Gameday Experience

[Jack Strop]

CRAP!!

I've hit a temporary roadblock with the Mason Fan Cheer Guide. The Athletic Dept. reached out to me and asked that I not distribute the flier to students during the next two home games. In the name of sportsmanship and Mason brand guidelines, the AD simply cannot support it in its current form.

The Cheer Guide needs to be vetted through various administrative channels and that will take time beyond the next two home games. I have been informed, however, that if such events like certain cheers or efforts evolve organically then there's nothing that the University can do about it (just stating that as a fact). As an Ad-man and brand developer myself, I fully understand the ADs concerns. There's a ton of brand considerations and bureaucratic red tape to cut through—I get it. One interesting point that I received was that other schools may not be too pleased by our students' potentially vulgar "cheers" directed at their teams that were endorsed by the Mason AD ("...suck on that!" [loo-loo-loo-loo-loo]).

Nevertheless, I am not disappointed about slowing the recent momentum of fan development, but I am reassured by the ADs efforts to improve the student and general fan experience beginning next season. I was informed that there will be a ton of active planning this summer for next season and I have been invited to participate. This forums' concerns WILL be addressed then.

Now, I still have 1,500 Mason Fan Cheer Guides on order to be produced. However, I'll leave it up to the fine and generous individuals who donated to the second print run of the Cheer Guide as to the disposition of their money. I'll need your decisions by 2-pm Tuesday, February 26. Our options are:

1.) Print the guide and distribute them outside the arena or elsewhere.

• PRO: people will still receive their Cheer Guides.
  
• CON: Security and campus police may have issue with such distribution.
  
• PRO2: Distribution could be private or organic (i.e. clandestine).
  
• CON2: I don't want to jeopardize my fledgling relationship with the AD by continuing distribution.

2.) I can refund you your money via PayPal, I have that option, and/or hand over refunds personally to those who gave me cash (I know who most of you are and I can make arrangements).

• PRO: You get your money back.
  
• CON: Momentum is slowed in the short-term (but not the long-term).

Please refrain from negative comments directed at the AD and University Admin. There is a time and place for that. It is of greater priority to be constructive and figure out a viable solution to the immediate problem. I leave it in your hands. If I receive no constructive feedback from the immediate stakeholders (my donors) and other esteemed colleagues on this forum then I will make the decision myself and we'll all live with it.

Cheers!

 

[sleeperpick]

CRAP!!

I've hit a temporary roadblock with the Mason Fan Cheer Guide. The Athletic Dept. reached out to me and asked that I not distribute the flier to students during the next two home games. In the name of sportsmanship and Mason brand guidelines, the AD simply cannot support it in its current form.

The Cheer Guide needs to be vetted through various administrative channels and that will take time beyond the next two home games. I have been informed, however, that if such events like certain cheers or efforts evolve organically then there's nothing that the University can do about it (just stating that as a fact). As an Ad-man and brand developer myself, I fully understand the ADs concerns. There's a ton of brand considerations and bureaucratic red tape to cut through—I get it. One interesting point that I received was that other schools may not be too pleased by our students' potentially verbose "cheers" directed at their teams that were endorsed by the Mason AD ("...suck on that!" [loo-loo-loo-loo-loo]).

Nevertheless, I am not disappointed about slowing the recent momentum of fan development, but I am reassured by the ADs efforts to improve the student and general fan experience beginning next season. I was informed that there will be a ton of active planning this summer for next season and I have been invited to participate. This forums' concerns WILL be addressed then.

Now, I still have 1,500 Mason Fan Cheer Guides on order to be produced. However, I'll leave it up to the fine and generous individuals who donated to the second print run of the Cheer Guide as to the disposition of their money. I'll need your decisions by 2-pm Tuesday, February 26. Our options are:

1.) Print the guide and distribute them outside the arena or elsewhere.

• PRO: people will still receive their Cheer Guides.
  
• CON: Security and campus police may have issue with such distribution.
  
• PRO2: Distribution could be private or organic (i.e. clandestine).
  
• CON2: I don't want to jeopardize my fledgling relationship with the AD by continuing distribution.

2.) I can refund you your money via PayPal, I have that option, and/or hand over refunds personally to those who gave me cash (I know who most of you are and I can make arrangements).

• PRO: You get your money back.
  
• CON: Momentum is slowed in the short-term (but not the long-term).

Please refrain from negative comments directed at the AD and University Admin. There is a time and place for that. It is of greater priority to be constructive and figure out a viable solution to the immediate problem. I leave it in your hands. If I receive no constructive feedback from the immediate stakeholders (my donors) and other esteemed colleagues on this forum then I will make the decision myself and we'll all live with it.

