CU Buffs' Mike Bohn's work not yet done

[RSSBot]

By Kyle Ringo Camera Sports Writer

Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn can't remember one year in a 26-year career in college athletics administration that has been as eventful, challenging and rewarding as 2010.

Originally posted by Daily Camera (http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_16953810?source=rss)
Click here to view the article. (http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_16953810?source=rss)

[Buffnik]

Year-end financial state of the union. Interesting stuff, I think.

[buff4bcs1985]

Year-end financial state of the union. Interesting stuff, I think.

is he getting his extension or not...

[mdelpizzo_1]

is he getting his extension or not...

When we find out if our 3 new coaches are winners

[Del]

sounds like we are REALLY broke!

[SJBuff]

When we find out if our 3 new coaches are winners
Who were the other coaches fired besides juicebox?

[absinthe]

Who were the other coaches fired besides juicebox?

Boyle and Lappe are also in their 1st years.

[Buffellow85]

sounds like we are REALLY broke!

Bohn can't continue to offer $10 tickets to fill the stadium.

[sackman]

Bohn can't continue to offer $10 tickets to fill the stadium.

Of course he can. And he should. $10 is better than $0. He needs to do everything in his power to put as many people in the stands every game as is humanly possible.

It will help that this year, we have a very attractive home schedule.

[Del]

Could really use that 50 million booster money right about now

[CUFan]

It may be a bit of hole to dig out of, but it was the correct decision. Staying in the dying Big 12 would have been a long (maybe even short) term disaster.

Let's get this ship righted and then start upgrading the football facilities. Go Buffs!

[InTheBuff]

Of course he can. And he should. $10 is better than $0. He needs to do everything in his power to put as many people in the stands every game as is humanly possible.

It will help that this year, we have a very attractive home schedule.

yes I agree.. if you spend $10.00 you might end up spending $4.50 on a soda & $7.00 on a burger which helps CU too

[Del]

agree a good long term move but it stinks because any extra revenue we have will be going to pay off the loan. We will probably be paying that damn thing off for the next 5-7 yrs which means no improvements for a long time and we will fall further behind the facility war.

[CUFan]

agree a good long term move but it stinks because any extra revenue we have will be going to pay off the loan. We will probably be paying that damn thing off for the next 5-7 yrs which means no improvements for a long time and we will fall further behind the facility war.

We will need to recruit some serious donors for facilities improvements. Hopefully including some large donors in the HC search committee will begin the process of raising such funds.

[sackman]

The payout for Hawkins is a non-issue. I'm certain that they are covered there. In fact, I'm pretty certain they're covered across the board.

I think Bohn likes to plead poverty. I don't think the University, and the AD in particular, is as bad off as we're being led to believe.

[CUFan]

The payout for Hawkins is a non-issue. I'm certain that they are covered there. In fact, I'm pretty certain they're covered across the board.

I think Bohn likes to plead poverty. I don't think the University, and the AD in particular, is as bad off as we're being led to believe.

I completely agree. They went into this with their eyes wide open. That is why I am more interested in any facilities improvements that may be coming (I hope).

[absinthe]

yes I agree.. if you spend $10.00 you might end up spending $4.50 on a soda & $7.00 on a burger which helps CU too

while they are at it turn 119 into paying seats. $1,000,000 right there.

[sackman]

while they are at it turn 119 into paying seats. $1,000,000 right there.

I think you mean 117. I sit in 119 and I'm pretty sure we pay for those seats.

But yeah, they could, and should, reconfigure the student section. I'd actually suggest taking both 117 and 116 out of the Student section, and moving those student seats to the upper level on the South side. There are four tunnels that access the South side of the Stadium. That could all be student access. It makes it a lot easier.

OTOH, the allbuffs seats are in the second level of the South Endzone, so that could be a bit of an issue for us.

[Buffalo Brad]

The payout for Hawkins is a non-issue. I'm certain that they are covered there. In fact, I'm pretty certain they're covered across the board.

I think Bohn likes to plead poverty. I don't think the University, and the AD in particular, is as bad off as we're being led to believe.

I agree with you here. Mike likes to cry poor a lot but you do not make these types of moves without having many pieces in place needed to ensure success. The $s from the game in Columbus next year help as well but the hit we take having only 5 home games hurts in the short term. Mike better make damn sure we do not get srewed into only 5 home games in the future. Because of the very attractive home schedule next year, he will not have to discount as many seats next year but only having 5 home games sucks.

[Buffnik]

117 is the first move. That needs to be a section that's paying premium pricing along with a large donation.

Probably have to do it incrementally for additional moves. But I'd put a 5-year plan in place to reconfigure seating at Folsom. Students should have Sections 109-114 with 109 being the band section. You could also go 203-213. Make the entire South endzone for students.

[sliderNcider]

:finger2:

[absinthe]

I think you mean 117. I sit in 119 and I'm pretty sure we pay for those seats.

But yeah, they could, and should, reconfigure the student section. I'd actually suggest taking both 117 and 116 out of the Student section, and moving those student seats to the upper level on the South side. There are four tunnels that access the South side of the Stadium. That could all be student access. It makes it a lot easier.

OTOH, the allbuffs seats are in the second level of the South Endzone, so that could be a bit of an issue for us.

DOH! I meant 117 thanks Sacky.

[BlackNGold]

117 is the first move. That needs to be a section that's paying premium pricing along with a large donation.

Probably have to do it incrementally for additional moves. But I'd put a 5-year plan in place to reconfigure seating at Folsom. Students should have Sections 109-114 with 109 being the band section. You could also go 203-213. Make the entire South endzone for students.


One fly in the Ointment is demand for those seats...it is not there yet. I have tickets in one of the $300 donation per seat sections and looked at adding a couple of more...when I talked to the ticket office they had plenty to choose from. Adding another section will increase supply and they have to also build demand. Too many times in the last couple of years I have had people who set in our section paying about one fourth of what I am paying...you can only do that so long.

