[doubledub]

Copy of an email sent to Stanford, interesting in the perspective of others:

1.  It was great to have such a brobdingnagian crowd, but seating the family plan section was a disaster.  It really seems like there were more people than seats.

2.  It would have been very nice to have received a handout of some sort listing all the players by name and uniform number.  Considering the brobdingnagian and apparently successful marketing effort, by guess is that last night and this season there will be lots of people new to the team.  Instead of requiring people to buy a program to get that info, why not hand out a 1 pager with some info?  I imagine this would help get more buy in as people can actually identify the players more easily.

3.  The new scoreboard is no better than the old scoreboard because you still can't see the replays very clearly.  Only 1/3 of the board is actually used for video.  We thought it would be a good idea if - at least for replays - the ENTIRE scoreboard was used.  The game clock and score all still being shown elsewhere in the stadium so that brief use of the entire scoreboard for a replay shouldn't be a great inconvenience.  We also noticed that there is a section section of the scoreboard for '#GOSTANFORD" -- that is a total waste of space.

4.  Using the ribbon to show the scores of other games was not effective because the writing is way too small.  The font is either wrong, or the letters are too close together.  Perhaps the change could be as simple as spelling out the names of the schools with a space between each letter.  The statistics being scrolled were easier to read. Whatever fix is possible should be considered.  And for the stats, why not include some player names?

[doubledub]

Copy of an email sent to Stanford, interesting in the perspective of others:

1.  It was great to have such a brobdingnagian crowd, but seating the family plan section was a disaster.  It really seems like there were more people than seats.

2.  It would have been very nice to have received a handout of some sort listing all the players by name and uniform number.  Considering the brobdingnagian and apparently successful marketing effort, by guess is that last night and this season there will be lots of people new to the team.  Instead of requiring people to buy a program to get that info, why not hand out a 1 pager with some info?  I imagine this would help get more buy in as people can actually identify the players more easily.

3.  The new scoreboard is no better than the old scoreboard because you still can't see the replays very clearly.  Only 1/3 of the board is actually used for video.  We thought it would be a good idea if - at least for replays - the ENTIRE scoreboard was used.  The game clock and score all still being shown elsewhere in the stadium so that brief use of the entire scoreboard for a replay shouldn't be a great inconvenience.  We also noticed that there is a section section of the scoreboard for '#GOSTANFORD" -- that is a total waste of space.

4.  Using the ribbon to show the scores of other games was not effective because the writing is way too small.  The font is either wrong, or the letters are too close together.  Perhaps the change could be as simple as spelling out the names of the schools with a space between each letter.  The statistics being scrolled were easier to read. Whatever fix is possible should be considered.  And for the stats, why not include some player names?

[pincemob]

I can't believe they oversold the family section.  Hearing that some families were having to split up is very disappointing.  I gave my seats to a young family (who drove a long way to the game) and I am hoping they didn't have problems.  Like with a movie theater, you have to leave some extra capacity so that those problems don't occur.  I am hoping this was a 1-time deal caused by something like unexpected red-zone attendance, as opposed to a case where they actually oversold the section like an airline would. 

[pincemob]

I can't believe they oversold the family section.  Hearing that some families were having to split up is very disappointing.  I gave my seats to a young family (who drove a long way to the game) and I am hoping they didn't have problems.  Like with a movie theater, you have to leave some extra capacity so that those problems don't occur.  I am hoping this was a 1-time deal caused by something like unexpected red-zone attendance, as opposed to a case where they actually oversold the section like an airline would. 

[Leftcoast]

Here's an example of what often happens on the kid voucher days - I have two season tickets in sideline premium areas and two kids that qualify for vouchers.  In past years Mrs. Lefty and I would enter the stadium using our season tix and then sit with the kids in general admission.  This creates both a "hole" in the premium areas and packs general admission.

I bet this sort of promotion will be phased out as the stadium fills up.

[Leftcoast]

Here's an example of what often happens on the kid voucher days - I have two season tickets in sideline premium areas and two kids that qualify for vouchers.  In past years Mrs. Lefty and I would enter the stadium using our season tix and then sit with the kids in general admission.  This creates both a "hole" in the premium areas and packs general admission.

I bet this sort of promotion will be phased out as the stadium fills up.

[Rando]

Last night was my worst experience @ Stanford stadium and I was really disappointed with everything except the actual game itself.

I went with my Grandpa and we got into the area close to 90 minutes before kickoff. Parking was a mess and part of the problem was I wasn't prepared enough to instruct my grandpa to the right parking.

