Football Reseating and DNF Renovation/Rebuild

[ronpolk]

I've noticed something from about a portion of our fans from the football reseating and all the DNF talk. We have a group of fans that feel they are the most dedicated and loyal fans to MSU and that nobody could replace their money or loyalty. Dawgbreeze is a perfect example for the football reseating. He's not worried about MSU football moving forward, he thinks he's owed something because he's been loyal. With baseball, I was listing to Head to Head yesterday while on my commute home and a guy called in to talk about the Left Field Lounge. He said that if it gets changed with the renovation or rebuild that Scott will lose MSU Baseball's most loyal fans, the guys in LFL.

As Dawgbreeze has or will find out, there is a State fan that is willing to fill the void of the donation he will not give to state. There is also a state fan that is going to take his club level seat next year when he vacates it. To the gentleman from Head to Head, if you don't like the changes that will happen with LFL, someone will take your place too. Some guys just need to get over themselves.

For the record, I really hope that we find a way to preserve the atmosphere of LFL. I have no idea how to do that but I hope it gets done.

 

[57stratdawg]

But MSU is better off with both dawgbreeze and the new guy.

 

[Crazy Dawg]

Could they not build a new stadium in the same spot and just leave it alone beyond the outfield wall? We may have to play home games at the rec center for a year but if everyone is worried about losing LFL that seems to be a way to keep it.

 

[thatsbaseball]

That`s the whole point. These donation "voids" he`s talking about so easily filling ain`t going to be as easy to fill as he thinks. Some of what we did in this re-seating fiasco is akin to doing surgery with a chainsaw. We couldn`t have made everybody perfectly happy but it could have been handled a lot better.

 

[00Dawg]

Sure, eventually. In the short run, though, the answer for football looks like it's going to be no, there isn't someone to fill all the vacated CL spots. I think the baseball answer would surprise some people as well.

 

[drt7891]

I'm not trying to go on some pity parade, but I really agree with engie's point about DNF. I know there are many older fans who are loyal and give way more money a year than I bring in salary, but it is so hard, as a young alumni, to have any real drive to donate what little money I can give to the bulldog club because I am only faced with waiting lists from season tickets in the grandstands and LFL at DNF, and the only football tickets that are remotely affordable are in the far southeast corner of the upper deck (I'd rather watch a game on tv... Not saying the entire upper deck sucks, but that corner sucks ***). The young alumni are completely alienated and get nothing for their support and I have even waivered on the decision to even give a donation this year knowing I'm only gonna see the leftover scraps that no one else wants.

So many older alumni inherited seats and was able to buy season and club level tickets when it was far more affordable to do so and since the reseating are scared shitless of having to give those up.

 

[121Josey]

Loyalty is a two-way street. If the team, Lord help us, regresses to the Croom/Ray years, will Strickland still expect loyalty out of the BDC members? If someone has been buying season tickets/donating for 30 years and has worked themselves into good seats, but then they are given to young donor, through a one-time express pass, then it makes it easier in the down years to sever the ties and watch the majority of games on TV and buy select game tickets off StubHub.

Did you read the article about the Bag Men? One donor didn't give because the Lord's name was taken in vain. Other donors held their money because they didn't like the coach. If you're trying to maximize donations, don't give people a reason to keep their money.

There is not a State fan to feel the void of Dawgbreeze. Strickland needs the demand for tickets. In case you missed it, attendance is down in college football.

 

[57stratdawg]

I hear you, but you could call up and land Scoreboard Club seats right now. Maybe coughing up $1,400 for football tickets isn't feasible for ya at this point, but I bet you could move some expenses around and net it to way down.

Stop buying Starbucks and make your coffee at home, and it'll probably save you $1,000 a year. Cut your cable back a little. Up your auto insurance deductible.

Where there's a will there is a way.

 

[00Dawg]

Any young alumni over 25/26 years old who don't have baseball chairbacks should look in the mirror. It's their own fault. If they'd called to get chairbacks when we sucked for a few years, they'd have some now, just like I do. I've got no sympathy for fairweather fans who couldn't be bothered to make a phone call.

Meanwhile, you're in luck in the other sport: football club level seats are available right now. A number of us gave them up this year to move elsewhere in the stadium.

 

[drt7891]

Understandable, and I could make by if I did that, but I'm not bringing much in to begin with. I got about $20K (or $20M) in student debt I've got to continue to knock out the next 3 years and I guess football/baseball tickets don't get the priority my debt, housing, and transportation is at this point (and keeping money saved in case of an emergency). I'm already pinching pennies in those areas you mentioned (hell, I eat $1.50 Campbell's chunky for lunch most every day).

