Filling the empty stands @Kinnick

[hawkeyeguy69]

What do you think UI officials can do to put butts in the seats at Kinnick Stadium this year? It seems they have pulled out all the cards marketing wise. But what else can they do?

A Kinnick with 10,000+ empty seats looks bad on TV. But fewer people means less atmosphere in and around the stadium. Less energy for certain.

So, what can UI people do? Would dumping tickets just before the game (they have done this thru scalping, last minute corporate extras, etc in the past) help? It would certainly add thousands who couldn't afford to go, but want to(potential future fans?) ... It would also put the fan, taking a break from buying (10,000+ this year) who are still in the parking lots, back in the stands.
I say this because I know several who will still be in the area. They would buy, if the price is right...

So, should the UI go Bob Barker and spin the wheel to get fans in the stands before they are gone for good? OR is it too late, and we have lost these 10,000+ for good, and have to hope the next generation fills the gaps...?

To get the latter, cheap tickets would not hurt at all.

As for me, I will still be going. 40 yardline, for one more year...

 

[Buckwatcher]

I am taking my daughters to their first game at Kinnick. This will be our 2nd year we haven't had season tickets, due to busy schedules and the football is not as good as it should be. Put a better product on the field and people will come. All you have to do is win. Win big and win with style points.

 

[ottumwan in tx]

umm, maybe a good team with talent and some good coaches? a team which wants to win?

 

[ping72]

Win on the field. Problem solved.

 

[TankHawk]

It's not really fair to those of us that paid full price and seat license fees to give tickets or sell them cheaply to folks that didn't pony up and support the Hawks. I would be OK if they sell cheap tickets to students, both U of I students and high school kids. These are the potential future fans and ticket buyers that the U of I needs to build a relationship with.

 

[SPGroth]

No longer a season ticket holder, but have to agree with TankHawk. I'd be ticked if I paid a seat license and full price for my seat.....then have someone sitting right next to me that got in for $20. Also agree, bring back the knot-hole tickets to let high school/college aged in for a reduced price. If is painful for some of these games to pay $65/$70 to get in a 9 year old.

 

[IowaHawk19]

Just win and all will be right again.

 

[hawkcub]

As a ST holder I don't really have a big problem with people getting discounted tix. It's already happening. Just in the secondary market.

 

[lenoxhawks]

Hire a new coach. Perhaps one that will play the best players and doesn't mind recruiting.
A bonus would be a coach that played his best players even if they don't hit their ideal weight every time. They more interviews posted the more it is obvious our head guy has no idea what he is doing

Also, how did our coaches not realize that Daniels was overweight and slow? Daniels had to talk to Doyle about wanting to play at a lighter weight. With that said, Canzeri was clearly the better back last year so the weight loss either made a huge difference, or the wrong guy is the featured back again.

 

[hawkcub]

What will bring fans back is simply winning. If Ferentz has 9+ win season they will be back. The higher the wins the more that will come back.

If he can't it may be time to move on. But don't think a new coach is making everyone come back. There will be a small bump to no bump at all based on name. His ability to win is what really matters here.

 

[trippnschmidt]

Hire a new coach. Perhaps one that will play the best players and doesn't mind recruiting.
A bonus would be a coach that played his best players even if they don't hit their ideal weight every time. They more interviews posted the more it is obvious our head guy has no idea what he is doing

Also, how did our coaches not realize that Daniels was overweight and slow? Daniels had to talk to Doyle about wanting to play at a lighter weight. With that said, Canzeri was clearly the better back last year so the weight loss either made a huge difference, or the wrong guy is the featured back again.

Link?

 

[89and91]

Win on the field. Problem solved.

Yep winning cures all.

 

[lenoxhawks]

Link?

Read the Gazette within the last two weeks. Some of our guys aren't hitting their desired weight so the coaches don't trust them on the field. They would rather play a weisman or Rudock who practice well and weigh out correct every day instead of a better player that isn't as robotic.

 

[grosie#2]

I watched Iowa football back when Nagel, Lauterbur, and Commings coached. I remember a game in Nov. 1970 when the Hawks played Illinois in front of 38,00,00 fans. Those where the dark days of Iowa football where no one could see a light at the end of the tunnel. Iowa football was so bad that sneaking booze into the stadium and getting really drunk was the best part of the game.

