For months now, Athletic Director Bill Hayes has been floating around the idea of fencing in Bragg Stadium parking lot and limiting access to on football game days to only individuals with tickets. As Hayes has explained it, in various settings, everyone in a vehicle entering the Bragg Stadium parking lot on game day would have to have a ticket. That ticket will be scanned upon entry in to the stadium parking lot. Also, pedestrian traffic into the stadium parking lot would be limited to only individuals with tickets.
If all goes according Mr. Hayes' plan, the new fence and parking lot policy would be in place by the start of this fall's football season.
How do you feel about the athletic director's proposal?
I understand what Mr. Hayes is trying to do, however my advice is to drop it and market the program better.
ReplyDeleteLast year, no one wanted to see Rubin Carter's Rattlers. This year will probably be different.
ReplyDeleteIf an individual pays for booster parking, they should be allowed to park in the stadium whether they have a ticket or not. Its not just the football game, its the entire atmosphere; vendors, spectators, etc. Last year we didn't get our extra homecoming tickets that we paid for in advance and we weren't about to pay another $160 for tickets so I opted not to go to the stadium. However, since we had a paid booster spot, my husband tried to get me to go and hang out. Under Hayes' proposal I wouldn't have that option. Let it go Bill
ReplyDeleteA word of advice Bill, there are more pressing issues within your department. Don't create a problem when none exsist.
ReplyDelete5/12/2008 8:57 AM
ReplyDeleteAmen. I hope this plan is shot down as quickly as it was proposed.
Leave this alone Bill, you still have time to save face, this advice don't cost you nothing
ReplyDeleteThis is not Winston Salem or North carolina Central.Where the expected crowd is about 3,000.The idea that you have or had, will work at these schools ,espically NOT AT FAMU.Put that bottle down and think with some sense.
ReplyDeleteWhy would you play with fire, who are your advisers? no good can come from this "trust me"
ReplyDeletewhat a knuckleheaded idea. does the man simply believe that people go to games JUST to watch the game??? people go to games to mingle, chill, hang out, etc. that's the fun of it. people see football games all the time, but how often do folks get to be amongst old-school buddies and have old-school and new-school fun. horrible idea. bill needs to stick that idea up the old crevice.
ReplyDelete5/12/2008 10:02 AM
ReplyDelete"Put that bottle down and think with some sense."
Roflmbao...classic
1-800-559-9503
i think is it a good idea!..people that pay and really want to watch the games don`t have anywhere to park because of people that are just in the parking lot trying to sale something and drink...
ReplyDeleteif we want our football program to move forward, we need to change..this is a start..do you know how much money famu football could stand to gain? this could got toward a NEW STADIUM that is well over due..rattlers wake up!! it`s 2008
ReplyDeleteI haven't been on campus in some time; but, don't students use the parking lot during the week when they commute to campus? I know I did "back in the day" when I commuted to SBI. Unless the athletic and public safety departments work together to make good use of Bragg's parking lot throughout the week, it will only be a waste of space save four home games a year.
ReplyDeletethe fence will not affect students during the week..this is for game day only..anyway student never fill up the parking lot anyway..they rather park illegal than to walk or catch the shuttle from bragg stadium..
ReplyDeletemy god...walking through "the estates" aka polkinghorne was a pasttime...this isnt a good idea at all!
ReplyDeleteI'm a booster and a season ticket holder. However, I have some reservations about this proposal:
ReplyDeleteHow will this proposal affect parents/family/friends of football players who have to pick up their tickets right outside of the stadium? It's possible that one can be a booster and a relative of a football player.
Is the Booster organization prepared to refund money back to members who reap the benefits of membership by parking at stadium but who don't attend games?
Again, I'd be interested to learn more about the rationale behind the proprosal and other logistics, but my initial gut feeling is that this plan seems quite counter productive.
I've felt that the best way to improve home attendance is to improve the product on the field and the teams we compete with at the Bragg. Games against the likes of Southern and other SWAC teams are always a big draw b/c they bring their fans and the games are usually competive and the college-day atmosphere is second to none.
I like it. Make FAMU more exclusive. If you want to have fun, you have to pay to play. That's how all real programs function in college football. FAMUans will have to wake up. Not to mention that probably everyone who commented save one guy has not donated one red cent to Athletics. Let the boosters vote on this one however, they are the ones you have to please.
ReplyDeleteI do beg to differ. There are more folks out there to please than just the boosters. Anyway, why is Mickey Clayton still around? I thought his days had been numbered or maybe I was just hoping so!
ReplyDelete8:57,
ReplyDeleteWhat football stadium have you been to where the parking lot is fenced in all Levenworth style like a prison? You are crazy! This is a dumb idea.
Simply making all the parking slots immediately around the Bragg that aren't designated for our paying Boosters $100.00 a game (the equivalent of 4 General Admission Tickets) - even Homecoming - would solve most of what the AD's trying to accomplish.
ReplyDeleteThat way ... whether you actually went inside the Stadium or not, you've paid like you did.
As much as I understand - and agree with - the rationale for the move, the potential for a logistical nightmare, as well as a P/R backlash, is just too great for my liking.
We can't force anyone in the Stadium who doesn't want to go - and given the sorry shape of it, you can't totally blame folks - but, we also don't have to allow a whole lot of unpaying squatters to continue to occupy prime slots just because "that's how it's always been".
It's indeed time to get with the 21st Century ... But - I also think slightly better ways than what's being proposed may be worthy of discussion.
