Scheduling

[Bluethunder]

Not sure if this would work, and not sure if it is feasible at this point or if there is enough time to make it happen and work out the logistics, but hear me out on this.

We will be limited in our ability to play home games over the next two years due to renovations. We also have talked for years about the need to engage our alums and get them more involved in the program, attending games, donating, etc. Where are the vast majority of our alums,......Indianapolis.

What if we set up several (or a few) "home" games in Indy next year and the year after? Play them at Bankers Life, play them at the Fairgrounds, who cares, just play them somewhere in Indy. If we cannot get alums to the team, use this opportunity over the next two years to bring the team to the alums. And at each game have info about donating, info and mock ups of the renovations to the Hulman Center, updated pictures and videos of the campus and improvements, etc, hell play at IUPUI's on campus high school gym for all I care.

It's time to start thinking a little outside the box, and if we can't play in Terre Haute for awhile, Indy would be the next best thing. We can kill two birds with one stone. The team gets (hopefully) some decent crowds, alums get reintroduced to the team and the school can use it as a chance to reach out to alums who haven't been engaged, or haven't felt they have been asked to be engaged.

 

[IndyTreeFan]

Great idea!

 

[SycamoreStateofMind]

Not sure if this would work, and not sure if it is feasible at this point or if there is enough time to make it happen and work out the logistics, but hear me out on this.

We will be limited in our ability to play home games over the next two years due to renovations. We also have talked for years about the need to engage our alums and get them more involved in the program, attending games, donating, etc. Where are the vast majority of our alums,......Indianapolis.

What if we set up several (or a few) "home" games in Indy next year and the year after? Play them at Bankers Life, play them at the Fairgrounds, who cares, just play them somewhere in Indy. If we cannot get alums to the team, use this opportunity over the next two years to bring the team to the alums. And at each game have info about donating, info and mock ups of the renovations to the Hulman Center, updated pictures and videos of the campus and improvements, etc, hell play at IUPUI's on campus high school gym for all I care.

It's time to start thinking a little outside the box, and if we can't play in Terre Haute for awhile, Indy would be the next best thing. We can kill two birds with one stone. The team gets (hopefully) some decent crowds, alums get reintroduced to the team and the school can use it as a chance to reach out to alums who haven't been engaged, or haven't felt they have been asked to be engaged.

As if the HC is a home court advantage - I agree try and engage the Indy market. Worth a shot.

 

[Bluethunder]

I have not attended a home game at ISU since JO was still in uniform due to the distance from where I live, but if the team played games in Indy over the next two seasons, I would be at the ones on weekends, I guarantee that.

 

[SycamoreStateofMind]

I have not attended a home game at ISU since JO was still in uniform due to the distance from where I live, but if the team played games in Indy over the next two seasons, I would be at the ones on weekends, I guarantee that.

Indy & TH are so far away?? My uncle makes a game a year from Fort Wayne. ISUCC made a game a year from the Dakotas. I can go on...

 

[Jason Svoboda]

As if the HC is a home court advantage - I agree try and engage the Indy market. Worth a shot.

But the Hulman Center is a home court advantage, no matter the fan support. People need to remember that.

Lansing's teams are 80-35 at home, 37-69 on the road and 16-22 on neutral courts during his tenure.

 

[Jason Svoboda]

As for the original post, I think the issue is you're going to have a hard time selling tickets at a bigger venue and the cost to put on events are cost prohibitive.

Now, I think the Sycamores could possible do something at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum (where IUPUI now plays) as it has a capacity of 6,800 and depending on what program you play, it could probably be at least half full.

 

[TreeTop]

I believe I saw Golden tweet or mention in an article that we've got Wright State on the schedule for next year.

Don't know if it's home or away....but since it's a Dayton team, Indy would be an easy drive for their fan base.

 

[Bluethunder]

Indy & TH are so far away?? My uncle makes a game a year from Fort Wayne. ISUCC made a game a year from the Dakotas. I can go on...

Since Im on the east side of the state, going to Terre Haute adds two hours (one going, one coming back). So six hours in a car for a two hour event, not to mention getting through Indy traffic. Put the game in Indy and I am at two hours in the car, two hours at the game, and two hours back. Still not great but much better.

 

[Jason Svoboda]

The Indiana Classic - I figured, since we're the defending champs, the name is ours to use.

Saturday

Game 1 @ Noon: Indiana State (Missouri Valley) vs IPFW (Summit League)
Game 2 @ 2p: IUPUI (Horizon League) vs Ball State (Mid-American Conference)

Sunday:

3rd Place @ Noon: Game 1 Loser vs Game 2 Loser
Championship @ 2p: Game 1 Winner vs Game 2 Winner

4 different conferences and each fan base is expected to sell 1700 tickets. When you do this though, keep in mind the program cannot participate in other MTEs. I'd wager that this would be more beneficial to the program here and now.