[BlackNGold]

The AD is VERY BAD off. When I posted last summer that the Conference move would cost $17 Million - I was told I was an idiot by certain posters. The solution is to borrow money...but you cannot borrow your way to prosperity. CU needs the PAC 10 to come up with a killer TV contract, which could happen if they get the right bidders but Scott is taking a high risk approach to the negotiations of a TV contract and Pac 10 network.

CU is going to borrow the money and is betting on the TV contract.

Bohn's biggest issue is that he has acted in the past like borrowing was free money - it is not.

On the plus side - Benson is taking a bigger interest in the success of the Athletics at CU...If Benson gets involved in fund raising for the AD it would be a big boost. He is well connected in the local business community.

[Tractor]

Guys, next year we will be bad off. Maybe 2 months ago, somebody posted the financials for CU in the 2009 fiscal year. We were in the black by not that much. Now you guys are going to tell me that taking a much smaller TV revenue share from the Big 12 and firing a coach means we're going to be ok?

I also think we cannot yet open section 117 to the public. First, we complain about selling $10 tickets, and now you want us to put an entire extra section up for sale? Students should be allowed to sit there because they bring energy and bodies. Hopefully we start winning and generating enthusiasm for CU. Once that starts happening, maybe we can start thinking about it.

I was at WVU and their students were all on the second level. The stadium atmosphere SUCKED! Moving the students too far away from the action could be a mistake.

[tante]

Guys, next year we will be bad off. Maybe 2 months ago, somebody posted the financials for CU in the 2009 fiscal year. We were in the black by not that much. Now you guys are going to tell me that taking a much smaller TV revenue share from the Big 12 and firing a coach means we're going to be ok?

I also think we cannot yet open section 117 to the public. First, we complain about selling $10 tickets, and now you want us to put an entire extra section up for sale? Students should be allowed to sit there because they bring energy and bodies. Hopefully we start winning and generating enthusiasm for CU. Once that starts happening, maybe we can start thinking about it.

I was at WVU and their students were all on the second level. The stadium atmosphere SUCKED! Moving the students too far away from the action could be a mistake.


they need to fix the bleachers in 117 first. standing on those things after a bunch of captain morgans is tough at 21

[wsp4820]

Guys, next year we will be bad off. Maybe 2 months ago, somebody posted the financials for CU in the 2009 fiscal year. We were in the black by not that much. Now you guys are going to tell me that taking a much smaller TV revenue share from the Big 12 and firing a coach means we're going to be ok?

I also think we cannot yet open section 117 to the public. First, we complain about selling $10 tickets, and now you want us to put an entire extra section up for sale? Students should be allowed to sit there because they bring energy and bodies. Hopefully we start winning and generating enthusiasm for CU. Once that starts happening, maybe we can start thinking about it.

I was at WVU and their students were all on the second level. The stadium atmosphere SUCKED! Moving the students too far away from the action could be a mistake.

I agree. Marginalizing the student fans is not the way to go in my opinion. A brighter idea would be to allow young alums/recent grads to purchase GA tickets for slightly more than student tickets and continue to sit there. I know I couldn't afford season tickets this year, so I went when I could get cheap or free tickets and then sat in the student section. If I could have purchased season tickets for say, 150 or 200 bucks and then sat in the student section I would have done that.

IMO, young alums/recent grads that are slowly weaned off the really cheap tickets but still brought into the stadium are much more likely to stay season ticket holders once they can afford the real prices.

[SINKRATZ]

Simple solution: build a glass roof over Folsom and put the student section on top - no other stadium can offer views from directly above the field and the attire of the co-eds during warm weather games would offer some interesting views to the fans in the stadium below. Also, sell booze again.

[Scotch]

Simple solution: build a glass roof over Folsom and put the student section on top - no other stadium can offer views from directly above the field and the attire of the co-eds during warm weather games would offer some interesting views to the fans in the stadium below. Also, sell booze again.

Do other PAC 12 teams sell beer? I know we were the last ones in the Big 12 to sell beer.

[66BUFF]

Do other PAC 12 teams sell beer? I know we were the last ones in the Big 12 to sell beer.

USC did when i went to a game in 2002

[Skidmark]

Do other PAC 12 teams sell beer? I know we were the last ones in the Big 12 to sell beer.

I'm certain no beer is sold at Cal, ASU and Utah home games.

[unionbuff]

I'm certain no beer is sold at Cal, ASU and Utah home games.

Add UCLA & UW.

[leftybuff]

I'm certain no beer is sold at Cal, ASU and Utah home games.

No beer at Utah?

[Del]

Add Stanford into that mix. Went to the Stanford Oregon State game over the Thanksgiving holiday and no beer but the Stanford Alums that tailgate do drink wine instead of beer lol!

[Daaah]

117 is the first move. That needs to be a section that's paying premium pricing along with a large donation.

Probably have to do it incrementally for additional moves. But I'd put a 5-year plan in place to reconfigure seating at Folsom. Students should have Sections 109-114 with 109 being the band section. You could also go 203-213. Make the entire South endzone for students.

Oh hell no! Students are the lifeblood of the program and should not be relegated to ****ty seats!

[The Guest]

Oh hells no! Students are the lifeblood of the program and should not be relegated to ****ty seats!

Fixed for spelling. Sorry to go all grammar po-po on you.

[absinthe]

117 is the first move. That needs to be a section that's paying premium pricing along with a large donation.

Probably have to do it incrementally for additional moves. But I'd put a 5-year plan in place to reconfigure seating at Folsom. Students should have Sections 109-114 with 109 being the band section. You could also go 203-213. Make the entire South endzone for students.

Your gain on 115 would only be about 350 a seat and it is a smaller section we should leave that for the kids.

[Buffnik]

Good point, abs. 117 is the key. 116 is pretty valuable, too.

