Old school general admission

[Geddes]

Bring it back.

You fuc*kin' short-sighted dummies.

It's the soul of the place. And, the younger generation. And the families. The things that matter.

 

[BelierPeaux]

But...Beer.

 

[mtgrizrule]

But...Beer.

Beer and wine were still sold from an individual concession area. At least 1 was going opposite end of G A.

 

[BelierPeaux]

But...Beer.

Beer and wine were still sold from an individual concession area. At least 1 was going opposite end of G A.

Could people bring them to seats or was there a designated drink area?

 

[Geddes]

Beer and wine were still sold from an individual concession area. At least 1 was going opposite end of G A.

Could people bring them to seats or was there a designated drink area?

People were drinking beer in GA, just not in the student section that they expanded upwards for the game. And I didn't see anyone being drunken idiots. What I did see were more families with children and middle-school/high school aged kids. Granted, it was cat-griz so that obviously played a part. Simply put, the place just feels right when the old bleachers are used for GA.

 

[mtgrizrule]

Could people bring them to seats or was there a designated drink area?

People were drinking beer in GA, just not in the student section that they expanded upwards for the game. And I didn't see anyone being drunken idiots. What I did see were more families with children and middle-school/high school aged kids. Granted, it was cat-griz so that obviously played a part. Simply put, the place just feels right when the old bleachers are used for GA.

My understanding is no alcohol at 1st level seats or a few sections. They announced all sections, but a few, could take alcohol to their seats. I saw quite a few beers at the seats. Also, noticed no problems. Then again, at $8.00 per beer, I'm sure that priced many out.

 

[grizzlyjournal]

People were drinking beer in GA, just not in the student section that they expanded upwards for the game. And I didn't see anyone being drunken idiots. What I did see were more families with children and middle-school/high school aged kids. Granted, it was cat-griz so that obviously played a part. Simply put, the place just feels right when the old bleachers are used for GA.

My understanding is no alcohol at 1st level seats or a few sections. They announced all sections, but a few, could take alcohol to their seats. I saw quite a few beers at the seats. Also, noticed no problems. Then again, at $8.00 per beer, I'm sure that priced many out.

I'm solid with Geddes and all those who support general admission seating AND pricing for families (anyone, actually) who, for any reason, would attend GrizBB and GrizWBB games at an affordable price. I went to BOTH games and, the ambiance of the arena just seemed better, especially for the men's game.
I can afford season tickets and purchase them for basketball, volleyball and softbal.... but there's a warning sign that Montana administrators better be aware of. They're pricing families out of these games & they'll pay if they don't make adjustments. Here's just one more example:
Montana softball has had far and away the best paid attendance figures in the Big Sky. BUT: Season GrizSB tickets the last two years were $60 which (I checked) is about average for D1 stadiums. Season GrizSB tickest for this season were posted this week at a starting price of $132 per general admin seat.... going up steeply to $180 & $200 for bleacher seat season tix. From $60 to $132. I can afford the increase, but a lot of folks & families are getting priced out of what has long been great family entertainment.

 

[MissoulaMarinerFan]

When basketball got rid of their general admission they lost at least two families of three (my family and a friends family) that have kiddos under 5 that general admission was perfect for. Bench seating, space for the littles to wander around without crawling over seats/people in assigned seats. I think it is pretty likely that they eliminated folks going on a regular basis than just me and my friends family.

As a result, we won’t be attending on a regular basis for a few more years once the kiddos are a bit older and can deal a little better sitting in assigned seating.

The deal they had for awhile for four tickets, four hot dogs and four drinks for $40 was great value to encourage families to come. Now, the cheapest ticket you can get is around $25 (17-$19 plus fees) as opposed to around 12-15 bucks for a ga ticket. Damn shame.

 

[maroonandsilver]

My understanding is no alcohol at 1st level seats or a few sections. They announced all sections, but a few, could take alcohol to their seats. I saw quite a few beers at the seats. Also, noticed no problems. Then again, at $8.00 per beer, I'm sure that priced many out.

I'm solid with Geddes and all those who support general admission seating AND pricing for families (anyone, actually) who, for any reason, would attend GrizBB and GrizWBB games at an affordable price. I went to BOTH games and, the ambiance of the arena just seemed better, especially for the men's game.
I can afford season tickets and purchase them for basketball, volleyball and softbal.... but there's a warning sign that Montana administrators better be aware of. They're pricing families out of these games & they'll pay if they don't make adjustments. Here's just one more example:
Montana softball has had far and away the best paid attendance figures in the Big Sky. BUT: Season GrizSB tickets the last two years were $60 which (I checked) is about average for D1 stadiums. Season GrizSB tickest for this season were posted this week at a starting price of $132 per general admin seat.... going up steeply to $180 & $200 for bleacher seat season tix. From $60 to $132. I can afford the increase, but a lot of folks & families are getting priced out of what has long been great family entertainment.

