coverage

[CDAGRIZ]

This is going to sound bad, but beer sales would do wonders. Denver U. and UNC do it, they dont draw, but they are not Montanans. They have pro sports teams and are not the main draw in the area, but beer at football games is a tradition at tailgates. Basketball on any given week night or weekend doesnt set up for a great tailgate experiance in the winter! You put beer sales in the arena and they will come and they will be fired up for Griz Bball. Its no different than any pro sports event or concert, and it would bring in an atmosphere and money!

This is the biggest and most obvious obstacle. Beer and sports go hand in hand. Watching sports, not playing them. Can't tailgate by yourself in the snow. Trying to promote an evening sporting/social event in Montana without the option of sharing a few rounds of beers with friends is a losing battle.

I hear what you are saying, but not everyone wants to drink. In fact, in most places drinking is beginning to slow down for lots of reasons. I know it is a cultural thing in Montana, and I certainly did my share, but I think, in some areas, booze just needs to handled differently. It is fine for the responsible to drink and go to a game, but there could be an alternative as well....the best suggestions on this site are moving the students back to where they belong. After all, it is their university....I have always thought the shooting of tee shirts is an embarrassment for a program and a sign of trouble...I first saw it at Northridge...where a good crowd would be 600...As I see UM athletics, they seem to be caught in holding pattern..nothing new...rather stale...cheerleaders too "in sync", band dead, mascot predictable..but the team itself on the court is getting better and that invites better attendance but if it isn't fun or exciting, why bother going a second time? There could be alumni roundups out of town...networking in an age of job shortages certainly cannot hurt and a good supporting crowd of Griz fans at away games is a great recruiting tool, as well....

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/why-we-need-paragraphs/

 

[GrizLA]

This is going to sound bad, but beer sales would do wonders. Denver U. and UNC do it, they dont draw, but they are not Montanans. They have pro sports teams and are not the main draw in the area, but beer at football games is a tradition at tailgates. Basketball on any given week night or weekend doesnt set up for a great tailgate experiance in the winter! You put beer sales in the arena and they will come and they will be fired up for Griz Bball. Its no different than any pro sports event or concert, and it would bring in an atmosphere and money!

This is the biggest and most obvious obstacle. Beer and sports go hand in hand. Watching sports, not playing them. Can't tailgate by yourself in the snow. Trying to promote an evening sporting/social event in Montana without the option of sharing a few rounds of beers with friends is a losing battle.

I hear what you are saying, but not everyone wants to drink. In fact, in most places drinking is beginning to slow down for lots of reasons. I know it is a cultural thing in Montana, and I certainly did my share, but I think, in some areas, booze just needs to handled differently. It is fine for the responsible to drink and go to a game, but there could be an alternative as well....the best suggestions on this site are moving the students back to where they belong. After all, it is their university....I have always thought the shooting of tee shirts is an embarrassment for a program and a sign of trouble...I first saw it at Northridge...where a good crowd would be 600...As I see UM athletics, they seem to be caught in holding pattern..nothing new...rather stale...cheerleaders too "in sync", band dead, mascot predictable..but the team itself on the court is getting better and that invites better attendance but if it isn't fun or exciting, why bother going a second time? There could be alumni roundups out of town...networking in an age of job shortages certainly cannot hurt and a good supporting crowd of Griz fans at away games is a great recruiting tool, as well....

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/why-we-need-paragraphs/

just thinking out loud..trains of thought, sorry, ma'am...

 

[argrizfan]

Can someone please let me know where to find Mr. O'day's email address? I would like to get his thoughts on our ideas of starting a focus group and if he would be willing to work with us or if we would be wasting our time. Then I would let everyone know what he has to say. I just want to get this going so maybe our boys can get some much deserverd support when they make their final push before the big sky tourney.

 

[maroonandsilver]

Can someone please let me know where to find Mr. O'day's email address? I would like to get his thoughts on our ideas of starting a focus group and if he would be willing to work with us or if we would be wasting our time. Then I would let everyone know what he has to say. I just want to get this going so maybe our boys can get some much deserverd support when they make their final push before the big sky tourney.

[email protected]

 

[bill breen]

Some excellent ideas. But don't forget about involving GRIZVOX. With Mick in the mix things might go further and faster. He also has Tinks and O'days ear. I agree on relocating the students. When I attended the U in the late 60's thier court side presence was motivating.

 

[dancingbear]

Already some credible ideas. My suggestion is to work on the areas that we can be successful in for the short term. I know we all want the students back on the floor however that is going to be a bigger nut to crack. When the students DEMAND to have there rightful place back court side then we will probably have a better chance.

One area that I think would be an easy fix is the introduction video. In my opinion lame and sophomoric. If we had a jumbo tron in the field house it might work better but quite frankly I come away after watching it and I feel embarrassed that our SIDept. can't come up with a better promo. I know I'm old but I can't even see the damn thing. And at the end of the video there is usually dead silence.

