. Listen to and address our concerns we place on the end of year surveys.
9. Other perks for helping fund the hockey team and athletic dept in general (what these are I don't exactly know)
The performance and entertainment value haven't been there as far as I am concerned. I write about that in my annual surveys, but they just keep doing the status quo each year. Instead of improving the team performance they add lights, canned music and smoke. I don't care about that crap. I spend a lot of my entertainment dollars on the UW men's hockey team and I don't feel currently the value is there. Obviously, I am not the only one as season ticket holders get less and less each year.
Heck 2 years ago they add the game at soldier field as a conference game and take away a premium game from the season ticket holders. Making us pay for a US under 18 exhibition game as part of the season tickets. Scheduling home cupcakes for non-conference games (although that is not the case this year). All of these take away from what used to be so much fun.
As a season ticket holder over many years, you would think they would come up with some way of thanking you for continued / repeated purchasing every year. Maybe after 10 years you get something, 20 years, 25, etc. Almost like a work anniversary. But mostly, I just want a better team year in and year out. I am not expecting perfection.
As a badger fund supporter, I am fine with the perks I get from that. You list them all out, even at the lowest levels. You also get the ticket exchange. And I simply can't afford to give more.