Season Tickets

[IDRAFT]

Brilliant paragraph spacing. Kranmars just got a woodie

You go to college for 14 years to get a 4 year degree you learn a thing or two along the way.

 

[logen]

Maybe it’s my reading comprehension but maybe it’s others. I don’t see posts rooting for future failure. I see posts predicting future failure. Those two things are not the same.

And I will make my feelings crystal clear I am not rooting for future failure but totally expect it to come fairly swiftly in a few years. It’s not just a post Pitino thing.- the big Football schools won’t be happy until they crush everyone else.

Really good post!
One point which I have made before. There are a LOT of D1 level basketball players and they now get paid, in some cases a LOT. I just don’t think the football schools can remotely accommodate all those players. I think a football school only basketball scenario is certainly possible but IMO would just become too boringly incestuous to maintain interest over the long haul. And I think the football schools recognize that; I think an unbalanced playing field is much more of a possibility than an elimination of non football leagues altogether.

 

[Redenbacher]

Someone posted this this Marquette seating chart earlier. It's interesting how much more granular they are with pricing-eg, if you're in row 1-8 of a certain section you pay $X more than those in row 9-16, etc. This would have made so much sense for SJU in this reseating, and perhaps made it more palitable- especially since some people are getting moved back a bunch of rows, or over to a section they don't want. SJU surely could have done it in a manner that maximized revenue as well. Oh well.

 

[paultzman]

Mike - thanks for the awesome response - I owe you an IPA at the next game

Dave - I think you misunderstood my point - probably due to my mention of a Hurley brother. I am ok with the reseating plan - especially now that I still have the best seat in the house in 114.

I didn't mean to sound like I was asking to be miserable by questioning what our ticket demand will be once RP walks off into the sunset. There are no other Pitino's out there (figuratively, not literarily.) There are other legends, but there are no other legends from here and who have his following. I believe there are many new fans who are paying to see us play because of him. I sat with one of them at the BET two years ago. He told me that he bought a season ticket after the hiring - he wasn't a youngster. I know that is anecdotal, but the sell outs and national and local media coverage are at levels we have not reached in my time.

This is a dream that hopefully lasts several years. I hope you are right about other legends coming here to follow his footsteps. My hunch is that Mike Repole will select Bobby Hurley (And Repole has earned the right to hire the next one). Based on the other hires we have made we could do a lot worse. I can't stand the guy, but he knows basketball and probably wins enough as long as he has the money behind him.

Maybe most of our new followers will stay with us, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Brian and I have had a few heated arguments about a coach or two back in the day. All the debates aside, he a true blue SJU fan. I got his post and respect him for it.

 

[NCJohnnie]

Mike - thanks for the awesome response - I owe you an IPA at the next game

Dave - I think you misunderstood my point - probably due to my mention of a Hurley brother. I am ok with the reseating plan - especially now that I still have the best seat in the house in 114.

I didn't mean to sound like I was asking to be miserable by questioning what our ticket demand will be once RP walks off into the sunset. There are no other Pitino's out there (figuratively, not literarily.) There are other legends, but there are no other legends from here and who have his following. I believe there are many new fans who are paying to see us play because of him. I sat with one of them at the BET two years ago. He told me that he bought a season ticket after the hiring - he wasn't a youngster. I know that is anecdotal, but the sell outs and national and local media coverage are at levels we have not reached in my time.

This is a dream that hopefully lasts several years. I hope you are right about other legends coming here to follow his footsteps. My hunch is that Mike Repole will select Bobby Hurley (And Repole has earned the right to hire the next one). Based on the other hires we have made we could do a lot worse. I can't stand the guy, but he knows basketball and probably wins enough as long as he has the money behind him.

Maybe most of our new followers will stay with us, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Love you 114 guys - you are the best. I have a feeling Rick is going to have as much of a say in who succeeds him as Repole and I think we will be ok so long as we are not eaten up by the changes in college basketball conferences which is admittedly a huge if and nothing to do with coaches.

 

[OLV72]

Brian and I have had a few heated arguments about a coach or two back in the day. All the debates aside, he a true blue SJU fan. I got his post and respect him for it.

Bob - I am hoping you make it back up here this year! I miss the arguments. Mike is too agreeable.

 

[mjmaherjr]

I'd venture 95-99% of people lost their seats and had to make alternate choices than their "usual" seats

Let’s be absolutely fair here. People who got affected got priced out down low center or were groups of s lot of people who’ve sat together for years but wanted kinda their seats and couldn’t sit together . The people who just priced out of their seats who mentioned their shock at their prices like you I feel bad but like you said a lot and you are right it’s a whole new world.