One way we could make this happen more quickly with increasing our season ticket base is to discount for recent graduates (last 5 years maybe). But we really need to market like maniacs to anyone who has owned season tix in the past 10 years but no longer does.

I also think we need to move toward the stadium seating upgrade at Folsom. People who pay for premium seats want a defined space, not a bleacher. The CU AD needs to recognize that the Buffs are in competition with the Broncos for the sports entertainment dollar of football fans in metro Denver. Amenities need to compare.

http://www.business.com/directory/advertising_and_marketing/event_and_conference_planning/conference_and_convention_centers/arenas_and_stadiums/stadium_seating/

These guys did some of the big ones:
http://www.irwinseating.com/sports-facilities.php?tab=3

Finally, the West Side Flatiron Club needs to be improved to match the East Stadium Club. Club seats have a 33% smaller donation attached to them. Fix Balch, expand the West premium seating, and make it nicer.

[Hugegroove]

I think you mean 117. I sit in 119 and I'm pretty sure we pay for those seats.

But yeah, they could, and should, reconfigure the student section. I'd actually suggest taking both 117 and 116 out of the Student section, and moving those student seats to the upper level on the South side. There are four tunnels that access the South side of the Stadium. That could all be student access. It makes it a lot easier.

OTOH, the allbuffs seats are in the second level of the South Endzone, so that could be a bit of an issue for us.

I vote for that student move idea! Since my seats are in 118 and everyone there has to stand up half of the time anyway.

[buff4bcs1985]

I vote for that student move idea! Since my seats are in 118 and everyone there has to stand up half of the time anyway.

you disappoint me hugegroove... i thought you loved seeing my smiling face standing adjacent to you...

[Creebuzz]

I vote for moving the students to a section where they can rush the field more easily.

[Buffnik]

I vote for moving the students to a section where they can rush the field more easily.

Good point. It's a tradition now.

[Hugegroove]

you disappoint me hugegroove... i thought you loved seeing my smiling face standing adjacent to you...


If you wern't standing all of the time we might be able to see your smiling face

[sackman]

There's really no reason for students to have 50 yard line seats. Those are premium seating that should command premium pricing.

[96 Buff]

Yeah, **** the students. They never show any energy for the game anyway, so we should tuck them away farthest from the field and replace them with old ****ers who will do the proper thing and clap and sit during the whole game.

[Buffnik]

I think that giving students 50 yard line seats for next to nothing plays into a sense of entitlement and unrealistic expectations. I don't know many times I have heard younger Buff fans say that their plan is to buy the cheapest seat they can and then stand with the students in some of the stadium's best seats.

There's absolutely no incentive to buy season tickets or to look at upgrading. Just go squeeze into the student section. For most, they will never be able to afford season tickets that give them a better seat at Folsom than they had as a student. That's pretty much because there isn't a better seat at Folsom.

[sackman]

Yeah, **** the students. They never show any energy for the game anyway, so we should tuck them away farthest from the field and replace them with old ****ers who will do the proper thing and clap and sit during the whole game.

Who's saying "**** the students?" You think it's a good idea to give away 50-yard line seats at student ticket prices when they could be getting over $100 per seat? Is that a good business model? I'm not advocating taking any seats away from students at all. Just move the section. What on Earth entitles them to such great seats? This is a business here. I understand the need to provide an area for the students to watch the game. That's imperative. It's also imperative that they be a big part of the game-day atmosphere. But it's absurd to throw money away like that.

[sliderNcider]

Since when do students have 50 yard line seats?

[sackman]

Since when do students have 50 yard line seats?

Section 117 goes from the 35 to the 50 yard line. That's student seating.

[96 Buff]

When there's a waiting list for CU season tickets, then perhaps this discussion can be had. Until then, however, I think it's ludicrous. The student allottment at least sells out the vast majority of the time, something that cannot be said for the rest of the stadium. ****, we didn't even have a waiting list during the Mac years, when we likely were at our pinnacle of success.

[sackman]

When there's a waiting list for CU season tickets, then perhaps this discussion can be had. Until then, however, I think it's ludicrous. The student allottment at least sells out the vast majority of the time, something that cannot be said for the rest of the stadium. ****, we didn't even have a waiting list during the Mac years, when we likely were at our pinnacle of success.

This argument makes no sense. Where are the seats that we're having difficulty selling? In the South End Zone. We're not having any issues selling seats between the 35 and 50 yard line - at premium pricing to boot. If anything, this move would help fill the stadium.

[sackman]

I'd even go so far as to say that if they did open up Sec 117, my Dad and I would probably think about upgrading our seats. We've sat in the same spot for something like 25 years, but a lot of the folks that we've gotten to know over the years have either moved away or given up their seats. A move/upgrade might be in order.

[BinaryBuff]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I think students should be moved out of 117 and into another section. This is coming from someone that had student tickets in that section for 4 years (2 as a "senior" and 2 as a grad student). I thought it at the time that it was nuts to give a season ticket to students in prime seating for $30/season and I think it's nuts now when a comparable section/seat (sec 118) donation is $300/seat on top of the season ticket cost.

[Mick Ronson]

as a sec. 117'er for 5 years as a grad student, i thought it was insane to seat us there. 40$ a season ticket, on the 40, row 20. really?

put the donors there. for 40$ a pop per season, i'd have been happy anywhere in the lower bowl.

[absinthe]

How many seats are in a row in 118? and 119?

Multiply that by 50 rows at a net gain of 650 a seat.

[The Monk]

Those super cheap student tickets cost 40 bucks plus tuition and living expenses.

[absinthe]

Those super cheap student tickets cost 40 bucks plus tuition and living expenses.

of which not a dime goes to the AD.

[Buffnik]

How many seats are in a row in 118? and 119? and how many rows?

Except for Dal Ward seats, I believe all the lower deck sections have 50 rows. I don't have the further details.

