coaches say you can't, so don't sign a loi
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http://www.freep.com/article/20090321/SPORTS06/903210401/1048?GID=+IqYOn...
Sum it up: He wants to break Alabamas spring game attendance record.
8-10a.m - Fans allowed to tour locker room
10a.m - Flag football with former players
Maize coach - Gary Moeller
Blue Coach - Jerry Hanlon
12p.m - Spring game
UM students sit in sections 24 and 25.
Date: April 11
Sweet. If I lived anywhere near AA, I'd be there.
I'll be in Florida...son of a bitch.
I heard the goal is 40,000 people, not even half the record.
Makes sense, since the spring game has been such a small-time affair here for so long.
Key quote from the article on breaking Alabama's spring game attendance record.
If we have a decent season this year and have Devon Gardner in the spring next year the spring game will be a much bigger draw.
Rick Leach is pretty much my all time favorite player. I wonder if he is going to be there.
I would be there if I could.
I think Bo, Mo, and Carr all saw the spring game as a pain in the ass and didn't want to give away any secrets to anyone.
IIRC, Bo was so secretive that he once caught someone taping a practice from a second floor window of one of the houses on State Street and sent someone over to make him stop and confiscate his film.
RR allows a lot more access, but I'm sure the playbook won't be too big for the spring game. I'm also sure that the only video that will get out is what RR wants out.
But RR does know the value of publicity. The spring game is a valuable tool if used correctly. Because of last year's record, he needs to create excitement around the program for this game. It will help with recruiting, and get A2 feeling good about the team again.
If, ahem, one of the QB's actually plays like he belong at the helm of a major college program, it will go a long way toward getting the swagger back.
I wish they could fill the stadium for it, but that won't happen. However, if they really marketed it right, they could fill the stadium. Here is what I would do:
Start marketing during bowl season, while football is still at the forefront of most fans' minds.
Spend money on a serious campaign.
Raffle off a few season tix, autographed footballs, helmets, uniforms, and whatever else they can find, including bricks, etc, from any parts of the stadium torn down during renovation.
Have a fan day with a meet and greet, etc the week before.
If they want to give it away, they could offer free tix to all season ticket holders. They could still make plenty of money off of concessions, parking, and the few tickets that are sold to the public.
Basically, most people are creatures of habit, and will also gravitate to anything that gives them a good time. So, if they make the spring game both a habit and a good time, they can ensure a lot of attendance and break everyone's records.
They don't really need to, but I can't help but think it would help with recruiting.
are hired for the job. good ideas.
I'll be somewhere in the Hindu Kush. Lucky me.
but i'd love to be in the big house for this.
Do we know who is playing in the alumni game yet?
It would be cool to have 100K for the spring game, but I bet that the unpredictable weather in Michigan (vs Alabama) in early April works against us as well.
We don't need to beat the record set by Alabama. If we even had 40-50k that would be more than plenty to garner more attention for the program and recruiting. hell, we played at a high school not even in ann arbor last year.
gonna break it this year. RR wants to eventually do it though. really all they'd have to do is advertise the game. it's already free, if you let people know when it is i bet they'd show up.
i agree we won't beat it this year. it would depend a lot on the weather in my mind how many we get.
This really sounds like a great time. I hope the weather is nice, it'll make it even more enjoyable.
It's a sprnig game. We don't need the stadium packed. The less people there the better as far as I'm concerned. I go there to check out the players and the team, I don't want to fight the crowds and pay $30 bucks to park four miles away. Game days are a totally different thing.
I do not see it being very possible to beat the record by Bama. We have alumni all over the country that come in for the game. Do you really think we can beat their record? I am not sure enough rabid people live close to Ann Arbor. It would have to turn into a festival of sorts, not just a football game. Autographs, tours, Barwis 101, etc. Love the fact its Jerry Hanlon vs Moeller. I love the idea for all of this. It is good to try to make the football program a more fun environment to the community.
