Bucket Game at the Luke on Turkey Weekend

[TheBoris]

The Bucket game has suffered from low attendance in recent years. The foremost problem is that students go home for Thanksgiving and few want to go home, come back to campus (or go to the opposing campus) for the game, then return home for the the rest of the 4-day weekend only to return again on Sunday. The other option is to stay over and cut short the Thanksgiving weekend at home with the family.

The foremost origin of students for both Purdue and IU is, of course, the Indy metro area. If the Bucket game were to be played at Lucas Oil Stadium every year, there would be a good turnout by both teams. Both schools could include the Bucket ticket in their season ticket package each year, thereby increasing ticket revenue at both IU and Purdue. And the game would be an easy day trip for those in the area.

This game could also be a showcase for both schools to recruit high school kids in the state to include both athletes and non-athletes. That's the time of year that many finalize their college plans. I'd let 'em in for one buck. We could bus in HS kids from all over. A valid HS ID and one American dollar would get any Indy area HS student into the Luke for the Bucket game.

I think the Luke would be packed for the game. Both IU and Purdue could have recruiting booths at the Convention Center before and after the game to facilitate the enrollment of potential students.

A game that would be analygous to this is the Red River Rivalry played between Texas and Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl every year for the past century. While that game is interstate and the Bucket game is intrastate and obviously lacks the same stature, their success with an annual neutral site game suggest the Bucket game could do the same.

 

[nat100]

Attendance has suffered because both teams are shitty.

Improve the product on the field and attendance improves

 

[roadblock19]

The Bucket game has suffered from low attendance in recent years. The foremost problem is that students go home for Thanksgiving and few want to go home, come back to campus (or go to the opposing campus) for the game, then return home for the the rest of the 4-day weekend only to return again on Sunday. The other option is to stay over and cut short the Thanksgiving weekend at home with the family.

The foremost origin of students for both Purdue and IU is, of course, the Indy metro area. If the Bucket game were to be played at Lucas Oil Stadium every year, there would be a good turnout by both teams. Both schools could include the Bucket ticket in their season ticket package each year, thereby increasing ticket revenue at both IU and Purdue. And the game would be an easy day trip for those in the area.

This game could also be a showcase for both schools to recruit high school kids in the state to include both athletes and non-athletes. That's the time of year that many finalize their college plans. I'd let 'em in for one buck. We could bus in HS kids from all over. A valid HS ID and one American dollar would get any Indy area HS student into the Luke for the Bucket game.

I think the Luke would be packed for the game. Both IU and Purdue could have recruiting booths at the Convention Center before and after the game to facilitate the enrollment of potential students.

A game that would be analygous to this is the Red River Rivalry played between Texas and Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl every year for the past century. While that game is interstate and the Bucket game is intrastate and obviously lacks the same stature, their success with an annual neutral site game suggest the Bucket game could do the same.

Pretty sure that's weekend of the state HS football games. Not that those couldn't change I guess

 

[stout1]

Let him go, he’s on a roll.

 

[Frankie611]

The Bucket game has suffered from low attendance in recent years. The foremost problem is that students go home for Thanksgiving and few want to go home, come back to campus (or go to the opposing campus) for the game, then return home for the the rest of the 4-day weekend only to return again on Sunday. The other option is to stay over and cut short the Thanksgiving weekend at home with the family.

The foremost origin of students for both Purdue and IU is, of course, the Indy metro area. If the Bucket game were to be played at Lucas Oil Stadium every year, there would be a good turnout by both teams. Both schools could include the Bucket ticket in their season ticket package each year, thereby increasing ticket revenue at both IU and Purdue. And the game would be an easy day trip for those in the area.

This game could also be a showcase for both schools to recruit high school kids in the state to include both athletes and non-athletes. That's the time of year that many finalize their college plans. I'd let 'em in for one buck. We could bus in HS kids from all over. A valid HS ID and one American dollar would get any Indy area HS student into the Luke for the Bucket game.

