(01-13-2020 11:39 AM)Tribal Wrote:  How many cheap beers were sold at this game? Looks like maybe a Gold Rush game within the past few years. How many cheap beers during the 80s when we packed the house? I'm all for doing what it takes to pack W&M Hall but I think winning is the besy way. And, a Fortnite competition at halftime.

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None. The cheap beer might have filled every remaining seat until it's standing room only. Again, it's not a beer or good basketball argument. It's not trying to shift focus away from the games on the court. It's an addition to the existing experience. It's icing on top. At its core it is still a college basketball game. I love watching basketball. I love drinking beer. I think it's Awesomeness all around.

(01-13-2020 11:49 AM)nogretheogre Wrote:  This is essentially a full-time promotion to increase casual fan interest. New fans who arent really sports people, but looking for something to do beyond the "normal bar scene." We hope that after a few games, theyll be hooked to the whole experience and not JUST the beer.

(01-13-2020 11:50 AM)mrjoolius Wrote:  ... it's not a beer or good basketball argument. It's not trying to shift focus away from the games on the court. It's an addition to the existing experience. It's icing on top. At its core it is still a college basketball game.

So which is it? nogretheogre wants to entice them in with the beer/food and then maybe they'll get hooked on the "whole experience" (basketball) and "not JUST the beer". mrjoolius says it is the basketball and the beer/food is "icing on top" (that sounds like food more than beer, ha ha).

So which is it? Personally, I find it very hard to believe that a non-sportsfan will shell out $14-$16 to attend a basketball game when all they really want to do is drink beer but avoid the usual barhopping experience. That is pretty expensive. No, it is pretty clear, to me, that the Pavilion will appeal to those people who would be going to the Kap anyway (to attend a basketball game!) but who, once there, would love to enjoy a brew. Point to MrJ on this one.

Back to my original point: next year (after Nate and Andy and Bryce and Tyler have graduated) when the team comes back down to earth (normal expectations), I think that we will find that the Pavilion will appeal to those few folks in attendance but won't be drawing in any new folks just to see an average team play. To put it another way: the die-hards will be having a better time at Kaplan but there won't be any more of them than before. (Although hopefully, this year's success (team success, not pavilion success) will bring in some new fans who will graduate to die-hard status in a few years).

(01-13-2020 11:49 AM)nogretheogre Wrote:  

(01-13-2020 11:39 AM)Tribal Wrote:  How many cheap beers were sold at this game? Looks like maybe a Gold Rush game within the past few years. How many cheap beers during the 80s when we packed the house? I'm all for doing what it takes to pack W&M Hall but I think winning is the besy way. And, a Fortnite competition at halftime.

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To illustrate my point, look at these two different ways to advertise the game. Which one is/would be used?

"Come see the first place Tribe, unbeaten at home, on a five-game winning streak, play the < fill in opponent name here >. Enjoy low-priced beer, good food, and camaraderie in the Precarious Pavilion."

or

"Come enjoy low-priced beer, good food, and camaraderie at the Precarious Pavilion. And oh, by the way, come see the Tribe's men's basketball team, too, who is having a pretty okay year."

Obviously I am in favor of choice one. My initial comment was generated because it sounded, to me, that some other people were more in favor of choice two.

One game that is almost sold out in 15 years of decent basketball certainly justifies if it aint broke mentality. They worked hard with promos to fill the arena on those "Pack-the-kap" nights.

Im pretty sure they arent calling this Precarious Beer Arena, at Kaplan pavilion.
This is essentially a full-time promotion to increase casual fan interest. New fans who arent really sports people, but looking for something to do beyond the "normal bar scene." We hope that after a few games, theyll be hooked to the whole experience and not JUST the beer.

Who said it ain't broke? Who said that?

Okay, sell cheap beer and pack the house, youngin'.

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(01-13-2020 12:56 PM)Zorch Wrote:  Back to my original point: next year (after Nate and Andy and Bryce and Tyler have graduated) when the team comes back down to earth (normal expectations), I think that we will find that the Pavilion will appeal to those few folks in attendance but won't be drawing in any new folks just to see an average team play. The die-hards will be having a better time at Kaplan but there won't be any more of them than before. (Although hopefully, this year's success (team success, not pavilion success) will bring in some new fans who will graduate to die-hard status in a few years).

I think that is exactly what will happen with how traditionally basketball is handled. I'm interested in finding ways to move above that. Definitely focus and build off the winning years, but develop into a fan experience that can weather lean years. I know much of that falls on Dane and the program. You offer a good product, you are bound to have good sales. Ultimately, I fall in the all of the above camp. I want winning basketball in an entertaining environment with good food, clean bathrooms, and cheap beer.

And the return of a Towel Man who knows how to correctly do the cheer at the appropriate time in a basketball game.

I think they could legitimately sell out Kaplan if the team is still hot when the Gold Rush game comes along.

(01-13-2020 01:35 PM)nj alum Wrote:  And the return of a Towel Man who knows how to correctly do the cheer at the appropriate time in a basketball game.

