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Post by hc87 on Dec 14, 2020 12:02:09 GMT -5
Yes, God help us, I was selected to be on this august committee.  Posting here to see if there is anything from this board (probably the hardest of hard-core HC fans in many ways) you'd like me to bring up tomorrow. This will be the first of a few zoom meetings...tomorrow's agenda is basically an intro and a few broad questions on one's experiences as a HC fan, what can be improved etc etc |
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Post by sader1970 on Dec 14, 2020 12:24:51 GMT -5
Well, good for you! Congrats. Some of us here apparently didn't make the cut.  They may have already heard too much from me. They apparently don't subscribe to the old: "It's better to have them be inside the tent pi$$ing out than outside the tent pi$$ing in."  |
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Post by thecrossisback on Dec 14, 2020 12:29:39 GMT -5
I didn't make the cut either. Probably a good thing. Tell them to check out the board. The posters have shared plenty of game day experiences. |
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Post by gks on Dec 14, 2020 12:54:27 GMT -5
Night Games.
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Post by hc87 on Dec 14, 2020 14:02:02 GMT -5
Posted on this (football) thread because it probably has the most traffic now....hope that's OK Dean Wormer. The committee is for all HC sports...not just football, wanted to make that distinction. Agree on football night game(s)...will make a note of that. Don't worry sader1970, like Groucho, you wouldn't want to be in a club that would have you as a membah. |
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Post by timholycross on Dec 14, 2020 15:10:04 GMT -5
...or start the warm weather (Sept) home games later in the afternoon. 2, 230 even 3. This from someone who no longer has kids that have to be carted around on Saturday mornings.
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Post by purplehaze on Dec 14, 2020 15:26:22 GMT -5
agree with Tim, even games in early October can be completed (even if there's ot) with plenty of daylight - the 'soccer' Saturday morning programs for many have to be considered as many of us can make HC as a daytrip and would still be home by a reasonable hour.
another suggestion I have in mind is to have more Basketball doubleheaders with the men and women - especially with BU which is so close. The PL insists on opposite venues for league games and that's not necessary.
also: how about weekend night basketball games ? atmosphere at noon on winter Saturdays doesn't cut it. I've been told from a knowledgeable source that the PL does not permit Saturday start times later then 4pm (but we play weekday
games at 7pm and those visiting teams get home in the wee hours of the morning - this weekend rule is silly.
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Post by hc6774 on Dec 14, 2020 15:42:24 GMT -5
Yes, God help us, I was selected to be on this august committee. Posting here to see if there is anything from this board (probably the hardest of hard-core HC fans in many ways) you'd like me to bring up tomorrow. This will be the first of a few zoom meetings...tomorrow's agenda is basically an intro and a few broad questions on one's experiences as a HC fan, what can be improved etc etc Is licensing the sale of beer & wine at Fitton on the agenda? |
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Post by HC92 on Dec 14, 2020 16:19:22 GMT -5
I assume you’ll be letting them know that being in the Bug East would improve the fan experience.
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Post by WCHC Sports on Dec 14, 2020 16:24:57 GMT -5
- Women's bball games preceding Men's games immediately afterwards. Loved those double-headers.
- What can be done to bulk up the numbers in the band/cheerleading/dance team rosters? Makes it feel like a "professional" operation, if not merely D1.
- Sell booze at the games.
- Student "benefits" for attendance. I know they already go for free, what about 20% off at the Bookstore with a ticket stub? What about 20% the next Dominoes' Pizza order with a ticket stub? What about a free "meal" at Crossroads or Lower Kimball or whatever their modern day equivalents are? If it's a loss leader but can get some butts in the seats, so be it.
- We have to align our most popular incentives for getting fans to games (plus High School night, rec league/CYO attendance, etc.) with the games that are on TV. Having a quiet/empty venue for a televised game is painfully awkward to see on TV.
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Post by sader1970 on Dec 14, 2020 16:40:37 GMT -5
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Post by hc87 on Dec 15, 2020 14:02:47 GMT -5
Some great ideas here...thanks gents!
The zoom meeting begins today at 5:30 if anyone has some last minute thoughts.
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Post by CHC8485 on Dec 15, 2020 14:35:05 GMT -5
Allow students to use "dining dollars" for concessions.
Start Saturday hoops games later - could we get a couple of 7:00 PM starts? Even a 3:30 or 4:00 start would improve attendance of students & locals.
I get it, sometimes there's a hockey game at 7:00 and becasue they are playing the second game of a 2 game home series, strating earlier is not ideal for the student athletes, but if the BB is done by 5:30 or 6:00, that's plenty of time to clear out the parking for hockey. Or maybe start the hockey at 4:00 ocassionally.
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Post by thecrossisback on Dec 15, 2020 20:03:11 GMT -5
Any news from the Crusader Fan committee?
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Post by hc87 on Dec 15, 2020 21:57:23 GMT -5
I'll summarize tomorrow....nothing too surprising/shocking.
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Post by Crucis#1 on Dec 15, 2020 22:22:32 GMT -5
Are we finally getting new score and video boards at Fitton and Hart?
Who will contribute the first Franklin?.
