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Post by ohsixrain on Apr 30, 2014 8:34:17 GMT -5
I don't get this conversation, we are football fans...save $1 dollar a day for football season from the end of the season until the new season. I have a commercial water bottle that I throw my silver in to get rid of my change, I've counted five hundred dollars at one point at years end. My point is proaction beats reaction. If you love the game, the team, the school, plan for it!!! I get your point, but people have other passions. Ticket pricing is a balancing act between the demand for the product and what people are willing to pay. The tough part about HBCU athletics is that people dont like to pay for non-rival games. I don't see the issue as being that...the issue for us is being able to generate enough revenue to maintain athletic operations. Are there untapped revenue streams....Possibly! However, it's neither here nor there, the AD has to deal with what he has in hand and if that isn't covering expenses, that means deficit in some area(s) of operations. Until those revenue streams are tapped and we get generate this revenue, what's the solution? I don't doubt fundraising efforts are taking place but, to what end. Have those efforts remedied our problems...? If the answer is "NO," then, what other alternatives are there in the immediate short-term? That's the issue as I see it.
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Post by ohsixrain on Apr 30, 2014 8:38:34 GMT -5
I get your point, but people have other passions. Ticket pricing is a balancing act between the demand for the product and what people are willing to pay. The tough part about HBCU athletics is that people dont like to pay for non-rival games. I don't see the issue as being that...the issue for us is being able to generate enough revenue to maintain athletic operations. Are there untapped revenue streams....Possibly! However, it's neither here nor there, the AD has to deal with what he has in hand and if that isn't covering expenses, that means deficit in some area(s) of operations. Until those revenue streams are tapped and we get generate this revenue, what's the solution? I don't doubt fundraising efforts are not taking place but, to what end. Have those efforts remedied our problems...? If the answer is "NO," then, what other alternatives are there in the immediate short-term? That's the issue as I see it.
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Post by Aggie Monster on Apr 30, 2014 13:04:52 GMT -5
I didn't in the past, but NOW I think our ticket prices are at their max. I didn't mind the increase last year or even the one before that, but now I believe they are as high as they can go and it not seriously effect attendance.
The ideas for revenue have to become more creative and someone has to find a formula that works for us. Fundraising and sponsorship ideas need to be more effective. You have the greatest "think-tank" in the hbcu world at their disposal in my opinion. This website. If it was my job to come up with more effective fundraising and sponsorship I would tap you guys all day EVERY day for ideas and wouldn't be ashamed about it.
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Post by The Professor on Apr 30, 2014 15:06:06 GMT -5
Too late....for what?? How do you mean? What I'm realizing is we live in a country of haves and have nots...we want to compete on the same playing field and win championships against the "Haves" but, in terms of giving/contributions, we are "Have nots!" So, what's the alternative to a "Have Not?" You raise prices on the product that you are selling. You cannot blame them for trying, unless we get donations that will at least exceed the cost of scholarships, expect more of the same. So, to call it greed isn't relevant to the discussion...if we are trying to keep pace with the best FCS programs in the country then, it is necessary. Otherwise, stop trying to compete on that level. I think you both are really on the same page, though the Professor may be at the end of the page. I hear him saying, that we can only milk the price cow for so long before it stops producing the quantity needed. I think everybody will agree that we are behind the other FCS schools/conferences in revenue resources now. If we don't lay the foundation now for revenue streams other than student fees and and the price cow, we will just be further behind the "Haves" in the future and it will be to late at some point . . . to late to really compete. I agree it's not greed, it's only the easiest thing to do. Exactly. Every way to make money should be looked at. I've even said we approach an Ice company like Triangle Ice etc and ask them to be a sponsor. For their money , they get to be the official ice provider in the tailgate areas. Have a truck parked and they can sell ice to tailgaters. That's the out of the box thinking i wanna see. Another 3 to 5K to the pot. I see raising prices as nothing more than not wanting to put forth the effort
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oleschoolaggie
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Post by oleschoolaggie on Apr 30, 2014 15:48:54 GMT -5
I see raising prices as nothing more than not wanting to put forth the effort quote of the year!! couldn't have said it better!!
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Gator
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Post by Gator on Apr 30, 2014 16:32:55 GMT -5
If there are those amongst you that have revenue generating ideas/skills that's not being implemented and can do the job successfully, step forward. If not then this subject is mute.
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aggierattler
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Post by aggierattler on Apr 30, 2014 19:41:01 GMT -5
If there are those amongst you that have revenue generating ideas/skills that's not being implemented and can do the job successfully, step forward. If not then this subject is mute. Man, I've developed a whole BOOK on that!!
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Post by marchingband1969 on Apr 30, 2014 22:07:18 GMT -5
I have lifetime seats so ticket prices have never been an issue for me but...I agree that just raising ticket prices every year is not the answer. In fact, that the laziest, least creative approach to raising revenue. A half empty stadium tells me one of two things... your product isn't valued by the public or the public isn't aware of the value of your product. Let's face it, we are the world's worst at marketing our athletic products. In fact, I hesitate to call what we do with our team as "marketing." I don't know any of the folks in the sports marketing area but based on that fact, I would venture to guess that they aren't very good at what they do. You see if they were any good at marketing sports they would be more visible to avid sports fans. They would be on this site asking for marketing ideas. They would be involved with the Alumni Association asking for suggestions or marketing advice. Well they're not asking. So every year they dream up some dumb slogan "Still Locked In," they print a few posters and they cross their fingers and hope someone shows up for games. Forget about raising the ticket prices... hire more creative people for our marketing team instead!
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Post by The Professor on May 1, 2014 1:16:49 GMT -5
If there are those amongst you that have revenue generating ideas/skills that's not being implemented and can do the job successfully, step forward. If not then this subject is mute. I just gave one idea. Please give me a contact persons information.
