Shocks vs UAB Ticket Prices

[shockmonster]

I didn't like the cost of lower bowl tickets so I bought upper bowl tickets. Not the greatest seats probably but I would rather be at a Shocker game than listening to it on radio or watching it on television. I want the team to win so I'll support them. The guys don't have anything to do with this issue and they deserve our support.

[WuDrWu]

I didn't like the cost of lower bowl tickets so I bought upper bowl tickets. Not the greatest seats probably but I would rather be at a Shocker game than listening to it on radio or watching it on television. I want the team to win so I'll support them. The guys don't have anything to do with this issue and they deserve our support.

Excellent. +1 :wsu_posters: :goshocks: :posterwu: :posterwsu:

[ShockerFever]

I didn't like the cost of lower bowl tickets so I bought upper bowl tickets. Not the greatest seats probably but I would rather be at a Shocker game than listening to it on radio or watching it on television. I want the team to win so I'll support them. The guys don't have anything to do with this issue and they deserve our support.

Nicely put.

I'd like to see one of the whiners argue this post.

[pinstripers]

I would rather watch it on computer than watch it from upper seats at IBA.

[ShockerFever]

I would rather watch it on computer than watch it from upper seats at IBA.

If you get tickets now, you won't be sitting in the "upper seats at IBA". Not to mention, you get what you pay for.

Let us know how it looks on the computer.

[shockmonster]

Then don't support them Pinstriper. Your choice.

[pinstripers]

Yep, you get what you pay for. Well, not exactly. Watching it on the computer costs me exactly what upper bowl seats are worth.

[ShockTalk]

I feel like this is beating a dead horse but.......


Are you going to look forward or look back?

You can talk like a big boy or act like a big boy, but you can't talk like a big boy and then expect to have Duke come in here and tickets be $17.

And you sure can't do it and get paid.

And how exactly is this the Admin's fault?


Keep this in mind.....if this fails, the ONLY ones responsible are WSU FANS.


Nobody is going to take a chance next season, perhaps with a more attractive opponent, if they perceive a lack of interest.

WSU (and local sports fans) have an option. Dig your heels in make a statement that you won't pay to be big time, or act like a big time program and support one of the best teams in the history of WSU.

Lastly, I totally get not being able to afford the tickets. Times are tough. But if you can't afford these tickets, then you probably aren't supporting the program anyway.

Like most, I assume, I've been there. I know what it's like not to be able to go to events I wanted to because of money. And yes, at my advanced age I am spoiled with where I get to sit. I like being close to the action.

However, if money was a concern (and I'm not saying it isn't) you can be damned sure I'd be buying the cheapest ticket in the place, and driving downtown to buy them in person. Only health concerns will keep me from watching the Shocks live and in person in my hometown.

Exactly, I can't believe someone would say a H/H would be better than a 1 game 3rd party game that just so happens to be played in your hometown.

This thread screams "Mid-Major".

Im sorry if some peoples feelings are hurt, but hands down if we want big time opponents, we have to draw and make promoters money while not costing us anything.

+1, +1, +1

Again, it goes back to the same stubborn, whiny ways of thinking.

"I want everywhere to be like Koch Arena. I expect IBA to be Koch Arena."

"I want $5 tickets at courtside."

Last year, season ticket holders had no options. They b*tched. Now, they have the option and they still b*tch. And yet you still have people thinking that this game was implemented by WSU. It's damned if you do, damned if you don't.

And as marty said, the only way this comes off as looking bad is a direct result of WSU fans, not ANYBODY else.

Sorry if you and others think I'm being whiny. My position has nothing to do with whether I, personally, will go to the game. I'm just trying to be objective about this particular game. 4 seasons ago we were 2 years removed from our S16, were 17-14 the previous season, and were able to bring in UAB as a one and done at Koch (which we won in a year that we lost 20 games). UAB in our S16 season also made the dance after going 24-7, but lost to UK by 5 in the first round. They had won 20+ the 3 previous seasons and had also made the Dance the two previous years getting to the 2nd round and S16. They were every bit the "quality" team then that they are now. Financially, WSU is making a good move. It's a buy-in game that they don't have to pay for. I just don't see it as that "special" of game that's to be played at Intrust. I'd like to see Intrust reserved for those games that there is little to no doubt that it will fill the arena. As Shocker1972 said 12,000+. A risk is taken with an opponent that creates less interest, Downtown. Maybe that screams "Mid Major" to you, but to me, a bad choice of opponent if it doesn't draw well.

I certainly don't expect Intrust to be like Koch. It isn't! However, it can seat 15,000. That's what makes it impressive. And with an opponent that can bring that interest, I don't necessarily expect it to be part of the season ticket package and would expect it to be pricey. I'd have no problem with that.

We have great fans! Our numbers during the 90's should have proven that. Our sellouts in the 2000's should have proven that. So I'm not so sure that if this game does not draw well, that it's all on the fans.

Yes, I think it's important to play some solid, true road games (good for the team), but also get a home game in return. We b*tch about BCS schools that play nothing but home and neutral games, but not if we do it?

And please, don't even try to compare UAB to Tulsa as a game of interest to Shocker fans. Not even close! By the way, that lower RPI team beat UAB by 16 last year and finished tied for 2nd, one game out, just in case that regional rivalry is missed by you.

Of course, there are those that make extreme comparisons...Duke, really? No one expects that. However, the farther away you go to get a team for Intrust, the more it needs to have other stronger interests than regional. Under normal economic times, maybe UAB at Intrust is no risk. However, times are tough, money is tight. In the end, I hope no risk will have been taken that could hurt us in the future. But whatever risk there may be, it was taken by the Admin.

