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Post by aswjr on Feb 13, 2016 14:15:32 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. Funny when I was looking the other day to see what online degree programs Lasalle offered when I was replying to another thread I thought what archaic site compared to even some community colleges in the area.
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Post by mookie on Feb 13, 2016 14:58:10 GMT -5
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. Funny when I was looking the other day to see what online degree programs Lasalle offered when I was replying to another thread I thought what archaic site compared to even some community colleges in the area. Having worked at a company that's top 5 in its industry and built its brand online, it's pretty easy to point out the flaws and would have a strong interest in re-branding the university and its online presence, including its marketing.
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Post by Fastchuck on Feb 20, 2016 9:33:55 GMT -5
I meant to post this after the Bonnie game but I was too swept up in the excitement of a win. As I was walking up to Hayman Wednesday about 10 minutes before game time and I was struck by how dark and empty the building appeared. The lobby was dimly lit and there were no students walking in. I could see exactly 1 person on the mezzanine level. The words "inviting" and "excitement" did not leap to mind. In fact I was tempted to check my ticket to make sure I had the correct date.
I do not want to make this another facilities discussion but the lobby, which was the bulk of the addition when Gola was created, was poorly designed and almost non-functional. There have been attempts to put lipstick on this pig but would it be so hard to turn the lights on before a game. Pipe some music in; put a video board or two in and play some highlights; do something to make fans feel like something special is taking place in the building.
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Post by mookie on Feb 20, 2016 11:59:14 GMT -5
At this point it's well documented about what Gola isn't and all the mistakes that were made renovating it.
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Post by JoeFedorowicz on Feb 20, 2016 12:37:18 GMT -5
At this point it's well documented about what Gola isn't and all the mistakes that were made renovating it. I was sitting here thinking about this and was thinking about the pool. Is it more cost effective to retrofit the pool area and build a new swimming complex? There is a ton of space there, more than upstairs, and I'm wondering if it makes more sense to look at it from that perspective. Can the lighting be upgraded? Can additional bathrooms be added? Is there quick access to the basement where locker rooms and a new media room could be placed? How much seating would a new swimming area need? I know events are hosted there. Dont know why that's in my head.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2016 14:15:19 GMT -5
I meant to post this after the Bonnie game but I was too swept up in the excitement of a win. As I was walking up to Hayman Wednesday about 10 minutes before game time and I was struck by how dark and empty the building appeared. The lobby was dimly lit and there were no students walking in. I could see exactly 1 person on the mezzanine level. The words "inviting" and "excitement" did not leap to mind. In fact I was tempted to check my ticket to make sure I had the correct date. I do not want to make this another facilities discussion but the lobby, which was the bulk of the addition when Gola was created, was poorly designed and almost non-functional. There have been attempts to put lipstick on this pig but would it be so hard to turn the lights on before a game. Pipe some music in; put a video board or two in and play some highlights; do something to make fans feel like something special is taking place in the building. It's more akin to the municipal airport entrance. You gotta get through TSA, stare downs and all, dispose of or chug your iced coffee, then walk up 3 flights of steps. Pictures of the mayors past and present adorn the walls... At the concession stand on the mezzanine level, pretzels and foil wrapped hot dogs and microwaved nachos/pizza slices await you.
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Post by calidelphia on Feb 27, 2016 14:53:41 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. I feel like this is straight out of a screen play. Great story that I keep thinking about when they're playing the fight song.
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Post by jellybean on Mar 6, 2016 13:53:59 GMT -5
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Post by belfieldhappyhour on Mar 6, 2016 14:03:36 GMT -5
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Post by calidelphia on Mar 6, 2016 14:32:06 GMT -5
Dukes are really considering all options. Would love to see what they come up with and monitor the changes over the next 2 years. Notably "changes to the palumbu center"
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Post by durenduren on Mar 6, 2016 16:12:28 GMT -5
Dukes are really considering all options. Would love to see what they come up with and monitor the changes over the next 2 years. Notably "changes to the palumbu center" Very interesting story to watch, agreed. Two points: First, Duquesne's lack of on-campus student housing (4k beds) isn't much unlike the struggles that our overall smaller student body inevitably poses when it comes to attendance. Second, Tom Gola can really be an intimidating environment, giving the home team a hell of an advantage when it's filled. We probably dont give Gola enough credit. In 2011-2013, we were scary good at home. Even Dayton dreads coming to Gola - they just can't win here and other schools know it can be a challenging place. I don't know about the Palumbo Center too well, but I've got to imagine that they struggle with the same issues we do - long periods of generally mediocre to below average teams don't fill seats.
