Teague: What we have to do is establish some great traditions in the stadium

[BleedGopher]

Why haven't University of Minnesota students been coming to Gopher football games in bigger numbers?

We haven't won. That is not all of it, but it's a big part of it. What we have to do is establish some great traditions in the stadium and you've got to have some consistent winning. And I'm not talking about going 12-0, I'm just talking about consistent winning. We have to work to overcome things that are in our way there.

http://www.postbulletin.com/news/stories/display.php?id=1506453

Go Gophers!!

 

[gopherdudepart2]

They have to do more than just win, first step reverse the screwed up tailgating

Situation. My brother gave up his two season tickets after the first season in TCF because of the clusterbleep tailgating situtaion (St Paull most people park and ride over to the U and then there are people that hog up way to many spots for the $10 they paid, have some decency to not be a pig and leave trash all over)
It is more than just the losing and Brewster ball. The students have been signaled out since student housing, game day operations athletics and Maturi instituted the breathalizers at the gate and the ID policy for tickets. I know why they did the ID's but the breathelizer is stupid. They need to stop treating the U students like Criminals and make them welcome even if they are partying. The river flats, this is where we should get the students to congregate. They need a place like downtown where they can crank the music, go a little crazy, sneak in there friends and have a good time. The booze breath tests have to go. If they did that at a Vikings game half the stadium would be empty. Maturi tried really hard to be this anti fun, touchy feely, kombI ya, everyone bring there bans, make the visitors welcome and lets have a alcohol free game day experience and the legislature didn't help with the stupid beer and wine legislation. If we can do anything to flush the reminants of the Maturi doctrine on fun we would have a head start.

From the city of Minneapolis denying the private parking lots (At the behest of the University) I might add the right to charge and tailgating, to the $2,000 to $1,000 dollar donations decision for parking passes in the lots that sit fairly empty next to the stadium we have an administration that has effed up the good will of the stadium in a strong way. The stupid family fun zone that not many like on the blocked off street. My brother even said a donation request for a few lots really near by was probably OK but actually build the atmosphere where people become accustomed to paying $50 a visit for tailgating and maybe a ($10 parking charge) would have made more sense as it would have exposed more people and help build the brand before going after every last dollar. We all realize the U needs to make revenue but where is the value of allowing so many lot spaces to sit empty? The U killed tailgating before they even allowed it to grow and for people to develop an appetitie and taste for it.

 

[hoialmen]

(this is the segway I've been waiting for to uncork a rant I've been bottling up for years)

Yes, I agree, as long as by "great traditions" he doesn't mean more Tires Plus Tire Races, or Hormel Hotdog Rows of Fame or Subway Sandwich Guy slinging hoagies into the crowd. The number of sideshows at Gopher football games has gotten to the point where it has rendered the game virtually unwatchable. I've been to most of the BigTen stadiums for games and I can say with a high level of confidence that none of them come close to offering the level of grab-a$$ during games that we do. It's embarrassing. I can understand if you're the Saint Paul Saints and you have come to accept that the fans do not and will not ever take your team seriously, so you need the sideshows to keep them entertained through 3 hours of insufferable baseball. I would expect the University of Minnesota to have a little more dignity than that. If anyone expects Gopher football to ever return to national prominence and to be taken seriously by the rest of the conference/league, we really need to stop acting like a minor league program. Make college game days at TCF Bank Stadium less about your sponsors and more about football and let the team entertain the fans, not the Mall of America mascots running around on the sidelines.

Why haven't University of Minnesota students been coming to Gopher football games in bigger numbers?

We haven't won. That is not all of it, but it's a big part of it. What we have to do is establish some great traditions in the stadium and you've got to have some consistent winning. And I'm not talking about going 12-0, I'm just talking about consistent winning. We have to work to overcome things that are in our way there.

http://www.postbulletin.com/news/stories/display.php?id=1506453

Go Gophers!!

 

[disco]

They actually had breathylzers? How is that even possible?

 

[Gopher07]

IIRC, they breathalyzed anyone who appeared to be intoxicated.

 

[GoAUpher]

From the city of Minneapolis denying the private parking lots (At the behest of the University)

Any proof on this one? The restrictions from the City were on the books well before TCF.

 

[disco]

And under what standard were they not admitted?
That is just insane...

 

[Gopher07]

And under what standard were they not admitted?
That is just insane...

Ah, nevermind, I found an article. http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/63191677.html?refer=y

Looks like if you were kicked out in the past, you had to pass a breathalyzer test to come back. It was modeled after UW-Madison's policy and seems entirely reasonable to me.

