MBB: McLeod Center Attendance

[UNIAlum95]

I don't think you can compare attendance from the dome to the MC because last year half the crowd was there without paying. Kids were almost always free and tickets were given away like candy just to get people in seats. I think what we may see happening is that after this year people may realize that in order to get a good seat in the MC they are going to have to fork over the money for season tickets. I have been mildly impressed with the gradual increase in attendace numbers and 7000 is right around the corner. As for the corporate seats not being used - I sit in the not so corporate section and the seats beside me have been used twice all year. But I'm still glad we have their money!!!!

I know there were a TON of give aways last year but I wondered how we stacked up regardless of that. Seems we are drawing pretty well compared to most of the games.

[Dynasty]

Let's not forget about the Alumni Suite in the North End that will be done shortly. That will make the number of sellable tickets increase.

[run&blade]

question?

I assume the area above the concessions on the West side is some kind of luxury area? I saw some people drinking beer up there so this must be the case. What does it cost to get up there?

Is the are area above the concessions on the East side a standing room area?

I would put some nice seat back seats up there, maybe 3 or 4 rows of seats. I realize you can't build too many up there because you have some pillars but that area(s) could be put to better use. If the tickets don't get sold I would pull some curtain so you don't see the empty seats.

The sound system sounds better since the Bradley game, unless it was just because I change seats. I know the speakers above the student section sounded 'blown out' at the Bradley game but on the north end Saturday it sounded real good.

Standing room tickets are bogus when you can't stand above the student section, where the heck are you suppose to go? Every other spot seems to have folding chairs.

[BCPanther]

You are supposed to go to the observation decks...

Yes they do serve cocktails to Scholarship Club members up until 30 minutes prior to tip off and then the east deck becomes SRO. The west deck usually is as well. Saturday was the first time that either deck was used for a corporate partner...

[BCPanther]

Get the word out...

I see that there are a bunch of seats left for Wichita. We all know this game looked HUGE a month ago. Well, it is STILL huge with the position we have put ourselves in.

I know its an inconvenient early start at 6:05 but we need a full house to show off on ESPN2.

Get the word out...

[unigriff]

Alcohol at College games being sold!....say it aint so!

[DrewDog]

Alcohol at College games being sold!....say it aint so!

I am guessing that the alcohol is not sold to individuals, rather that the corporate sponsor has it catered and they pay for it. For the PSC pre-game, the beverages are complimentary.

[unigriff]

still though...

[LeodCat]

No kidding, whats next? Alcohol in dorms?!?!?! As a PSC member I can tell you the drinks and snacks are free as a benefit, and they are not available during the game.

[UNI Prof]

Does anyone know where we stand with luxery boxes? It would seem that those should be fairly easy to sell and install.

[Panther AC]

Does anyone know where we stand with luxery boxes? It would seem that those should be fairly easy to sell and install.

No one has come through with any money as yet for any luxury suites.

[Newsbreaker]

You don't build those luxury boxes until you know the demand will be there, and stay there.

Making any major renovations or changes based on the first year in the building would be quite unwise.

[panther2317]

So News...not a big believer in the "if you build it they will come" line of thinking I guess.

[Newsbreaker]

So News...not a big believer in the "if you build it they will come" line of thinking I guess.

I don't think it's that simple, at least not in this instance.

Simply building luxury suites won't create demand.

The obvious benefit to the average fan is that adding luxury suites would move some of the corporate tickets "up high" and clear up more seats to be sold. This is desirable, because right now UNI mens basketball is easily the hottest ticket in town, and a challenge to get in to.

It's hard to get tickets, because of three factors:

1)The building is brand new, and people want to go see it

2)The team is quite good

3)the UNI on-line ticket selling machinery is awful (had to get a dig in...but it does help create the perception that there aren't enough tickets to be had)

Next year, the first factor will diminish, and the 2nd factor is TBD. If demand falls off a bit, there will be no need to add more seats, and building expensive suites to do so would be a waste.

We need to wait a few years, see that demand has stayed high, and then make a decision. I would imagine the suites could easily be built in a single off-season.

[UNI Prof]

Usually, suits are built with money from those who will use them. I've been at a few institutions where a suit was "rented" for 10 years for $140,000 or so. One was a division II school. Tickets have to be purchased on top of that amount (10-20 per suit), so the entire "rental" amount is used for construction. In other words, if it's built, the people are already there (at least for 10 years).