Sioux Falls Games

[bisonmike]

Re: Sioux Falls Games

I would have to give a huge NO to field turf in CAS.  The grass is one of my favorite things about it.  Football is meant to be played on grass.

Otherwise I agree with all your other improvements.  That would sure be nice!

outdoor stadiums should be required to have grass.

[Jacks99]

Re: Sioux Falls Games

I would have to give a huge NO to field turf in CAS.  The grass is one of my favorite things about it.  Football is meant to be played on grass.

Otherwise I agree with all your other improvements.  That would sure be nice!

Ditto

[jackmd]

Re: Sioux Falls Games

Howard Wood sucked when it was grass. 10 games every weekend ruins grass in a big hurry. Add soccer and the other events and an alternative was necessary. The field turf is the perfect answer for HW.

As far as CAS, no way.

[CatchEmAll]

Re: Sioux Falls Games

I'll disagree with the last few guys and say I would be for field turf at CAS at this point in time. Back in the day CAS always had the nicest playing surface in the NCC in my opinion. Now with dual usage by SDSU and BHS, there are too many opportunities for the field to get torn up. If we want to be first class, and have first class facilities I feel that we should always be playing on a first class surface. I would hate to have a big game in the future mucked up because it rained 5" the day before and BHS tore up the field the night before. Doesn't say much for a first class program if that happens. Plus, look at this year's schedule, three home games on or after October 29th. History shows that weather could reak some havoc on the playing surface. Granted, that's part of "home field advantage", but is it really when our players suffer as well.

Just my thoughts.

[bisonmike]

Re: Sioux Falls Games

Howard Wood sucked when it was grass.  10 games every weekend ruins grass in a big hurry.  Add soccer and the other events and an alternative was necessary.   The field turf is the perfect answer for HW.

As far as CAS, no way.

I should revise my previous statement. HW does need field turf. I remember playing in a playoff game against SF Washington as the 3rd game in 2 days to be played there. By the time we took the field it was trashed. The number of times that field gets used in the fall is crazy. 4 high schools and 2 universities using it as home field.

[TK22867]

Re: Sioux Falls Games

I should revise my previous statement.  HW does need field turf.  I remember playing in a playoff game against SF Washington as the 3rd game in 2 days to be played there.  By the time we took the field it was trashed.  The number of times that field gets used in the fall is crazy.  4 high schools and 2 universities using it as home field.

OG has their own field now, so I think only LHS, WHS, and Rosey call it home now. I believe Augie will be the only college football team to call it home come next year.

[JACKGUYII]

Re: Sioux Falls Games

O'Gorman still plays it's intercity games at Howard Field. I agree would prefer grass over turf but Coughlin gets very tore up by mid-late October. The new fieldturf is very nice and would have no problem having it at Coughlin. I will take our outdoor facility will all of it's weaknesses over a dome any day....

[Jacks-D1]

Re: Sioux Falls Games

Two things have to happen, I think.

1) Upgrade SDSU's marketing effort to a big-time, D-I level.  I don't think there's any argument that Jackrabbit Athletics could be promoted much more widely, effectively, and efficiently than it is.  It's part of the old saying, you have to spend money to make money.

2)  End all USD-vs-SDSU smack-like talk.  Celebrate Coyote successes at their level and encourage them to celebrate SDSU's successes in D-I.  This supports point #1 in that we need to broaden our marketing appeal to Coyote fans, as well as Augie, USF, Northern, SD Tech, and all other in-state sports fans.  

Discussion:
Casual college sports fans in the area need to be sold on SDSU's D-I game.  This will take competitive games aganst first-rate opponents, competent and aggressive marketing, and consistency over time.  

SDSU is for better or worse perceived as a "basketball school" and it will take several years of significant success by the football team on the field, as well as a first-class marketing effort by SDSU to change that perception.  Nothing else will do it.

SDSU needs to get some Jacks games on TV, period.  They need to go to KELO, KSFY, KDLT, or KTTW and get selected games telecast.  The NDSU games would be the first most obvious candidates, as would the away games against the major powers we play in basketball (that aren't already televised, heh heh heh).  This is what D-I programs do--they get coverage, and a lot of it.  

Failing a deal with one of the big four Sioux Falls stations, getting on KWSB and KWBH--Sioux Falls' and Rapid City's WB channels,(owned by the same company and piping that game to cable systems throughout the state would be a start).   However we do it, getting games on TV needs to be a priority--away games first, and then select home games.

There's no sense alienating area sports fans for no reason, and right now, there's simply no reason to engage in smack with USD fans.  They say "our team could beat yours" and we should say "maybe so, too bad we'll never know, you're having a great season."  This changes of course if USD ever goes D-I, but for now, that's how I see it.

Dedicated and committed fans of USD will remain USD fans, and they should--that's what makes college athletics great.  They need to be reassured that being a USD fan as well as an SDSU fan are no longer contradictory positions.   From SDSU's point of view, they shouldn't be seen as rivals, but as potential fans to be won over.

(I just noticed that this was my 1,000th post.   It had to be a marketing paper, of course . . . )

I agree. SDSU needs to get some football games on TV no matter what.

