Ay-Ziggy-Zoomba.com

Posted: **Thu Jul 08, 2010 10:24 am**

As we're planning for 2010-11 here in Athletics Communications, much of what we do on BGSUFalcons.com is geared towards Falcon fans (alumni, friends of the programs, parents, etc.). I am seeking input from our fans on how we can continue to improve the website and provide content that is useful for our fans. I can’t guarantee that we can do everything suggested but I think it’s important to know what our target audience is interested in. Feel free to post your comments here on Ay-Ziggy-Zoomba.com or, if you would rather, you can e-mail me at [email protected]. Here's a WIDE range of things I'd love to hear about. Feel free to comment on anything else not listed below.

1 - Is Ask the AD a valuable piece of our site? Is the current format (recorded audio) the best way for Falcon fans to receive the information?

2 – Are we using social media in a way that is positive for our fans?
A – What information would you like to see from our Twitter page?
B – Is it a good idea to beef up our use of Facebook in 2010-11?
C – Do you enjoy/use the live chat features when made available during games?
D – Do you view the live blogs and the blog site at blog.bgsufalcons.com?
E – Are the videos we provide on YouTube a positive? What other types of videos would you like to see?

3 – Do you subscribe to the E-Newsletter and is it a positive?

4 – Do you view the photo galleries on a regular basis and are there ways we can improve upon them?

5 – Do you subscribe to the text messaging service and how can it be improved upon?

6 – Do you enjoy some of the special features we provide on BGSUFalcons.com (such as Anderson Memories/Top Moments of 2009-10, etc.)?

7 – What things have you seen/used on other college athletic websites that we should incorporate?

8 – Do you purchase tickets through BGSUFalcons.com and, if so, is that process simple and easy?

9 – Have you submitted a bid on an auction and, if so, was that process simple and easy?

10 – Have you purchased anything through the online store (store.bgsufalcons.com) and, if so, was that process simple and easy? What products would you like to see for sale through the online store?

11 – Do you view/listen to the coaches’ weekly press conferences online? Are they a valuable addition to the website?

12 – Do you view our .pdf media guides online?

13 – Is there information missing on BGSUFalcons.com that you have looked for in the past, or is any information difficult to find?

14 – What is your general feeling about BGSUFalcons.com?

Posted: **Thu Jul 08, 2010 1:20 pm**

Re: the Online bookstore ( or the Regular Bookstore for that mattet)...more than a few years ago, I questioned the lady who, I believe, was the manager of the bookstore...re: why BG has not done anything with the "talking" items....if you know what I mean, these things range from greeting cards to ...at that time...a bottle opener I'd seen my in my son's possession that played the OSU fight song when used. I felt that there were literally hundreds of items, including stuffed animals etc. that could have one of these installed with Forward Falcons, Ay Ziggy Zoomba etc.

Her answer to me was basicaly..."we can't afford them...and wouldn't have enough uses for them as we'd have to buy thousands... Of course, this was also the excuse I'd heard many years ago as to why we don't have more Falcon Marching Band, Men's Chorus et al CD's for sale... Then, it was "we can't afford the royalties"....

I'll close by saying this...IF BG still really wants to be known as a "big time" school, i.e. D-1 in football etc., then we really need to look at how we market ourselves in some other ways too.

Posted: **Thu Jul 08, 2010 2:01 pm**

I do look at the media guides online...I'm largely ignorant of what content is available online...for example I had no idea that you could view the press conferences. I'm really bad at taking responsibility, so I'm going to say that's your fault.

I do think that "ask the AD" is cool...I liked the coaches blogs...what few there were...but I understand that those guys and gals are pretty busy in season so getting them to jot down their thoughts (in anything other than coach speak) might not be possible.

Posted: **Thu Jul 08, 2010 3:35 pm**

BGSU SID wrote:As we're planning for 2010-11 here in Athletics Communications, much of what we do on BGSUFalcons.com is geared towards Falcon fans (alumni, friends of the programs, parents, etc.). I am seeking input from our fans on how we can continue to improve the website and provide content that is useful for our fans. I can’t guarantee that we can do everything suggested but I think it’s important to know what our target audience is interested in. Feel free to post your comments here on Ay-Ziggy-Zoomba.com or, if you would rather, you can e-mail me at [email protected]. Here's a WIDE range of things I'd love to hear about. Feel free to comment on anything else not listed below.

