oleschoolaggie
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Post by oleschoolaggie on Jun 26, 2019 14:50:13 GMT -5
i know we've had this discussion in previous years, but now that the buzzards have returned to the meac for almost 10 years, i'm wondering if any opinions have changed. plus, not much going on this time of year, so there's not much else to talk about.
i've attended every aggie/eagle football game (both home and away) since we resumed playing the buzzards about a decade ago. most of the those games were scheduled at the end of the season usually in november when the weather starts getting "cold".
over the last 5 or 6 years or so, both us and the buzzards were top meac championship contenders which should draw more interest from the fans. however, we've been playing those "championship implication" games in november and i don't recall us ever "selling out" aggie stadium during that time. to me, i think the "weather" has been a major factor in that regard.
i can remember leaving the buzzards stadium one year before the game was over because i almost "froze to death" in the stands without a heavy coat on, i "literally" ran back to my vehicle as a means to keep warm and reduce the amount of time it would normally take to get to my parking space if i walked. so i think the cold weather "adversely" impacts attendance in november.
when we last discussed this topic several years ago, "i think" most aggies preferred playing the buzzards at the end of the season. i suppose i was in the minority because i preferred to play the buzzards at the "beginning" of the season during labor day weekend since we drew our largest crowds during that time in the past.
now that we've experienced november matchups with the buzzards when fan interest should've been at its peak, how do ya'll feel about continuing to play the buzzards in november? personally, i think we would "easily" sellout aggie stadium if we played the buzzards during labor day weekend. this year's elon game "might" bring 15k or 16k to aggie stadium during labor day weekend, whereas it would be an "easy" sellout if that were the buzzards (or even wssu).
what's your take? stay the course? or, change the course?
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saabman
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Post by saabman on Jun 26, 2019 15:57:57 GMT -5
i know we've had this discussion in previous years, but now that the buzzards have returned to the meac for almost 10 years, i'm wondering if any opinions have changed. plus, not much going on this time of year, so there's not much else to talk about. i've attended every aggie/eagle football game (both home and away) since we resumed playing the buzzards about a decade ago. most of the those games were scheduled at the end of the season usually in november when the weather starts getting "cold". over the last 5 or 6 years or so, both us and the buzzards were top meac championship contenders which should draw more interest from the fans. however, we've been playing those "championship implication" games in november and i don't recall us ever "selling out" aggie stadium during that time. to me, i think the "weather" has been a major factor in that regard. i can remember leaving the buzzards stadium one year before the game was over because i almost "froze to death" in the stands without a heavy coat on, i "literally" ran back to my vehicle as a means to keep warm and reduce the amount of time it would normally take to get to my parking space if i walked. so i think the cold weather "adversely" impacts attendance in november. when we last discussed this topic several years ago, "i think" most aggies preferred playing the buzzards at the end of the season. i suppose i was in the minority because i preferred to play the buzzards at the "beginning" of the season during labor day weekend since we drew our largest crowds during that time in the past. now that we've experienced november matchups with the buzzards when fan interest should've been at its peak, how do ya'll feel about continuing to play the buzzards in november? personally, i think we would "easily" sellout aggie stadium if we played the buzzards during labor day weekend. this year's elon game "might" bring 15k or 16k to aggie stadium during labor day weekend, whereas it would be an "easy" sellout if that were the buzzards (or even wssu). what's your take? stay the course? or, change the course? Don't change a thing . I enjoy the game being played as is with the implications of a championship on the line . I'm a true football fan as your are OSA and if it's not freezing rain or below 36 degrees or blow zero temperatures I'm good with it . For me the true football fans show regardless of the weather as long as it's not extreme . But the Fairweather fans are the ones that constitute a problem and it doesn't matter to them if the game is played in July the chances of them showing up is 50/50 . Labor Day weekend is usually the Beach weekend , family reunions weekends for most families and college students and I don't think that will change because of a Football game being played .
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Post by aggie2039 on Jun 26, 2019 17:19:24 GMT -5
I believe playing in November is better for the players morale too. Imagine playing D State as the last game of the season in November, stands will be empty.
Aggie/Eagle being the last game of the season guarantee a great crowd for the last game.
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Post by Aggie Monster on Jun 27, 2019 7:29:28 GMT -5
Of course it should stay. It's actually been more revenue OVER the entire season to hold it last when its at home. The warm games are still decently attended without it being NCCU.
Played SC State back in like 2010 to close the season with 10K fans, but our team was horrible then. NCCU is going to draw 18-22K no matter when we play them, but play someone else in November and your risking a 7K crowd if its really cold.