I do not like the idea and neither does many of the people I have conversed about it with. There are so many things that could be affected. Even though it is time for FAMU to move forward, some things are better left unbothered (no it's not a word...but i like it). First of all, why change tradition...what with the vendors and all--it creates a more festive atmosphere and what's it to you. Second, how in the heck can you tell the Boosters, they can't park in a space that they are paying for...you definitely don't want to make them angry and lose their support. Third, what about the tailgaters? FAMU young Alumni hosts several different tailgates throughout the year behind the ROTC building...and Homecoming is the most anticipated tailgate. You definitely don't want to get on their bad side either.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't you just have security monitor and check the cars for Booster membership before entering the parking lot...I mean...come on? And when they are both entering and exiting the parking lot, why not have a certain barracaded area just for cars to enter through, which will not interfere with the crowds.
What you all NEED to CONSIDER are reasonable ticket prices. Why is it that children's tickets are the same price as regular tickets? FAMU used to offer children's ticket prices years ago. You all are not considering the families who have more than one or two children and who would like to take their children to the games but cannot afford to purchase a $20 or $25 ticket. How about considering selling $10.00 children's tix. Even FSU sell children's tickets (or at least they used to). This has been a topic of discussion for years but have fallen on deaf ears. How about looking into that Bill and President Ammons.
ReplyDeleteNow, there's something to consider. If you want to make FAMU like other schools, how about offering children's tickets like many of the other schools, especially the HBCUs. I've inquired about that quite a few times myself.
ReplyDeleteBut I also want to go on record saying that I oppose the idea of placing a fence around the stadium as well. I think you will alienate more people, thus causing more harm than good. This reminds me of when President Gainous blocked off the Gamble Street thru way to SBI, College of Education, FAMU High, Pharmacy...making it extremely difficult to get to these places and causing unnecessary traffic problems. The one good thing that CAST-Hell did was have them removed and it alleviated much of the traffic congestion.
THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ALL DOING AND THE LONG-TERM EFFECT!
LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE
ReplyDeleteTHAT GOES TO SHOW YOU, THAT BILL HAYES HAS NO VISION.HE'S USE TO DIVISION II CROWDS.I STILL SAY HE'LL BE GONE THIS TIME NEXT YEAR. HE'S JUST WORKING ON RETIREMENT AND AMMONS HELPED HIM OUT.
ReplyDeleteActually, the children (ages 3-13) season ticket price is $50, which averages out to $10 a game with 5 home games. Of course, if a person chooses not to purchase season tickets for a family of 4: two adults and two kids (cost $300), s/he can always purchase the family package: $50 for 4 tickets for each game, except Homecoming.
ReplyDeleteThese prices are reasonable. If we want to generate more revenue, we need to market the program (i.e., games, stadium, band, etc.) to corporate sponsors and generate more local and regional support.
Today's top athletic programs recognize that ticket sales only provide so much revenue. We need to market the Rattler brand and not just to Rattler alumni and fans.
I truly believe this year's team will mark the beginning of our resurgence and return to the elite. Now it's important that we all--school administrators, alumni, boosters, corporate sponsors, and local/regional partners--support the team, like we should have during the height of the Billy Joe era.
GO RATTLERS!!!
There are also individual game priced tickets for kids too but not on game day. If you wait until the last minute to buy your tickets, then you have to purchase an adult ticket for a child.
ReplyDeleteNot a good idea. We're still looking for the vendors to come back since they were thrown to the intramural field in 2003. We have always had the makings of a great events. Just make them better. I'm more concerned with how he plans to get the stadium filled with people wearing orange and green who pay attention enough to cheer for the team throughout the game. Not just after something has occured like we're at a golf or tennis match. Geez. The band is the soundtrack for a great game, let them play! Create a better relationship, make sure they undrestand the game, understand them. They're not there for themselves nor to be reduced to snippets and soundbytes or be grossly bootlegged without profit or thanks. I'm sure they'd rather be fully engaged in the experience so not to be fixed on the scores of friends and alumni of other Black college bands who religiously attend our home and away games like the popparazzi. Its awkward at times that the band isn't ready to play once the team is in the red zone making effort to score. Even not being ready to play for a touchdown or field goal. Don't assume that we all know the game the same. The Rattler Gameday Experience is second to none when it is seamless and well directed. That morale transfers elsewhere too. Make us feel that we are missing out on some of the greatest events inthe state when we're not in the crowd. No matter the sport.
ReplyDeleteWhy is the University in the habit of penalizing and admonishing its own family--alumni and supporters. If I buy a Booster Park, more than likely, I will also have a ticket--it just makes sense.
ReplyDeleteIt is not the University's job or responsibility to be arbiters of people's social behavior. What the Athletic Departments needs to spend more time doing is capitalizing on the ready made consumer base found at the games--university vending, promotions, fundraisers, game day souvenirs and beat the pavement with them rather than turn awy possible consumers.
Ammons is a good and decent man of impeccable class and integrity--everyone on his team should be indicative of the same and should not be in the business of creating enemies of the University with absurd, unkind non-collegial rules and policies.
If I'm a booster and having a tailgate party and want to invite others that don't have a ticket, I should be able to do that. The only place you can see clearly is from the hill. at one time they put up a tarp. One would have to be foolish to think everyone that comes to the game is going in the game. I've seen people with tickets that don't go in the game. I don't think the fence is a good idea.
ReplyDelete