[Mick Ronson]

Those super cheap student tickets cost 40 bucks plus tuition and living expenses.

not for most grad students they don't. we had tuition waivers and 16,500$ a year stipend and CU's crap health insurance. only the senior undergrads sit in 117. and, of my ticket group, i'm the only one of 5 of us still in Colorado. rest are in Ohio, Texas, New York, Australia.....so, i think it's much smarter to give those student tix to people (law students, b-schoolers) who are likely to stay in the area, use their advanced degrees, and make some coin and give back.

assholes like me, we don't make crap and are likely to leave the state when any job presents. CU isn't paying competitive salaries, to be honest.

[absinthe]

Except for Dal Ward seats, I believe all the lower deck sections have 50 rows. I don't have the further details.

yeah I back checked my emails, 50 rows is correct does 40 ish seats sound right? I am near the middle and have 16/15. If so we are talking about net gain of $1.3 million per season.

[wsp4820]

of which not a dime goes to the AD.

Don't all of the students also pay an "athletic fee" that goes to the AD whether they buy tickets or not? While the students may not be the smartest of football fans, I do think marginalizing them and moving them away from the action would lessen the atmosphere in the stadium and would ultimately decrease the home-field advantage.

EDIT: and I'll reemphasize my main point. At a time like this when we are down, it makes sense to energize and connect the students to the AD and to the school. One of our main disadvantages is the fact that our student population is much more national than many other state schools. So, many of our students don't grow up as die hard CU fans like they do at say Wisconsin or Texas or other schools that are much more in-state dominated. Making efforts to connect with the kids while they're students and then doing whatever you can to keep them connected to the AD right after they graduate would pay off in the long run, IMO.

[wsp4820]

not for most grad students they don't. we had tuition waivers and 16,500$ a year stipend and CU's crap health insurance. only the senior undergrads sit in 117. and, of my ticket group, i'm the only one of 5 of us still in Colorado. rest are in Ohio, Texas, New York, Australia.....so, i think it's much smarter to give those student tix to people (law students, b-schoolers) who are likely to stay in the area, use their advanced degrees, and make some coin and give back.

assholes like me, we don't make crap and are likely to leave the state when any job presents. CU isn't paying competitive salaries, to be honest.

The entire student section is now general admission. No more "senior reserved" section in 117.

[The Monk]

of which not a dime goes to the AD.
Explicit cost != implicit costs. Excluding even something like athletic fees, every dollar added to the total budget makes it easier for the university to support athletics. And considering the sheer amount of students who don't purchase tickets that's a ton more extra dollars that the 40 dollar ticket covers.

And regardless of if any money helps or hurts the AD, tuition plus living expenses plus 40 bucks at a students "salary" is a lot of money for 40 dollar tickets that I'm sure not many of us want to pay.

[wsp4820]

Explicit cost != implicit costs. Excluding even something like athletic fees, every dollar added to the total budget makes it easier for the university to support athletics. And considering the sheer amount of students who don't purchase tickets that's a ton more extra dollars that the 40 dollar ticket covers.

And regardless of if any money helps or hurts the AD, tuition plus living expenses plus 40 bucks at a students "salary" is a lot of money for 40 dollar tickets that I'm sure not many of us want to pay.

Student tickets are also over 100 dollars now. I think I paid 115 last year, don't know what they went up to this year.

[Skidmark]

Section 104 is where the students belong. Right next to the visitors.

[sackman]

I don't get the rationale that moving the students out of 117 somehow marginalizes them. These are CU students. They're not idots. They have to understand that they're getting premium seating at a huge discount. When I was at CU, I didn't give a damn where I sat, so long as I was in the stadium with my buddies. I have a really hard time believing that moving the students out of 117 is going to cause some kind of massive revolt. Hell, we should probably move them out of 116 while we're at it.

It's time to start making some good business decisions.

[Mick Ronson]

I don't get the rationale that moving the students out of 117 somehow marginalizes them. These are CU students. They're not idots. They have to understand that they're getting premium seating at a huge discount. When I was at CU, I didn't give a damn where I sat, so long as I was in the stadium with my buddies. I have a really hard time believing that moving the students out of 117 is going to cause some kind of massive revolt. Hell, we should probably move them out of 116 while we're at it.

It's time to start making some good business decisions.

exactly. see, that's the great thing about students....in four years, no one remembers sitting in 117. put donor seating down there.

[wsp4820]

I don't get the rationale that moving the students out of 117 somehow marginalizes them. These are CU students. They're not idots. They have to understand that they're getting premium seating at a huge discount. When I was at CU, I didn't give a damn where I sat, so long as I was in the stadium with my buddies. I have a really hard time believing that moving the students out of 117 is going to cause some kind of massive revolt. Hell, we should probably move them out of 116 while we're at it.

It's time to start making some good business decisions.

I don't think it will cause a revolt. I do think moving the students all behind the endzone and into the upper deck will hurt the stadium atmosphere and I think it will lessen any efforts to create lifelong fans.

[sackman]

I don't think it will cause a revolt. I do think moving the students all behind the endzone and into the upper deck will hurt the stadium atmosphere and I think it will lessen any efforts to create lifelong fans.

Puh-leeeze. It would do no such thing. Honestly. As it stands, the south end zone student seats never fill up until about halfway through the first quarter. If anything, getting that part of the stadium filled before kickoff would enhance the atmosphere, not detract from it. Lifelong fans are not created by getting really good seats. They're created by providing a solid product and a memorable experience. I have a really, really hard time with the notion that a CU student who has been going to games for three years is all of the sudden going to stop going because he can't sit on the 45 yard line.

If anything, putting students in 117 creates a false sense of entitlement. If they get out of school and see that the only tickets they can afford are in the South Endzone, they're less likely to buy them. If, however, they have been sitting in the South Endzone all along, the tickets they can buy will seem like an upgrade or at least a lateral move.

