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Bradley announces new Personal Seat Option (PSO) plan for new arena

Coach---My use of the word "greed" may have been a little overdone but I still think this really needs more careful thought. Some other schools may be doing this but I would be interested in which ones---any in the MVC?

Also, one of my major concerns is that this may work OK for affluent fans with big bucks but suggestions such as T's cause me to wonder if we have forgotton about the BU fan base of middle class, working people, retired people and young people who simply cannt afford these prices. We need this fan base and don't want to alienate them.

And finally, season ticket holders who pay maintenance should be given a priority if this program is really implemented.

One final thought which I admit is quite negative----If BU basketball deteriorates or if the long-term plan by the administration is to downgrade the program, could a move back on campus be a part of this?

All good thoughts wizard but we also need to have something in our back pocket in our negotiations with Carver or they have us over the coals so as to speak. On your final thought and with my limited interaction with the Administration I would say the opposite is true. They are hungry to upgrade the program as much as possible. She understands completely the amount of revenue that our basketball program brings to the university in form of our endowment.
 
IMO, as long as Bradley has more than 4200 season ticket holders, no regular season games or even tournament games should be played in the new arena. They moved to the Civic Center because they out grew the Fieldhouse and a first class arena was available. The one game against Illinois Wesleyn in the Fieldhouse after the move was enough.

If it makes money for the university and gives them a platform in negotiations why not Chico? If only for one game! We need to look at the big picture and what is best for the university not just the individuals for one weekday game. Imagine the excitement it would bring to the campus! If the math adds up I'd be all for it but then again I do not live in Illinois nor have season tickets.
 
All good thoughts wizard but we also need to have something in our back pocket in our negotiations with Carver or they have us over the coals so as to speak. On your final thought and with my limited interaction with the Administration I would say the opposite is true. They are hungry to upgrade the program as much as possible. She understands completely the amount of revenue that our basketball program brings to the university in form of our endowment.

That's a good point. They know Bradley is an important tenant for them, but they also are in the business for making a profit. When you are considering postseason, yes, Bradley offers potential, but while they played there 3 straight years ('07-'09), they went 5 straight without a postseason ('02 thru '06) game there.

So there were probably changes operationally in March scheduling due to those stretches.
 
That's a good point. They know Bradley is an important tenant for them, but they also are in the business for making a profit. When you are considering postseason, yes, Bradley offers potential, but while they played there 3 straight years ('07-'09), they went 5 straight without a postseason ('02 thru '06) game there.

So there were probably changes operationally in March scheduling due to those stretches.

and Carver had a monopoly which is very hard to negotiate against. I'm all for businesses to make a profit but I'm more into my interest being met where it is a complete win win for everyone.
 
If it makes money for the university and gives them a platform in negotiations why not Chico? If only for one game! We need to look at the big picture and what is best for the university not just the individuals for one weekday game. Imagine the excitement it would bring to the campus! If the math adds up I'd be all for it but then again I do not live in Illinois nor have season tickets.

If it wasn't for the "individuals" the Braves might still be playing at the Armory. Every game the Braves play should bring excitement to the campus.
 
Well said, sir!

Yada yada yada.....College basketball and all of college sport was designed to create a better student experience. If the "individuals" cannot give up one game for this then I'd have to say they have other issues. I know there is not much to do in Peoria in the dead of winter but you could figure out some other way to watch the game and still have fun. Yes college ball brings in a ton of revenue to the school from the "individuals", but the game belongs to the current students and finding a way to get them involved should be a very positive thing overall for everyone. We all had our time there, let's just let the future generation have theirs. The school will need their participation also when they leave BU. Geez one game!
 
Yada yada yada.....College basketball and all of college sport was designed to create a better student experience. If the "individuals" cannot give up one game for this then I'd have to say they have other issues. I know there is not much to do in Peoria in the dead of winter but you could figure out some other way to watch the game and still have fun. Yes college ball brings in a ton of revenue to the school from the "individuals", but the game belongs to the current students and finding a way to get them involved should be a very positive thing overall for everyone. We all had our time there, let's just let the future generation have theirs. The school will need their participation also when they leave BU. Geez one game!

Yes, it was designed to create a better student experience. But if the students don't take advantage of the experience, who's fault is that?
They've had their chance to support their team the last few years and have failed miserably. The school, and team, needs their participation when they are in school also. Hats off to the students who do support the Braves on a regular basis.
 
Yada yada yada.....College basketball and all of college sport was designed to create a better student experience. If the "individuals" cannot give up one game for this then I'd have to say they have other issues. I know there is not much to do in Peoria in the dead of winter but you could figure out some other way to watch the game and still have fun. Yes college ball brings in a ton of revenue to the school from the "individuals", but the game belongs to the current students and finding a way to get them involved should be a very positive thing overall for everyone. We all had our time there, let's just let the future generation have theirs. The school will need their participation also when they leave BU. Geez one game!

Great post SFP! I can not agree more with what you wrote!
 
The Bradley AD Michael Cross speaks on this topic...in this morning's PJ Star..
Dave Reynolds has a front page column in which a long interview with Dr. Cross is published, however...I cannot find it anywhere online....

