So this is born out of the Palestine Mardi Gras Parade tonight & a current twitter discussion, but I have some ideas for more "events" to pack the coliseum.
We need events for basketball to pack the stadium, teach people how to cheer, & generally make SFA basketball games a great environment. I think we need one a month or so to bring out new & old fans & keep attendance up. So here are 5 events, along with the reasoning behind each theme.
1. First game of the season.
- Season Kickoff, double header weekday game
- Make it required attendance for SFA 101 Classes
- Have a decently large prize for largest organization there
- Have Cheer Practice with an Emcee during timeouts
Good chance to set the tone for the season, teach people some "fan etiquette" to create a rowdy environment, etc.
2. Polar Express Game- Have Santa attend(bonus, buy a purple & white Santa suit)
- Rent one of those mall kid's trains to run around the concourse
- Hot Chocolate in the concessions
- Polar Express Theme, deck WRJ in lights, kick of Christmas Season
- 30 Time national champs can do a Polar Express themed performance
- Half time caroling
Think this could be a huge draw for families with kids. We can sell SFA ornaments, Purple Santa hats, etc. A way to get lots of families out, but not make them sit still for 4 hours.
3. Rock The Johnson(unofficial working title):- This is the new Cram the Coliseum
- Focus on getting it loud & rowdy
- First Tailgate of the Spring(host in mid to late Jan)
- This game needs to be must attend for all frats/sororities, even if we have to send AD to invite them personally
- Great chance to reiterate traditions/cheers
The idea for this game would be more focused on creating a rowdy environment than simply packing the coliseum to the roof. Also would be a great chance to sell heavily discounted Spring mini plans for basketball.
4. Mardi Gras Game- Lots & lots of beads
- Invite Frats/Sororities/student organizations as Krewes
- Mardi Gras Royall Court chosen from organizations
- Concessions: King Cake, Beignetts, Moon pies, etc
- Post game Jazz band concert
- Family Friendly
This is the idea I came up with tonight while at the Palestine Mardi Gras Parade. Doesn't have to be the official weekend of Mardi Gras, but close. Basically, the Sororities/Frats would team up to enter their "couple" for the Royal Court, chosen by cheers of the fans during a TV timeout. You could have a packed house with student orgs & create a raucous atmosphere for this one. Could be a cool SFA tradition too that not many other places have.
5. Senior Sendoff/Sam Game:- Close out home games for the year
- Pack the house for our Seniors(they deserve it)
- Maybe make it a throwback night
Don't have a ton of ideas for this one, just know that every year we have great lifetime Lumberjacks that deserve the proper sendoff. This doesn't have to be a theme game as such, but we do need something to make sure the house is packed.
Thoughts?