1 - Is Ask the AD a valuable piece of our site? Is the current format (recorded audio) the best way for Falcon fans to receive the information?

Yes and No. Not a good answer, but the AD is accessible and does a good job returning emails. That said the ask section likely give an idea as to what is on people minds.

2 – Are we using social media in a way that is positive for our fans?
I really do not dable in any of the below. I will however drift to and take a stab at E. I am not sure of the ability, but my god, release the 1984 National Championship game video so people can buy that hockey memory on a regular basis. Further, go back and put all the various seasons on DVD and sell them as well, as much as you have. People want this stuff.

A – What information would you like to see from our Twitter page?
B – Is it a good idea to beef up our use of Facebook in 2010-11?
C – Do you enjoy/use the live chat features when made available during games?
D – Do you view the live blogs and the blog site at blog.bgsufalcons.com?
E – Are the videos we provide on YouTube a positive? What other types of videos would you like to see?

3 – Do you subscribe to the E-Newsletter and is it a positive?
The wife does, but most of that information we can get here...I would urge you all to to participate here more heavily.

4 – Do you view the photo galleries on a regular basis and are there ways we can improve upon them?
they are fine

5 – Do you subscribe to the text messaging service and how can it be improved upon?
Nope, N/A

6 – Do you enjoy some of the special features we provide on BGSUFalcons.com (such as Anderson Memories/Top Moments of 2009-10, etc.)?

Neutral

7 – What things have you seen/used on other college athletic websites that we should incorporate?
A this is _______ (sport) video...comerical introduction style hard hitting and about 1min long.

8 – Do you purchase tickets through BGSUFalcons.com and, if so, is that process simple and easy?

could be better.

9 – Have you submitted a bid on an auction and, if so, was that process simple and easy?
Nope N/A

10 – Have you purchased anything through the online store (store.bgsufalcons.com) and, if so, was that process simple and easy? What products would you like to see for sale through the online store?
Nope N/A

11 – Do you view/listen to the coaches’ weekly press conferences online? Are they a valuable addition to the website?
I get the feed here on Ziggy for the Hockey team, hope that continues, I like the video pressers, audio is boring missing 2/3rd of the story.

12 – Do you view our .pdf media guides online?
Yes

13 – Is there information missing on BGSUFalcons.com that you have looked for in the past, or is any information difficult to find?
Historical records get hard to get to and it would be nice if that were archived more in the front and accessible.

14 – What is your general feeling about BGSUFalcons.com?

Its not the best, but better than average.

I would like to add the following. Each main venue ( Hockey, Basketball, baseball and football) should have a free live stream hd web cam, covering the venue at all times from each teams home page, and ON for each game. There is alot going on and the technology is their so folks who would like to, could check in on a practice, check in during a game and see the live feed, or just see as is the case right now, construction.

It would also be a good idea to advance the communications school etc... and webcast as many of our games as possible. There is no reason to not, esp since the major networks that do come, generally blow and know squat about our teams and players, because as in the case of football they are viewed as swill by those people because they know there is no chance in hell they will ever compete for anything more meaningful than a league title.
ITs time to start planning for the coming separation between the demigod schools and the rest of us. Put into action a sell able homemade product now and capitalize.

Posted: **Thu Jul 08, 2010 7:12 pm**

BGSU SID wrote:As we're planning for 2010-11 here in Athletics Communications, much of what we do on BGSUFalcons.com is geared towards Falcon fans (alumni, friends of the programs, parents, etc.). I am seeking input from our fans on how we can continue to improve the website and provide content that is useful for our fans. I can’t guarantee that we can do everything suggested but I think it’s important to know what our target audience is interested in. Feel free to post your comments here on Ay-Ziggy-Zoomba.com or, if you would rather, you can e-mail me at [email protected]. Here's a WIDE range of things I'd love to hear about. Feel free to comment on anything else not listed below.

1 - Is Ask the AD a valuable piece of our site? Is the current format (recorded audio) the best way for Falcon fans to receive the information?

I think it is useful, though I sometimes would rather read something like that rather than listen to audio. It makes it easier to skim info I'm not as interested in and focus in on the info I am interested in.

BGSU SID wrote:2 – Are we using social media in a way that is positive for our fans?