Another area that I feel could have an impact would be to go to Dean of the Business School and propose that with all the resources available such as marketing, entertainment promotion, journalism, the Radio and TV side all these disciplines could have a positive impact on all the athletic programs. What a novel idea to have students participating in real world issues. The U has a very successful entertainment promotion program. Challenge these entities to come up with intelligent, cost effective approach to getting Griz BB on the front page. Many of their students have gone on to work in the top agencies in the world such as the Robert Morris Agency. Don't kid ourselves BB is entertainment, just like Lady GaGa, whoever she is.

My whole point is we do not have to reinvent the wheel. The Wheel just needs new hubcaps and we have the resources right under our noses.

If anyone is interested in being part of Griz BB history PM me and we'll see if we can generate enough interest to put Griz BB back on the front page.

 

[mtgrizrule]

This has been mentioned every year I have been on egriz. I hope it is not being listened to with death ears. One simple start would be to get the right radio and internet information on montanagrizzlies.com. How about updated bios and video links for our players, just like football? Speaking of football, how about realizing there are other great products at the U of M than just football? I for one, every year have promoted GRIZ basketball in my time on EGRIZ. It is disappointing the efforts are not made by the University too.

What the hell has happened to the Missoulian giving these player, coaches, and pub? Did the program piss in their cereal? The Missoulian coverage is pathetic. Audio and video archives for the coaches shows, games, and highlights available through montanagrizzlies.com or grizcentral.com. Commit to letting the public getting to know the players and coaches with online interviews. How many people truly know what great people the Tinkles are?

How about taking advantage the lack of fan interest/attendance and bad economy. After a very ordinary football season, GRIZ fans are aching for a winner and team to get behind again. Why wait for next football season? I really do not see what it would hurt to offer 2 for 1 ticket deals, discounting the ticket rates, make deals for local high schools, etc. As it is now we are not making any $$ with empty seats. Granted we would not be getting top dollar for those seats, but something is better than nothing.

Whatever the promotions let the public know every way possible. Let them know the promotion(s) are tied to a down economy to introduce a great program. Have Tinkle, the players, and O'day get behind the desire to return Dahlberg to "THE ZOO". Simply make the atmosphere fun again, and reassure the students, if they help do that, the AD department will fight for students getting their rightful seats back. If there is some old video footage of games from the days of "The Zoo", and can be put into current video technology, use it and toward the end of the video have a captions like "Let's do it again", "RETURN of the ZOO, IT TAKES U." Let a few old time Zoo members show them how it was done, and needs to be done again.

DO whatever it takes to get fans in the seats again!!!! Many of those fans will remain fans as long as the product on the floor performs and plays the game right. As for this year's team, I have no doubts Tinkle finally has every player committed to playing hard, together, and nasty nasty defense.

Come on U of M, step it up and show the public you are committed to doing this!!! Start it NOW! Show us it is about getting back the atmosphere and not getting top dollar out of every seat. News flash, Getting top dollar for those empty seats will not happen unless these steps happen 1st!

 

[maroonandsilver]

Another minor example of how poorly basketball is promoted. During the GF game it was anounced that it was Poster Night. I saw or read nothing on TV or the Missoulian prior to the game promoting Poster Night. Getting a signed poster is not a big thing for me, but there are some fans, kids especially, who might have showed up if they thought they could get a signed poster. I felt sorry for the players having to sit around after the game waiting for the odd fan wanting signatures.

 

[dancingbear]

Think out of the box.........We have had some good ideas put forth already. Who's ready to step up to the plate and become part of a focus group? The product is out there. Put your efforts were your mouth is!

 

[mtgrizrule]

Another minor example of how poorly basketball is promoted. During the GF game it was anounced that it was Poster Night. I saw or read nothing on TV or the Missoulian prior to the game promoting Poster Night. Getting a signed poster is not a big thing for me, but there are some fans, kids especially, who might have showed up if they thought they could get a signed poster. I felt sorry for the players having to sit around after the game waiting for the odd fan wanting signatures.

Something simple like that made me a GRIZ basketball fan for life. I remember Blaine Taylor coming to our local basketball camp. He did some things on the court, talked to the kids, signed autographs. As a little kid, I did not know the level he played at, for me that autograph was as good as it got. I wanted to learn more, I listened to every game on the radio. As I got older and learned basketball, I got to go to more games. The likes of Zanon, KrysKo, Tinkle, Hurley, Pope, Glass, Selvig, etc built on my initial experience. Truth be told I was heartbroken when my GRIZ posters and programs from yesteryear got ruined after a few too many moves.

As for media, if the Missoulian is not willing to give them more. Everyone get behind GRIZJOURNAL here. I like his work,and for what it is worth, I appreciate it. :thumb:

 

[mtgrizrule]

Prior to summer 2007, I was a phone call away, and would have busted my ass to be part of any focus group or anything. I am not sure what can be done from Denver now, but let me know if anything can be done, I will be on board.