The ones I feel bad about are the groups of fans who might have sat in the middles but they’ve sat with people they’ve become good friends over the years and they wanted their good seats or close but the groups of seats weren’t available and they had to seperate. Those were the biggest unfortunate losers but guys Ejoyce and IDRAFT lost their crew but got seats near their seats or stoke each others seats

114 is different. One of our rows was stolen by the school leaving only the last 2 rows on the section 1 of the 2 we sat in too but we made a conscious decision ( and we could have moved lower or yo the middle based on points ) . We picked on different days but either we all sit in 114 or we move higher not take a chance and move lower and not be together. Technically none of us are in the same seat but we are in 114 and we are together and ultimately 114 is the center of our universe we don’t whine about anything other then Carnesseca arena heat

 

[espken]

Mike - thanks for the awesome response - I owe you an IPA at the next game

Dave - I think you misunderstood my point - probably due to my mention of a Hurley brother. I am ok with the reseating plan - especially now that I still have the best seat in the house in 114.

I didn't mean to sound like I was asking to be miserable by questioning what our ticket demand will be once RP walks off into the sunset. There are no other Pitino's out there (figuratively, not literarily.) There are other legends, but there are no other legends from here and who have his following. I believe there are many new fans who are paying to see us play because of him. I sat with one of them at the BET two years ago. He told me that he bought a season ticket after the hiring - he wasn't a youngster. I know that is anecdotal, but the sell outs and national and local media coverage are at levels we have not reached in my time.

This is a dream that hopefully lasts several years. I hope you are right about other legends coming here to follow his footsteps. My hunch is that Mike Repole will select Bobby Hurley (And Repole has earned the right to hire the next one). Based on the other hires we have made we could do a lot worse. I can't stand the guy, but he knows basketball and probably wins enough as long as he has the money behind him.

Maybe most of our new followers will stay with us, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Brian, hope you post more. You are one of the few posters that provide substance rather than fluff. Enjoyed hanging with the 114 crew last year for the Wagner game at CA. Reminiscing with you and Ralph about the good old SJU days was priceless.

 

[mjmaherjr]

Brian, hope you post more. You are one of the few posters that provide substance rather than fluff. Enjoyed hanging with the 114 crew last year for the Wagner game at CA. Reminiscing with you and Ralph about the good old SJU days was priceless.

Sitting next to Ralph at a hoops game or even baseball game is legendary

 

[SJUDave]

Let’s be absolutely fair here. People who got affected got priced out down low center or were groups of s lot of people who’ve sat together for years but wanted kinda their seats and couldn’t sit together . The people who just priced out of their seats who mentioned their shock at their prices like you I feel bad but like you said a lot and you are right it’s a whole new world.

The ones I feel bad about are the groups of fans who might have sat in the middles but they’ve sat with people they’ve become good friends over the years and they wanted their good seats or close but the groups of seats weren’t available and they had to seperate. Those were the biggest unfortunate losers but guys Ejoyce and IDRAFT lost their crew but got seats near their seats or stoke each others seats

114 is different. One of our rows was stolen by the school leaving only the last 2 rows on the section 1 of the 2 we sat in too but we made a conscious decision ( and we could have moved lower or yo the middle based on points ) . We picked on different days but either we all sit in 114 or we move higher not take a chance and move lower and not be together. Technically none of us are in the same seat but we are in 114 and we are together and ultimately 114 is the center of our universe we don’t whine about anything other then Carnesseca arena heat

I think the biggest factor in a lot of the reseat inventory issue is it's clear that people who had 2 seats bumped up to 6. And there had to be many of these because the lower bowl of CA was sold out by Wednesday. I think it's a tough pill to swallow that people who have had season tickets for 5-10+ years of only 2 all of a sudden bump to 6 taking away scarce locations from long time season ticket holders. At MSG it's not as bad because we're taking 5200 seats at CA vs 19k at MSG. They should have allowed a bump of 2 seats max and then if you wanted to go from 2 to 6 you could choose to if all existing STH and priority points donors got theirs. I truly feel for the long time fans who lost lower bowl CA seats and are now "forced" to sit in pretty uncomfortable seats up top.

It's a financially driven operation, I fully understand that. I didn't hesitate to hit buy and put in my CC info even though my season tix are now $1k more than last year. But I do feel for those that are pissed off.

 

[Redenbacher]

Let’s be absolutely fair here. People who got affected got priced out down low center or were groups of s lot of people who’ve sat together for years but wanted kinda their seats and couldn’t sit together . The people who just priced out of their seats who mentioned their shock at their prices like you I feel bad but like you said a lot and you are right it’s a whole new world.