Cheers!

keep the twenty I gave you. if you know gmujim personally you can use it to buy him a ticket so he finally makes it to a game this season.

 

[Five Two]

Marvel Universe is coming to EBA. That has a wide audience. Advertise that you will get a sneak peak of the Marvel Universe at the next Basketball game, and I am sure you will see a slight uptick in ticket sales.

They did "super hero day" when we played St Bonna (I could have the wrong game). It could have been a bit more Marvel U-specific since the show, produced by Feld Entertainment, will play EBA soon. They did giveaway tickets to Marvel U. Could have it been done better? Yeah, probably. But then you have to weigh how much more do you spend with Feld to make it better and will you get enough of an uptick in tickets to justify that cost.

 

[GMUSig03]

CRAP!!

I've hit a temporary roadblock with the Mason Fan Cheer Guide. The Athletic Dept. reached out to me and asked that I not distribute the flier to students during the next two home games. In the name of sportsmanship and Mason brand guidelines, the AD simply cannot support it in its current form.

The Cheer Guide needs to be vetted through various administrative channels and that will take time beyond the next two home games. I have been informed, however, that if such events like certain cheers or efforts evolve organically then there's nothing that the University can do about it (just stating that as a fact). As an Ad-man and brand developer myself, I fully understand the ADs concerns. There's a ton of brand considerations and bureaucratic red tape to cut through—I get it. One interesting point that I received was that other schools may not be too pleased by our students' potentially verbose "cheers" directed at their teams that were endorsed by the Mason AD ("...suck on that!" [loo-loo-loo-loo-loo]).

Nevertheless, I am not disappointed about slowing the recent momentum of fan development, but I am reassured by the ADs efforts to improve the student and general fan experience beginning next season. I was informed that there will be a ton of active planning this summer for next season and I have been invited to participate. This forums' concerns WILL be addressed then.

Now, I still have 1,500 Mason Fan Cheer Guides on order to be produced. However, I'll leave it up to the fine and generous individuals who donated to the second print run of the Cheer Guide as to the disposition of their money. I'll need your decisions by 2-pm Tuesday, February 26. Our options are:

1.) Print the guide and distribute them outside the arena or elsewhere.

• PRO: people will still receive their Cheer Guides.
  
• CON: Security and campus police may have issue with such distribution.
  
• PRO2: Distribution could be private or organic (i.e. clandestine).
  
• CON2: I don't want to jeopardize my fledgling relationship with the AD by continuing distribution.

2.) I can refund you your money via PayPal, I have that option, and/or hand over refunds personally to those who gave me cash (I know who most of you are and I can make arrangements).

• PRO: You get your money back.
  
• CON: Momentum is slowed in the short-term (but not the long-term).

Please refrain from negative comments directed at the AD and University Admin. There is a time and place for that. It is of greater priority to be constructive and figure out a viable solution to the immediate problem. I leave it in your hands. If I receive no constructive feedback from the immediate stakeholders (my donors) and other esteemed colleagues on this forum then I will make the decision myself and we'll all live with it.

Cheers!

You can do with my contribution what you feel is best.

 

[mkaufman1]

CRAP!!

I've hit a temporary roadblock with the Mason Fan Cheer Guide. The Athletic Dept. reached out to me and asked that I not distribute the flier to students during the next two home games. In the name of sportsmanship and Mason brand guidelines, the AD simply cannot support it in its current form.

The Cheer Guide needs to be vetted through various administrative channels and that will take time beyond the next two home games. I have been informed, however, that if such events like certain cheers or efforts evolve organically then there's nothing that the University can do about it (just stating that as a fact). As an Ad-man and brand developer myself, I fully understand the ADs concerns. There's a ton of brand considerations and bureaucratic red tape to cut through—I get it. One interesting point that I received was that other schools may not be too pleased by our students' potentially vulgar "cheers" directed at their teams that were endorsed by the Mason AD ("...suck on that!" [loo-loo-loo-loo-loo]).

Nevertheless, I am not disappointed about slowing the recent momentum of fan development, but I am reassured by the ADs efforts to improve the student and general fan experience beginning next season. I was informed that there will be a ton of active planning this summer for next season and I have been invited to participate. This forums' concerns WILL be addressed then.

Now, I still have 1,500 Mason Fan Cheer Guides on order to be produced. However, I'll leave it up to the fine and generous individuals who donated to the second print run of the Cheer Guide as to the disposition of their money. I'll need your decisions by 2-pm Tuesday, February 26. Our options are:

1.) Print the guide and distribute them outside the arena or elsewhere.