Fry turned it around by playing entertaining, winning football. That's all Ferentz has to do and Iowa will sell out again.

 

[ichawk24]

Win baby win. Start 2-0, and Pitt is at least 68k. Gotta be 3-0 for UNT to be a big crowd. Decent results will sell tickets to B1G Ten games.

 

[ottumwan in tx]

Even if you lose- play to win. These guys play to lose and they are successful. At it

 

[Hawk-A-Doodle-Doo]

Free puppy with paid admission.

Afterall, who could resist a cute, cuddly widdle puppy dog?! You're the best little guy in the whole wide world! YES YOU ARE!!

Of course, knowing the dubious acumen of the UI Marketing folks, this is the puppy they'd be giving away:

 

[hexumhawk]

The season tickets are over priced for the demand and the quality of the product. That needs to be corrected and brought down to earth if they want to get people there.

 

[Rustys Dad]

It's not really fair to those of us that paid full price and seat license fees to give tickets or sell them cheaply to folks that didn't pony up and support the Hawks. I would be OK if they sell cheap tickets to students, both U of I students and high school kids. These are the potential future fans and ticket buyers that the U of I needs to build a relationship with.

I had season tickets for 10 seasons (ending in 2012) ... Honestly, I couldn't care less if the guy next to me paid $5 or $100. I would rather see a butt in the seat than nobody at all. As for the money I spent on season tickets and seat license ... So be it .... That was my choice. Not my concern if the guy next to me "got in" cheaper than I did ... We need fans at Kinnick ... Now, overall, of course we want Iowa to not have to start offering a free ticket with a tank of gas. That is bad all the way around ... But for the time being, you have to get people to come to Iowa City ... You have to get them enticed ... Make them want to come back ...

 

[herecomethehawkeyes]

They took advantage of good/great seasons by raising ticket prices. after so many seasons of uninspired, boring football that has come to bite them in the behind

 

[SPGroth]

They have been offering reduced prices to high school age and younger for years.

You are correct but usually for only select non-conference and Big 10 games (ie....games that aren't that popular). We have taken advantage of those tickets quite a bit.

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

What do you think UI officials can do to put butts in the seats at Kinnick Stadium this year? It seems they have pulled out all the cards marketing wise. But what else can they do?

A Kinnick with 10,000+ empty seats looks bad on TV. But fewer people means less atmosphere in and around the stadium. Less energy for certain.

So, what can UI people do? Would dumping tickets just before the game (they have done this thru scalping, last minute corporate extras, etc in the past) help? It would certainly add thousands who couldn't afford to go, but want to(potential future fans?) ... It would also put the fan, taking a break from buying (10,000+ this year) who are still in the parking lots, back in the stands.
I say this because I know several who will still be in the area. They would buy, if the price is right...

So, should the UI go Bob Barker and spin the wheel to get fans in the stands before they are gone for good? OR is it too late, and we have lost these 10,000+ for good, and have to hope the next generation fills the gaps...?

To get the latter, cheap tickets would not hurt at all.

As for me, I will still be going. 40 yardline, for one more year...

Red and White pom poms, you know, for the consideration of our visitors.

 

[theIowaHawk]

Free puppy with paid admission.

Afterall, who could resist a cute, cuddly widdle puppy dog?! You're the best little guy in the whole wide world! YES YOU ARE!!

Of course, knowing the dubious acumen of the UI Marketing folks, this is the puppy they'd be giving away:

This I enjoyed. Well done.

 

[theIowaHawk]

Also agree, bring back the knot-hole tickets to let high school/college aged in for a reduced price.

This, especially with the now smaller student section. Get tickets out to high schools that seniors can take their trip to visit the UI on Friday, attend the game Saturday, for no/minimal cost. Put them right in the student section, lumped all together. They will love it, they will buy tickets the next year. Chalk the cost up to undergrad recruitment.

There are, what, 48, 4A schools? Giving out just 20 tickets/school gets close to 1,000 tickets. Put them at the top of the student section, students smash down anyways. Hold an event like the thing at the baseball field, food, fun, no booze.

I don't really care if ticket sales are down for this purpose, this should be happening anyways imo.