My point is more that I can reasonably give $100 a year to the BDC (the next tier is like $700... Can't do that right now), and I don't get very much ROI on that if all I get are corner upper deck seats and waiting lists.

 

[drt7891]

Uh... Kiss my ***. I was put on the waiting list 2 years ago for 2 grandstand tickets (when I graduated).

 

[ronpolk]

But MSU is better off with both dawgbreeze and the new guy.

I agree 100%. I don't want any fan, especially a long time alumni/fan, to be upset and stop coming to games. I just wish people would take the mentality that if it's best for the athletic department then we need to do it.

 

[00Dawg]

Then you wouldn't be over 25/26, would you?

nm

 

[drt7891]

I'm 27. I stayed to get my masters.

 

[00Dawg]

Sympathy exception granted.

Congrats on your degrees.

 

[engie]

I don't understand why people look at "their relationship" with MSU athletics as a marriage. It isn't. Never was. It is a BUSINESS. One in which you are a minority shareholder -- and in which many people have their *** invested off to see it succeed. Once people learn to look at it for what it is -- it becomes really easy to roll with the changes that are going to improve the bottom line -- and in most cases improve the quality of enjoyment for you as an individual -- assuming you are doing everything in your power to help with that success and advancement.

The only people bitching about modernization are the ones that are CURRENTLY getting something for nothing. That's it. That's not to say they didn't give their *** off in the past -- and haven't contributed a ton before in a time when we had little. I'm sure they all have. That's how they arrived at their position. And they should be commended for it. 100%. They should not have the virtual equivalent of Dudy Noble lifetime seats across all sports in our athletics department because of this though. That statement is meant a snapshot of the current tense. If they were still giving their *** off at the same level percentagewise as they once did -- they wouldn't be worried about modernization -- because they would STILL BE GETTING TAKEN CARE OF.

I've laughed about all the football gnashing of teeth. Knew it was coming -- but it's funny to me. The gist of it is this -- Dawgbreeze KNEW the TTF'ers were getting first pick on seating. Might not have read the fine print -- but knew it was going to happen. He has 7 figures willed to MSU allegedly. He likes his currently good seats -- but is still sour over Stansbury being let go. He CHOOSES not to give to TTF, despite it being couch change toward what he actually intends to give to MSU in the longterm(allegedly) -- literally under 5%. When this happens, his priority is shuffled down, and he loses his seats. Now, there's discussion of not coming to games and pulling MSU from his will. Meanwhile, I'm still trying to figure out what part of this is actually Stricklin's fault?

 

[drt7891]

Apologies for being an ***. I just simply cannot afford to pay my way to the next tier and have expressed to the athletic department multiple times the potential in investing in young alumni, like myself. Some can walk into cushy jobs with no debt and afford nice tickets, but those of us with average pay jobs in blue collar environments trying to pay their dues to society and get financially caught up are pushed to the wayside (but still have some income). I have zero incentive to give a donation except that I love the university I graduated from. I just think some options and considerations for those like me (a TON of ppl) would go a long way in expanding future donations. Other universities do this. We don't.

 

[BiscuitEater]

NOT in the SEC ...

There is not a State fan to feel the void of Dawgbreeze. Strickland needs the demand for tickets. In case you missed it, attendance is down in college football.

College football attendance may be down on a national level, but SEC attendance numbers are up for the 2013 regular season.The SEC averaged 75,444 fans per game last year, and that number has increased to 76,193.

Four teams averaged maximum or above maximum capacity in 2013: Texas A&M, South Carolina, Mississippi State and Georgia.

Alabama, LSU, Florida and Ole Miss all averaged over 98 percent capacity.

 

[00Dawg]

It's no biggie.
Honestly, it would behoove the university to have a "young alum" section where you can get nice seats at a cheap price level for X number of years after graduation. There's no way they could do that in a club area for football, but given the concerns about declining attendance nationwide, something like this might help alleviate that problem going forward.

 

[Dawgbite]

Don't overlook the chairbacks in 305-309

Understandable, and I could make by if I did that, but I'm not bringing much in to begin with. I got about $20K (or $20M) in student debt I've got to continue to knock out the next 3 years and I guess football/baseball tickets don't get the priority my debt, housing, and transportation is at this point (and keeping money saved in case of an emergency). I'm already pinching pennies in those areas you mentioned (hell, I eat $1.50 Campbell's chunky for lunch most every day).

