Last night's event at TCF

[MplsHammer]

Yeah, I didn't hear anything about it either. I changed sections this Summer and it would have been cool to check out the new angle.

 

[Eagan]

First my hope to move to the sunny side was rejected and now I find out I missed the party. I don't feel very valued right now.

There were seats available last night on the sunny side in the nondonation chairback sections. Call the ticket office tomorrow morning.

 

[GopherRock]

I heard nothing about it until I walked by the stadium about 8:15 last night and saw them tearing something down. I asked the guy at the gate what was going on, and was told to scram.

 

[Rickman55]

I'm a season ticket holder and also heard nothing about it. And regarding the post made about the militaristic presence at games, can't I go to a game and just enjoy the game, escape from what's going on in the world for three or so hours? I support the military and all the guys and gals serving, but we aren't a military academy.

 

[SelectionSunday]

My brother is a season-ticket holder and his two boys would have loved to come to this. When I mentioned it to him he said he never heard a word about it. No email, no mailing, nothing. Not everyone has the time to listen to Barreiro, peruse GopherHole or frequent Gophersports.com.

 

[gopherguy06]

I'm as big of a Gopher football rube as anyone, and I didn't hear a single word of any of this taking place. This is the first I'm hearing of it. I would assume that's why there was hardly anybody there. How did they publicize it? How did you hear about it?

P.S. I receive all the season ticket holder e-mails (or so I had thought), and I never received a single mention of this. Not a one. Also nothing through snail mail.

yeah I didn't hear anything about the event until now. No email or anything. I should look back at them. What was it called?

 

[MaxyJR1]

Did I miss the part about being entitled to everything that goes on with the Gopher Football program when I purchased my season tickets? I thought by buying my tickets I would get every freebee handed out at games and access to the team every time they do something. I heard Goldy visited a Park last week to hang out with kids, why was I not invited to be there? They didn't even ask my opinion on the NDSU game being a night game.

I'm sure they had a plan behind the event. Sounds like it was meant to be small.

I also knew nothing of the event until listening to KFAN the day of.

 

[GoAUpher]

I'm sure they had a plan behind the event. Sounds like it was meant to be small.

And I would argue that was a bad plan. If you are making it possible to see exactly what seats are open where why wouldn't you invite the folks who have already shown a willingness to spend their money on tickets? If the goal is to sell out the stadium then you should be getting everyone there that you can (or at least holding a second event for season ticket holders as well).

FWIW, I did received a notice about this (I think) as a STH. At the very least I noticed on GopherSports.com.

 

[dpodoll68]

Did I miss the part about being entitled to everything that goes on with the Gopher Football program when I purchased my season tickets? I thought by buying my tickets I would get every freebee handed out at games and access to the team every time they do something. I heard Goldy visited a Park last week to hang out with kids, why was I not invited to be there? They didn't even ask my opinion on the NDSU game being a night game.

I'm sure they had a plan behind the event. Sounds like it was meant to be small.

I also knew nothing of the event until listening to KFAN the day of.

Why should someone who doesn't even necessarily have season tickets be treated to a free meal (and free beer, from the sounds of it), a personal meeting with coach Kill, a free Gopher item, and a chance to visit the stadium, when those of us who have been paying thousands of dollars for season tickets for years don't get the same opportunity? Does that sound right? Does that sound fair?

It's just like any other service. There are plenty of examples, but I'm thinking of satellite/cable TV in particular. When you're a new customer, you're the cat's ass - get reduced rates, vouchers for free PPV rentals, etc. to reel you in and get you to sign up for a contract. Once you've been a customer for a while, they couldn't care less about you. Seems pretty much exactly like what this event entailed. For some strange reason, a lot of people in customer service don't seem to get that keeping the sale is just as important, if not more so, than winning the sale. "Oh, you're a long-term customer? Great! Thanks for not showing up! We don't care to show you our appreciation for your extended financial, time, and emotional commitment to our product! But I'm glad you asked!"

 

[MaxyJR1]

Why should someone who doesn't even necessarily have season tickets be treated to a free meal (and free beer, from the sounds of it), a personal meeting with coach Kill, a free Gopher item, and a chance to visit the stadium, when those of us who have been paying thousands of dollars for season tickets for years don't get the same opportunity? Does that sound right? Does that sound fair?