By the time we got to outside the stadium it was about kickoff time. I should've known better and left earlier. We were at a certain gate and there was the biggest line I ever seen to get through it. Sat in line for about 30 minutes or longer and a cop comes by an says "the other gates have no people". Go to the other gate and get in within 2 minutes. Couldn't believe I didn't think of trying a diff. gate. I was just so bummed out about missing a bunch of plays and not knowing what the hell was going on because I had no internet on cell phone.

And then to top things off, get into the stadium and there is no seating for us. I work for low pay, can barely afford these tix anyways and I drove from Sacramento @ 55 mph because that's what my grandpa goes on the HWY only to have no seat for me and my grandpa, who weighs close to 300lbs and is 68 years old and needed to sit down.

We found seats albeit not in our section. By the time 3rd quarter hit there were plenty of available seats. But I must say last night wasn't a good night and I was very, very frustrated. Would have never thought I'd have a bad experience @ Stanford stadium, the one place I love more than any other place I've been including Vegas.

A lot of the bad stuff was avoidable and my fault. But wouldn't you think someone would direct the like 1,000 fans in line for one gate to other gates? Or don't you think they shouldn't oversell tickets for the family plan? Disappointing to say the least. I hope things get better because I'm willing for forgive/forget because I love everything about Stanford.

[Rando]

Last night was my worst experience @ Stanford stadium and I was really disappointed with everything except the actual game itself.

I went with my Grandpa and we got into the area close to 90 minutes before kickoff. Parking was a mess and part of the problem was I wasn't prepared enough to instruct my grandpa to the right parking.

By the time we got to outside the stadium it was about kickoff time. I should've known better and left earlier. We were at a certain gate and there was the biggest line I ever seen to get through it. Sat in line for about 30 minutes or longer and a cop comes by an says "the other gates have no people". Go to the other gate and get in within 2 minutes. Couldn't believe I didn't think of trying a diff. gate. I was just so bummed out about missing a bunch of plays and not knowing what the hell was going on because I had no internet on cell phone.

And then to top things off, get into the stadium and there is no seating for us. I work for low pay, can barely afford these tix anyways and I drove from Sacramento @ 55 mph because that's what my grandpa goes on the HWY only to have no seat for me and my grandpa, who weighs close to 300lbs and is 68 years old and needed to sit down.

We found seats albeit not in our section. By the time 3rd quarter hit there were plenty of available seats. But I must say last night wasn't a good night and I was very, very frustrated. Would have never thought I'd have a bad experience @ Stanford stadium, the one place I love more than any other place I've been including Vegas.

A lot of the bad stuff was avoidable and my fault. But wouldn't you think someone would direct the like 1,000 fans in line for one gate to other gates? Or don't you think they shouldn't oversell tickets for the family plan? Disappointing to say the least. I hope things get better because I'm willing for forgive/forget because I love everything about Stanford.

[Farm93]

Here's an example of what often happens on the kid voucher days - I have two season tickets in sideline premium areas and two kids that qualify for vouchers.  In past years Mrs. Lefty and I would enter the stadium using our season tix and then sit with the kids in general admission.  This creates both a "hole" in the premium areas and packs general admission.

I bet this sort of promotion will be phased out as the stadium fills up.

When the MBB team was good, the family plan went away.  My guess is a similar event could happen to Stanford Stadium.  I definitely suspect that the kid freebie thing will go away if seats are sold in the corner endzone seats (the most common place for GA overflows to try to occupy).

Not only does the freebie/season ticket marriage create holes in the season ticket area, it also creates an overload in the GA area.

That was part of the reason I decided against trying to get my family up the I-5 with me for the game.  I could tell that we were going to have a GA problem with season ticket holders moving, and did not want to contribute to the problem or deal with that hassle.

I have thought there are many solutions to this problem.

Solution #1 - I sat in an area with 4 unoccupied seats on my right, three empty seats in front of me, and my unused second season ticket on my right.  I could have confidently been able to "invite" 8 GA people to my area if that was acceptable.  If any ticket holder came along we could have found a way to make it work.  It would have been nice for the ushers to try to find if there were "holes" that might be used last night.  Most season ticket holders generally know which ticket neighbors are not going to attend the SJSU game and/or would be in their seats at kickoff if they were coming to the game.