Seems to be pretty good from my angle

BGSU SID wrote:A – What information would you like to see from our Twitter page?

Info on upcoming special events/big games, as well as results of every game in the major sports.

BGSU SID wrote:B – Is it a good idea to beef up our use of Facebook in 2010-11?

Couldn't hurt, I suppose.

BGSU SID wrote:C – Do you enjoy/use the live chat features when made available during games?

I personally don't use them, but some people seem to enjoy them.

BGSU SID wrote:D – Do you view the live blogs and the blog site at blog.bgsufalcons.com?

Live blogs, not as much, but I do enjoy seeing blogs from coaches/players. More interaction is never a negative.

BGSU SID wrote:E – Are the videos we provide on YouTube a positive? What other types of videos would you like to see?

They've been great so far, a very good way to share some of the excitement of BG athletics with people who don't normally follow them as closely, as well as a good way to relive exciting moments. Keep a focus on quality and conveying the excitement of BG sports and it can be an even bigger positive.

BGSU SID wrote:3 – Do you subscribe to the E-Newsletter and is it a positive?

I do not subscribe.

BGSU SID wrote:4 – Do you view the photo galleries on a regular basis and are there ways we can improve upon them?

I do look at them on a regular basis, and they seem just fine as they are, no changes necessary.

BGSU SID wrote:5 – Do you subscribe to the text messaging service and how can it be improved upon?

I do subscribe. The only thing I want to see is results for ALL of the games in the sports I subscribed to, not just MAC games and home OOC games. Even if the coverage is a simple listing of the final score, I subscribed because I want to know the results if I'm not able to watch/follow the games live, and when I have to wait until I get home to get online and check a score, it's not useful to have subscribed.

BGSU SID wrote:6 – Do you enjoy some of the special features we provide on BGSUFalcons.com (such as Anderson Memories/Top Moments of 2009-10, etc.)?

Yes. Any effort to point to celebrate the ongoing history of BG athletics has been great so far.

BGSU SID wrote:7 – What things have you seen/used on other college athletic websites that we should incorporate?

Keep what you have, but possibly add some more multimedia (video, pictures) in an easily accessible location. I'd also love to see some "official" desktop backgrounds, etc. using current players as well as some shots of our facilities as well.

BGSU SID wrote:8 – Do you purchase tickets through BGSUFalcons.com and, if so, is that process simple and easy?

Seems fairly easy and straightforward when I've used it. Better than ticket purchasing through other colleges and professional sports teams' sites.

BGSU SID wrote:9 – Have you submitted a bid on an auction and, if so, was that process simple and easy?

I have not.

BGSU SID wrote:10 – Have you purchased anything through the online store (store.bgsufalcons.com) and, if so, was that process simple and easy? What products would you like to see for sale through the online store?

The store needs SERIOUS help. There is very poor product availability, it's difficult to navigate, and we really look like we don't have hardly any merchandise available. Having been in the store, I know this is not the case. Have everything that is available (especially clothing) in the store available online. Also, how difficult is it to get football/etc. jerseys made by Adidas that actually look like the ones our players are wearing? When an outside source has jerseys made by another company that look miles better than the ones you're offering, it's kind of embarassing. BG is not a major school, so merchandise is difficult to find. The official online store needs to be THE place to go for those looking for merchandise that cannot simply stop in to Bowling Green on a regular basis.

BGSU SID wrote:11 – Do you view/listen to the coaches’ weekly press conferences online? Are they a valuable addition to the website?

I view/listen to them periodically. When I do, they seem well put together. I'd suggest that video be used as much as possible over audio, but otherwise, keep up the good work.

BGSU SID wrote:12 – Do you view our .pdf media guides online?

Yes, they are very well done.

BGSU SID wrote:13 – Is there information missing on BGSUFalcons.com that you have looked for in the past, or is any information difficult to find?

Most of the info I've been after, I've been able to find.

BGSU SID wrote:14 – What is your general feeling about BGSUFalcons.com?

Overall, it's a pretty well done website. Biggest issue is the store, and a few touches here and there. Would free streams of games be cool? Of course. Do I expect it? Not really. But keep a focus on the sports and getting in depth, good info to keep fans excited about the programs and I think it should work well.

