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No beer at DKR in 2014

Steve Patterson isn't going to take my phone call nor is he going to take the phone call of any other of the alumni who isn't willing to write a seven or eight figure check.

Just for the fun of it, I will place a call to him in the morning. I will report back on what happens. Lol.
you never reported back which is telling. If you DIDNT get through you'd have reported the same minute.
 
you never reported back which is telling. If you DIDNT get through you'd have reported the same minute.
I wouldn't have reported back right away regardless, last week as a busy week. 

However, I did run across an article in the WSJ that I found interesting. A number of people seem to think worrying about the fans in the cheap seats is a silly concern and that ignoring amenities is no big deal. Others seems to differ with this opinion. 

Students aren’t coming to games, even at places where they win national championships: Alabama, LSU, Georgia. The no-show rate for students who bought tickets to games is around 25 percent these days, even for some of its biggest games, and those are teams that are really doing well.

.

What’s really at stake here is the next generation of football fans and donors, and what schools fear is that if they can’t connect with students when they’re on campus — when they’re a walk away from going to one of the best football games in the country every Saturday, for free — how are they going to be able to do that when these kids are in their 30s and 40s and 50s and they become the next generation of donors and boosters that support these athletic departments and football teams.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/why-college-football-is-studying-major-league-soccer-1405556573

If the athletics department doesn't care about connecting with fans in their 20s and continues to only focus of the fans in premium seating and only offer amenities to fans in suites, they are risking the long term financial health of the program. And don't offer any underage drinking crap excuses. If SMU and West Virginia can do it, Texas shouldn't use logistics as an excuse. Its not just beer. it is about the attitude of the high level administrators in the athletics department not caring about 70,000 fans who aren't in the suites.

 
No one is saying marketing doesn't matter. Nice deflection.

So did you call Peterson or not?


All he has. . . .the confirmation bias has over come all reasoning powers.

Even the WSJ points out that kids are more worried today about classrooms than football games. . . it is the reality of the 21st century. . .

Yet despite that, CFB is enjoying all time highs in popularity. . . . now a critical thinker might realize the game has expanded beyond the student body and is popular with all ages who did not attend school there. . . .duh. . .makes sense. . .it is the flagship university of the state.  .. 

but to argue that somehow future donations will be effected by whether beer is sold or not. . . . .sorry. ..that's just dumb. . . .

Can the school do better?  Of course. . . 

It is 'out of control" as claimed?    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOJN9OrTEFQ

 
Steve Patterson isn't going to take my phone call nor is he going to take the phone call of any other of the alumni who isn't willing to write a seven or eight figure check.

Just for the fun of it, I will place a call to him in the morning. I will report back on what happens. Lol.
he took your call, didn't he? otherwise you'd have reported back 'just for the fun of it'. Lol.

 
Looks like Patterson is starting do get the fundraising started for the new basketball facility and SEZ

https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/hr/jobs/nlogon/140722010827

Senior Associate Athletic Director - Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development
Hiring department Intercol Athletics
Monthly salary OPEN

Hours per week 40.00 Variable
Posting number 14-07-22-01-0827
Job Status Open
FLSA status Exempt
Earliest Start Date 07/28/2014
Position Duration Funding expected to continue
Position open to all applicants
Location Austin (main campus)
Number of vacancies 1
General NotesDynamic, fast paced environment. Long hours, weekends, holidays. Involves moderate travel. Reports to the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director.
Required Application Materials
  • A Resume is required in order to apply
  • A Letter of Interest is required in order to apply.
  • A List of 3 References is required in order to apply.

Additional Information
PurposeManages the department's fund raising activities, including annual, major, principal and planned giving, and special events with the goal of maximizing revenue to the department. Must be in adherence with established policies and procedures.
Essential Functions


