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Post by lasallescreamer on Jan 29, 2016 16:30:13 GMT -5
Just have to say that I LOVE- LOVE our fight song. Always sing it at home. True story-5 years ago I was in excruciating pain w a herniated disc; had surgery set and was going to Holy Redeemer for a pre-op. I could hardly move but had to ,get downstairs to leave house.But, I collapsed at top of steps. My wife was screaming and crying-going to call 911. I said WAIT-lets try the Fight Song first. She thought it was the pain meds. Anyway, I broke out into the FS, Marie joined in and I was able to get down the steps.A few days later I was in surgery and upon coming out I am in recovery, apparently urged docs and and nurses to join me in singing the La Salle Fight Song. Doc asked my wife if they should do a psyc. workup.She thought about it-but declined.
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Post by jellybean on Jan 29, 2016 16:39:14 GMT -5
Just have to say that I LOVE- LOVE our fight song. Always sing it at home. True story-5 years ago I was in excruciating pain w a herniated disc; had surgery set and was going to Holy Redeemer for a pre-op. I could hardly move but had to ,get downstairs to leave house.But, I collapsed at top of steps. My wife was screaming and crying-going to call 911. I said WAIT-lets try the Fight Song first. She thought it was the pain meds. Anyway, I broke out into the FS, Marie joined in and I was able to get down the steps.A few days later I was in surgery and upon coming out I am in recovery, apparently urged docs and and nurses to join me in singing the La Salle Fight Song. Doc asked my wife if they should do a psyc. workup.She thought about it-but declined. Love it. Screamer THE true La Salle Explorer fanatic. Hope you are feeling alright. We miss you at the games.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2016 16:56:59 GMT -5
"Spirit Competition" - That's the best that they could come up with? "HEY GUYS LET'S ALL GO TO THE SPIRIT COMPETITION!" - No one, ever. Granted you are younger than I and more in tune with what today's college student is looking for however I had assumed that a substantial number of individuals would have gone out for the big screen TV. This concept is not original to Rowan. A10 schools have attempted the spirit points system and use giveaways based on attendance and other spirit contests. My favorite La Salle promotions might not even exist anymore because there has not been reinvestment in them. (What happened to those late night breakfasts in the B&G after night games once in awhile? Are those occasional official game watch parties at a local sponsor pub, meant to engage alumni, a thing of the past? Will the pep band continue to be allowed to decline in numbers? Why don't they bring back the Union tailgates, when there is a La Salle alum on the roster?) My criticism of our promotions is not just that we give out weak prizes compared to Rowan (cheap pretzels, subsidized water bottles, gold shirts, repeat), but that when there has been anything uniquely successful that has been tried once or twice it tends to be cancelled before it had the chance to gain traction.
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Post by lasallescreamer on Jan 29, 2016 19:20:37 GMT -5
I am doing OK-I go to work everyday, but a lot of that is from my home office. My legs are terrible; difficult to walk-lots of nerve damage.Next year, I might have to ante up and get the reserved parking. Having said that, I do plan on getting out to a couple games before season ends.This has been a tough season, but I always love and support the team and School.If I lost weight, it would help. If u see me at game, feel free to come over and call me a fat slob. Might inspire me.Having said that, I was in court today and represented OU SO FAT.HTG!
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Post by durenduren on Jan 29, 2016 20:11:26 GMT -5
"Spirit Competition" - That's the best that they could come up with? "HEY GUYS LET'S ALL GO TO THE SPIRIT COMPETITION!" - No one, ever. Granted you are younger than I and more in tune with what today's college student is looking for however I had assumed that a substantial number of individuals would have gone out for the big screen TV. This concept is not original to Rowan. A10 schools have attempted the spirit points system and use giveaways based on attendance and other spirit contests. My favorite La Salle promotions might not even exist anymore because there has not been reinvestment in them. (What happened to those late night breakfasts in the B&G after night games once in awhile? Are those occasional official game watch parties at a local sponsor pub, meant to engage alumni, a thing of the past? Will the pep band continue to be allowed to decline in numbers? Why don't they bring back the Union tailgates, when there is a La Salle alum on the roster?) My criticism of our promotions is not just that we give out weak prizes compared to Rowan (cheap pretzels, subsidized water bottles, gold shirts, repeat), but that when there has been anything uniquely successful that has been tried once or twice it tends to be cancelled before it had the chance to gain traction. I understand the intent of the original post was to compare our promotions with DIII Rowan, and yes - this made me sad and embarrassed. Totally agree with your sentiments. That being said, public relations events aren't THAT impossible to come up with in this setting. I'm not going to sit here and act like I'm full of ideas, but there's only over 340 DI teams alone that are doing this - it's not like there's no blueprint. We can do better, but right now we're bad not because of a lack of effort in that arena, but because of virtually no effort. Can't wait for the 840th running of Dunkin' Dash.
