Wildside Rating vs. IU

[UpsetAlert]

Couldn’t make the game in person. From what I saw, East stands again pretty empty? Crowd energy seemed good later in the game overall.

6/10 Willie’s from what I saw on BTN.

Again, points deducted for the East side stands being subpar and low energy early in game. (Note, this is a specific Wildside student section rating, not for WR in general).

Welcome thoughts from those who were there.

 

[lunker35]

Couldn’t make the game in person. From what I saw, East stands again pretty empty? Crowd energy seemed good later in the game overall.

6/10 Willie’s from what I saw on BTN.

Again, points deducted for the East side stands being subpar and low energy early in game. (Note, this is a specific Wildside student section rating, not for WR in general).

Welcome thoughts from those who were there.

Wasn’t great tonight but also way too many of our fans sold out too. 114 had probably 90% Indiana fans and I saw way too many even in the Wilson Club. We really have to be better!

 

[ParisCat_rivals]

6/10 Willies is about right. Lots of no-show students — that’s really unacceptable, despite the early start and the snow. East side was lame as usual. The southwest corner was great — including the classic “Hoosier Daddy” chant with 3 minutes left. It was a bit premature — IU cut the lead from 14 to 4 — but all’s well that ends well.

 

[Username Not Available]

Tons of IU fans, lots of open seats in the student sections on both sides. Lots.

 

[UpsetAlert]

Tons of IU fans, lots of open seats in the student sections on both sides. Lots.

Hmmm. Maybe they should adopt the Wrigley bleacher chants mocking the other section “East side sucks!”

At least have some fun with it. But it is a little embarrassing for the students.

 

[winnetkat1]

wasn’t great tonight but also way too many of our fans sold out too. 114 had probably 90% Indiana fans and I saw way too many even in the Wilson Club. We really have to be better!

I'm not smart enough to upload a photo to rivals, but (because I knew the topic would come up) here's a photo of the Wilson Club seats during a commercial break early in the second half. You cannot see into people's secret hearts via jpeg, but based on clothing there are about a dozen IU fans in the frame and about 400 Wildcat fans... There's one confused person wearing an Indiana sweatshirt and a Northwestern vest.

Go 'Cats!

 

[lunker35]

I'm not smart enough to upload a photo to rivals, but (because I knew the topic would come up) here's a photo of the Wilson Club seats during a commercial break early in the second half. You cannot see into people's secret hearts via jpeg, but based on clothing there are about a dozen IU fans in the frame and about 400 Wildcat fans... There's one confused person wearing an Indiana sweatshirt and a Northwestern vest.

Go 'Cats!

I’d argue that’s more than 12 and less than 400 but maybe it’s because I saw a guy I don’t love in there proudly wearing IU gear that made me salty. At least his kid was neutral.

 

[Davidgolds5]

Sorry but the student section was downright embarrassing tonight. This is a weekday game against a storied school in a must win game. I can’t recall the last time I have seen such a poor showing by the students for a conference game. Years. I’m not saying they weeent enthusiastic, but the pure numbers were very low, a ton of empty bleachers. The IU fans also showed up tonight and a few times got very loud and were on their feet. Annoyed that the row in front of my season tickets, most games seem to have fans from the opposing team sitting in them. We have a small stadium. It would be nice to be able to get some fans in there. 6pm start is not ideal, just too early to start a game as well. Hopefully we don’t have too many more of those. Great win, and I’m appreciative of the NU fans and students that came out tonight.

 

[lunker35]

Sorry but the student section was downright embarrassing tonight. This is a weekday game against a storied school in a must win game. I can’t recall the last time I have seen such a poor showing by the students for a conference game. Years. I’m not saying they weeent enthusiastic, but the pure numbers were very low, a ton of empty bleachers. The IU fans also showed up tonight and a few times got very loud and were on their feet. Annoyed that the row in front of my season tickets, most games seem to have fans from the opposing team sitting in them. We have a small stadium. It would be nice to be able to get some fans in there. 6pm start is not ideal, just too early to start a game as well. Hopefully we don’t have too many more of those. Great win, and I’m appreciative of the NU fans and students that came out tonight.

That’s what pisses me off most. I go to every game, wear purple, and many times bring others outside of my family wearing purple. The school should recognize that and instead of having me pay a donation, pay more than the secondary market for almost every game, and have me surrounded by visiting fans they should figure out a way to reward loyalty. Put me with a clump of NU fans that actually show up. It’s beyond annoying getting looks for cheering for my own team at home.

