07-08-2008, 08:15 AM
07-08-2008, 09:22 AM
See, this is yet another reason of "WHAT IS WRONG WITH ETSU SPORTS."
We've often talked about how ETSU fails to lure in Joe Johnson City, who often would root for UT.
To lure in Joe Johnson City, you don't schedule a travel package to Hawaii that will be too expensive for all but the richest of boosters.
You don't schedule a travel package to Charleston that will wipe out Joe Johnson City's Christmas budget.
You schedule a big-name opponent here and Joe Johnson City takes his family to the event.
Granted, that's easier said that done, and with what ETSU and the City did to Memorial Center may be downright impossible.
But that's the thing.
The ETSU philosophy has been to cater to the elite of the area and to hell with the little guys. The UT philosophy has been to embrace the little guys (witness attendance 107,000) who would support their teams and use that to lure the elite of the state as the party they just gotta get into.
We've often talked about how ETSU fails to lure in Joe Johnson City, who often would root for UT.
To lure in Joe Johnson City, you don't schedule a travel package to Hawaii that will be too expensive for all but the richest of boosters.
You don't schedule a travel package to Charleston that will wipe out Joe Johnson City's Christmas budget.
You schedule a big-name opponent here and Joe Johnson City takes his family to the event.
Granted, that's easier said that done, and with what ETSU and the City did to Memorial Center may be downright impossible.
But that's the thing.
The ETSU philosophy has been to cater to the elite of the area and to hell with the little guys. The UT philosophy has been to embrace the little guys (witness attendance 107,000) who would support their teams and use that to lure the elite of the state as the party they just gotta get into.
07-08-2008, 10:37 AM
PittsburghBucs Wrote:
But that's the thing.
The ETSU philosophy has been to cater to the elite of the area and to hell with the little guys. The UT philosophy has been to embrace the little guys (witness attendance 107,000) who would support their teams and use that to lure the elite of the state as the party they just gotta get into.
The ETSU philosophy has been to cater to the elite of the area and to hell with the little guys. The UT philosophy has been to embrace the little guys (witness attendance 107,000) who would support their teams and use that to lure the elite of the state as the party they just gotta get into.
Good insight!
07-08-2008, 12:27 PM
BucDoctor Wrote:
PittsburghBucs Wrote:
But that's the thing.
The ETSU philosophy has been to cater to the elite of the area and to hell with the little guys. The UT philosophy has been to embrace the little guys (witness attendance 107,000) who would support their teams and use that to lure the elite of the state as the party they just gotta get into.
The ETSU philosophy has been to cater to the elite of the area and to hell with the little guys. The UT philosophy has been to embrace the little guys (witness attendance 107,000) who would support their teams and use that to lure the elite of the state as the party they just gotta get into.
Good insight!
Guess you have looked at UT's ticket prices lately.
http://www.seymourherald.com/sports/2008...ee-announ/
07-08-2008, 01:05 PM
PittsburghBucs Wrote:
See, this is yet another reason of "WHAT IS WRONG WITH ETSU SPORTS."
We've often talked about how ETSU fails to lure in Joe Johnson City, who often would root for UT.
To lure in Joe Johnson City, you don't schedule a travel package to Hawaii that will be too expensive for all but the richest of boosters.
You don't schedule a travel package to Charleston that will wipe out Joe Johnson City's Christmas budget.
You schedule a big-name opponent here and Joe Johnson City takes his family to the event.
Granted, that's easier said that done, and with what ETSU and the City did to Memorial Center may be downright impossible.
But that's the thing.
The ETSU philosophy has been to cater to the elite of the area and to hell with the little guys. The UT philosophy has been to embrace the little guys (witness attendance 107,000) who would support their teams and use that to lure the elite of the state as the party they just gotta get into.
We've often talked about how ETSU fails to lure in Joe Johnson City, who often would root for UT.
To lure in Joe Johnson City, you don't schedule a travel package to Hawaii that will be too expensive for all but the richest of boosters.
