It's not the communities job to promote SU football!

[xc84]

A lot of SUNY students (as well as locals and rest of state) have animosity towards SU and other private schools due to the fact they cater to wealthy and out of state students. A lot of people feel they are elite snobs and there is some truth to it.

It's a growing issue attendance wise when alumni can't be bothered to make the trip from the metro areas here and the alumni feel that the locals who have no ties to the university should show up just because. The school may be named Syracuse University but a more accurate name would be Cherry Hills University or WASP University of NJ/NYC/LI.

You may laugh or take offense but it's a huge reason that locals outside of the 315 area code do not attend and in many cases actively root against SU.

I would say it a bit differently. It's about "affiliation". At state schools in football states, everyone feels affiliated to the state school because they live in the state. In NY, Syracuse is not even a state school so there is no auto-affiliation to it like in e.g. Alabama. SUNY was setup to be localized too so even SUNY schools don't experience that affiliation. In addition, there are a ton of colleges in the NE so a person in Albany who went to Union is not going to care so much about another private school he didn't even go to. I don't think it is about snobby... hell, the 25,000 locals that do support them and the basketball team are not put off by the elite snobbishness. By living in Syracuse, they feel affiliated.

However, that's the whole point of marketing...to gain affiliation. They need to market better to the community, surrounding area, and to alumni. Recent alumni have no affiliation to the football team.

 

[Townie72]

Great points and does anyone know the name(s) of the football marketing people? Maybe if fans start badgering them about What they are doing, some increased activity might begin in NY State.
I am an ex-player working for a global brewing giant in sales/marketing and I know what it takes to promote/market Orange Football and get fannies in the Dome.
Dr. Gross...Can you hear me?

No offense, Jet, but are you sure you know?

Because if you do there's a heck of a career for you in sports marketing.

Attendance and building attendance is a wide spread and constant problem for universities and professional franchises at all levels. And no one has cracked that code yet consistently.

The problem is one of payback for the expense. Everyone knows how to spend money on advertising, PR, direct mail, internet presence, promotional give-aways and even price concessions. Spending money is easy. Making money through a return on that expense in not easy.

If it were there wouldn't be hundreds of thousands of empty seats at DI football games every Saturday.

At least you have a Market/Sales resume. I suspect others on here clamoring for more advertising have never tried to market anything in their lives. It looks easy until you actually start to do it.

 

[orangeinjersey]

Why not?? They show up at other schools in droves even against bad teams. Go see PedSt play a bad team. What makes out alumni different?

Because at PSU and the other bigtime schools, EVERY game is an EVENT. They could play Hucka Buck state and still get 100k folks in the seats. A great Tailgate, a place to see your friends and more importantly, SEE GOOD FOOTBALL. Bees you called me out on my other thread because I was complaining about attendance while sitting from my couch at home 5 hours away.

Do I want to kill a whole weekend to get up to the hill and watch Wagner with the other 20k? Especially when I still have concerns about the offense? No of course not. If I lived an hour or two away would I? I can honestly say yes, at least I'd be more inclined.

Lets be honest here, the past decade hasn't been very good. Even when we played the creampuffs (Maine, URI etc) we NEVER put those guys away. It was always a game in the 3rd/4th qtr.

Now on the flip side. Clemson. That is shaping up to be an event. 40k plus in the dome is a rocking dome. With Hunt in the lineup, we are PLAYING WELL, our offense looks sharp. Me and a group of 15+ are heading up Friday am. Its homecoming, it should be a good weekend on the Hill win or lose. Its an EVENT. People are excited. Top 5 opponent, we have a CHANCE to win. National game. Whats not to be excited about? See how that differs from Wagner?

I think what people fail to realize is that GRob left this program for dead. Marrone was right, In 2008 we were probably the worst BCS team in the country. We were essentially Rutgers circa 1999 with some history. Unfortunately, recruits are too young to know about that History unless they dig for it. Add to that we probably had the worst facilities in the BCS as well.

Right now, I put our program at about the RU 2004/5 level. We have elevated to respectable, no longer an auto win on opponents schedule. We now need that one or two breakout playmaker to get us over the top to a 9-3, 10-2 type season. MAYBE TH is that guy. Perhaps not this year, maybe next year, who knows.