[Mick Ronson]

I don't think it will cause a revolt. I do think moving the students all behind the endzone and into the upper deck will hurt the stadium atmosphere and I think it will lessen any efforts to create lifelong fans.

i don't think the "stadium atmosphere" is dependent on the students. they come late and leave at halftime. not like it used to be.

most of the students are checking their iphones and girlie girls talking to each other. CU football is a kind of a social event that lasts about an hour until you leave, near as i can tell. not like a hangover chaser run to Baseline Liquors for more....as it once was.

[Daaah]

Puh-leeeze. It would do no such thing. Honestly. As it stands, the south end zone student seats never fill up until about halfway through the first quarter. If anything, getting that part of the stadium filled before kickoff would enhance the atmosphere, not detract from it. Lifelong fans are not created by getting really good seats. They're created by providing a solid product and a memorable experience. I have a really, really hard time with the notion that a CU student who has been going to games for three years is all of the sudden going to stop going because he can't sit on the 45 yard line.

If anything, putting students in 117 creates a false sense of entitlement. If they get out of school and see that the only tickets they can afford are in the South Endzone, they're less likely to buy them. If, however, they have been sitting in the South Endzone all along, the tickets they can buy will seem like an upgrade or at least a lateral move.

It will detract from the atmosphere during the games. Remember when nebraska moved their student section up into a corner of the stadium and we all said how lame it was? Well, it was lame then and it's lame now. College football games are great because of the atmosphere in the stadium. The students are crazy and fun and drunk and loud and obnoxious and moronic. They should be front and center. The lame ass "don't stand up or yell around my kid" crowd has the other 3/4 of the stadium. There's no need to move the students.

[wsp4820]

Puh-leeeze. It would do no such thing. Honestly. As it stands, the south end zone student seats never fill up until about halfway through the first quarter. If anything, getting that part of the stadium filled before kickoff would enhance the atmosphere, not detract from it. Lifelong fans are not created by getting really good seats. They're created by providing a solid product and a memorable experience. I have a really, really hard time with the notion that a CU student who has been going to games for three years is all of the sudden going to stop going because he can't sit on the 45 yard line.

You're taking two points and conflating them. As to my first point, the atmosphere in the stadium: the students are the loudest and most excited section of the stadium. They stand the entire game, they yell and cheer the whole game, they sing all the songs and do all the chants, etc. That's definitely not true for 90 percent of the rest of the stadium. I think it's great that the students are right behind the team and I think it adds to the atmosphere and college feel of the game.

While it's true that the students don't arrive as early as I'd like, as you mention a lot of that is there hasn't been a solid product for the students to get excited about in quite a few years. Early season games do fill up earlier, and I suspect if CU was competitive again the students would start showing up on time again.

Bottom line, if the students are stuck up in 207 & 208 while rich folks who want to sit on their ass and listen to the game on their radio headphones take over the seats behind the team, I really think you lose a lot. I think the stadium will feel quieter and more sterile and will begin to feel more like a game at Invesco than a game at Folsom.

As to my second point, lifelong fans:




If anything, putting students in 117 creates a false sense of entitlement. If they get out of school and see that the only tickets they can afford are in the South Endzone, they're less likely to buy them. If, however, they have been sitting in the South Endzone all along, the tickets they can buy will seem like an upgrade or at least a lateral move.

This statement is absolutely false IMO. What you're proposing is to take away the currently cheap seats and put the students there so you can sell the old student seats for premium prices. If anything, this makes it even less likely that young alums will buy season tickets because you've now eliminated the only seats that were even potentially affordable.

My point is that they need to focus their energy on making lifelong fans while the kids are students and then finding ways to keep them fans and in the stadium during those early lean years after graduation. Yes, having a great product goes a long way, but also making the students feel like they are a very important part of the team and the community while they're in school and then keeping them connected and invested after they leave is equally important, IMO.

[Buffnik]

Don't all of the students also pay an "athletic fee" that goes to the AD whether they buy tickets or not? While the students may not be the smartest of football fans, I do think marginalizing them and moving them away from the action would lessen the atmosphere in the stadium and would ultimately decrease the home-field advantage.

EDIT: and I'll reemphasize my main point. At a time like this when we are down, it makes sense to energize and connect the students to the AD and to the school. One of our main disadvantages is the fact that our student population is much more national than many other state schools. So, many of our students don't grow up as die hard CU fans like they do at say Wisconsin or Texas or other schools that are much more in-state dominated. Making efforts to connect with the kids while they're students and then doing whatever you can to keep them connected to the AD right after they graduate would pay off in the long run, IMO.

And providing lower deck seats that runs from across the end zone through the 35 yard line doesn't do this? The seats must go from most of the end zone through the 50 yard line in order for the students to connect with the team?

I call bull****.

[Buffnik]

Also, moving the student section from premium seating to behind the basket has worked great for basketball.

[sackman]

I'm not sure what "conflating" means, but what the heck.

It's truly absurd to say that moving students, who don't show up on time anyway, out of a premium seating section will somehow deflate from the atmosphere in the stadium. How will the atmosphere be any different if the South End Zone is packed with students?

The people opposing this move seem to be coming up with straw man arguments ("atmosphere"? Really?) to keep in place a system whereby they themselves can buy single game tickets, sneak into the student section (117), and get great seats at discount prices.

I was a student at CU. I can tell you that it didn't make one damn bit of difference where I sat, so long as I had a seat with my buddies. I suspect that's the case with about 95% of the students who go to the games. The other 5% will live with it. This is a ridiculous argument.

[sackman]

My point is that they need to focus their energy on making lifelong fans while the kids are students and then finding ways to keep them fans and in the stadium during those early lean years after graduation. Yes, having a great product goes a long way, but also making the students feel like they are a very important part of the team and the community while they're in school and then keeping them connected and invested after they leave is equally important, IMO.


