Ohio Football Topic
Topic: New Young Alumni section in Peden
Page: 1 of 1
Tyler
General User
Member Since: 7/7/2010
Location: AZ
Post Count: 894
mail
Tyler
mail
Posted: 4/19/2014 8:01 AM
While looking through the Bobcat Club renewal information, I noticed a new "Young Alumni" section in Peden for those graduating in the last four years. It's on the east side of the stadium, above the students and the reserved section at the southern end. Season tickets are $60 and include a t-shirt. I mentioned they should create a young alumni section on here before, and I know schools like Northwestern have one. I'm curious to see how many tickets they sell. It makes sense for schools like Northwestern in big cities, as a good portion of their alumni stick around the city after graduation. I know most of our alumni don't stay in Athens, but a lot do to go Cowtown, and with the bypass it's even easier to get to Athens from there.



 
mf279801
General User
M279801
Member Since: 8/6/2010
Location: Newark, DE
Post Count: 2,486
person
mail
mf279801
mail
Posted: 4/19/2014 3:16 PM
Regardless what section/row/seat my tickets say, I've always just treated that dark blue section below and to the right of the "young alumni" section as my seats. 
davepi2
General User
D2
Member Since: 7/9/2010
Location: columbus, OH
Post Count: 583
person
mail
davepi2
mail
Posted: 4/20/2014 7:20 AM
we could use a few more young alumni over in section 104 to liven that section up. The one last year was great, hope to see more this year.
C Money
General User
Member Since: 8/28/2010
Post Count: 3,420
mail
C Money
mail
Posted: 4/20/2014 9:55 PM
For a second I read this topic as "Neil Young Alumni section," and got really excited that we were going to get a post-game concert in Peden.
The Situation
General User
Member Since: 7/13/2010
Location: Columbus, OH
Post Count: 957
mail
The Situation
mail
Posted: 4/21/2014 1:49 PM

I positively value the attempt at isolating and condensing this specific group of alumni. It's a step towards increasing young alumni involvement. 

However, if the goal is to develop active alumni for years to come, this is poor young alumni section placement. That section feels more like a continuation of the college years than a new beginning for the alumni years. During the sellout games this group would be sitting in a forest of 17-23 year olds. During the low attendance games this group would be sitting on an island.

Move all the alumni to one side, then segregate the groups. Placing young and old alumni on opposing sides almost psychologically pits the two groups against each other. That placement creates an unfavorable divide.

P.S.

What will it take to name section 104, section 1804? I think it's a no-cost, low effort change that adds a little spark to the game day experience.

OhioCatFan
General User
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 15,699
mail
OhioCatFan
mail
Posted: 4/21/2014 2:34 PM
Well, the radical idea that I've proposed for years is not to have a "student side" and an "old fart side" but to have alternating sections throughout the stadium of students and non-students.  I really not fond of generational segregation.  This prejudice is not just for Ohio football.  At our church years ago there was an "old peoples" class and an "young adult class."  I was in the young class at that time and started attending the old folks class and started to teach it.  
Brian Smith (No, not that one)
General User
BSNNTO
Member Since: 2/4/2005
Post Count: 3,057
person
mail
Brian Smith (No, not that one)
mail
Posted: 4/21/2014 7:45 PM
It's a trap. They're going to take our kidneys and give them to the old people.
Doc Bobcat
General User
DB
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 4,421
person
mail
Doc Bobcat
mail
Posted: 4/21/2014 8:07 PM
Brian Smith wrote:expand_more
It's a trap. They're going to take our kidneys and give them to the old people.
My kidneys are fine but you might want to fasten a Kevlar belt to your liver.
87OU Alum
General User
87OA
Member Since: 12/23/2007
Location: Newark, OH
Post Count: 124
person
mail
87OU Alum
mail
Posted: 4/22/2014 12:07 PM
Doc Bobcat wrote:expand_more
It's a trap. They're going to take our kidneys and give them to the old people.


My kidneys are fine but you might want to fasten a Kevlar belt to your liver.


+1
OhioStunter
General User
Member Since: 2/18/2005
Location: Chicago
Post Count: 2,516
mail
OhioStunter
mail
Posted: 4/22/2014 2:02 PM
C Money wrote:expand_more
For a second I read this topic as "Neil Young Alumni section," and got really excited that we were going to get a post-game concert in Peden.

That's just crazy (horse).

 
The Optimist
General User
Member Since: 3/16/2007
Location: CLE
Post Count: 5,611
mail
The Optimist
mail
Posted: 4/22/2014 3:51 PM

I agree with the thoughts above. Good move on creating this. Wish we could push more evenly around the stadium. Is there anything in place to transition young alumni from this section to other parts of the stadium after there first couple years out of school?
 

I firmly believe this can be successful/popular if it is marketed correctly. It is absolutely crucial this is pushed in the 3 C's urban centers particularly Columbus. There is a hub of young alumni living there (many in close proximity to each other) who are still in the single/young professional stage of life without family commitments tying them down from going to Athens for a Saturday at their own will. Athens is 1.5 hrs max from a ton of young Bobcats in Columbus. 1.5 hrs and what I would call an extremely reasonably priced entertainment option. Oh yeah, it is also gives an excuse to go back to Athens for a day... Win. If it catches on it'll sell quick. If there isnt marketing of it I don't see it taking off.

Last Edited: 4/22/2014 3:54:07 PM by The Optimist
Bobcat110alum
General User
Member Since: 7/7/2010
Location: Columbus, OH
Post Count: 470
mail
Bobcat110alum
mail
Posted: 4/22/2014 5:52 PM
$60 for season tickets!? Yeah, I'll do it. Sign me up. 
Brian Smith (No, not that one)
General User
BSNNTO
Member Since: 2/4/2005
Post Count: 3,057
person
mail
Brian Smith (No, not that one)
mail
Posted: 4/23/2014 10:47 AM
OhioStunter wrote:expand_more
For a second I read this topic as "Neil Young Alumni section," and got really excited that we were going to get a post-game concert in Peden.

