Student Section @ FB Games + Tailgate

[Tanner]

Hey everyone,

I'm currently serving as the President of Student Government Association at State, meaning I've been tasked with improving student attendance at athletic events - a lofty goal that has been on the mind of the University for years.

Part of our approach has been to ask students, especially our culture leaders on campus & athletes, why they don't go to games. For football - we noticed a common theme: the only space students typically find to tailgate isn't close enough to the student entrance. Whether or not this excuse makes sense to a logical person is debatable, but neverthless I intend to take away all possible excuses for not going to Sycamore home games.

We want to dedicate a student tailgate section directly next to the student entrance (the far west gate) - a reinvigorated version of "The Valley". One of the possible barriers we've identified is pushback from the people who currently tailgate there. I know, with 95% certainty, it will get more students in games, what I don't know is how other fans will react. As Sycamore fans, what do y'all think of students having a dedicated tailgate area right next to their entrance?

 

[bluestreak]

I'm okay with it. I''l tailgate somewhere else if it gets student butts in the seats.

 

[#33]

Hey everyone,

I'm currently serving as the President of Student Government Association at State, meaning I've been tasked with improving student attendance at athletic events - a lofty goal that has been on the mind of the University for years.

Part of our approach has been to ask students, especially our culture leaders on campus & athletes, why they don't go to games. For football - we noticed a common theme: the only space students typically find to tailgate isn't close enough to the student entrance. Whether or not this excuse makes sense to a logical person is debatable, but neverthless I intend to take away all possible excuses for not going to Sycamore home games.

We want to dedicate a student tailgate section directly next to the student entrance (the far west gate) - a reinvigorated version of "The Valley". One of the possible barriers we've identified is pushback from the people who currently tailgate there. I know, with 95% certainty, it will get more students in games, what I don't know is how other fans will react. As Sycamore fans, what do y'all think of students having a dedicated tailgate area right next to their entrance?

Great idea, anything we can do to get students to the games, we should average 9k/game, I was at the record attended game of 18k plus, it was very cool, 1982 I think??

 

[CicrtckySycamore]

Hey everyone,

I'm currently serving as the President of Student Government Association at State, meaning I've been tasked with improving student attendance at athletic events - a lofty goal that has been on the mind of the University for years.

Part of our approach has been to ask students, especially our culture leaders on campus & athletes, why they don't go to games. For football - we noticed a common theme: the only space students typically find to tailgate isn't close enough to the student entrance. Whether or not this excuse makes sense to a logical person is debatable, but neverthless I intend to take away all possible excuses for not going to Sycamore home games.

We want to dedicate a student tailgate section directly next to the student entrance (the far west gate) - a reinvigorated version of "The Valley". One of the possible barriers we've identified is pushback from the people who currently tailgate there. I know, with 95% certainty, it will get more students in games, what I don't know is how other fans will react. As Sycamore fans, what do y'all think of students having a dedicated tailgate area right next to their entrance?

Long time since I have been in the student shoes (ISU '93), but wondered what kind of plugging and incentives (sponsored food, shirts, etc) early on to create the excitement to go? I really like the videography that I have been seeing on Facebook and Twitter, but also wonder how much students are watching those.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[niklz62]

So if I'm standing facing the main arch entrance, the student entrance is to the left of that? Like where Pacesetters puts their sales tent? I thought the entrance was in the southeast corner. That would seem like the easiest place to put it. I'm all for whatever gets students in the game

 

[eagletree]

So if I'm standing facing the main arch entrance, the student entrance is to the left of that? Like where Pacesetters puts their sales tent? I thought the entrance was in the southeast corner. That would seem like the easiest place to put it. I'm all for whatever gets students in the game

I am pretty sure that is where the students enter too even though they sit towards the west side. I think the best place for student tailgating would be where tent city is usually held. That is next to the student entrance and they would have a larger area without trees for recreational activities.

 

[Jackson0330]

Either way, I hope you can attract students to the game and as an alumnus the students are the priority so anywhere at the stadium would do. Hope to see more students root the Sycamores and wish you success.