If I understand your point correctly, you're equating the physical location of where the student sits with his/her loyalty to the University once he/she graduates. Discounting friends, acquainances, classroom experiences, campus & city recreation opportunities, the game-day experience (sans seats on the 45 yard line - GASP!), and all the other things that go with getting a college education at CU.

Counselor, please. Really?

[absinthe]

Also, moving the student section from premium seating to behind the basket has worked great for basketball.

I think we take back 117 that lifts revenue 1.30 million per season at current prices, maybe even bumps consessions a little. The do something with 116/115 where is some sort of student young alumni combo seating (perhaps with similar pricing but require buff club for alumni), and then round the bowl out with students moving the band to the seats that typically fill last in the student section.

[sackman]

I think we take back 117 that lifts revenue 1.30 million per season at current prices, maybe even bumps consessions a little. The do something with 116/115 where is some sort of student young alumni combo seating, and then round the bowl out with students moving the band to the seats that typically fill last in the student section.

Love this idea. With the caveat that it comes with an increased price for those seats. But I've said for a long time that CU needs to do something to ease recent graduates into full fledged season ticket holder status.

[absinthe]

Love this idea. With the caveat that it comes with an increased price for those seats. But I've said for a long time that CU needs to do something to ease recent graduates into full fledged season ticket holder status.

Made a small update, I think it is simple, make the alumni join the Buff Club for $100. Now they are on the donnor roster and you have them giving early, and hopefully often.

[Skidmark]

I both vaguely and fondly remember sitting in sections 114 and 115 when I was a student. Lots of cup wars going on in that corner of the endzone at half time.

At the Iowa State game this year, section 117 was not filled up, but those who were there were standing on the bleatures, obstructing the sighlines to the south endzone for those of us with tickets in 118.

I'd have zero problem with moving the student reserved seating back to where it was during the glory years.

[sackman]

Made a small update, I think it is simple, make the alumni join the Buff Club for $100. Now they are on the donnor roster and you have them giving early, and hopefully often.

Love the idea. I hope the AD spies that are perusing this thread take it and run with it.

[GoldenBuff]

I think we take back 117 that lifts revenue 1.30 million per season at current prices, maybe even bumps consessions a little. The do something with 116/115 where is some sort of student young alumni combo seating (perhaps with similar pricing but require buff club for alumni), and then round the bowl out with students moving the band to the seats that typically fill last in the student section.

Logistics FAIL. The band needs to stay where it is. You can't move it back because it needs to leave the stands at various times and 109's proximity to both the southwest stairs and the gates to the COLORADO ramp are important. Also, for the safety of the students and their instruments, there needs to be some degree of buffer between the students and the band. You just can't surround the band with students. It would be a nightmare.

[BlackNGold]

I definitely think that moving the students out of 117 is a good idea. But they may not be able to sell all those seats at the top donation level. But in the interim they could charge less for the seats towards the 35 yard lines. Students being around the South Bowl should not have a major impact. Remember we are only talking about one section with is ~1800 seats (about 15% of the student tickets)....Most of the student seats will remain in the same location.

[Daaah]

Logistics FAIL. The band needs to stay where it is. You can't move it back because it needs to leave the stands at various times and 109's proximity to both the southwest stairs and the gates to the COLORADO ramp are important. Also, for the safety of the students and their instruments, there needs to be some degree of buffer between the students and the band. You just can't surround the band with students. It would be a nightmare.

Marshmallow in the tuba!

[The Guest]

Marshmallow in the tuba!

I sense that you're not being literal.

[GoldenBuff]

I sense that you're not being literal.

I think he is. That's one of the reasons the tubas started having to use bell covers. More than a few marshmallows ended up in tubas when they were still allowed in Folsom. There are many stories handed down through the ages of things that have been found in tubas after gameday.

[RalphMalph]

Marshmallow in the tuba!

I saw a video of this once, then the girl clenched up. Not pretty.

[The Guest]

I saw a video of this once, then the girl clenched up. Not pretty.

:lol::lol:Yeah, those ****ers really expand if they get wet.

You probably shoulda tossed a marshmallow or two in that old lady that took you home--probably wouldn't have been an issue.

[RalphMalph]

:lol::lol:Yeah, those ****ers really expand if they get wet.

You probably shoulda tossed a marshmallow or two in that old lady that took you home--probably wouldn't have been an issue.

Sounds yeasty!

[Daaah]

Anyone ever microwaved a marshmallow?

[Buffalo Brad]

Move the students out of 117 and allow them to buy at the same reduced rates but until the premium seats sell out, give the students the option to upgrade to 117 reserved seats for a premium fee. They would still be able to get the $115 (or what ever they cost now) seats but could get back into section 117 for say an extra $100. You only sell what is left after full price premium seats are sold. Either way, you juice the income even if it is only by $100 per seat plus what ever premium seats you sell to alumni/non student fans.

[Buffnik]

Logistics FAIL. The band needs to stay where it is. You can't move it back because it needs to leave the stands at various times and 109's proximity to both the southwest stairs and the gates to the COLORADO ramp are important. Also, for the safety of the students and their instruments, there needs to be some degree of buffer between the students and the band. You just can't surround the band with students. It would be a nightmare.

109 would be for the band. I think we were under the impression that they are currently in 110. We are suggesting that the band trades 110 for 109, the students trade 117 for 110, and the 109 area that's currently making a $25 donation per seat gets traded for 117 where there would be a $300 donation per seat (and a $110 higher price per seat).

http://www.cubuffs.com/fls/600/FolsomField/Map.htm?DB_OEM_ID=600

[NashBuff]

I definitely think that moving the students out of 117 is a good idea. But they may not be able to sell all those seats at the top donation level. But in the interim they could charge less for the seats towards the 35 yard lines. Students being around the South Bowl should not have a major impact. Remember we are only talking about one section with is ~1800 seats (about 15% of the student tickets)....Most of the student seats will remain in the same location.

