The Sioux Falls Market

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

A few people have talked about this on other threads, and I wanted to start a thread for further discussion:

IMO, SDSU needs to do something more in the Sioux Falls area. Whether that is scheduling games here, getting more radio exposure, or more TV exposure, it needs to happen and happen fast.

I don't know if anyone has heard the news that a university to the south recently made the decision to move to Division I, but you better believe that whoever can dominate the Sioux Falls market will have a MAJOR advantage over the other in aspects like fundraising, recruiting, and game attendance (which translates to $$).

There need to be more alumni events here. There needs to be an organized effort to get games on TV here. If it is an away game on TV, there should be a sports bar in town where SDSU officials are present, and it should be advertised. When state played Minnesota in hoops this year, I could hardly get them to change the channel on 1 TV to the game in the bar I was in.

The Sioux Falls market is starving for sports teams. To my knowledge, they have the most successful set of minor league sports teams anywhere in the country for cryin' out loud. IMO, if we want to sell more tickets, you go where the people are.

I was looking at alumni events on a postcard I got from SDSU recently, and best I could tell, unless I wanted to go to the Brookings Pizza Ranch, there were few events catered to people living in or near Sioux Falls.

I understand we have limited resources and funds available, but I feel strongly that unless we stake a strong claim in this market, we are leaving ourselves open to become the second sister of Division I in our own state.

What are everyone else's thoughts?

[Jacks-02]

Re: The Sioux Falls Market

A few people have talked about this on other threads, and I wanted to start a thread for further discussion:

IMO, SDSU needs to do something more in the Sioux Falls area. Whether that is scheduling games here, getting more radio exposure, or more TV exposure, it needs to happen and happen fast.

I don't know if anyone has heard the news that a university to the south recently made the decision to move to Division I, but you better believe that whoever can dominate the Sioux Falls market will have a MAJOR advantage over the other in aspects like fundraising, recruiting, and game attendance (which translates to $$).

There need to be more alumni events here. There needs to be an organized effort to get games on TV here. If it is an away game on TV, there should be a sports bar in town where SDSU officials are present, and it should be advertised. When state played Minnesota in hoops this year, I could hardly get them to change the channel on 1 TV to the game in the bar I was in.

The Sioux Falls market is starving for sports teams. To my knowledge, they have the most successful set of minor league sports teams anywhere in the country for cryin' out loud. IMO, if we want to sell more tickets, you go where the people are.

I was looking at alumni events on a postcard I got from SDSU recently, and best I could tell, unless I wanted to go to the Brookings Pizza Ranch, there were few events catered to people living in or near Sioux Falls.

I understand we have limited resources and funds available, but I feel strongly that unless we stake a strong claim in this market, we are leaving ourselves open to become the second sister of Division I in our own state.

What are everyone else's thoughts?

I agree with everything you said.

I think most urgent need right now it we have to get the women's basketball team's games on the radio down here. Brookings 910 does not reach Sioux Falls very well and with the success of this team, the school really needs to have the games available to the Sioux Falls market. With the WNIT quickly approaching, hopefully something can be done for those games. They will sell out regardless of TV coverage, which is exactly the reason they should be on TV. Imagine the average Sioux Falls sports fan last year watching the Indiana game on TV, if that wouldn't build excitement in SDSU athletics, I don't know what could.

[propar80]

Re: The Sioux Falls Market

Living here in SF, I agree that athletic marketing for SDSU athletics is not what I would like to call "prevalent" or even close to "prevalent".
The billboards for the SDSU in general are nice and a great marketing campaign, but they are not geared towards athletics.

On the other hand, I'm not sure what would attract the "average SF fan" to Brookings for a SDSU sporting event, other than WNIT-type excitement, I just don't know...I think about it everyday and other than having some affiliation to SDSU or every fan being better about bringing people who have never seen SDSU athletics, I don't know that Television, commercials, etc. is going to get that "average" fan up to Brookings, or Vermillion for that matter. People around here are "weird" in the fact that driving 45 minutes for a sporting event is too much...makes my brain hurt everytime I hear..."I can't believe you drive all the way up there all the time".
At this point only an event with a "buzz" like the WNIT or the SDSU/NDSU football-like atmosphere is going to get someone who has no idea about SDSU sports to get in their car and drive up the interstate.