I have no idea why the column isn't available to be linked, but in it Dr. Cross does a good job explaining why Bradley might want to have certain regular season games up on campus...
and reassures everyone, that it'll be infrequent and done fairly and for good purpose........

I will quote a few lines from the interview.....

Dr. Cross is aware of the complaints about using the "4,200-seat campus arena" for games, and says...
"We're not going to put the Illinois State game in there or any Valley games"

"for a particular opponent, a smaller venue might make sense"

"We don't want to limit people's ability to see games. But this gives us more flexibility in our scheduling and to get as many home games as possible."

"There are some practical reasons for doing this, and scheduling is No. 1"


Then - he goes on to explain that some scheduling dates for home games are simply NOT AVAILABLE at the Civic Center and thus BU loses chances for great games at home against great opponents...thus if the extra option of going to the on-campus arena is available, then just maybe one really desirable home game or so per year could become a reality when it otherwise would not have a chance of ever occurring because of conflicts with the Civic Center on dates available.

Maybe someone can post the link when it's available......
and nice column, thanks DR....but why has Dr. Cross taken nearly 6 months since he's been on the job to step up and talk with the local press about something important??
 
Is it not a coincidence that this announcement is made shortly after the PSO announcement is made?
Me thinks they are trying to sell the PSO's with trhis tactic.
As far as students, I think the 300 number is generous.
When has Bradley not drawn 4,200 for any game other than exhibitions?
Even when Albeck was busy screwing up the program, we drew over 4,200.
 
Yada yada yada.....College basketball and all of college sport was designed to create a better student experience. If the "individuals" cannot give up one game for this then I'd have to say they have other issues.


OK...I'll give up ONE game as a 25 year season ticket holder if the students that go to ONE game all year (ISU) give up that game.

I want the students there as much as anybody and hats off to those that chose to go, but for those that don't, well they choose not to so why cater to them?

The University does alot to help entice them to games and they stay away in droves. They obviously can think of other things to do on the game nights much like you suggest the season ticket holders should do so the "creation of a better student experience" is being lost on them or they are out creating their OWN version of a better experience.

Sorry....BU is the towns team. The students are welcome to jump on (and off) the bandwagon but if BU is to succeed and keep up with the rest of D1 they must cater to those that foot the bill not cowtow to those that could care less...again all apologies to those red sea crazies that are there every home game.
 
OK...I'll give up ONE game as a 25 year season ticket holder if the students that go to ONE game all year (ISU) give up that game.

I want the students there as much as anybody and hats off to those that chose to go, but for those that don't, well they choose not to so why cater to them?

The University does alot to help entice them to games and they stay away in droves. They obviously can think of other things to do on the game nights much like you suggest the season ticket holders should do so the "creation of a better student experience" is being lost on them or they are out creating their OWN version of a better experience.

Sorry....BU is the towns team. The students are welcome to jump on (and off) the bandwagon but if BU is to succeed and keep up with the rest of D1 they must cater to those that foot the bill not cowtow to those that could care less...again all apologies to those red sea crazies that are there every home game.

Have to disagree on a couple of things here DRU. First off, I think that Bradley does not do ENOUGH to encourage students to go to games. IMHO, it has been that way for years and amazingly BU does the same things over and over and they wonder why the students are a no show. Secondly, BU has become the town's team and that is a shame. It all goes back to the screw job the students got when BU moved to the Civic Center.
 
Have to disagree on a couple of things here DRU. First off, I think that Bradley does not do ENOUGH to encourage students to go to games. IMHO, it has been that way for years and amazingly BU does the same things over and over and they wonder why the students are a no show. Secondly, BU has become the town's team and that is a shame. It all goes back to the screw job the students got when BU moved to the Civic Center.

Have to agree with Dogs on this one. IMO, all the University should have to do is give each student a schedule for the upcoming season. If they want to attend the games it's up to them. BU always has been the town's and surrounding area's team. How did they get screwed when BU moved to the Civic Center? Had to sit behind the basket? The students that do show up seem to have a good time.
 
How did they get screwed when BU moved to the Civic Center? Had to sit behind the basket?

One of the ways!

It's great that Peoria supports the Braves but the emphasis should be on how to use the program to create a better platform for the University overall. They have used it nicely to generate revenue and build new facilities on campus no doubt. What is being lost is the future generation of BU alumni holding the program dear to them. That type of thinking, me now will eventually catch up. This is one area I have total confidence in our President. She is trying to find the balance along with the crew in The Chief Club.
 
One of the ways!

It's great that Peoria supports the Braves but the emphasis should be on how to use the program to create a better platform for the University overall. They have used it nicely to generate revenue and build new facilities on campus no doubt. What is being lost is the future generation of BU alumni holding the program dear to them. That type of thinking, me now will eventually catch up. This is one area I have total confidence in our President. She is trying to find the balance along with the crew in The Chief Club.

If the future generation of BU alumni isn't interested in Bradley basketball enough to attend games now while they are in school, I doubt they will be interested alumni.
 
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