• PRO: people will still receive their Cheer Guides.
  
• CON: Security and campus police may have issue with such distribution.
  
• PRO2: Distribution could be private or organic (i.e. clandestine).
  
• CON2: I don't want to jeopardize my fledgling relationship with the AD by continuing distribution.

2.) I can refund you your money via PayPal, I have that option, and/or hand over refunds personally to those who gave me cash (I know who most of you are and I can make arrangements).

• PRO: You get your money back.
  
• CON: Momentum is slowed in the short-term (but not the long-term).

Please refrain from negative comments directed at the AD and University Admin. There is a time and place for that. It is of greater priority to be constructive and figure out a viable solution to the immediate problem. I leave it in your hands. If I receive no constructive feedback from the immediate stakeholders (my donors) and other esteemed colleagues on this forum then I will make the decision myself and we'll all live with it.

Cheers!

My two cents:

I’ll take the money back. Once it’s vetted if you need the cash I’ll send it back to you. I don’t want you to get in trouble in any shape or form. Hope that’s cool.

 

[Falco]

They did "super hero day" when we played St Bonna (I could have the wrong game). It could have been a bit more Marvel U-specific since the show, produced by Feld Entertainment, will play EBA soon. They did giveaway tickets to Marvel U. Could have it been done better? Yeah, probably. But then you have to weigh how much more do you spend with Feld to make it better and will you get enough of an uptick in tickets to justify that cost.

I didn’t know that, I’m glad to hear that. I’m know I’m a horrible fan I only went to the homecoming game this year. But did they do away with the crowd games at time outs. Like the tic tax toe game, or the bike racing?

 

[MasonSAE4]

I didn’t know that, I’m glad to hear that. I’m know I’m a horrible fan I only went to the homecoming game this year. But did they do away with the crowd games at time outs. Like the tic tax toe game, or the bike racing?

Just for homecoming. They’ve been doing them still.

 

[Washingtonian]

I didn’t know that, I’m glad to hear that. I’m know I’m a horrible fan I only went to the homecoming game this year. But did they do away with the crowd games at time outs. Like the tic tax toe game, or the bike racing?

They have done bike racing at multiple games this season, as well as the deal or no deal game (I think someone did win $200 this season).

 

[patriotchild]

CRAP!!

I've hit a temporary roadblock with the Mason Fan Cheer Guide. The Athletic Dept. reached out to me and asked that I not distribute the flier to students during the next two home games. In the name of sportsmanship and Mason brand guidelines, the AD simply cannot support it in its current form.

The Cheer Guide needs to be vetted through various administrative channels and that will take time beyond the next two home games. I have been informed, however, that if such events like certain cheers or efforts evolve organically then there's nothing that the University can do about it (just stating that as a fact). As an Ad-man and brand developer myself, I fully understand the ADs concerns. There's a ton of brand considerations and bureaucratic red tape to cut through—I get it. One interesting point that I received was that other schools may not be too pleased by our students' potentially vulgar "cheers" directed at their teams that were endorsed by the Mason AD ("...suck on that!" [loo-loo-loo-loo-loo]).

Nevertheless, I am not disappointed about slowing the recent momentum of fan development, but I am reassured by the ADs efforts to improve the student and general fan experience beginning next season. I was informed that there will be a ton of active planning this summer for next season and I have been invited to participate. This forums' concerns WILL be addressed then.

Now, I still have 1,500 Mason Fan Cheer Guides on order to be produced. However, I'll leave it up to the fine and generous individuals who donated to the second print run of the Cheer Guide as to the disposition of their money. I'll need your decisions by 2-pm Tuesday, February 26. Our options are:

1.) Print the guide and distribute them outside the arena or elsewhere.

• PRO: people will still receive their Cheer Guides.
  
• CON: Security and campus police may have issue with such distribution.
  
• PRO2: Distribution could be private or organic (i.e. clandestine).
  
• CON2: I don't want to jeopardize my fledgling relationship with the AD by continuing distribution.

2.) I can refund you your money via PayPal, I have that option, and/or hand over refunds personally to those who gave me cash (I know who most of you are and I can make arrangements).

• PRO: You get your money back.
  
• CON: Momentum is slowed in the short-term (but not the long-term).

Please refrain from negative comments directed at the AD and University Admin. There is a time and place for that. It is of greater priority to be constructive and figure out a viable solution to the immediate problem. I leave it in your hands. If I receive no constructive feedback from the immediate stakeholders (my donors) and other esteemed colleagues on this forum then I will make the decision myself and we'll all live with it.

Cheers!

