Slow week...AD Improvements?

[GKiller]

I like Coach Huesman a lot, he's his own man and I like his attitude. But what happens if he doesn't meet this stated goal? Because I didn't hear him say our goal is to win the national championship and if we don't I'll resign after X many years. That would really mean something. Personal consequences for not meeting the goal. Or maybe that should stay internal, I don't know. He put it out there, maybe he means before he dies. really need clarification, too ambiguous Coach Huesman. Sometimes I feel like Mooney should just say the goal is to win the National Championship too, it would probably get a lot of people off his back, although personally i would find such a statement to be irrelevant for his job security.

 

[fan2011]

I mean if we are putting in food requests, you need more to offer at the Women's games. We all know it's left over hot dogs and popcorn and that's it except the bagged candy or peanuts. Would it really be too much to ask for like two more options????
Men's Game Offerings:
Sweet Frog
Brusters
Hummus/Pretzels
Veggies/Dip
Papa Johns
Zaxby's
Burgers
Hot Dogs
Popcorn
Pork BBQ
Italian Sub
Chicken Salad
Wraps
Nachos
Caramel Apples
Soft Pretzel
Sushi
Pork Dumplings
Peanuts
Candy

Women's Game Offerings:
Hot Dog
Popcorn
Peanuts
Candy

If that doesn't sum up the entire athletic department I don't know what does... It blows my mind that you get sushi at a men's game and not even a burger, soft pretzel or nachos at a women's game....

The concessions are there to make money, they need more customers at the women's games to have more offerings.

 

[spiders081062]

Also the moderator said we should mention things that are going well, people who write the stories on the athletes, do the live tweeting and broadcast for the games and work on our multimedia stuff are doing a great job. Love reading about our teams and athletes, love keeping up with Lauletta as he heads towards the draft. Game day graphics are along the same lines as the big schools and the pros, it really feels like for the most part UR is keeping up (if not excelling) in those categories. Great work on that.

 

[97spiderfan]

then I guess it's been articulated, just not to your satisfaction?
you want our basketball goal to be National Championship? fine. it's National Championship. saying that's our goal changes nothing.

First off "Getting Better" is not a goal. A goal is specific and measureable, it is neither. As for the Top 4 A-10 finish goal, that is a specific and measureable outcome and thus is a goal. I don't think it is a good goal and something you want to guide your program around to both recruits and your fans.

I can define the goal for the Men's Basketball Program that I would like.

Our goal is to win the A-10 conference and to make the NCAA tournament.

Frankly that should be every team's goal in the A-10 (with the possible exception of teams that hire new coaches in the first year or two of their tenure and are in a clear rebuilding mode). A goal to win a National Championship in men's basketball is not realistic, I don't think that should be our goal and I doubt many fans do. Winning our conference and going to the NCAA tournament though are realistic.

I don't know what is so tough in saying that publicly and putting that front and center as our goal. The only reason, in my opinion, you don't put that front and center is if you don't want to be accountable if you don't make the goal.

 

[spiderman]

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? We talk about goals just among ourselves. Our expectations could be really exciting because there are some guys who can emerge as great players with the right amount of seasoning. If we improve during the course of the season, as we generally have in the past, then this will be a fun team to be around.
http://hoopshd.com/2017/10/11/season-preview-hoopshd-interviews-richmond-head-coach-chris-mooney/

 

[spiders081062]

The concessions are there to make money, they need more customers at the women's games to have more offerings.

I for one am at every women's games (because they are actually quite entertaining games this year, they just need to close better), but I stopped buying concessions because I am sick of hot dogs with soggy buns and stale popcorn, so there's a loss of profit right there. Also it all comes back to marketing the sports better it's a vicious cycle, if they were given half the marketing the men's team had then you could get more people in the stands. And not for nothing the past few games have had quite a few more fans than last year and the year before. And just because the RC seems fuller at the men's game does not me it was a "sell-out" a TON of those tickets are given away for free which means no money is being made off of them.

Also have you tired to buy tickets for the women's games? You can't even buy them online, you need to call the ticket office (who aren't always available and don't answer all of the time) or pick them up when you get there. It is 2018 and I can't buy my tickets online, people don't want to call on the phone anymore unless it's a big group. I am just saying it doesn't seem like the higher ups put forth effort in trying to get more people or publicity to the women's games, why make it harder than it is.

This also brings up another thing, stop announcing "sell-outs" over the PA system when it isn't. We all can tell it's a lie and it just makes us look foolish.

