11.14.15 Dual in Kinnick

[Luke Eustice]

Just wanted to make sure that some things get out there correctly:

1. The dual meet in Kinnick is included on the season ticket package.

2. The dual will be positioned in the south endzone. and wrapping around the the east and west stands.

2. Season ticket holders will be able to buy additional tickets to the dual at Kinnick before they go on sale to
general public. So go buy season tickets if only for the chance to pick what seats you want in Kinnick first ..

3. At a later date, season ticket holders will get an email explaining what day and time they can go online and pick what seats they would like to sit in for the dual at Kinnick. This will include their season tickets and their additional tickets (if they buy them) for the dual. Essentially meaning that any tickets you buy extra over your season tickets can all be together for the dual meet at Kinnick. (Awesome bonus for our season ticket holders)

4. I will be releasing some distance numbers and such for seats and how they compare to seats in Carver at a later date as well. (Example: right now I know that the front row of the south end zone bleachers is 20 yards from the middle of where the mat will be. This is equal to the distance it is from sections A and NN in the first row behind the gold railing to the middle of the mat in Carver) Hope that makes sense.....

5. The only on field seating will be for students... we will be pulling the temporary bleacher from the north endzone down to create a backdrop for the mat to the north. We are looking at getting 350 students down in those bleachers.

6. Yes we are going to try to break the attendance record

7. Weather scenarios are still being discussed but it's not going to rain or snow that day so no need to worry

8. The goal post will stay in the ground and in the air. (It's a football stadium, what did you expect) This does very little to hurt sight lines and it is still going to be unreal.

9. We will be rolling out all other information at a later date as far as parking, ADA seating, any other questions that I see the masses are having or need clarifying.

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

Great job, Luke! You guys rock!

 

[Luke Eustice]

Like Tom said.. we have been talking about this since 08' and are continuing to discuss ideas on how to make this event one of a kind. People will be very impressed with what the event looks like. I'm 50% glad I'm not wrestling in it because I can take it all in and appreciate it; 50% sad I'm not wrestling in such a historic and amazing event. Will certainly be an event our guys and Oklahoma State wrestlers won't forget. Very much looking forward to it, it's been a lot of work to get to this point and a lot of work going forward but what worthwhile isn't a lot of work!

 

[Knight563]

Congrats on the event Luke!!! Fans, recruits and the wrestling community will definitely be looking forward to this event!

 

[ichawk24]

Luke, thanks for sharing the details.

 

[icu81222]

So, it is in the south EZ.

Just a future thought:

Looks like if the new north end zone updates were already made, they could put it in the N End zone and use suites and the seating will possibly be wrap-around. thus maximizing the crowd and atmosphere

 

[icu81222]

Hopefully, the admin/marketing don't get greedy here with ticket prices and package options.

Hopefully, they make it so that people are clamoring to go and $ isn't a factor in any way. That would be smart. but, this is the UI admin we are talking about....

If they do this correctly, they have 10 or 20 people going through the tailgate lots at 8am up until 11 that day selling tickets and promoting this. (heck, even other home games earlier in the season)

Send out pretty cheerleaders along with a couple Herky mascots and you should be able to drum up hundreds of more people to go in.

 

[lookleft goright]

I may have to come all the way form Illinois to see my first Iowa dual. Great idea. Who said Jay Robinson is the only wrestling genius?

 

[MitchL]

I may have to come all the way form Illinois to see my first Iowa dual. Great idea. Who said Jay Robinson is the only wrestling genius?

No one did!

 

[AFHawk86]

A great opportunity for Gopher fans to attend a great wrestling event before the football game. Really a great opportunity for any wrestling fan to participate in a one of a kind epic event. Could be an extraordinary TV opportunity as well!

 

[icu81222]

Sounds like the season ticket holders get in automatically and have the first opps to buy extras?

The first 25,400 to purchase, get reserved seats. (First 15,000 get reserved seats in Carver if it has to be moved inside) I think that is all correct

After that, it is general admission.

I saw $10 was the price. is that for the reserved seats or just general admission?

 

[whejoe]

I can't wait to rush the field and tear down the goal post after the win!

