UI expects largest ticket sales decline in 10 years

[DP5555]

The coach as killed the product inside the stadium

The AD has neutered the experience outside the stadium.

Many on this board, were way ahead of the curve on both... we've been talking about it for several years.

I've heard a ton of complaining about the tailgating atmosphere being ruined, but I've never really experienced that myself. I guess I'm curious as to why you think the experience has been "neutered"? Is it simply the more strict policy on walking around with an open container?

I canceled my season tickets this year because I'm tired of the Ferentz approach to winning and the home slate of games sucks. However, my tailgating experience has always been fun. I've not once had any issues with police or fellow tailgaters and I've had more than my fair share to drink pretty much every single time I've gone. I always had a parking spot at the First Menonite Church off of Myrtle.

If the open container thing is what does it for you then I really don't see why that's such a big deal. Drink at your tailgating spot and then walk into the stadium. That's what we did. It was a 5 minute walk to the stadium. Sure having a beer for the walk is nice, but not having one is far from a "neutered" experience in my opinion. I guess I've just failed to see what the big deal is.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

I've heard a ton of complaining about the tailgating atmosphere being ruined, but I've never really experienced that myself. I guess I'm curious as to why you think the experience has been "neutered"? Is it simply the more strict policy on walking around with an open container?

I canceled my season tickets this year because I'm tired of the Ferentz approach to winning and the home slate of games sucks. However, my tailgating experience has always been fun. I've not once had any issues with police or fellow tailgaters and I've had more than my fair share to drink pretty much every single time I've gone. I always had a parking spot at the First Menonite Church off of Myrtle.

If the open container thing is what does it for you then I really don't see why that's such a big deal. Drink at your tailgating spot and then walk into the stadium. That's what we did. It was a 5 minute walk to the stadium. Sure having a beer for the walk is nice, but not having one is far from a "neutered" experience in my opinion. I guess I've just failed to see what the big deal is.

A few years ago, they instituted a clear out policy, where tailgaters in the University lots (the ones around the stadium that create the great game-day vibe and atmosphere) had to clear out shortly after the game. (you know, the ones paying big money for those spots) Since then the lots have become more and more empty. I walked through the lot just west of the home stands a couple times last year...and it wasn't even half full. It was sad.

Those lots used to be a hallmark of the great IOWA game day experience. People would linger there, meet up with old friends, and players and coaches would even stroll through and talk with fans. They killed all of that.

My wife (second time around) started going to games with me in 2009. We walked around several times last year and even she said "What happened to all the great atmosphere out here? it used to be like a carnival!". A bunch of my old buddies from IOWA reunited for homecoming last year and number of them said "what the hell happened to the tailgating lots? Are fans really this upset?"

Barta himself is admitting it indirectly, by loosening up those clear-out rules this year. (all be it too little and too late). And yeah...I'm gonna say "I TOLD YOU SO". Plenty of us said is was a bad move and described precisely the negative consequences that have taken place.

But you can't reach a PC East Campus academic with reason and logic if they have an agenda...or an idiot AD with no ballz

 

[DP5555]

A few years ago, they instituted a clear out policy, where tailgaters in the University lots (the ones around the stadium that create the great game-day vibe and atmosphere) had to clear out shortly after the game. (you know, the ones paying big money for those spots) Since then the lots have become more and more empty. I walked through the lot just west of the home stands a couple times last year...and it wasn't even half full. It was sad.

Those lots used to be a hallmark of the great IOWA game day experience. People would linger there, meet up with old friends, and players and coaches would even stroll through and talk with fans. They killed all of that.

My wife (second time around) started going to games with me in 2009. We walked around several times last year and even she said "What happened to all the great atmosphere out here? it used to be like a carnival!". A bunch of my old buddies from IOWA reunited for homecoming last year and number of them said "what the hell happened to the tailgating lots? Are fans really this upset?"

Barta himself is admitting it indirectly, by loosening up those clear-out rules this year. (all be it too little and too late). And yeah...I'm gonna say "I TOLD YOU SO". Plenty of us said is was a bad move and described precisely the negative consequences that have taken place.

But you can't reach a PC East Campus academic with reason and logic if they have an agenda...or an idiot AD with no ballz

Ahh the clear out policy. I live in Johnston so I've always had to "clear out" after the games anyways. I've always chosen to just head home instead of continue the party. I can see why that would upset some people. Especially those who have donated a lot of money and park right next to the stadium. I will say my tailgating lot hasn't been impacted at all. It's still a great time, and my experience has never changed.

I'm certainly not a Barta fan or apologist either. I'd love to see him pack his bags. Personally, I've just always struggled to see what the big difference is, but it's a big enough atmosphere that I could have one experience and someone else could have a completely different one.

 

[Clark]

I find it humorous that this is the lowest in ten years, yet ten years ago we were coming off 3 straight top 10 finishes and two big 10 titles. What exactly were the excuses then, does anyone remember?

 

[ArvadaHawk]

Last paragraph in the article............