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Post by marchingband1969 on Jun 27, 2019 7:37:16 GMT -5
Having lived and sometimes suffered through the Aggie/ Eagle game for over 50 years, I say leave it right where it is. It's perfect as the last regular season game.
As for attendance, hell do a better job promoting the darn game. In fact, do a better job promoting all games played in Aggie stadium. Hey, GHOE everybody shows but for most home games only the usual A&T fans show up and a few visitors. Let's get creative and work on getting more of everyday folks from around the region to attend.
Let's not screw around with the date to somehow put more butts in the seats. Let's fix that problem with better marketing!
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Maxell
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Post by Maxell on Jun 27, 2019 8:02:12 GMT -5
I agree. Our marketing folks need to do more than make posters, one pre.season commercial, and a t.shirt. Go out and talk to the people in Greensboro (market analysis) and see what we new to do to get butts in ALL the seats.
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Post by The Professor on Jun 27, 2019 8:52:02 GMT -5
No. Game needs a warmer date imo. This game used to pull in 40 to 50 in a classic format. No since it cant sell out aggie stadium home game.
My recommendation is that we start a new tradition. Like the 1st Sat in Oct. For now on the 1st sat is when we play. Something u will always know. It will be warm and better weather
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Post by Aggie Monster on Jun 27, 2019 9:19:44 GMT -5
No. Game needs a warmer date imo. This game used to pull in 40 to 50 in a classic format. No since it cant sell out aggie stadium home game. My recommendation is that we start a new tradition. Like the 1st Sat in Oct. For now on the 1st sat is when we play. Something u will always know. It will be warm and better weather The game pulled in 40K because it was actually marketed like marchingband1969 said. Once it went away from "classic" format and became a regular conference game the extra marketing stopped.
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oleschoolaggie
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Post by oleschoolaggie on Jun 27, 2019 9:33:58 GMT -5
NCCU is going to draw 18-22K no matter when we play them, but play someone else in November and your risking a 7K crowd if its really cold. monster, i could be wrong and i'll check later, but i don't think we've ever drawn more than 18k against nccu at home since we've been playing them in november once they rejoined the meac...
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bluehaze
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Post by bluehaze on Jun 27, 2019 10:16:20 GMT -5
2017 - 21,500 2015 - 18,409 2013 - 16,052 2011 - 18,413 2009 - 19,539 (played in October)
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oleschoolaggie
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Post by oleschoolaggie on Jun 27, 2019 11:02:06 GMT -5
2017 - 21,500 2015 - 18,409 2013 - 16,052 2011 - 18,413 2009 - 19,539 (played in October) interesting. i believe the 2017 game was a "blackout" game if i remember correctly. and if we soldout that game, that re-enforces the notion that "marketing/promotions" could increase attendance in november. funny how times have changed. back in the day, marketing/promotions were not necessary to sellout a home game against nccu or wssu. matter fact, there was also a time when home games against scsu were automatic sellouts too. it seems that nowadays we have to work harder to attract fans to our games. to me, i'm pretty sure increased ticket prices may have had something to do with that. also that 27 game losing streak was very difficult to come back from in terms of bringing back the fans that we lost during that period of time. i see advantages and disadvantages of playing the aggie/eagle either at the beginning or the end of the season. but for me, i enjoyed playing the aggie/eagle during labor day weekend more than in november because the crowds are much bigger and i personally rather see "eye candy" dressed in summer outfits rather than winter clothing...
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Maxell
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Post by Maxell on Jun 27, 2019 11:34:34 GMT -5
2017 - 21,500 2015 - 18,409 2013 - 16,052 2011 - 18,413 2009 - 19,539 (played in October) ...and i personally rather see "eye candy" dressed in summer outfits rather than winter clothing... The truth comes out.
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oleschoolaggie
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Post by oleschoolaggie on Jun 27, 2019 11:46:44 GMT -5
...and i personally rather see "eye candy" dressed in summer outfits rather than winter clothing... The truth comes out. well, at least i'm honest about it...
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aggieclt
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Post by aggieclt on Jun 27, 2019 12:23:58 GMT -5
[FYI - We had two home sellouts in 2017 - GHOE and the Aggie/Eagle.]
Rivalry weekend is the last week of the regular season. We are rivals regardless of record(s)! We should play on rivalry weekend.
Now....with that being typed, IF a tradition was started where we played on a consistent date annually AND we were paid more that what we'd receive for a home sellout game after expenses, then that would be something to explore.
We are a mere 9 weeks away from Elon week..................................................
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Post by AggieGroove on Jun 27, 2019 12:41:21 GMT -5
Can someone pull the Aggie Eagle claasic attendance when it was played in Raleigh?
I think the attendance was shrinking with each passing year....
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