All i know is this is a long haul. The BB program shows you that the area cares when there is a winner on the field. Its really simple, we need to start winning. Marrone built a good base, its time to keep that going.

 

[xc84]

I think what people fail to realize is that GRob left this program for dead.

No offense, but who fails to realize this besides members of the Robinson family?

 

[ImperialOrange]

I'm not part of the Syracuse community being a non alumni and 270 miles from my doorstep to the dome. That being said, I promote SU football to anyone willing to listen and some that aren't. I always try and take an extra person or more to SU games with me as well and I'm surely not alone in that venture. At this point, if we fans don't promote it, who will?

I met a bunch of fans at Metlife from the Rochester area. They knew their stuff about the team and seemed to have more than a casual interest but when asked if they have tickets to any games in the dome they all answered no. So there are knowledgable fans who are willing to travel to NJ, tailgate in a cluster parking lot, and endure the elements in a game many suspected we would lose but not travel to the friendly confines of the dome. There has to be a key to unlock that potential fan base (and others) so I would say Rochester is the best place to start.

 

[SUbear]

I'm not part of the Syracuse community being a non alumni and 270 miles from my doorstep to the dome. That being said, I promote SU football to anyone willing to listen and some that aren't. I always try and take an extra person or more to SU games with me as well and I'm surely not alone in that venture. At this point, if we fans don't promote it, who will?

I met a bunch of fans at Metlife from the Rochester area. They knew their stuff about the team and seemed to have more than a casual interest but when asked if they have tickets to any games in the dome they all answered no. So there are knowledgable fans who are willing to travel to NJ, tailgate in a cluster parking lot, and endure the elements in a game many suspected we would lose but not travel to the friendly confines of the dome. There has to be a key to unlock that potential fan base (and others) so I would say Rochester is the best place to start.

Sundays Rochester Democrat and Chronicle made little mention of the Syracuse game, might be part of the problem.

 

[cuseincincy]

I think they are missing the local market. ... They have done a good job in NYC but just like the poster who mentioned busses they have to create ways to breath new life into dormit fans as well as create new fans locally.

And herein lies the problem. People in NYC are not going to go to an SU game in Syracuse. yeah soem alumni may come back but that is about it. That is not SU's market, or anyone else's for that matter. Everyone is chasing the proverbial "big apple pie in the sky." The B10, ACC, AAC ESPN, ETC. and whatever other acronym you want to put up there. It was folly to try and generate fan interest in NYC and think that could translate into fannies in the seats of the Dome. This next game shoudl be interesting. The #3 team in the country is coming. Will that win out over fans possible opinion "why should I go just to watch SU get killed?" Personally, "go to just watch SU" shoudl be enough. But we used to go to games in hopes SU would knock off Miami, Tennessee, or Nebraska, or Oklahoma etc. And you know what? Once in a while they did!

 

[Townie72]

Sundays Rochester Democrat and Chronicle made little mention of the Syracuse game, might be part of the problem.

I lived in Rochester twice. My sense was that there is an active anti-Syracuse feeling there except for SU basketball.

Rochesterians seemed to feel that they are superior to everything Syracuse. Or at least they did when Xerox and Kodak were flying high.

 

[SUfanNC]

And herein lies the problem. People in NYC are not going to go to an SU game in Syracuse. yeah soem alumni may come back but that is about it. That is not SU's market, or anyone else's for that matter. Everyone is chasing the proverbial "big apple pie in the sky." The B10, ACC, AAC ESPN, ETC. and whatever other acronym you want to put up there. It was folly to try and generate fan interest in NYC and think that could translate into fannies in the seats of the Dome. This next game shoudl be interesting. The #3 team in the country is coming. Will that win out over fans possible opinion "why should I go just to watch SU get killed?" Personally, "go to just watch SU" shoudl be enough. But we used to go to games in hopes SU would knock off Miami, Tennessee, or Nebraska, or Oklahoma etc. And you know what? Once in a while they did!

I think the marketing in NYC wasn't to get people to come to Cuse games at home but to align the program with NYC to make us more appealing. If I'm trying to up the attendance I would make a serious push now. We are 2-2 with our first ACC game coming up a bye week and a QB who looks like he could be the real thing we have been looking for! Carpe diem!

