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ITOO Spaghetti dinner

not sure if "cancelled" is the right word -- this was addressed in the Q&A session at the Dunlap Community Event -- that these other events plus Homecoming events have crowded the preseason schedule and the "Itoo Spaghetti Supper" had not been scheduled for this season but that it might return next year.
 
Just my opinion, but the ITOO hall is the best place to hold this dinner. Parking is the main reason.
 
Spaghetti Dinner

Spaghetti Dinner

I think its teriffic that we are having the spaghetti dinner----BUT I also think the ITOO hall is a much better place. Better parking, a bar, and lots of space. Let the people who have done the dinner in the past do it again---If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Also, This dinner should include fried chicken as in the past. Have the Red & White on another day.

Don't micro manage this thing----Let it happen as in the past and you'll have a great event.
 
I like the idea of bringing back the spaghetti dinner. But, why not hold the event at the Student Center. I would like to know the constraints against having the dinner there:?:

I raised this question on the other thread as well. :mrgreen:
 
I think these are all good suggestions - but...

-obviously this year's events are pretty much ALL already set & scheduled - the times, dates, etc.....so they're not going change much at this point

-second - Bradley has already shown a TREMENDOUS tendency to listen to, hear, and respond to the fans
- ALL THE FANS, even the "smaller contributors/fans"
- and this is a perfect example where they added the spaghetti supper just for those fans who were asking for it!

-so since Geno, Bobby Parker & the people at Bradley have done such an incredible job getting out and meeting folks, and setting up MORE and VARIED events for the fans than EVER before, and since we still have MANY more upcoming events (Red-White, spaghetti supper, the homecoming events, Bid for Braves, etc..) -- then why can't we just get out, enjoy these numerous, tremendous events that we have, and stop asking for them to change again and again and again...
I'm not sure what the complaints are....we have the events - more than ever before,
we have the spaghetti supper, and yet there's people saying...
"A growing problem for Bradley is that they have ignored the smaller contributors/fans" - LINK
I have to wonder if they're getting frustrated trying to do all they can do and still seeing complaints?
 
I embrace some of the changes that have been made. While I understand that Bradley needs to cater to the big contributors, I also praise the Athletic Department for trying to provide the fan base with exposure to the team. As with a lot of changes, questions arise. I see no problem with asking questions in this forum. If it can be arranged, one question I have is why hold a spaghetti dinner in a gym when we have a Student Center that could provide a better atmosphere for the fans? I understand that this years spaghetti dinner may have been a last minute event, and that there may be some type of contractual obligations as far as food etc is involved with the student center, however if possible, I think that the student center would be a far more appropriate place to hold the event on campus. Just honest opinions, and I think that feedback can be the best way to improve events in the future. :idea:
 
I think this is overwhelming proof of how hard the people at Bradley are trying to be fan-friendly, cater to the public,
to listen to fans, and to get get some events scheduled that are what people want - so the fans will NOT have any excuse to stay home....


The folks at ITOO give of their time & effort for Bradley but BU does not own the Itoo Hall so they are at some disadvantage holding an event there --
Mainly Bradley has to PAY a fee to use it...it is the ITOO owners who make money renting it to Bradley.
but...Bradley does own the Renaissance Arena and it is a BEAUTIFUL facility that they'd be foolish NOT to use!!!
This way we don't have to pay a rental fee and if there's actually a profit to be made then it's Bradley making it not someone else -
the event becomes a fund raiser and helps keep our ticket prices down - hallelujah!!

-if BU uses the ITOO Hall then Bradley would be obligated to pay a fee to use a facility (see link below)
when we already OWN an adequate facility to hold the event in.
PLUS -- the ITOO has a cramped SINGLE entryway with lines of people waiting to get in -- typically also
had LONG, LONG lines all the way around the facility waiting to get food, and the place holds a max of about
400 people so there were many times that people had to STAND to eat their spaghetti, or that they couldn't find adequate seating
to allow large groups and families to sit together - and had to break up and sit widely separated.
I recall people commonly complaining about the waiting, the lines, the cramped aisles and paucity of seating.
PLUS if you get there late - the ITOO parking lots is NOT that big and parking was tough to find.
I cannot imagine this will even come close to happening at a facility that's 5-10 times bigger...and the Renaissance parking deck holds almost 1000 cars and a second parking lot across Maplewood from the Alumni Center and Markin holds a couple hundred more.