 

[Spider B]

I mean if we are putting in food requests, you need more to offer at the Women's games. We all know it's left over hot dogs and popcorn and that's it except the bagged candy or peanuts. Would it really be too much to ask for like two more options????
Men's Game Offerings:
Sweet Frog
Brusters
Hummus/Pretzels
Veggies/Dip
Papa Johns
Zaxby's
Burgers
Hot Dogs
Popcorn
Pork BBQ
Italian Sub
Chicken Salad
Wraps
Nachos
Caramel Apples
Soft Pretzel
Sushi
Pork Dumplings
Peanuts
Candy

Women's Game Offerings:
Hot Dog
Popcorn
Peanuts
Candy

If that doesn't sum up the entire athletic department I don't know what does... It blows my mind that you get sushi at a men's game and not even a burger, soft pretzel or nachos at a women's game....

The truth is that very, very few people care about women’s basketball. Clearly you do which is fine, but why waste a bunch of food for the maybe 200 people that are there? We have much bigger fish to fry than food options at women’s games.

 

[spiders081062]

The truth is that very, very few people care about women’s basketball. Clearly you do which is fine, but why waste a bunch of food for the maybe 200 people that are there? We have much bigger fish to fry than food options at women’s games.

I believe you missed the point of my post..... the Women's games would make more if the admin were behind them and that goes for any other sport besides basketball and football. Walsh is not quiet about pushing certain sports. VCU does a great job with Women's basketball, they get a great crowd for their games and they have a worse record than we do. They can also buy their tickets online.....

Yes would it be nice to have more concession stand options, even one more option for the 4 little kids that stood behind me in line talking about the cheeseburgers they were going to get only to get up there, not see cheeseburgers and walk away without buying anything? (loss of money).

I'm just saying UR could be a little less blatant with acting like only MBB and FB matter. You are giving out a lot of scholarships in other sports for them "not to matter". Recruits see those sort of things. If I am basketball player (women or men) and I visit games, see social media, see promotions, see 2 things at the concession stand, I think to myself wow it doesn't look I would be taken seriously or appreciated here, then I go down the street and see that VCU offers everything at the women's games that the men have... concessions, promotions, the Basketball Development center, the full band playing and getting hyped up I would much rather go there than UR.... those little things matter

 

[97spiderfan]

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? We talk about goals just among ourselves. Our expectations could be really exciting because there are some guys who can emerge as great players with the right amount of seasoning. If we improve during the course of the season, as we generally have in the past, then this will be a fun team to be around.
http://hoopshd.com/2017/10/11/season-preview-hoopshd-interviews-richmond-head-coach-chris-mooney/

Thanks S-man for posting that comment. No goals in Mooney's answer and his answer contains "if" and "then". Illustrates my point about the lack of concrete goals around winning.

 

[64Spider]

Maybe they should try the option of adding a season pass for the women's games to the men's season ticket for a nominal extra charge, like $20. They might pick up a few more fans.
My usual impulse to attend is based on a last minute decision. So if it's cold or bad weather I ask myself "do I really want to go bad enough to stand in line outside in the rain to buy a freaking 5 buck ticket" ...nah, maybe next time.

 

[Dudeness]

I believe you missed the point of my post..... the Women's games would make more if the admin were behind them and that goes for any other sport besides basketball and football. Walsh is not quiet about pushing certain sports. VCU does a great job with Women's basketball, they get a great crowd for their games and they have a worse record than we do. They can also buy their tickets online.....

Yes would it be nice to have more concession stand options, even one more option for the 4 little kids that stood behind me in line talking about the cheeseburgers they were going to get only to get up there, not see cheeseburgers and walk away without buying anything? (loss of money).

I'm just saying UR could be a little less blatant with acting like only MBB and FB matter. You are giving out a lot of scholarships in other sports for them "not to matter". Recruits see those sort of things. If I am basketball player (women or men) and I visit games, see social media, see promotions, see 2 things at the concession stand, I think to myself wow it doesn't look I would be taken seriously or appreciated here, then I go down the street and see that VCU offers everything at the women's games that the men have... concessions, promotions, the Basketball Development center, the full band playing and getting hyped up I would much rather go there than UR.... those little things matter

If you're going this route, then Shafer needs to be discussed in the same way Mooney is.

I work the mens and women's games, so I'll stay away from most of the game day experience stuff as I have no frame of reference. I will say it wouldn't hurt the full time staff to be a little more friendly with game day crew. I've been working for as long as Mooney has been coaching, and can honestly say I've never had a positive interaction with anyone in the athletic department other than my boss. Yes, I'm choosing to be there, but to be constantly berated if we make a mistake once a season but never thanked for years of work doesn't sit well.

Semi-related I've spoken with Matt Dougherty more times this season than I have with Mooney and his staff in 13.

