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Post by permagrin on Aug 30, 2014 16:07:26 GMT -5
New wrinkle to bleacher gate- now they are not allowing anyone to sit there for the first match either unless a student so they will sit empty for the first match Morons
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Post by bucky415 on Aug 31, 2014 1:10:19 GMT -5
I love volleyball, enough that I drove 478.2 miles total this weekend to watch it, but I have to wonder if I could justify too many matches if I were at Minnesota. Ten bucks for bleacher seats, 8 for parking, and 5 and a half for a large soda (up a quarter from last night)? That adds up quickly, and it is even worse for the PSU, Nebraska, and Wisconsin matches. I think one of the attractions of volleyball, in addition to it really being a good sport to watch, in my opinion, is being affordable, and I have to wonder if they are turning off a lot of their fan base if that is no longer true.
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Post by spikerthemovie on Aug 31, 2014 1:14:48 GMT -5
I love volleyball, enough that I drove 478.2 miles total this weekend to watch it, but I have to wonder if I could justify too many matches if I were at Minnesota. Ten bucks for bleacher seats, 8 for parking, and 5 and a half for a large soda (up a quarter from last night)? That adds up quickly, and it is even worse for the PSU, Nebraska, and Wisconsin matches. I think one of the attractions of volleyball, in addition to it really being a good sport to watch, in my opinion, is being affordable, and I have to wonder if they are turning off a lot of their fan base if that is no longer true. Wonder no more. They are turning off at least some of their fan base.
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Post by mnsports255 on Aug 31, 2014 1:18:15 GMT -5
I love volleyball, enough that I drove 478.2 miles total this weekend to watch it, but I have to wonder if I could justify too many matches if I were at Minnesota. Ten bucks for bleacher seats, 8 for parking, and 5 and a half for a large soda (up a quarter from last night)? That adds up quickly, and it is even worse for the PSU, Nebraska, and Wisconsin matches. I think one of the attractions of volleyball, in addition to it really being a good sport to watch, in my opinion, is being affordable, and I have to wonder if they are turning off a lot of their fan base if that is no longer true. Tix are $5 for me and my friends, I get free parking, plus I bring my own water and snacks. So I guess it depends on the situation, but it's not expensive at all for me. I go to 7-8 matches a year and I can plan on spending 30-40 bucks in total per season. That being said, I totally get why fans are frustrated.
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Post by baywatcher on Aug 31, 2014 3:36:34 GMT -5
I live mid way between Cal and Stanford, costs me about $23 to go to a Stanford match, without food, (counnt gas and bridge fare) and about $17 to Cal, if going from home, again without food (but so close to that college junk food on Telegraph Ave.....). Cost makes me think, but little when compared to pro sports ($29 for a bleacher seat for the Giants? And $10.25 for a beer at 49ers). St. Mary's looks kind of weak this year, so may not attend their matches much, but that's like the most pleasant trip of all.
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Post by rainbowbadger on Aug 31, 2014 8:25:05 GMT -5
I love volleyball, enough that I drove 478.2 miles total this weekend to watch it, but I have to wonder if I could justify too many matches if I were at Minnesota. Ten bucks for bleacher seats, 8 for parking, and 5 and a half for a large soda (up a quarter from last night)? That adds up quickly, and it is even worse for the PSU, Nebraska, and Wisconsin matches. I think one of the attractions of volleyball, in addition to it really being a good sport to watch, in my opinion, is being affordable, and I have to wonder if they are turning off a lot of their fan base if that is no longer true. Tix are $5 for me and my friends, I get free parking, plus I bring my own water and snacks. So I guess it depends on the situation, but it's not expensive at all for me. I go to 7-8 matches a year and I can plan on spending 30-40 bucks in total per season. That being said, I totally get why fans are frustrated. How do you get cheaper seats & free parking? One thing I did notice is that they didn't check purses and they don't freak about carry-ins, so you could bring your own water and snacks and that'd work out okay.
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Post by nooram on Aug 31, 2014 8:53:44 GMT -5
Tix are $5 for me and my friends, I get free parking, plus I bring my own water and snacks. So I guess it depends on the situation, but it's not expensive at all for me. I go to 7-8 matches a year and I can plan on spending 30-40 bucks in total per season. That being said, I totally get why fans are frustrated. How do you get cheaper seats & free parking? One thing I did notice is that they didn't check purses and they don't freak about carry-ins, so you could bring your own water and snacks and that'd work out okay. I believe he is a high school student. You can always get free parking if you can handle walking 5 or 6 blocks
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Post by rainbowbadger on Aug 31, 2014 9:01:49 GMT -5
How do you get cheaper seats & free parking? One thing I did notice is that they didn't check purses and they don't freak about carry-ins, so you could bring your own water and snacks and that'd work out okay. I believe he is a high school student. You can always get free parking if you can handle walking 5 or 6 blocks Ah, got it. Yeah, we used to get free parking because we would leave for the match early enough to snag street parking and walk. Being a high school student he also has the luxury of leaving for the match early, whereas we grown-ups have to work until a certain hour.