You don't schedule a travel package to Charleston that will wipe out Joe Johnson City's Christmas budget.
You schedule a big-name opponent here and Joe Johnson City takes his family to the event.
Granted, that's easier said that done, and with what ETSU and the City did to Memorial Center may be downright impossible.
But that's the thing.
The ETSU philosophy has been to cater to the elite of the area and to hell with the little guys. The UT philosophy has been to embrace the little guys (witness attendance 107,000) who would support their teams and use that to lure the elite of the state as the party they just gotta get into.
I know lots of people in my small hometown who WERE UT ticket holders for many years who have now been pushed out because they can't afford to make the donation to the university that is required before they can purchase their tickets which have been increased so much in price most can't afford them even if the donation was not required! Many of them are bitter because their families had supported the university for years through good times and bad!
07-08-2008, 01:40 PM
Somehow, I think the trips to Hawaii and to Charleston will cost more than $40-$70.
That's not even THAT much. I pay $75 a seat- after the PSL- for my Steelers tickets.
That's not even THAT much. I pay $75 a seat- after the PSL- for my Steelers tickets.
07-08-2008, 02:01 PM
We went to Hawaii when the Bucs just because we had always wanted to go there! We stayed a week and really enjoyed the island plus we got to see some basketball as well... We looked at the deal ETSU put together out of the Tri-Cities and then found a better deal out of Knoxville.. so we did not go with the group, but enjoyed getting together with them while there. It was a great trip! Still paying off the credit cards!!!! We always drove to the Socon tourney in Charleston.. and now to the A-Sun in Nashville. We really like Charleston and Nashville and go there from time to time for a long weekend when there is not Basketball.. but since we are big college basketball fans, it makes it even better! Game tickets cost us a little extra..but it's worth it!
We will be in Charleston for the C of C tourney.. great town .. great food.. and the chance to see some basketball makes it better!!
We will be in Charleston for the C of C tourney.. great town .. great food.. and the chance to see some basketball makes it better!!
07-08-2008, 02:38 PM
RodShaw2 Wrote:
BucDoctor Wrote:
PittsburghBucs Wrote:
But that's the thing.
The ETSU philosophy has been to cater to the elite of the area and to hell with the little guys. The UT philosophy has been to embrace the little guys (witness attendance 107,000) who would support their teams and use that to lure the elite of the state as the party they just gotta get into.
The ETSU philosophy has been to cater to the elite of the area and to hell with the little guys. The UT philosophy has been to embrace the little guys (witness attendance 107,000) who would support their teams and use that to lure the elite of the state as the party they just gotta get into.
Good insight!
Guess you have looked at UT's ticket prices lately.
http://www.seymourherald.com/sports/2008...ee-announ/
Rod,
Maybe I misinterpreted Pitt, but I believe his insight into the model used to describe how ut built their fan base is correct. At this time with demand exceeding the supply of tickets, they may be able to change their focus/target market.
There appears to have been no model used to build a fan base at ETSU. The ETSU fan base has become so small that it will take years of a focused effort to build. In the past the model seemed to change every year or so, rather than methodically implementing a multi-year plan.
Just my opinions.
07-08-2008, 04:09 PM
You got it right, Doctor.
By the way, here's how you DON'T market your team.
"Our tickets only cost $10! Their's cost $100!"
That's like saying "This Beverly Hills house costs $400,000! This one in Keystone costs $40,000! Where would you rather live?"
Even though ETSU is not as high profile, you build a base by showing that your program is on the way up and is in tune with the area.
Making foreign-born golf and tennis players more important than football and basketball and dropping to the A-Sun is not the way to do it.
By the way, here's how you DON'T market your team.
"Our tickets only cost $10! Their's cost $100!"
That's like saying "This Beverly Hills house costs $400,000! This one in Keystone costs $40,000! Where would you rather live?"
Even though ETSU is not as high profile, you build a base by showing that your program is on the way up and is in tune with the area.
Making foreign-born golf and tennis players more important than football and basketball and dropping to the A-Sun is not the way to do it.
