Giacomo, I'd take our record over the first 80 or so home games and probably a lot more than that.  I think, w/o looking it up!, we only lost a couple out of our first 50 home games against some really good competition!  It was a real advantage for a long time.

I know it won't. But I do believe it could be just enough of a difference-maker between a "decent arena" and a "very good arena" in a recruit's eyes. If it gets us a couple/few top-tier recruits who end up helping us get to another NCAA Tournament or two, the value becomes inestimable.

Even if that happens, it'll make a nice perk for fans in the stands. I think that million bucks could pay for itself over time regardless of recruiting.

I'd say in the case of the location of the scoreboards, it would be a significant enhancement.  I don't think a "hanging" board is vital.



So if I want to see the scoreboard to know how many timeouts are left, or how many fouls the opponent is from putting OUr guys in to the bonus, you're suggesting the solution is to get out of a seat during play to see the scoreboard? 

Really?  What does it take, like 2 seconds to grab your binoculars to read the scoreboard at Peden?

Well, Billy, I know from experience that OCF is downright raucous in his behavior, at least at Peden. 

Ball State does. Can't remember Akron or Kent.

I agree with you.  I have had the same frustration in making common sense suggestions to this staff; they don't listen.  The made a change to the Tower Club seating access at Peden a couple of years ago that puts elderly people at risk of falls. I've seen three or four stumbles (including Rob Cornelius's mother) that could have led to broken hips or worse.  I brought it to the AD's attention, he said thank you very much and two plus years later nothing has changed and no one has responded to my request for an update.  So this year I'm not renewing my seats.  When they ask why, I'll be ready with an answer.

 

Well BTC, JM knows my game-time behavior much better than you do.  Don't lump all us Old Zone types together. Some of us are up out of our seats all the time -- at both football and basketball games.  In fact, when I jump up at basketball games, I often move over into the aisle (I have an aisle seat) because a couple a few rows behind me are a little frail and can't get up and I don't want to block their "site lines." 

Northern Illinois has an excellent board, Western is getting a new one this year, Central is a pretty sweet set up

Well, certainly, if you haven't seen people fall down, then it doesn't happen.

My seats are in the first row of the first access aisle to Tower Club (roughly 20 yard line?).  As you might know, there used to be three aisles leading from the base of Peden into the Tower Club. Three years ago, they blocked off the middle aisle - at the 50 yard line - with an extension of the fence.  I presume this change was made to eliminate the need for a third usher to check tickets.  The unfortunate consequences of this - which I have articulated to Jim Schaus - are as follows:

1.  Many elderly folks with mobility issues have historically used the Tower Club elevator to get to the top of Peden, then walk down the few steps to access their reserved (non Tower Club) seats near the 50 yard line. They now no longer have access to the center aisle from the top of Peden and are forced to use one of the two remaining aisles and then cut across other sections to get to their seats. I have personally helped pick up several these dedicated fans when they have stumbled trying to cut across the section.

2.   Many elderly Tower Club seat holders still choose to walk up the steps from the base of Peden to access their seats, perhaps because there can be a long line for the elevator right before kickoff.  These fans - some of whom are using canes - are often so exhausted by the time they get to the Tower Club fence that they can barely make it up the remaining steps to access their seats.  By eliminating the mid-field access to Tower Club, the university has forced some of them to walk all the way to the top of the stadium, then through the congested tower area to access their seats at the center of the Tower Club.

3.  The least serious issue is that ushers now encourage all other Tower Club seat holders to use Row 1 as their "aisle" to other sections rather than using the Tower area. If the mid-field access were still available, this would be eliminated. This is irritating for many of us in the first row (having to get up 20 times per game), but not at all intolerable...just inconvenient.

Lastly, the steps leading to Tower Club are of a different height and depth than the rest of the steps ascending Peden. This in itself has caused multiple stumbles/falls for fans of all ages..which I get to see firsthand as I sit right on the aisle. It's only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.  I've seen scraped elbows and hands but at some point there's going to be a head injury or broken hip. At the very least, these last few steps should be more clearly marked or a sign erected to warn fans.  Perhaps I am overly sensitive to this since I spent many years accompanying my handicapped father to sporting events in his later years.  These issues could be resolved quickly, easily and at minimal cost...yet no one has done anything.

As to whether my response is "childish," what would you suggest after having sent a personal, detailed note to the AD and having been assured that someone would look into it and respond.  It's been more than two years.


 

I would say as a general statement that Peden is not unique to the campus or the town in the challenges it creates for people with limited mobility. Any effort to improve upon this is a worthwhile one.

That's what Indiana Jones thought and then...well...

I understand the problem. My seats are almost on the 50 so it's understandable that I wouldn't have seen much of this firsthand. As for the railing, I think it's been closed off far longer than 3 years...I honestly don't remember it being open for maybe 10 or so. But still, I see your point.

This sort of thing is a bit below Schaus' paygrade. Not saying that he shouldn't have responded...but still, it's not exactly what's at the top of his list. Perhaps facilities or the sales team would have been a better place to start. But to not renew your season tickets just because Jim Schaus didn't run out to Peden with a sledgehammer the day he got your letter seems silly. And knowing Jim Schaus, I doubt that he completely ignored your suggestion.