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Post by JoeFedorowicz on Mar 6, 2016 16:34:28 GMT -5
A smaller building will be louder when filled, especially when the court is on the third story.
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Post by lasalle89 on Mar 6, 2016 16:40:03 GMT -5
Do we not have marketing as one of our majors? Did we not just build a state of the art business center? Can't we have the marketing students and the professors come up with some ideas? I heard those who can do... Those who can't teach. Let's put our own professors to the test. What better way to prove that we have a good marketing and business school then to take on this project. Instead of talking about widgets and ficfional products and write a paper about it they can actually do something concrete and then test it. The giveaway idea worked... Let's build on that and start some community outreach.
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Post by JoeFedorowicz on Mar 6, 2016 17:35:01 GMT -5
Turning your departments marketing to students and college professors is the wrong idea and direction.
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Post by lasalle89 on Mar 6, 2016 18:15:16 GMT -5
Turning your departments marketing to students and college professors is the wrong idea and direction. Do you think LaSalle has the money to bring in an outside agency to figure out how to get students to walk across the street? I agree that there are better ways but I am trying to come up with solutions that are affordable and feasible.
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Post by JoeFedorowicz on Mar 6, 2016 18:21:49 GMT -5
Turning your departments marketing to students and college professors is the wrong idea and direction. Do you think LaSalle has the money to bring in an outside agency to figure out how to get students to walk across the street? I agree that there are better ways but I am trying to come up with solutions that are affordable and feasible. Yes, I do, if they are serious about their athletics they wouldn't have an actual marketing team of 2, with four years of experience at the school. Hire a firm.
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Post by jellybean on Mar 6, 2016 18:40:53 GMT -5
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Post by lasalle89 on Mar 6, 2016 18:53:06 GMT -5
Top to bottom over haul. I agree that the best route. Let's bring in the right firm THEN let's implement their suggestions. If LaSalle did this I would be shocked but it would show the committment of the school.
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MisterD
The Baptist Himself
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Post by MisterD on Mar 6, 2016 19:44:54 GMT -5
Do you think LaSalle has the money to bring in an outside agency to figure out how to get students to walk across the street? I agree that there are better ways but I am trying to come up with solutions that are affordable and feasible. Have accounting students handle the taxes. Have CS students run the servers. Have criminal justice students take care of security. Have comm students ... let them watch the movies.
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Post by belfieldhappyhour on Mar 6, 2016 20:57:29 GMT -5
Have accounting students handle the taxes. Have CS students run the servers. Have criminal justice students take care of security. Have comm students ... let them watch the movies.
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Post by 23won on Mar 7, 2016 7:01:43 GMT -5
I think the situation at La Salle is somewhat unique compared to other schools, especially larger schools
Given that, and the fact that consultants work largely from their database of completed assignments, I'd be reluctant to just write a check for any outside firm. They'd need to demonstrate directly comparable turnaround success, not just with our student and alumni demographics but with A10 peer success. There is no doubt in my mind that marketing gimmicks might have a short term effect but unless the winning accompanies it, that spend will be wasted money. I'm not interested in seeing how some consulting firm helped a 3,500 student school in a conference not remotely like the A10. I wouldn't spend money on a turnaround success at a place like William & Mary given the vast differences in both the school and conference.
Given our financial situation, it's not a bad idea for the Marketing Department to poll, collect and analyze data from students and alums. Since most could be online, the cost could be pretty modest. Even if a firm is identified eventually, they could analyze the data. Then put the Sales Lab to the test!