 

[gopherfield]

I know many undergrads personally who like the Gophers and care about the Team, but don't want to go to the games. Remember, most undergrads are between 17 and 20 years & 11 months old. They want to party on game day. They stay in their Frat houses and other venues and party in the yard and house and watch the game. Just not at TCF. Also, at the U of MN's urban campus, we have (and always have had) many more Hipsters than places like Iowa City. They don't care about Football or any sports for that matter whether winning or not. They might even want to protest if the team and game was more visible on campus.

 

[Gopher07]

I know many undergrads personally who like the Gophers and care about the Team, but don't want to go to the games. Remember, most undergrads are between 17 and 20 years & 11 months old. They want to party on game day. They stay in their Frat houses and other venues and party in the yard and house and watch the game. Just not at TCF.

See, this is the part I don't get. I think you can overcome the tailgating snafu with students because a lot of them will have some place - an apartment, house, dorm, whatever - nearby to pregame and party. Great, party aspect is taken care of, students can imbibe and get acquainted with members of the opposite sex. But why not just move the party from the pregame to the stadium? Why isn't it cool to go to the stadium? I get a feeling that a lot of students do watch the game but don't make their way over to TCF and it's uber lame.

 

[Ole]

Why haven't University of Minnesota students been coming to Gopher football games in bigger numbers?

We haven't won. That is not all of it, but it's a big part of it. What we have to do is establish some great traditions in the stadium and you've got to have some consistent winning. And I'm not talking about going 12-0, I'm just talking about consistent winning. We have to work to overcome things that are in our way there.

http://www.postbulletin.com/news/stories/display.php?id=1506453

Go Gophers!!

I've got the simple(VERY simple) plan for solving the tailgating/student/lack of party atmosphere.
Take the smallest lot currently allowed to tailgate, probably a small interior one.
Make it 10 bucks first come first served. Open it at 6.
Only the very loyal and very dedicated would try to show up that early, by the time the kids wake up, the party will be rocking, a consolidated group of diehard tailgaters will make more atmosphere and party noise than the few I see roll in the lots and spread out early on gamedays.

Students will then take notice, hear, and see an opportunity to party at a central location, call their freinds and all will have a good time.

Students then will congregate earlier and earlier as the season goes on to grab the limited lot space, eventually it will be either students or extreme die hards at that particular lot. The U can isolate the party as they obviously want to, AND allow for organic traditions/gameday experiences to grow.

 

[disco]

But why not just move the party from the pregame to the stadium? Why isn't it cool to go to the stadium? I get a feeling that a lot of students do watch the game but don't make their way over to TCF and it's uber lame.

Because they don't want to stop drinking. It's that simple.

 

[Gopher07]

Because they don't want to stop drinking. It's that simple.

If that's the only reason, there's nothing the University can do outside of opening up alcohol sales to everyone, which will never happen. So I guess we just have to win and make people want to "be there" for the big moments. Which is basically what Teague said.

 

[Ole]

If that's the only reason, there's nothing the University can do outside of opening up alcohol sales to everyone, which will never happen. So I guess we just have to win and make people want to "be there" for the big moments. Which is basically what Teague said.

They don't need to sell it to the students. They need to allow for students to party unhindered in public, like EVERYONE ELSE IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL.

 

[gophmeister]

I trust Teague not to be the pansy-a$$ed schoolmarm badger mole MACturi was. Plus the city changed the rules about private businesses selling parking spaces in their lots. Last year for sure I saw people tailgating in the alley lot behind the US Bank off of Oak. I think they should let business invite in charitable organizations like the Lions Club to run beer gardens with food as a way to raise money and add to the party. There might be a little blow back from places like Sally's, etc, but there definitely something they should think about. Not everyone wants to tailgate, but they'd like to get some quick food and a drink before the game.

 

[disco]

They don't need to sell it to the students. They need to allow for students to party unhindered in public, like EVERYONE ELSE IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL.

Like I said in another thread here. If they really wanted a great college football atmosphere, all they need to do is visit a dozen or so major college football schools and see what goes on (and what is allowed). As I said, even at schools like Ole Miss that don't win, people still want to go for the party.

 

[Wouldn't You like to Know]

They don't need to sell it to the students. They need to allow for students to party unhindered in public, like EVERYONE ELSE IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL.