 

[UpsetAlert]

Sorry but the student section was downright embarrassing tonight. This is a weekday game against a storied school in a must win game. I can’t recall the last time I have seen such a poor showing by the students for a conference game. Years. I’m not saying they weeent enthusiastic, but the pure numbers were very low, a ton of empty bleachers. The IU fans also showed up tonight and a few times got very loud and were on their feet. Annoyed that the row in front of my season tickets, most games seem to have fans from the opposing team sitting in them. We have a small stadium. It would be nice to be able to get some fans in there. 6pm start is not ideal, just too early to start a game as well. Hopefully we don’t have too many more of those. Great win, and I’m appreciative of the NU fans and students that came out tonight.

So, less than 6 Willie’s? Crazy to me that we can’t get students hype for a game vs. freakin IU. WTF is happening at 6 PM on campus that is better than this!?!

 

[Davidgolds5]

Yes it would be nice if the school could somehow monitor the season ticket holders and who is actually showing up. I don’t think they are motivated to fix this. I don’t mean to sound super crotchety after a win, just would like the home team to have some better fans. The NU players are playing very hard, and almost felt bad for them during the drought at the end of the half. It got quite loud with Hoosier fans. Certainly we have a unique problem to the big ten as there are many alumni from every school that live in Chicago, but it is disappointing nonetheless.

 

[Sec_112]

... they should figure out a way to reward loyalty ...

I've been saying this for years. There's a value to showing up. It helps the "brand." It helps recruiting. It helps in-game.

And it's a MAJOR problem at NU. Has been for decades.

With electronic tickets, there HAS to be an easy method to measure individual attendance and create an incentive program.

I assume technology is not the true problem.

 

[Davidgolds5]

Rutgers and USC will not be a factor. But I’m concerned about Wisconsin fans on 2/1.

 

[UpsetAlert]

Couldn’t make the game in person. From what I saw, East stands again pretty empty? Crowd energy seemed good later in the game overall.

6/10 Willie’s from what I saw on BTN.

Again, points deducted for the East side stands being subpar and low energy early in game. (Note, this is a specific Wildside student section rating, not for WR in general).

Welcome thoughts from those who were there.

I’m revising to 5 Willie’s after seeing photos from a bunch of people on social media, including our esteemed Lou.

Lou/Matt: any ability to interview the Wildside leaders this season and see what the deal is? They have to know student support is lacking so far, and wondering what their plan is to recapture the student section momentum from the last 2 years.

 

[Username Not Available]

They probably already do track which tickets get scanned for each game. But I’m not sure they track who is holding the ticket

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

They probably already do track which tickets get scanned for each game. But I’m not sure they track who is holding the ticket

Unless you have to show an ID at the door, or they start using facial recognition technology, nobody with NU knows who is in each seat.
I suppose it is possible that they have an arrangement with the re-sellers to tell them who buys every ticket, but I doubt it.

 

[Davidgolds5]

They probably already do track which tickets get scanned for each game. But I’m not sure they track who is holding the ticket

Unless you have to show an ID at the door, or they start using facial recognition technology, nobody with NU knows who is in each seat.
I suppose it is possible that they have an arrangement with the re-sellers to tell them who buys every ticket, but I doubt it.

I am almost positive that NU can know which tickets are sold on the secondary market via online app.

 

[SouthportCat]

I've been saying this for years. There's a value to showing up. It helps the "brand." It helps recruiting. It helps in-game.

And it's a MAJOR problem at NU. Has been for decades.

With electronic tickets, there HAS to be an easy method to measure individual attendance and create an incentive program.

I assume technology is not the true problem.

I’d introduce you to Big Brother but it seems like you may already be a fan of his!

 

[its_the_sauce]

Do dorms/frats still have kegs on Wednesdays????? Maybe that explains low student turnout lol.

 

[Sec_112]

I’d introduce you to Big Brother but it seems like you may already be a fan of his!

Let me get this straight. My idea for an incentive program suggests to you that I'd support a totalitarian government?

OK. You do you.

 

[Max_Power]

I’m revising to 5 Willie’s after seeing photos from a bunch of people on social media, including our esteemed Lou.

Lou/Matt: any ability to interview the Wildside leaders this season and see what the deal is? They have to know student support is lacking so far, and wondering what their plan is to recapture the student section momentum from the last 2 years.

The fraternities and sororities just finished rush. It's the only reason I could come up with for the worst student turnout in years.

 

[Max_Power]

I'm not smart enough to upload a photo to rivals, but (because I knew the topic would come up) here's a photo of the Wilson Club seats during a commercial break early in the second half. You cannot see into people's secret hearts via jpeg, but based on clothing there are about a dozen IU fans in the frame and about 400 Wildcat fans... There's one confused person wearing an Indiana sweatshirt and a Northwestern vest.

Go 'Cats!