I agree on the comments on the kids club tickets being more easily accessible. Thats a great freaking bargain

 

[spider fan]

Reality is that finishing in the top 4 of the A-10 was an achievement when Temple, Xavier, and for a short time Butler were members of the A-10. The A-10 isn't what it used to be and if a goal is verbalized which is better than not being verbalized it should be to win the A-10. Since consequences for not achieving goals stated or otherwise are MIA stating goals falls solely into the pep talk category. Pep talk is fine when it serves to fire up the team and the fans.

 

[spiders081062]

Maybe they should try the option of adding a season pass for the women's games to the men's season ticket for a nominal extra charge, like $20. They might pick up a few more fans.
My usual impulse to attend is based on a last minute decision. So if it's cold or bad weather I ask myself "do I really want to go bad enough to stand in line outside in the rain to buy a freaking 5 buck ticket" ...nah, maybe next time.

I like the package deal idea! Also that just proves my point you should be able to buy tickets online also.

 

[spiders081062]

If you're going this route, then Shafer needs to be discussed in the same way Mooney is.

I work the mens and women's games, so I'll stay away from most of the game day experience stuff as I have no frame of reference. I will say it wouldn't hurt the full time staff to be a little more friendly with game day crew. I've been working for as long as Mooney has been coaching, and can honestly say I've never had a positive interaction with anyone in the athletic department other than my boss. Yes, I'm choosing to be there, but to be constantly berated if we make a mistake once a season but never thanked for years of work doesn't sit well.

Semi-related I've spoken with Matt Dougherty more times this season than I have with Mooney and his staff in 13.

I agree on the comments on the kids club tickets being more easily accessible. Thats a great freaking bargain

As Shafer should be discussed like Mooney, everyone needs to be held accountable.

Are you talking the full time event staff, like security and such that you haven't had a positive interaction with? I don't work there full time but I have volunteered and helped out a few times and there are some individuals I've had a positive interaction with, but I would say most of them I haven't had any interaction with besides the "can you grab this" or simple requests. I don't expect some of them to be chatty and super interactive as they do have a job to do and game days there are a million things going on. Not to mention the reality of the situation and the lack of support and confidence and common decency that they get showed from the front office, might make somebody sour.

 

[gospidersgo]

Parking - years ago it was awful leaving games, took forever to get off campus. They've obviously figured it out though and the last few seasons have been much better in my experience.

 

[fan2011]

Reality is that finishing in the top 4 of the A-10 was an achievement when Temple, Xavier, and for a short time Butler were members of the A-10. The A-10 isn't what it used to be and if a goal is verbalized which is better than not being verbalized it should be to win the A-10. Since consequences for not achieving goals stated or otherwise are MIA stating goals falls solely into the pep talk category. Pep talk is fine when it serves to fire up the team and the fans.

The A10 is averaging 3.75 bids per year in the 4 years since the departure of Temple, Xavier and Butler. In the decade leading up to their departure the A10 averaged 3 bids per year. If you discount Butler's single year in the conference, the A10 was averaging ~2.8 bids per year. So far finishing in the top 4 has been more likely to result in a bid AFTER those teams left than while they were still in the conference. We will see over the long haul how things change, but so far finishing in the top 4 has been as much or more of an accomplishment than it used to be.

 

[spiderman]

Thanks S-man for posting that comment. No goals in Mooney's answer and his answer contains "if" and "then". Illustrates my point about the lack of concrete goals around winning.

point is we have goals. and we talk internally about those goals. says so right there in print. so no, it doesn't illustrates your point about the lack of concrete goals.

but it's not "having goals" that you're preoccupied with. it's "publicly stating these goals". I guess if your point is that fans want to hear them or they'll stop going to game and contributing, then I can't argue with you if that's how you feel. but the argument I hear is that we're not succeeding as a program because we don't publicly state our goals. and that's ridiculous. they have goals and choose to discuss them internally. but I don't run a business so what do I know.

 

[Dudeness]

As Shafer should be discussed like Mooney, everyone needs to be held accountable.

Are you talking the full time event staff, like security and such that you haven't had a positive interaction with? I don't work there full time but I have volunteered and helped out a few times and there are some individuals I've had a positive interaction with, but I would say most of them I haven't had any interaction with besides the "can you grab this" or simple requests. I don't expect some of them to be chatty and super interactive as they do have a job to do and game days there are a million things going on. Not to mention the reality of the situation and the lack of support and confidence and common decency that they get showed from the front office, might make somebody sour.