 

[letsgohawks44]

man I really hope we win that dual. I can't imagine getting beat by Oklahoma state and Minnesota on the same day

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

Maybe Luke can answer this question. . . . Should the crowd happen to be much bigger than anticipated -- say, more than 50,000 -- I wonder if there would be any plan to move the mat to midfield so more fans could be closer to the action. I'm guessing not, because those with reserved seats in the south end probably wouldn't be real keen on that idea. Was just thinking that, if the crowd ends up huge, having the mat at midfield would be ideal. There will always be the big screens, in any case. Just being in Kinnick for this thing will be extremely cool.

 

[hwksforlife]

Maybe Luke can answer this question. . . . Should the crowd happen to be much bigger than anticipated -- say, more than 50,000 -- I wonder if there would be any plan to move the mat to midfield so more fans could be closer to the action. I'm guessing not, because those with reserved seats in the south end probably wouldn't be real keen on that idea. Was just thinking that, if the crowd ends up huge, having the mat at midfield would be ideal. There will always be the big screens, in any case. Just being in Kinnick for this thing will be extremely cool.

There is no way they will be able to move the mat with the seat selection process. Many people are going to be there just to be a part of it and won't care where their seats are. I do hope they take good advantage of the jumbotron. I am glad they are going to give the students some excellent seats. I wish they would be able to give them 1000 seats on the field. I think our students will get into this if its marketed correct.

 

[pumpdog20]

Tom Brands made mention of 25K people. Man, I hope they got bigger dreams than that.

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

Had the same thought, pump. Tom did say that some guys on the staff are expecting much higher numbers. I suspect Tom was trying to keep expectations low so the actual turnout might exceed expectations. Frankly, I think they'll get 40k+.

I do think weather will play a role. If it's a beautiful day, I think fans will show up in droves. Diehard fans will show up come hell or high water, but the casual fans will be less likely to turn out if it's nasty out. I think nice weather could boost attendance by 10-20k.

 

[sloehawk]

Tom Brands made mention of 25K people. Man, I hope they got bigger dreams than that.

I went to a few NCAA Basketball Regionals at the Metrodome when the Hawks were playing up there on occasion, and they typically put the court in the end zone and built bleachers up out to the 20 yard line or thereabouts. I think that configuration was meant for about 23,000 or so if I'm not mistaken (in order to have a decent sight-line of the court). I doubt they'll be putting up any bleachers for this quick turn event however.

Gotta admit, if you're an Iowa fan, this is one hell of a doubleheader, even if it involves the current version of Iowa Football. They should sell tickets to both for $20 total (with $19 of that going to the Wrestling Program.................).

 

[DavenportHawk8]

So FB season ticket holders are left out? Just wondering thought of making it a day getting up there early and watching some grappling and then heading back to tailgate before the hawk football game.

What happens if it DOES rain. Its freaking Iowa, the weather changes hourly...

 

[HAWKMANN]

Davenporthawk, wrestling season tickets are generally about $85 per seat and in my opinion the best bang for your buck entertainment wise in the state. Buy a set of season tickets and if you can't make any of the other meets donate them to Wrestling For Life and let a kid experience it.

 

[Herbert197]

If i buy 2 season wrestling tickets, how many extras can i buy for this kinnick event?

 

[U.N. Jefferson]

Are they going to let people in for free if they have football tickets?

If so, I would consider going. I'm not spending any extra money to see this, however.

 

[rustynailhawk]

Luke-

I'll be there plus ten. Can I borrow your rang finder?? I'm gonna be drunnnnkkkk?

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

Are they going to let people in for free if they have football tickets?

If so, I would consider going. I'm not spending any extra money to see this, however.

No, but it won't cost much. Wrestling tickets, as mentioned above, are easily the best deal going in Iowa athletics, IMO. I can't imagine tickets will be much more than $15 or so. Considering that it will be a match-up of the two most historic college wrestling programs, both of whom are national title contenders this year, coached by two of the best American wrestlers of all time, on a day that will set the national wrestling attendance record, $15 isn't much to ask, considering that a football ticket is about 5x that these days. I suggest you reconsider -- you won't want to miss this, even if you're not a diehard wrestling fan. For the price of a Kinnick Stadium hot dog and Coke, you can take in a historic moment in Iowa athletics. Seems like a pretty darn good deal to me.