Seriously gonna start reporting posters taking pics of me at games to the police for stalking. But honestly, what motivates you take a picture like this? You wanted to capture the biggest cat fans in the building? BC most but not all are in that shot. The strange obsession of posters with who sits in the Club Section is beyond me. You know who sits there, people who are willing to throw down the donation and seat prices, that is honestly the only qualification. No application needed. Once they buy it, they are free to do whatever the **** they want. We choose to attend every game and when I walk in the door, if I am not using a ticket, I send it to the players families so the dads can come have a beer on me.

 

[SouthportCat]

Let me get this straight. My idea for an incentive program suggests to you that I'd support a totalitarian government?

OK. You do you.

Just teasing you, no malicious intent. But I do think using personal data to reward/punish attendance behavior is another step down a road we shouldn’t be on. I get your motives aren’t duplicitous, but the only antidote to road fans infiltrating our arena is to repeat these last three seasons another five times in a row.

 

[Sec_112]

Just teasing you, no malicious intent. But I do think using personal data to reward/punish attendance behavior is another step down a road we shouldn’t be on. I get your motives aren’t duplicitous, but the only antidote to road fans infiltrating our arena is to repeat these last three seasons another five times in a row.

Apologies if I jumped the gun.

But one of my pissing-in-wind goals as phantom AD would always be to get better fans in better seats and a better atmosphere - especially that section which is so prominent when players come out of the tunnel and recruits sit in the family section.

 

[pschatz25]

That’s what pisses me off most. I go to every game, wear purple, and many times bring others outside of my family wearing purple. The school should recognize that and instead of having me pay a donation, pay more than the secondary market for almost every game, and have me surrounded by visiting fans they should figure out a way to reward loyalty. Put me with a clump of NU fans that actually show up. It’s beyond annoying getting looks for cheering for my own team at home.

This. And the Ticket Office isn't going to do anything about it. Based on football season ticket renewals for next year they're content to make things even worse in the future.

Here's my idea: the season-ticket renewal process includes an opt-in statement like, 'I/my group primarily cheer for Northwestern, attend a majority of the games, and would be interested in sitting around other Northwestern fans.' Then the Ticket Office can contact the people who opt-in and try to coordinate getting their seats in the same proximity within their seating levels. There's no commitment to move, it would just be an option. This wouldn't involve discounts or tracking people or anything the Ticket Office clearly isn't going to do.

I'll even start it off. I'm in the first row of 206 (right above the tunnel NU enters/exits the court). Every seat is occupied by a season ticket holder who primarily cheers for NU and attends nearly every game except for two seats in the middle of the row. Those seats are sold as single game tickets so they should be available as season tickets for next season. If you're getting two balcony season tickets you should consider section 206.

 

[Skunkpilot]

That’s what pisses me off most. I go to every game, wear purple, and many times bring others outside of my family wearing purple. The school should recognize that and instead of having me pay a donation, pay more than the secondary market for almost every game, and have me surrounded by visiting fans they should figure out a way to reward loyalty. Put me with a clump of NU fans that actually show up. It’s beyond annoying getting looks for cheering for my own team at home.

It’s the same thing in section 115. My wife and I go to every game and I have yet to sit next to the same people in the same row, up a row, or one row down.

 

[xxxbobxxx]

Yes it would be nice if the school could somehow monitor the season ticket holders and who is actually showing up. I don’t think they are motivated to fix this. I don’t mean to sound super crotchety after a win, just would like the home team to have some better fans. The NU players are playing very hard, and almost felt bad for them during the drought at the end of the half. It got quite loud with Hoosier fans. Certainly we have a unique problem to the big ten as there are many alumni from every school that live in Chicago, but it is disappointing nonetheless.

There’s a great way to do this. Hire a few student ambassadors that personally stop at every season ticket seat to say hi and thank the season ticket holder for attending. And note, maybe secretly photo, who is actually there.

For true attendees, this personal attention is applauded and adds to the season ticket value. ‘Hi Mr Jones - glad to see you and your family here tonight - rain, sleet or snow - it’s really great to have you in the building. The coach and team appreciate it. Btw, what’s with the red sweater…’

As you get a feel for the attendees, prioritize upgrades and maybe even promo gifts to personal attendees over always send people in purple over the rest. I would go so far to downgrade a little the seat location each year of those sending in opponents regularly. Let them quit. Most are probably Chicago employed share groups that get the tickets to watch their Alma maters so they aren’t leaving regardless of the downgrade.

Word will spread. Folks will realize attendance is being taken. A few drop but I bet more would sign up upon word of this personal attention.

Not a huge stadium. Lots of non revenue athletes work in athletic department jobs - would be a great cushy way to reward them and introduce them to fans while also providing valuable data.

 

[Davidgolds5]

There’s a great way to do this. Hire a few student ambassadors that personally stop at every season ticket seat to say hi and thank the season ticket holder for attending. And note, maybe secretly photo, who is actually there.