Posted: **Thu Jul 08, 2010 10:13 pm**

BGSU SID wrote:1 - Is Ask the AD a valuable piece of our site? Is the current format (recorded audio) the best way for Falcon fans to receive the information?

I'd like to see more of a "State of the Department" kind of material. It could just be a straight shot of Mr. Christopher talking into a camera or being interviewed by a small group of media.

BGSU SID wrote:2 – Are we using social media in a way that is positive for our fans?
A – What information would you like to see from our Twitter page?
B – Is it a good idea to beef up our use of Facebook in 2010-11?
C – Do you enjoy/use the live chat features when made available during games?
D – Do you view the live blogs and the blog site at blog.bgsufalcons.com?
E – Are the videos we provide on YouTube a positive? What other types of videos would you like to see?

To be honest I had no idea most of these things existed. One thought I always had was video recaps of contests would be interesting to post with recaps.

BGSU SID wrote:3 – Do you subscribe to the E-Newsletter and is it a positive?

Again, had no idea this existed.

BGSU SID wrote:4 – Do you view the photo galleries on a regular basis and are there ways we can improve upon them?

The pictures are great. But, we need to make our facilities more "media friendly." It's pretty sad there's no unobstructed area to shoot at the Ice Arena. When the offer was made to the Ice Arena director to have a member of this board PAY for the replacement glass for these areas the money was declined.

BGSU SID wrote:5 – Do you subscribe to the text messaging service and how can it be improved upon?

We have a texting service? I know we used to have one but it had a monthly cost.

BGSU SID wrote:6 – Do you enjoy some of the special features we provide on BGSUFalcons.com (such as Anderson Memories/Top Moments of 2009-10, etc.)?

Yes times 1,000. Please do more of these type of features. I never get tired hearing about our past.

BGSU SID wrote:7 – What things have you seen/used on other college athletic websites that we should incorporate?

A better connection to our history and more classic photos.

BGSU SID wrote:8 – Do you purchase tickets through BGSUFalcons.com and, if so, is that process simple and easy?

Hate it, hate Ticketmaster. The fees alone have made me spend less money on games.

BGSU SID wrote:9 – Have you submitted a bid on an auction and, if so, was that process simple and easy?

The process seems easy but every auction has been way above my price range.

BGSU SID wrote:10 – Have you purchased anything through the online store (store.bgsufalcons.com) and, if so, was that process simple and easy? What products would you like to see for sale through the online store?

Our Fan Store is awful. PLEASE offer more authentic gear (like the vintage baseball uniforms/caps).

BGSU SID wrote:11 – Do you view/listen to the coaches’ weekly press conferences online? Are they a valuable addition to the website?

Since I was involved with most of the hockey ones, sure!

BGSU SID wrote:12 – Do you view our .pdf media guides online?

Yes, I just wish they were posted sooner. There were a few that didn't go up till halfway through their respective seasons last year.

BGSU SID wrote:13 – Is there information missing on BGSUFalcons.com that you have looked for in the past, or is any information difficult to find?

All-time player lists, an interactive hall-of-fame, This Day in History.

BGSU SID wrote:14 – What is your general feeling about BGSUFalcons.com?

The redesign was a good start but it's not the best looking site I've ever seen. The header/banner needs a major overhaul. Something simple like our long-hand logo:

Thanks for the survey!

Posted: **Fri Jul 09, 2010 10:31 am**

The store is terrible. I played football at BG, and am a bigger man. They rarely if ever have 3x or bigger in any styles that look good.

Posted: **Fri Jul 09, 2010 11:58 am**

This...1000X this...I'm 6-5 and around 300lbs...th official store offers
slim pickings for a macho man of my dimensions...

Posted: **Fri Jul 09, 2010 3:21 pm**

Flipper wrote:This...1000X this...I'm 6-5 and around 300lbs...th official store offers
slim pickings for a macho man of my dimensions...

Eh, just tear the sleeves off and cut it off mid-torso, you'll look fine.

But in fairness to the original post, I don't think the SID's office has much to do with ordering shirts for the bookstore. If they do, tell that pederast Cihon to get off of Twitter and send me a hockey jersey.

Posted: **Fri Jul 09, 2010 3:57 pm**

TG1996 wrote:
Flipper wrote:This...1000X this...I'm 6-5 and around 300lbs...th official store offers
slim pickings for a macho man of my dimensions...
Eh, just tear the sleeves off and cut it off mid-torso, you'll look fine.