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Post by bkedane on Aug 31, 2014 10:39:16 GMT -5
Agree about Goehner. She played back row for Nora quite well. Don't know what she looks like hitting, but I could see her taking the L2 spot on ball control alone. Well, for starters, she jumps higher, has a much quicker/more explosive approach, and easily has a heavier arm. Only thing Wilhite may be better at is shot placement. The decision by Hugh has many Gopher fans puzzled... Hugh probably has more information than the puzzled Gopher fans.
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Post by mnvbfan on Aug 31, 2014 11:33:29 GMT -5
Going to try to put down some thoughts on Gopher Volleyball and my observations of the college sport in general over the last several years. There are several factors that come in to play, in my opinion. First - we have a growing sport. Last year alone, the Pav attendance was up. I would think the goal of the program would be to be a self sustaining sport. Wouldn't it be incredible to say that VB funds itself? That it was not dependent on other sports to do so. Not sure how far away this is but it would be interesting to know. Now - I realize that this is not just about the money, but if you ignore that fact, then you ignore a big chunk of the puzzle.
We as a society have raised kids that have been part of club sports and all that entails. The recruiting game is extremely competitive and what is offered to student athlete's matter. When young players are coming to our campus and outright asking for certain things to be in place, then you know the game has reached a whole new level. I am not agreeing with how this has evolved over time, I am simply stating a fact. Young student athletes are much more savvy and worldly than ever before. Upper level athletes looking for the High D 1 experience have most likely already traveled to Europe, have trained at high levels, have been coached by many and have performed at high levels. Of course there is the occasional kid who is a bit more raw, but in this day and age, that is less likely. I am not saying these are bad kids. What they are is part of the system that has become club and then college sports. Whatever the sport... So, in order for any college to attract the student athlete they desire, they need to be able to offer what that player is looking for. While budgets generally cover needs of a program, there are additional wants that certainly help to attract top tier people. Which brings us back to funding...
Our job as fans. As I read though this thread, it strikes me that we all have expectations of this team, the coaches, the University. What do we expect of ourselves? Let's remember that this is a college sport, and while the feel of it is becoming much more professional, the fact remains that the students that play are from 18-22 years old, trying to juggle new experiences with team mates, coaches, living arrangements etc. What they need is our support. So when we sit in the stands - wherever we sit, and do not cheer and grumble about this that and the other thing, we are not holding up our end of the bargain. Our ticket entitles us to see a match. The rest is up to us. I was at the game on Friday night and what I saw was a group of kids trying to find their rhythm and figure it out. Beyond that, I don't have the expertise to tell you why the play appeared to be a bit uninspired but what I did see was fans simply sitting there like lumps, occasionally cheering but she things were tight - nothing. Truth be told, I was not much better. Last night I watched on TV as I was out of town. After some very good play they showed several fan sections. While people were clapping, the faces were stoney. Not a smile or energy to be had. How can we possibly expect 6 people on the court , the bench and the coaches to bring all the energy to the Pav? We have a lot of work to do as fans in my opinion (me included). Perhaps we look at it this way. As fans, we see this team year in and year out, however THIS team is new to each other. It is that way each and every year. They deserve to have our support as they are, not as we think they should be. We have a coach who knows a thing or two about Volleyball. What I believe he is learning is how to adjust to the yearly changes. As an Olympic coach, he had virtually the same 24 people to work with for 4 years. As a college coach, he has a rotating cast of characters to work with. It is a juggling act to make it all come together. I realize that I am preaching to the choir for most of you. You all seem to have a pretty high Volleyball IQ and thats what makes MN fans so great. I am simply asking you to take a step back and give yourself the gift of being a fan. Support what is going on with the team. You may not like the seating arrangement or other elements, but I hope you remember the Love of the game and MN Volleyball.
I would like to address the seating. Hind site is 20/20 for sure. I am not sure where the original decision came from for this move. I do know that the Booster club was not in on the discussion, which would have been nice. We (the boosters) like to think of ourselves as supporters of the program with some insight and history into past decisions. I believe that the Marketing department has been charged with certain goals and perhaps in the end, the idea of bringing more students to the games makes sense. After all, this is a college! We see the student sections at other schools and I have to say, I'm a bit envious. So, what comes first? Giving them the location and then filling it up? Maybe. But in the meantime, there are many disappointed loyal fans. I don't think it was the intent of the U to piss people off and we all know that change is hard. Unfortunately there are unintended consequences in most decisions. I would hope that wherever you sit, you would continue to support the team while the seating chart is evolving. And please be kind to the ushers. I can't imagine that they like the position they are in after years of simple ushering!
Next- let me tell you about Beth Goetz. She is the Deputy AD and an incredible support for VB, women's sports- all sports - at the U of M. She was at the game on Friday. Not sure about Saturday but I suspect she was. In my dealings with her, she is nothing but positive and supportive. So, while we may not see Norwood at all the games, I believe that the support is there. Beth is one of the most positive things about the AD department so I encourage you to meet her! I want her to know how great the fans are here as well.
