hoyabinx
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by hoyabinx on Dec 10, 2004 2:46:25 GMT -5
Tonight I sat in the 4th row of the student section and felt lost. Behind me the section stretched up to the concourse, some 40 rows back. Chants from the front mixed with chants from the back, each part of the section unable to hear and interact with the other. The upper section was virtually silent from its perch 100+ feet back. What is the problem here? Is it that we need some student section organizers who keep chants together? Possibly, but it is almost impossible to get people chanting in unison if they see students mouths moving in the front row but don't hear the chant until a half second later when the sound finally makes it to them. MCI center is no real home court. This issue, I believe, has been settled. However, the current setup furthers the taming of our beloved Chinatown home. I don't know how many students made it to the game tonight, I would say it was about 800 (could have been alot more, a lot less) But I do know that I could barely see the back of it. You see, what we have right now is essentially 60 rows of 15-20 seats which makes for a very long and narrow student section. It is difficult to unite and it is unpleasant to be in the back of. I think we could turn MCI center into a much better home court and appease potential student fans with one change--Put us on one of the sides of the court instead of at an end. 20 rows of 60 seats would create a box parallel to the court that would be both easy to mobilize for chants and would provide MUCH better viewing for people who aren't crazy enough to show up and hour and a half early to get in the first 5 rows. It would keep the "Defense! stomp stomp" from sounding like a music class staggering "row row row your boat." It would put the casual student fan closer to the game, and would provide incentive for more people to come to the game.
The old people (sorry alums) that sit in these sections are silent in the part of the place that could provide the most noise. You don't see Bowman hit a three and get the place going nuts, causing the other team to call timeout and allowing us to interact with the players, pumping them up with our noise. How great would it be for the students to be behind our bench (or theirs, or inbetween) and be able have bowman look at us and scream after a huge play? As it stands, the players can interact with the students and vice versa only in the fist half, and only then with a 15 seat wide section, and only if there is a foul pausing the play at that end (see bowman's dunk and foul against Penn State).
So, that is my longwinded explanation as to why the student section should be moved to the side.
Any suggestions as to how this can be done?
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hoyaboy1
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by hoyaboy1 on Dec 10, 2004 2:49:06 GMT -5
I think it is impossible. Getting student sections behind both baskets might be more doable. But probably also impossible.
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GUHoya07
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by GUHoya07 on Dec 10, 2004 3:02:43 GMT -5
I would love to see it moved to the side opposite the benches, much like at Cameron, NC St, or any other arena with a student section along the sides. I don't think it would be that hard if they really cared about us or if the athletic department actually made an effort to do something. This year they have left the hockey walls in MCI for some reason and if you look at a pic of the arena you can see that the ideal location for a student section would be along the side of the court opposite the benches and in between the court and the hockey wall. Now, we set up generic benches in there and just have the first available seats in the sections behind it be a few rows up so that everyone can see over the standing students. The atmosphere is much more exciting and everyone is much more into the game, plus I think it would get all the Georgetown fans right around us more involved. Take a look at this pic and give me one good reason why this isn't possible if MCI or the athletic department were to give a crap about us.
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YB
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by YB on Dec 10, 2004 8:39:47 GMT -5
You guys need to call up the athletic dept and let them know this. It's a matter of what to do about the season tix holders close to the court. We must help them adjust for this.
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Madgesdiq
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by Madgesdiq on Dec 10, 2004 8:44:44 GMT -5
This suggestion was brought up to former AD Joe Lang at last years post BE tourney Hoya Hoop Club Meeting.
He stated that no one had ever presented the idea to him during his tenure as AD. And while the University/MCI would obviously have to reconfigure the allotment and placement of individual/corporate season ticket holders, I don't think this idea is unfeasible.
A major issue is whether student involvement/addendance on a season long basis (and not such Illinois, Pitt, Syracuse, UConn) merits a closer look at such a proposal.
I am pretty confident by Lang's reaction to the question, that this had never been discussed at McDonough.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2004 8:46:31 GMT -5
Is there anyway you can reformat that picture, make it smaller, and repost so we can all see it without having to drag the up/down and left/right bars all over the place?