But in fairness to the original post, I don't think the SID's office has much to do with ordering shirts for the bookstore. If they do, tell that pederast Cihon to get off of Twitter and send me a hockey jersey.

The question re: bookstore INCLUDED: "items you'd like to see included" etc. It's why I mentioned the lack of the "talking" items, now found in nearly all card shops etc. When my OSU son opened bottles and I had to listen to Across the Field being played, it gave me the idea to propose to BG's bookstore manager...Funny thing was..a couple of students were nearby when I mentioned this...they said they'd "stand in line" to get one of those with a BG tune imbedded. Add the greeting cards and stuffed animals etc. and I have a hard time believing they could'nt get rid of "thousands" of those within a reasonable amount of time.

Posted: **Fri Jul 09, 2010 4:12 pm**

Just wanted to check in and say that I'm logging every note and suggestion in this thread. I appreciate all the comments so far and have found a few things that I think we can definitely work on in the short term with some other things we can put on the list for longer-term goals. Please continue to post your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions.

As far as the bookstore goes, while you are right that we have nothing to do with the actual merchandise sold, we do work with those in charge of the online bookstore in a lot of ways and I will at least get the thoughts and feelings in front of the right people.

Keep those comments coming!

Posted: **Fri Jul 09, 2010 5:22 pm**

Class of 61 wrote: The question re: bookstore INCLUDED: "items you'd like to see included" etc.

Ha! I guess you're right.
Maybe I just subliminally wanted to take a shot at Cihon.

Posted: **Fri Jul 09, 2010 5:40 pm**

To answer a few of the original questions ... I love the coach's shows being on video. I watch the football ones every week, both pre-game and post-game. I don't follow the social networking stuff at all ... I'm part of the solution, not part of the problem, so I don't have a Twitter account ... but it would be cool if Coach's shows were tweated. And if they are, again, I don't have Twitter.

I love all the .pdfs online. Lots of info there.

Never have bid on an auction but some of the stuff is really cool. Could there be some less expensive stuff too? I don't just mean lower the prices, but put some lower profile stuff on there. The original Falcon logo from the Doyt went on a while back, and if it weren't so damn expensive and big, I'd have considered buying it. Something of that high profile and with that much history and originality, though, is totally out of my range. But lower profile stuff may have a good market. Example ... how about after each home win, one of the game balls would be autographed by Coach Clawson and the offensive and defensive MVP of the game and then auctioned off on the site.

And the special features are great. More of them maybe? I was working on a project a little while back which could have worked here but my old computer died, I got pissed off, and I haven't continued working on it since. But it was cool. If I ever have a ton of spare time on my hands again, I might resume working on it.

And for the merchandising discussion ...

Minor sidestepping point but related to the extra merchandise and cool stuff that sings at you. It's hard to put my finger on this one, so I'll ramble and maybe make a point. Everybody on this board knows this is par for the course for me.

The University of Cincinnati has in the past few years gone from being a "mid major" to being "one of the big schools." One of the best marketing schemes I've ever seen was their creative t-shirt ...

... which sold like hotcakes (and I bought one), and of course, WLW's fun with it ... http://www.700wlw.com/pages/buckeyeState.html

UC effectively and proudly flipped off that place in Columbus and proclaimed themselves as a big school, and as expected generated a ton of buzz. If BG can come up with something bold like that, it will get noticed. It doesn't have to be bold in terms of sticking our middle talon out at those morons in Columbus who apparently type a ton of "misspelled profanity-laced e-mails", but something original, bold, and I guess ballsy.

Just my $.02.

Posted: **Sat Jul 10, 2010 1:16 am**

BGSU SID wrote:
As far as the bookstore goes, while you are right that we have nothing to do with the actual merchandise sold, we do work with those in charge of the online bookstore in a lot of ways and I will at least get the thoughts and feelings in front of the right people.

Keep those comments coming!

That's certainly understandable. At the very least, having the online store better reflect what is available in the actual on-campus store would be a HUGE step in the right direction.

Posted: **Sat Jul 10, 2010 12:50 pm**

IronFalcon77 wrote:The store is terrible. I played football at BG, and am a bigger man. They rarely if ever have 3x or bigger in any styles that look good.

Would this be a cat named "Gilbo" by chance?

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