Robert:
As you can tell by 141 posts -- and counting -- on a thread called "They're Ruining The Game,." there are many longtime Tech fans who have grown weary with the direction of the in-game experience. Yes, football is the name of the game, but so much of everything else surrounding it has become something to be endured, not enjoyed. I know you read these message boards, so hopefully, you'll take a few minutes to read this.
No one is trying to tell anyone or any committee how to do their jobs, but these are just sincere suggestions distilled from many other comments that hopefully would make this a win-win for Tech, its fans and advertisers. There are some points made here that I've culled from a number of Tech fans, i.e., Tech customers, to give you and other decision-makers some input going forward into the 2016 season since contracts, etc., probably make it too late to do anything now.
These are just suggestions, and others more qualified than I, probably have better ones which they can add with follow-up posts.
1. First, we understand Tech can do nothing about afternoon starts in September, 4-hours games or incessantly long TV timeouts. The networks pay Tech money and we get that, most of us anyway, though the orange mitt guy is quickly becoming the most hated man in Jones Stadium. But we just get cranky especially when the defense is not playing well.
2. The main issue is not with in-game advertising. We know the way the world works, and you have to have that revenue stream. The main issue is the kind of in-game advertising that is life-sucking, haphazard, and, really, nails on a chalkboard.
Much of the criticism revolves around losing the flavor of the game during dead times -- no band, no cheering, no excitement. Instead of an embarrassing interview with a tailgater or some kid giving an imaginary pep talk to the team, why not involve the band, cheering and excitement?
I'll use Carpet Tech as a default sponsor in these examples
. Voiceover: Carpet Tech, the BLAH BLAH of Lubbock and the South Plains, is proud to present one of Tech's enduring traditions. It began in the 1980s as a way to involve fans of all ages and in all places, from the east side of Jones Stadium to the west. Soon, its familiar chant became a cavern of noise on West Texas nights and afternoons, at bowl games, and beyond. It's an inspiration when the Red Raiders need a boost, a vocal high-five when the Raiders are riding high. It's known simply as "Raider Power!"
Boom. Cheerleaders know to start the chant on one side, and maybe go eight times and let the crowd really get into it. Might actually pump us up.
After six or eight times, whatever, Voiceover: Raider Power and Carpet Tech, two proud traditions on the South Plains."
The band has become almost an afterthought except for pregame and halftime. After that, they virtually disappear. A college band, Tech's band, is such a part of college football. Why not something similar?
Voiceover: Carpet Tech, the BLAH BLAH of Lubbock and the South Plains, is proud to present one of Tech's enduring traditions.The Goin' Band from Raiderland has entertained Tech fans since WHENEVER. One of its signature songs is "Cotton Fields," which was started in 1968 by band director NAME as motivation for the Red Raiders and the Cotton Bowl, etc. Here now, "Cotton Fields."
Let the band play the song, show actual band members play, let the crowd get into it. At the end, a Voiceover: Carpet Tech and the Goin' Band, excellence and tradition.
You could do something similar, sponsored segments for "Great Moments in Tech History," with video and radio voiceover of Crabtree's catch, Johnson's catch against A&M, Zach's interception, a Welker punt return against A&M, whatever. Keeps the crowd engaged.
Maybe a "Look Behind the Double T," with some 1-minute segment about the campus or some aspect. Would also serve as a recruiting tool. People have complained about no score updates.Sponsor a Big 12 Scoreboard update.
These sponsors would not only promote their business, and would sell not only the college football experience, but the TEXAS TECH experience which seems to be evaporating.
3. The tribute to the Wounded Warriors and/or servicemen and servicewomen is great. You can have that any time, but...
4. Please take the young boy or girl recovering from major health issue to the pregame. Hope that doesn't sound insensitive. Fans emotions are on edge good or bad during a game, and asking them to settle in for one of these stories is asking a lot, especially if this comes after a Tech turnover or the other team scored. This happened against Sam Houston, and you could almost hear the "Here we go agains" and "Oh, great." It kind of puts the family that's there live in an awkward spot and puts fans in an awkward spot as well.
Do it last thing before the band takes the field for pregame.Most of fans have filed in. Everyone is in a good mood. Family gets a more sincere round of applause.
5. I hope Tech is getting a TON of money from the Gorilla lawyer thing to justify it. There are really no words. This is what should be shown on a Tuesday afternoon on the Maury Povich Show and not Saturday afternoon at a Texas Tech football game. Bottom line: Texas Tech is better than this. My and your alma mater is better than this.
6. The hamster race, kiss cam and assorted gimmicks, leave them for between innings at a AA minor league baseball game in June and not a Big 12 football game in October. Might as well be the South Plains Fair. The field goal kicking contest, that's tolerable. At least it's football.
7. Doc20 nailed it when he said it seems like Tech knows it's got the hard-core football fan and is trying to appeal to the casual fan through all of this, and in doing so, it's turning off many. At the end of the day, it's a Big 12 football game featuring Texas Tech. That should be good enough.
I'm not a big opera or ballet fan, and if I go to one, I don't expect the show to dumb it down and appeal to me. The hope is what they do well is enough to bring me back.
These are just suggestions by Tech fans who want the best for their university. Thanks for your patience in reading all of this, and thanks for all you do for Tech.
