Delaware TV & Gametimes Announced

[93henfan]

http://www.bluehens.com/teams/football/ ... 1911a.html

The Blue Hens’ six televised games in 2011 will include a Sept. 3 matchup at Navy at 3:30 p.m. on the CBS Sports Network; a Sept. 24 home game vs. CAA newcomers Old Dominion at 12 noon on The Comcast Network, Comcast SportsNet-New England, and Cox11 TV in Hampton Roads, Va.; an Oct. 15 battle with CAA foe Massachusetts at 3:30 p.m. at Delaware Stadium on TCN and CSN-NE; an Oct. 29 road game at Towson at 7 p.m. on TCN; a Nov. 12 home game vs. Richmond at 3:30 p.m. on TCN; and a Nov. 19 matchup vs. rival Villanova at 12 noon at PPL Park in Chester, Pa. on TCN.

The complete 2011 schedule will include matchups on Sept. 3 at Navy (3:30 p.m.), Sept. 10 at home vs. West Chester (6 p.m.); Sept. 17 at home vs. Delaware State (6 p.m.); Sept. 24 vs. Old Dominion (12 noon); Oct. 1 at Maine (3 p.m.); Oct. 8 at home vs. William & Mary (6 p.m.); Oct. 15 at home vs. Massachusetts (3:30 p.m.); Oct. 22 at Rhode Island (12:30 p.m.); Oct. 29 at Towson (7 p.m.); Nov. 12 vs. Richmond (3:30 p.m.); and Nov. 19 vs. Villanova (12 noon).

Among the special events during the 2011 home schedule are Band Day on Sept. 10 vs. West Chester; Hall of Fame Day on Sept. 24 vs. Old Dominion; Parents and Family Weekend on Oct. 15 vs. Massachusetts; and Homecoming on Nov. 12 vs. Richmond.

[TribeFanInNC]

Isn't it curious that the W&M game isn't being televised? You'd think the conference would want to put a game between last year's co-champions on TV.

[grizzaholic]

Only 6?

[bluehenbillk]

Isn't it curious that the W&M game isn't being televised? You'd think the conference would want to put a game between last year's co-champions on TV.

I thought the same thing - it should be the marquee game of the year - at least from a preseason standpoint. I can't imagine FBS leagues not showing the game between their top 2 teams....

[GannonFan]

Isn't it curious that the W&M game isn't being televised? You'd think the conference would want to put a game between last year's co-champions on TV.

I thought the same thing - it should be the marquee game of the year - at least from a preseason standpoint. I can't imagine FBS leagues not showing the game between their top 2 teams....

Maybe UD was adamant about keeping the game as a night start (6PM) and didn't want to move it for TV. I realize there are some TV games at other times, but generally it's noon and 3:30PM games. UD likes the night games, normally has 3 of them early in the year, and they already moved the ODU game in Sept to noon so maybe they wanted to make sure they had 3. Considering the hit UD's going to take in season ticket sales with the big increase in fees this year, they need the walkup sales more than ever and having night games is a proven way to do that.

[State Line Liquors]

I thought the same thing - it should be the marquee game of the year - at least from a preseason standpoint. I can't imagine FBS leagues not showing the game between their top 2 teams....

Maybe UD was adamant about keeping the game as a night start (6PM) and didn't want to move it for TV. I realize there are some TV games at other times, but generally it's noon and 3:30PM games. UD likes the night games, normally has 3 of them early in the year, and they already moved the ODU game in Sept to noon so maybe they wanted to make sure they had 3. Considering the hit UD's going to take in season ticket sales with the big increase in fees this year, they need the walkup sales more than ever and having night games is a proven way to do that.

It is unusual that in the lead up to the season the game that has been isolated by many as the premier matchup of the season, gets no television coverage.

AFA season tickets or single game ticket sales go, the indication on whether or not they're feeling much $$ pain as a result of the fee increase will be when they actually release the single game tickets in the best sections to the general public. Currently, only season ticket holders can buy anywhere besides Section L and Endzone GA. In truth, I'm not even sure they locations for available seats seem like they're at all behind where they were last year?

[Ivytalk]

What? No TV for West Chester?

[henfan]

AFA season tickets or single game ticket sales go, the indication on whether or not they're feeling much $$ pain as a result of the fee increase will be when they actually release the single game tickets in the best sections to the general public.