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Post by JoeFedorowicz on Jan 29, 2016 20:13:30 GMT -5
Can't wait for the 840th running of Dunkin' Dash. Iced coffee FTW.
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Post by weston2 on Jan 29, 2016 20:21:46 GMT -5
You want the truth, St Joe's has a better fan base, despite a ridiculous ticket price. They will always outdraw LaS. It's more in their blood than here. Then throw in a below standard HS gym, their's ain't much better, LaS struggles to avg 2K. Heyman is a nice intramural facility, beats College Hall.
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Post by durenduren on Jan 29, 2016 20:26:11 GMT -5
You want the truth, St Joe's has a better fan base, despite a ridiculous ticket price. They will always outdraw LaS. It's more in their blood than here. Then throw in a below standard HS gym, their's ain't much better, LaS struggles to avg 2K. Heyman is a nice intramural facility, beats College Hall. Nice try, Joe Lunardi.
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Post by weston2 on Jan 29, 2016 21:35:06 GMT -5
Knew you don't want to hear the truth. Just look up the NCAA attendance numbers back to 2010. SJU averages a little over 4K (2010-2015), LaS avg (last 6 yrs) is about 2500. A new building? Fill this one first, or fill the Palestra/WF to show you could handle a larger on-campus facility. Heck, the Miami game only drew a full Gola number (3582) at the Palestra.
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Post by theneumann64 on Jan 30, 2016 7:43:44 GMT -5
You want the truth, St Joe's has a better fan base, despite a ridiculous ticket price. They will always outdraw LaS. It's more in their blood than here. Then throw in a below standard HS gym, their's ain't much better, LaS struggles to avg 2K. Heyman is a nice intramural facility, beats College Hall. I know we all wish this wasn't true, but he's absolutely right.
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Post by JoeFedorowicz on Jan 30, 2016 9:10:18 GMT -5
Branding, Marketing and Money.
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Post by golasalle on Jan 30, 2016 9:30:00 GMT -5
Branding, Marketing and Money. I know that Madam President and her team are working very hard on the first two, the third to a large extent, is up to us alums.
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Post by rp01 on Jan 30, 2016 9:53:42 GMT -5
Knew you don't want to hear the truth. Just look up the NCAA attendance numbers back to 2010. SJU averages a little over 4K (2010-2015), LaS avg (last 6 yrs) is about 2500. A new building? Fill this one first, or fill the Palestra/WF to show you could handle a larger on-campus facility. Heck, the Miami game only drew a full Gola number (3582) at the Palestra. Both teams knew that would happen going into the Palestra... Miami will not be seen on tv playing in the Gola, won't happen.
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Post by SICguy84 on Jan 30, 2016 10:25:03 GMT -5
Branding, Marketing and Money. They excel at branding and marketing their "product." Despite how wanna -be- elitist and narcissistic it is that "Live Greater" slogan, students and alumn buy into that idea. Harvard on City Ave no doubt!
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Post by durenduren on Jan 30, 2016 20:22:43 GMT -5
Branding, Marketing and Money. They excel at branding and marketing their "product." Despite how wanna -be- elitist and narcissistic it is that "Live Greater" slogan, students and alumn buy into that idea. Harvard on City Ave no doubt! It's all about that 'Magis Mike'...
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Post by lasalle89 on Jan 31, 2016 21:32:32 GMT -5
Curtain of Distraction
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Post by JoeFedorowicz on Jan 31, 2016 21:43:06 GMT -5
Would look funny at La Salle with a group screaming behind the scorer's table.