It's just like any other service. There are plenty of examples, but I'm thinking of satellite/cable TV in particular. When you're a new customer, you're the cat's ass - get reduced rates, vouchers for free PPV rentals, etc. to reel you in and get you to sign up for a contract. Once you've been a customer for a while, they couldn't care less about you. Seems pretty much exactly like what this event entailed. For some strange reason, a lot of people in customer service don't seem to get that keeping the sale is just as important, if not more so, than winning the sale. "Oh, you're a long-term customer? Great! Thanks for not showing up! We don't care to show you our appreciation for your extended financial, time, and emotional commitment to our product! But I'm glad you asked!"

Outside of the Spring Game what event is done for large crowds? Maybe Coach Kill wants small intimate gatherings so he can personally shake every hand and have one on one time. Maybe another one is planned. Kill has done many speaking engagements around the country to Gopher Fan groups and all are small and intimate.

 

[Curseislifted33]

It makes no sense to say that the goal of the event was to sell the remaining available season tickets, or increase ticket sales in general, and to at the same time say that you should not invite everyone possible. They have no idea who is going to end up buying new or additional tickets, so why would they intentionally exclude potential customers? Nobody in my family heard about this event and we have multiple season ticket holders, I hope that there was an error somewhere.

 

[GoAUpher]

Outside of the Spring Game what event is done for large crowds? Maybe Coach Kill wants small intimate gatherings so he can personally shake every hand and have one on one time. Maybe another one is planned. Kill has done many speaking engagements around the country to Gopher Fan groups and all are small and intimate.

If the goal was to offer an intimate event then they need to come up with something else for STH's. Otherwise they are making a big error from a sales perspective and and customer relations perspective (as noted by dpdoll).

 

[MaxyJR1]

If the goal was to offer an intimate event then they need to come up with something else for STH's. Otherwise they are making a big error from a sales perspective and and customer relations perspective (as noted by dpdoll).

You realize that 98% of season-ticket holders don't know of this site or that there was an event they missed out on?

 

[GOFUR]

I have had season tickets for 21 years and never received and e-mail or any notification of this event. I heard about it from my brother a day in advance. I would have gone but had a prior commitment. My point is that I know of at least two people that are on the fence about purchasing season tickets and given sufficient notice they may have gone down to TCF to shop for seats.

Good intentions by the U but not well planned?

 

[monk10]

I am sure I got a flyer via snail mail. I transferred my tickets under my father-n-law to ensure that we all got seats next to each other when the stadium opened. I am guessing they were trying to get me to buy tickets again.

 

[DLguy]

To all those up and arms about not being invited, you are already season ticket holders and do not have interest in buying additional season tickets. If everyone would have been invited, those free beers and food would have increased signficantly and cost the U a ton more money. This was an event strictly for potential season ticket holders. This was designed to let POTENTIAL season ticket holders an opportunity to come meet the coach, see what seats are available, and try to sell season tickets out of the deal. The target audience that was invited were past single game and mini pack buyers, MBB or MHO season ticket holders without season tickets, and those who have signed up for the Football Mailing List to receive information about new tickets.

From everything I have heard, this event was a great success, and they sold a bunch of new season tickets. Just as the hoped and planned.

To those complaining about not being given exclusive access to everything the program does, there are many other events you can attend across the state. They even have this big event for everyone during the spring game you can go to. Let's just step back a bit and realize this event for what it was intended for.

 

[dpodoll68]

you are already season ticket holders and do not have interest in buying additional season tickets

And you know this how?

If everyone would have been invited, those free beers and food would have increased signficantly and cost the U a ton more money.

I'm glad to know that the thousands of dollars I've spent (which is guaranteed money for them and already in the bank, by the way) is somehow not worth the $15-20 worth of free food and drink, but that same $15-20 worth of free food and drink is worth it for potential season ticket holders, who, again, may or may not have even purchased tickets. Do you not see the fault in that logic? Why is Joe Schmoe off the street, who, again, may walk out of the stadium with zero season tickets and contribute $0 to the U's coffers, entitled to an intimate gathering with Jerry Kill, a free gift, and free food and drink on the U's dime? Meanwhile, I, who have contributed thousands of dollars and invested time and energy on cheering for the program's fate for more than a decade, am entitled to nothing?

To those complaining about not being given exclusive access to everything the program does, there are many other events you can attend across the state.