 

[Mavman]

The university should give away tickets to local gradeschool kids, maybe those on the honor roll or something. Let the kids in free with a paid adult. Empty seats don't buy concessions and it would expose more fans to the great product. Send the players out to the schools tell the kids not to do drugs and hand out some free tickets. If 6'11" Qvale tells you to stay in school you will listen.

As far as the intro at games, Micks voice needs to be a big part of it. His exciting playcalling gets everyone pumped. I told my wife if i'm ever in a coma play a cd of micks playcalling big moments in griz history I will wake up. :lol:

 

[MissoulaMarinerFan]

In response to the football/other Griz team members showing up to games, I hope that is starting to turn around. The last 2 games I went to, I saw Jimmy Wilson, and Tru bring in what looked like damn near our whole group of DB's. If the other sports team members could do that, and bring 3 to 5 members of each team plus their buddies, maybe that will get more students coming, thus giving them more leverage to get "The Zoo" back.

 

[argrizfan]

I just pm'd grizvox to see if he would be interested in helping out. I hope it doesn't take to long for him to get back with me.

 

[djollieballs]

No offense, but: GIVE US FREE TICKETS! Isn't going to work. All that does is make people expect to get in for free. After you have gotten in for free, $10 sounds expensive. It's counter productive.

You need to have a product that people are willing to pay for. Free tickets doesn't accomplish anything.

A "brainstorming committee" is even less valuable. The more cooks in the kitchen, the worse the end result is going to be because you can't please everyone and in the end, GIVE US FREE TICKETS! is going to be the only proposal that everyone can agree on.

And don't freaking *talk* about improving the atmosphere for the games. Just do it. Sitting around talking about it means you have no interest in actually changing the current format. Pick one thing that you are in the position to improve and give it a try. Then build on it.

 

[dancingbear]

Djollieballs, Thanks, your input is important. Perhaps you would be willing to be a part of the "just do it" committee? Individually it is difficult for a single person to bring about change. As a collective group of "like minded" individuals united in a common effort to influence processes would have a better chance of succeeding. This has also come to be known as the democratic process. Together we can make a difference, individually we end up "pissing into the wind". Collectively we can make a difference. The shotgun approach will only fall on deaf ears.

Attacking the premise of giving away "free tickets" is not constructive criticism. It's only an idea and idea's are what we need to improve the process.

I would like to hear what ideas you would have to improve the process, or, what idea are you going to implement to better the attendance at Griz BB games?

Anxious to hear what are your ideas.

 

[bigtyme]

The university should give away tickets to local gradeschool kids, maybe those on the honor roll or something. Let the kids in free with a paid adult. Empty seats don't buy concessions and it would expose more fans to the great product. Send the players out to the schools tell the kids not to do drugs and hand out some free tickets. If 6'11" Qvale tells you to stay in school you will listen.

As far as the intro at games, Micks voice needs to be a big part of it. His exciting playcalling gets everyone pumped. I told my wife if i'm ever in a coma play a cd of micks playcalling big moments in griz history I will wake up. :lol:

This will fill seats, but it won't do much for creating a crazy crowd, which is actually what the ZOO needs.

 

[bigtyme]

In response to the football/other Griz team members showing up to games, I hope that is starting to turn around. The last 2 games I went to, I saw Jimmy Wilson, and Tru bring in what looked like damn near our whole group of DB's. If the other sports team members could do that, and bring 3 to 5 members of each team plus their buddies, maybe that will get more students coming, thus giving them more leverage to get "The Zoo" back.

I am sorry, but there have been football players going to games for years. This does nothing. Believe it or not, some student athletes need the time to study because they are taken away from their quality time due to having to work out. The U simply needs a better marketing plan to get students back. The ones that fill the football stands are the ones they need in those seats. The problem is they won't get the several hours to lube up like they do for football games, thus creating a much less enthusiastic environment. There is a need for a panel of researchers to go out to the GUs/Dukes of the world to see how they do it.

 

[dancingbear]

Just as I thought, many people quick to criticize the product but none are willing to step up and try and help create a positive exciting game atmosphere.
Where are you Griz fans?????? Put your efforts where your mouth is..........or more succinctly where your fingers do your talking.
Griz @ San Francisco right now............

 

[dub-foncy]

Just as I thought, many people quick to criticize the product but none are willing to step up and try and help create a positive exciting game atmosphere.
Where are you Griz fans?????? Put your efforts where your mouth is..........or more succinctly where your fingers do your talking.
Griz @ San Francisco right now............

Really, you smug pos?

There are 20 ideas in this thread that could make the atmosphere better. Your idea consists of starting a committee of volunteers (who obviously have nothing better to do) who have no authority whatsoever to get together and have a circle jerk session that would produce nothing better than what has already been sugested in this thread.

Jesus, the um athletic department deserves you. You ought to apply for a position. Typical montana do nothing, waiting for everyone to do their job for them.