The best that we as the "hard-core" fans can hope for is that the SDSU alumni in SF that hasn't been to campus in a few years, will start going up on a more regular basis. I know a hand-full of SDSU alumni that are really interested in the talk of SDSU athletics since the move to d-1, but they still haven't gotten up there for a game. I think there are a lot more of that kind of fan than we think.

IMO, the short-term goal needs to be getting those alumni and friends up to Brookings on a regular basis. The long-term goal is to get the "other" sports fan that has talked himself into getting behind this mind-numbing minor-league sports scene here in SF, and getting them to see that they have other options, and that option is ONLY 45 minutes away...and thats to your seat!!

As you can see, I definitely don't have the answer, but on the other hand I don't think it is as easy as just television or more advertising. But I do think that at some point these things have to be done, budget permitting.

Go Jacks!!

[propar80]

Re: The Sioux Falls Market

I agree with everything you said.

I think most urgent need right now it we have to get the women's basketball team's games on the radio down here. Brookings 910 does not reach Sioux Falls very well and with the success of this team, the school really needs to have the games available to the Sioux Falls market. With the WNIT quickly approaching, hopefully something can be done for those games. They will sell out regardless of TV coverage, which is exactly the reason they should be on TV. Imagine the average Sioux Falls sports fan last year watching the Indiana game on TV, if that wouldn't build excitement in SDSU athletics, I don't know what could.

I agree...the WNIT games should be on local TV, but don't be surprised if they're not. It would be the best two hour commerical SDSU could make. Just remember...even in d-1 athletics...$$$$$$$ doesn't grow on trees.

Go Jacks!!

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: The Sioux Falls Market

$$$$$$$ doesn't grow on trees.

Go Jacks!!

Speaking of $$$$$$$$$$$ growing on trees, lets get someone in the agronomy dept working on that right away!

[propar80]

Re: The Sioux Falls Market

Speaking of $$$$$$$$$$$ growing on trees, lets get someone in the agronomy dept working on that right away!

I've been dreaming of that "Tree" for years!!

Go Jacks!!

[Jacks-02]

Re: The Sioux Falls Market

I agree...the WNIT games should be on local TV, but don't be surprised if they're not. It would be the best two hour commerical SDSU could make. Just remember...even in d-1 athletics...$$$$$$$ doesn't grow on trees.

Go Jacks!!

I won't be surprised, and I agree money doesn't grow on trees. I just think between that and the NDSU football game, that is the best option the athletic department has for an exciting product for television right now. Biggest problem is the game will be during weekly prime-time and none of the local network stations would be able to interrupt programming to put it on. Would have to look at a UPN, MidCo channel, SDPTV or the like I'd think.

[propar80]

Re: The Sioux Falls Market

I won't be surprised, and I agree money doesn't grow on trees. I just think between that and the NDSU football game, that is the best option the athletic department has for an exciting product for television right now. Biggest problem is the game will be during weekly prime-time and none of the local network stations would be able to interrupt programming to put it on. Would have to look at a UPN, MidCo channel, SDPTV or the like I'd think.

I honestly don't think SDPTV would be the worst choice and probably the cheapest for SDSU...and reaches the whole state if I'm not mistaken. Hopefully this will happen and not just on the SDPTV's website.

Go Jacks!!

[filbert]

Re: The Sioux Falls Market

Many components to gaining market share. Biggest one would be winning. I'd say the following events would be the biggest market share gainers for SDSU--in order:

#1 Win an NCAA men's basketball tournament bid.
#2 Win the Gateway and make noise in the FCS football playoffs.
#3 Win the WNIT
etc.