I've probably said too much already, ha, but I like my anonymity as best I can. Lets just say I may, or may not, be part of the table/stats crew. I don't expect anyone to care about me, but at the same time, I've eaten in the media room 20+ times a year for 13 years. You'd think, at some point, folks in the AD would recognize you as more than some peon thats trying to cling on to a program.

 

[spiders081062]

I've probably said too much already, ha, but I like my anonymity as best I can. Lets just say I may, or may not, be part of the table/stats crew. I don't expect anyone to care about me, but at the same time, I've eaten in the media room 20+ times a year for 13 years. You'd think, at some point, folks in the AD would recognize you as more than some peon thats trying to cling on to a program.

I think we all like our anonymity, it allows us to give our true feelings about the program and staff without getting backlash or getting others into trouble if they work for certain "crews" at UR. I do think a lot of the time too there are issues understanding what certain people do or why they are there, which then leads to those kind of circumstances. Which definitely goes both ways. I know people on that crew too, maybe we've crossed paths at some mens and womens games

 

[spider fan]

The A10 is averaging 3.75 bids per year in the 4 years since the departure of Temple, Xavier and Butler. In the decade leading up to their departure the A10 averaged 3 bids per year. If you discount Butler's single year in the conference, the A10 was averaging ~2.8 bids per year. So far finishing in the top 4 has been more likely to result in a bid AFTER those teams left than while they were still in the conference. We will see over the long haul how things change, but so far finishing in the top 4 has been as much or more of an accomplishment than it used to be.

Thanks fan2011 - I was "shooting from the hip" and can count on you to have a more accurate take. Somehow though there are many posts on this board that are "shooting from the hip" - go figure!

 

[Stork3]

My biggest beef with the commercial is that we are not the University of the University of Richmond...

We are...
U....
UR...

Ugh!

If anyone saw the Davidson commercial on our basketball broadcast last Sunday, you saw what our commercial should look like. Well done.

 

[RobinsHall98]

Exactly!

 

[Rivercup]

point is we have goals. and we talk internally about those goals. says so right there in print. so no, it doesn't illustrates your point about the lack of concrete goals.

but it's not "having goals" that you're preoccupied with. it's "publicly stating these goals". I guess if your point is that fans want to hear them or they'll stop going to game and contributing, then I can't argue with you if that's how you feel. but the argument I hear is that we're not succeeding as a program because we don't publicly state our goals. and that's ridiculous. they have goals and choose to discuss them internally. but I don't run a business so what do I know.

Exactly right, Spiderman. I am sure that each team/coach has goals to which they run. They may be "big picture/long term goals" like win the national championship, win the conference, get a first round bye or they may be "tactical/short term" goals like limit 2nd chance points to under 8 or win the turnover battle. Regardless, I am confident that they have goals. Whether they should be public or not is a topic for a different discussion. When I conducted sales training, I would remind my reps of a baseball batter. Every batter's "goal" is to get a hit every single time at the plate. I don't think they ever come to bat with anything less in mind (unless he is asked to sacrifice bunt). He knows that getting a hit every time at bat is virtually impossible as it has never been done but it does not deter his effort. Every time at the plate he is doing everything that he can to get a hit. Now, if you want to set a hard and measurable goal of winning a national championship, all but 1 team is going to fail to meet that goal. We all have goals. I am just not going to share mine with anyone on this board and apparently, that is the same stance taken by the athletic department. By the way, I don't think that I have seen the "goals" of our academic university either. Am I wrong?

 

[KE Spider]

. By the way, I don't think that I have seen the "goals" of our academic university either. Am I wrong?

Don't know it all, but "diversity" is most assuredly in there somewhere.

 

[97spiderfan]

point is we have goals. and we talk internally about those goals. says so right there in print. so no, it doesn't illustrates your point about the lack of concrete goals.

but it's not "having goals" that you're preoccupied with. it's "publicly stating these goals". I guess if your point is that fans want to hear them or they'll stop going to game and contributing, then I can't argue with you if that's how you feel. but the argument I hear is that we're not succeeding as a program because we don't publicly state our goals. and that's ridiculous. they have goals and choose to discuss them internally. but I don't run a business so what do I know.

Yes, I want our goals for our program to be public. I think most coaches state their goals for the season publicly and most don't say they just want to "get better". And I agree the reason we aren't meeting our goals because is not because we don't state them publicly. The reason we don't meet them is because our current coaching staff can't do it. But 05 says we can't talk about that as an option here, so I'll settle for having Chris Mooney (and John Hardt) state in a public setting, our goal for next year is to make the NCAA tournament. I don't think that is a unreasonable request, unless of course that is not our goal and then we have other litany of problems.