The reason or the jump in softball season tickets is the huge increase in games. They have close to 20 this year, double from last year.

 

[Grizfan-24]

The athletic department isn't going to change it unless they are compelled to. That is what they said to students in 2000, and said about the beer garden when they opened it. They'll move it in the 1 or 2 games it matters, otherwise for every other 15 home games a year, it is going to have the bleachers pulled back and it'll be a place for a drink and to watch the game.

I've heard enough over the last two years from people who'd know, that it was worth it for the UM through the beverage contract and the sales to punt GA. This was a business decision and it was made a lot easier by how indifferent Missoula has become to efforts to boost hoops attendance. Maybe it alienates the casual fan, who leaned on the relative inexpensive tickets to attend, but it wasn't addressing the overall issues of tightening revenue streams within the athletic department. This wasn't waving the white flag, but rather yet another way to recruit more people to the games. It is aesthetically ugly but the bleachers always were. Moreover it reminds me of the crap-ass half measure remodel they did in 1999.

UM unlike a lot of lower mid-major schools, doesn't receive a lot direct financial aid from the state, they haven't fairly consistently for 25 years now. They've gotta balance budgets, and when they see a way to move the needle upward, to lessen the dependence on football revenues, they have to at least entertain it. It is hardly a failed venture, because at least attendance wise, the attendance is what it has been for the past decade, three to four thousand. Inflated, deflated or otherwise, those are the numbers.When they signed that beverage contract, it was done knowing what they'd recoup off of every beer sold and the overall value of the contract would be vastly better than what the status quo had become for Mens and Womens hoops. This is a systemic issue, and again knowing enough about it, they didn't make the decision to axe GA lightly.

I know that rankles some, but if the place was 80% full on most nights, it isn't a decision they make. This isn't the same hoops crowd and community that we had 30 years ago. You can blame style, students, admin or Travis, but the fans have stayed away fairly consistently for the 25 years of the Adams Center remodel. UM from 2000 on, at least from the mens program, has been an above average NCAA division 1 team, and record alone hasn't brought people in. They win 80-90% of their home games a year, players and coaches are likeable. A program the community should be behind, but isn't, and the more people pick nits it just seems like people are finding reasons to be disenchanted. Maybe I am dead wrong, but I get that it is hard not to go old man on the lawn when you see a Cat-Griz game crowd in Missoula not be at 100% capacity. Sooner or later, you just have to stop blaming admin and the policies and look at what trends are college wide. As noted elsewhere, Missoula IS NOT ALONE.

There are conversations about what to do with the north end long term, but the beer garden and the constraints about how alcohol was going to be provided and monitored in a way that allow the UM to reduce its risk and be compliant with alcohol beverage distribution laws made the north end the obvious choice. Removing seating that wasn't moving the moving the needle in terms of attendance AND not contributing significant revenue streams was a financial calculation.

Like it or not, unless they are given an financial incentive to change the current arrangement they have at Griz hoops games, it isn't going to change.

 

[MissoulaMarinerFan]

The athletic department isn't going to change it unless they are compelled to. That is what they said to students in 2000, and said about the beer garden when they opened it. They'll move it in the 1 or 2 games it matters, otherwise for every other 15 home games a year, it is going to have the bleachers pulled back and it'll be a place for a drink and to watch the game.

I've heard enough over the last two years from people who'd know, that it was worth it for the UM through the beverage contract and the sales to punt GA. This was a business decision and it was made a lot easier by how indifferent Missoula has become to efforts to boost hoops attendance. Maybe it alienates the casual fan, who leaned on the relative inexpensive tickets to attend, but it wasn't addressing the overall issues of tightening revenue streams within the athletic department. This wasn't waving the white flag, but rather yet another way to recruit more people to the games. It is aesthetically ugly but the bleachers always were. Moreover it reminds me of the crap-ass half measure remodel they did in 1999.

UM unlike a lot of lower mid-major schools, doesn't receive a lot direct financial aid from the state, they haven't fairly consistently for 25 years now. They've gotta balance budgets, and when they see a way to move the needle upward, to lessen the dependence on football revenues, they have to at least entertain it. It is hardly a failed venture, because at least attendance wise, the attendance is what it has been for the past decade, three to four thousand. Inflated, deflated or otherwise, those are the numbers.When they signed that beverage contract, it was done knowing what they'd recoup off of every beer sold and the overall value of the contract would be vastly better than what the status quo had become for Mens and Womens hoops. This is a systemic issue, and again knowing enough about it, they didn't make the decision to axe GA lightly.