I think the Luke would be packed for the game. Both IU and Purdue could have recruiting booths at the Convention Center before and after the game to facilitate the enrollment of potential students.

A game that would be analygous to this is the Red River Rivalry played between Texas and Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl every year for the past century. While that game is interstate and the Bucket game is intrastate and obviously lacks the same stature, their success with an annual neutral site game suggest the Bucket game could do the same.

I whole heartedly support this entire post except calling it the Luke. I feel like if l was standing next to someone and they called it that I would kick them straight in the nuts.

 

[TC4THREE]

The high school championship games are played the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. If that could be reconciled I'd be for it. It's indoors so that eliminates bad weather as an excuse for not going. It's also much easier for family to spend a holiday weekend in Indy rather than either campus. There's stuff to do for people not going to the game or more things to do before or after. I think both sides bring 20k in bad year.

Don't think either school would agree to this but I think people would start treating it as an annual event they always go to whereas right now the game has to truly mean something for me to want to spend a full day of my holiday weekend going to either campus just for the game.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Even with low attendance numbers, I doubt the teams would want to give up a home game and the cash they make from that.

 

[TheBoris]

Even with low attendance numbers, I doubt the teams would want to give up a home game and the cash they make from that.

Both schools would incluce the Bucket game in their season ticket packages every year. Both schools would have six games at home and a seventh "home" game would be the Bucket game at Lucas, so they'd actually gain a home game for revenue.

For many years the Bucket game was played the weekend BEFORE the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Attendance was always good but it has now taken a nosedive since being moved into the Turkey weekend.

 

[FirstDownB]

I like the idea of playing in Indy. It probably would never happen, but what about Thanksgiving night? The tv ratings would be strong (for a bucket game) as there are typically only 1 or 2 college games on that day, a day where everyone is primed to watch football. We would be the only game in Big Ten country. Attendance might start out low, but if you make it a tradition people will learn to accommodate it into their Thanksgiving plans. Kind of like Lions fans.

 

[pb1941]

I like the idea of playing in Indy. It probably would never happen, but what about Thanksgiving night? The tv ratings would be strong (for a bucket game) as there are typically only 1 or 2 college games on that day, a day where everyone is primed to watch football. We would be the only game in Big Ten country. Attendance might start out low, but if you make it a tradition people will learn to accommodate it into their Thanksgiving plans. Kind of like Lions fans.

F#*k Indy I wouldn`t drive there to see a game. If my wife of 50+ years died down there she would haft to find her own way back.

 

[TheBoris]

I sent the proposal to Mitch in an email. I'll let you know what response I receive.

 

[TheBoris]

Attendance might start out low, but if you make it a tradition people will learn to accommodate it into their Thanksgiving plans. Kind of like Lions fans.

I lived in the Detroit area for five years. On turkey day, many Lions fans bring their Thanksgiving dinner to the stadium and that's their tailgate before the game.

 

[stout1]

I sent the proposal to Mitch in an email. I'll let you know what response I receive.

Polite form response while his email reading assistant thinks that you should have sent it to the AD.

 

[TC4THREE]

Not sure Lucas Oil would hold both season ticket bases if the programs have even mild success. 70k capacity. Not sure what IU's season tickets look like but hopefully ours climbs back towards 40k over the next couple years. Plus you will have a large number of season ticket holders that would be upset with the move and even more upset that they have to pay for it if they don't want the game in Indy. I don't think including it as a mandatory game in the season ticket package would be a smart move even if they were to somehow get it done.

 

[TheBoris]

Polite form response while his email reading assistant thinks that you should have sent it to the AD.

It will get to the AD, through the President's office.

 

[TheBoris]

Not sure Lucas Oil would hold both season ticket bases if the programs have even mild success. 70k capacity. Not sure what IU's season tickets look like but hopefully ours climbs back towards 40k over the next couple years. Plus you will have a large number of season ticket holders that would be upset with the move and even more upset that they have to pay for it if they don't want the game in Indy. I don't think including it as a mandatory game in the season ticket package would be a smart move even if they were to somehow get it done.