07-08-2008, 04:12 PM
1968- Everyone wants to visit Hawaii, but it's not practical.
Even you point out the folly. I realize that flights out of Tri-Cities are hardly cost-effective, but the fact they couldn't work something out so that you could fly out of the TRI instead of Knoxville for less money is absurd.
Most people aren't willing to go into debt to visit Hawaii and cheer on a declining basketball program. They would, however, be willing to plink down some disposable income for a decent home game.
Even you point out the folly. I realize that flights out of Tri-Cities are hardly cost-effective, but the fact they couldn't work something out so that you could fly out of the TRI instead of Knoxville for less money is absurd.
Most people aren't willing to go into debt to visit Hawaii and cheer on a declining basketball program. They would, however, be willing to plink down some disposable income for a decent home game.
07-08-2008, 05:06 PM
Young Buc,
Travel with the Bucs quite often, absolutely love road games, will definitely be in Charleston! Sounds like a GREAT tournament!!
Travel with the Bucs quite often, absolutely love road games, will definitely be in Charleston! Sounds like a GREAT tournament!!
07-08-2008, 09:29 PM
Gas is too high, and it's still FOOTBALL SEASON. ETSU is placing too much on the UT-C game being a big draw, but the problem with ETSU is the dome. It's just not going to attract the big names anymore.
07-08-2008, 10:34 PM
Here's what I would do.
And for all I know they TRIED to do this, but were rebuffed, but then again maybe they didn't.
Granted, Omar Wattad is not Georgetown's highest profile recruit. But he figures to be on the team for four years and there is a report that he's on scholarship now, so his stock appears to be rising.
Georgetown also has been known to schedule a less-than-competitive out of conference schedule.
Why not ask for a two-for-one, perhaps with an option for a third year if Wattad were to be redshirted or something?
North Carolina used to be famous for scheduling a road game at the hometown college of one of their out-of-state players. It's a chance for their player to play for his hometown folks and be a star.
Do the same thing here. Ask for Georgetown to come here. They'd get three games they ought to win but against an opponent that doesn't reak. It's a good early season game for them.
Come 2010, Wattad gets lots of press and attention by playing in Johnson City. ETSU could sell tickets to this game at a premium- and they'd sell every seat they had. Their season tickets would undoubtedly increase.
Perfect case study, therefore, to what a new arena's seating capacity should be.
It also would provide exposure for ETSU in Washington, D.C.
I happen to think that would be a plus for Georgetown. ETSU isn't going to steal a DC player from Georgetown, but they might be able to get a guy from, say, American, George Washington, or Howard.
Granted, I don't think Georgetown is looking over their shoulder at American, George Washington, or Howard. But it would decrease the chances of, say, a Stephen Curry situation occuring at one of those schools.
And you know- if Davidson had been able to come up with one more basket against Kansas, they likely would have beaten North Carolina in the Final Four considering the egg UNC laid in that game. And every Tar Heels fan in the country would wonder why they didn't recruit Curry, even if he wasn't a top prospect.
That may be a far fetched scenario to occur. But it is POSSIBLE- and at the very least Georgetown wouldn't want an American University player stealing a headline or two from them during the season.
Who knows? If Wattad's stock continues to rise, maybe a one-and-one deal in 2009 and 2010 could take place.
I hope so.
Another thing. I don't care if he is having a tough time- SOONER OR LATER YOU WANT ED DeCHELLIS TO PLAY ETSU.
And for all I know they TRIED to do this, but were rebuffed, but then again maybe they didn't.
Granted, Omar Wattad is not Georgetown's highest profile recruit. But he figures to be on the team for four years and there is a report that he's on scholarship now, so his stock appears to be rising.
Georgetown also has been known to schedule a less-than-competitive out of conference schedule.
Why not ask for a two-for-one, perhaps with an option for a third year if Wattad were to be redshirted or something?
North Carolina used to be famous for scheduling a road game at the hometown college of one of their out-of-state players. It's a chance for their player to play for his hometown folks and be a star.