Manage the day-to-day operations of the Longhorn Foundation to maximize revenues from all sources. Analyze existing annual fund strategies and create innovative and new methods to enhance revenues from donors. Increase transparency and nurture the culture of the Longhorn Foundation to a broad based development operation, inclusive of revenues from leadership, major and planned gifts (including endowments), and special events. Oversee and create engaging and functioning policy and procedures; conduct annual audits, and investigate and implement best practices; and ensure fiscal accountability and thorough documentation. Manage a portfolio of leadership and principal gift prospects, in coordination with the Assistant Athletics Director for Leadership Giving; establish metrics and recognition for number of prospects, contacts, solicitations and gifts closed each year. Assist the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director with day-to-day management of the office to ensure it meets annual goals and to maximize its benefit to fund raising objectives. Increase the collaboration and dialogue between athletic development and university development, take full advantage of best practices, creative ideas, good relationships, identification of new and multiple interest prospects, and potential partnerships. Assist and facilitate professional development and elevate the profile of the Longhorn Foundation nationally by participation in industry associations, including NACDA and NAADD. Implement a performance based management system working toward identified measurable metrics. Assist the Assistant Athletics Director for Donor Relations with stewardship for the Longhorn Foundation, focused on providing high level, consistent, and appropriate stewardship of donors at all levels.
Marginal/Incidental functionsOther related functions as assigned.
Required qualificationsBachelor's degree. 10 year's experience in development work in the collegiate environment, advancing to positions of increasing responsibility. Proven success in major gifts, capital campaigns and annual fund. Experience at executive and/or supervisory level in a development operation. Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and communication skills across diverse stakeholder groups and audiences. Demonstrated ability to work with all public entities associated with Athletics. Willing and able to work extended hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed. Professional demeanor. Able and willing to travel as required. Excellent computer skills including ability to use software to track moves management and to learn new systems as needed. Ability to commit to the Texas Athletics Core Values: Diversity, Integrity, Accountability, Loyalty, Excellence, Creativity, Teamwork. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Preferred QualificationsAdvanced degree. More than five year's experience in intercollegiate athletics at an NCAA Division I institution. More than five year's experience in major gift work, with a proven track record of success closing gifts. Experience with planning, organizing and implementing capital campaigns. Proficient with MS Office tools.
Working conditionsMay work in all weather conditions May work in extreme temperatures Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation Use of manual dexterity Long hours during events--evenings, weekends and holidays. Some travel.
 
back in my day (aka the jurassic era) the fee also covered basketball and baseball. is that still the case ?
Sorry I haven't responded!  I was out of town. It still covers basketball, baseball and volleyball without needing ticket reservations, which is nice!

 
Looks like Patterson is starting do get the fundraising started for the new basketball facility and SEZ

https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/hr/jobs/nlogon/140722010827

Senior Associate Athletic Director - Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development

Hiring department Intercol Athletics

Monthly salary OPEN

Hours per week 40.00 Variable

Posting number 14-07-22-01-0827

Job Status Open

FLSA status Exempt

Earliest Start Date 07/28/2014

Position Duration Funding expected to continue

Position open to all applicants

Location Austin (main campus)

Number of vacancies 1

General Notes

Dynamic, fast paced environment. Long hours, weekends, holidays. Involves moderate travel. Reports to the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director.

Required Application Materials

  • A Resume is required in order to apply
  • A Letter of Interest is required in order to apply.
  • A List of 3 References is required in order to apply.
Additional InformationPurpose

Manages the department's fund raising activities, including annual, major, principal and planned giving, and special events with the goal of maximizing revenue to the department. Must be in adherence with established policies and procedures.

Essential Functions



Manage the day-to-day operations of the Longhorn Foundation to maximize revenues from all sources. Analyze existing annual fund strategies and create innovative and new methods to enhance revenues from donors. Increase transparency and nurture the culture of the Longhorn Foundation to a broad based development operation, inclusive of revenues from leadership, major and planned gifts (including endowments), and special events. Oversee and create engaging and functioning policy and procedures; conduct annual audits, and investigate and implement best practices; and ensure fiscal accountability and thorough documentation. Manage a portfolio of leadership and principal gift prospects, in coordination with the Assistant Athletics Director for Leadership Giving; establish metrics and recognition for number of prospects, contacts, solicitations and gifts closed each year. Assist the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director with day-to-day management of the office to ensure it meets annual goals and to maximize its benefit to fund raising objectives. Increase the collaboration and dialogue between athletic development and university development, take full advantage of best practices, creative ideas, good relationships, identification of new and multiple interest prospects, and potential partnerships. Assist and facilitate professional development and elevate the profile of the Longhorn Foundation nationally by participation in industry associations, including NACDA and NAADD. Implement a performance based management system working toward identified measurable metrics. Assist the Assistant Athletics Director for Donor Relations with stewardship for the Longhorn Foundation, focused on providing high level, consistent, and appropriate stewardship of donors at all levels.

Marginal/Incidental functions

Other related functions as assigned.