So I, a multi-year season ticket holder, have to drive to Rochester or Owatonna and sit in a VFW hall to shake Jerry Kill's hand and get a free gift and meal, but Joe Schmoe, who theoretically may have contributed little or nothing in financial and emotional investment to the U, gets to drive a few miles across town and do it in a beautiful stadium on a gorgeous night? I'm glad to see that I'm so "valued".

They even have this big event for everyone during the spring game you can go to.

I was not at the spring "game" (Easter conflict), but I know people who were. Tell me, where was the part of the stadium where the meet-and-greet with Jerry Kill and the free food, gift, and drink were held? I didn't hear about any of that.

Let's just step back a bit and realize this event for what it was intended for.

Ok, great. Just let us know when the same event for current season-ticket holders is going to be held. What's that, you say? There isn't one planned? Interesting.

 

[GoAUpher]

You realize that 98% of season-ticket holders don't know of this site or that there was an event they missed out on?

Doesn't mean it's a good idea not to include them.

 

[GoAUpher]

To all those up and arms about not being invited, you are already season ticket holders and do not have interest in buying additional season tickets. If everyone would have been invited, those free beers and food would have increased signficantly and cost the U a ton more money. This was an event strictly for potential season ticket holders. This was designed to let POTENTIAL season ticket holders an opportunity to come meet the coach, see what seats are available, and try to sell season tickets out of the deal. The target audience that was invited were past single game and mini pack buyers, MBB or MHO season ticket holders without season tickets, and those who have signed up for the Football Mailing List to receive information about new tickets.

From everything I have heard, this event was a great success, and they sold a bunch of new season tickets. Just as the hoped and planned.

To those complaining about not being given exclusive access to everything the program does, there are many other events you can attend across the state. They even have this big event for everyone during the spring game you can go to. Let's just step back a bit and realize this event for what it was intended for.

I'm going to back off my concern that STH's weren't at this event in light of some of the comments posted. The narrow focus is probably a good one as they could tailor the event to entice non-STH visitors into buying. I definitely think the event had a clear purpose and if what Dlguy is hearing is true then it was also a success.

What I would like to focus on is my concern that they are shorting themselves opportunities both in sales and customer service. I would argue that with a venue that is not sold out running a version of this event for STH's would be a good thing. It is another chance to connect with your fanbase and it is a great chance to publicize the seats that are remaining to be sold in the hopes that your loyal STH's will also see the value in getting some prime seats while they are available.

There are less expensive ways to accomplish the goal of selling seats, but the U isn't really doing anything with those either. If the upgrade process is over and anyone can buy any seat that is available why not send out a seatmap showing the locations of the open seats?

 

[anticallihan]

How many people even knew about the event? I did not, but would have gone for sure.

Now let's start hammering the marketing department. And I'm serious. How tough would it have been for them to get some ads on KFAN, tell the listeners that they can tour the locker room, etc. It needs to start somewhere, but they don't even know how to get the oars in the water.

I knew, and got a mailer. At the same time, I didn't need to go because I have had my seats for two years.

It was kinda like that for me...

 

[Flatfoot]

I do remember hearing about this once, but I don’t know where or even when I heard it.

I admit I didn’t pay much attention to it at the time, because I thought “why would I want to see the seats I sit in?” I assumed there would have to be something else to this, like free ice cream, handouts, or something, etc. I also assumed there would be more information coming out, either here on GH (hard to miss anything Gopher related) or in the media somewhere about the event.

When Unregistered said that DB from FAN was going to be on the air live in the afternoon at TCF, with Q and Kill, I put the two together...by then it was too late.

 

[DLguy]

Dpo, did you not read what the intended audience was for this? This wasnt a fan appreciation event for season ticket holders, this was an opportunity to reach out to those they KNOW are interested in season tickets but have not purchased. I am guessing the money they spent on this was less than the cost of putting up one billboard. Which was more effective? Hard to say, but this method was very successful. And Dpo, are you interested in purchasing new seaon tickets? If not, this event was not intended for you. If so, you probably should have bought them while renewing, or at least put your name on the list of people showing interest. I too am a season ticket holder, I too donate a good chunk of change to the U each year. Never was I informed events like this were part of that agreement with the U.

I was not informed of this event until I heard Barriero talking about it. Am I upset? Not in the least bit. This was not intended for me.