Not having a Sioux Falls radio station broadcasting SDSU games is a killer, IMHO. That needs to happen in the next two years. Having a weekly coach's radio show originating from a Sioux Falls restaurant would be a nice addendum there--giving an opportunity for essentially a weekly SDSU pep rally in SF.

SDSU athletes need to be visible in Sioux Falls doing outreach work--visiting kids in the hospital, appearances at middle and high schools, that kind of thing (as allowed by the NCAA, of course). You need to build the sense that SDSU is part of the Sioux Falls community.

It takes money, of course, but it also takes a real and sustained commitment by SDSU athletics to be a part of Sioux Falls. I don't think it will be any one thing that will make SF an SDSU town.

I'd say there is a period of two, maybe three years left for SDSU to exploit the advantages of being D-I championship eligible in a D-I conference against USD as they begin their transition. If SDSU doesn't exploit this very short window of opportunity, then it will be MUCH tougher to gain further market share in SF, especially after USD emerges from transition as a full D-I member.

[West-River_Jack]

Re: The Sioux Falls Market

We have beaten the idea of taking SDSU games to Sioux Falls and Rapid City nearly to death. While an occasional special situation may make such a move a good idea, it should not be the primary goal of marketing. SDSU is in Brookings and is likely to stay there for quite some time. The goal of SDSU sports marketing should be to inspire fans to travel to Brookings for the games. Sioux Falls isn't that far away. I have heard of numerous people in the Brookings area who commute to Sioux Falls for their jobs. If fans in Sioux Falls aren't good enough fans to plan ahead and make the trip to Brookings (and a good many of them do) they probably won't plan ahead and make the effort to attend games in Sioux Falls either. Game day is an event. You can move the game to another city but you cannot move the game day event atmosphere. SDSU home games belong on the SDSU campus, period!

[Jack4Life]

Re: The Sioux Falls Market

SDSU needs to get pro-active in the promotion of the entire school. I agree that we will have the advantage of being D1 for just a few more years. The Sioux Falls market is the logical place to start due to the population in and near the area. I don't live in SF, but we certainly have SF for our news area. In Yankton, we started with a few guys getting together to get a tailgating spot and now we have a friends and alumni group of nearly 50 families. This was done pretty much by word of mouth. This works in a smaller community like Yankton, but would not be very effective in a city of 150,000. Athletics is the welcome mat to a university and SDSU needs to get its athletics on the TV and radios in this area so they can be heard. We cannot rely on the internet for our coverage since many will not pay for the service. It needs to be over the air waves.

[1stRowFANatic]

Re: The Sioux Falls Market

There need to be more alumni events here.

...

I was looking at alumni events on a postcard I got from SDSU recently, and best I could tell, unless I wanted to go to the Brookings Pizza Ranch, there were few events catered to people living in or near Sioux Falls.

SF_Rabbit,
The Sioux Empire Staters have a monthly luncheon that features speakers from SDSU, most from the Athletic Dept, this months speaker is Dr. Oien. The event is at the Pizza Ranch on 41st on March 18th. $8.00 gets you lunch. SES also sponsors events for alumni to get together for drinks, eats & fellowship at places like McNally's. SES has also paired with SF Jazz & Blues Society on one of there concerts. We are committed to an event at least quarterly, and are trying to get as much going on as we can. If you, or anyone else in the SF area, are not getting the emails, send me a PM and I will get you on the list.

EDIT: Oh yeah, we also do the golf event each summer.

[89rabbit]

Re: The Sioux Falls Market

I was looking at alumni events on a postcard I got from SDSU recently, and best I could tell, unless I wanted to go to the Brookings Pizza Ranch, there were few events catered to people living in or near Sioux Falls.

I understand we have limited resources and funds available, but I feel strongly that unless we stake a strong claim in this market, we are leaving ourselves open to become the second sister of Division I in our own state.

What are everyone else's thoughts?

Hey SF,

I too am looking at that postcard. The Pizza Ranch events are held at the Sioux Falls Pizza Ranch on 41st St.