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Post by numberonebrave on May 1, 2014 6:08:01 GMT -5
(I see raising prices as nothing more than not wanting to put forth the effort........) YESSSSSSSS
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Post by Bigboy on May 1, 2014 7:40:50 GMT -5
Those life time seats was probably one of the worst ideas that any school has ever come up with. I don't blame the people that jumped on that deal because I would have also. Can you imagine the money that we have lost by not being able to sale those seats?? Like I said, worst idea ever!!!
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Post by ohsixrain on May 1, 2014 8:56:34 GMT -5
Well, I can agree with '69s point that we are the worst at marketing our product in athletics. Now, I will say everyone shares the blame and responsibility for this. Firstoff, we have not place marketing our athletics product as a priority nor have we exhausted all the resource on campus available to us. We spoke in a separate thread about synthetic turf vs. natural turf...it doesn't matter to me but, I'm in agreement if we stick with the natural turf, do whatever necessary to have it look nice from game 1 to the last game of the season. Now, how do we do that? If you have to reach out to the Agriculture department for assistance, why is that conversation not being had. Second, if A&T has one of the best Business Schools among HBCUs, why haven't the powers that be reached out to the Marketing Department for promotional/marketing ideas? Thinking outside the box is not happening and we tend to be satisfied with it. I'm almost sure if Chancellor Martin can at least have the conversation with the Business School Dean to understand the feasibility. And to that point, how about hire a Marketing graduate from A&T in a marketing role within Athletics, someone that will have an interest in what he/she does. We'll go as far to hire someone in the position be do they really have a vested interest in the outcomes of their undertaking? Our university operates in silos almost like the "right hand does not know what the left hand is doing." That's an inherent issue...but, until we tap those resources expect raising ticket prices.
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Aggie77
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Post by Aggie77 on May 1, 2014 11:46:22 GMT -5
If there are those amongst you that have revenue generating ideas/skills that's not being implemented and can do the job successfully, step forward. If not then this subject is mute. C'mon man! Granted there is enough blame to go around, but the University has elected strategically to let an all volunteer affiliate organization to be the primary athletic fundraiser. It's been my experience volunteers do what they can, when they can, as best as they can out of love for the University, but they ain't out beating the streets for sponsorships or donations, or tie in promotions, etc. More importantly, it's a thankless job, you know, you're on the front line. A prime example is "365 - A Dollar A Day to See the Aggie Play" campaign, remember that? Dude ran the program independent of any University support (but with their knowledge), collected $8 or $9K, even awarded prizes. Proof of concept complete, this works! Where was the University in year two? Dude couldn't get the University to even trademark the slogan under their umbrella. We/they expect volunteers to works all day, tend to the family, and still have time to run a fundraising program for someone else. When the DC Chapter" Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) funds story is complete, I'm gonna have narrative on that fiasco. I'll probably get excommunicated after I write that. Maybe someone can tell me why the University doesn't take the lead in implementing a nationwide CFC program. I guess my point is, yes we need ideas and people, but the University has to positively, absolutely, put a professional organization in place that will coordinate and direct these ideas and people. Right now as an example, y'all have a golf tourney, we have a golf tourney, Charlotte has a golf tourney, for all we know they could be on the same day. If it was coordinated we could have a spring/summer tour of the coaches at these events. Maybe we could coordinate some type of group sponsorship deal?
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oleschoolaggie
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Post by oleschoolaggie on May 1, 2014 12:02:57 GMT -5
Well, I can agree with '69s point that we are the worst at marketing our product in athletics. Now, I will say everyone shares the blame and responsibility for this. Firstoff, we have not place marketing our athletics product as a priority nor have we exhausted all the resource on campus available to us. We spoke in a separate thread about synthetic turf vs. natural turf...it doesn't matter to me but, I'm in agreement if we stick with the natural turf, do whatever necessary to have it look nice from game 1 to the last game of the season. Now, how do we do that? If you have to reach out to the Agriculture department for assistance, why is that conversation not being had. Second, if A&T has one of the best Business Schools among HBCUs, why haven't the powers that be reached out to the Marketing Department for promotional/marketing ideas? Thinking outside the box is not happening and we tend to be satisfied with it. I'm almost sure if Chancellor Martin can at least have the conversation with the Business School Dean to understand the feasibility. And to that point, how about hire a Marketing graduate from A&T in a marketing role within Athletics, someone that will have an interest in what he/she does. We'll go as far to hire someone in the position be do they really have a vested interest in the outcomes of their undertaking? Our university operates in silos almost like the "right hand does not know what the left hand is doing." That's an inherent issue...but, until we tap those resources expect raising ticket prices. ohsix, you're right, but i think the reason for all of that is because a&t has never placed a high priority on athletics. we have had a culture for many years where athletics has been "de-valued" and outright "neglected". so until we change our culture, expect the same level of effort to raise funds as in the past. however, i will give credit to dr. martin and his administration. they have made "noticeable" and improved changes to our athletics. don't know how they're doing it, but it appears to me that most of our athletics are now being properly funded (in terms of scholarships/budgets) relative to the rest of the meac. that has not always been true in the past. i mean, i could go down the list to show what improvements have been made. but just to name a few, we don't have any "near winless" teams anymore, our websites are now on par with the rest of the meac, volleyball has finally made a comeback, our big 3 (football, mbb, wbb) all have been contenders for an meac championship over the last couple of years, bowling has made a comeback, we've soldout our panels on the aggie jumbotron, and most of all, naming rights for our new pressbox. so i think things are moving in the right direction and i'm very encouraged. but like most of you, i still feel a lot more can be done...
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Gator
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Post by Gator on May 1, 2014 17:05:40 GMT -5
Aggie77,
I digress!!!
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