My point is more that I can reasonably give $100 a year to the BDC (the next tier is like $700... Can't do that right now), and I don't get very much ROI on that if all I get are corner upper deck seats and waiting lists.

We have sat there for about 5 years and would have renewed there this year but the wife gave me SBC tickets for christmas. Last year the per year donation was $150 per seat, for chairbacks, we were on the 40 yd line. We could see the game, hear the PA, and see the jumbo tron. The 300 level has a stigma as bad seats but I loved our seats. The only drawback was 1 elevator and the walk up the ramps, but there will be 5 freight size elevators on the west side this year so that shouldn't be an issue any longer. I noticed yesterday the a few seats in 307 have already been reserved and they are only up to the 1400's in points so that should tell you something.

 

[drt7891]

Absolutely. I don't at all expect club level seats (especially for my current donation), but my current seats are literally in the worst corner of the stadium, and that's all I could get. According to some friends, I was lucky to get those.

 

[patdog]

You can get a good season ticket in the East upper deck for $210 with no per seat donation. Or you can wait for the mini-season tickets to go on sale in the summer. They're usually 3 games for about $100. Both are great deals if you're living on a budget or just don't want to make the trip up 7 times in 3 months.

 

[drt7891]

My current season tickets are about halfway up in the farthest south corner of the east upper deck by the wall (staring straight at the side of the jumbotron). I donated back in January, but honestly, I'm expecting marginal, if any improvement. Those seats are awful and if there aren't any better options, I will probably turn down tickets and just get some per game.

 

[buddy.sixpack]

I read somewhere that half of Top Dog Season ticket holders are not BC members, so if you are in the BC you would pick ahead of them. So, you should get significantly better Top Dog Seats this year.

 

[dawgstudent]

The funniest thing about Dawgbreeze is he hated LT. Despised him. Talked bad about since the inception of sixpack and I am sure before on genespage.

This reseating is the antithesis of Larry Templeton.

 

[patdog]

There will be better options this year. The students have been moved almost entirely into the end zone, opening up a few of the lower sections on the East side. Plus people moving either to the new premium seating in the end zone will open up more seating on the sidelines.

 

[Miss.Stake]

Can we please do like UGA and section off like 1 to 2k of student section tickets for young alum. It would make student tickets more valuable (thus hopefully help with student attendance retention throughout the game) and give young alum the chance at decent tickets. I'm too old to be in the student section but too young to be in the adult blue hair/adults with kids section. I would love an area where I can comfortably drink and curse medium loud and be able to sit down during the game.

Thanks

 

[patdog]

That's really surprising considering how much he's bitched about how things aren't like they used to be when Templeton was AD.

 

[rem101]

What you're looking for is the g spot. Now known as section 7.

 

[patdog]

It's an issue even in the SEC. The 75,444 last year was the lowest average since 2007. And the 76,193 this year was lower than the 2008 average. And when you look at actual attendance instead of paid, you're starting to see some empty seats in SEC stadiums, especially in the student sections. The days of attendance going up every year are over. We're pretty much as a plateau. The key will be holding on to the attendance the SEC currently has.

 

[00Dawg]

That's all well and good, and while I in no way have the type of response to this sort of thing that DB does, all you have to do is look at the Hump to see what can happen if you handle things badly with long-time fans and your on-the-field performance drops off.
Loyalty deserves rewards. I'm glad the university got the money they did from the TTF initiative, but they never should've done it the way they did outside of the new premium areas. There was already a system in place that rewarded both loyalty and giving, and people who wanted to go to the front of the line could just as easily have pledged another $5k or $10k or whatever their current rank required to move on up.

 

[engie]

It's no biggie.
Honestly, it would behoove the university to have a "young alum" section where you can get nice seats at a cheap price level for X number of years after graduation. There's no way they could do that in a club area for football, but given the concerns about declining attendance nationwide, something like this might help alleviate that problem going forward.

This is actually a great idea that I would be 100% in favor of...

Would allow everyone a transition period from student to "down in front" as well...

 

[paindonthurt_]

I agree, but its no different than your opinion on the new baseball facilities. On that subject, you communicate as if you are the only one that has the 'right' option.

There isn't one 'right' option. And tearing down and starting over or starting over in a new location may be the 'right' option, but its not the only 'right' option. Regardless of what you think you may or may not know.

 

[engie]

I agree, but its no different than your opinion on the new baseball facilities. On that subject, you communicate as if you are the only one that has the 'right' option.

