Originally posted by IUPalum
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That (ticket prices) is a legit issue at the KCAC. I personally know many people in Indiana who don't go to the games because of it. I'm talking mainly about the marginal-type fans. You take the family of four or five to a game ... you're at $60-$70 before you get to your seat. Add in the concessions, etc., ... easily a $100 night. Many of the local-yocals don't see the value in it. The season ticket package is clearly the way to go ... if you can get people interested enough to buy it.
When you look around Indiana in November to March ... they don't have a whole lot of competition as far as entertainment. They should be doing better at the box office. The lower seats ... sure, charge more. They already sell priced as is. The sections behind the baskets and in the corners ... make them $5/per.
It's a dead-end conversation. The problem is real although nobody wants to address it. If you lower the prices for say 30 percent of the arena and you still don't draw better ... then at least you know and that's a whole different issue.
IUP football is a different animal. They both battle the 'D2' stigma -- and football, despite its long-term success, still has the vibe of just being D2 football. Football insists on those early kickoffs which blocks out the soccer families, etc., in the Fall. Basketball is different. That's a D1 arena but they don't sell it. Joe only plays night games (by choice). The KCAC has the technology to do so much more during games aside from Kiss Cams and the Hairy Man. Player intro's could be a big show with lights, better music, replay, etc. They aren't that far off ... just need a bigger push and a few tweaks.
That building can be really intimidating for visitors -- especially when it's juiced up. It only happened once last year and it was the SRU game -- oddly on a Wednesday night. SRU was mentally out of it before the game tipped off.
I frequently take guests to the game ... many for their first time. The reaction is always the same ... they all leave impressed with the whole event -- the quality of play is way higher than they were expecting, the venue blows them away and it's a fun night to grab a beer, etc. It's a great night ... just have to find ways for more people to experience it.
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