For crying out loud. All this board does is b!tch about how the U doesnt do enough to market the team and try to get new season ticket holders. The one time they do, they get bashed because they didnt invite people who already have season tickets and are not the target audience. But obviously Dpo knows best always, and its his way or no way at all.

 

[dpodoll68]

I wouldn't have gone to the event (scheduling conflict). That's not the point. I have no problem with the narrow audience of this particular event. Presuming, of course, that a similar event (replete with free food and beverage, free gift, and intimate setting with Jerry Kill) takes place for season ticket holders.

Just answer me one question: Do you think it's fair that non-season ticket holders are wined and dined, showered with gifts, and get to shake hands with Jerry Kill, while season ticket holders get nothing?

 

[Monty519]

If it was only for prospective season ticket people (which is speculation right now, isn't it?) then why would they advertise it at all on like KFAN and on the Gophersports site in the first place? Wouldn't a simple email to those "interested" parties be all you'd wanna do if you want to maintain an intimate setting amongst potential buyers? Like, if I heard it was going down last week on KFAN but I have no interest in buying tickets and just wanna rub elbows with Kill, would I have been kicked out or something?

 

[monk10]

If it was only for prospective season ticket people (which is speculation right now, isn't it?) then why would they advertise it at all on like KFAN

Pretty sure no self-respecting Gopher fan listens to KFAN (well at least until the season starts)

 

[DLguy]

I wouldn't have gone to the event (scheduling conflict). That's not the point. I have no problem with the narrow audience of this particular event. Presuming, of course, that a similar event (replete with free food and beverage, free gift, and intimate setting with Jerry Kill) takes place for season ticket holders.

Just answer me one question: Do you think it's fair that non-season ticket holders are wined and dined, showered with gifts, and get to shake hands with Jerry Kill, while season ticket holders get nothing?

Wined and dined and showered with gifts? Are you kidding me? The opened up TCF, put tags on all the available seats to purchase as new season tickets, and offered a few beverages and some hot dogs. Do you realize that probably cost them $5 per person? Big frickin deal. And maybe they are trying to set up something for season ticket holders. The last coach did everything possible to not have to host events like that. Maybe Kill is different and their will be something. But also consider the cost of doing that for $60,000 people when you consider you would need to do it with other sports as well.

I buy season tickets and a tailgate spot. Do you know what I expect from that? My seats to each game, my parking spot for tailgating, and knowing I am gonna have a blast each Saturday I attend. But that might be just me. I am a more positive person and dont bitch and moan about everything and always feel I am getting shafted.

 

[dpodoll68]

Wined and dined and showered with gifts? Are you kidding me? The opened up TCF, put tags on all the available seats to purchase as new season tickets, and offered a few beverages and some hot dogs. Do you realize that probably cost them $5 per person?

Do you realize that you're making my argument stronger? If it only cost them $5 per person, what's the harm in inviting all the season ticket holders as well? My thousands of dollars and time and emotional investment isn't worth $5 to them? (Also, $5 per person is absurdly low if the rumors of free beer and a gift for each attendee are true.)

Big frickin deal.

You don't think the chance to meet Jerry Kill, shake his hand, and ask him a question is a big deal? It sure is to me. Maybe to all you high-rollers up in the ticket office, this is an everyday occurrence, but it sure isn't for us plebes over here in the medical school.

And maybe they are trying to set up something for season ticket holders.

When is this event going to take place? Fall practice starts in about 3 weeks.

And if they do hold this supposed event (which they won't), I will withdraw all objection, as I have already stated.

The last coach did everything possible to not have to host events like that.

Link?

But also consider the cost of doing that for $60,000 people when you consider you would need to do it with other sports as well.

Why would you have to do it for other sports? Says who?

And what on Earth would make you think 60,000 people would show up? They can't even get 60,000 people to come to a game, but 60,000 people are going to show up for a free meal and a meet-and-greet? There may have been 1,000-1,500 people there, at most.

I buy season tickets and a tailgate spot. Do you know what I expect from that? My seats to each game, my parking spot for tailgating, and knowing I am gonna have a blast each Saturday I attend. But that might be just me. I am a more positive person and dont bitch and moan about everything and always feel I am getting shafted.

That's all the more I expect out of it as well. But I also don't expect people who are paying $0 to get a chance to have a free meal on the University's tab as well as get the chance to shake Jerry Kill's hand and visit with him for a while, while I get nothing.