 

[mike tognetti]

man I really hope we win that dual. I can't imagine getting beat by Oklahoma state and Minnesota on the same day

Don't worry, Minnesota won't be good next year. Look at the bright side of thinking, winning one match that day is better than losing two!

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

So FB season ticket holders are left out? Just wondering thought of making it a day getting up there early and watching some grappling and then heading back to tailgate before the hawk football game.

What happens if it DOES rain. Its freaking Iowa, the weather changes hourly...

Not sure what you're getting at here. Are you expecting to get into a wrestling meet for free because you have season tickets to football? These are two separate events on the same day. I'm sure no wrestling season ticket holders will be expecting to get into the Minnesota game for free. That said, I can assure you that the wrestling meet will cost a small fraction of what the football game will cost, it very well may be more exciting, and it will most definitely be far more historic and unique.

 

[sloehawk]

So FB season ticket holders are left out? Just wondering thought of making it a day getting up there early and watching some grappling and then heading back to tailgate before the hawk football game.

What happens if it DOES rain. Its freaking Iowa, the weather changes hourly...

People know these things. It will move down the block to Carver if the weather is sketchy. It may very well not come off as scheduled, but I have no doubt they'll do everything they can to have it outdoors.

At the end of the day, the 1st 15,000 are going to see Iowa and Okie State go at it in wrestling (at Carver, that part is guaranteed). That's a pretty big deal in and of itself. People are going to be checking the forecast like crazy prior to this event. If the "Weather Terrorists" knew what the hell they were talking about, it would make it much easier, but like most days you poke your head outside and see for yourself and go from there.

There is going to be some "risk" involved in this deal for those traveling to it, even if the forecast calls for 60 and sunny all week long. If it doesn't come off due to weather, if that's the worst thing that happens to all of us that day, it's a good day I'd say.

 

[goiahawkeyes]

Great idea, Luke. Thanks for the information!

 

[DavenportHawk8]

I was just wondering if there was a deal. Im sure they could offer a 2 for 1 deal for the day.

I mean by then the football teams season will be in the bag and they will need all the people they can get to come to the Minnesota game (night game in Nov)!! Should be interesting.

I just wondered since we are coming up it would be a sweet to make a day of it. Tailgate in our normal spot for the wrestling dual, then head back out and tailgate/hang out until the 7pm kick. I am sure they will have all sorts of restrictions that day.

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

I was just wondering if there was a deal. Im sure they could offer a 2 for 1 deal for the day.

I mean by then the football teams season will be in the bag and they will need all the people they can get to come to the Minnesota game (night game in Nov)!! Should be interesting.

I just wondered since we are coming up it would be a sweet to make a day of it. Tailgate in our normal spot for the wrestling dual, then head back out and tailgate/hang out until the 7pm kick. I am sure they will have all sorts of restrictions that day.

I think that's a great idea. I just don't think that cheap tickets to the wrestling meet (and compared to football tickets, they're dirt cheap) would keep you from doing just that. I suspect many thousands of fans have the same idea -- our group included. It should be a great day.

As for weather, blowing snow could be a problem, but as long as it doesn't rain all day, I don't think rain would be too much of an issue. Might cause some delays, but I'd think they could cover the mat during rain and resume action once it stops, if necessary.

 

[ichawk24]

I'm a casual wrestling fan, and have to agree that wrestling tickets are easily the best bang for your buck in Iowa athletics. We're the #1 program in the country and most meets are 12 bucks.

 

[Herky58]

what are chances of BTN TV or some other TV/

Many good IOWA wrestling fans live outside of Iowa--I am one in Florida

 

[brucefan]

what are chances of BTN TV or some other TV/

Many good IOWA wrestling fans live outside of Iowa--I am one in Florida

It seems likely that it will be streamed on BTN plus, but nothing has been announced officially as far as I know.

 

[uniosuhawk]

One thought I had. The places I usually park for wrestling meets are reserved for football games. I am sure parking will be a problem. Any chance they start the Hawkeye Express earlier than usual and run it for this event as well as football?

 

[Squarehat]

I think Luke mentioned earlier that the train wouldn't be running earlier