Lastly, let me say this. Improvements can always be made and there is room for improvement. A good program knows this and works on it. I have no doubt that this program is a good program and they will have my support. As fans, we need improvement too. I think we are up for the challenge.
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Post by mnsports255 on Aug 31, 2014 13:05:50 GMT -5
Tix are $5 for me and my friends, I get free parking, plus I bring my own water and snacks. So I guess it depends on the situation, but it's not expensive at all for me. I go to 7-8 matches a year and I can plan on spending 30-40 bucks in total per season. That being said, I totally get why fans are frustrated. How do you get cheaper seats & free parking? One thing I did notice is that they didn't check purses and they don't freak about carry-ins, so you could bring your own water and snacks and that'd work out okay. Students/Seniors are $5, and I have a parent working at the U, so I take the parking card which allows you to park anywhere on campus for free (except on Vikings game days this year). I'm pretty fortunate, but if I was someone coming from the outer-suburbs who had to pay full price, I'd definitely cut back on the matches I attended. I'm just excited to add a new team to my arsenal starting next fall! Hopefully they'll be better off than the Gophers currently are.
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Post by gogophers on Sept 1, 2014 22:31:34 GMT -5
I would like to address the seating. Hind site is 20/20 for sure. . . . I don't think it was the intent of the U to piss people off and we all know that change is hard. Unfortunately there are unintended consequences in most decisions. [Ellipsis added] Mnvbfan, I respect you a great deal. You have done, and continue to do, so much for Gopher volleyball. But I must ask, in response to your apologia for a program that has, to my mind, clearly gone off the deep end: what makes you think that it takes hind site to know that the changes in ticketing and seating policies would piss off some fans? That they would have this effect could not be more obvious from day one. In the same vein, what makes you think that the consequences were unintended? Take the end line seating (oops, too late: the the powers-that-be have already taken it). Either the decision makers knew that a sizable contingent of long-time fans strongly favor the end line vantage point, or they didn't. To suppose they didn't is to suppose they are ignorant. I don't readily draw that conclusion. Rather, I assume they did their studies, formed their committees and groups, met for their "brainstorming sessions," consulted with the all-knowing marketing gurus, and, weighing one against the other, decided, quite deliberately and with full knowledge of what would ensue, that the goal (however chimerical) of getting more rowdy students to shout nasty things at opposing players from 15 feet away was simply more important than the long-standing attachment of those fans to that location. Although the abolition of end-line seating for non-students sticks most in my craw, it isn't just that. Premium pricing for the most popular matches? Are they kidding? Copying the airlines isn't the best way to improve customer satisfaction. Reserved seating only, even for the sideline bleacher seats? Can you even think of a plausible justification for that new policy? Have you heard even a single person say, ever, gee, I wish the U would abolish general admission so that I have to sit wherever the ticketing gods thus decree? You mentioned, Mnvbfan, that the program did not seek any input at all from the booster group. What could better prove my point that this is a program that has lost its way? And I'm not talking about recruitment or decisions to use a 6-2 or a 5-1 or anything else on the volleyball end. I'm talking about the fan experience. When you have an organization of your most ardent fans and you don't see fit to ask that organization what those fans think about proposed changes that will affect their experience and their level of enjoyment when attending matches, you can send no clearer signal that you don't give a rip what such fans think. The marketing gurus have spoken, and that, evidently, is all that matters.
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Post by chisovnik on Sept 1, 2014 22:36:14 GMT -5
Agree about Goehner. She played back row for Nora quite well. Don't know what she looks like hitting, but I could see her taking the L2 spot on ball control alone. Well, for starters, she jumps higher, has a much quicker/more explosive approach, and easily has a heavier arm. Only thing Wilhite may be better at is shot placement. The decision by Hugh has many Gopher fans puzzled... No one else is puzzled. Goehner is not that good. Stop it already.
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Post by mnsports255 on Sept 1, 2014 23:43:02 GMT -5
Well, for starters, she jumps higher, has a much quicker/more explosive approach, and easily has a heavier arm. Only thing Wilhite may be better at is shot placement. The decision by Hugh has many Gopher fans puzzled... No one else is puzzled. Goehner is not that good. Stop it already. Goehner is good. But Wilhite really stepped out of the box on Saturday and showed what she's capable of, hopefully ending debate about the OH2 spot (yes there was debate from people besides me). Easy pot-shot for you to take after the weekend though, so kudos I guess...
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Post by chisovnik on Sept 1, 2014 23:53:47 GMT -5
No one else is puzzled. Goehner is not that good. Stop it already. Goehner is good. But Wilhite really stepped out of the box on Saturday and showed what she's capable of, hopefully ending debate about the OH2 spot (yes there was debate from people besides me). Easy pot-shot for you to take after the weekend though, so kudos I guess... I've been saying this long before the season started. Nice try though.
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