8/28 - Leathernecks vs Valparaiso

[wiu712]

The video board was impressive. But it did not offer any game-time action nor replays. It primarily ran a loop of advertiser logos.

With the lightning delay, there was not the usual band "tunnel" for the team to run through. No "Freshman Runout". Following the 30-minute lightning delay, there was a 22-minute warm-up for the teams. Then the game began.

Video report of the game as seen on WGEM Sports:
http://www.wgem.com/story/26400288/2014 ... -august-28

Video report of the game as seen on KHQA Sports:
http://www.connecttristates.com/sports/ ... id=1089829

[WIU0812]

Did they at least have an entry video or anything like that? As like pump up items

[ST_Lawson]

And did we have any die-hard Freshmen that weathered the storm and ran on the field with team?

There might have been some if it weren't for the delay. They cut most of the stuff that usually takes place shortly before kickoff due to timing. The band didn't come out to do any pregame stuff, the team didn't "run out", neither did the freshmen.
Looks like it was because they wanted to go ahead and get the game going.

The announcers at roughly 5:50 PM said that lightning had been spotted, so they had to wait 30 minutes, then they could continue the clock rundown. At that point, the clock said 22 minutes left for pregame stuff. So, 30 minutes, plus the extra 22 minutes, and they said that kickoff would be 6:42 (I think...pretty close to that at least). Some people around where I was sitting were not too happy about having to wait ~50 more minutes for the game, and I'd bet there were others that weren't happy about it. Someone made the decision to cut most of the pregame stuff, dropped the clock time from 22 down to 12 minutes, bringing the kickoff time down to just after 6:30. So, it was nice they could start a little sooner, but they did have to cut some stuff.

As for the question about the new video board...I think it looks really nice actually. We were sitting just south of the band, roughly in line with the 40 yard line, and were able to see most of the stuff on the board just fine. Mostly it was ads and announcements, with a few video things going on. They had a pretty cool looking intro too...started with an old-style tv, showing some older Leatherneck Football clips and photos of Coach Hanson along with audio of parts of a speech that he gave (I think it was the one that someone linked here a while back that he gave to a local HS). Gradually it transitioned to more full-screen with newer video clips and stuff. Anyway, kinda gave me chills at one point, it was pretty cool. There wasn't any live video or replays from the game on the board, but I'm hoping they can integrate that at some point. Only a couple of minor technical issues...someone accidentally looping a video element a couple of times...an errant windows error ding...but overall, no serious problems. The board is nice and bright, didn't have any issues seeing it even when the sun was still up. We'll see how it is in a couple of weeks though when the afternoon sun is shining directly on it...I think it'll be ok though.

EDIT - and it looks like some of you beat me to that info....well, I'll leave it there anyway. And in response to the "entry video" questions....yes....it was cool....if you have a chance this season, come to a game and see it.

[wiu712]

Did they at least have an entry video or anything like that? As like pump up items

The plan was to show an introductory video as the team gathered in the endzone before the game. That was to be followed by the "Freshmen Runout" through the band tunnel, and then followed by team as the Fight Song was played.

There were special graphics shown on Western touchdowns. That was accompanied by loud noises that drowned out the band's playing of the Fight Song following the touchdowns.

The band seemed a lot smaller in comparison to past years.

[sealhall74]

I am not sure of the details regarding video board air-time for the Elite Sponsors, but I hope is not one of those cut-and-dry kind of thinsg where they get at least X number of Logo Advertising minutes per contest on the big board. That will get old pretty quick. Much better if they can integrate the sponsorships into fan-related things like the "Buffalo Wild Chicken Wings Dance In Stands".

[BobLovely]

Good opener for the Leathernecks! On to Wisconsin...

The attendance was lousy!

Bob

[lovethenecks]

Attendance will continue to be Lousy, this Coaching staff does not try and sell the program. Think about this, how much info is given out about the program other than from this foum? Remember back a few years ago after every practice there was interviews from the coaching staff updating the team. Being a D1 head coach is alot more than X's and O's you got to SELL IT.

[basfan445]

When I was a student at wiu I always loved going to basketball games and football games. Every now and then my friends would come but a lot of the times I would be by myself. The only times they would really come would be when we tailgate before the game or homecoming. Even that sometimes they would just tailgate and not go to the game. They would rather drinking. I know from my experiences a lot of my friends would rather do "other" things then watch football. I just don't really understand why no one comes out to the games. There definitely needs to be more of a marketing push in the schools end first off. Does wiu have a true fan section for football or basketball games? I know I'm graduated but we need something to get more fans and enthusiasm in the stands. It seems like even wen fans show up they don't cheer or hardly clap. I remember the only true time that the fans on the student side would clap or cheer is when they would hand out free pizza and conveniently they would do it on fourth down. I'm sick and tired of seeing most of our fans with piss poor attitudes and literally no enthusiasm about the football program. I don't know what needs to be done but something sure does. Take this message for what you will but from my view this isn't a good sign for us. Yes winning is a factor but still there needs to be momentum especially for this years team. Who exactly is in charge of marketing or promoting sporting events?

[WIU0812]

Attendance will continue to be Lousy, this Coaching staff does not try and sell the program. Think about this, how much info is given out about the program other than from this foum? Remember back a few years ago after every practice there was interviews from the coaching staff updating the team. Being a D1 head coach is alot more than X's and O's you got to SELL IT.

It is not up the the coaching staff to sell the product it is up the the athletics staff and marketing staff to create promotions and items and for the coaching staff to just follow along and do what is told at these events in order to gain support. The coaching staff and captains are the face of the team and it is up to the rest of the athletics department to come up with ways to bring in fans whether that uses the coaches and players or it just involves advertising via radio, signage, TV and having free give away or events.

I know a bunch of people will not agree with me, but I read and article the other day that made a lot of sense, especially for FCS teams, involving alcohol in the stadium. I do agree that there are negatives and headaches to come from such an item, but this is a huge money market and if one of the biggest complaints is the students want to continue to drink... let em and charge them for it. Make the only items sold be light beer and maybe even give them a wrist band that has around 4 or 5 tags on it and they can turn those tags in with money for a beer and once there is no more tags that means no more beer. They could stamp their hands as well to make sure they do not try to get back in the wristband line. Solves a few issues with that right there, which is increased income, more fans and no more complaints of tailgating being more popular than the game. I know a ton of friends who did the same thing and stayed in lot because they did not want to stop drinking and sit on bleachers, but they still wanted to go to game. They always opted to stay outside.

http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content ... sales.html

[wiu712]

Attendance will continue to be Lousy, this Coaching staff does not try and sell the program.

What would you like the coaching staff to do to "sell the program" ???? Give us some examples.