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Post by gymrat67 on Feb 9, 2016 13:04:45 GMT -5
Kale will occasionally refer to the gym as the "Attic". Given the situation I really like this. I would say put up a sign(s) at the entrance saying "Welcome to the Attic" along with a other references throughout the gym. Use the name in promotions with the idea that "The Attic" is a tough place to play and it's where (good, witness Dayton) teams come to die. Other gyms use "The Pit" as a nickname in the same vein. As far as I know we are the only ones who could use "The Attic". This kind of stuff was pitched as I was getting out. The best they got was the "Explorer Entourage" as the show "Entourage" was on it's way out. Remember the yellow with "VICTORY!" printed on the back. Real high level thinking there. Creative concepts like this do not come out of the group currently in place. They'd have to outsource that kind of branding (not happening) and it isn't just putting a sign up. You need to build a culture and that isn't something that the school / department has shown to be adept in doing. You had your chance with the Sweet 16 squad (maybe year before). I wrote what I consider to be my best Philahoops' article when Giannini and his players described the then guards (Pettis, Galloway, Duren, Mills...I think) as "Pitbulls." I interlaced Pitbull's "1,2,3,4" song and it was really high level stuff. The defensive tenacity was at an all-time high and it was an opportunity to build something. A culture. An identity. Instead, it was lost. Just like the Sweet 16 momentum was lost. Freshmen don't know that La Salle made that tourney run. They won't know about that season. Almost as if it didn't happen for them (except for those checks coming from the NCAA for a couple more years, I guess). Lead, follow or get out of the way Dept.
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Post by calidelphia on Feb 12, 2016 12:43:27 GMT -5
Bumping for hefty...
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Post by JoeFedorowicz on Feb 12, 2016 13:51:56 GMT -5
I was actually going to bump this thread anyway with a couple ideas because I think some people think that these ideas don't exist. A couple more that have been brought up before but I'll provide details. These are all things that will improve the idea of a La Salle game.
1) Lighting
First let me start off by saying I'm no lighting expert, but I just know that I hate it at Gola. They're too bright, too high and they don't do anything. What could lights do, you ask?
Now I'm not looking for floating La Salle logos or Tom Gola's hologram, but some effects would be nice. Something to pump the crowd up and get them going. The video intro was nice besides being way too long, too loud and not having anything to do with introductions. Are Gola's lights the old school gymnasium ones that take 30 minutes to turn on?
2) Sound
A common one. It's better. Still not good. It's probably the acoustics in the building that don't help (design flaw?) but this goes with the lighting above. Better music, better intros, better sound.
3) Band
This is my favorite because I think it is easily fixed. I think the band needs to either be greatly updated / fixed, or scrapped in favor of a paid band a la Joes. The songs are old. Filled with the same ones that played when I was a freshman. Are there classics there? Sure, but maybe retire about 3/4 of the catalog and start over. There are anywhere between 4 and 24 members depending on the night. If you're going to be a part of the band, you can't take a Wednesday night class. That said, the school has to offer something to these band members...housing credits or some meal plans or something for their time. Same thing with the cheerleaders.
Also, staff the leader. You have a music department (for at least a little longer). Somebody that isn't Stephen Jamison (no drum circles please) can probably lead a pep band.
4) Tickets
This may have changed because i know it was in the works, but can La Salle please get an online ticketing system. No more picking everything up at will call or having Kale mail the tickets at some point before the game. Electronic tickets, send via pdf when you buy them online. Print them out and have them scanned when you get there. It isn't an expensive proposition. Pass the cost, nobody will know.
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Post by blueandgold on Feb 12, 2016 15:03:29 GMT -5
I was actually going to bump this thread anyway with a couple ideas because I think some people think that these ideas don't exist. A couple more that have been brought up before but I'll provide details. These are all things that will improve the idea of a La Salle game. 1) LightingFirst let me start off by saying I'm no lighting expert, but I just know that I hate it at Gola. They're too bright, too high and they don't do anything. What could lights do, you ask? Now I'm not looking for floating La Salle logos or Tom Gola's hologram, but some effects would be nice. Something to pump the crowd up and get them going. The video intro was nice besides being way too long, too loud and not having anything to do with introductions. Are Gola's lights the old school gymnasium ones that take 30 minutes to turn on? 2) Sound
A common one. It's better. Still not good. It's probably the acoustics in the building that don't help (design flaw?) but this goes with the lighting above. Better music, better intros, better sound. 3) BandThis is my favorite because I think it is easily fixed. I think the band needs to either be greatly updated / fixed, or scrapped in favor of a paid band a la Joes. The songs are old. Filled with the same ones that played when I was a freshman. Are there classics there? Sure, but maybe retire about 3/4 of the catalog and start over. There are anywhere between 4 and 24 members depending on the night. If you're going to be a part of the band, you can't take a Wednesday night class. That said, the school has to offer something to these band members...housing credits or some meal plans or something for their time. Same thing with the cheerleaders. Also, staff the leader. You have a music department (for at least a little longer). Somebody that isn't Stephen Jamison (no drum circles please) can probably lead a pep band. 4) TicketsThis may have changed because i know it was in the works, but can La Salle please get an online ticketing system. No more picking everything up at will call or having Kale mail the tickets at some point before the game. Electronic tickets, send via pdf when you buy them online. Print them out and have them scanned when you get there. It isn't an expensive proposition. Pass the cost, nobody will know. 1) Yes they are the ones that take forever to turn on (this was discussed a while back, and the answer was that they would but it would take too much time to light them back up after turning them off). 3) Rumor has it the student numbers are down, and most are paid local pros w/ no other La Salle affiliation at this point.