Required qualifications

Bachelor's degree. 10 year's experience in development work in the collegiate environment, advancing to positions of increasing responsibility. Proven success in major gifts, capital campaigns and annual fund. Experience at executive and/or supervisory level in a development operation. Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and communication skills across diverse stakeholder groups and audiences. Demonstrated ability to work with all public entities associated with Athletics. Willing and able to work extended hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed. Professional demeanor. Able and willing to travel as required. Excellent computer skills including ability to use software to track moves management and to learn new systems as needed. Ability to commit to the Texas Athletics Core Values: Diversity, Integrity, Accountability, Loyalty, Excellence, Creativity, Teamwork. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree. More than five year's experience in intercollegiate athletics at an NCAA Division I institution. More than five year's experience in major gift work, with a proven track record of success closing gifts. Experience with planning, organizing and implementing capital campaigns. Proficient with MS Office tools.

Working conditions

May work in all weather conditions May work in extreme temperatures Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation Use of manual dexterity Long hours during events--evenings, weekends and holidays. Some travel.
Are you going to apply Duke¿¿¿¿

 
You have no idea whether we will be tweeting about games, in-game, or not. Baseball Twitter feed was extremely active throughout the season, and I could have followed it and religiously and gained a pretty good idea of what was going on in the games.

I would guess that football is the same.

That said, the game/series I was at in-person, I had no desire to follow Twitter, unless I missed something and those around couldn't tell me because they were not watching either.

"Fans" that choose to stay at home and watch a sporting event at home can ALWAYS get a more informed view of the event than they can live. It doesn't matter if it's a CFB game, the Super Bowl, MLB or NBA. Sports media, such as ESPN, FOX, CBS, message boards, etc all do an incredibly thorough job of providing the stats, feel-good stories, matchup info, player data, etc, to the viewer at home.

WiFi at DKR, (and I don't know of it's been upgraded for this season or not yet,) is a benefit, but, that alone isn't going to draw the younger fans to the games, just like Twitter isn't. As Street said, the success of Charlie Strong, and the success of the football team is what will get people to games. In the late 1980s, when I was an undergrad, we SUCKED. The young fans, (translated: students) still went to the games. They partied at tailgates, snuck in booze, arrived a little late and left early, as did alums. This is not a new issue. And it's not an issue that only UT faces. Students will come. Alums will come. Look at any Texas message board and you'll see that the average Texas fan is clamoring for football to start so they can attend/watch the games. It's like this every year. And the stadium is not going to be sold out for Rice, UNT, Iowa St, Kansas, TCU. Those are not strong match ups. Games like Tech, BYU, Ok St, K St, Baylor-will draw close to sellout crowds.

I've been a season ticket holder since 1993. I don't sit in the EZ Club seats. The fact that I can't get an $8 beer in the stadium does not make me feel slighted, left out, looked down upon or feel any less of a part of the game day experience. I sit on the West side LL. If I had to sit near the airplane flight path at the top of the upper decks, I'd probably stay home and watch on TV. Better experience. And there's absolutely nothing anyone can do to enhance the experience from way up there.

Your "ideas" are so scattered here. You say you want to engage the fans. OK. How? Tweets in-game? Already being done in baseball and basketball, would think this is likely going to happen in football as well. You want more Dot Races on the jumbotron? More t-shirts fired into the crowd by the big gorilla? I, for one, would be fine with more Chaps Girl coverage on the jumbotron. But what else? The concourse has been redesigned to include new food offerings. The jumbotron, while obnoxious as all get out, has been toned down the last season or two. I've heard we will have a new entrance video, but I'm not 100% certain. I just don't get what you think is going to make it better.

Make a list of what would make YOUR game day experience better and send a letter to Patterson.
I vote for free tacos.

 
Are you going to apply Duke¿¿¿¿
No, but I know someone who I will encourage to apply. Seriously.
I am too much of a bull in a china shop for UT athletics as it stands. I believe in dynamic change and Bellmont seems to loathe any change. Not a good cultural mix. I might apply over at aggy. They seem immune to the sclerotic problem at Texas. They are much more innovative and dynamic than Bellmont, hence the reason they are seen as the most innovative program in Texas.

 
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No, but I know someone who I will encourage to apply. Seriously.

I am too much of a bull in a china shop for UT athletics as it stands. I believe in dynamic change and Bellmont seems to loathe any change. Not a good cultural mix. I might apply over at aggy. They seem immune to the sclerotic problem at Texas. They are much more innovative and dynamic than Bellmont, hence the reason they are seen as the most innovative program in Texas.
Whatever. ..

 
Duke, you're a bull wannabe. I've asked twice in plain English whether you called Patterson like you laughingly bragged you'd do and you dodged both times. Yes or no? Did you call?