For true attendees, this personal attention is applauded and adds to the season ticket value. ‘Hi Mr Jones - glad to see you and your family here tonight - rain, sleet or snow - it’s really great to have you in the building. The coach and team appreciate it. Btw, what’s with the red sweater…’

As you get a feel for the attendees, prioritize upgrades and maybe even promo gifts to personal attendees over always send people in purple over the rest.

Word will spread. Folks will realize attendance is being taken. A few drop but I bet more would sign up upon word of this personal attention.

Not a huge stadium. Lots of non revenue athletes work in athletic department jobs - would be a great cushy way to reward them and introduce them to fans while also providing valuable data.

it’s a small stadium. Wouldn’t be that difficult.

 

[Username Not Available]

Maybe it exists already, but I'd like to see a painless and quick option for the lower bowl people who don't plan on attending click their tickets to a motivated Wild Side member or three. Replace visitors with students who want to be there. Let the STHs who participate know students are sitting there and enjoying their largess, maybe give them some kinds of acknowledgement for being team players.

I know the few games I can't attend, my seats are almost always going to be empty because I don't sell them to randos who probably aren't NU fans. I'm all the way up in 209, and already largely surrounded by randos cheering for the enemy. I don't want to add to that horror.

I definitely miss that aspect of the old arena when NU STHs were to the left and right of me, and mostly all around except for the three seats directly in front of me. And they got the joy of my knees all game long.

 

[Davidgolds5]

Great call. Another option they could give them to local high schoolers.

 

[Username Not Available]

Sitting at the women’s game tonight and the band side has four student fans.

 

[its_the_sauce]

Maybe it exists already, but I'd like to see a painless and quick option for the lower bowl people who don't plan on attending click their tickets to a motivated Wild Side member or three. Replace visitors with students who want to be there. Let the STHs who participate know students are sitting there and enjoying their largess, maybe give them some kinds of acknowledgement for being team players.

I know the few games I can't attend, my seats are almost always going to be empty because I don't sell them to randos who probably aren't NU fans. I'm all the way up in 209, and already largely surrounded by randos cheering for the enemy. I don't want to add to that horror.

I definitely miss that aspect of the old arena when NU STHs were to the left and right of me, and mostly all around except for the three seats directly in front of me. And they got the joy of my knees all game long.

I haven't seen a student standby waiting line for a B10 game this year. I don't think there are currently any students that want to go getting shutout.

 

[UpsetAlert]

I haven't seen a student standby waiting line for a B10 game this year. I don't think there are currently any students that want to go getting shutout.

That’s crazy and disappointing. I wonder if the profile of student is changing at Northwestern? Maybe chasing the USN&WR rankings has had adverse consequences.

I know it for sure has gotten “less fun” from even my time there. It’s tough to compete in the B1G without rabid students who care about having a great time and supporting their team at the same time.

Or, hey maybe the Wildside’s organization has dramatically eroded given key people departing? Still, you’d hope that others would rise to the occasion.

 

[Davidgolds5]

I feel like earlier in the year, the students were in there early and it was crowded. Not sure why the falloff. Team plays hard, is entertaining, and usually wins at home. We need those students back in there.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

So, less than 6 Willie’s? Crazy to me that we can’t get students hype for a game vs. freakin IU. WTF is happening at 6 PM on campus that is better than this!?!

I wish we would also give a grade for the NU non-students. I would go with 2 Willie’s for most every game with a 1 for MSU.

 

[Catreporter]

Sitting at the women’s game tonight and the band side has four student fans.

Unfortunately, they don't deserve much support at this point. Joe did a nice job for a while, but he should have retired a couple years ago. i was there and brought some other fans when they won the Big Ten back in 2020. Now, they are completely uncompetitive.

 

[clarificationcat]

I feel like earlier in the year, the students were in there early and it was crowded. Not sure why the falloff. Team plays hard, is entertaining, and usually wins at home. We need those students back in there.

Agreed. They were outstanding in a couple of the non-conference games. Much better than the IU game. Are they that fair-weather that the 2-5 record kept them from coming?

 

[Sec_112]

I wish we would also give a grade for the NU non-students. I would go with 2 Willie’s for most every game with a 1 for MSU.

True. If we're going to bust on the student and their version of the school, the opera crowd should get the same treatment.

I include myself when I wish the whole crowd could be like older, floor-seat couple on the east end, down the row from Kirkpatrick. The perfect fans! Enthusiastic, attends almost every game and you can see them at many road games.

 

[UpsetAlert]

I wish we would also give a grade for the NU non-students. I would go with 2 Willie’s for most every game with a 1 for MSU.

You are more than free to start a thread about non-student fan ratings! (I think 2/10 Willie’s is about right for MSU).

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

You are more than free to start a thread about non-student fan ratings! (I think 2/10 Willie’s is about right for MSU).

We don’t need another thread bitching about fans, it comes up after every home game. I’ll pass.