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Post by hc87 on Dec 17, 2020 17:27:33 GMT -5
Sorry for the delay (been shoveling )......I'll quickly bullet a few things here and maybe you can jar my memory with questions. * Committee was chaired (or led) by Nick Smith and Derrick Light, AD Marcus Blossom was there for the beginning of the meeting. * Committee was composed of about 10-12 (coming and going from 5:30-7)....a cross section of alumni, current student-athletes, parents of athletes, HC student-life person. * It was mostly an introductory meeting i.e. what they are looking for, what the goals are etc * Different ideas were proposed for all sports..."kids night", meet&greet after games etc * I did bring up night games, later afternoon kick-offs....they seemed open to this but were wary of cost etc * Much of the discussion involved HC being broadcast on NESN, Charter (I think...Channel 3 local) and the PL's move to ESPN+ * Not much discussed (yet) about games at Hart (hoop or hockey) as those sports will probably be without fans this season. I'm sure I'm forgetting other topics that were broached. Both Smith and Light seemed very open and responsive to any and all ideas. The next meeting is Jan 26th for an hour and the focus according to the email will be on football. I'm just realizing now that I may not be able to participate if we have a HS basketball season...we'll see. |
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Post by efg72 on Dec 17, 2020 17:30:34 GMT -5
thank you
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Post by lou on Dec 17, 2020 18:27:12 GMT -5
Not sure what local TV has to do with fan experience
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Post by A Clock Tower Purple on Dec 17, 2020 20:49:53 GMT -5
Given no one is going to be there, TV is pertinent to the "fan experience" this year, but the "fan experience committee" is several years too late.
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Post by Crucis#1 on Dec 17, 2020 23:10:53 GMT -5
Some of us have been providing our feedback regarding changes required without a formalized fan experience committee for years.
Many of the suggestions were implemented, some got roadblocked up the chain of command from the HC AD, others met inertia. The department has been more receptive to listening to suggestions over the last six years regarding changes that are needed.
It got kind of amusing in the past when certain people would purposely avoid making eye contact, when they saw me at Fitton or Hart because they knew I had something to say and a concern.
I never had that problem with Nate, Joe, Marcus or Nick. I have had several detailed conversations before they left with Nate and Joe. Also currently with Nick and Marcus. Each has listen and provided a response to several things that gave me a concern.
It’s never too late. We just must continue to be vigilant, do peer reviews of other programs, see what we like, and hope that HC will implement.
Would be nice if some alums who participated and benefited from playing at Fitton and the Hart (basketball and hockey) would take leadership roles to raise funds for upgraded scoreboards and video presentations that provide detail informatics and statistics during the game.
Happy to see they are formalizing a feedback channel for our concerns.
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Post by hc87 on Dec 18, 2020 14:02:07 GMT -5
Not certain, but I think this committee is more about "fan experience" itself and not about actual structural changes i.e. video boards at both Fitton and Hart...though I do understand how those both would enhance the fan experience. We'll see how it goes.
I do think they realize how they've "lost" the Greater Worcester subway alumni fandom (NAD and others notwithstanding of course)...this seems to be one of their major goals here, that is, somehow reconnecting them to HC.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Dec 18, 2020 14:19:41 GMT -5
Not certain, but I think this committee is more about "fan experience" itself and not about actual structural changes i.e. video boards at both Fitton and Hart...though I do understand how those both would enhance the fan experience. We'll see how it goes. I do think they realize how they've "lost" the Greater Worcester subway alumni fandom (NAD and others notwithstanding of course)...this seems to be one of their major goals here, that is, somehow reconnecting them to HC. Send the key coaches out to the local bars and VFW/Legion Posts to buy a few beers, give out tickets, and make friends for the program--hard work but work that would pay off |
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Post by Chu Chu on Dec 18, 2020 16:03:37 GMT -5
I have seen video boards mentioned twice. I know these are quite expensive. Why do you think this matters? (Or do you?)
Is this something prospective recruits talk about? Could it be that there is also an appeal some see in being retro?
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Post by Crucis#1 on Dec 18, 2020 16:38:44 GMT -5
I for one enjoy enhanced graphics and information during the game. For Football, seeing the team and individual yards passing and rushing for example provides an additional information that many fans keep track. For basketball seeing 2 Pt and 3 Pt shooting percentage, rebounds, assists and turnovers is fun to keep track. For the last ten years, I have taken my iPad to the Hart and other venues to watch the broadcast feed to see the replays as well as view live statistics. I enjoy watching Navy basketball, because during the game, they always spotlight fans during the game, and seeing their reaction during the broadcast is fun. Sometimes it can be funny and embarrassing especially if it is the kiss cam. 🤣😊 The renovation to the Hart should have included it in the budget through solicited donations and corporate sponsorship. Not having video feels like a D3 facility. If we are to compete in D1, we need to have all the tools and image of a D1 program. Even 80 year old Cameron Indoor Stadium has updated video to enhance their fan experience and have for over a decade. Guess they decided that even with a retro building, video could be added. today.duke.edu/2008/11/scoreboard.htmltoday.duke.edu/2009/03/scoreboard.htmlgoduke.com/news/2008/8/1/1546642.aspxAnd really talking about retro, Rose Hill Gym, a facility with a video board, that does not have bathrooms in the building. You have to go next door to the McGinley Center. Rose Hill is the second oldest gym in D1. stadiumandarenavisits.com/2013/01/14/a-visit-to-rose-hill/en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Hill_GymnasiumThe Great Grandaddy of them all, Matthews Arena, built in 1910, the oldest gym in D1, also has a sparkling video display. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthews_Arenahuntnewsnu.com/57258/sports/new-50-foot-video-board-installed-in-matthews-arena/ |
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