Lol typical mason. This is exhibit A of why our experience sucks. 10 years, nothing has changed. Let’s committee it to death and accomplish nothing.

Geezusss I hope we start winning and don’t have to worry about this nonsense.

 

[Jack Strop]

Lol typical mason. This is exhibit A of why our experience sucks. 10 years, nothing has changed. Let’s committee it to death and accomplish nothing.

Geezusss I hope we start winning and don’t have to worry about this nonsense.

With every Universoty official I spoke to about the matter of fan experience I could easily tell that, aside from my brief encounter with Jay Marsh, fan engagement, or lack thereof, is a sore spot among them. Jay Marsh was just grouchy about me talking to him in general (it made me wonder if he's a large part of the problem—dunno). However, the other administrators' non-verbal and verbal cues revealing their frustratoon regarding the subject were quite apparent. I can't surmise what the source of that frustration is, but it was clearly evident. On the flip side, however they were highly excited that a fan, me, decided to do something to rock the boat.

 

[gmubrian]

Uggggggh. This cheer guide debacle is en epic fail for a Brad run AD. Way to kill a grass roots effort. All they had to do was not get in your way. If we got to the point that our cheering was good enough that other teams complained about it, that would have been the best compliment we could have received.

Reminds me of the same kind of stuff I ran into under TOC/Merten. Too much bureaucratic nonsense. If s_curl was still around, he would be losing his mind. New president, new AD, same old crap.

PS-Do you think the Cameron crazies have theirs vetted (or that it takes weeks to do it)? I doubt it, they have a new one every game.

 

[The Great PATSby]

With every Universoty official I spoke to about the matter of fan experience I could easily tell that, aside from my brief encounter with Jay Marsh, fan engagement, or lack thereof, is a sore spot among them. Jay Marsh was just grouchy about me talking to him in general (it made me wonder if he's a large part of the problem—dunno). However, the other administrators' non-verbal and verbal cues revealing their frustratoon regarding the subject were quite apparent. I can't surmise what the source of that frustration is, but it was clearly evident. On the flip side, however they were highly excited that a fan, me, decided to do something to rock the boat.

Not surprised. Jay Marsh was the fun police back when I was an undergrad and told us to knock it off on several occasions. He’s clearly a legend who’s given tons of money and time to the program so it’s hard to knock on the guy.

 

[GMUgemini]

Uggggggh. This cheer guide debacle is en epic fail for a Brad run AD. Way to kill a grass roots effort. All they had to do was not get in your way. If we got to the point that our cheering was good enough that other teams complained about it, that would have been the best compliment we could have received.

Reminds me of the same kind of stuff I ran into under TOC/Merten. Too much bureaucratic nonsense. If s_curl was still around, he would be losing his mind. New president, new AD, same old crap.

PS-Do you think the Cameron crazies have theirs vetted (or that it takes weeks to do it)? I doubt it, they have a new one every game.

I was just about to post, the best thing they can do for fan engagement is not engage so much. Stop trying to control everything and let us have fun!

 

[Patriotsince81]

I wonder how much of an effort is made by staff at Mason to contact media and invite/insist that we get better coverage on TV and in the Post of our games. Maryland, UVA and Georgetown get front page coverage game in and game out. It's like we don't exist. You never see highlights of our games on local media broadcasts. Has the university looked into getting Paulsen a coaches show? If nothing else it would allow him to be more transparent about what is happening in the program which might help alleviate some of the frustration among fans. I know the ByGeorge guys try but it's not like the mainstream media. If we ever get equal coverage with the likes of Georgetown maybe, just maybe more people will come.

 

[Dawgs99]

I wonder how much of an effort is made by staff at Mason to contact media and invite/insist that we get better coverage on TV and in the Post of our games. Maryland, UVA and Georgetown get front page coverage game in and game out. It's like we don't exist. You never see highlights of our games on local media broadcasts. Has the university looked into getting Paulsen a coaches show? If nothing else it would allow him to be more transparent about what is happening in the program which might help alleviate some of the frustration among fans. I know the ByGeorge guys try but it's not like the mainstream media. If we ever get equal coverage with the likes of Georgetown maybe, just maybe more people will come.

Stop right there.....you just mentioned Mason not getting as much exposure as a Big East, ACC, and Big Ten school. Does this come as a shock?

 

[GSII]

You said it yourself. We don't exist. Why in God's name should we get coverage? B/c we lose to American? Start beating Gtown and UMD and then maybe.