This^^^

The majority of Football Fans (excluding the diehards) go to Football games for the atmosphere/party. I can't count the number of people that I personally know on one hand that go to the game just to watch football. People want to enjoy the day and binge drink let's be honest so instead of restricting this behavior let's embrace it! I don't know many college kids that can afford to pay $50.00 to tailgate so partying at home prior to the game is just fine with me. But the kids don't want to show up to a sober family friendly environment. They want a raucous stadium full of people partying, period!

 

[Wouldn't You like to Know]

By the way @itsRonJohnson is trying to start a #GopherFootballTwitterTailgate with the Gopher Greats make sure to follow him for details.

 

[Gopher07]

They don't need to sell it to the students. They need to allow for students to party unhindered in public, like EVERYONE ELSE IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL.

The students would still have to stop drinking to go to the game. My point earlier was that stopping their drinking cannot be the only reason students don't go to games.

Honestly, in my opinion, it's student and city culture. The University rules have very little to do with it. At schools in other larger towns (Madison, Ann Arbor), the students don't tailgate all that much in my experience.

They do have enormous house parties that spill out onto front yards all over the place. The city of Minneapolis doesn't allow that, or at least is much more strict to it than other places. I recall a party at Michigan where we were told by the police to clear the street in front of a house party because an ambulance was coming through. Note we all had open containers and most of us were underage, the party had just spilled from the front porch to the front yard to the street, although we weren't causing any big trouble. The police just didn't care about citing people that weren't really out of control.

If that same party happens in Minneapolis, you bet they'd be in there handing out citations like Oprah on a baked ham.

So, now, our students party at a house - but it can't be too raucous - and then walk to the stadium. Their students party at a house - it doesn't matter how raucous - and then walk to the stadium. Their students want to be at the stadium to have a shared experience for those "big moments". We haven't had a "big moment" for the casual fan in a long time. Getting ourselves in a position to have a big moment, or giving students the reason to attend so they can witness the big moment - is the best method to getting their butts in the seats IMO.

 

[Gopherdrummer]

Putting up a sign saying "$10 First Come First Served" will probably solve every atmosphere issue talked about here. Heck, it could probably be $50 and people would show up in droves.

Students could easily split that cost among a few friends. They could be close to the stadium, the bars in stadium village should supplies not last, and have ample parking after the game should they choose to indulge in campus bars or frat parties etc.

There is no excuse for why the parking lots next to the stadium are mostly empty 30 minutes before kickoff. There is no excuse for why cars can still easily drive anywhere in stadium village (logistics be damned, Oak street should be closed off by McNamera and that whole area should look like any street at the state fair). We need to get to the point where anything goes for tailgating before the game (unless it is obvious that someone should be put in detox). If students show up to tailgate with a little "maroon" wagon with a keg in it, they can be the first ones in the lot.

 

[Wouldn't You like to Know]

At schools in other larger towns (Madison, Ann Arbor), the students don't tailgate all that much in my experience.

Breeze street is Raucous with tons of students it's like mini frats!

 

[Eagan]

Follow the lead of the MLS Portland Timbers. Major League Soccer used to market to families, trying to attract soccer moms and kiddie soccer players. Now the focus is on the 18-34 year old demographic. If you attend a sold-out Timbers game at Jeld-Wen Field, you will see a passionate fan base of people who identify with their team, currently in last place. The Timbers Army chants and sings throughout the game while waving flags and scarves. Beer flows, smoke bombs are set off, and you will hear the occasional obscenity. The electric atmosphere is a party that young Portlanders feel they need to be at!

http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2011/03/portland_timbers_target_mls_so.html

 

[Gopher Warrior]

If that's the only reason, there's nothing the University can do outside of opening up alcohol sales to everyone, which will never happen. So I guess we just have to win and make people want to "be there" for the big moments. Which is basically what Teague said.

Say what? That's exactly what the U just did. Beer sales are open to the entire stadium.

One thing they should do is let students buy additional season ticket strips on the day of the home opener if there are a ton that have gone purchased... and let those without a student ID enter with a student ticket.

 

[Deleted_User]

Any proof on this one? The restrictions from the City were on the books well before TCF.

Isn't that unconstitutional, as in, the U is a self autonomous republic, grand fathered to self govern, and unable to swill beer from a boot.

 

[mplsbadger]

Say what? That's exactly what the U just did. Beer sales are open to the entire stadium.

One thing they should do is let students buy additional season ticket strips on the day of the home opener if there are a ton that have gone purchased... and let those without a student ID enter with a student ticket.