[bisonmike]

Re: Sioux Falls Games

I agree.  SDSU needs to get some football games on TV no matter what.

I really think that the SDSU/NDSU game should be broadcast statewide in both SD and ND every year. We need to showcase the top universities in both states and turn the game into pride game between the states.

[Jacks99]

Re: Sioux Falls Games

If anything I believe would help future attendance for the NDSU/SDSU game, rather than hurt it.

[jackrabbit1979]

Re: Sioux Falls Games

Did anybody happen to catch Craig or Mike's show yesterday to see what they thought about the game. Or maybe since mike is roaming the board he may comment if they talked about it or heard back from any of their listeners. I know he is on here right now but don't know if he will see this.

My friend (who admits to his SDSU bias, and i would concur he blows any positive USD/Augie news up a little)said he heard them commenting on the USD/Augie game and they about came out of their booth because there was close to 8500 at that game. I would hope they would comment on State's game as well...

[Jacks99]

Re: Sioux Falls Games

My wife asked me yesterday if there were going to be more games at Howard Wood this years. I guess her boss was asking as he was at Elmwood GC, just north of the stadium and heard the game going on, band etc. and perked his interest. I don't believe he went to State, but this may be a good example how others might hear about the game even if they weren't there.

Hope to see two big crowds at the Hobo Day and GSU games. I'm not going to hold my breath for the last two home games unless we win out.

[SDSUFAN]

Re: Sioux Falls Games

The "official" number for USF is 6821. That includes tickets "sold", and does not reflect actual attendance.

Filbert brings up some great points. This goes back to some discussions that took place almost a year ago. SDSU needs to market to folks who might go to USD games, Augie games, and USF games in addition to those that would attend the Skyforce, Stampede, Storm, and other sporting events. The "it's D1" argument just won't get it done. People in Sioux Falls  have a lot of choices when it comes to their sports dollars. This is not even something that NDSU has to deal with. It is a situation that is unique to the fact that SDSU is located in Brookings, SD. The question becomes:"How much do we want to spend on marketing a product that is not yet up to speed". Would you rather spend the money on scholarships or TV time? It is a fine line that the marketing department is walking.

There is no question that there is a fine line and also no question Sioux Falls folks have a number of choices in a number of areas besides sports. That the diversity of a city over 100,000. There is an untapped market in SF and it may not be reached by spending a blitz. Its not going to happen over night either. I think when the market research study was made, the outfit that did the study surely knew about the choices in Sioux Falls. I am tempted to get a copy of that study which I believe is still on reserve at Briggs libriary. I think AD staff at SDSU will carefully study this whole matter. I agree going D1 in itself has limitations.

I recall a few years back a work associate who was a huge SEC football fan, was transferred to Billings Montana and we met in Missoula in 1988 when SDSU played the Griz. My work associate and friend did not have any interest in going to the MU-SDSU game. I recalled him complaining about Montana because all it had was D1AA programs and not SEC football. So yes there are those types to contend with too. Often they are transplants to Sioux Falls. I do think those on this board who brought new fans to this game may have had the best impact. Nothing beats one on one referral. Even in sports talk shows. ;D

[Mike_H]

Re: Sioux Falls Games

Did anybody happen to catch Craig or Mike's show yesterday to see what they thought about the game.  Or maybe since mike is roaming the board he may comment if they talked about it or heard back from any of their listeners.  I know he is on here right now but don't know if he will see this.  

My friend (who admits to his SDSU bias, and i would concur he blows any positive USD/Augie news up a little)said he heard them commenting on the USD/Augie game and they about came out of their booth because there was close to 8500 at that game.  I would hope they would comment on State's game as well...

I did not "come out of the booth" concerning Augie-USD, since I was on vactaion. I don't know what Craig said. I was at the game Saturday, and we talked about it at length on Monday from many aspects, including the attendance. We also had Chris Solari on talking about many aspects, including the smaller than anticipated crowd.

I thought is was a good game. I don't know if there was anything about it that made a person that had not seen the Jacks for awhile say "boy, I have to make the trip to Brookings to see these guys on a regular basis!". We have had some quotes on that from some third parties, which I thought was against the rules, so I guess you can judge for themselves. A Jack alum in our newsroom went and enjoyed it, and will go again if it is in SF.

[MilwaukeeJacksAlum]

Re: Sioux Falls Games

I'll disagree with the last few guys and say I would be for field turf at CAS at this point in time.  Back in the day CAS always had the nicest playing surface in the NCC in my opinion. Now with dual usage by SDSU and BHS, there are too many opportunities for the field to get torn up.  If we want to be first class, and have first class facilities I feel that we should always be playing on a first class surface. I would hate to have a big game in the future mucked up because it rained 5" the day before and BHS tore up the field the night before. Doesn't say much for a first class program if that happens.  Plus, look at this year's schedule, three home games on or after October 29th. History shows that weather could reak some havoc on the playing surface. Granted, that's part of "home field advantage", but is it really when our players suffer as well.

Just my thoughts.

Exactly the response I'd expect from an ex-offensive player. The offensive guys just can't handle a little mud or ice. Just an observation. ;D (my second emoticon ever used - I feel so alive)