I know that rankles some, but if the place was 80% full on most nights, it isn't a decision they make. This isn't the same hoops crowd and community that we had 30 years ago. You can blame style, students, admin or Travis, but the fans have stayed away fairly consistently for the 25 years of the Adams Center remodel. UM from 2000 on, at least from the mens program, has been an above average NCAA division 1 team, and record alone hasn't brought people in. They win 80-90% of their home games a year, players and coaches are likeable. A program the community should be behind, but isn't, and the more people pick nits it just seems like people are finding reasons to be disenchanted. Maybe I am dead wrong, but I get that it is hard not to go old man on the lawn when you see a Cat-Griz game crowd in Missoula not be at 100% capacity. Sooner or later, you just have to stop blaming admin and the policies and look at what trends are college wide. As noted elsewhere, Missoula IS NOT ALONE.

There are conversations about what to do with the north end long term, but the beer garden and the constraints about how alcohol was going to be provided and monitored in a way that allow the UM to reduce its risk and be compliant with alcohol beverage distribution laws made the north end the obvious choice. Removing seating that wasn't moving the moving the needle in terms of attendance AND not contributing significant revenue streams was a financial calculation.

Like it or not, unless they are given an financial incentive to change the current arrangement they have at Griz hoops games, it isn't going to change.

Makes sense. Attendance really fell off a cliff during the remodel and has never really recovered. *waves hands* because reasons.

 

[TrueGriz]

The athletic department isn't going to change it unless they are compelled to. That is what they said to students in 2000, and said about the beer garden when they opened it. They'll move it in the 1 or 2 games it matters, otherwise for every other 15 home games a year, it is going to have the bleachers pulled back and it'll be a place for a drink and to watch the game.

I've heard enough over the last two years from people who'd know, that it was worth it for the UM through the beverage contract and the sales to punt GA. This was a business decision and it was made a lot easier by how indifferent Missoula has become to efforts to boost hoops attendance. Maybe it alienates the casual fan, who leaned on the relative inexpensive tickets to attend, but it wasn't addressing the overall issues of tightening revenue streams within the athletic department. This wasn't waving the white flag, but rather yet another way to recruit more people to the games. It is aesthetically ugly but the bleachers always were. Moreover it reminds me of the crap-ass half measure remodel they did in 1999.

UM unlike a lot of lower mid-major schools, doesn't receive a lot direct financial aid from the state, they haven't fairly consistently for 25 years now. They've gotta balance budgets, and when they see a way to move the needle upward, to lessen the dependence on football revenues, they have to at least entertain it. It is hardly a failed venture, because at least attendance wise, the attendance is what it has been for the past decade, three to four thousand. Inflated, deflated or otherwise, those are the numbers.When they signed that beverage contract, it was done knowing what they'd recoup off of every beer sold and the overall value of the contract would be vastly better than what the status quo had become for Mens and Womens hoops. This is a systemic issue, and again knowing enough about it, they didn't make the decision to axe GA lightly.

I know that rankles some, but if the place was 80% full on most nights, it isn't a decision they make. This isn't the same hoops crowd and community that we had 30 years ago. You can blame style, students, admin or Travis, but the fans have stayed away fairly consistently for the 25 years of the Adams Center remodel. UM from 2000 on, at least from the mens program, has been an above average NCAA division 1 team, and record alone hasn't brought people in. They win 80-90% of their home games a year, players and coaches are likeable. A program the community should be behind, but isn't, and the more people pick nits it just seems like people are finding reasons to be disenchanted. Maybe I am dead wrong, but I get that it is hard not to go old man on the lawn when you see a Cat-Griz game crowd in Missoula not be at 100% capacity. Sooner or later, you just have to stop blaming admin and the policies and look at what trends are college wide. As noted elsewhere, Missoula IS NOT ALONE.

There are conversations about what to do with the north end long term, but the beer garden and the constraints about how alcohol was going to be provided and monitored in a way that allow the UM to reduce its risk and be compliant with alcohol beverage distribution laws made the north end the obvious choice. Removing seating that wasn't moving the moving the needle in terms of attendance AND not contributing significant revenue streams was a financial calculation.

Like it or not, unless they are given an financial incentive to change the current arrangement they have at Griz hoops games, it isn't going to change.

Makes sense. Attendance really fell off a cliff during the remodel and has never really recovered. *waves hands* because reasons.

Actually, there was a far greater fall off of attendance from 1991-92 to 1997-98 season, then there was from 1999-2000 to 2019-2020 season.

Average attendance for 1991-92 season was 7,034 fans. Average attendance for 1997-98 (last year before remodel) was 4,455 fans.
Average attendance for 1999-2000 season (first year after remodel) was 4,372 fans. Average Attendance for 2019-2020 (year before pandemic) was 4,025 fans.