 
Duke, you're a bull wannabe. I've asked twice in plain English whether you called Patterson like you laughingly bragged you'd do and you dodged both times. Yes or no? Did you call?
There isn't a lot of reason to call him in Austin when he was in Dallas. That is, unless you have his cell phone number and would like to pass it on to me.

According to a call last night on the phone, someone at Big 12 media days mentioned to Steve that he and I might have reason to talk. I believe Steve was given my contact info. I will leave it at that for now. 

 
Some of you wanted to know some of my specific ideas. I have offered them before, but to get some of them in one place, here are some things, large and small, I would like to see discussed by people inside Bellmont. I an not including things like endowing all the scholarships and building the new basketball arena. I have other ideas, but here are some things I would like to at least have considered and discussed by Steve Patterson and his staff.

Call the U.S. Olympic Committee and talk to their head physician. Discuss what facilities the university would need to have to support a world class sports rehab and orthopedics clinic as part of the new hospital. Austin should be a training location for world class and professional athletes. If the facilities are in place for world class athletes to train, recruits would naturally want to spend four years in Austin at UT.

Make the calls necessary to begin promoting the creation of a world class sports rehab and orthopedics clinic attached to the new hospital.

Call the Big 12 office and begin discussions with other Big 12 schools to offer dorm rooms and meal tickets to athletes from other conference schools wanting to train for the summer in Austin. Call the Pac 12 offices and discuss doing a joint arrangement between the two conferences. A summer in Los Angeles training on the beach with Pac 12 athletes might be a memorable experience for athletes. Likewise, a summer in Austin might be a memorable experience for Pac 12 athletes. Also, this would reinforce Austin as being a premier athletic training location.

Work with Big 12 schools to create a semester in residence where sports medicine or sports marketing majors can spend a semester at another conference school, living in one of their dorms, to add to their educational experience and to learn more about how different programs are managed. Begin discussions to partner with Pac 12 or Big 10 schools to expand this concept.

Work on building a boathouse for the rowing team that will stand out and be an architectural asset. This would be part of a plan to promote Austin as a key location for rowing in this part of the nation. The facilities should be built with an eye to hosting conference or national championships. As part of this overall facility, apartments should be integrated into the design to give athletes who are part of the UT program and other students a uniquely Austin living opportunity. These apartments/dorms could be integrated into the program to allow athletes from other schools to train for the summer in Austin.

Call Mark McKinnon and have him review how Bellmont media people manage the image and brand of the school as well as the image and brand of the administrators of the athletic program.

As part of the game day experience, start a 5K run along one of the routes that Coach Strong runs in the morning. Have this run start on the morning of home games. It will start and end in front of Bellmont before crowd control would be an issue. Encourage students to enter. Encourage alumni and their kids who may be coming in for the game to make it part of their overall game experience. Partner with various businesses in town so race participants could wear a wristband that provided them discounts. This would give a kick-off to the game day events and for out of town visitors, they would have a list of where to go to eat, where to visit or to shop. Out of town visitors should only have to buy their game ticket and show up at the beginning of the race to then have a list of options available as to how they want to spend their day.

Create a Hall of Honor type display where the accumulated trophies of various sports can be seen by game day visitors. There should also be memorabilia displayed and displays for all the current sports teams. This could possibly be expanded as part of the SEZ project. Planning about an hour and a half to see the displays, adding an hour for the race and an hour to eat and relax, this creates a four hour block of game day entertainment that adds to the experience.

As part of the SEZ project, build a club level facility with glass both on the field side and on the south side to offer views of the city as well as the field. When the facility is not used for game days, make it a restaurant, open to the public. This should be the restaurant with the best view of the city that will draw residents and visitors and give individuals a unique Austin experience. If the museum/Hall of Honor idea is developed, this dining facility could support visitors to the museum during non-game day operation. ( I would actually do two restaurant facilities, one a classic Texas steakhouse, with a “watering hole†bar, rich wood paneling and trophies in display cases, the other being a more casual fare).

Also in the SEZ project, integrate a number of apartments/dorm rooms along the outside, facing the city. This should be an extension of offering uniquely Austin dorm rooms to students when possible. 

Put together a WSOP style tournament for fans and alumni. Hold it the Wed/Thu/Fri before one of the home games. Don't make the prizes cash (for legal reasons), make them tickets to games in increasingly preferred locations and give the winner something like a prime suite in the SEZ expansion for a year. Hold a golf tournament at the UT facilities on that Friday. Rent time at the Circuit of the Americas, so fans and alumni who are into their cars can do some laps and meet others with similar interests. Make it a fun time for fans to be in town for a long weekend and strengthen connections with the fans and alumni. 

 
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