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Post by JoeFedorowicz on Mar 7, 2016 8:13:18 GMT -5
Given that, and the fact that consultants work largely from their database of completed assignments, I'd be reluctant to just write a check for any outside firm. They'd need to demonstrate directly comparable turnaround success, not just with our student and alumni demographics but with A10 peer success. There is no doubt in my mind that marketing gimmicks might have a short term effect but unless the winning accompanies it, that spend will be wasted money. Not a consultant. I'm saying hire a firm full time to run your athletics marketing. La Salle has not and probably can not support the foundation needed to effectively market basketball and all of the other sports. We've talked a lot about a university overhaul of academic programs and I know a university re-brand is in the works, but that needs to happen for athletics too, both internally and externally. I'm not saying that a firm should come up with "Free Pretzel Night" or something of that sort. That is a promotion, not marketing. A company would be able to objectively create a plan that would position athletics in a way that is appealing to those outside. I use objectively because we have seen the culture of the department permeate to a lot of places. "Free Pretzel Night" is what we've gotten. It's going to cost money. But I'm not suggesting you hire the best team...just a team. Somebody qualified to do this that isn't straight out of college.
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Post by lasalle89 on Mar 7, 2016 10:03:51 GMT -5
Given that, and the fact that consultants work largely from their database of completed assignments, I'd be reluctant to just write a check for any outside firm. They'd need to demonstrate directly comparable turnaround success, not just with our student and alumni demographics but with A10 peer success. There is no doubt in my mind that marketing gimmicks might have a short term effect but unless the winning accompanies it, that spend will be wasted money. Not a consultant. I'm saying hire a firm full time to run your athletics marketing. La Salle has not and probably can not support the foundation needed to effectively market basketball and all of the other sports. We've talked a lot about a university overhaul of academic programs and I know a university re-brand is in the works, but that needs to happen for athletics too, both internally and externally. I'm not saying that a firm should come up with "Free Pretzel Night" or something of that sort. That is a promotion, not marketing. A company would be able to objectively create a plan that would position athletics in a way that is appealing to those outside. I use objectively because we have seen the culture of the department permeate to a lot of places. "Free Pretzel Night" is what we've gotten. It's going to cost money. But I'm not suggesting you hire the best team...just a team. Somebody qualified to do this that isn't straight out of college. This would have to be to market the entire university. I agree with this and they can use athletics as the platform the way Xavier did. The administration and BOT made the decision to use men's basketball as their platform. Let that attract students and then show them that the academics are even more attractive. I know someone will come back with we don't have an arena but we need to get one OR ANNOUNCE that we have plans in the works. Which I am hoping is true to a certain extent.
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MisterD
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Post by MisterD on Mar 7, 2016 10:14:45 GMT -5
I'm not saying that a firm should come up with "Free Pretzel Night" or something of that sort. That is a promotion, not marketing. A company would be able to objectively create a plan that would position athletics in a way that is appealing to those outside. I use objectively because we have seen the culture of the department permeate to a lot of places. "Free Pretzel Night" is what we've gotten. Yup. Somehow find a way to shift from the school saying "we need to find a way to get people through those doors" to fans saying "we need to find a way to get through those doors".
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Post by luhoopsfan on Mar 7, 2016 11:25:33 GMT -5
I think La Salle at times has a mindset of being afraid to use basketball as a tool to make people aware of the great university we have overall and they want the rest of the university's positives to steer people towards basketball, almost as though it would be discrediting the academics if we tout athletics. Would be interested to see if a change in the mindset that basketball can open doors for you and you should maximize that opportunity to draw attention to your school. It's like having a house with great curb appeal, the exterior draws folks in, but what's inside is what people are really going to care about, but you need something to draw them in. Likewise, you can't only have curb appeal, because if that's all you have, your property won't ever sell.
As far as in-game ideas for atmosphere...the other night there was a t-shirt toss going on after the ROTC people came out to be recognized that spilled over into Free Throw attempts from SLU...t-shirt tosses always get people making noise and excited, wha tif we did a couple t-shirt tosses during an opponent FT attempt with the section that gets loud enough, sort of like a Pavlovian response. It creates a fun atmosphere every time there's something specific happening on the court.