The whole reason they make you show an I'd is price differentiation. So let recent grads buy student tickets. Seems easy.

 

[Parski1]

Tailgating, drinking, binge drinking, frat house drinking, a new stadium, supporting your student athletes....none of this matters.....in the end it comes down to winning. Win and they will FINALLY show up. At least I hope.

 

[natotornado]

I think we need to look a bit deeper and not just talk about what happens before the game, but I think we need to create a post game atmosphere so that people stick around and continue to enjoy the game day experience. Even though I can not stand Madison, what I appreciate about the atmosphere is that the game day fun continues well afterwards for the fans too. We have a lot of great tailgating ideas already listed above, but I think we need to start thinking about our own version of the 5th Quarter. Students on other campuses party before the game, and still make their ways to the stadium. We need to get them to enjoy the pre-game, during the game, and post game experience like many of us do.

 

[Ole]

The students would still have to stop drinking to go to the game. My point earlier was that stopping their drinking cannot be the only reason students don't go to games.

Honestly, in my opinion, it's student and city culture. The University rules have very little to do with it. At schools in other larger towns (Madison, Ann Arbor), the students don't tailgate all that much in my experience.

They do have enormous house parties that spill out onto front yards all over the place. The city of Minneapolis doesn't allow that, or at least is much more strict to it than other places. I recall a party at Michigan where we were told by the police to clear the street in front of a house party because an ambulance was coming through. Note we all had open containers and most of us were underage, the party had just spilled from the front porch to the front yard to the street, although we weren't causing any big trouble. The police just didn't care about citing people that weren't really out of control.

If that same party happens in Minneapolis, you bet they'd be in there handing out citations like Oprah on a baked ham.

So, now, our students party at a house - but it can't be too raucous - and then walk to the stadium. Their students party at a house - it doesn't matter how raucous - and then walk to the stadium. Their students want to be at the stadium to have a shared experience for those "big moments". We haven't had a "big moment" for the casual fan in a long time. Getting ourselves in a position to have a big moment, or giving students the reason to attend so they can witness the big moment - is the best method to getting their butts in the seats IMO.

Spot on.
I really don't want to spend all week on this topic, but if the city is the main problem then the U needs to lean on the city in the court of public opinion.
Call their bluff and get them to allow tailgating everywherein private lots/loosen up restrictions on parties/open containers, etc.

My bet is the U's upper administration is lock step with the city and that's why there have been no changes made.

There is no reason the U of MN should have to bow down to Minneapolis. Maybe they should contact St. Paul and see if they could be annexed. The U is an autonomous entity right? Why does the city have control of campus?
Again, I think the administration is behind much of the wet blanket, but if not a simple guerrilla campaign in the media would be sufficient to move Minneapolis.

 

[station19]

Spot on.
I really don't want to spend all week on this topic, but if the city is the main problem then the U needs to lean on the city in the court of public opinion.
Call their bluff and get them to allow tailgating everywherein private lots/loosen up restrictions on parties/open containers, etc.

My bet is the U's upper administration is lock step with the city and that's why there have been no changes made.

There is no reason the U of MN should have to bow down to Minneapolis. Maybe they should contact St. Paul and see if they could be annexed. The U is an autonomous entity right? Why does the city have control of campus?
Again, I think the administration is behind much of the wet blanket, but if not a simple guerrilla campaign in the media would be sufficient to move Minneapolis.

The U may be an 'autonomous entity' but it is not a sovereign country.

Neither Kaler nor Sid are a Pope.

 

[Hates Monikers]

I've got the simple(VERY simple) plan for solving the tailgating/student/lack of party atmosphere.
Take the smallest lot currently allowed to tailgate, probably a small interior one.
Make it 10 bucks first come first served. Open it at 6.
Only the very loyal and very dedicated would try to show up that early, by the time the kids wake up, the party will be rocking, a consolidated group of diehard tailgaters will make more atmosphere and party noise than the few I see roll in the lots and spread out early on gamedays.

Students will then take notice, hear, and see an opportunity to party at a central location, call their freinds and all will have a good time.

Students then will congregate earlier and earlier as the season goes on to grab the limited lot space, eventually it will be either students or extreme die hards at that particular lot. The U can isolate the party as they obviously want to, AND allow for organic traditions/gameday experiences to grow.

You mean like East River Flats? Plenty of space. Beautiful setting. 15-minute walk to the stadium. $10, first come, first served. Why that place isn't loaded with students I'll never understand.