I partially agree with your comments but, IMHO, a combined total of over 70K season ticket holders is a problem that IU and Purdue would love to have. You say that a large number of season ticket holders would be upset with the move but there would also be a large number of fans in the Indy area that be happy with it.

Both IU and Purdue could make the Bucket game part of their season ticket packages with the option to sell it back (at the beginning of the season) if unwanted. My hunch is that most fans of both schools would keep it.

 

[FirstDownB]

I partially agree with your comments but, IMHO, a combined total of over 70K season ticket holders is a problem that IU and Purdue would love to have. You say that a large number of season ticket holders would be upset with the move but there would also be a large number of fans in the Indy area that be happy with it.

Both IU and Purdue could make the Bucket game part of their season ticket packages with the option to sell it back (at the beginning of the season) if unwanted. My hunch is that most fans of both schools would keep it.

Or just offer 2 season ticket packages, one with the game and one without. The price delta of the two packages could be adjusted according to demand.

 

[nat100]

I partially agree with your comments but, IMHO, a combined total of over 70K season ticket holders is a problem that IU and Purdue would love to have. You say that a large number of season ticket holders would be upset with the move but there would also be a large number of fans in the Indy area that be happy with it.

Both IU and Purdue could make the Bucket game part of their season ticket packages with the option to sell it back (at the beginning of the season) if unwanted. My hunch is that most fans of both schools would keep it.

Where is the economic incentive for Purdue? They have averaged 43000+ in paid attendance for the bucket game since Tiller left.

 

[SIBoiler2]

Not just no but F$/& no. Me thinks TheBoris has been playing too much while wearing one of those leather helmets he was in love with.

 

[FirstDownB]

Where is the economic incentive for Purdue? They have averaged 43000+ in paid attendance for the bucket game since Tiller left.

Those 43k are every other year. This would be 30k every year. Plus big picture it could help with recruiting and alumni relations in Indy. Indy area Boiler fans have been complaining for years about lack of presence in the area.

 

[TC4THREE]

Where is the economic incentive for Purdue? They have averaged 43000+ in paid attendance for the bucket game since Tiller left.

Probably not in the economic interests of either school but you could make the case for both that the optics of a nearly sold out NFL stadium is way better than a 1/2 full home game in bad weather.

 

[nat100]

Those 43k are every other year. This would be 30k every year. Plus big picture it could help with recruiting and alumni relations in Indy.

In the off years, purdue has a 7th home game that picks up for the bucket game being at IU.

The recruiting piece is the only thing that appeals to me. Winning the bucket for the first time in 4 years.

 

[FirstDownB]

In the off years, purdue has a 7th home game that picks up for the bucket game being at IU.

The recruiting piece is the only thing that appeals to me. Winning the bucket for the first time in 4 years.

I’m not sure how that would work out. “Off years” are years where Purdue has only 4 conference home games, so there are 3 nonconference home games to total 7. I’d assume if you make bucket game a neutral site game, you can still schedule a 7th home game. Or Purdue and IU could simply alternate as the home team for the Indy game, and everything would be essentially the same. The main draw is playing in a pro stadium and in the main metro area of your state.

 

[TheBoris]

Where is the economic incentive for Purdue? They have averaged 43000+ in paid attendance for the bucket game since Tiller left.

Paid attendance includes a lot of season ticket holders, including students, who don't show up. In the past few years I have attended Bucket games at both IU and Purdue and neither site had 30K in seats.

You're going to see a stadium well over half empty during the Bucket game at the end of this month. My estimate is good weather 30K, bad weather 25K.

 

[nat100]

Paid attendance includes a lot of season ticket holders, including students, who don't show up. In the past few years I have attended Bucket games at both IU and Purdue and neither site had 30K in seats.

You're going to see a stadium well over half empty during the Bucket game at the end of this month. My estimate is good weather 30K, bad weather 25K.

I have a feeling the statium will look roughly like it did last weekend. This isnt the hazell era.