I recognize that the second peice isn't marketing, it's promotions. Also, Minor League baseball teams are usually full of unique and creative marketing and promotions people, maybe we could score a few to moonlight at La Salle during the winter months.
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Post by durenduren on Mar 7, 2016 11:30:06 GMT -5
I'm not saying that a firm should come up with "Free Pretzel Night" or something of that sort. That is a promotion, not marketing. A company would be able to objectively create a plan that would position athletics in a way that is appealing to those outside. I use objectively because we have seen the culture of the department permeate to a lot of places. "Free Pretzel Night" is what we've gotten. Yup. Somehow find a way to shift from the school saying "we need to find a way to get people through those doors" to fans saying "we need to find a way to get through those doors". Start by ditching "Philly Pretzel Factory" pretzels for the real deal. And replace the Dunkin' Dash with the Pretzel Pass. It's a recipe for success. We ain't got room for that imitation crap at 20th and Olney.
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Post by JoeFedorowicz on Mar 7, 2016 12:20:34 GMT -5
I think La Salle at times has a mindset of being afraid to use basketball as a tool to make people aware of the great university we have overall and they want the rest of the university's positives to steer people towards basketball, almost as though it would be discrediting the academics if we tout athletics. This only works if the team is good. When they were good, the school didn't capitalize fully.
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Post by durenduren on Mar 7, 2016 12:26:15 GMT -5
I think La Salle at times has a mindset of being afraid to use basketball as a tool to make people aware of the great university we have overall and they want the rest of the university's positives to steer people towards basketball, almost as though it would be discrediting the academics if we tout athletics. This only works if the team is good. When they were good, the school didn't capitalize fully. Come watch us shoot 12 FG's and shoot 50% from the charity stripe! You'll love it here!
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Post by 23won on Mar 7, 2016 15:58:50 GMT -5
Given that, and the fact that consultants work largely from their database of completed assignments, I'd be reluctant to just write a check for any outside firm. They'd need to demonstrate directly comparable turnaround success, not just with our student and alumni demographics but with A10 peer success. There is no doubt in my mind that marketing gimmicks might have a short term effect but unless the winning accompanies it, that spend will be wasted money. Not a consultant. I'm saying hire a firm full time to run your athletics marketing. La Salle has not and probably can not support the foundation needed to effectively market basketball and all of the other sports. We've talked a lot about a university overhaul of academic programs and I know a university re-brand is in the works, but that needs to happen for athletics too, both internally and externally. I'm not saying that a firm should come up with "Free Pretzel Night" or something of that sort. That is a promotion, not marketing. A company would be able to objectively create a plan that would position athletics in a way that is appealing to those outside. I use objectively because we have seen the culture of the department permeate to a lot of places. "Free Pretzel Night" is what we've gotten. It's going to cost money. But I'm not suggesting you hire the best team...just a team. Somebody qualified to do this that isn't straight out of college. Joe, what is the cost to have a firm run athletics full time? Fwiw, I think the board is thinking about having outside firms doing most of the services that are not handled outside now. Hope they have a good crystal ball to contain those third party costs long-term.
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Post by durenduren on Mar 7, 2016 16:40:51 GMT -5
It's going to cost money. But I'm not suggesting you hire the best team...just a team. Somebody qualified to do this that isn't straight out of college. Fwiw, I think the board is thinking about having outside firms doing most of the services that are not handled outside now. Hope they have a good crystal ball to contain those third party costs long-term. It's not a matter of shifting responsibilities that are handled in-house to a third-party, but rather addressing responsibilities that aren't being covered at all. We don't do any MBB marketing, we don't do promotions, and we don't have qualified staff or the support in numbers that is needed to achieve our goals successfully. The "free housing" promotion was great, but what about the other 28 games this season? Marketing, fan involvement, and promotions have been neglected for so long, it's not totally fair IMO to pin this on two, new college grads (think I saw this info dropped earlier). They might be passionate and driven, but they're inexperienced, outnumbered, and don't have the resources a firm would bring. Let's level up though -- it's a pipe dream -- especially when you're assessing academic programs and laying off employees.
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