There isn't one 'right' option. And tearing down and starting over or starting over in a new location may be the 'right' option, but its not the only 'right' option. Regardless of what you think you may or may not know.

This has what to do with the topic at hand? Or are you obsessing over something different -- in a situation that I'm getting exactly what I wanted and pushed for all along on?

And please point me to where I've ever indicated that "I'm the only one with the right option"... I'd love to read it...

 

[RocketDawg]

I absolutely agree. This should have been done.

 

[RocketDawg]

I agree 100%. I don't want any fan, especially a long time alumni/fan, to be upset and stop coming to games. I just wish people would take the mentality that if it's best for the athletic department then we need to do it.

It's not so much people getting upset and stopping going to the games; it's is the value ... do I feel like I'm getting what I'm paying for? In my case, is it worth what it costs me (roughly $1000/game) to make a 400+ mile trip and sit inside the end zone? It may be ... I'm going to see how my seats are this fall and then decide. If I don't think it's worth it, then I won't be there next year.

Maybe what they should do is reseat every year based on BDC priority, which already includes longevity and total $$ given. And just assign seats ... no choosing (unless you want to move to a different section, then you get what's available). And put a reasonable limit on the number of tickets a single BDC account can buy. Limit it to immediate family (husband, wife, and kids living at home). That would severely cut back on pooling resources that seems to be so popular. If your parents or whatever want tickets, then they have to have an account). Pooling is probably the biggest inequity existent.

 

[Dawgbreeze]

Ronnieboy, you are full of ****. I never said I was particularly owed anything but I sure as hell wasn't informed that I would be moved to the goal line unless I added to the $3500 for 2 tickets. I have a hard time with a pledge taking precedent over long time loyalty. You obviously feel different, and that is your right, but I am fine if someone wants to give 30+ years and be there no matter how sorry we become . I think 00dawgs comments are very valid. The basketball arena is damn near dead and empty because of the decisions that were made combined with having an awful product to view. If you want to single me out, go for it because I have handled worse before. I was lambasted by many for continuing to point out how pitiful LT was. Greg Byrne proved myself and many others were right. I have no idea how old you are but sitting through, Joe Dan, Hatfield, Charlie Shira, Croom, and others will give you a totally different perspective about loyalty. I am still buying tickets this year and have made my contribution tot he Bulldog Club. I will wait a year to see what I intend to do in the future, but be careful what you wish for, if we flounder again in basketball, we will see how good this AD is. And if you don't think I want MSU to move forward, you don't know me very well, stfu.

I've noticed something from about a portion of our fans from the football reseating and all the DNF talk. We have a group of fans that feel they are the most dedicated and loyal fans to MSU and that nobody could replace their money or loyalty. Dawgbreeze is a perfect example for the football reseating. He's not worried about MSU football moving forward, he thinks he's owed something because he's been loyal. With baseball, I was listing to Head to Head yesterday while on my commute home and a guy called in to talk about the Left Field Lounge. He said that if it gets changed with the renovation or rebuild that Scott will lose MSU Baseball's most loyal fans, the guys in LFL.

As Dawgbreeze has or will find out, there is a State fan that is willing to fill the void of the donation he will not give to state. There is also a state fan that is going to take his club level seat next year when he vacates it. To the gentleman from Head to Head, if you don't like the changes that will happen with LFL, someone will take your place too. Some guys just need to get over themselves.

For the record, I really hope that we find a way to preserve the atmosphere of LFL. I have no idea how to do that but I hope it gets done.

 

[ronpolk]

It's not so much people getting upset and stopping going to the games; it's is the value ... do I feel like I'm getting what I'm paying for? In my case, is it worth what it costs me (roughly $1000/game) to make a 400+ mile trip and sit inside the end zone? It may be ... I'm going to see how my seats are this fall and then decide. If I don't think it's worth it, then I won't be there next year.

Maybe what they should do is reseat every year based on BDC priority, which already includes longevity and total $$ given. And just assign seats ... no choosing (unless you want to move to a different section, then you get what's available). And put a reasonable limit on the number of tickets a single BDC account can buy. Limit it to immediate family (husband, wife, and kids living at home). That would severely cut back on pooling resources that seems to be so popular. If your parents or whatever want tickets, then they have to have an account). Pooling is probably the biggest inequity existent.

I can understand your point about not getting value for your money. I actually feel that way about the club level as a whole. The club level is just not worth it to me. My donation would get me a few tickets in the club level but I usually fill up while tailgating so the free food is not an appeal to me.