So, attendance fell from 7,034 fans to 4,455 fans prior to remodel for 36.7% drop in attendance from 1991-92 to 1997-1998.
Attendance fell from 4,372 fans per game to 4,025 fans per game for a 7.9% drop in attendance from 1999-2000 to 2019-2020 season.

And attendance dropped from 4,455 fans to 4,372 fans during the remodel. 1.9% drop.

Average attendance for last season was 3,449 fans, so far greater drop was possibly the past 3 years. This years average attendance is 3,049 fans. Years between 2020-21 and 2020-2022 were heavily affected by pandemic. But it appears attendance is dropping off significantly the past 3 years. Not all of it is due to the pandemic. 14% drop off from prior to pandemic through last year. 24% drop off including this year. So, I sure hope the alcohol sales make up for the loss of attendance the past 3 years.

But the remodel did not cause the great fall off in attendance. It happened prior to the remodel and the past 3 years.

 

[Big Sage]

My seats are on the East side. I don't want to walk around the entire stadium to grab a beer. (I can't get through to the beer garden on the N.E corner.) I would buy a beer from the East side concessions if they had it like they did last weekend. Sell beer in the concessions, and open up the G.A. They would sell more beer and sell more tickets.

 

[mthoopsfan]

How does 3955 attendance for the LG v. Cats game rate?

 

[TrueGriz]

How does 3955 attendance for the LG v. Cats game rate?

Around 400 fans more than last years LG V Cats game.

 

[GrizLA]

Makes sense. Attendance really fell off a cliff during the remodel and has never really recovered. *waves hands* because reasons.

Actually, there was a far greater fall off of attendance from 1991-92 to 1997-98 season, then there was from 1999-2000 to 2019-2020 season.

Average attendance for 1991-92 season was 7,034 fans. Average attendance for 1997-98 (last year before remodel) was 4,455 fans.
Average attendance for 1999-2000 season (first year after remodel) was 4,372 fans. Average Attendance for 2019-2020 (year before pandemic) was 4,025 fans.

So, attendance fell from 7,034 fans to 4,455 fans prior to remodel for 36.7% drop in attendance from 1991-92 to 1997-1998.
Attendance fell from 4,372 fans per game to 4,025 fans per game for a 7.9% drop in attendance from 1999-2000 to 2019-2020 season.

And attendance dropped from 4,455 fans to 4,372 fans during the remodel. 1.9% drop.

Average attendance for last season was 3,449 fans, so far greater drop was possibly the past 3 years. This years average attendance is 3,049 fans. Years between 2020-21 and 2020-2022 were heavily affected by pandemic. But it appears attendance is dropping off significantly the past 3 years. Not all of it is due to the pandemic. 14% drop off from prior to pandemic through last year. 24% drop off including this year. So, I sure hope the alcohol sales make up for the loss of attendance the past 3 years.

But the remodel did not cause the great fall off in attendance. It happened prior to the remodel and the past 3 years.

I have a good friend in Charleston that is a devoted football fan (what Southerner isn't?) yet he was telling me that he thought there was simply way too much football on at all hours every day. In many leagues, and stadia, what's notable is the lack of crowds. So, he might be on to something. Every time I turn on the TV, there is a basketball game going on, high school, college, men, women, professional. Maybe, it is simply too much of a good thing for many people. the big tournaments and playoffs are consistent draws but league play, not so much. I don't know how to bring crowds into Dahlberg again, but I'm fairly certain it is not the availability of beer.

 

[Grizfan-24]

Every year we end up in the conversation, primarily among true believers that would attend most games every year, and some who haven't missed many over the past twenty years. If I were in Missoula, I'd be there. I got used to seeing announced crowds of 3-4 thousand, particularly early in the remodel era (03-04) and the actual numbers around 2-3 per game. Friends used to joke about all the ghosts that Hogan sold season tickets to in the Holst/Kennedy era. Learned for the fist time what paid attendance was rather than ticketed attendance. Better now than it was, but I think we all know it could be a lot better.

I can tell you that while the athletic department discussed whole facility alcohol distribution it would require a type of investment and certification they weren't as comfortable pursing now or maybe into the future. The liability is immense and the protocols that would be needed to sell it at concession stands wasn't a scenario they wanted to entertain both for football and for basketball. If the UM didn't directly control concessions, but rather farmed it out like the vast majority of professional ball parks to concession companies it might look a bit different.

Missoula isn't basketball bonkers like it was. Could be, but I sure as heck don't have an answer aside from bribing people to come or literally sweeping dorms and marching them to the Adams center for games. Since this isn't a kleptocracy or a military state, I think we are left with trying to improve the environment and the messaging. Both of which I am convinced could be a ton better, but what it should look like I haven't the foggiest.