The following was a comment in the previous blog, But I think it warrants its own seperate post...
David Says: October 1st, 2007 at 3:14 pm e
As an IU alum (83) it is very disheartening to see the lack of support at home games. In 79-83 we were relegated to cheering for first downs and being able to run onto the field without falling down....There's the potential for a very magical season here aand the emergence of Randal El II...You'll regret not going to the games 15 years from now.
Wanna be called a "FAN" go to the games! The entire 4 quarters...the beer will still be cold when you get there after the game. How do you expect real prospects to choose IU when they make their visit to campus and a game they see 18,000 in the stands?
David isn't alone. James Hardy has told the media that he's discouraged about the lack of fan support. The best in the biz Matt Dollinger even wrote a column about this last friday
I feel like David is preaching to the choir by posting it on under the rock, seeing as those who read this are pretty loyal Hoosier fans. So my question is, what, (if anything) can anyone do to get a sellout in Bloomington Indiana?
* Does the team need to beat Minnesota, then beat Michigan State to get a sellout for Penn State on homecoming?
* Does the Athletic Department need to do a better job of coming up with promotions?
* Does Kellen Lewis need to do flips into the end zone, and actually stick the landing?
Here's my solution:
Make 'em An offer They can't Refuse: Alumni that get season football tickets will get preferred seating for basketball tickets. If the alumns only get season basketball tickets, they don't get nearly as good of seats then those who get season tickets to both football and basketball. The same rule applies for students. I know this seems harsh on account that most students don't have an abundnace of cash, but I think a lot of people would pony up if it meant real good basketball tickets.
Another solution that I have, (and I'm saying this without doing any real research as to if its legal or not.)
Sell Beer In the Stadium: This provides the best of both worlds for the tailgaters. They get to keep drinking AND get to watch IU football. Everyone tailgating and drinking beer is 21, right? But all jokes aside; I know IU is a 'Dry Campus,' and not to steal the phrase from the t-shirt but 'my ass.' If there is blatant drinking in the parking lots why can't IU make the next step and have blatant drinking in Memorial Stadium? Is anyone going to be really upset over this? I don't think so, espeically if it means more money to the University.
Those are just two quick idea's off the top of my head. What other suggestions are there? Will IU see a sellout crowd this season? Let's talk...