How about the Towel Man after a few beers?

As long as it is not a David Lee Roth moment drunken song with forgotten lyrics.

(01-13-2020 11:50 AM)mrjoolius Wrote:  

(01-13-2020 11:39 AM)Tribal Wrote:  How many cheap beers were sold at this game? Looks like maybe a Gold Rush game within the past few years. How many cheap beers during the 80s when we packed the house? I'm all for doing what it takes to pack W&M Hall but I think winning is the besy way. And, a Fortnite competition at halftime.

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None. The cheap beer might have filled every remaining seat until it's standing room only. Again, it's not a beer or good basketball argument. It's not trying to shift focus away from the games on the court. It's an addition to the existing experience. It's icing on top. At its core it is still a college basketball game. I love watching basketball. I love drinking beer. I think it's Awesomeness all around.

No need to sell beer at the Hall in the '80's. You could just run across the street to the fraternities at halftime for a Solo cup from the keg.

Beer is an expected amenity to most people at a paid sporting event. I would never have become a sports spectator at all if this wasnt the case. Beer was my gateway drug, if you will. This is how you hook the average TWAMP student who doesnt really care about sports. Make it about the social experience. Seniors, young alums and grad students will be much more inclined to go, as will Joe Family-man who just moved to Newport News and is looking for a social outlet. Games are more fun with beer in hand, even if youre losing. Its a way to get out of the house and have a beer, but you dont need a babysitter because its not a bar and you can bring the kids.

How have I survived the past 27 years without alcohol? And, I have a blast at games...weird.

I'm fine with selling beer, mainly for the revenue. But, I can't imagine a single person will be swayed to attend a game because beer is available.

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Tonight at 7:00. Go have a beer.

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Beer is good.

(01-13-2020 04:44 PM)Tribal Wrote:  How have I survived the past 27 years without alcohol? And, I have a blast at games...weird.

I'm fine with selling beer, mainly for the revenue. But, I can't imagine a single person will be swayed to attend a game because beer is available.

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It aint for you, but I can guarantee that a large contingent of the population at-large might see alcohol as the main reason to go.

(01-13-2020 05:11 PM)nogretheogre Wrote:  

(01-13-2020 04:44 PM)Tribal Wrote:  How have I survived the past 27 years without alcohol? And, I have a blast at games...weird.

I'm fine with selling beer, mainly for the revenue. But, I can't imagine a single person will be swayed to attend a game because beer is available.

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It aint for you, but I can guarantee that a large contingent of the population at-large might see alcohol as the main reason to go.

This is a general comment and definitely not aimed at you.... but the day that a large contingent of the attendees at a Tribe event are there for the beer (and not for the game itself) is the day that I won't be enjoying going to games anymore. In other words, if drunks from Tribe Tavern (or tailgates) or Precarious Pavilion start spilling over into my seating area then I won't be going to games anymore. There was a reason, I'm sure, why they stopped allowing kegs into Zable.

(01-13-2020 04:44 PM)Tribal Wrote:  How have I survived the past 27 years without alcohol? And, I have a blast at games...weird.

I'm fine with selling beer, mainly for the revenue. But, I can't imagine a single person will be swayed to attend a game because beer is available.

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I suppose it is possible to survive 27 years without alcohol. I wouldn't advise it though.

At the game Saturday I spotted friends (occasional attendees at Tribe sports) in the pavilion and went over to say hello. They were unaware of the pavilion until they got to the game and were thrilled that beer and Amber Ox food were available. They posted a pic of them later on Facebook saying they will now be attending more games. The pavilion didn't bring them to the game, but it is bringing them back.

(01-13-2020 06:27 PM)Zorch Wrote:  

(01-13-2020 05:11 PM)nogretheogre Wrote:  

(01-13-2020 04:44 PM)Tribal Wrote:  How have I survived the past 27 years without alcohol? And, I have a blast at games...weird.

I'm fine with selling beer, mainly for the revenue. But, I can't imagine a single person will be swayed to attend a game because beer is available.

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It aint for you, but I can guarantee that a large contingent of the population at-large might see alcohol as the main reason to go.

This is a general comment and definitely not aimed at you.... but the day that a large contingent of the attendees at a Tribe event are there for the beer (and not for the game itself) is the day that I won't be enjoying going to games anymore. In other words, if drunks from Tribe Tavern (or tailgates) or Precarious Pavilion start spilling over into my seating area then I won't be going to games anymore. There was a reason, I'm sure, why they stopped allowing kegs into Zable.

Well, if the team is having a bad day, a good beer is always helpful!

The consumption of alcohol does not automatically equate with drunkenness.

Anything that gets people into a social environment, and out of the basement, off the phone, etc., is a good thing, no?

Athletics and beer have danced together for decades.

What did some of you do during Prohibition?

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Prohibition led to NASCAR!!!

(01-13-2020 07:57 PM)nj alum Wrote:  Prohibition led to NASCAR!!!

I slept through both.....