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Post by GoYotes on Oct 17, 2012 11:55:23 GMT -6
The reasons for scheduling the game in Sioux Falls have been addressed on other threads so no need to rehash.
I don't live in Sioux Falls, so I don't have a real feel for how well Sioux Falls is embracing the game, but from the outside looking in, it appears that it isn't generating a whole lot of interest. Last reports indicate that 2,000 tickets remain unsold and there are indications that more Bison fans may be in attendance than USD fans. It appears like the hockey game at the Arena and some women's conference at the convention center are higher priority when it comes to making parking spaces available. The Argus Leader appears to be hyping the USF - Augie game much more than the Yotes-Bison. They have had articles every day so far this week on the Augie - USF game along with daily blog posts from Matt Zimmer. The only article or blog post dealing with the Yotes - Bison was an article on Monday dealing with ticket sales. On Wednesday there were 2 articles regarding SDSU football and again no mention of USD.
Hopefully appearances are wrong and the game generates a good level of interests and exposes more people to FCS football. Interested in the observations of those closer to the situation.
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Post by #1CoyoteFan (Admin) on Oct 18, 2012 2:10:05 GMT -6
At least USD got a good chunk of change from Sanford, but this has to show a light on how much the Sioux Falls market actually cares. You hear them complain about the drive, but when it is in their back yard, they don't show up anyway.
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Post by yotemeal on Oct 18, 2012 8:27:08 GMT -6
I'm excited for the game Saturday, and I'm happy to spend my time and money supporting a 1-5 team on the state's pheasant holiday (which I don't really care about, but a lot of people do). I'm also optimistic, given consumer patterns for previous USD football games, including those held in Vermillion, that we'll have a decent walk-up crowd buying tickets. The DakotaDome rarely sells out, and when it does, much of it is the result of walk-up ticket sales. Taking NDSU fans out of the equation, if this game were being held in Vermillion Saturday, it wouldn't be sold out at this point. Inject NDSU fans back into the equation, and it would be sold out, but only because they'd find a way to snatch up any remaining tickets on the permanent, non-student side, which seats less than half of Howard Wood's capacity.
I'm not suggesting Saturday will be a sellout, but I'm confident there will be a strong showing of USD support, and I wouldn't be disappointed if it is a 50/50 split. NDSU is the defending national champion, playoff bound, and has a fanbase much larger and more passionate than ours. At last year's national championship game hosted in Texas, their fans outnumbered Sam Houston State's. A little drive down I-29 is nothing.
I don't like this board's negativity heading into Saturday. If it turns out to be a bad event, lesson learned. But the potential is there for a really great fan and team experience. Go Yotes!
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Post by Cousin Eddie on Oct 18, 2012 8:31:32 GMT -6
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Post by Cousin Eddie on Oct 18, 2012 8:32:16 GMT -6
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Post by Cousin Eddie on Oct 18, 2012 8:42:31 GMT -6
Great points by Yotemeal.
People are getting bent out of shape because TWO WEEKS before the game, there are 8,000 tickets sold. Heads up - that NEVER happens in Vermillion. Not only are tickets sold at their fastest rate during the week leading up to the game, but as Yotemeal pointed out, walk-up tickets are always a huge deal.
And holy cow, don't forget this is opening weekend. The super bowl in many hunter's eyes.
Say what you want, but at the end of the day we are a 1-5 team - the casual or unbiased Sioux Falls resident (or ANY other town for that matter) isn't going to go bananas to watch what they perceive as a probably blow out.
Take off your rose colored glasses.
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Post by GoYotes on Oct 18, 2012 11:52:13 GMT -6
Like I said in my initial post I hope the game is a success. I purchased 8 tickets to the game, which is more than I normally buy.
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Post by Cousin Eddie on Oct 18, 2012 12:54:36 GMT -6
From Mick Garry's Twitter:
USD asst AD David Herbster says 1,400 tickets remain for USD-NDSU game--700 on each side
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Post by tjbison on Oct 18, 2012 21:44:45 GMT -6
Bison home game!
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Post by Cousin Eddie on Oct 19, 2012 7:27:10 GMT -6
Roll call: Who is going to the game and who isn't?
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Post by 88grad on Oct 19, 2012 8:24:18 GMT -6
I'm there. Rain or shine (preferably shine) but I'm there!
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Post by GoYotes on Oct 19, 2012 11:35:22 GMT -6
I will also be there with a group of 8
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Post by yoteforever on Oct 19, 2012 13:32:08 GMT -6
Yes...12. Of us
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chuck
Sophomore Member
Posts: 169
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Post by chuck on Oct 19, 2012 14:50:48 GMT -6
4 in my crew making the trek from Vermillion to SF
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Post by Cousin Eddie on Oct 20, 2012 6:19:39 GMT -6
Nice. We have a large crew of 15+. Know others with 6, 5, 4, 4. Yell loud.
Anybody complaining about this game being in Sioux Falls that also complains about SF people not coming to Verm that is also not coming is a hypocrite.
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