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Post by durenduren on Feb 12, 2016 15:32:09 GMT -5
Lighting -- Haven't we been told that's not possible? The Gola lights need warm-up time? (blueandgold beat me to it).
Sound - Never going to be great in that building, but it will be helped significantly by having warm bodies in those seats. The acoustic issues are exacerbated ten-fold by an empty arena -- bodies absorb sound, plastic seats and aluminum walls don't. Former studio guy so this is something I can actually speak on.
Band -- The leader is part-time staff. The university has made ZERO commitment to performing arts, outside of funding the Jazz Band, Masque, and choral groups. The Jazz Band is also the Pep Band, simply because you're not going to find two full groups of musicians at La Salle. It's a tough thing to encourage when you don't have a performing arts major... Playing in the band is less sexy and cool than it was in highschool, and even then you're not getting the most talented musicians - they're going to schools with the programs. Many of those schools actually make participation a requirement of some-sort with the academic program. And BlueandGold's rumor of paid professionals isn't correct - they'd sound much better if that was the case - but some bands have done that (cough cough SJU cough cough). You might get some old farts showing up though - me, Tuba Joe, some other folks because they need the help whenever they can get it. It boils down to money - money for an academic performing arts program, money for a director, etc. And when we're cutting elsewhere, good luck.
They've tried incentive programs - early class registration, housing over breaks, free food and hotels during tournaments (ie. LA, Kansas City, Brooklyn). They don't work - you've got to love music to make it work, and attracting the average highschool musician like myself isn't going to transform La Salle's band into VCU's.
But since you pointed out Penn's band -- you know they had literally 5 players at this year's La Salle game? All bands that aren't supported by an actual academic program are going to be plagued by the same issues.
By the way, Stephen Jamison is dead. Had a sudden heart attack a couple of years back.
Tickets -- GET AN ONLINE SYSTEM. THIS IS 2016. IT'S EMBARRASSING, THE ENTIRE ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE FIRED FOR NOT MAKING THIS A PRIORITY BY 2010, LET ALONE 2016. It's insane that this is acceptable.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2016 16:04:57 GMT -5
Great summary as usual, duren^2. But guys, IIRC We do have online tickets now, they just aren't print from home with a barcode type. Will call only. Is that the particular gripe?
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Post by heftyexpl on Feb 12, 2016 16:05:57 GMT -5
Man these are some great ideas and I really hope the Pres reads this thread.
Social media is key to connecting with the younger generation. Why cant our communicatiom/marketing depatment use their students to play a role in branding and creating the identity for our basketball team?
I love the idea of splitting the court into two colors. Blue and Gold would be fitting. How about against a big rivalry the school adopt the idea of a "white/black out" game? Im sure you guys have seen this done in the college and pros.
The school also has to do a better job of being able to buy merchandise. There should be tents set up in and around the Gola where fans can buy gear. I mentioned about 2 years ago, after attending a game i was looking for a shirt to buy. I walked all the way to the bookstore and after all that the it was CLOSED.
These are just some easy things that can be done that will go a long way.
I also have an idea for a simple chant for tip off and start of the second half. Also how the university should maybe look into getting the neighborhood involved in becoming fans and followers of the team. That I'll write about later.
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MisterD
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Post by MisterD on Feb 12, 2016 16:06:27 GMT -5
I just bought concert tickets that were will-call only and I thought it was weird as F.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2016 16:18:08 GMT -5
I don't usually go to the games lately, but follow from home on TV. I was however at the URI game, thanks to a friend of mine sending me his unused ticket. Here are my thoughts regarding promotion.