 

[SUfanNC]

I lived in Rochester twice. My sense was that there is an active anti-Syracuse feeling there except for SU basketball.

Rochesterians seemed to feel that they are superior to everything Syracuse. Or at least they did when Xerox and Kodak were flying high.

I can see that for sure but basketball is proven. If they root for bball they will root for fball more than likely they just need a good product and to have fun before the game.

 

[ImperialOrange]

I lived in Rochester twice. My sense was that there is an active anti-Syracuse feeling there except for SU basketball.

Rochesterians seemed to feel that they are superior to everything Syracuse. Or at least they did when Xerox and Kodak were flying high.

We got a pretty good turnout when we ran the Spring game there the other year though. If we can get 5k from Rochester to add to the 20k die hards we already have that's a good start. Then they can promote within the community and hopefully drum up interest from there.

 

[chakka3421]

I think you have to do what Louisville and others non-powerhouses do and that is to engage the business community - and not just for money. I believe the athletic dept there actively promote businesses who in turn promote to their own employees & families to go to games. Lville creates and environment to do this - SU does not.

I really just dont know what SU has to offer - no partying on the quad, no concerts, no carnival, no beer or food fests and to top it off tailgating is atrocious due to parking lot nightmares. Simply no game day atmosphere except for listening to the band play the same old pregame songs on the quad - that's it. Those songs really do not appeal to the younger generation - just look sometime who stands their and watches - grandma and grandpa.

All SU has right now is just a game and attendance is based on wins and losses - a vicious circle.

My company teaches that if you sell a product based on price alone, you lose in the long run. You have to sell value. Im not talking about the hard core fan that loves watching football, but where is the value to the casual fan to come to the games?

 

[SUfanNC]

We got a pretty good turnout when we ran the Spring game there the other year though. If we can get 5k from Rochester to add to the 20k die hards we already have that's a good start. Then they can promote within the community and hopefully drum up interest from there.

Don't forget Utica, Watertown, and Binghamton.

 

[SUfanNC]

I think you have to do what Louisville and others non-powerhouses do and that is to engage the business community - and not just for money. I believe the athletic dept there actively promote businesses who in turn promote to their own employees & families to go to games. Lville creates and environment to do this - SU does not.

I really just dont know what SU has to offer - no partying on the quad, no concerts, no carnival, no beer or food fests and to top it off tailgating is atrocious due to parking lot nightmares. Simply no game day atmosphere except for listening to the band play the same old pregame songs on the quad - that's it. Those songs really do not appeal to the younger generation - just look sometime who stands their and watches - grandma and grandpa.

All SU has right now is just a game and attendance is based on wins and losses - a vicious circle.

My company teaches that if you sell a product based on price alone, you lose in the long run. You have to sell value. Im not talking hard core fan that likes football, but where is the value to the casual fan?

Agree 100%. It has to be an experience. Maybe get the busses to park over at Manley tour the ipf for football and bball. Engage the fans. Shuttles to the game from there. Get music over there! Get students there! He'll a big screen with game day going! Even sumo suits with SU and the opposing team logos on them! Tents if the weather is threatening.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Don't forget Utica, Watertown, and Binghamton.

I have converted 2 in Bingo to season ticket holders being my cousin (former Penn State fan) and his wife(former non fan). That is my stop over on Friday night and where we commute in from on gameday. I sport cuse gear most of the time when we're out and there seems to be some interest passing interest but none to the same degree as the Rochester fans. I feel like we should've gained more traction when the Jones' were playing @ SU. Maybe we can pay for bones to promote us and get some MMA crazies in the dome?

 

[Quazzum69]

There's the perception of the ACC being one of the better conferences ( Clemson, Miami, FSU, Virginia Tech, Louisville, Notre Dame?). No one cares about UConn football - it just sounds wrong. What the hell is a Cincinnati, anyway?

Virginia Tech? People will come out for ACC games because the ACC has "football schools." The ACC is a great football brand and it will start to how in the next few seasons. Everyone has heard of "the U" and know they are a football school. Even if we don't play these teams each year, we will be associated with them and competing for titles with them.

The past decade will be the lowest point - the horrible performance on the field combined with the demise of the worst football conference that was never really a legitimate conference after Miami, BC and Tech left. The team is winning again and heading in the right direction with the new facilities and conference.