Solution #2 - I definitely understand the 2 adults going to GA to be with their family, but then those season ticket holders should be asked to volunteer their 2 season tickets to GA couples willing to move to those seats.  I have thought about doing that myself, but it is hard to ask people if they are an unattached couple (not with a larger group) without making it odd and potentially inappropriate.  But the AD could have a table up by the arches, and then it would be kind of fun.  You turn in your season tickets, you get a GA ticket and then more flexible GA holders can go to that table to look for possible upgrades.  It would be a little confusing, but better than crazy overflow problems.

Those GA problems have existed before for the SJSU game.  In the past, we have never really sold those corner endzone seats on the west side by the GA and/or above the students, so there was space for more adventurous people to just find a solution on their own.

Oh well, as you noted we probably won't be doing this Freebie thing as long as SJSU is off the schedule and Stanford Football ticket sales are strong.

[Farm93]

Here's an example of what often happens on the kid voucher days - I have two season tickets in sideline premium areas and two kids that qualify for vouchers.  In past years Mrs. Lefty and I would enter the stadium using our season tix and then sit with the kids in general admission.  This creates both a "hole" in the premium areas and packs general admission.

I bet this sort of promotion will be phased out as the stadium fills up.

When the MBB team was good, the family plan went away.  My guess is a similar event could happen to Stanford Stadium.  I definitely suspect that the kid freebie thing will go away if seats are sold in the corner endzone seats (the most common place for GA overflows to try to occupy).

Not only does the freebie/season ticket marriage create holes in the season ticket area, it also creates an overload in the GA area.

That was part of the reason I decided against trying to get my family up the I-5 with me for the game.  I could tell that we were going to have a GA problem with season ticket holders moving, and did not want to contribute to the problem or deal with that hassle.

I have thought there are many solutions to this problem.

Solution #1 - I sat in an area with 4 unoccupied seats on my right, three empty seats in front of me, and my unused second season ticket on my right.  I could have confidently been able to "invite" 8 GA people to my area if that was acceptable.  If any ticket holder came along we could have found a way to make it work.  It would have been nice for the ushers to try to find if there were "holes" that might be used last night.  Most season ticket holders generally know which ticket neighbors are not going to attend the SJSU game and/or would be in their seats at kickoff if they were coming to the game.

Solution #2 - I definitely understand the 2 adults going to GA to be with their family, but then those season ticket holders should be asked to volunteer their 2 season tickets to GA couples willing to move to those seats.  I have thought about doing that myself, but it is hard to ask people if they are an unattached couple (not with a larger group) without making it odd and potentially inappropriate.  But the AD could have a table up by the arches, and then it would be kind of fun.  You turn in your season tickets, you get a GA ticket and then more flexible GA holders can go to that table to look for possible upgrades.  It would be a little confusing, but better than crazy overflow problems.

Those GA problems have existed before for the SJSU game.  In the past, we have never really sold those corner endzone seats on the west side by the GA and/or above the students, so there was space for more adventurous people to just find a solution on their own.

Oh well, as you noted we probably won't be doing this Freebie thing as long as SJSU is off the schedule and Stanford Football ticket sales are strong.

[82 Card]

The kids tickets promotion wasnt the only promo. The marketing department sent alumni who had not registered with them emails offering 2 free tickets for "updating" their account.  They also handed out free tickets to public police and firemdepartment employees on the peninsula. These free tickets were in the family plan sections.

[82 Card]

The kids tickets promotion wasnt the only promo. The marketing department sent alumni who had not registered with them emails offering 2 free tickets for "updating" their account.  They also handed out free tickets to public police and firemdepartment employees on the peninsula. These free tickets were in the family plan sections.

[Rando]

So from what I'm reading the Family Plan seating shouldn't be oversold/crowded for the rest of the season? That's my concern because that's what I'm signed up for. I am willing to get to the stadium 5 hours early if it means I get two seats.

Funny thing...as all those people who had no seats were standing on the endzone, the stadium announcer was promoting Family Plan tickets at $150 each. That's much less than what I paid for and I was wondering why would they be selling more tickets for family plan when they already oversold.

[Rando]

So from what I'm reading the Family Plan seating shouldn't be oversold/crowded for the rest of the season? That's my concern because that's what I'm signed up for. I am willing to get to the stadium 5 hours early if it means I get two seats.

Funny thing...as all those people who had no seats were standing on the endzone, the stadium announcer was promoting Family Plan tickets at $150 each. That's much less than what I paid for and I was wondering why would they be selling more tickets for family plan when they already oversold.