I have wondered about that at times. It seems like we are giving up revenue so the students can sit in good seats.

[absinthe]

109 would be for the band. I think we were under the impression that they are currently in 110. We are suggesting that the band trades 110 for 109, the students trade 117 for 110, and the 109 area that's currently making a $25 donation per seat gets traded for 117 where there would be a $300 donation per seat (and a $110 higher price per seat).

http://www.cubuffs.com/fls/600/FolsomField/Map.htm?DB_OEM_ID=600

Meh, I say we move them to 111, create new access gates to the field for them and give up a few rows of student seats as a buffer.

[Buffnik]

What are the things that Mike Bohn can do right now to increase revenue to the AD?

This year. I'm talking beyond the long-term things like the Pac-12 contract improving conference revenues or better performance on the fields and courts generating additional money (tv appearances, attendance, post-season revenue, bump to merchandising, etc.).

My list, in no particular order:


Increase private donations to the AD
Increase membership in Buff Club
Add sponsors (web, stadium, arena, programs, etc.)
Sell stadium naming rights for Folsom Field
Use sporting venues (Folsom, Coors) to host non-sports events like concerts
Increase season ticket sales
Reconfigure Folsom seating to maximize revenue (117 goes premium)


Naming rights are worth $1.5 million a year. Section 117 is worth close to $1 million over the current configuration.

I think there is $3-5 million in low hanging fruit that could be targeted for 2011.

Thoughts?

Edit: Could Balch become a "Beer Garden" for home games? No alcohol outside the building, but it is sold from pre-game through the 3rd quarter?

[Buffnik]

Meh, I say we move them to 111, create new access gates to the field for them and give up a few rows of student seats as a buffer.

Nice. You also have 208-210 that could go to the students if you maxed out supply vs demand once 117 was taken away.

[wsp4820]

109 would be for the band. I think we were under the impression that they are currently in 110. We are suggesting that the band trades 110 for 109, the students trade 117 for 110, and the 109 area that's currently making a $25 donation per seat gets traded for 117 where there would be a $300 donation per seat (and a $110 higher price per seat).

http://www.cubuffs.com/fls/600/FolsomField/Map.htm?DB_OEM_ID=600

I think this plan sounds more reasonable. Figure out a way to keep young alums in the stadium and you've got a winner. I am just very against trying to put all the students into a couple sections behind the endzone and in the upper deck. I think having students close to the action is part of what makes a college game so great.

[Daaah]

Nice. You also have 208-210 that could go to the students if you maxed out supply vs demand once 117 was taken away.

208 or 210??? That's the ****ing upper deck. **** that ****.

[Buffnik]

208 or 210??? That's the ****ing upper deck. **** that ****.

Students already have 207 and 211 that bracket those sections as overflow from the lower deck student seating.

[Daaah]

Students already have 207 and 211 that bracket those sections as overflow from the lower deck student seating.

But you're taking away students and shuffling them off to the worst seats in the stadium. That BS.

[Mick Ronson]

if i'm the AD, i have a reduced-cost section for recent grads. we've talked about this before, but not many grads pop out at graduation ready to throw down a grand or two to have seats. i think you lose some people that way. i know that affording football tix would be hard to budget in year two or three of flying financial solo.

[absinthe]

What are the things that Mike Bohn can do right now to increase revenue to the AD?

This year. I'm talking beyond the long-term things like the Pac-12 contract improving conference revenues or better performance on the fields and courts generating additional money (tv appearances, attendance, post-season revenue, bump to merchandising, etc.).

My list, in no particular order:


Increase private donations to the AD
Increase membership in Buff Club
Add sponsors (web, stadium, arena, programs, etc.)
Sell stadium naming rights for Folsom Field
Use sporting venues (Folsom, Coors) to host non-sports events like concerts
Increase season ticket sales
Reconfigure Folsom seating to maximize revenue (117 goes premium)


Naming rights are worth $1.5 million a year. Section 117 is worth close to $1 million over the current configuration.

I think there is $3-5 million in low hanging fruit that could be targeted for 2011.

Thoughts?

Edit: Could Balch become a "Beer Garden" for home games? No alcohol outside the building, but it is sold from pre-game through the 3rd quarter?

I think you'd see more from the seat adjustment of 117, closer to 1.25 million in ticket revenue alone. The add in the young alumni plan for 115/116 and you'd likely pick up 50,000-100,000. On top of that improve the Basketball club room thing: some corner couches, another bar, pipe in the game audio, more than jsut 2 TV's, make it BuffClub mandatory. Do something similar with an area of Balch, and give people in 200-202 access while upping those and the stadium 4 seats to a $500 donation.

[Buffnik]

But you're taking away students and shuffling them off to the worst seats in the stadium. That BS.

Would you be happier if we made 118 a student section too?

If your value proposition is that it is more important to create the best possible gameday experience for students versus generating the maximum revenue for our athletic department from home games, then that's the direction you should be favoring... to put the students in all the premium seats and move the paying customers to the upper decks and end zones.

[NashBuff]

Would you be happier if we made 118 a student section too?

If your value proposition is that it is more important to create the best possible gameday experience for students versus generating the maximum revenue for our athletic department from home games, then that's the direction you should be favoring... to put the students in all the premium seats and move the paying customers to the upper decks and end zones.

And how many of those students stay in Colorado after graduation compared to going to the west coast? I agree that we need to move the student section to the south stands...isn't that where they sit at Invesco Field for the CU-CSU games? Maybe we can bring back the old Mile High Stadium South Stand mystique to Folsom Field because the South stands at Invesco Field isn't the same as the old Mile High Stadium.

Plus you have the ramp to allow the students to rush the field more safely as well.

A win-win in IMO.

[Daaah]

And how many of those students stay in Colorado after graduation compared to going to the west coast? I agree that we need to move the student section to the south stands...isn't that where they sit at Invesco Field for the CU-CSU games? Maybe we can bring back the old Mile High Stadium South Stand mystique to Folsom Field because the South stands at Invesco Field isn't the same as the old Mile High Stadium.