 

[N.Legend]

Iowa should take a serious look at the Minnesota model. They flayed around with mediocre attendance for years and decided to infuse some new blood into the system. They're not world beaters yet, but they play good football. Look at the attendance last night (helps if you are playing the #2 team in the nation). Fans feel the excitement being generated and go to the games.
Ferentz had a good run but I can't recall a coach in major college football in the modern era who took a team close to the top, slid back to mediocre, and than came back strong again. Iowa is in a funk in everything they do. Same ole, same ole. Winning won't change, and attendance won't change. Iowa needs a transfusion and the sooner the better.

 

[win1forthe]

As many have said, winning helps. But it goes beyond just winning. The style of football is boring. It's sad when a 12 yard run or reception almost brings people to their feet. I don't want to drive 8 hours round trip to see 3 yard outs, stretch run left, check downs and repeat.

 

[theIowaHawk]

Iowa should take a serious look at the Minnesota model. They flayed around with mediocre attendance for years and decided to infuse some new blood into the system. They're not world beaters yet, but they play good football. Look at the attendance last night (helps if you are playing the #2 team in the nation). Fans feel the excitement being generated and go to the games.
Ferentz had a good run but I can't recall a coach in major college football in the modern era who took a team close to the top, slid back to mediocre, and than came back strong again. Iowa is in a funk in everything they do. Same ole, same ole. Winning won't change, and attendance won't change. Iowa needs a transfusion and the sooner the better.

Wait, the "Minnesota model"? This didn't happen when they got a new coach. They built a new stadium on campus, repeat on campus. This is Kill's 5th year there, and the fans are there because of Ws, specifically consecutive 8-5 seasons and making great progress.

What, pray tell, do you think that "model" consisted of? Wasn't it reported this was the first home sellout in 20 years? Against #2. 54k, great, good for them. I hope they sell out every game.

 

[icu81222]

Iowa should take a serious look at the Minnesota model. They flayed around with mediocre attendance for years and decided to infuse some new blood into the system. They're not world beaters yet, but they play good football. Look at the attendance last night (helps if you are playing the #2 team in the nation). Fans feel the excitement being generated and go to the games.
Ferentz had a good run but I can't recall a coach in major college football in the modern era who took a team close to the top, slid back to mediocre, and than came back strong again. Iowa is in a funk in everything they do. Same ole, same ole. Winning won't change, and attendance won't change. Iowa needs a transfusion and the sooner the better.

they may have broken the TCF attendance mark last night but I saw numerous twitter pics last night and there were LOTS of empty seats.

 

[ichawk24]

Iowa should take a serious look at the Minnesota model. They flayed around with mediocre attendance for years and decided to infuse some new blood into the system. They're not world beaters yet, but they play good football. Look at the attendance last night (helps if you are playing the #2 team in the nation).

The Minnesota model? They set a record at 54k, and we're complaining about 57k.

 

[theIowaHawk]

The Minnesota model? They set a record at 54k, and we're complaining about 57k.

And failed to sell out a single game during Kill's other 4 years..............but it was the "infusion of new blood" that did it...

 

[LetsGoHawks83]

As many have already stated. Just win and win in entertaining fashion. After all that's what fans are there for...entertainment. Right now for many people the winning/entertainment isn't enough to justify the cost (financial and hassle/time). Die hard fans will do just that.... "die hard". But those will dwindle too, if they watch the same boring product every year. You also aren't making many NEW young die hard fans, if you aren't winning/entertaining.

In short... win some effing games and look like you are having fun doing it!

Go Hawks!

 

[theIowaHawk]

As many have already stated. Just win and win in entertaining fashion. After all that's what fans are there for...entertainment. Right now for many people the winning/entertainment isn't enough to justify the cost (financial and hassle/time). Die hard fans will do just that.... "die hard". But those will dwindle too, if they watch the same boring product every year. You also aren't making many NEW young die hard fans, if you aren't winning/entertaining.

In short... win some effing games and look like you are having fun doing it!

Go Hawks!

Unfortunately for many fans (posters on here), their "entertainment" is almost entirely tied to winning. Extremely exciting game that ends in loss? Utter devastation, long HR rants against the staff.