[1972Shocker]

ShockTalk makes a valid point in that the "choice" of opponent is probably not ideal. I think most would concede that.

However, the Shockers did not chose this opponent. This was a game offered to them by a 3rd party promoter. They could have turned it down, but financially it's a no-brainer and as far as we know we did not have any better options justing waiting around for us to pick and chose from. It certainly is a better than another buyout against an Arkansas-Pine Bluff are a Centenary type program.

3G has expressed a desire to play one game or so a year in IBA and he was very happy with the Tulsa game.

Sometimes you just have to step back and ask not what WU can do for you, but what you can do for WU (with all respect to JFK).

The bottom line is what is in the best interest of the Wichita State Men's basketball program at this point? The game is on the schedule so the discussion of whether or not it was a good decision is somewhat mute at this point. I wasn't wild about shelling out $150 bucks for a couple of tickets, but if that is what it takes to continue to grow our program then I'm willing and, forutnately, able to do that. I understand that not every Shocker fan is able to afford this, but willingness should not be an issue for Shocker fans who do have the wherewithal to participate in this game.

What is the downside if the game flops attendance-wise? Does it diminish our chances to host such games in the future, perhaps with teams of much greater marquis value? Does 3G decide that maybe the fan support is not quite as deep or as passionate as he thought whenever the next round of BCS jobs open up? Does a poor showing attendance-wise for this kind of game diminish our chances of hosting 1st and 2nd round NCAA games in the future? I think the answers are yes, perhaps and possibly. It certainly won't be a positive.

[ShockTalk]

ShockTalk makes a valid point in that the "choice" of opponent is probably not ideal. I think most would concede that.

However, the Shockers did not chose this opponent. This was a game offered to them by a 3rd party promoter. They could have turned it down, but financially it's a no-brainer and as far as we know we did not have any better options justing waiting around for us to pick and chose from. It certainly is a better than another buyout against an Arkansas-Pine Bluff are a Centenary type program.

3G has expressed a desire to play one game or so a year in IBA and he was very happy with the Tulsa game.

Sometimes you just have to step back and ask not what WU can do for you, but what you can do for WU (with all respect to JFK).

The bottom line is what is in the best interest of the Wichita State Men's basketball program at this point? The game is on the schedule so the discussion of whether or not it was a good decision is somewhat mute at this point. I wasn't wild about shelling out $150 bucks for a couple of tickets, but if that is what it takes to continue to grow our program then I'm willing and, forutnately, able to do that. I understand that not every Shocker fan is able to afford this, but willingness should not be an issue for Shocker fans who do have the wherewithal to participate in this game.

What is the downside if the game flops attendance-wise? Does it diminish our chances to host such games in the future, perhaps with teams of much greater marquis value? Does 3G decide that maybe the fan support is not quite as deep or as passionate as he thought whenever the next round of BCS jobs open up? Does a poor showing attendance-wise for this kind of game diminish our chances of hosting 1st and 2nd round NCAA games in the future? I think the answers are yes, perhaps and possibly. It certainly won't be a positive.

We are on the same page, 1972.

[ShockerFever]

That was a very solid post '72 and is perfectly presented and covers pretty much all bases.

Some people still are having trouble comprehending what "3rd party promoter" means and that WSU didn't "choose" this opponent.

ST, you're confusing me. 72 just burnt you on a lot of your points and now you're on the same page as him? Color me lost.

If you can't afford $17 tickets, then you can't afford season tickets or you can't afford to go to Koch for a game. Pretty simple as that.

[ShockerFever]

Yep, you get what you pay for. Well, not exactly. Watching it on the computer costs me exactly what upper bowl seats are worth.

Then pony up for 1 game to support WSU in its hometown or listen to the damn thing on your Sony Walkman.

Either way, GET OVER IT.

[proshox]

Three things I think:

I do not know if this came up earlier, but UAB was an expensive buy game in 3G's first year.

I think most fans under estimate the true cost of a good ticket in Koch.

The Tulsa game was one of last year's best games and UAB will be one of this year's best.

[ShockTalk]

That was a very solid post '72 and is perfectly presented and covers pretty much all bases.

Some people still are having trouble comprehending what "3rd party promoter" means and that WSU didn't "choose" this opponent.

ST, you're confusing me. 72 just burnt you on a lot of your points and now you're on the same page as him? Color me lost.

If you can't afford $17 tickets, then you can't afford season tickets or you can't afford to go to Koch for a game. Pretty simple as that.

I said in my first post that it was good financial move for WSU to take advantage of this promoter's efforts.

HCGM expressing a desire to play one game a year at IBA doesn't mean they have to, but in this case, the financial benefits out weigh the lack of a marquee type game. However, being very happy with the Tulsa game doesn't say anything about future games....it's a frigin' WSU/Tulsa game for heavens sake. Short of a few top non-BCS schools like Gonzaga, Xavier, Butler, maybe GM because of their history with WSU, no other team, short of being a BCS team of interest, is going to out draw Tulsa.

Die hard Shocker fans will not make or break this game. By and large, most all will be there. However, die hard Shocker fans does not equal everyone that goes to games at Koch. Students, corporate seats, and let's not forget those that "like" to go to the games, but have family in town or will out of town that weekend. There seems to be those on this board that feel 95% of the Shocker fans are as avid as they are.

72 expressed my same concerns in his last paragraph. He proposed 3 questions and gave his personal answers to those. I agree with 1 and 3. So, if there is one difference in our posts, it's that I don't believe HCGM would have a lesser opinion of Shocker fandom (unless it was really, really badly attented) because it's not that big of game to make that statement.

I didn't feel '72 and I were that different, but glad to clarify anything that you thought that we were.

[SB Shock]

If the Shockers start the non-conference season off well - I predict a sellout.