I know people who got bumped back a couple of rows and would have gladly paid more to keep their existing seats. Not a matter of being priced out at all. But hey, they'll live.

 

[mjmaherjr]

I think the biggest factor in a lot of the reseat inventory issue is it's clear that people who had 2 seats bumped up to 6. And there had to be many of these because the lower bowl of CA was sold out by Wednesday. I think it's a tough pill to swallow that people who have had season tickets for 5-10+ years of only 2 all of a sudden bump to 6 taking away scarce locations from long time season ticket holders. At MSG it's not as bad because we're taking 5200 seats at CA vs 19k at MSG. They should have allowed a bump of 2 seats max and then if you wanted to go from 2 to 6 you could choose to if all existing STH and priority points donors got theirs. I truly feel for the long time fans who lost lower bowl CA seats and are now "forced" to sit in pretty uncomfortable seats up top.

It's a financially driven operation, I fully understand that. I didn't hesitate to hit buy and put in my CC info even though my season tix are now $1k more than last year. But I do feel for those that are pissed off.

That I think is very fair argument. At CA I’m not sitting anywhere close to the floor unless I’m sitting next to Rick and letting my legs stick out but once again 114 got section 8 3rd section but the railing so for me being 6 ft 4 and other guys same needing legroom it worked out perfectly because we have absolutely 0 interest sitting lower but on this one yeah I get your point

 

[Andrew]

I’ve sat with Brian ( OLV72 ) every year and the rest of our 114 crew since Lavins first year. His question is reasonable in the sense he’s wondering how many fans stick around later on but he’s not wishing for a bad coach and heck our crew got the same seats almost as almost last year and he’s certainly not complaining about that

He’s also the last person to turn on any coach who is here at St John’s. Some of the fun in our group is us all arguing about a coach who needs to go and Brian always defending the crappy coach.

Brian wasn’t thrilled with the Pitino hire but he’s big Pitino fan as soon as the season started 2 years ago

if there was a Mount Rushmore of loyal fans Brian would certainly be on it

All your 114 guys are great and true fans. When the game is on they show up.

 

[Andrew]

Really good post!
One point which I have made before. There are a LOT of D1 level basketball players and they now get paid, in some cases a LOT. I just don’t think the football schools can remotely accommodate all those players. I think a football school only basketball scenario is certainly possible but IMO would just become too boringly incestuous to maintain interest over the long haul. And I think the football schools recognize that; I think an unbalanced playing field is much more of a possibility than an elimination of non football leagues altogether.

Good point. There are a lot of schools playing FBS football that have absolutely no chance to make the playoffs. Many dont draw many fans. The best they can do is make a bowl game almost no one watches and some of our posters bet on . As well there are a lot of basketball schools playing just for a shot at losing in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

 

[mjmaherjr]

All your 114 guys are great and true fans. When the game is on they show up.

Love us or hate us this I appreciate the most because that’s what we are about

 

[The Palpable Buzz]

it wasn’t too long ago that the seats up top of CA were empty. I enjoyed the space and conversations. They would only pack out against ranked teams where I would sit in my actual seat.

Creighton game where Williams went off.

 

[mjmaherjr]

If I can’t get a good seat in the 100s I am OUT! Too much money for 3 seats to put up with lousy seats! Watch the games on TV and save $4000

depends oh what you want. If the school offered us to trade 114 for center court for same price it would be unanimous no

 

[OLV72]

Brian, hope you post more. You are one of the few posters that provide substance rather than fluff. Enjoyed hanging with the 114 crew last year for the Wagner game at CA. Reminiscing with you and Ralph about the good old SJU days was priceless.

Ken -thanks for the kind words. It was a lot of fun meeting you after reading your post over the years. You are one of the most well-respected commentators in this forum.

I hope you can make it up to NY again this season.

 

[paultzman]

The sea change in college sports obviously has had positive and negative consequences, like St John’s hoops morphing into a professional product. Easy for me to say since I no longer have season tickets, but SJU either had to embrace the new world or perish.

Monetary considerations and incredibly hard work to develop ample resources to compete are requisites with limited alternatives.

I respect some fan angst re long term loyalty and personal loss/adjustments, but a very fair and fan sensitive administration has just made a difficult decision. Criticize the execution and communication perhaps, but the ability to sustain a high quality program was front and center in the University’s decision making.

 

[IDRAFT]

None of us know what anyone is doing but for out of town fans who keep reminding STHs how much extra money is needed - I’m assuming all of you are sending checks in on a regular basis too. It’s not like the product is not more enjoyable on television now.

Otherwise those comments are extremely hollow.