As you can tell by 141 posts -- and counting -- on a thread called "They're Ruining The Game,." there are many longtime Tech fans who have grown weary with the direction of the in-game experience. Yes, football is the name of the game, but so much of everything else surrounding it has become something to be endured, not enjoyed. I know you read these message boards, so hopefully, you'll take a few minutes to read this.
No one is trying to tell anyone or any committee how to do their jobs, but these are just sincere suggestions distilled from many other comments that hopefully would make this a win-win for Tech, its fans and advertisers. There are some points made here that I've culled from a number of Tech fans, i.e., Tech customers, to give you and other decision-makers some input going forward into the 2016 season since contracts, etc., probably make it too late to do anything now.
These are just suggestions, and others more qualified than I, probably have better ones which they can add with follow-up posts.
1. First, we understand Tech can do nothing about afternoon starts in September, 4-hours games or incessantly long TV timeouts. The networks pay Tech money and we get that, most of us anyway, though the orange mitt guy is quickly becoming the most hated man in Jones Stadium. But we just get cranky especially when the defense is not playing well.
2. The main issue is not with in-game advertising. We know the way the world works, and you have to have that revenue stream. The main issue is the kind of in-game advertising that is life-sucking, haphazard, and, really, nails on a chalkboard.
Much of the criticism revolves around losing the flavor of the game during dead times -- no band, no cheering, no excitement. Instead of an embarrassing interview with a tailgater or some kid giving an imaginary pep talk to the team, why not involve the band, cheering and excitement?
I'll use Carpet Tech as a default sponsor in these examples
. Voiceover: Carpet Tech, the BLAH BLAH of Lubbock and the South Plains, is proud to present one of Tech's enduring traditions. It began in the 1980s as a way to involve fans of all ages and in all places, from the east side of Jones Stadium to the west. Soon, its familiar chant became a cavern of noise on West Texas nights and afternoons, at bowl games, and beyond. It's an inspiration when the Red Raiders need a boost, a vocal high-five when the Raiders are riding high. It's known simply as "Raider Power!"
Boom. Cheerleaders know to start the chant on one side, and maybe go eight times and let the crowd really get into it. Might actually pump us up.
After six or eight times, whatever, Voiceover: Raider Power and Carpet Tech, two proud traditions on the South Plains."
The band has become almost an afterthought except for pregame and halftime. After that, they virtually disappear. A college band, Tech's band, is such a part of college football. Why not something similar?
Voiceover: Carpet Tech, the BLAH BLAH of Lubbock and the South Plains, is proud to present one of Tech's enduring traditions.The Goin' Band from Raiderland has entertained Tech fans since WHENEVER. One of its signature songs is "Cotton Fields," which was started in 1968 by band director NAME as motivation for the Red Raiders and the Cotton Bowl, etc. Here now, "Cotton Fields."
Let the band play the song, show actual band members play, let the crowd get into it. At the end, a Voiceover: Carpet Tech and the Goin' Band, excellence and tradition.
You could do something similar, sponsored segments for "Great Moments in Tech History," with video and radio voiceover of Crabtree's catch, Johnson's catch against A&M, Zach's interception, a Welker punt return against A&M, whatever. Keeps the crowd engaged.
Maybe a "Look Behind the Double T," with some 1-minute segment about the campus or some aspect. Would also serve as a recruiting tool. People have complained about no score updates.Sponsor a Big 12 Scoreboard update.
These sponsors would not only promote their business, and would sell not only the college football experience, but the TEXAS TECH experience which seems to be evaporating.
3. The tribute to the Wounded Warriors and/or servicemen and servicewomen is great. You can have that any time, but...
4. Please take the young boy or girl recovering from major health issue to the pregame. Hope that doesn't sound insensitive. Fans emotions are on edge good or bad during a game, and asking them to settle in for one of these stories is asking a lot, especially if this comes after a Tech turnover or the other team scored. This happened against Sam Houston, and you could almost hear the "Here we go agains" and "Oh, great." It kind of puts the family that's there live in an awkward spot and puts fans in an awkward spot as well.
Do it last thing before the band takes the field for pregame.Most of fans have filed in. Everyone is in a good mood. Family gets a more sincere round of applause.
5. I hope Tech is getting a TON of money from the Gorilla lawyer thing to justify it. There are really no words. This is what should be shown on a Tuesday afternoon on the Maury Povich Show and not Saturday afternoon at a Texas Tech football game. Bottom line: Texas Tech is better than this. My and your alma mater is better than this.
6. The hamster race, kiss cam and assorted gimmicks, leave them for between innings at a AA minor league baseball game in June and not a Big 12 football game in October. Might as well be the South Plains Fair. The field goal kicking contest, that's tolerable. At least it's football.
7. Doc20 nailed it when he said it seems like Tech knows it's got the hard-core football fan and is trying to appeal to the casual fan through all of this, and in doing so, it's turning off many. At the end of the day, it's a Big 12 football game featuring Texas Tech. That should be good enough.
I'm not a big opera or ballet fan, and if I go to one, I don't expect the show to dumb it down and appeal to me. The hope is what they do well is enough to bring me back.
These are just suggestions by Tech fans who want the best for their university. Thanks for your patience in reading all of this, and thanks for all you do for Tech.