-BTW -- Here's the ITOO Hall's own rental terms -- their standard charge is $17.50 per person for the use of the facility
(it is possible BU may have negotiated a slight discount) and BU typically has 500-600 people served when it was held there.
BUT Bradley will owe nobody nothing to use the Renaissance -- and by catering food in will keep the cost down
to only a couple dollars per person - making it a MONEY-earner rather than a money-LOSER.
http://www.videogenique.com/Itoo/Pricing.html

-as for the "free parking" at Itoo....the Renaissance Arena has gobs of free parking and, as for ITOO having "lots of space" -- are you saying you think the Itoo Hall is bigger than the Renaissance Arena plus the Mitchell JJ Anderson Court combined?

-Bobby Parker says there will be beer for sale -
"the dinner price includes two drinks for adults (soda or beer for 21+) and one drink (soda) for children"

-the Arena is bigger than the Student Center and has far better proximity and availability of parking than the Student Center
On the past occasions when Bradley's post-season banquet was held at the Student Center there was dissatisfaction due to the parking,
and the actual main dining area was no bigger than the ITOO - maybe even smaller.

-someone said that this is doing things "the wrong way"....that chili would be better than spaghetti because
"Spaghetti will be messy for this with people carrying their plates all over the arena"
...duh.....this guy either does not have kids or must not know what chili is ....because it is NOT less messy than spaghetti.
Anyway -- all the eating will be AWAY from the Arena as clearly noted -- it will be behind the arena at the PRACTICE FACILITY.
The release on Bradley's website - LINK - clearly makes it known that the food will be away from the arena
and over in the practice court area - with the practice court obviously covered and well protected.
"The dinner will be served in the practice facility (the floor will be tarped to prevent spilling spaghetti on it)"
 
Bradley also owns the Student Center as well and would not have to go to the expense of putting the tarp on the floor. ;-):idea:
 
The size of the crowd at Itoo was much larger than the place actually held -- the folks who came at 6PM and 7PM were actually sitting down in seats already vacated by others...
In total -- 500-600 people attended the Itoo supper -- but I suspect a crowd of that size would overwhelm the Student Center and where would they all park - over on the other side of Maplewood then walk three blocks?
I really don't know all the answers but I think it's great that it's being held on campus, showcasing the new arena that many have yet to see or be inside of, and it's right next to parking and allows the sale of beer.

The Michael Student Center has a seating capacity barely larger than ITOO.
Does anyone else find it ironic that we play basketball downtown in a BIG arena - yet some say we should have built an arena on campus and hold all our ball games there.
Yet we hold our fan events and spaghetti supper in a BIG arena ON-CAMPUS - and yet some say we should move out to the boonies and hold it at a much smaller facility that we don't own, pay the rent, and crowd people in to the parking lot and smaller building.
I don't believe there's anything BU can do without displeasing a certain element of the fan base.
 
Don't be so dramatic T. The ITOO chicken and spaget dinner will always be a favorite for us long time BU fans. No one is putting down anyone at Bradley.
 
and yet there's people saying...
"A growing problem for Bradley is that they have ignored the smaller contributors/fans" - LINK
I have to wonder if they're getting frustrated trying to do all they can do and still seeing complaints?

wasn't this said before the announcement of the spaghetti dinner?

is it possible that this has come about because of the statements made in this board?
 
