STADIUM: Construction Updates

[madDOG]

Hopefully students get off their asses and go to games.

[Michigan_Dane]

Success is entirely in our hands. If we fill the stadium then there will be an expansion. If not we're doomed. Rhode Island comes to mind.

 

I tend to think the rivary with Stony Brook will propel us forward. Rivaries are a good thing for all involved.

 

I'm looking at flights and seeing if I can break away for the home opener on 09/15. Not sure if that is feasible considering all that going on at home and work.

[UA_MA_2000]

Attendance moving forward will be a big deal IMO. If this thing sells out or close to sells out every game then we'll have a lot of leverage to keep building.

 

I agree. My concern is how effectively we can make this "the team" of the Capital District and actually draw 15k-25k fans per game. We need fans of Siena, RPI, Skidmore, St. Rose, etc. to feel welcome and take interest in our football program. UA fans alone will not fill a 27k stadium (at least not now).

 

And ponder this: how many events with a set start time, and which events, draw 15k or more people in this area? Are any of these events sports-related? Travers, 4th of July Fireworks, certain concerts at SPAC (DMB), and what else? Not many events, and the only sports-related event to draw (and exceed) the attendance we want is the Travers.

 

Not trying to be a downer; just noting the challenge we face in drawing people to our games and urging that we market our product to all colleges in this area (I.e., perhaps let all students---even Siena for example---in for free).

Edited June 26, 2013 by UA_MA_2000

[UAalum72]

And ponder this: how many events with a set start time, and which events, draw 15k or more people in this area? Are any of these events sports-related? Travers, 4th of July Fireworks, certain concerts at SPAC (DMB), and what else? Not many events, and the only sports-related event to draw (and exceed) the attendance we want is the Travers.

But there are NO other outdoor venues in the area that can hold close to that many attendees. This is a first for the area. The fact that no other sports event drew that many isn't really a fair comparison. You'd never get 20,000 into Bleecker Stadium if the Giants played a regular-season game there.

 

But I do remember when the Firebirds were averaging 10-12,000 for Arena football at the Knick - indoors in the summer.

Edited June 26, 2013 by UAalum72

[UA_MA_2000]

Firebirds games were great! Good point about stadium capacity. I guess we will find out about the level of fan support and interest this fall. I hope we sell out one or two games (home opener and homecoming).

 

I was at the Arena Bowl that we hosted and won (beat Orlando I think?). One of the best and most electric sporting events that I've been to.

Edited June 26, 2013 by UA_MA_2000

[madDOG]

It will draw...and you will see more and more state championships in many different sports being held at BFF due to the central location of Albany and the ease of travel to/from.

[Clickclack]

It will draw...and you will see more and more state championships in many different sports being held at BFF due to the central location of Albany and the ease of travel to/from.

 

Personally I'll have to see it to believe it...we had a good basketball product the last two years and attendance was average at best...I know it's kind of an apples to orange comparison but I'll have to see it to believe it.

[madDOG]

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It will draw...and you will see more and more state championships in many different sports being held at BFF due to the central location of Albany and the ease of travel to/from.

 

Personally I'll have to see it to believe it...we had a good basketball product the last two years and attendance was average at best...I know it's kind of an apples to orange comparison but I'll have to see it to believe it.

 

Better competition in the CAA, Saturday afternoon games, brand new facility. I'm not optimistic about the students yet...but I think you will see very strong local support.

[haggyland]

How about a little cross-promotion? (Picture taken at the Junior Danes Soccer Academy 2013):

 

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1001647_565475870154466_136993761_n.jpg

[madDOG]

Not much visible activity. Work on the scoreboard stopped and they haven't done anything with the visitors side yet. We're 9-weeks away from opening day.

[Michigan_Dane]

Who mentioned that the Major Donor Gift person was coming out west? I was just contacted as well. I'll be meeting her on the 15th in La Jolla if anyone is interested in joining us.

[BestDaneSinceHamlet]

Me, I told her I wasn't quite in the position to give anything major, but maybe she's laying groundwork. I work in TV/Music so maybe she thought that meant megabucks.

[Dane96]

Looks like the next big delivery will be the lower level seats; they are prepping the mounts on the lower level now.

[UAalum72]

Dump trucks have also dropped a few loads on the far end of the visitors' side today (can see a truck at noon, and other sets of tracks earlier).

[Dane96]

Bleachers are going down in the lower bowl area. The right side is complete...working on the left now. Nice!