@LATechSports Announces North Endzone Facility Plan

[HogDawg]

Does an occasional game in Independence Stadium do that for us? Does an annual game in Shreveport do that for us?

Has it ever done so before?

Remember, I did say we need to play some mens and women's BB games in Shreveport too. So, it's not just one thing. It's a MARKET thing. LA Tech needs more partnerships in the Shreveport-Bossier market. So, to your point, proactively playing football games in Shreveport leads to other engagements as well. For instance, partnering with game sponsors, local city governments, local alumni and fan groups, bowl sponsors, etc... all this leads to better SUPPORT for Tech in a market that we will CLAIM.

UNT has done an excellent job of this in the DFW area. Remember, Denton is not in Dallas or Tarrant (Ft Worth) county. It's 35+ miles from downtown Dallas. But over the last 5 years, UNT has done a great job of partnering with many local organizations in these other metro counties, including partnering with the Dallas Cowboys to sponsor academic and internship opportunities for students, they sponsored the NIT Men's basketball Tournament (in Frisco), they sponsored the CUSA mens and women's basketball tournaments in Frisco, and many more. THIS IS WHAT LA TECH HAS TO DO!

[HogDawg]

If you have a small market like La Tech even if you include Monroe and Shreveport, you have to draw a large percentage of TV’s and butts in the seats. We don’t draw either. I spent Thanksgiving day with 4 Tech alumni in Shreveport and had to inform them of what was going on at La Tech. They all graduated from 1992-1996.

You are simply proving my point, and proving why Tech needs to start investing in the S-B market. How do you know LA Tech can't draw a large percentage of TV's or butts in seats in Shreveport when we haven't played there in almost 10 years? Do you have some kind of magical powers we all don't know about? All I know is, the last time Tech played a regular season game at Indy Stadium (2012), we drew over 40K fans, and it was TV that had folks sitting on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.

But again, the AAC doesn't care how many fans you draw to a game, or how many people actually watch your product on TV. The care about the number of TV's IN THE MARKET. That's what they want to see.

[eagle2180]

Remember, I did say we need to play some mens and women's BB games in Shreveport too. So, it's not just one thing. It's a MARKET thing. LA Tech needs more partnerships in the Shreveport-Bossier market. So, to your point, proactively playing football games in Shreveport leads to other engagements as well. For instance, partnering with game sponsors, local city governments, local alumni and fan groups, bowl sponsors, etc... all this leads to better SUPPORT for Tech in a market that we will CLAIM.

UNT has done an excellent job of this in the DFW area. Remember, Denton is not in Dallas or Tarrant (Ft Worth) county. It's 35+ miles from downtown Dallas. But over the last 5 years, UNT has done a great job of partnering with many local organizations in these other metro counties, including partnering with the Dallas Cowboys to sponsor academic and internship opportunities for students, they sponsored the NIT Men's basketball Tournament (in Frisco), they sponsored the CUSA mens and women's basketball tournaments in Frisco, and many more. THIS IS WHAT LA TECH HAS TO DO!

Comparing what UNT has done in the DFW metroplex to what La Tech can do on the I-20 corridor from Vicksburg,MS to Tyler, Tx is laughable. Can you get the Cowboys to sponsor La Tech? It’s closer than the Saint’s. Frisco and surrounding areas like Prosper Rock Hill are booming. Not many new high schools being built on the I-20 corridor in Louisiana.

[techman05]

What about gaining "Market" do you people NOT understand? The AAC could not have sent a clearer message. By jilting Tech last month they essentially said, "Get a phucking market, or forget about joining the AAC". Comments like the one written above sound like something hillbillies say. GET a CLUE PEOPLE. I'm seeing gripes and complaints about everything that's unimportant, and hardly any of you acknowledge the need to claim the 400K Shreveport-Bossier market as LA Tech's.

With all the games I attended in Shreveport for all those years in the 80’s and 90’s I don’t see any lasting benefit from them at all. Maybe it was because we played NMSt. Maybe it was because we got blasted by Miami. Did we have a provable surge in long lasting support from Shreveport folks flocking to Ruston after the A&M game? We will never have the market. You will see Tech gear there worn by fans. Media drives the market and they love lsu and the Cowboys.

