Panthers To Play Back at Klotsche

[dutchpthr]

Jun 28, 2012 10:03:21 GMT -6 PantherLou said:

I understand and share a lot of the concerns that people have with this decision. But I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt to Mike Lovell and Andy Geiger that this is not a knee-jerk reaction intended solely to save money.

If it is - we'll know soon enough. For now, I'll decide to look on the bright side and assume that it is part of a calculated strategy.

That's not to say that it's not without risk - it is VERY risky. But in my experience, there are very few growth plans out there for business that don't involve risk.

Jun 28, 2012 10:25:26 GMT -6 JG Panthers said:

It has been 2 days since the announcement. I think it's insanely unreasonable to expect them to reveal their "master plan" to everyone, especially when that master plan is very clearly not finished. To leak unfinished details to the public would be very amateur for someone who has decades of experience in this arena. You can either trust that the right decision and plan is being formulated by two qualified individuals (Geiger and Lovell), or you can give up. I choose the former despite the fact that the latter is all this bandwagon, front running, faithless town has ever known.

Thank you gentlemen! I have a lot more faith in people who HAVE actually had to make the decisions and then some before then those who have not. And JG is rite, there is no sense in rolling out a plan when the details may still be getting ironed out completely and there is no reason that they would be rolled out 2 days after a major announcement that the program just made.

I trust the people in charge our new Chancellor (who is from a major athletic school before) and an AD (who is from multiple major athletic schools before) to make the tough decisions and difficult decisions that this program needs to fully grow in the proper way, and I have a hard time with the fact more people are not seeing that.

I am not saying this is the decision that everyone is in favor of, and it would appear it isn't but at the same time change does lead to innovation, so as those i quoted have said, let's all step back from the ledge a bit and take a breathe and relax and give the men in charge who know much more then the average fan the chance to do what they do best and get us back on track as a program.

[Pantherholic]

Again, this is a calculated risk which means this could fail miserably OR it could work out in the end. Like everyone else, I'm sure as hell hoping it works. Many on here complained about how crappy of a deal we had for the Cell so having more of the same would've solved absolutely nothing. As for finding out what their plan is, its going to take awhile because they need to see how this works. If you think Lovell and Geiger made this decision to deliberately alienate people than you truly are stupid. I mean you should have to wear a badge, button, sticker or something to let everyone else know what kind of moron you are.

Also its funny hearing people talk about cancelling their season tickets because of this. I get the unhappiness as I'll hate going to the KC myself but they're doing this in part to gauge interest from not only students and the community but CONTINUED support from the season-ticket holders. Don't you think cancelling your plan could push them one step closer to staying at the KC permanently? Granted you'll complain about too even though you played a direct role in that decision.

Geiger's no moron and his resume has proven it. This isn't some knee-jerk reaction or anything of the sort. Like someone else said, they're not going to come out with a plan before its done. That will take time. Do you turn in projects/reports to your work when they're not complete? No? What do you want them to say? "Well ideally this is what we're hoping for but we gotta wait and see what happens with a, b & c first SO we're not real sure how this'll play out yet but we'll keep you posted!" Yeah that'd go over REAL well.

[JG Panthers]

Jun 28, 2012 11:14:48 GMT -6 Pantherholic said:

Also its funny hearing people talk about cancelling their season tickets because of this. I get the unhappiness as I'll hate going to the KC myself but they're doing this in part to gauge interest from not only students and the community but CONTINUED support from the season-ticket holders. Don't you think cancelling your plan could push them one step closer to staying at the KC permanently? Granted you'll complain about too even though you played a direct role in that decision.

This was my thought exactly... I live an hour and a half away from campus, so I've never been able to justify getting season tickets since I can't make most weekday games anyways, but I'm considering purchasing season tickets just to show my support for the program. I've never once gone to a Panther game at the Cell because of the arena or its surroundings. I can't imagine why that would change for me now. Clearly, it has affected some of you, but I'll never understand it.

[ghostofdylan]

I figured that the move would be an extremely polarizing one.

I would certainly hope and expect that all the pros and cons were taken into account before it was made.

At the end of the day, I have faith in Mike and Andy to choose the right path, even if it entails some bumpy patches along the way.

I think that my trepidation stems from some people in the department who pre-date Andy's arrival. With this move, much of the old way of thinking about ourselves has to be discarded.

I loved the way Andy answered the question about branding yesterday on WSSP: "Frankly, I find myself calling us by three or four different names. I think that a program doesn't need a strong brand to achieve excellence, but it does require one for identity and sustainability."