[Farm93]

Funny thing...as all those people who had no seats were standing on the endzone, the stadium announcer was promoting Family Plan tickets at $150 each. That's much less than what I paid for and I was wondering why would they be selling more tickets for family plan when they already oversold.

The Family plan promos I remember were for different family plan packages for the basketball teams.  The football family plan has been sold out for quite some time, so it would be odd to promote that during any game this season.

The GA area should be better for most of the other games, but it is a GA that is a first come type deal.  The gates open 90 minutes before the game.  I have never seen those sections, or any section, packed 30 minutes before kickoff.  If you are in the stadium by the time the countdown clock hits 30 minutes you will be fine.

[Farm93]

Funny thing...as all those people who had no seats were standing on the endzone, the stadium announcer was promoting Family Plan tickets at $150 each. That's much less than what I paid for and I was wondering why would they be selling more tickets for family plan when they already oversold.

The Family plan promos I remember were for different family plan packages for the basketball teams.  The football family plan has been sold out for quite some time, so it would be odd to promote that during any game this season.

The GA area should be better for most of the other games, but it is a GA that is a first come type deal.  The gates open 90 minutes before the game.  I have never seen those sections, or any section, packed 30 minutes before kickoff.  If you are in the stadium by the time the countdown clock hits 30 minutes you will be fine.

[Rando]

The Family plan promos I remember were for different family plan packages for the basketball teams.  The football family plan has been sold out for quite some time, so it would be odd to promote that during any game this season.

The GA area should be better for most of the other games, but it is a GA that is a first come type deal.  The gates open 90 minutes before the game.  I have never seen those sections, or any section, packed 30 minutes before kickoff.  If you are in the stadium by the time the countdown clock hits 30 minutes you will be fine.

My misunderstanding then. It would suck to pay over double for something others pay $150 for.

I usually am over 30 minutes early in the stadium. My grandpa takes a while to get ready, and he drives 55 MPH so it's a three hour drive. I didn't plan well enough and I didn't instruct him well on where the parking is. I usually park on Serra street but it was packed. Then I had trouble finding the parking garage by Maples. Then I stood in a looooong line @ the most packed gate and wasted about 45 minutes for nothing and missed 9 minutes of 1st quarter. Ugh I'm an idiot.

[Rando]

The Family plan promos I remember were for different family plan packages for the basketball teams.  The football family plan has been sold out for quite some time, so it would be odd to promote that during any game this season.

The GA area should be better for most of the other games, but it is a GA that is a first come type deal.  The gates open 90 minutes before the game.  I have never seen those sections, or any section, packed 30 minutes before kickoff.  If you are in the stadium by the time the countdown clock hits 30 minutes you will be fine.

My misunderstanding then. It would suck to pay over double for something others pay $150 for.

I usually am over 30 minutes early in the stadium. My grandpa takes a while to get ready, and he drives 55 MPH so it's a three hour drive. I didn't plan well enough and I didn't instruct him well on where the parking is. I usually park on Serra street but it was packed. Then I had trouble finding the parking garage by Maples. Then I stood in a looooong line @ the most packed gate and wasted about 45 minutes for nothing and missed 9 minutes of 1st quarter. Ugh I'm an idiot.

[CompSci87]

So from what I'm reading the Family Plan seating shouldn't be oversold/crowded for the rest of the season? That's my concern because that's what I'm signed up for. I am willing to get to the stadium 5 hours early if it means I get two seats.

Funny thing...as all those people who had no seats were standing on the endzone, the stadium announcer was promoting Family Plan tickets at $150 each. That's much less than what I paid for and I was wondering why would they be selling more tickets for family plan when they already oversold.

There are usually a bunch of empty seats in the row in front of me and/or elsewhere nearby. If you can get past the usher checking tickets, come and sit there. I am in section 131 row Q seat 11.  ;)

[CompSci87]

So from what I'm reading the Family Plan seating shouldn't be oversold/crowded for the rest of the season? That's my concern because that's what I'm signed up for. I am willing to get to the stadium 5 hours early if it means I get two seats.

Funny thing...as all those people who had no seats were standing on the endzone, the stadium announcer was promoting Family Plan tickets at $150 each. That's much less than what I paid for and I was wondering why would they be selling more tickets for family plan when they already oversold.

There are usually a bunch of empty seats in the row in front of me and/or elsewhere nearby. If you can get past the usher checking tickets, come and sit there. I am in section 131 row Q seat 11.  ;)