[HogDawg]

Comparing what UNT has done in the DFW metroplex to what La Tech can do on the I-20 corridor from Vicksburg,MS to Tyler, Tx is laughable. Can you get the Cowboys to sponsor La Tech? It’s closer than the Saint’s. Frisco and surrounding areas like Prosper Rock Hill are booming. Not many new high schools being built on the I-20 corridor in Louisiana.

Well, with attitudes like yours, I guess LA Tech just needs to roll it up and stay happy in CUSA 5.0, along with Sam Houston St, Jacksonville St and NMSU. You don't appear to be looking for genuine solutions, just poor excuses why you can't get something done. That's what's laughable.

[HogDawg]

With all the games I attended in Shreveport for all those years in the 80’s and 90’s I don’t see any lasting benefit from them at all. Maybe it was because we played NMSt. Maybe it was because we got blasted by Miami. Did we have a provable surge in long lasting support from Shreveport folks flocking to Ruston after the A&M game? We will never have the market. You will see Tech gear there worn by fans. Media drives the market and they love lsu and the Cowboys.

My God, some of ya'll just sound like a bunch of losers! Stop it! It's not "Lousy Anna Tech", it's Louisiana Tech. And we're going to have to partner with sponsors, advertise and do stuff just like everybody else. LOL!

And, as a matter of fact --coincidentally or not-- LA Tech's football attendance peaked in the years immediately after that last game Tech played in Shreveport against TX A&M. From 2013 thru 2016, Tech's football attendance was stronger than anything we've seen since. Then along came J'Mar, and Tech started losing fans every year.

Man....some of you guys are just sad people. Quit making excuses about EVERYTHING! Whether you like it or not, we can't keep doing what we've been doing and expect to get into the AAC. We have to CHANGE things. ("OMG.....there's that change word, Margaret. I told you we don't want no changes around here in north Lousy Anna")

[champion110]

My God, some of ya'll just sound like a bunch of losers! Stop it! It's not "Lousy Anna Tech", it's Louisiana Tech. And we're going to have to partner with sponsors, advertise and do stuff just like everybody else. LOL!

And, as a matter of fact --coincidentally or not-- LA Tech's football attendance peaked in the years immediately after that last game Tech played in Shreveport against TX A&M. From 2013 thru 2016, Tech's football attendance was stronger than anything we've seen since. Then along came J'Mar, and Tech started losing fans every year.

Man....some of you guys are just sad people. Quit making excuses about EVERYTHING! Whether you like it or not, we can't keep doing what we've been doing and expect to get into the AAC. We have to CHANGE things. ("OMG.....there's that change word, Margaret. I told you we don't want no changes around here in north Lousy Anna")

Excellent post! Someone brought up that A&M game too. We had a great team that year and that was one of the most exciting games I have ever attended. It did help us pick up steam at home, as well. I don't think we have EVER done anything to really promote the games that we had there. We have to have a name opponent and we have to truly market (something we have never been very good at doing). Build some excitement about the game and it will pay dividends for the future. Also, you don't stop after the one game. You keep going with billboards and merchandise in the area. We have never convinced Shreveport/Bossier that we are their team. It is time that changed. Even when we tried, we just half a**ed it.

Anyway, your point is the only point that matters. To paraphrase - AAC cares about your market size, not how many butts are in the seats. UTSA is the best example of that. While they have picked up fans by winning recently, they will never be truly San Antonio's team. San Antonio cares about UT and A&M, not UTSA. It is the size of the city. We can't reach that size of city, but we can reach a LOT more by counting the cities close to us. There is not another FBS team that is even close to Shreveport. I will add that we know Shreveport/Bossier are horrible sports towns, but again - we have not tried very hard and no one else is in the position to try.

[techman05]

I am not opposed to change. I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer. I had a legitimate question. Do we have hard numbers of new season ticket holders and LTAC members who weren’t in the fold before a game like A&M or other, but they were after and still are? If our admin had those numbers and they were of any significance, I would hope they would be fighting for more games in S/BC. I am not in the know enough to know for sure that we did half a** the promo of Shreveport games in the past.