 

[sycamore tuff]

If the students won't come in the stadium because they have to walk a little then they probably don't want to go in. I use to ride the bus to the stadium then walk back to campus. Of course the students were not as fat back then either.

 

[TreeTop]

Hi Tanner,

I rarely attend football games, so my only input on the matter is...

Anything to get more students at games.

And...

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

 

[WhenSycamoresWereIndians]

Do whatever it takes to get more students there. What about shuttles to/from campus?

 

[Tanner]

Long time since I have been in the student shoes (ISU '93), but wondered what kind of plugging and incentives (sponsored food, shirts, etc) early on to create the excitement to go? I really like the videography that I have been seeing on Facebook and Twitter, but also wonder how much students are watching those.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We used to hand out a bunch of tshirts and free-food before the game, but found out students just grabbed it and left. So we are going to hold off on handing out t-shirts until halftime / throwing them into the crowd.

The videos coming out of athletics have been spectacular - the Director of Pride & Traditions for SGA is working closely with athletics to get the Forest plugged into some of those to build excitement... Anything 1 minute or less, students are typically watching and sharing frequently.

 

[Tanner]

So if I'm standing facing the main arch entrance, the student entrance is to the left of that? Like where Pacesetters puts their sales tent? I thought the entrance was in the southeast corner. That would seem like the easiest place to put it. I'm all for whatever gets students in the game

There are two - the entrance we hope to use more often is on the West side by the Pacesetters tent (where most students tailgate).

 

[Tanner]

I am pretty sure that is where the students enter too even though they sit towards the west side. I think the best place for student tailgating would be where tent city is usually held. That is next to the student entrance and they would have a larger area without trees for recreational activities.

The majority of students, especially the culture leaders and large groups we're hoping to target, typically set up (to tailgate) on the West side of the stadium near the student area. We've found students who park on the east side and walk in from that side of the stadium usually come to the games without much coercion so there's not a whole lot of opportunity/need to try to pull those students in with more resources.

 

[Tanner]

If the students won't come in the stadium because they have to walk a little then they probably don't want to go in. I use to ride the bus to the stadium then walk back to campus. Of course the students were not as fat back then either.

You are completely right, most students don't want to go in right now. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible to convince those students who don't want to go in to give it a try - once we get them in we believe we can create an exciting atmosphere to make them want to come back.

We have buses to and from (free for students) as well as Uber in TH now - so usually not many end up walking

 

[Tanner]

Do whatever it takes to get more students there. What about shuttles to/from campus?

Shuttles are offered for free to-and-from campus, however most students don't take advantage of them due to a not exactly positive image surrounding them. Part of our plan is to eventually add Sycamore decorations and bring speakers/ Spirit Team members on the bus to get students hyped up on their way to the game - almost like creating a free party bus

 

[eagletree]

Shuttles are offered for free to-and-from campus, however most students don't take advantage of them due to a not exactly positive image surrounding them. Part of our plan is to eventually add Sycamore decorations and bring speakers/ Spirit Team members on the bus to get students hyped up on their way to the game - almost like creating a free party bus

Really like all the ideas. I would like to see them allow the freshman students to lead the football team out at the first game. I remember when they did that a few years back and there were lots and lots of freshmen that made the run across the field. It was sort of cool. Definitely think it would add to the amount that would come to begin that tradition.

 

[niklz62]

I really feel that the SE corner where tent city is would be the best location. Its mostly empty all season.

 

[GoBlueISU]

I really feel that the SE corner where tent city is would be the best location. Its mostly empty all season.

I agree with this.

Where you are proposing moving students is where player's parents tailgate as it is right outside of the player locker room. I believe they typically grill out for the players after the game in that area as well. Most students are gone by the end of the first quarter, even those that make it in.

 

[niklz62]

I feel like its a good place to fill in to make it look busier too.

 

[Sycamore Proud]

Might be cool to have the students enter the stadium a few minutes before game time as a group while clapping, cheering, singing, screaming and be greeted by the fans already seated. They could remains standing and cheering (when appropriate, for kickoff. I know, we will be lucky to get the there, entering like this is a dream. Maybe it's just another of my dumb ideas.