Single game seats are on sale as of today and it appears that primo seats (Section C, Row L) are available for the ODU game. I think season ticket numbers are going to be very ugly. Hopefully the team wins early and we can good walk-up crowds.


Good job, UD!

[bluehenbillk]

I found it odd yesterday to discover that while UD jacks prices all over the board that a school like Towson who is dying to have anyone attend their games promotes free parking to all home games this season.

[GannonFan]

AFA season tickets or single game ticket sales go, the indication on whether or not they're feeling much $$ pain as a result of the fee increase will be when they actually release the single game tickets in the best sections to the general public.

Single game seats are on sale as of today and it appears that primo seats (Section C, Row L) are available for the ODU game. I think season ticket numbers are going to be very ugly. Hopefully the team wins early and we can good walk-up crowds.


Good job, UD!

I don't think attendance numbers matter in the least to the powers that be at UD, just the bottom line. If they make more $$$ doing what they're doing, then it'll be a success, even if attendance dips below 20k (which I don't think it will this year anyway - team's just too good).

[henfan]

GF, UD will certainly make more bucks for the UDAF with their current FB STH policy and nonrevenue sports will benefit; whether or not it will help Blue Hen FB or make for a better experience for the players or fans is highly debatable. I hope it does but I'm very skeptical. At the end of the day, the most important source of revenue by far for FCS programs is gameday ticket sales.

It will be interesting to see how the 2011 attendance numbers shake out. I really don't have a feel for it. With ST numbers unquestionably much lower than in the past, UD is banking heavily on strong walk up numbers to make up for those losses. While winning plays a role, weather has the single largest impact on determining walk up attendance. Having 3 home games on TV will not help boost attendance either.

[GannonFan]

I agree that weather could really foul things up, but you don't expect multiple rain games. Figure this year again UD has 3 night games, which always draw well, and only 6 home games as opposed to the 7 in previous years, and there's plenty of reason for a good draw. W&M isn't televised and is a night game so that should do well, this is UMass's last time into Newark and it's Parent's Day so that's a likely sellout, and Richmond is HC so that should hold up well. My biggest two worries would be Del St and ODU - Del St because I'm not sure that holds any excitement for anyone, but at least it's a night game. ODU because it's a noon start in September. Hopefully ODU fans show they can travel a little bit.

[93henfan]

Why is the ODU game at noon again?

That game has sunburn written all over it.


Side note: Argh. Just realized that the new job I'm starting in three weeks will likely require tons of fed fiscal year-end OT. With UD having three September home dates, I could conceivably miss half the home slate.

[State Line Liquors]

GF, UD will certainly make more bucks for the UDAF with their current FB STH policy and nonrevenue sports will benefit; whether or not it will help Blue Hen FB or make for a better experience for the players or fans is highly debatable. I hope it does but I'm very skeptical. At the end of the day, the most important source of revenue by far for FCS programs is gameday ticket sales.

All sports benefit from UDAF coffers increasing henfan, particularly UD football.

The most unfortunate part to me is how uninformed so many seem to be about what it actually costs to maintain a top tier FCS football program. Yes I'm sure for many fans, budgetarily, the timing of the price hike is poor. But there are probably just as many who don't have a realistic idea of the expenses involved in keeping UD football as competitive as possible. I wish it could be communicated better. My concern is that it will never be communicated to or comprehended properly by some fans.

[GannonFan]

Why is the ODU game at noon again?

That game has sunburn written all over it.


Side note: Argh. Just realized that the new job I'm starting in three weeks will likely require tons of fed fiscal year-end OT. With UD having three September home dates, I could conceivably miss half the home slate.

With the little guy (the oldest of the little guys) playing travel sports this Fall, I'm already counting the ODU game as one I can't make now because of the noon start and his likliehood to be playing in the morning himself. And yes, having to sit out in the heat isn't desirable either. It's a shame that TV gets in the way of reasonable night scheduling during September. Luckily it's on TV so I'll probably catch ODU on the TiVo.

[GannonFan]

GF, UD will certainly make more bucks for the UDAF with their current FB STH policy and nonrevenue sports will benefit; whether or not it will help Blue Hen FB or make for a better experience for the players or fans is highly debatable. I hope it does but I'm very skeptical. At the end of the day, the most important source of revenue by far for FCS programs is gameday ticket sales.

All sports benefit from UDAF coffers increasing henfan, particularly UD football.

