Illini Football 2022

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#176      
Totally on same page w/ your 2nd point, but vehemently opposed to your first. I never got the allure of giving up true home games for neutral site ones. The home game experience is precious and limited as it is, don't whittle it down any further!
I’d agree, if not for Thanksgiving. I’ve gone to Iowa games the weekend before NU in Champaign, and the students were already gone. I was so excited when our Iowa game (aka when I can get my friends to go with me) was moved to October, but it’s the weekend before my wedding.

I think ONLY for that NU weekend … IF we are good … it might make sense. Open to good arguments to the contrary, though! lol.
 
#177      

Ransom Stoddard

Ordained Dudeist Priest
Bloomington, IL
I’d agree, if not for Thanksgiving. I’ve gone to Iowa games the weekend before NU in Champaign, and the students were already gone. I was so excited when our Iowa game (aka when I can get my friends to go with me) was moved to October, but it’s the weekend before my wedding.

I think ONLY for that NU weekend … IF we are good … it might make sense. Open to good arguments to the contrary, though! lol.
I made sure to get married in mid-august so that there was never a conflict between an anniversary and a game. March and April were also off the board.
 
#180      
If the team wins, the fans will return. The most depressing thing to me is how rarely the DIA can convince even 5000 students (out of 55,000) to walk over to the stadium for a game. Those are your future long-term ticket buyers and donors who are not being created. Those tix should be dirt cheap, or even free, and DIA should be doing everything possible to make game day a super fun experience for the students regardless of the score.
 
#181      
If the team wins, the fans will return. The most depressing thing to me is how rarely the DIA can convince even 5000 students (out of 55,000) to walk over to the stadium for a game. Those are your future long-term ticket buyers and donors who are not being created. Those tix should be dirt cheap, or even free, and DIA should be doing everything possible to make game day a super fun experience for the students regardless of the score.
DIA has been working on this as a priority for a while now. The student body, as recruited by the university, consists of a majority who do not have sports as a high priority. Traditional student groups like fraternities/sororities that could be counted on before have taken to reserving a spot at a bar and doing their gaming and partying there instead of at the stadium. I agree with the low priced or free tickets for students. Maybe if the rest of the stadium gets full (with people and $$) it will be considered.
 
#182      
If the team wins, the fans will return. The most depressing thing to me is how rarely the DIA can convince even 5000 students (out of 55,000) to walk over to the stadium for a game. Those are your future long-term ticket buyers and donors who are not being created. Those tix should be dirt cheap, or even free, and DIA should be doing everything possible to make game day a super fun experience for the students regardless of the score.
You do realize this happened several times last season, with a soldout student section for a number of games for the first time in years? They gave out free tickets and students showed up. The problem was the team didn't pull through against Maryland or UTSA.
 
#184      

Mr. Tibbs

southeast DuPage
make the games fun to watch and the students and people will come
see attendance 1979 and then see attendance 1983.
I was there then . It was like a night and day difference in 4 seasons
 
#186      

Mr. Tibbs

southeast DuPage
I didn't even go to a game in '79, freshmen year. But didn't miss a game in the White era. That was a great time.
I went to one game in 79, my freshmen year also . was Dads day . we lost to Army .
I had season tickets in 81 & 82 .
we got #8 in the student lottery in 81. we got second row , east balcony , 40 yard line
 
#197      

redwingillini11

North Aurora
I thought we were up for new ones this year?
News leaked recently that we are confirmed for new uniforms for next year. We probably could have been due this year. But new uniforms are pretty much a two year project at Nike. So it makes sense that Bielema comes in and we get new uniforms in two years. Clearly he wants to put his stamp on things.
 
#200      
You do realize this happened several times last season, with a soldout student section for a number of games for the first time in years? They gave out free tickets and students showed up. The problem was the team didn't pull through against Maryland or UTSA.
Yes, I do realize that DIA runs specials “occasionally.” Look at the turnout. They need to do it a lot more. The incremental revenue they lose on free student tix pales in comparison to the value of creating a better game environment and thousands of life-long fans/supporters, IMO.

DIA can go back to asking students to pay when the team starts winning consistently and ticket demand increases (see: Illini basketball).
 
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