chuck
Sophomore Member
Posts: 169
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Post by chuck on Mar 1, 2011 11:33:38 GMT -6
It is time for USD's attendance to start to match its D1 Status! Let's put our heads together Yote Fans--what ideas are out there to increase attendance (e.g., students, community members, faculty, media exposure, etc)?? Throw out any ideas you might have-- as somebody (not feeling like looking it up) once said, "The only way to have a good idea is to have lots of them."
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chuck
Sophomore Member
Posts: 169
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Post by chuck on Mar 1, 2011 11:42:55 GMT -6
What about a more organized, university sponsored Coyote Crazies club? This can be seen as a social group—a way to both meet like-minded people and enjoy the games. There could be elected student leaders to organize cheering ideas, social events before-after games, perks from corporate sponsors for members, free (or reduced) T-shirts/hats/etc for membership. “Coyote Crazies” could also recruit new members, etc. eventually. In other words, make it cool to go to games, get organized, have fun, and make a difference! As an example, Purdue's Paint Crew: www.purduepaintcrew.org/
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chuck
Sophomore Member
Posts: 169
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Post by chuck on Mar 1, 2011 11:51:21 GMT -6
Another interesting group: Illinois' Orange Krush. It looks like they combine athletic enthusiasm and philanthropic interests. illinipride.com/orange-krush/
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chuck
Sophomore Member
Posts: 169
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Post by chuck on Mar 1, 2011 11:59:30 GMT -6
Or here's another admittedly more unorthodox idea that just came to me: Due to our location, we depend on people to travel to our games. How about some type of "nod" to those that might be willing to do that by providing a minor break in season ticket prices to those that live x miles from Vermillion? This could help them rationalize the gas money.
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chuck
Sophomore Member
Posts: 169
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Post by chuck on Mar 1, 2011 12:00:48 GMT -6
Or maybe a "South Dakota welcomes Iowans" promotion (or something like that) where fans showing Iowa/Nebraska IDs qualify for a break on select single game tickets.
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Post by Charlie on Mar 1, 2011 12:59:03 GMT -6
Another interesting group: Illinois' Orange Krush. It looks like they combine athletic enthusiasm and philanthropic interests. illinipride.com/orange-krush/This is a really good place for USD to start. I like the idea of getting the students more involved. Let's face it, student attendance at most game was sad. Anything we can do to help create more of a home court advantage will be crucial as we enter the Summit and a new level of competition.
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usdlaw
Senior Member
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Post by usdlaw on Mar 1, 2011 13:56:43 GMT -6
Good ideas. Although we do already have this type of group with the Howling Pack. The HP already has several social gatherings for us like minded Coyote faithful - Coaches Corners, Lunch with the U, golf outings in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Dakota Dunes, the annual athletic auction and banquet, tailgating events, and Coyote Landing. We hope to get more in the future. The foundation already handles all the money for HP donations, I doubt they would want to run a second booster club. Plus, the changes to the HP over the last several years were designed to get one centralized group and do away with the separate coaches clubs that each sport used to have.
One of the main goals of the HP is to increase awareness and attendance at USD sporting events, and to raise scholarships for our student athletes. While these groups may have more student involvement, that certainly is my hope for the future with the HP. Starting last year all new graduates are automatically HP members. We're trying to focus on increasing young alumni involvement, without losing site of our more seasoned donors. I didn't look to see if the two clubs you referred to at Illinois or Purdue have a cost, but the HP's lowest level is $100, or $8.33 a month. Most people can afford that if they really want to.
While the Coyote Crazies are a student group, I think we can do a better job of feeding off each other.
I like your energy and desire Chuck. You're just a few years older than me and you are the type of person we've been trying to target with the HP as of late. We lost site of a lot of alumni who graduated from about 1990 to 2005. I call those the forgotten years. I graduated undergrad in 2000 and law school in 2003. There are now four of us on the HP Board of Directors that fall into this time frame. We're trying to get to as many of those people as possible.
Any help you are willing to give is appreciated. PM me and we can talk about it. We're looking for volunteers with ideas, energy and passion for the Yotes. Your above posts show you qualify. We need as many people as we can to SPREAD THE RED.
As we embark on this D1 transition, we as fans need to step up and act like D1 fans ourselves. It goes without saying that this transition requires more dollars and more volunteers. Thanks for your ideas, I like them.
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chuck
Sophomore Member
Posts: 169
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Post by chuck on Mar 1, 2011 15:35:29 GMT -6
Thanks for the reply--correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the Howling Pack mostly a non-student group? I am thinking of a more organized, "incentivized" student group to increase student enthusiasm/attendance. For example, it could fit on the following webpage...and hopefully eventually be the dominant group on campus. www.usd.edu/campus-life/student-services/student-organizations/
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Post by yoteforever on Mar 1, 2011 16:44:42 GMT -6
I'll date myself, what the hell. Back when we were in school and played in THE ARMORY, the football team was the lead group of creating havoc and turmoil at the game. They reserved a section behind the basket (much like now) and the football team and those people that associated with us would pre game party downtown and walk into the gym about 7-10 minutes before the game. It was like the "older people" (now me) were waiting for us to make our appearance. We usually walked in single file, sometimes dressed up for the appropriate game, and walk around the perimeter of the gym pumping fists, clapping and pointing to alums to get involved, and start creating the havoc.