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hoyabinx
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by hoyabinx on Dec 10, 2004 9:40:05 GMT -5
This suggestion was brought up to former AD Joe Lang at last years post BE tourney Hoya Hoop Club Meeting. He stated that no one had ever presented the idea to him during his tenure as AD. And while the University/MCI would obviously have to reconfigure the allotment and placement of individual/corporate season ticket holders, I don't think this idea is unfeasible. A major issue is whether student involvement/addendance on a season long basis (and not such Illinois, Pitt, Syracuse, UConn) merits a closer look at such a proposal. I am pretty confident by Lang's reaction to the question, that this had never been discussed at McDonough. Wow, I am amazed it has never been brought up in serious conversation. Maybe this will be my crusade of the year. Ill have to bring this one up with the AD
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nodak89
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Roy Roy Royyyyy!!!
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Post by nodak89 on Dec 10, 2004 12:45:11 GMT -5
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Post by StPetersburgHoya (Inactive) on Dec 10, 2004 13:03:46 GMT -5
I think that the best idea is to have the student section on opposite sides of the court. I realize that this is a delicate issue for the AD's office because you are trying to balance seating the big donors to the program (I think we have some) and getting the students who have energy close to the floor. But I think that you can balance those issues. Having students on either side of the court (not behind the baskets) lets you do call and response chants just like everyother college program.
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YB
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by YB on Dec 10, 2004 13:09:52 GMT -5
I have brought this up a couple of times and there are some legit issues with it- including what to do with the season ticket holders and donors. And they are important too.
That said, they are not against the idea. This was, btw, one of the ideas we had as a part of our Rally.
There are two pieces to this:
1. Students have to show up more for non-huge games, and during breaks.
2. Have to compensate the season-ticket holders also.
But to think that the Young Alum section- which is comparatively small and quiet- can supplement the students on one side of the court is ridiculous.
We really have to rethink the MCI configuration.
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hoyabinx
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by hoyabinx on Dec 10, 2004 13:13:14 GMT -5
I think that the best idea is to have the student section on opposite sides of the court. I realize that this is a delicate issue for the AD's office because you are trying to balance seating the big donors to the program (I think we have some) and getting the students who have energy close to the floor. But I think that you can balance those issues. Having students on either side of the court (not behind the baskets) lets you do call and response chants just like everyother college program. I think having students on both sides would be great but you run into the problem of the students standing up and blocking the view the seated sections next to them. I think that is a big obstacle to get by.
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Post by jerseyhoya34 on Dec 10, 2004 13:20:46 GMT -5
I think it would be nice to integrate the students more into the regular ticket areas. While it may be a distraction, I think it can help to build an arena culture. Now, we aren't going to convince the champagne-sucking, cheese-eating DC elites to get into it, but we may convince young adults and the yuppies to get into it and lend their voices. As it is, I think many of them keep their seats warm because they don't feel an impetus and don't have an incentive to act out because others around them aren't doing so.
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hoyabinx
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by hoyabinx on Dec 10, 2004 13:22:27 GMT -5
Hey 007, fix that damn pic, it is so big and annoying ;D
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lichoya68
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
OK YOUNGINS ARE HERE AND ARE VERY VERY GOOD cant wait GO HOYAS
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Post by lichoya68 on Dec 10, 2004 16:59:27 GMT -5
i know that the issue of different student seating has been discuused at the hoop club meetings and my sense it that when brian has asked students they dont seem to want to change the way it is but it certainly can be looked at... . its not true its never been discusse in mcdonough
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HoyaSAXA
Century (over 100 posts)
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Post by HoyaSAXA on Dec 11, 2004 8:49:29 GMT -5
At the illinois vs. wake forest game, Illinois students surrounded the court, it was awesome, that really gives the apponent some problems i would thing, so i say the first 4-5 rows around the court be student section, giving the opponents some fear. Also, sound of cheering would be everywhere, because right now, i sit up in section 101, and the students are the only ones that make noise, and i want to be part of it, but I really cant because im surrounded by quite gtown fans, if u guys surrounded the court, i dunno, sound would be everywhere. Anybody think this is good/bad? well, actually maybe they dont do that at illinois all the time, but i still think it is a good idea here... www.mcicenter.com/wizards/images/wizards_seating_big.jpgnow the base, creamy color, that should be student section, with maybe a few exceptions like courtside seats.