Do the same thing here. Ask for Georgetown to come here. They'd get three games they ought to win but against an opponent that doesn't reak. It's a good early season game for them.
Come 2010, Wattad gets lots of press and attention by playing in Johnson City. ETSU could sell tickets to this game at a premium- and they'd sell every seat they had. Their season tickets would undoubtedly increase.
Perfect case study, therefore, to what a new arena's seating capacity should be.
It also would provide exposure for ETSU in Washington, D.C.
I happen to think that would be a plus for Georgetown. ETSU isn't going to steal a DC player from Georgetown, but they might be able to get a guy from, say, American, George Washington, or Howard.
Granted, I don't think Georgetown is looking over their shoulder at American, George Washington, or Howard. But it would decrease the chances of, say, a Stephen Curry situation occuring at one of those schools.
And you know- if Davidson had been able to come up with one more basket against Kansas, they likely would have beaten North Carolina in the Final Four considering the egg UNC laid in that game. And every Tar Heels fan in the country would wonder why they didn't recruit Curry, even if he wasn't a top prospect.
That may be a far fetched scenario to occur. But it is POSSIBLE- and at the very least Georgetown wouldn't want an American University player stealing a headline or two from them during the season.
Who knows? If Wattad's stock continues to rise, maybe a one-and-one deal in 2009 and 2010 could take place.
I hope so.
Another thing. I don't care if he is having a tough time- SOONER OR LATER YOU WANT ED DeCHELLIS TO PLAY ETSU.
07-09-2008, 06:58 AM
Since we have been discussing travel, I asked a Vol fan that I often walk with at our local school track. He attended all home football games and went to most away games from the 1960's until the 90's when they told him he had to make a donation to the school in order to have the chance to continue to get tickets..maybe not the same seats he had always had..depends on how much you can afford to give.. anyway he got mad and has never been to another game home or away.. BUT.. he and his wife are huge Lady Vol basketball fans..
and travel often to away games.. He says the bus trips UT puts together for fans are sometimes good deals depending on where they are going.. and now probably even better because of the high price of gas.. he says he can usually beat the price on their plane trips by not going with the team deal.. he says to check out Cheap Tickets, or Orbitz or some of those and you can usually save $$$ over the
university's group deals... See you in Charleston!!!
and travel often to away games.. He says the bus trips UT puts together for fans are sometimes good deals depending on where they are going.. and now probably even better because of the high price of gas.. he says he can usually beat the price on their plane trips by not going with the team deal.. he says to check out Cheap Tickets, or Orbitz or some of those and you can usually save $$$ over the
university's group deals... See you in Charleston!!!
07-09-2008, 02:56 PM
I dont even know why I post on here
07-09-2008, 03:11 PM
68- I think you're missing the point.
ETSU WOULD charge PSLs or require donations to get seats if the demand was there.
Now, if you're saying that ETSU should stay at its current level because it will prevent such practices, I don't think you'll get much support for that idea.
"Stay mediocre. Keep the prices low."
I don't like the ring to that.
ETSU WOULD charge PSLs or require donations to get seats if the demand was there.
Now, if you're saying that ETSU should stay at its current level because it will prevent such practices, I don't think you'll get much support for that idea.
"Stay mediocre. Keep the prices low."
I don't like the ring to that.
07-09-2008, 03:33 PM
I can remember a time when you had to donate money to ETSU for the privilege of buying season tickets. It didn't last very long but it happened.
07-09-2008, 04:56 PM
Like Gold said ETSU did do this briefly when they got good but didn't last to long but a it did happen and it did last a few years.
R
R
07-09-2008, 07:40 PM
They are trying to build a fan base, but it all goes back to the same argument with not having football. Even if we started winning in basketball at the Davidson level, it wouldn't be enough right now.
