Michigan Unveils Student Football Advisory Panel

Submitted by BlueCube on

Michigan has unveiled a Football Student Advisory Panel of 20 students to give suggestions on how to improve the student experience for football games and boost atttendance.

 

"We took a step back, looked at our relationship with the students and -- as you know -- it wasn't great last year," said Hunter Lochmann, the athletic department's chief marketing officer. "We're working with the Central Student Government and in constant communication (with them), and this really helped us get that student voice in there. But we realized, 'it's great we're working with the (CSG), but let's also get more student voices in there. "What better than to take 20 of our existing student season ticket holders (and hear their voice)."
In an effort to fix the issue, the new council will feature four freshmen season ticket holders, four sophomores, four juniors, four seniors and four graduate students. Any student holding a season ticket can apply to be a part of the council, until the deadline of Aug. 8. From there, Michigan's athletic department will do its best to select a 20-person group that achieves "a cross section that mimics what the makeup of the base is -- four from each class, males and females, differing attendance rates."

I might ask why you wouldn't want imput from those who are not attending, but it is a step in the right direction.

Link

rob f

July 25th, 2014 at 7:48 PM ^

are currently U of M students?  Who will be the first among you to step up and apply for a spot on the "advisory" panel?

Although I don't have any faith that Brandon or anyone with any real power within the Athletic Department will take the panel seriously, I'd love to see a few MGoBloggers give it a shot. 

pearlw

July 25th, 2014 at 9:06 PM ^

Why wouldnt the AD take the panel seriously? Let me guess - you think it is just some elaborate PR stunt ...another example of people prejudging everything done by the AD due to a bias against the AD. As to whether they will take it seriously, I have confidence they will. They worked with the CSG to come up with a student seating policy that all agreed on...clearly they took the CSG input seriously. You know it is possible that they might actually mean what they say here. They may have realized that the relationship with the students has worsened and they actually did look at ways to fix that and this is one they thought held promise. how about waiting until the students spend time meeting with the AD before prejudging and assuming the AD wont listen to anything out of the students? The complaint here usually is that the AD doesnt listen to the students...the AD decides to do this and people complain about it.

rob f

July 25th, 2014 at 10:31 PM ^

Look at Brandon's track record.  Show me instances of how and when he's reacted positively to input coming from anyone other than those with the deepest pockets.   $$$'s rule in Dave's World, and while I am fully aware that his primary responsibility is to make money for Michigan's Athletics Department, he has been (IMO) a failure as the caretaker of the traditions of Michigan.   His short-sighted ways have enabled him to rake in the dough for the present, but at the expense of the future---so many things he's done to alienate and drive away season-ticket holders and young fans will come back to haunt U of M down the road.   This "advisory panel", while a step in the right direction, likely will have little or no say in the big picture.  Yes, it's window dressing until proven otherwise.

Back to my original purpose for posting in this thread earlier, though---it was to try and drum up some interest among the U of M students here on MGoBlog  to apply for a spot on the panel.   Just thought it would be nice to have an "insider" on said panel to relay back to us their thoughts once the panel is up-and-running.

Sorry I ruffled your feathers by adding a comment about our AD, but apparently it caused you to miss the main point of my previous post, pearlw.

 

Michigania

July 25th, 2014 at 8:06 PM ^

epic fail....sounds like Wisconsin had a committee to hire their next coach. they interviewed Bo and didnt hire him. itll devolve into the lowest denominator among students who are barely adults and have a limited perspective.

Yeezus

July 25th, 2014 at 8:12 PM ^

Desperation. First the fireworks. Now this. Brandon is officially on the hot seat. Thank you sweet baby Jesus.

rederik

July 25th, 2014 at 8:17 PM ^

Hunter Lochman = GERG. Not literally the worst personnel move, on paper at least, but ultimately his contributions may cost both him and his boss their jobs.

Side note: This is just an analogy, and is not intended to bring about any discussion for/against RR. Section 1, I'm talking to you.

GoBLUinTX

July 25th, 2014 at 8:19 PM ^

tickets on an on line auction.  Maybe make the reserve $15/seat.  Offer single game, game packages, complete season packages, maybe include first option for away games and bowl games.  Offer blocks of tickets so a group of students, maybe 2-20, can sit together.  Maybe different sets for different class years or ticket loyalty.

pearlw

July 25th, 2014 at 8:24 PM ^

Those single game / package ideas are interesting for students. They do that with the rest of the stadium but have never heard the idea for students. There are probably alot that would want to go to at least a couple games. Under the current season ticket setup, they do allow for blocks of tickets so you can sit with friends. This was part of their agreement with CSG where the priority of the group will be based on the average priority points (or whatever they call them) for all the members of the group.

slimj091

July 25th, 2014 at 10:24 PM ^

i've never understood the concept of segregating the students into a wedge in the corner of the field. abolish the student section, and allow the students to buy tickets like the rest of us only at a little more generous discount than student packages are at now. at the very least that bald spot will be gone from the stands.

mvp

July 26th, 2014 at 1:14 AM ^

More than anything else, the games should be about the students.  The student-athletes who compete and their classmates who cheer them on.

Us old farts may enjoy the experience because we're trying to relive the past and that's why we should (within reason) be a bigger part of footing the bill.  But when the events stop being about the students, the entire thing is just about worthless.

steve sharik

July 26th, 2014 at 12:20 AM ^

Why aren't there students on the panel who used to be student season ticket holders?

I mean, is he trying to find out where the next line is?  If he's trying to repair a relationship, how about talking to those who you've damaged?

Perkis-Size Me

July 26th, 2014 at 2:01 AM ^

I'll probably get negged for this, but oh well.....

Win games, and they will come.

Oh, and don't charge an obscene amount for a terrible home slate. LSU is charging students under $100 for a much better product that includes Alabama on the home slate.

I know we're not LSU, but still, DB should understand charging record prices for a mediocre home schedule and an underperforming team is not a recipe for success.