There truly are posters on here who only want to go to games that are guaranteed wins, which must just make them miserable to be around.

 

[C/Seahawk]

As many have already stated. Just win and win in entertaining fashion. After all that's what fans are there for...entertainment. Right now for many people the winning/entertainment isn't enough to justify the cost (financial and hassle/time). Die hard fans will do just that.... "die hard". But those will dwindle too, if they watch the same boring product every year. You also aren't making many NEW young die hard fans, if you aren't winning/entertaining.

In short... win some effing games and look like you are having fun doing it!

Go Hawks!

There is a lot of truth to this statement. Along with simply winning and playing an entertaining brand of football, our out of conference opponents needs to be enhanced as well. We should have ditched the cupcake philosophy years ago, who wants to pay good money to see UNI, Illinois St., North Dakota St., North Texas, Missouri St., Ball St., Tennessee Tech, etc. Certainly not me. Our coach has publically stated he doesn't want to play West of the Mississippi anymore...how in the hell does his boss stand for such nonsense? Oh thats right, Wyoming Barta feels the same way, two peas in a pod as far as scheduling is concerned. Fans are fed up and rightfully so. Loss in revenue was the last chance for the administration and staff to pull their heads out of the sand and realize some things were broken with the program and they need to be fixed. This is absolutely KF"s last stand as the coach at Iowa...I hope he pull off a successful third act as the coach at Iowa...that would be ideal, but I'm afraid they let things slip too far and too long to recover. We shall see.

 

[ichawk24]

Our coach has publically stated he doesn't want to play West of the Mississippi anymore...

That is a tough trick, when your home stadium is West of the Mississippi.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

No longer a season ticket holder, but have to agree with TankHawk. I'd be ticked if I paid a seat license and full price for my seat.....then have someone sitting right next to me that got in for $20. Also agree, bring back the knot-hole tickets to let high school/college aged in for a reduced price. If is painful for some of these games to pay $65/$70 to get in a 9 year old.

People are already getting cheaper tickets, simply by not donating any money and buying tickets online or at the gate. Our tickets for example, cost an extra $400 per. So, our tickets are not the face value of $65. They are $125 or whatever per game... Granted the seats are not as nearly as good. But the same face value, regardless.

Price discrimination happens everywhere, for everything. Welcome to capitalism my friends.

 

[soybean]

No longer a season ticket holder, but have to agree with TankHawk. I'd be ticked if I paid a seat license and full price for my seat.....then have someone sitting right next to me that got in for $20. Also agree, bring back the knot-hole tickets to let high school/college aged in for a reduced price. If is painful for some of these games to pay $65/$70 to get in a 9 year old.

Knot-hole seats is how I saw my first few Hawk games back in the 1960's...bring em back and make some new Iowa fans.

 

[83Hawk]

There is a lot of truth to this statement. Along with simply winning and playing an entertaining brand of football, our out of conference opponents needs to be enhanced as well. We should have ditched the cupcake philosophy years ago, who wants to pay good money to see UNI, Illinois St., North Dakota St., North Texas, Missouri St., Ball St., Tennessee Tech, etc. Certainly not me. Our coach has publically stated he doesn't want to play West of the Mississippi anymore...how in the hell does his boss stand for such nonsense? Oh thats right, Wyoming Barta feels the same way, two peas in a pod as far as scheduling is concerned. Fans are fed up and rightfully so. Loss in revenue was the last chance for the administration and staff to pull their heads out of the sand and realize some things were broken with the program and they need to be fixed. This is absolutely KF"s last stand as the coach at Iowa...I hope he pull off a successful third act as the coach at Iowa...that would be ideal, but I'm afraid they let things slip too far and too long to recover. We shall see.

Have you seen the schedules of other Power 5 teams, and who they play in the non-conference games? Iowa stacks up fairly well with most of them.

 

[ottumwan in tx]

I just don't see how iowa can turn this sinking ship around. I don't think 20-40K more people showing up would help and, as a matter of fact, I think less people showing might move the changes along quicker

 

[greenelite]

Give free tickets to Iowa City's homeless and put them behind opponent's bleachers.

 

[And1Hawk]

Win and when you lose, stop losing at home, stop losing to teams you have no business losing to and play with an aggressive mindset.