[uwmfansince1997]

Jun 27, 2012 10:52:21 GMT -6 uwmfutbol said:

Now that I've had a night to sleep on this, I've decided this may be the last straw for UWM as a D1 program. It has been pointed out that the new Union will take priority over this new arena, and that won't be completed for nearly six years. The University is already moving forward with its three new graduate schools, and I'm sure they're going to keep expanding their PhD programs. This is all excellent from an academic standpoint, but I just don't see how athletics are going to be a priority going forward. There's too little interest in the area, and even the die hard fans on this board are now questioning whether or not they'll show up. That's all you really need to know. There aren't enough pure fans who want to watch the team just to support them. I think we're too spoiled by environments like the BC for Marquette, anything Wisconsin related, Miller Park, and Lambeau.

I hope I'm wrong. It's insane how successful UWM athletics are despite a non-existent fan following and pitiful resources. It'd be a shame to squander it. But perhaps Lovell sees this University as a UC-San Diego: a major research university without the athletics.

Good(maybe great) things come to those who wait. Believe you me, what goes around comes around and we've paid our dues.

[panther9193]

Jun 28, 2012 11:14:48 GMT -6 Pantherholic said:

Again, this is a calculated risk which means this could fail miserably OR it could work out in the end. Like everyone else, I'm sure as hell hoping it works. Many on here complained about how crappy of a deal we had for the Cell so having more of the same would've solved absolutely nothing. As for finding out what their plan is, its going to take awhile because they need to see how this works. If you think Lovell and Geiger made this decision to deliberately alienate people than you truly are stupid. I mean you should have to wear a badge, button, sticker or something to let everyone else know what kind of moron you are.

Also its funny hearing people talk about cancelling their season tickets because of this. I get the unhappiness as I'll hate going to the KC myself but they're doing this in part to gauge interest from not only students and the community but CONTINUED support from the season-ticket holders. Don't you think cancelling your plan could push them one step closer to staying at the KC permanently? Granted you'll complain about too even though you played a direct role in that decision.

Geiger's no moron and his resume has proven it. This isn't some knee-jerk reaction or anything of the sort. Like someone else said, they're not going to come out with a plan before its done. That will take time. Do you turn in projects/reports to your work when they're not complete? No? What do you want them to say? "Well ideally this is what we're hoping for but we gotta wait and see what happens with a, b & c first SO we're not real sure how this'll play out yet but we'll keep you posted!" Yeah that'd go over REAL well.

I understand that some will resort to name calling when their argument is weak and I'm fine with that. I also understand that my words will be twisted to try to strengthen a point of view. Just to be clear, I never said they DELIBERATELY tried to alienate fans but, like it or not, they did alienate many of them and they need to recognize and address that so they don't lose those fans.

[kingsteve]

Emotional for sure and I do not see name calling but some real passionate opinions. I would offer some thoughts though in addition:

<not saying Geiger and Lovell are intentionally doing something incompetent. Would be stupid to say that of course but that does not mean it is not. If intentions were everything we would still be in Vietnam because LBJ "must know more than we do" so lets trust...did not get to President by being stupid...talk about handling a big program (USA) but I digress..

<What concerns me is the quick way it was announced without any real framing. Of course we can not expect specifics on an action plan but certainly it is not unrealistic to get some sort of statement along the lines of "this is part of a temporary action to conserve money" as we plan to build an on campus facility within the next so many years and a formal campaign will follow shortly. This is more along the lines of we are spending additonal money on KC and a practice facility but no real mention of anything beyond that. Ok, maybe there is something coming but frankly there better be or in 2 -3 years I see this whole thing sinking down to permanent KC . They are going to "assess" the situation. Who knows if Geiger will even be here 3 years hence. Somthing seems awfully fishy here.

<As far as being band wagon and front runners careful...a lot of people myself included have gone through more ups and downs in this program since Baker Field House before some of the people making accusations were even born. To come all the way to NCAA and Sweet Sixteen, U S Cell and now go back to the KC not knowing it is permanent or not is a lot to ask based on what? We have seen more incompetence and back and forth that this is the last straw in a way unless we have some definitive assurance. There was supposed to be an Athletics Master plan well before this . Now we are just starting yet another and will assess down the line in a few years if students pack the garbage can I mean Klotsche. We save a money on U S Cell but are putting it into the Klotsche? Where is that coming out ahead for a new facility unless we are planning on staying there all along. We need more even if it is general strategic vision , understand they can not publish an exact plan in 2 days. Give me a break and some credit here...

<At this point have to vote with my feet this year. If something definitive is announced I will re-subscribe and start donating again but at some point enough is enough. They really should have thought of the fallout or reaction. My biggest question is this happened so quickly?

<did anyone survey the customers? As a season ticket holder, alumni, donor etc wondering if anyone was asked how they would view and react to this? If not they should not blame anyone and I am certainly not going to take the blame for staying at KC permanently. They should be prepared and take ownership and accountability for the results.