That's just crazy (horse).

 


The hill is renamed Down By The River Section. Expensive seats Old Man Section. Student section named Helpless Section.

When Marshall comes to town, their visiting section is Cowgirl In The Sand Section.
SBH
General User
SBH
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 4,679
person
mail
SBH
mail
Posted: 4/23/2014 12:08 PM
C Money wrote:expand_more
For a second I read this topic as "Neil Young Alumni section," and got really excited that we were going to get a post-game concert in Peden.


I read it exactly the same way.  And Neil (not Neil-Monroe) is crazy enough to do something like this.  Which is why I invited him to my wedding in 1987.

bobcatsquared
General User
B
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 5,848
person
mail
bobcatsquared
mail
Posted: 4/23/2014 12:51 PM
Instead, you got me.
Monroe Slavin
General User
MS
Member Since: 12/21/2004
Location: Oxnard, CA
Post Count: 9,121
person
mail
Monroe Slavin
mail
Posted: 4/23/2014 4:20 PM
Broaden thinking; tie Young Alum seats to same for hoops.  Perhaps a discount of some % if one purchases both.  Do we charge for vball?  Throw those in to the mix somehow, too.

The gap between alumni affinity for OHIO (HUGE) and sports support (tiny) needs to be narrowed.  Key = success in foot, hoops, vball, hockey, etc.  Winning builds winning.
Monroe Slavin
General User
MS
Member Since: 12/21/2004
Location: Oxnard, CA
Post Count: 9,121
person
mail
Monroe Slavin
mail
Posted: 4/23/2014 6:46 PM
The good news of a small stadium is it's easier to reach sellout.

Win.  Sellout.  Atmosphere/the place to be.  Viral.  $ flow.  Leads to continued success, more of same.
Athens
General User
A
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Alexandria, VA
Post Count: 5,454
person
mail
Athens
mail
Posted: 4/23/2014 7:24 PM
The trend is smaller stadiums in every sport but with better amenities and fan experience. Peden an old stadium is ahead of its time in someways.
Speaker of Truth
General User
ST
Member Since: 1/26/2011
Post Count: 448
person
mail
Speaker of Truth
mail
Posted: 4/23/2014 7:47 PM
I like this idea, although I think there are a few issues with it.  Here are a few bullet points:

- I think this will still be a tough sell for season tickets.  6 games will be a lot for young alumni to make the trip.  If they did it with a 3 game mini plan option, it may work better.
-  Hotels will be a big issue.  The assumption is that cheaper tickets will get young alumni down to athens....well where will they stay that is cheap?
-  I am also assuming the target of these tickets are very loyal to ohio but moderately loyal to athletics.  Those students are going to want to drink and stay the weekend, not drive back after the game.
-  Speaking of drinking...Beer.  No beer will be a big thing.  Young alums like coming to town to relive the college days....
-  Why pay for tickets....student ids havent changed....

I think the idea is good, I am just saying that it isn't a slam dunk like it would be in some schools that are located in the city.  I hope I am wrong, but I am curious to see some counters to my points.

 
mf279801
General User
M279801
Member Since: 8/6/2010
Location: Newark, DE
Post Count: 2,486
person
mail
mf279801
mail
Posted: 4/23/2014 9:37 PM
the123kid wrote:expand_more
I like this idea, although I think there are a few issues with it.  Here are a few bullet points:

Speaking of drinking...Beer.  No beer will be a big thing.  Young alums like coming to town to relive the college days....

Think current students leave after the band charges off the field at halftime? This section will be a ghosttown (30% due to the young alumni moving to better seats when the student's make some sapce, 70% to get uptown 
Deciduous Forest Cat
General User
DFC
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: OH
Post Count: 4,559
person
mail
Deciduous Forest Cat
mail
Posted: 4/24/2014 11:42 AM
the123kid wrote:expand_more
I like this idea, although I think there are a few issues with it.  Here are a few bullet points:

-  Hotels will be a big issue.  The assumption is that cheaper tickets will get young alumni down to athens....well where will they stay that is cheap?
-  I am also assuming the target of these tickets are very loyal to ohio but moderately loyal to athletics.  Those students are going to want to drink and stay the weekend, not drive back after the game.

I think the idea is good, I am just saying that it isn't a slam dunk like it would be in some schools that are located in the city.  I hope I am wrong, but I am curious to see some counters to my points.

 


Young alums stay with their friends who didn't graduate yet. or they stay at their frat/sorority house. Beer at Peden is long overdue, but it will never happen. That said, I like beer as much as the next guy, but it's not that hard to go three hours without one. Jeez.

You have to offer this. get alums in the habit of visiting campus and staying involved.
KyleWvr13
General User
Member Since: 11/10/2010
Location: Pottstown, PA
Post Count: 503
mail
KyleWvr13
mail
Posted: 4/27/2014 1:15 PM
Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:expand_more
You have to offer this. get alums in the habit of visiting campus and staying involved.



This is probably a huge reason why they started this.  As a 2013 graduate, I feel like most of the alumni functions and events (save for homecoming) just are not that appealing for me to come down and partake.  Putting a whole section of similarly aged alumni is a good way to get them to enjoy their seats at Peden and to hopefully get them to keep coming down once they've "aged out" of the season ticket deal
Showing Messages: 1 - 22 of 22
MAC News Links



extra small (< 576px)
small (>= 576px)
medium (>= 768px)
large (>= 992px)
x-large (>= 1200px)
xx-large (>= 1400px)