The band is a shell of its former self, down significantly in size from about a dozen to about half a dozen... but considering their low numbers (roughly one sax, one percussion and four horns?), the guys are still holding their own. The fight song is noticeably improved, with a new arrangement at the end, and they stopped overplaying it at every time out. I just hope these guys are getting fed. Rumor was the band stopped getting their $3 (cost) meal tickets given to them for halftime. As DurenDuren has mentioned, the band turnover in recent years has forced them to extend invites to certain key alumns, particularly when school is not in session.
I received a free SEPTA tshirt in the TShirt toss, and it actually fits me. It looks like something you could buy at Target, not the dollar store. Big improvement over past years T shirt tosses!
Iced coffee won the dunkin contest, maybe because it was 25 degrees that night, so the hot coffee brother was stymied against the brutal wind left behind by his sister's wake. I do like the DD partnership, which includes free shot of coffee on the way into the game, and a giveaway prize wheel.
Family feud at halftime could be considered FUN, and a GREAT way to highlight La Salle families with a connection to La Salle. But, we could barely hear the contestant responses, so they had to be repeated by the emcee. They made up accelerated rules, measuring number of answers rather than percentage points. I don't know what would have happened to the $100 gas card in the event of a 3-3 tie, would they then have used the percentage points to determine a winner? Unclear because they deviated from the show's rules, despite a comment by the emcee "you've all seen the show, so you know what to do..." No go for the steal = gone was half the fun.
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Post by luhoopsfan on Feb 12, 2016 16:57:08 GMT -5
I'm no sound expert - but wouldn't having more than one single cluster of speakers at one end of the court, behind the scoreboard, make it easier to hear all around?
Lighting - lights like at the WFC where the dim and come back quickly don't actually turn off, they are just covered and then uncovered, no clue if that's a retro-fit deal or not but that's how it works. As far as special effects lighting, that stuff is incredibly cheap today compared to even just 5 years ago with the advancement in LED technology, but if you can't dim the lights, effect lighting is useless.
Tickets - online ticketing is NOT at all difficult to manage, set up or maintain. There are dozens of 3rd party partners that make money by charging a fee per ticket they process but they take care of all the back end work including credit card processing. You pass that fee or a portion of it into your overall ticket price, no one will notice, it's like $1 or $1.50
Gameday experience - other than homecoming there's no excitement before a game and it seems like the university wants people in and out of campus as quickly as possible, like they are a nuisance. need to promote the pregame parties way more, it's non-existent today it seems. I don't know specifics, but there's got to be something - rent a tent for the A10 Home games and heat it - no entrance fee, come and buy whatever food and rinks you want and then head inside. or do some sort of combo deal if you want to where a ticket purchase gets you free food. I don't know. I don't have time to come up with the basketball marketing plan.
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Post by durenduren on Feb 12, 2016 17:12:32 GMT -5
Rumor was the band stopped getting their $3 (cost) meal tickets given to them for halftime. As DurenDuren has mentioned, the band turnover in recent years has forced them to extend invites to certain key alumns, particularly when school is not in session. Accurate all ways around. Made an already difficult situation more challenging, not that anyone actually came for the Tom Gola cardboard pizza. Mr point about online ordering -- it's still laughable. Limited, archaic, etc. Frankly, the university's overall online presence (website in both the .edu and goexplorers, social media, video feeds) are all laughable in comparison to comparable schools. This was something that was to be looked at in the branding process.
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Post by lasalle89 on Feb 12, 2016 17:54:42 GMT -5
Just have to say that I LOVE- LOVE our fight song. Always sing it at home. True story-5 years ago I was in excruciating pain w a herniated disc; had surgery set and was going to Holy Redeemer for a pre-op. I could hardly move but had to ,get downstairs to leave house.But, I collapsed at top of steps. My wife was screaming and crying-going to call 911. I said WAIT-lets try the Fight Song first. She thought it was the pain meds. Anyway, I broke out into the FS, Marie joined in and I was able to get down the steps.A few days later I was in surgery and upon coming out I am in recovery, apparently urged docs and and nurses to join me in singing the La Salle Fight Song. Doc asked my wife if they should do a psyc. workup.She thought about it-but declined. This is a classic story!!!! Using the power of the fight song to will your body down the steps!! This story should be in the next LaSalle magazine. This is a story I would love to read!!! Screamer you bleed blue and gold!!!
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Post by JoeFedorowicz on Feb 12, 2016 19:57:07 GMT -5
Didn't know about the tickets. It's not terrible. Apologies on that, but a non will call solution would be better.
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