[champion110]

I am not opposed to change. I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer. I had a legitimate question. Do we have hard numbers of new season ticket holders and LTAC members who weren’t in the fold before a game like A&M or other, but they were after and still are? If our admin had those numbers and they were of any significance, I would hope they would be fighting for more games in S/BC. I am not in the know enough to know for sure that we did half a** the promo of Shreveport games in the past.

I am unsure of the numbers, but I don't know if that is the point because we haven't done what is needed for the promotions after the game. The point is the population base alone (like us or not) is worth counting. Having a game there each year makes it possible for us to claim it. Similar to Denton and Dallas above or UTSA (not many think about their football program in San Antonio).

[Amos Moses]

All the pros and cons of this concept need to realize this: If we don't put an attractive product on the field and in the minds of people, it matters not where we play football. Ruston is Ruston.....it hasn't grown much even at least in the more than half century I have been either a Tech student or alumni. We have had games in Shreveport that entire time. We keep telling ourselves that playing in Shreveport is the answer. The folks that live in an around Shreveport/Bossier have their collective heads so far up lsu's butt that only seismic activity will relieve them.

What needs to happen is more and better marketing....not a market, per se. When we sell Tech correctly and frequently, a decent amount of people in Shreveport/Bossier will start to notice. "Build it and they will come"......not a stadium or arena....build a persona that Tech is worthy of notice. Once that is accomplished, we will begin to chip off some of the lsu stranglehold they have over the entire North Louisiana area. Until that happens, we could play Notre Dame in Shreveport and it will be a one week event and back to "who does the Tigas play next?"

As someone mentioned above, the LSUS fiasco proves what I just said. Tech needs for that to happen before we really make inroads. State politics and pansy-assed north La. politicians are keeping it from happening. Tech needs to take a few lessons from the USL bunch, and attempt to overcome the lsu stranglehold.

[Champ967]

Dangit -- yall know how I feel about agreeing with HD, but ... I agree that the occasional game in S'port is a good thing. But with some caveats:

1) Not more than once / year.

2) Needs to be the right team. Either P5 or a high-profile G5 with a nat'l following. (eg. BYU, AFA). Great Shreveport games I remember include vs. Cal, Baylor, TAMU, Miami, OK St.

3) Must market the ever-living spit out of it for no less than 2 months leading up it -- billboards, print, SM, radio, etc.

4) Off-site parking with reliable shuttle service.

5) Do it consistently for no less than 4-5 consective years before making any judgements about it's effectiveness re: "market"

OPTIONAL:

6) Ideally -- this game should be the same weekend every year. So everyone KNOWS that Tech ALWAYS has their big game on THIS particular weekend EVERY autumn.

7) Game needs to have a name. But without the word "classic". And one that highlights SBC / NWLA, not necessarily Tech.

8) We should seriously consider partnering such a game with the State Fair. (I know some folks feel like that represents the bad-old days or bush-league times. But we're not talking about playing NSU here.) I'm thinking combo-tickets, carnival / midway / family atmosphere, and a full day of available activities leading up to evening kickoff.

[sportdawg]

I do think we need to market ourselves to Shreveport, but only the larger games (like an A&M or Arkansas). Never play a conference game in Shreveport. Skip was good about bringing the team over for a practice during preseason, and I hope Crumbie continues that.

We also need to promote all of our sports in the S/BC. Having a game a year at the Brookshire's Grocery Arena, like LSU, is good. Maybe we can play here every couple of years (I don't want to lose home games at the TAC).

Basketball needs to play exhibition games vs. Centenary & LSUS, maybe even have an exhibition game in Shreveport/Bossier if a sponsor pays (or even the Gold Dome). I remember as a kid, the basketball team practiced at Captain Shreve one year.

If there were a Baseball stadium in Shreveport, I'd love a weekday game over here.

We also need our coaches, players, & AD talking on sports radio & personal interest stories on sports broadcasts.

[champion110]

Dangit -- yall know how I feel about agreeing with HD, but ... I agree that the occasional game in S'port is a good thing. But with some caveats:

1) Not more than once / year.