There have been mostly positive and appreciative comments on this board. But elsewhere there have continued to be complaints even after Bradley announced the reinstatement of the spaghetti supper this year. I think t is rightfully reacting to those comments, when it appears the people at Bradley are trying to whatever is reasonable to please the fan base and the Peoria Journal Star.
Here are just a few of the negative comments I have seen.
Again, these are just some of the complaints that have come after Bradley relented and reinstated the spaghetti supper:
-Why can't we have the spaghetti supper at the Itoo Hall, instead of the Renaissance Coliseum
-Why can't Bradley have the spaghetti supper as a "stand alone" event, instead of combining it with the Red-White scrimmage
-the Itoo Hall had better parking and a bar
-this event at the RC is not as conducive for autographs and mingling with the players and coaches as the event at the Itoo would have been
-Why can't they have chicken too, instead of just spaghetti
-Why can't we have chili and hot dogs, instead of spaghetti
-spaghetti is too messy for the arena
-"this will not be the elbow to elbow thing the fans wanted"
 
I can't think of a better place to hold the event - except for maybe Robertson Memorial Field House on the raised floor. But alas...that won't be happening.

There were comments about the Student Center having a better atmosphere...are you serious? What better place for a bunch of BASKETBALL fans than a room dedicated to BASKETBALL.

Others have addressed the parking issues...as in...there are none.

Some have complained that this won't be the kind of event where they get to "rub elbows" with the players and coaches. They are people too...and they'll be in an environment that they are all very comfortable with...may actually make for a better event.

The dinners at ITOO were fun times...but just because this dinner isn't at ITOO doesn't mean it has to be any less fun. If lack of chicken or an overabundance of BRADLEY everything (signage, paint, pictures, y'know actually being on campus) is too much for you - I say you skip the event and let the rest of us enjoy it without you grumbling in the corner.
 
There have been mostly positive and appreciative comments on this board. But elsewhere there have continued to be complaints even after Bradley announced the reinstatement of the spaghetti supper this year. I think t is rightfully reacting to those comments, when it appears the people at Bradley are trying to whatever is reasonable to please the fan base and the Peoria Journal Star.
Here are just a few of the negative comments I have seen.
Again, these are just some of the complaints that have come after Bradley relented and reinstated the spaghetti supper:
-Why can't we have the spaghetti supper at the Itoo Hall, instead of the Renaissance Coliseum
-Why can't Bradley have the spaghetti supper as a "stand alone" event, instead of combining it with the Red-White scrimmage
-the Itoo Hall had better parking and a bar
-this event at the RC is not as conducive for autographs and mingling with the players and coaches as the event at the Itoo would have been
-Why can't they have chicken too, instead of just spaghetti
-Why can't we have chili and hot dogs, instead of spaghetti
-spaghetti is too messy for the arena
-"this will not be the elbow to elbow thing the fans wanted"

When a change is made, regardless of the event, there are always going to be people who complain. I very much like the idea of bringing the spaghetti dinner to the campus. The job of the PR guy from Bradley is to sort out the significant complaints from the insignificant ones. It isn't as if the cuisine at the Itoo Hall was fine dining, so we can throw out the food complaints. Ideas for the location of the venue have credibility as the location can dictate what can be done with the presentation after the dinner.
 
I think what we are going to see is a lot more events that used to be held off-campus are now going to be on campus...
after all, we spent $140 million to build it and it's time top put it to use...

exhibitions, some regular season games, post-season games, preseason events, suppers, scrimmages, and maybe even the Bid4Braves and postseason banquet soon...


BTW -- what's the earliest Bradley has ever held the Red-White scrimmage?
2011 - Oct. 18, with first exhibition Nov. 1
2010 - Oct. 24, with first exhibition Nov. 6
2009 - not held- 1st exhibition was Nov. 8
2008 - not held- 1st exhibition held Nov. 3
2007 - Oct. 26, with first exhibition Nov. 1
2006 - Oct. 27, with first exhibition Nov. 1
2005 - Oct. 28, with first exhibition Nov. 3
2004 - Oct. 30, with first exhibition Nov. 4
....so this is the earliest we have ever gotten to see our guys play -- and it's not even close --
practically a week earlier than in past year....and only 3 days into the practice season..
 
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