Improve Mason home game experience discussion

[GSII]

Can we get a popcorn report for EBA?

 

[tblack33]

Thats what I’ve been thinking - we have to first get the students there in numbers and repeatedly, then we can get them off their butts.

But we do need some plans in place to make the environment more engaging when they do show.

I actually thought the student attendance was good on Monday, it was the alum/season ticket holder attendance that was lacking. 3k for a home opener has to be down there among our lows, opening night generally is well attended even against the blind and deaf sisters of the Chesapeake bay.

 

[TweederGMU]

Can we get a popcorn report for EBA?

He doesn't post anymore

 

[Jack Strop]

Agree. There used to be some rowdies down by the opposing bench. The bleacher dancing girls add very little to the experience.

I don't mind the Fly-girls. I certainly dig they're spirit. But yes, stick several alumni down there to show the students what it's all about to raise hell. I'd do it. We'll need another 20 or 30 more. Who's with me?

 

[Old Man]

He doesn't post anymore

The popcorn in the Gold Room was pretty good, though I believe it comes from University Mall Theaters, or at least it used to. Proper crunch, not too much salt, and a great price! It works for me.

 

[Jack Strop]

This might help to get butts in seats—pass it on...

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1985753341582852477

View: https://www.twitter.com/MasonAthletics/status/1985753341582852477

 

[ProfessorCFK]

Nope, don't like that.

 

[jessej]

Nope, don't like that.

View attachment 2825

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hng_YjA8nV8&t=2s

 

[gmutom]

Nope, don't like that.

View attachment 2825

$5 for those who want to stand with no table, $3 to sit on the floor

 

[TweederGMU]

But... but.... you all have Wegmans now

 

[mkaufman1]

So here’s the thing with the Gold Room — and obviously, I’m not local anymore, so I don’t get to go in there much — but here’s my two cents.

We’ve always said the same things about it:

1. It’s too crowded.
2. There’s never anywhere to sit.
   Among other complaints.

So now they’ve made some changes. They adjusted the price (yeah, I know — not ideal), but they’re also trying to improve the overall experience and offer an option for those who want a guaranteed place to sit — through a small additional donation.

Sure, they’re “Mason-ing” it a bit by adding a pay-to-reserve-table model, but let’s be honest: if you split a $10 table five ways, that’s $2 each. Split a $20 table six ways, that’s about $3.75 per person. It’s really not bad — and that extra money goes right back into supporting the program.

If we want our programs to stay competitive, every little bit helps. Those who don’t want to pay for the “premium” setup can still enjoy the regular experience. It’s kind of like how they charge for parking at Homecoming — I get why people gripe, but in this case, the Gold Room change should actually help basketball, whereas parking fees mostly cover cleanup and staffing costs (or so we can assume).

 

[MASONscott]

So here’s the thing with the Gold Room — and obviously, I’m not local anymore, so I don’t get to go in there much — but here’s my two cents.

We’ve always said the same things about it:

1. It’s too crowded.
2. There’s never anywhere to sit.
   Among other complaints.

So now they’ve made some changes. They adjusted the price (yeah, I know — not ideal), but they’re also trying to improve the overall experience and offer an option for those who want a guaranteed place to sit — through a small additional donation.

Sure, they’re “Mason-ing” it a bit by adding a pay-to-reserve-table model, but let’s be honest: if you split a $10 table five ways, that’s $2 each. Split a $20 table six ways, that’s about $3.75 per person. It’s really not bad — and that extra money goes right back into supporting the program.

If we want our programs to stay competitive, every little bit helps. Those who don’t want to pay for the “premium” setup can still enjoy the regular experience. It’s kind of like how they charge for parking at Homecoming — I get why people gripe, but in this case, the Gold Room change should actually help basketball, whereas parking fees mostly cover cleanup and staffing costs (or so we can assume).

That is a reasonable point and we do need to stay competitive.

My son is a senior at Arizona State. My wife recently spent 10 days in the desert and attended two football games.

They sell beer under their own brand and advertise profits going to their NIL. Mason's crew could propose our *upgrades as benefiting the NIL. Fans at the ASU game went out of their way to buy the beer that benefitted the NIL. Beer was from a local brewery and half-decent so that helped. Something we could learn from...

*we didn't notice any Gold Room upgrades in game 1. A post card on our table mentioned there may be some forthcoming.

 

[GM Logo Guy]

How about keeping the bookstore open late on game nights? I wanted to grab a hat before the game, but shocker—the bookstore was closed.

 

[MasonFanatic]

Nobody needs to email Mason athletics to read the forum. They have staff that reads what we say already. I assure you considering some of the comments I have received via text or in person, lol.

Can confirm

 

[TweederGMU]

That is a reasonable point and we do need to stay competitive.

My son is a senior at Arizona State. My wife recently spent 10 days in the desert and attended two football games.

They sell beer under their own brand and advertise profits going to their NIL. Mason's crew could propose our *upgrades as benefiting the NIL. Fans at the ASU game went out of their way to buy the beer that benefitted the NIL. Beer was from a local brewery and half-decent so that helped. Something we could learn from...

*we didn't notice any Gold Room upgrades in game 1. A post card on our table mentioned there may be some forthcoming.

I've seen other schools do this around the East Coast and Midwest as well.

That's a good point....reach out to Commonwealth Brewing, Solace, or Honor Brewing or other breweries around NOVA to see if they can brew a beer for half a season, or do a limited release, dedicated specifically for GMU in which a percentage: 50 cents, $1, etc. for every pint and/or can sold goes directly to our NIL. Can title the beer Green and Gold or Patriot Pressure (name can be figured out at a different time of course). I'm sure they could find a brewery to go in on this endeavor. In return, we will feature it at games and advertise the crap out of your brewery at games.

For quick NIL wins.... place sheets of paper, stickers, posters, etc. with a barcode on it on tables or certain areas around the arena where people can scan that goes directly to our athletics donation or NIL site(s). Alumni or non-alum in general attending games who are neighbors, co-workers, or clients of people who gave them their tickets for free or brought them to the games can then scan the code if they feel like to donating something or paying it forward.

 

[TweederGMU]

I would also make the Gold Room ticket an a la carte product where people can elect to purchase a Gold Room pass at each home game on Ticketmaster or at the box office.

Charge $50 or $60 per game - Many beneficial use cases here:

1. This can introduce a new audience to the Gold Room and may get new donors/ticket holders for the next season if they like the experience

2. Intended for those who elect to attend a few games a season and have friends who already have Gold Room passes

3. Visiting fans can take advantage of

4. Networking / Client use - Those who bring clients, prospective clients, business partners, people bringing their kids coaches or teammates parents of all the kids sports leagues around NOVA.... can be a fun way to show off Mason.

 

[GunstonsGhost]

That's a good point....reach out to Commonwealth Brewing, Solace, or Honor Brewing or other breweries around NOVA to see if they can brew a beer for half a season, or do a limited release, dedicated specifically for GMU

Commonwealth already made a damn good beer, Brave & Bold. Yet it's nowhere to be found around EBA.

 

[MasonFanatic]

Commonwealth already made a damn good beer, Brave & Bold. Yet it's nowhere to be found around EBA.

Came here to point this out.

I believe it's an EBA concessions contracting issue.

 

[GMUgemini]

How about keeping the bookstore open late on game nights? I wanted to grab a hat before the game, but shocker—the bookstore was closed.

Should have a team store in the arena (even if it’s just a pop up for now).

Any new arena should have a: 1) hall of fame museum 2) team store with exclusive merch, 3) a restaurant