Pre-Game Tailgate

[Bluzrover]

This almost makes me want to move back to Wichita!

[ripemupshocks]

WILL THERE BE GAMES?

[ShanShock]

WILL THERE BE GAMES?

There are always games at Marshallville!!!

[Shocker85]

I think this sounds like a great idea. I would participate in pregame festivities.

[pogo]

You are going to need a lot of buses.:) Put me down for a table for two

I was told a table for four last night.

[Shoxcity]

Anything that adds to game day atmosphere I will support.

[EB 22]

Hello,

I am reaching out to see if anybody is interested in new pre-game activities for the upcoming season. This would be an on campus event sponsored by the alumni association or a similar group. Just trying to see if there would be enough interest to make it worth putting something together for selected home games. I am thinking something like a heated tent near NE corner of campus with beer, food, music, guest appearances and perhaps a shuttle bus service to the arena.

If its put on by the alumni association, it would be a great way to get membership up for it. Something like free entry or free food for lifetime members or something along those lines.

[pogo]

To hell with free food.....Beeeeer.

[ShockerPhi]

To hell with free food.....Beeeeer.

I may be out of college now, but I'll never turn down free food.

[Scott]

Based on the responses here and other feedback we have received, we are working on making this a reality. We are hoping to put something together for an early season weekend home game as a test. Give me all of your best ideas, we want this to be a great event for the fans that will increase the overall game day experience which sometimes feels flat compared to other schools. We want several thousand people to come out and party for a few hours before they go into CKA. This is the start of a new era for the Shockers and it is time to make the games into huge community events. Get crazy and let me know what your dream scenario would be for the best game day ever for a Shocker fan. Please give me your thoughts on location, food options, pricing, etc.

Our initial thoughts:
Early season outdoor is still an option - so we are thinking about using Cessna or Eck stadium
Small entry fee - $5 range - discounts or free for alumni association members
Food/merchandise vendors
Possible VIP tent areas for a small upcharge/life members that would include free food and beer
DJ or live music
Games, contests, other activities
Pre-game appearances from current/past coaches, players
WU mascot - dance/cheer/band

[Walker]

This would be awesome. I think those are great ideas and a $5 entry fee is pretty reasonable. Would other people be able to bring in their BBQ smokers that aren't food vendors? I'd love to bring my smokers down a few times a year to get some BBQ going while working up a little buzz with other fans before the game.

[WuShock16]

If you want honest feedback, I think Eck would be a really bad idea since it is so far from Koch. I suppose those with reserved spots still MIGHT go to Eck, but since I have a Bold Gold lot pass and get to games an hour early to get in said lot, I'm probably not walking all the way to Eck for an event and then walk all the way back for the basketball game.

Either use the Cessna field or the open field where the discus cages are.

Just a suggestion...

[ArtVandalay]

Agree Eck is too far. I think you want this as close as you can to draw people to it and allow them to take energy/excitement right into their seats when their done.

[ShockerPhi]

I definitely think that open discus field would be best. Because everyone will see it while walking into the game. It will look fun and inviting and people will think "oh man, we need to go to that next game!" If it's at Cessna, it's a lot harder to see, but at least it's still close. You could have a sign up with basic info like "Tailgate Party - Every game 2 hours before tip - $5" that way people immediately know all the info they need.

Personally, I hate the cold, so I'm glad you said early season. But it'd be great to be able to do this for big conference games, which is an issue since those are in January or February... Not sure what to do there.

[1972Shocker]

Based on the responses here and other feedback we have received, we are working on making this a reality. We are hoping to put something together for an early season weekend home game as a test. Give me all of your best ideas, we want this to be a great event for the fans that will increase the overall game day experience which sometimes feels flat compared to other schools. We want several thousand people to come out and party for a few hours before they go into CKA. This is the start of a new era for the Shockers and it is time to make the games into huge community events. Get crazy and let me know what your dream scenario would be for the best game day ever for a Shocker fan. Please give me your thoughts on location, food options, pricing, etc.

Our initial thoughts:
Early season outdoor is still an option - so we are thinking about using Cessna or Eck stadium
Small entry fee - $5 range - discounts or free for alumni association members
Food/merchandise vendors
Possible VIP tent areas for a small upcharge/life members that would include free food and beer
DJ or live music
Games, contests, other activities
Pre-game appearances from current/past coaches, players
WU mascot - dance/cheer/band

I think starting doing this for weekend games only makes good sense, at least early on. Not sure what our game times will be in the AAC (I suppose TV is still the primary driver of that) but I simply don't have the time to make this work during the week. I assume there are others like me but maybe not. Not sure it would have broad appeal before weeknight games but again I could easily be wrong about that.

I can see it having broad appeal for weekend games, especially afternoon games.