 

[DLguy]

I dont work in the ticket office, or even at the U. I work downtown. If you need to shake Mr. Kill's hand so bad, go over to his office, or go to the many other events he is at. He also spoke to the students earlier this year. You were not the target audience there, but surely you must have been extremely upset that he would meet with that target audience. I am pretty sure they havent paid for their season tickets at that time.

Do you by any chance work with Bill Gleason? That guy almost complains about everything as much as you.

Let us also figure out cost. How much is one beer? $1? Give them 2, now we are at $2. Throw in a few hot dogs? Are we maybe up to $4 spent by the U. Holy canoli, how can they do that? Not sure of any gift, but if there was one it is probably something that didnt cost much.

You may not be a basketball ticket holder, but they started doing a lot of fan appreciation stuff during the basketball season, and I am sure that will carry over into football as well. They honored long time basketball season ticket holders this year which was a very nice tribute to them.

Just please except this event as a positive way to bring in more season ticket holders and fans, only making everyones game day experience better. Try to not be so damn negative all the time. The Wolves didnt do any thing for me this year, and they had the worst product ever. You know what, that is fine. And they have a lot more money to spend then a school trying to break even.

 

[dpodoll68]

If you need to shake Mr. Kill's hand so bad, go over to his office

Yeah, that's normal behavior. I'm just going to walk into his office, talk to his secretary, and say that I would like a meeting with coach Kill. That sounds perfectly reasonable and sane. Also, I'm sure they just let people off the street come in and meet with coach Kill all the time. Further, as a Gopher fan, clearly I would want to distract him from whatever he's doing to take the time to meet with a random rube like me. Are you familiar with the concept of "opportunity cost"?

or go to the many other events he is at

I don't stalk Jerry Kill and/or have access to his personal calendar. Sorry. I also don't show up at random events to which I'm not invited. Maybe that's how you roll, but not me.

He also spoke to the students earlier this year. You were not the target audience there, but surely you must have been extremely upset that he would meet with that target audience. I am pretty sure they havent paid for their season tickets at that time.

Clearly, students (who pay tuition and are automatically stakeholders in the football team's success whether they want to be or not) are the same thing as random people who may or may not have purchased a single-game ticket at one time or another. Great analogy.

Let us also figure out cost. How much is one beer? $1? Give them 2, now we are at $2. Throw in a few hot dogs? Are we maybe up to $4 spent by the U. Holy canoli, how can they do that? Not sure of any gift, but if there was one it is probably something that didnt cost much.

Again, not sure why you keep bringing this up. You are only making my argument stronger.

You may not be a basketball ticket holder, but they started doing a lot of fan appreciation stuff during the basketball season, and I am sure that will carry over into football as well. They honored long time basketball season ticket holders this year which was a very nice tribute to them.

That's awesome, but I'm not a basketball ticket holder, and that has nothing to do with me. I'm also fairly sure they didn't wine and dine non-season ticket holders either.

Try to not be so damn negative all the time.

What the hell are you talking about? I'm one of the most positive people on this board. Putting fools in their place with their terrible takes on everything doesn't make me negative.

The Wolves didnt do any thing for me this year, and they had the worst product ever.

Do you suppose they had a wine-and-dine, meet-and-greet with Kurt Rambis for non-season ticket holders? I didn't get the e-mail if so.

And they have a lot more money to spend then a school trying to break even.

By your own admission, you claim it didn't cost them very much, so why do you keep bringing up the cost as though it's detrimental to inviting season ticket holders?

 

[Maximus]

Yeah, that's normal behavior. I'm just going to walk into his office, talk to his secretary, and say that I would like a meeting with coach Kill. That sounds perfectly reasonable and sane. Also, I'm sure they just let people off the street come in and meet with coach Kill all the time. Further, as a Gopher fan, clearly I would want to distract him from whatever he's doing to take the time to meet with a random rube like me. Are you familiar with the concept of "opportunity cost"?

If only Coach Kill would've had every single spring football practice open to the general public giving them every opportunity to shake his hand following each practice. Oh well, what a pipe dream. Or if only Coach Kill would've let the fans come down on the field after the spring game. Yeah, not in our lifetime.

By your own admission, you claim it didn't cost them very much, so why do you keep bringing up the cost as though it's detrimental to inviting season ticket holders?

28,000 season ticket holders x $5 = $140,000. I'm sure the U has that lying around for events to make you feel all warm and fuzzy.