 

[72Spider]

Parking - years ago it was awful leaving games, took forever to get off campus. They've obviously figured it out though and the last few seasons have been much better in my experience.

Except in Lot B5. People act like idiots cutting others off trying to get out of the only exit. Should have someone in the lot directing traffic.

 

[RobinsHall98]

Don't know it all, but "diversity" is most assuredly in there somewhere.

Not necessarily in thought.

 

[spider fan]

Getting off the subject of athletics but I am certain you know the school's motto which has been the same for years: University Motto. Verbum Vitae et Lumen Scientiae: “Word of life and the light of knowledge.”

 

[MidloTrader]

I've complained about that UR ad for couple years now. Some athletes shown in it have even graduated. There should be a new ad more often and a new marketing theme (the "one" tagline is old and tired, too). When you have a top 20 B-school and very creative students throughout our university, why not have a contest to create a new ad? Bet UR paid over $10k for that tacky ad, which is just a bunch of game clips with some added effects. Think students can come up with a much better one and to generate buzz we should award the winner (or winning team) with $10k toward tuition. Bet a corporate sponsor might even underwrite it for the PR benefits.

 

[KWeaver]

Make a new ad every year, for crying out loud! No reason not to, and you really SHOULD highlight this year's guys, every single years. I have a Rick Edwards poster somewhere because he was our guy during 1995 or so. Focus on our guys!

Also, while this is not #FireMooney stuff, I would say that I would very much like to see more urgency regarding recruitment, and getting guys who can contribute sooner. We are seeing the results of being "too young," though not necessarily by design, this season.

 

[RollSpides]

Pretty sure that ad is provided by the university not athletics

 

[RobinsHall98]

Pretty sure that ad is provided by the university not athletics

I was talking to one of the development guys about the ads. It seems that there is an overly complicated relation between athletics and University in terms of responsibility, content, and budget. Not necessarily a surprise.

 

[MrTbone]

97 above just said Mooney mentioned top 4 and getting better. I don't know when. I don't know it that's all that's been stated. I'm taking 97's word on it.

Eight, it seems you want firm minimums, like winning X games of making the tournament X times. maybe this is the norm? do other non P-6 team's state minimums? and has stating them impacted results?

Out of curiosity, why would you be opposed to some objective statements about goals?

 

[Eight Legger]

Ok, clearly I must be thinking of a different ad then you guys are talking about. The one I'm thinking of doesn't have much in the way of basketball in it, I don't think. Does anyone have a link to the one that you're talking about?

 

[MrTbone]

So my ultra-tactical suggestions are:

1. Great job on traffic/lot management, way better than in prior years
2. Concessions are good, I wouldn’t mind having the wings back, those were tasty
3. Lost & Found - I’ve lost items at games (4 kids), can never get anyone to see if they’ve been found or return a call if I leave a voicemail in one of the clearly errant boxes I’m directed to
4. Don’t ever let the band/cheer squad/whoever do the “nananana, “U”, dadadada “of”, lalalala “R” cheer on VCU game night. They just own us on that and it’s demoralizing.
5. In general, continue to find ways to prevent VCU fans from easily buying tickets to our home game.

 

[MolivaManiac]

5. In general, continue to find ways to prevent VCU fans from easily buying tickets to our home game.

Richmond alums have practically been begged to buy tickets to next week's game and it still isn't sold out. The only solution to "keeping vcu fans out" is to put a product on the floor that our alumni base wants to buy tickets to see.

 

[MolivaManiac]

Out of curiosity, why would you be opposed to some objective statements about goals?

I don't get this either. In my experience, the only reason you resist having stated goals is that you fear accountability.

 

[RobinsHall98]

Ok, clearly I must be thinking of a different ad then you guys are talking about. The one I'm thinking of doesn't have much in the way of basketball in it, I don't think. Does anyone have a link to the one that you're talking about?

No I should have been more clear. I am talking the We R UR ad. They know ad is an issue. There is debate among who is responsible for the ads going forward. Not sure who owned the We R UR ad.

 

[MrTbone]

Richmond alums have practically been begged to buy tickets to next week's game and it still isn't sold out. The only solution to "keeping vcu fans out" is to put a product on the floor that our alumni base wants to buy tickets to see.

Then let’s work toward that goal.

 

[MrTbone]

I don't get this either. In my experience, the only reason you resist having stated goals is that you fear accountability.

Maybe. I’m not trying to be overly provocative here, just genuinely curious.

I think this chatboard displays a pervasive and misguided notion that all things operate better if you apply business principles to them. There are myriad examples where this is foundationally untrue. I’m undecided if UR Basketball is one of them.

So I’m interested to hear this response.