The most unfortunate part to me is how uninformed so many seem to be about what it actually costs to maintain a top tier FCS football program. Yes I'm sure for many fans, budgetarily, the timing of the price hike is poor. But there are probably just as many who don't have a realistic idea of the expenses involved in keeping UD football as competitive as possible. I wish it could be communicated better. My concern is that it will never be communicated to or comprehended properly by some fans.

I agree - it's a shame on both sides. UD clearly fumbled the ball when they disastrously rolled out this program and when they basically told fans that they would need to pay maybe up to 50% more and really get no new benefits out of it. Granted, maybe UD fans were getting an absolute bargain for decades, but to have to pay so much more for the same thing you didn't have to pay as much for just a couple of years ago is always going to be a tough sell. And while the fan base has never been as silver haired as UD detractors like to pretend it is, there certainly is a decent number of older and crotchity (sp?) fans that have been very vocal about being ticket holders for 30+ years and now getting very little consideration for that loyalty. It probably would be an easier sell if UD was doing something more visible with the money - a new athletics support building, stadium modifications (other than handrails), or a move up from FCS. But right now it just comes across as the same thing for a lot more money out of pocket. Would've been better had UD realized this a decade ago and slowly introduced these changes a little at a time. Less sticker shock.

[State Line Liquors]

I agree - it's a shame on both sides. UD clearly fumbled the ball when they disastrously rolled out this program and when they basically told fans that they would need to pay maybe up to 50% more and really get no new benefits out of it. ... And while the fan base has never been as silver haired as UD detractors like to pretend it is, there certainly is a decent number of older and crotchity (sp?) fans that have been very vocal about being ticket holders for 30+ years and now getting very little consideration for that loyalty. ...

Now that they've finally yanked the bandaid off, things will get better going forward, including what I'd expect to be increased #'s of season tickets sold in future years, particularly as tangible stadium improvements are made and longer term marketing efforts start to take hold. The simple fact, is that UD was leaving money on the table not maximizing what they could get from those who were willing to dig deeper into their pockets to support UD Athletics, and wanted better seats and parking and were willing to pay. Now that they have a better idea who is willing/able to support athletics financially, they can work their way out from there with single game offerings to those less inclined to spend as much money.

And yes, there were loyal fans that have been coming to games for 30+ years who feel UD hasn't shown them loyalty, but as I mentioned, they're completely naive if they think the $150 they paid for their season tickets was even a glass of water in the Pacific Ocean with regard to what it costs to run a top flite FCS (or even mid-level) program. $150 nowadays doesn't offset the cost of 1 pair of shoulder pads or probably even half the premium for one kid on the group accident policy for the team.

[bluehenbillk]

I agree - it's a shame on both sides. UD clearly fumbled the ball when they disastrously rolled out this program and when they basically told fans that they would need to pay maybe up to 50% more and really get no new benefits out of it. ... And while the fan base has never been as silver haired as UD detractors like to pretend it is, there certainly is a decent number of older and crotchity (sp?) fans that have been very vocal about being ticket holders for 30+ years and now getting very little consideration for that loyalty. ...

Now that they've finally yanked the bandaid off, things will get better going forward, including what I'd expect to be increased #'s of season tickets sold in future years, particularly as tangible stadium improvements are made and longer term marketing efforts start to take hold. The simple fact, is that UD was leaving money on the table not maximizing what they could get from those who were willing to dig deeper into their pockets to support UD Athletics, and wanted better seats and parking and were willing to pay. Now that they have a better idea who is willing/able to support athletics financially, they can work their way out from there with single game offerings to those less inclined to spend as much money.

And yes, there were loyal fans that have been coming to games for 30+ years who feel UD hasn't shown them loyalty, but as I mentioned, they're completely naive if they think the $150 they paid for their season tickets was even a glass of water in the Pacific Ocean with regard to what it costs to run a top flite FCS (or even mid-level) program. $150 nowadays doesn't offset the cost of 1 pair of shoulder pads or probably even half the premium for one kid on the group accident policy for the team.

That I'd agree with. I'd expect UD's season ticket base to start growing again next season & in the future again.

[JMUpurplehazed]

Surprised the Deleware fans have not lobbied for all home games to be played at noon so they can be certain to be home and in bed asleep by 7:30?

[bluehenbillk]

Surprised the Deleware fans have not lobbied for all home games to be played at noon so they can be certain to be home and in bed asleep by 7:30?

Yea, we do play 3 home games a year typically, but then again 90% of our fanbase isn't under 30 yrs old like JMWho.