 

[mkaufman1]

I wonder how much of an effort is made by staff at Mason to contact media and invite/insist that we get better coverage on TV and in the Post of our games. Maryland, UVA and Georgetown get front page coverage game in and game out. It's like we don't exist. You never see highlights of our games on local media broadcasts. Has the university looked into getting Paulsen a coaches show? If nothing else it would allow him to be more transparent about what is happening in the program which might help alleviate some of the frustration among fans. I know the ByGeorge guys try but it's not like the mainstream media. If we ever get equal coverage with the likes of Georgetown maybe, just maybe more people will come.

I like the coaches show idea. You should mention it to Brad or someone and see what they think.

 

[PoorManProfit]

I like the coaches show idea. You should mention it to Brad or someone and see what they think.

Diet Mountain Dew could sponsor...

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

With every Universoty official I spoke to about the matter of fan experience I could easily tell that, aside from my brief encounter with Jay Marsh, fan engagement, or lack thereof, is a sore spot among them. Jay Marsh was just grouchy about me talking to him in general (it made me wonder if he's a large part of the problem—dunno). However, the other administrators' non-verbal and verbal cues revealing their frustratoon regarding the subject were quite apparent. I can't surmise what the source of that frustration is, but it was clearly evident. On the flip side, however they were highly excited that a fan, me, decided to do something to rock the boat.

I love Jay. In fact he has been very gracious with me when I was a student. But I hate to say that he may be the biggest road block to alot of the changes we need to improve gameday atmosphere and create an environment that is even remotely intimidating to visiting teams.

But as many others said, winning fixes almost everything. If we could envision just for a second this scenario:

Mason playing vcu (or any other A10 team really) for the regular season title on national TV and one or both teams are getting top 25 votes or are acutally ranked.

There is no way in hell that atmosphere wouldn't be electric. In fact, we had an OOC game (post Coach L days) against UVA at home. I remember going with my buddy who is a UVA grad and some of his friends. They were pretty surprised and impressed that Mason had such a great college basketball environment.

 

[By George.]

CRAP!!

I've hit a temporary roadblock with the Mason Fan Cheer Guide. The Athletic Dept. reached out to me and asked that I not distribute the flier to students during the next two home games. In the name of sportsmanship and Mason brand guidelines, the AD simply cannot support it in its current form.

The Cheer Guide needs to be vetted through various administrative channels and that will take time beyond the next two home games. I have been informed, however, that if such events like certain cheers or efforts evolve organically then there's nothing that the University can do about it (just stating that as a fact). As an Ad-man and brand developer myself, I fully understand the ADs concerns. There's a ton of brand considerations and bureaucratic red tape to cut through—I get it. One interesting point that I received was that other schools may not be too pleased by our students' potentially vulgar "cheers" directed at their teams that were endorsed by the Mason AD ("...suck on that!" [loo-loo-loo-loo-loo]).

Nevertheless, I am not disappointed about slowing the recent momentum of fan development, but I am reassured by the ADs efforts to improve the student and general fan experience beginning next season. I was informed that there will be a ton of active planning this summer for next season and I have been invited to participate. This forums' concerns WILL be addressed then.

Now, I still have 1,500 Mason Fan Cheer Guides on order to be produced. However, I'll leave it up to the fine and generous individuals who donated to the second print run of the Cheer Guide as to the disposition of their money. I'll need your decisions by 2-pm Tuesday, February 26. Our options are:

1.) Print the guide and distribute them outside the arena or elsewhere.

• PRO: people will still receive their Cheer Guides.
  
• CON: Security and campus police may have issue with such distribution.
  
• PRO2: Distribution could be private or organic (i.e. clandestine).
  
• CON2: I don't want to jeopardize my fledgling relationship with the AD by continuing distribution.

2.) I can refund you your money via PayPal, I have that option, and/or hand over refunds personally to those who gave me cash (I know who most of you are and I can make arrangements).

• PRO: You get your money back.
  
• CON: Momentum is slowed in the short-term (but not the long-term).

Please refrain from negative comments directed at the AD and University Admin. There is a time and place for that. It is of greater priority to be constructive and figure out a viable solution to the immediate problem. I leave it in your hands. If I receive no constructive feedback from the immediate stakeholders (my donors) and other esteemed colleagues on this forum then I will make the decision myself and we'll all live with it.

Cheers!

How’d they get your contact info?

Ask for forgiveness not permission. Thats how we got credentials to begin with and how we continue to opporate. All in all, good shit Jack. I talked to Brad at the game about it but he hadn’t seen it yet (or at least that’s what he told me). Full disclosure, we love Brad, he’s awesome. I can’t imagine he cares one bit about “suck on that” but someone was in his ear.

One day at a time, we will improve our fan base!