Plus you have the ramp to allow the students to rush the field more safely as well.

A win-win in IMO.

Yeah! Let's try to mirror the Invesco field atmosphere.

[absinthe]

ok seriously we dont need to name call.

we wouldn't need to loose many student seats to do this. trade 109 for 117 straight up, as for the early grad program i am geussing you'd get 500-1000 takers tops, so those students would need to be moved but we have plenty of room in Folsom for 500-1000 people to get moved.

[The Monk]

I would like someone to explain to my student loans how I got student tickets so cheap and that I actually deserved to sit in section 210 because I didnt give enough to the university.

[Buffnik]

I would like someone to explain to my student loans how I got student tickets so cheap and that I actually deserved to sit in section 210 because I didnt give enough to the university.

They give student loans for football tickets now? I didn't realize.

[The Monk]

They give student loans for football tickets now? I didn't realize.
How do you become a student?

[sackman]

The cost of going to school at CU is not relevant to the discussion, IMO. The athletic department has to be self funding. It could sell more tickets, and at a higher price, if it were to move the students out of 117.

I really don't get the objection.

[absinthe]

I would like someone to explain to my student loans how I got student tickets so cheap and that I actually deserved to sit in section 210 because I didnt give enough to the university.

no one said you deserved to sit in 210 we are saying that long term is we want to ensure the success of the program and maximize the revenue at hand we need to move students out of 1 of the 4 most premium lower bowl sections. Then we are saying that we need to find a way to create some added long term value out of 116 which is where the young alumni program was suggested, students would obviously keep any seats not purchased by the start of school in those sections so if you had seniority you could still very easily be in 116. Ultimately this is a business and I order to compete we need to utilize our assets as effectively as possible, unfortunately for students that means not having them pay $100 for $800 seats near the 50 yard line.

I know you have loans and they cost you a ton, most of us went to CU and are sympathetic. Loading the students in 109-115 with over flow for the lazy, late buying, or game day attending in the upper deck isn't exactly maligning you.

[The Monk]

The cost of going to school at CU is not relevant to the discussion, IMO. The athletic department has to be self funding. It could sell more tickets, and at a higher price, if it were to move the students out of 117.

I really don't get the objection.

I wish the cost of going to school to be a student who is eligible for student tickets was irrelevant too.

[sackman]

I wish the cost of going to school to be a student who is eligible for student tickets was irrelevant too.

I'm really not sure what you're playing at here. Are you saying that because the students pay tuition, they're entitled to sit in Sec 117? If that's the case, then what about Sec 118, 119, 105, 106? Hell, why not the entire lower section of the stadium. In fact, why not give all the luxury suites to the students! Why not? They pay tuition, right?

The argument is baseless. Nobody is saying the students aren't entitled to student seats. We're saying that the AD could make better use of Section 117 by selling it to the public.

[Buffnik]

I wish the cost of going to school to be a student who is eligible for student tickets was irrelevant too.

That's why you went to CU? For the discounted football tickets?

[The Guest]

That's why you went to CU? For the discounted football tickets?

This line of questioning is getting a little uncomfortable for me, Nik.

[Buffnik]

This line of questioning is getting a little uncomfortable for me, Nik.

:lol:

[Daaah]

I went to CU for the food in Libby's dining hall!

And whoever that was that said we shouldn't resort to name calling is a dickwaaad.

[The Monk]

That's why you went to CU? For the discounted football tickets?
When I'm giving a **** ton of money to the school that I'm a part of, it's more than reasonable that the football tickets should be discounted. I can't help it that you don't understand the economic costs of a student ticket and only understand explicit costs detached from reality.

And Sac good job on the unreasonable hyperbole, I'm not advocating a change toward students taking over the stadium the only change being advocated in this thread is moving the student tickets away from where they are currently at. You're the one throwin out the strawman acusations then all you guys do is recreate my position and attack that.

[Buffnik]

When I'm giving a **** ton of money to the school that I'm a part of, it's more than reasonable that the football tickets should be discounted. I can't help it that you don't understand the economic costs of a student ticket and only understand explicit costs detached from reality.

And Sac good job on the unreasonable hyperbole, I'm not advocating a change toward students taking over the stadium the only change being advocated in this thread is moving the student tickets away from where they are currently at. You're the one throwin out the strawman acusations then all you guys do is recreate my position and attack that.

Monk, none of your student loan money is going to the AD.

And I'm not arguing that students shouldn't be eligible for cheap tickets and good seats. But do you realize that the students have 8 sections in the lower deck of the stadium? This includes seats that go to the 50 yard line on one side of the field. That's incredibly generous to the students and goes overboard. We've got a cash-strapped AD that could better utilize its stadium resource to make additional money. I'm talking about the student section going to about the 35 yard line instead. That's still incredibly generous. Take a look at the Nebraska seating chart for the student section: http://www.huskers.com//pdf1/137121.pdf. Or the Utah seating chart, where you'll also see students in the corner of an endzone: http://www.utahtickets.com/fls/1400/Athletics/Maps/fbmap.htm

[sackman]

And Sac good job on the unreasonable hyperbole, I'm not advocating a change toward students taking over the stadium the only change being advocated in this thread is moving the student tickets away from where they are currently at. You're the one throwin out the strawman acusations then all you guys do is recreate my position and attack that.

So if I get this right, you are of the opinion that because you pay tuition, you are entitled to the best seats in Folsom. I disagree. A lot of the folks in Sec 118 also paid tuition. Sometimes for more than one student. And they give to the CU foundation, and they pay a $300/Year per seat charge on top of the cost of their season ticket.

Nowhere in any of my posts will you see me say the students aren't entitled to discounted tickets. Where I have an issue is giving away seats on the 50 yard line.