 

[Fiji Bill 72]

Jason, thank you for your comments. You always seem to be on target, with solid comments.

 

[Fiji Bill 72]

The Indiana Classic - I figured, since we're the defending champs, the name is ours to use.

Saturday

Game 1 @ Noon: Indiana State (Missouri Valley) vs IPFW (Summit League)
Game 2 @ 2p: IUPUI (Horizon League) vs Ball State (Mid-American Conference)

Sunday:

3rd Place @ Noon: Game 1 Loser vs Game 2 Loser
Championship @ 2p: Game 1 Winner vs Game 2 Winner

4 different conferences and each fan base is expected to sell 1700 tickets. When you do this though, keep in mind the program cannot participate in other MTEs. I'd wager that this would be more beneficial to the program here and now.

Good idea, Jason

 

[Jason Svoboda]

As for the original post, I think the issue is you're going to have a hard time selling tickets at a bigger venue and the cost to put on events are cost prohibitive.

Now, I think the Sycamores could possible do something at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum (where IUPUI now plays) as it has a capacity of 6,800 and depending on what program you play, it could probably be at least half full.

The other thing you could do, if the facility is still in decent shape, is rent the Jungle from IUPUI. It sits about 1200 IIRC, which I'd hope you could sell out between your Terre Haute crowd "going to the big city" and the large alumni base in Indianapolis and surrounding areas.

Should be an easy sell out if you schedule a regional opponent. If the Indiana Classic I mentioned isn't doable, you could do IPFW or Ball State and split the tickets -- probably 70/30 with IPFW. Murray State, Morehead State, EKU, NKU, UIC, Wright State are others that may be interested.

 

[Bally #50]

The other thing you could do, if the facility is still in decent shape, is rent the Jungle from IUPUI. It sits about 1200 IIRC, which I'd hope you could sell out between your Terre Haute crowd "going to the big city" and the large alumni base in Indianapolis and surrounding areas.

Should be an easy sell out if you schedule a regional opponent. If the Indiana Classic I mentioned isn't doable, you could do IPFW or Ball State and split the tickets -- probably 70/30 with IPFW. Murray State, Morehead State, EKU, NKU, UIC, Wright State are others that may be interested.

Has anyone been in the "ISU Arena" where I think the Girl's Volleyball play lately? Have they permanently removed any of the old stands or is there a way to put them back in temporarily or add new ones and make the arena usable for some games? if they can sit 4K in there somehow, why not?

 

[TreeTop]

Has anyone been in the "ISU Arena" where I think the Girl's Volleyball play lately? Have they permanently removed any of the old stands or is there a way to put them back in temporarily or add new ones and make the arena usable for some games? if they can sit 4K in there somehow, why not?

They'll definitely be putting in temporary seating and will play some games there, only a question of how many games, and how much temporary seating.

 

[Bally #50]

They'll definitely be putting in temporary seating and will play some games there, only a question of how many games, and how much temporary seating.

Thanks Treetop. I hadn't heard anything and frankly, They could nearly pack it every night, make it an even better facility for V-ball, put temporary concession stands and some new restrooms, and we old timers could start sticking paper airplanes in the ceiling insulation once again. MAKE TICKETS hard to get, increase demand and add to the atmosphere, which we need so badly. Anyone remember the "color-code" system we had in the 60''s? RED game, BLUE game etc?

 

[Sycamore Proud]

I like it! I would hope it could be an annual event. Just flip opponents each year.

 

[Jason Svoboda]

Has anyone been in the "ISU Arena" where I think the Girl's Volleyball play lately? Have they permanently removed any of the old stands or is there a way to put them back in temporarily or add new ones and make the arena usable for some games? if they can sit 4K in there somehow, why not?

We’ve discussed playing in the Arena. BT is interested in barnstorming to take it to the alumni.

https://www.sycamorepride.com/showthread.php?38882

 

[bent20]

Thanks Treetop. I hadn't heard anything and frankly, They could nearly pack it every night, make it an even better facility for V-ball, put temporary concession stands and some new restrooms, and we old timers could start sticking paper airplanes in the ceiling insulation once again. MAKE TICKETS hard to get, increase demand and add to the atmosphere, which we need so badly. Anyone remember the "color-code" system we had in the 60''s? RED game, BLUE game etc?

Playing in a small arena sure hasn't held Loyola back. I like the idea.

 

[Sycamore Proud]

I hope the HC is not enlarged--cutting seating back to 8.5 to 9K would be great. Make it a little smaller, put a good product on the floor and pack the place. Those of you who missed the Arena in the mid-sixties missed a great atmosphere.