And Youngbuc, what you're going to find on here is that mostly everyone here is disgruntled with ETSU or ETSU athletics in some form or another, outside of the couple of posters who work for the athletic dept or the university. If the tournament were in a different time of year, I would consider it, but I'll for sure be at the Tenn. Tech, Belmont, and Lipscomb road games, and possibly Kennesaw because they need my gate admission to pay for fat Tony Ingle's 37 children.
And Youngbuc, what you're going to find on here is that mostly everyone here is disgruntled with ETSU or ETSU athletics in some form or another, outside of the couple of posters who work for the athletic dept or the university. If the tournament were in a different time of year, I would consider it, but I'll for sure be at the Tenn. Tech, Belmont, and Lipscomb road games, and possibly Kennesaw because they need my gate admission to pay for fat Tony Ingle's 37 children.
07-09-2008, 09:14 PM
what you're going to find on here is that mostly everyone here is disgruntled with ETSU or ETSU athletics in some form or another
Not me Young Buc, I love & support ETSU basketball & I am looking forward to another great season. I am not very happy with the Saturday/Monday games though, it's going to make it a little harder to go to the road games.
Not me Young Buc, I love & support ETSU basketball & I am looking forward to another great season. I am not very happy with the Saturday/Monday games though, it's going to make it a little harder to go to the road games.
07-09-2008, 10:00 PM
Define "Great Season."
07-10-2008, 10:02 AM
Bucfan4Life---
You can honestly say you're happy playing in a league where we have no natural rivalries, and the one school we don't get along with is STILL in division one transition? You're happy with a Pharmacy school that's causing a financial strain on EVERY DEPARTMENT outside of the medical college, a university that can't get their facilities built the right way or the way they intended? You're happy with an out of date football stadium that's used for basketball that ALLEGEDLY can only hold six thousand people. You're happy with not having been to the NCAA's since we had a football team?! Come on, based on the quality of your avatar, I'm assuming you work for ETSU or are affiliated in some way? The only positive things going right now are the hot girls that Coaches Brooks and Kemp are recruiting, and even with the women winning in this pedestrian, not as good as most high school JV teams conference, her girls have lost their class. The Saturday games will be easy to make.
You can honestly say you're happy playing in a league where we have no natural rivalries, and the one school we don't get along with is STILL in division one transition? You're happy with a Pharmacy school that's causing a financial strain on EVERY DEPARTMENT outside of the medical college, a university that can't get their facilities built the right way or the way they intended? You're happy with an out of date football stadium that's used for basketball that ALLEGEDLY can only hold six thousand people. You're happy with not having been to the NCAA's since we had a football team?! Come on, based on the quality of your avatar, I'm assuming you work for ETSU or are affiliated in some way? The only positive things going right now are the hot girls that Coaches Brooks and Kemp are recruiting, and even with the women winning in this pedestrian, not as good as most high school JV teams conference, her girls have lost their class. The Saturday games will be easy to make.
07-12-2008, 07:52 AM
bucfan1968 Wrote:
PittsburghBucs Wrote:
68- I think you're missing the point.
ETSU WOULD charge PSLs or require donations to get seats if the demand was there.
Now, if you're saying that ETSU should stay at its current level because it will prevent such practices, I don't think you'll get much support for that idea.
"Stay mediocre. Keep the prices low."
I don't like the ring to that.
ETSU WOULD charge PSLs or require donations to get seats if the demand was there.
Now, if you're saying that ETSU should stay at its current level because it will prevent such practices, I don't think you'll get much support for that idea.
"Stay mediocre. Keep the prices low."
I don't like the ring to that.
No..You totally missed what I was commenting on..I was passing on info about traveling with College basketball teams..and how my friend found better deals outside the fan trips put together for Lady Vols games ..just as I was able to get a better deal for myself when I went to Hawaii while the Bucs were there... please go back and look at what I was saying about travel if you want to save some money on team trips to away games or tournaments.. now if you want me to comment on why UT has 107,000 fans at football games and compare that to ETSU basketball crowds?????????????????????
I will have to think about that one!!!!
07-14-2008, 07:41 PM
I might make the trip. But just because Charleston is a great town to have a good time.