We usually could have the gym whipped into a frenzy by introductions. That was big then. I think you can blame the former AD for this lucid enviroment. He was always cracking down on "loud" student fans. If I was AD, I would turn my back and tell the students to make it happen.
Ok, here is my suggestion. Going on the Coyote Crazies theme. In order to be a bonafied COYOTE CRAZY, you had to go through some sort of indoctrination. That may include how to whip a gym into a frenzy, stunts that would be permitted such as walking around the gym floor, going into stands with adults and having total interaction. They would have their own shirts, and membership would be limited to say 250/class. They would sign an oath (or forfeit membership) that they would be to all home games when students were not on break. Then as years went on, it would be tradtion as to who would be the new CC's. If you limit them, then it becomes more inviting to join and be sort of a club on campus.
Now my suggestion for entry would be to assemble all Coyote Crazies in the northwest corner of the Dome, and open the garage door as they are herded together waiting for entry. Cameras would be on them as the door openedand they proceeded their MARCH onto the basketball floor NW corner. There they would do their "obligatory lap" and get the adults whipped up and then take their rightful and RESERVED spots at the end of the floor. Now, going back to when the garage door is opened, and the cameras are following their arrival, the band would be keyed in and play the same entry song each time they took the floor. The fans would then know that crap was about ready to hit the fan. (you know how when you watch bowl games you watch the teams leave their lockerroom and walk down the tunnel till they get to the entry of the field? Thats what I am talking about, except now the focus is on the CRAZIES. They are now the PREMIER group of USD. The more that is written about them, the nuttier they will get. It is their job to have the Dome or new arena going nuts by tipoff.
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Post by Yote 53 on Mar 1, 2011 21:00:37 GMT -6
I like the ideas for the Crazies. I've said this year that the students don't deserve the name, they haven't earned it. The Crazies should be a recognized ztudent group. I would not limit membership but the Crazies should have minimum attendance requirements, etc set forth in their bylaws.
The footballers should be leading the way now and I have been disappointed in them lately. In their defense they don't get the student support they deserve but that means they should know the importance of supporting the hoop teams.
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Post by Coyote Fan on Mar 1, 2011 22:41:15 GMT -6
Is there a syrum of something that we could get them. Better yet have someone hypmotize them on the importance of going to Coyotes game. "Here yee student of USD you arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre getting sleeeeeppppeeee, you will not watch Duke, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas. You are thee student of thee Universiteee of South Dakota, and yee my friend are a Coyote. You must attend most basketball games at the Dakotadome and cheer loud for theee Coyotes".
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chuck
Sophomore Member
Posts: 169
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Post by chuck on Mar 9, 2011 14:38:41 GMT -6
I am thinking we need to do all we can to cultivate a true student following. Towards this, there has to be something that can be done during freshman orientation, right? I say hook'em young and keep them coming. Maybe somebody from the athletic department (coaches, administration, athletes) could get a slot at freshman orientation. They could talk about the excitement around the D1 transition, how it reflects on their education, is a great way to get involved in campus, take pride in our university, etc. We want them to come for these intrinsic reasons, but perhaps some type of extrinsic incentive could also be presented (e.g., come to x games and be eligible for____; bring x friends and ______).
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chuck
Sophomore Member
Posts: 169
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Post by chuck on Mar 9, 2011 14:43:05 GMT -6
As we try to expand our fan base, I think our media needs to reflect that we are becoming more "big time" and less "mediocre time." Learfield should help with the professionalism of the radio presentation, but I see more needs. For example, a professional coaches show that could be shown across the state and in Sioux City. And, no more television coverage in "mediocre definition" (i.e., MidCo sports; e.g., Fighting Sioux Sports extra). It really bugs me to see games on ESPNU, Fox College Sports, etc that look really good while the look of our televised games reinforces the "lower level" perception.
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chuck
Sophomore Member
Posts: 169
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Post by chuck on Mar 9, 2011 14:47:13 GMT -6
What about faculty? I recognize people may have diverse opinions on this topic...but to me this seems like a ripe group in many ways--they are already affiliated with the university and are probably within good proximity. I am not sure, but this group also seems to be underrepresented. Many faculty probably aren't as sports-focused...so there is no way this group of faculty will come to the games with current prices...recognize that most faculty salaries are squarely in a middle-class pay scale. Would it be a good idea to perhaps give some type of ticket price reduction to faculty as a benefit...which may increase some sales/attendance?
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chuck
Sophomore Member
Posts: 169
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Post by chuck on Mar 9, 2011 14:51:13 GMT -6
Families: The Yippin Yote club is an excellent start! I would suggest more family friendly game times. 8:00 starts (e.g., men's games in doubleheaders) are just too late. Would love to see some more Saturday/Sunday afternoon games...especially in basketball.
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