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CAHoya07
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by CAHoya07 on Dec 11, 2004 10:39:43 GMT -5
I agree, HoyaSAXA. That would be faaaaaantastic, and it would get more students to games too.
Someone has gotta bring this to the attention of the athletic department, I thnk they'd at least consider it.
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ScreamingHoya
Bulldog (over 250 posts)
Ted Valentine: Getting it wrong since 1979.
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Post by ScreamingHoya on Dec 11, 2004 10:51:01 GMT -5
First off, I want to put to rest this concept that the alums are quiet. While this may be true of some, most of the people I sit around are quite vocal, it's just that there aren't several hundred of them packed closely together who go ballistic every time GU hits a layup. I would have no problem with the students being integrated around the arena, other than the fact that I don't want to lose the two seats I've had since the hoyas came to MCI (we also had similar seats at the cap centre) I'm a sophomore at Georgetown, and I passed on student tickets this year, because frankly, the seats we have (about 5 rows back, mid-court) are just better. Another point to make is that student tickets cost $75 (this is what it was last year at least). Our season tickets this year cost over $200. To integrate the students around the arena, you would need either a big price drop for the alums, or a big price increase for the students. Anyways, that's just my two cents.
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GUHoya07
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by GUHoya07 on Dec 11, 2004 11:43:33 GMT -5
You don't have any desire to be in the student section? I know mid-court seats are better in terms of view, but I would think being part of the student section is just so much more fun.
As for the price, why would there have to be a price drop for alums? This doesn't have to be "fair". Its about creating a homecourt advantage and it shouldnt matter if students have better seats for half the price. For way too long we've looked at things this way. The home court advantage would by far outweigh the advantage in terms of that extra money from more expensive seats. However, Im sure students would be happy to pay more for seasons tickets if we were along the sideline opposite the benches. Make season tix $100 (they are $85 now), with the a free game day t-shirt and put us around the court. I know a set-up could be figured out and this would just make the atmosphere so much better.
At least we get to experience this today at McDonough.
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hoyabinx
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by hoyabinx on Dec 11, 2004 12:11:54 GMT -5
First off, I want to put to rest this concept that the alums are quiet. While this may be true of some, most of the people I sit around are quite vocal, it's just that there aren't several hundred of them packed closely together who go ballistic every time GU hits a layup. I would have no problem with the students being integrated around the arena, other than the fact that I don't want to lose the two seats I've had since the hoyas came to MCI (we also had similar seats at the cap centre) I'm a sophomore at Georgetown, and I passed on student tickets this year, because frankly, the seats we have (about 5 rows back, mid-court) are just better. Another point to make is that student tickets cost $75 (this is what it was last year at least). Our season tickets this year cost over $200. To integrate the students around the arena, you would need either a big price drop for the alums, or a big price increase for the students. Anyways, that's just my two cents. Yo... Dude, get yo ass in the student section ;D I know you dont have to show up early to get close in your fancy smancy "real person seats." The student section rocks out (if you are in the first few rows, outside of that i can get a bit annoying). Since you have had season tickets since we moved to the MCI center it sounds like you are pretty hardcore, i think you would like it down with us. (i am a senior and plan to sit in the student section next year after I graduate, shhhh, dont tell anyone)
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JimmyHoya
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Hoya fan, est. 1986
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Post by JimmyHoya on Dec 11, 2004 12:34:18 GMT -5
My hopeful acceptance letter should be coming any minute now (litterally) and when I'm a student, unless there's people I specifically want to be with, I am SO borrowing my dad's midcourt tickets...you can see everything, and it's just like the student section, but 30 years older
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