 

[TC4THREE]

If we're competitive I think most all of the season ticket holders (less students if this is part of their ticket package because most won't come back early for the game) will show up and stay through the end. I just think having it on that weekend kills the possibility of walk-up sales. People plan to do other things that weekend and the weather on that weekend could be just about anything ranging from pleasantly cool and crisp to snow or freezing rain.

 

[stout1]

It will get to the AD, through the President's office.

Sure. When employees have issues with janitorial problems at my entity, they some times email the head of our organization and it gets to the right place. Doesn't mean it isn't a waste of time.

 

[boiler1987]

Paid attendance includes a lot of season ticket holders, including students, who don't show up. In the past few years I have attended Bucket games at both IU and Purdue and neither site had 30K in seats.

You're going to see a stadium well over half empty during the Bucket game at the end of this month. My estimate is good weather 30K, bad weather 25K.

You have no idea what you’re talking about. Well over half empty? Haha

 

[BoilerBulldog]

Those 43k are every other year. This would be 30k every year. Plus big picture it could help with recruiting and alumni relations in Indy. Indy area Boiler fans have been complaining for years about lack of presence in the area.

43k every other year in a facility we own. How much does it cost to stage a game at Lucas Oil? I don’t think this is apples to apples accounting. Add in the travel costs and it’s really more closer to an away game every year from an expense standpoint.

 

[BoilerBulldog]

Sure. When employees have issues with janitorial problems at my entity, they some times email the head of our organization and it gets to the right place. Doesn't mean it isn't a waste of time.

We must work at the same place...

 

[stout1]

We must work at the same place...

I think everyone has that person at work. No matter the importance of the issue, straight to the top of the food chain ASAP.

 

[TheBoris]

Sure. When employees have issues with janitorial problems at my entity, they some times email the head of our organization and it gets to the right place. Doesn't mean it isn't a waste of time.

When I get a response from Mitch, I'll post it here. Then the Gentle Readers of this forum can decide for themselves if your analogy is insightful and wise or whether you are a smirking fool hiding behind a keyboard.

 

[stout1]

When I get a response from Mitch, I'll post it here. Then the Gentle Readers of this forum can decide for themselves if your analogy is insightful and wise or whether you are a smirking fool hiding behind a keyboard.

Quite frankly, I am insightful and wise, but also a smirking fool. However, a number of people on the boards know me so I can't say I am hiding from everyone, just some of you.

 

[TheBoris]

I think everyone has that person at work. No matter the importance of the issue, straight to the top of the food chain ASAP.

I was an active duty Army officer for 28 years and sending correspondence to the commander of any organization is pretty much routine. Let me guess, you didn't have any military service, did you?

 

[nat100]

I was an active duty Army officer for 28 years and sending correspondence to the commander of any organization is pretty much routine. Let me guess, you didn't have any military service, did you?

I work for a large company where the CEO doesnt handle minutia (yes, this is minutia). You havent worked in a large company have you?

 

[TheBoris]

I work for a large company where the CEO doesnt handle minutia (yes, this is minutia). You havent worked in a large company have you?

I was a faculty member at Texas A&M for five years after retiring from the US Army. And the US Army is also pretty big.

 

[nat100]

I was a faculty member at Texas A&M for five years after retiring from the US Army. And the US Army is pretty big also.

I know. i have family in the army. Most organizations are not run in a comparable manner.

 

[TheBoris]

I know. i have family in the army.

"I have already given two cousins to the war and I stand ready to sacrifice my wife's brother."

H*I*L*A*R*I*O*U*S*!

http://www.azquotes.com/quote/597452

 

[stout1]

I was an active duty Army officer for 28 years and sending correspondence to the commander of any organization is pretty much routine. Let me guess, you didn't have any military service, did you?

So all issues immediately generated communication to Joint Chiefs or NCA?

I’m with Nat100 on this.

 

[Purdue85]

"I have already given two cousins to the war and I stand ready to sacrifice my wife's brother."

H*I*L*A*R*I*O*U*S*!

http://www.azquotes.com/quote/597452

that was distasteful.