Calm down, people.

 

[SUfanNC]

I have converted 2 in Bingo to season ticket holders being my cousin (former Penn State fan) and his wife(former non fan). That is my stop over on Friday night and where we commute in from on gameday. I sport cuse gear most of the time when we're out and there seems to be some interest passing interest but none to the same degree as the Rochester fans. I feel like we should've gained more traction when the Jones' were playing @ SU. Maybe we can pay for bones to promote us and get some MMA crazies in the dome?

Plus there have been some good high schoolers from that area recently I thought. If we can get a few might get some interest. Thinking of that it may be why Rochester is on board with bball a bit more. J Wallace !

 

[OttoMets]

Hmm I'm wondering if since est students get student tickets they could offer all SUNY students a season ticket package likely at a slighly higher rate and in a different section but that would expand the fanbase especially if you want to draw people from all over the state for years to come. Crazy idea but a thought.

Ive always thought that for 5 years after graduation alums should get season tickets in the opposite corner upper deck and ozone for the same price as student tickets slowly increasing after year 2 (when people start to get promotions)

A lot of schools do this. Good idea. SU's certainly failing at this sort of thing. Low-hanging fruit.

 

[SUfanNC]

There's the perception of the ACC being one of the better conferences ( Clemson, Miami, FSU, Virginia Tech, Louisville, Notre Dame?). No one cares about UConn football - it just sounds wrong. What the hell is a Cincinnati, anyway?

Virginia Tech? People will come out for ACC games because the ACC has "football schools." The ACC is a great football brand and it will start to how in the next few seasons. Everyone has heard of "the U" and know they are a football school. Even if we don't play these teams each year, we will be associated with them and competing for titles with them.

The past decade will be the lowest point - the horrible performance on the field combined with the demise of the worst football conference that was never really a legitimate conference after Miami, BC and Tech left. The team is winning again and heading in the right direction with the new facilities and conference.

Calm down, people.

Not sure anyone is freaking out but honestly if you think the marketing has been fruitful and smart in the local community than I disagree. I think most people here want some thought and effort put towards marketing.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Plus there have been some good high schoolers from that area recently I thought. If we can get a few might get some interest. Thinking of that it may be why Rochester is on board with bball a bit more. J Wallace !

I was hoping the same would happen with all the NYC players we have now but is yet to be seen. Perhaps once T Hunt is better known he will peak more interest from NYC?

 

[SUfanNC]

I was hoping the same would happen with all the NYC players we have now but is yet to be seen. Perhaps once T Hunt is better known he will peak more interest from NYC?

Agree. We need to get back in there but we need to take care of things closer to home. No reason for good football prospects to go outside upstate. It has always bothered me about mike hart and the wr from henninger that went to Michigan as well. There are more I'm sure but I hate losing those kids to other schools.

 

[Bayside44]

Why not?? They show up at other schools in droves even against bad teams. Go see PedSt play a bad team. What makes out alumni different?

In 1989 my class was the first to not have 50% plus 1 be from NYS. Now that number is in the mid 60s.

I had to go to Harrisburg a month or so ago, the place is a dumping ground for PSU kids, who probably graduate 4x as many kids a year than we do, if not more, and it's mostly in state kids who stay in state. When you mention the game, it's only PSU.

And they probably have a very active engagement program with their graduates, unlike SU. SU hunts and pecks to find people, it's been befuddling to watch.

 

[OttoForLife]

Going back to my first post about SU creating a market or demand amongst our locals and wider fan base - SU needs to sell people on why SU football's success is important to them personally.

Either emotionally (the idea that we are "one CNY/NYS community" blah blah blah) or practically (tie attendance at games to SU investment in local or regional causes; give local charities a platform to do the same.)

 

[SUfanNC]

Something is broke! I thinking winning and product masked it for a longtime and it needs to be adjusted. I would like to hear what locals and alumni think about it honestly. Most people that post here will go to games regardless but there has to be lurkers and some that have opinions on this.

 

[Jeepers]

A lot of great points here.

That's the whole problem. We need to do something about the "win and they will come" mentality. It's not sustainable treating the teams as strictly entertainment.

I'm very worried about what will happen if the basketball team starts losing.