New Falcon Club rules

[JoeFalcon]

To answer Professor Jackson,

Yes, from working the tent at the FC, the beer is a big deal, especially on A) a tight budget and B) when it's consumed by non-members game after game.

I wasn't sure what you were getting at when you said "We have a lot of other problems." From my perspective, Falcon football games are some of the best hours spent of the entire year. Is it tough to get a hot dog sometimes? Perhaps. Are the railings pink? I guess. We can go on and on, but watching the team I love score 40+ points every game and routinely humiliate the opposition more than makes up for minor, rather trivial inconvieiences that might be experienced. Seeing mooches invade the tent and make a mockery out of Falcon Club membership priviledges irks me more than anything else. Maybe it's just me.

I think the current policies (families included, no repreat members) makes sense, and I agree with Dayton that entertaining could/should be done in another avenue.

[It's the Journey...]

I can see the reasoning behind the policy and even agree with most of it. However, I do disagree with having a person be able to be a guest only once per season. I have had friends that I have brought to the tent and got them to join after three games. Once gives potential members a taste of the benifits the Falcon Club has to offer, but sometimes it takes a little more thatn that. To me, gaining a member is worth allowing them into the area (with the $10.00 cost) for multiple games. This may be what pushes them over the edge to join.

[professorjackson]

(Spouses & children of members are considered members)


I don't think that was on the card my colleague had. Otherwise he would not have been so peeved.

The beer is really that expensive?

Finally, by bigger problems I meant attendance.

[NWLB]

I haven't gone to the tent for a couple of seasons now, and frankly the new rules make it much more likely I will go back, as Liz, Victoria, and "The October Surprise" will appreciate the more civil space to occupy. The crowds and beer guzzling types were a turn-off of late.

There aren’t many “exclusive” things about being a BGSU fan or FC member, so any little thing helps.

My real interest is in what version of these rules are going into effect at the Ice Arena. The Tent I can see using the rule, but Hockey? That might be pushing matters a bit.

[bgmaggot00]

I've never been to the tent, but I must ask this. Even with the "once per season" rule for guests, is there any way for them to feasibly police this rule? I can't imagine that they'll have a bouncer at the door with an excell spreadsheet documenting who's brought who to each game, do you?

[Dayons_Den]

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[It's the Journey...]

I can't imagine that they'll have a bouncer at the door with an excell spreadsheet documenting who's brought who to each game, do you?

Actually, that is just what I expect to happen. In the past members have had to sign in their guests, so the system is already in place.

[njesse99]

Just to be clear, I am the colleage of Dr. Jackson who showed him the card that I received in the mail. The tone of the card was like a parent scolding a child. And the card did not mention any family privileges.

On a related note, David recruiting me into the Falcon Club a couple of years ago--by of course inviting me into the tent as a guest. I had season tickets since the first day I arrived at BGSU (1999) but had never considered joining the Falcon Club--until I got into the tent and enjoyed the hospitality and atmosphere in there. I was so impressed that I decided to become a donor to the Athletic program. So the tent does work to recruit.

But, I would never have entered the tent if I would have had to pay $10. I think the price is a bit high. The Falcon Club should be exclusive-- to donors and guests--but it should not think of itself so highly that it turns away and/or offends potential members. Supporters of BGSU who might "mooch" are still supporters of BGSU! Let's find a way to encourage them to join-not a way to put up a wall between donors and non-donors. A hurdle maybe--but not a wall.

Neal Jesse

[BGFan]

I haven't gone to the tent for a couple of seasons now, and frankly the new rules make it much more likely I will go back, as Liz, Victoria, and "The October Surprise" will appreciate the more civil space to occupy. The crowds and beer guzzling types were a turn-off of late.

There aren’t many “exclusive” things about being a BGSU fan or FC member, so any little thing helps.

My real interest is in what version of these rules are going into effect at the Ice Arena. The Tent I can see using the rule, but Hockey? That might be pushing matters a bit.

Given that the beer has to be paid for at the ice arena, my guess is the rules will be relaxed, but who knows. There's a big difference between the two...not the least of which is the number of fans at a football game compared to hockey.

[JoeFalcon]

It's unfortunate that you interpreted it that way, but I think a message had to be sent because of the rampant abuse of the policy.

In your case, the system worked like it was intended as you only had to attend once to realize that joining the Falcon Club (for tent priviledges, to help the athletes, etc.) was worthwhile. The issue is multiple attendees whose motives are irrelated to supporting the university and are centered solely on mooching popcorn and alcohol.

$10 seems like a good starting point, especially considering the ticket prices are the lowest (by far) of any Top 25 team just to get in the place to see the game. $10 is a high enough figure to serve as a deterrent for the moochers while also attracting those genuinly interested in membership. Would $5 cast a larger net and attract those who might be hesitant to pay $10? Perhaps, but if $5 is the tipping point in supporting or not supporting the Falcon Club, I'd rather cut those losses and keep the $10 to defray the beer costs, especially considering membership levels run as low as $50. Unfortunately, not everyone has intentions as genuine as yourself, Mr. Jesse, and that needs to be factored in as well.

Professor Jackson sounds like an excellent ambassodor for the University and exactly the type of person needed on the faculty, and it's unfortunate the moochers have to make things more difficult for people who intend to use the incentive/guest system as it is intended.

[professorjackson]

Thanks for the kind words JoeFalcon.

Also, it seems like they are really going to clamp down on beer drinking during the game. I admit I've violated that rule by stockpiling a few before opening kickoff.

Quick Q -- what's the reason for that rule? Is it NCAA or BGSU policy?

[Schadenfreude]

Is it NCAA or BGSU policy?

BGSU policy. I don't think the NCAA regulates on beer at events.

[professorjackson]

If that's BGSU policy, does anyone else disagree with it? Do they think a bunch of alumni, hard-core supporters, faculty and so on are going to get out of control if we drink during the actual game? Sheesh!

[transfer2BGSU]

I recall seeing a number of people with four and five beers per person on their table during the game a few years back. So last year, they instituted no beer during the games.

Pretty good rule and this years new policies indicate they are reviewing the situation each year.

I don't think there will be a major change to the lounge at the Ice Arena because you had to purchase your beverage over there (as has previously been mentioned).