For those who don't have access to it here are the events listed on it for the Sioux Falls metro:

February
19 12 pm -- Lunch w/SDSU Football Staff (Pizza Ranch)
20 4:30 pm -- Ribbon cutting and open house at the new SDSU Sioux Falls office

March
7 8 pm -- Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Concert and Mixer (this event is tonight)
18 12 pm -- Lunch w/Fred Oien SDSU's AD (Pizza Ranch)

April
15 12 pm -- Lunch w/President Chicoine (Pizza Ranch)
23 4 pm -- SDSU baseball game (vs. Minnesota) and pregame rally (Nutty's North)

May
5 5 pm -- Alumni Mixer at McNally's
20 12 pm -- Lunch w/Reggie Christiansen Baseball Coach and Joanna Lane Softball Coach (Pizza Ranch)

June
18 6:30 am -- SDSU Alumni volunteering to serve breakfast at The Banquet

July
31 5:30 pm -- Prairie Repertory Theater Alumni Event (Brandon)

August
18 5 pm -- Alumni Mixer at McNally's
21 12 pm -- SE Staters' Jackrabbit Shootout (Golf Event)

Rest assured that a like number of events are planned for the rest of the year, and you will receive another "Save the date" post card this summer listing those events.

Post cards of course are just one way that the Alumni Association communicates upcoming events. We also send out e-mail invitations and reminders for events (much more detail then can be put on a post card). So I would encourage everyone to make sure the Alumni Association has your e-mail address (the Jackrabbit Insider - electronic news letter - comes out every month so if you are not getting it chances are the Alumni Association doesn't have a current e-mail address for you).

Finally I would encourage everyone to visit the Alumni Association's web site and check for events in their area. Here is that address:

http://www.statealum.com/s/357/start.aspx

Hope this helps.


Go State!

[1stRowFANatic]

Re: The Sioux Falls Market

89,
So much more complete than my previous post. Knew you would come through.

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: The Sioux Falls Market

Thanks for correcting me on alumni events, I thought my perception seemed a little weird.

First off, I'm not specifically for moving games to Sioux Falls. I think it would be nice when the situation arises. Like on a Christmas break when the students are gone. Or if we could somehow get a Mid-Major or Major to come to Sioux Falls. Maybe Minnesota would consider coming down if they become dominant and C. Iverson is all conference. A long shot, I know, but the option should be on the table, depending on the situation.

It would be interesting to know how many "Die Hard" fans from the Brookings area did not attend the games (Football, Baseball, Basketball) so far that have been held in Sioux Falls. How many complained about taking the trip? How many would attend all the games if they were all in Sioux Falls? I guess what I am asking is if you live in Brookings and had to drive 45 miles to go to a game, how many would you attend?

Meanwhile, not only are their semi-pro teams and USD moving DI to compete with, but Augustana and USF are making tremendous strides toward dominating the college fan here. USF has a new football stadium and Augie is building one. Has anyone seen Augie's new athletic facilities (other than basketball arena)? They put SDSU to shame.

One thing for folks to remember is the cost of attending games in Brookings for the average family of four from Sioux Falls:

You are going to spend between $12-$20 on gas to and from the game. If I remember right, tickets would be 2 adult at $12 and 2 students at $6. That's another $36. If you want to buy Cokes and popcorn for the family, figure another $10-$20. So the total cost of a family to go to a game is between $58-$76. Not exactly small change for the average family.

BTW, ticket prices were not posted on gojacks.com that I could find. Meaning that if I were wondering what ticket prices were so I could plan a trip to Brookings, should I assume they are $10, $20, or $30 per ticket. If I were to assume they were $5 and had to pay $15, do you think I would have positive things to say when other people ask how the game was?

Personally, I am going to go to games regardless of the level of marketing that happens in SF. Do I make it to all of them, no. In fact, I bought Summit TV this year so I didn't have to drive to Brookings and spend a bunch of money on gas. I can tell you that if even a few away games were on TV it would help attendance over the long run. It would probably hurt it for the short term, but long term it would pay dividends.

I guess it seems that SDSU is preaching to the choir a lot instead of seeking out new converts.