What was your impression of the new video boards in the JAR?

Well played. :)

The lights are great, was a nice addition for broadcast and photo journalist. However, just not for everyone. After being ignored for decades, the department is putting some very nice touches on the old lady.

This post is just not true. The band maxed out at 101dB tonight and here is the problem - the guy on the mc and the piped in music. They both topped out at 103 dB. If you want to come down and see for yourself, please do so at the next game. No one is complaining about things being too loud other than the noise coming through the speakers.

I liked the new boards in the JAR. I hope ours end up something like that.

The thing is, the 110, within reason, is equally as loud based on my experience this evening.

I think I've discovered the disconnect - volume versus quality of that volume. The 110 and the speakers are only a few dBs apart but what comes out of those speakers - the voice of the promotions guy/gal or music from the sound board is vastly different from an accomplished band. Turning down the volume (Lou logs in around 90db and is fine) would solve the problem of a problematic sound system.

The group I work with in Rosemont is sponsored by Etymotic . I have attended numerous lectures on hearing loss in musicians that remind me why hearing loss is permenant. Though my Kawasaki sounds like a flock of angry bees I wear noise reducing ear plugs inside my helmet to combat wind roar and sound while riding

Hearing loss and sound levels are serious business

If the team were to play better, the crowd noise would drown out the recorded music.

LOL. I’m not happy to post this stuff. Section 117 had 7 people in it at tip off. Seven. All 4 upper bowl sections behind he student section had 3 people in them total. Three. I was so bummed I took pictures of those sections. Then I did a quick count of the twelve 100 level sections I have a good view of. Less than 300 people were in them by my count. Again - that’s not the lower pull out seats. Those were full and the student section was full due to ROTC and the band. But Friday night 6:30PM basketball is just a plain old bad idea. I didn’t alert any old OU buddies or family/friends that we were on national TV. Didn’t get one text that someone found the game and was watching. Not one. I’d rather be sitting in the Convo right now. But, I’m watching some nice Saturday college hoops games on TV instead.

Anyway, it was a fun game nonetheless. Our guys played hard d and well but are just a bit undermanned this year.

For those of you that were at the Convo how many people attended the Friday game?

We can say it's a bad idea, and I don't really disagree, but it's not going away when the B1G has two Friday games, and they're basically sold out.

Went up to use restroom late in the 2H and walked by a concession vendor who was counting money. Just to make conversation I simply quipped, "good day?" and they responded that concession sales (and he gave me exact $$ figures) were down over 60% compared to previous seasons. How accurate that was I don't know, but he said things were bad and he was very discouraged.

Seems like just yesterday I was trying to get season tickets for friends in my section and they were sold out. Nothing available and on a waiting list. I've heard people on here mention outside lighting, pricing, games on TV, kids having alternatives, game times, score boards, speaker volumes, concourse decorations--and I don't doubt all those play some role. But to me, the bottom line is the product on the court. Turn on the TV and you'll see that the programs that have a quality product have customers and buzz. The Convo didn't suddenly fall off the face of the map. One thing I do think is true is that customers are fickle and have a short memory. Blame what you want to make you feel good and make any excuse you'd like (like suddenly the outdoor lighting is bad, suddenly kids have other recreation alternatives, or were Carter, a couple Freshman we've never seen play and a healthy hip away from relevance), but in my circle the word is out and has been out that the product is not what it used to be and not one to build your calendar around. I'm still coming, but those around me aren't following suite as regularly.

Unfortunately it's not just W & L, but most likely there's a direct correlation between down seasons, ticket sales, vendor sales, sponsorships and donations.