[Pounce Needs Pals]

Jun 28, 2012 9:44:05 GMT -6 ghostofdylan said:

Last year, the season-ticket base was 1,600. This problem must be addressed. I'm not sitting on bleachers.

Who knows how much of that was the 2 for $99 deal. 400 to 700.

UWM Ticket Staff should do an open house. As season-tickets holders can pick out their seats.

[JG Panthers]

Jun 28, 2012 13:56:21 GMT -6 kingsteve said:

<As far as being band wagon and front runners careful...a lot of people myself included have gone through more ups and downs in this program since Baker Field House before some of the people making accusations were even born.

I apologize if you took my comment as a shot at you. From what I've heard, you don't fit that description in the least. I'm just not going to give up on the program because I have a strong feeling that there is more than meets the eye here... I'm only imploring others to have the same patience I'm trying to practice myself.

[kingsteve]

JG

Seriously, did not take this as personal affront. Just in general I obviously am really upset because I care so darn much. The UWM mens program has been a passion of mine since the 1970's and it is really hard to take a move back to the KC . Very upset with the way the program has drifted under Jeter and certainly not all his fault though. The university and AD have reversed , vacillated and had more studies than one can count and here we are? Lovell and Geiger have credentials to be sure but frankly given the budget limitations and other factors not ready to believe without verification any more , even with these guys. This has been handled horribly IMO but based on UWM track record this should not come as a surprise. I love this university but unless there is something concrete to pin hopes on beyond just the undefined possibility of something happening years down the road I just am not going to spend time and money on attending games at the KC. Will enjoy Bill Johnson on the radio. Call it protest or voting with ones feet but my position even a couple years ago was I would attend games back at the Klotsche if it was definitively tied to a plan for a new arena. We do not even have a general implied commitment on that much less a statement of intent.

[nohopspanther]

Jun 28, 2012 9:44:05 GMT -6 ghostofdylan said:

Can they get an audience at freshmen orientation or at least move-in day?

There, I would imagine that you have a captive audience of at least 4,000.


And please don't tell me that this was tried in 1997 or 2002 and didn't work. I don't want to hear it. It's 2012 and this program's been to the tournament three times, to the NIT twice and won or shared four regular-season conference titles.

The incoming freshman were in 6th grade the last time the team was in the big dance. They won't give a damn about what the team did 7 seasons ago when it's been mediocre ever since.

[tyrunner0097]

The only way Geiger is going to win back season-ticket holders/boosters, is if he makes public, before the fall semester begins, what his full intentions for the program arena-wise are. Whether he is fully for renovating/modernizing the KC or building a new on-campus arena.

If he has a solid plan that can basically tell season-ticket holders, boosters, student fans, and alums "Just stick it out in the KC for a few years, and by then we will be doing this (Whatever it will be)," That MAY be enough.

That's what Im hoping for, at least. For now, with Geiger on this whole scenario so far, I'm long on trust, a little short on faith.

[uwmfutbol]

I wouldn't criticize the Department for doing this; they're doing what they need to do to potentially push this program forward. My problem is the inevitable exodus of our small amount of casual fans. As has been stated, it's really ironic that they want to gauge interest in being on campus (not necessarily in the KC long term), and yet people are bailing because they don't want to watch a game at the KC. I don't think a single person does--they're just looking at the bigger picture.

[ghostofdylan]

Jun 28, 2012 15:17:23 GMT -6 nohopspanther said:

Jun 28, 2012 9:44:05 GMT -6 ghostofdylan said:

Can they get an audience at freshmen orientation or at least move-in day?

There, I would imagine that you have a captive audience of at least 4,000.


And please don't tell me that this was tried in 1997 or 2002 and didn't work. I don't want to hear it. It's 2012 and this program's been to the tournament three times, to the NIT twice and won or shared four regular-season conference titles.

The incoming freshman were in 6th grade the last time the team was in the big dance. They won't give a damn about what the team did 7 seasons ago when it's been mediocre ever since.

So, that's it? We shouldn't even have the coaches and players try to sell the program?

Let's just have a participation sport, draw 700, drop down to D-3 and curl up in the fetal position.

[Pantherholic]

I'm very much hoping Geiger will be at the golf outing and I really hope he can give at least some kind of update to the plan. I agree that from a PR standpoint this should've been handled better because finding out like this feels rather sh*tty. Obviously there's not a whole lot Rob and co. can say about it and of course they'll say its a great idea b/c its an even worse PR move to speak against it if that's how they truly feel. It goes without saying but hopefully those out there who will be able to attend let any/all from the dept know we're going to want some kind of answers sooner rather than later.

Also, any who do give up their tickets I don't consider band-wagoners, casual fans, or anything like that and I understand the reasoning however it can have just as adversely of an effect in that it could very much cause us to stay at the KC permanently.