2) Needs to be the right team. Either P5 or a high-profile G5 with a nat'l following. (eg. BYU, AFA). Great Shreveport games I remember include vs. Cal, Baylor, TAMU, Miami, OK St.

3) Must market the ever-living spit out of it for no less than 2 months leading up it -- billboards, print, SM, radio, etc.

4) Off-site parking with reliable shuttle service.

5) Do it consistently for no less than 4-5 consective years before making any judgements about it's effectiveness re: "market"

OPTIONAL:

6) Ideally -- this game should be the same weekend every year. So everyone KNOWS that Tech ALWAYS has their big game on THIS particular weekend EVERY autumn.

7) Game needs to have a name. But without the word "classic". And one that highlights SBC / NWLA, not necessarily Tech.

8) We should seriously consider partnering such a game with the State Fair. (I know some folks feel like that represents the bad-old days or bush-league times. But we're not talking about playing NSU here.) I'm thinking combo-tickets, carnival / midway / family atmosphere, and a full day of available activities leading up to evening kickoff.

Exactly!

[Dawgonit]

Dangit -- yall know how I feel about agreeing with HD, but ... I agree that the occasional game in S'port is a good thing. But with some caveats:

1) Not more than once / year.

2) Needs to be the right team. Either P5 or a high-profile G5 with a nat'l following. (eg. BYU, AFA). Great Shreveport games I remember include vs. Cal, Baylor, TAMU, Miami, OK St.

3) Must market the ever-living spit out of it for no less than 2 months leading up it -- billboards, print, SM, radio, etc.

4) Off-site parking with reliable shuttle service.

5) Do it consistently for no less than 4-5 consective years before making any judgements about it's effectiveness re: "market"

OPTIONAL:

6) Ideally -- this game should be the same weekend every year. So everyone KNOWS that Tech ALWAYS has their big game on THIS particular weekend EVERY autumn.

7) Game needs to have a name. But without the word "classic". And one that highlights SBC / NWLA, not necessarily Tech.

8) We should seriously consider partnering such a game with the State Fair. (I know some folks feel like that represents the bad-old days or bush-league times. But we're not talking about playing NSU here.) I'm thinking combo-tickets, carnival / midway / family atmosphere, and a full day of available activities leading up to evening kickoff.

You've summed up my sentiments exactly. The only thing I'd add is that they have to market this to students as well. Advertise and offer a bus service to and from campus. Make it free for students or if it costs money for passengers, offer a Tech t-shirt included in the price. If I were a student, I would love to take a bus, spend all day at the fair, see Tech play Texas A&M for example and then ride back to campus and party.

If Texas and Oklahoma can play at the Texas State Fair, there's no reason we can't play at the Louisiana State Fair. We just need to make sure that the opponent is a P5 opponent that will bring many fans (So no Wake Forest or Kansas). I am fine with service academies but I honestly don't think they bring a big crowd so I only see them as a last resort. Definitely no G5 programs. Those games should be played at the Joe.

[HogDawg]

Dangit -- yall know how I feel about agreeing with HD, but ... I agree that the occasional game in S'port is a good thing. But with some caveats:

1) Not more than once / year.

2) Needs to be the right team. Either P5 or a high-profile G5 with a nat'l following. (eg. BYU, AFA). Great Shreveport games I remember include vs. Cal, Baylor, TAMU, Miami, OK St.

3) Must market the ever-living spit out of it for no less than 2 months leading up it -- billboards, print, SM, radio, etc.

4) Off-site parking with reliable shuttle service.

5) Do it consistently for no less than 4-5 consective years before making any judgements about it's effectiveness re: "market"

OPTIONAL:

6) Ideally -- this game should be the same weekend every year. So everyone KNOWS that Tech ALWAYS has their big game on THIS particular weekend EVERY autumn.

7) Game needs to have a name. But without the word "classic". And one that highlights SBC / NWLA, not necessarily Tech.

8) We should seriously consider partnering such a game with the State Fair. (I know some folks feel like that represents the bad-old days or bush-league times. But we're not talking about playing NSU here.) I'm thinking combo-tickets, carnival / midway / family atmosphere, and a full day of available activities leading up to evening kickoff.

I'm officially in shock. I agree with Champ967, 100% on this subject. Good post.