We know that it means a fun tailgating environment. And we're focused on that," Barta said. "I've seen it at Iowa, and I've seen it other places. It's doable. It's an attainable goal. And we're not going to rest until we get there."
______________________________

...........tap dancing at its best.

To be fair, Mason is gone and Barta needs to address the issue. The atmosphere likely depends on the new Pres.

 

[BigD]

I am more concerned about the atmosphere inside of the stadium (aka..... Winning) I really would like to see this season to be a really good one with ten wins or more. I'd also like to win Powerball lottery. Which one do you think is more likely?

 

[lightning1]

I find it humorous that this is the lowest in ten years, yet ten years ago we were coming off 3 straight top 10 finishes and two big 10 titles. What exactly were the excuses then, does anyone remember?

Yeah. I'm not sure what the heck he's talking about either. I had season tickets in '05 and all of the home games were sold out. I know there weren't 10K empty seats for any of those games, like there will be this year. 06' wasn't 10K short either. He's lying again. That guy needs to check his facts before he goes spouting off.
This is from The U of I website.
The school's all-time home attendance record was set in 2006 (494,095 fans). The 2005, 2006 and 2007 average of 70,585 are a school record. Iowa's record season attendance mark for all games is 905,840 set in 1990, a 75,487 per game average.

 

[Seth53]

And to be fair, UI (and most schools) list a sellout if the tickets all sell, or are accounted for somehow...not if the seats are full...in both FB and BB.

I've been at plenty of games where it was 'sold out' but there were empty seats around me. The two exceptions were the night game vs OSU in 06 and the Michigan game in 09.

 

[uihawk82]

I find it humorous that this is the lowest in ten years, yet ten years ago we were coming off 3 straight top 10 finishes and two big 10 titles. What exactly were the excuses then, does anyone remember?

I think it might be the difference between season ticket renewals vs general ticket sales.

I think 2005 or 2006, ten years ago, was the first major reseating project with mandatory per seat donation amounts. There were a lot of long time season ticket holders who had seats around the 50 yard line who bailed because they didnt want to or couldnt come up with $800, IIRC, per seat donation.

I moved my seats that year from the 42 yard line to the goal line because I am not paying a mandatory $600 or $800 donation per seat.

So ticket renewals might have been lower that one year about ten years ago but general ticket sales were still close to 70,000.

Hell, if KF hadnt of gone all conservative and lost to Mich and jNW back to back in 2005 they would have been 9-3 again with probably a 2nd place finish in the Big10. And maybe Drew Tate wouldnt have gone all wacky at the coaching staff leading into his senior year in 2006.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

....

Hell, if KF hadnt of gone all conservative and lost to Mich and jNW back to back in 2005 they would have been 9-3 again with probably a 2nd place finish in the Big10. And maybe Drew Tate wouldnt have gone all wacky at the coaching staff leading into his senior year in 2006.

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Amidst the tall pile of embarrassing game mismanagement and armadillo offense which is the KFz offensive legacy... this is one that often gets forgotten. And it was classic Ferentz.

Last drive, down 3 IOWA has the ball inside the Michigan 30 with a 1st down. With the preseason Big Ten offensive player of the year at Quarterback (allow me to translate for some of you, that means the guy that coaches/writers around the conference voted "MOST LIKELY TO MAKE A PLAY ON OFFENSE") KFz instructed his team to run the ball into the line....3 consecutive times. Yeah, you read that right.

We kicked a field goal to tie and Michigan marched into the endzone in OT to win the game. Something that was no surprise to those of us who watched the Michigan offense rapidly gain momentum over a tired Iowa D in the 4th quarter.

This is among the many games wchich define KFz's "play not to lose" identity. And why he will always be a distant second to Hayden.

 

[uihawk82]

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Amidst the tall pile of embarrassing game mismanagement and armadillo offense which is the KFz offensive legacy... this is one that often gets forgotten. And it was classic Ferentz.

Last drive, down 3 IOWA has the ball inside the Michigan 30 with a 1st down. With the preseason Big Ten offensive player of the year at Quarterback (allow me to translate for some of you, that means the guy that coaches/writers around the conference voted "MOST LIKELY TO MAKE A PLAY ON OFFENSE") KFz instructed his team to run the ball into the line....3 consecutive times. Yeah, you read that right.

And why he will always be a distant second to Hayden.

First bolded part IIRC the hawks might have had a first and goal or first and 10 inside the 15 yard line. I believe KF and KOK or maybe just KF called a shovel pass on 3rd and about 7 yrds to go. Crazy.

And second bolded part, remember when hayden got the ball back around the hawks 30 yard line against maybe IU or Purdue before halftime, he ran a simple run play into the line, the hawks showed no hurryup, but then the next play was play action for about a 50 yard completion leading to a fg in a close game. Hayden never gave up a possesion.

At MSU in tie game the hawks got possession around their own 10-15 yard line with not much time left in the game but he started calling pass plays, the hawks responded and moved into long FG range, and I cant remember the kickers name but hawk fans at the game swear the kick was good as it sailed high over an upright but it was called no good for a tie.

Hayden was the man and just the fact that he would call an 'exotic' at any time made the games exciting to watch.