AD Chaves and 8600 seats

[KWCAT]

Have been reading about Chaves decision not to add bleachers for your 2nd round seeded playoff game.
What are your thoughts from a business and fans perspective?

From the Missoulian:

Eastern Washington’s Roos Field won’t have extra seats for either Eagles or Griz.

Bill Chaves, athletic director for Eastern Washington University, confirmed Thursday that temporary seating was not moved into place for Saturday’s FCS playoff game between the Eagles and No. 12 Grizzlies Saturday.

That will leave the capacity at around 8,600. Eastern’s Nov. 8 game with Montana drew 11,339 fans to Roos Field.

Chaves said the decision was based mainly on the unknowns of the FCS playoffs. Officials didn’t count on a rematch with Montana, he said, even after the bracket came out and the Grizzlies drew underdog San Diego. Eastern drew a total of 16,613 to its three playoff games in 2013, with a high of 6,207.

Of more concern to Griz fans is availability. Because Eastern had a first-round bye, the school offered seats at a discounted rate to season-ticket holders. That left fiew tickets for UM supporters. In the past Roos Field has been more maroon than red, but a majority of onlookers will be Eagles fans’ Saturday.

“I would there was an advantage to our season ticket holders,” Chaves said Thursday. “As it should be.”

Chaves noted that Eastern went beyond its NCAA-mandated obligation for tickets to the opposing team, which is 500. The school released almost 800 to the University of Montana, which is bringing its marching band.

On Tuesday, after EWU’s season ticket holders had their chance at tickets, some 300 were released and were quickly snapped up.

That leaves around 7,500 seats, of which up to 3,000 will be EWU students. Tickets were $45 for non-students and non-season ticket holders -- the same price as for the Nov. 8 game. None were available through online ticketing as of Thursday.

"It should be a great crowd," Chaves said.

Wow...a great crowd with 8,600? I think my high school basketball arena holds 2,500...at least you got them there...

And a comment from local Spokane business:

spock - December 01, 2014 9:43 pm I want to encourage all Montanans to get in the family car early Saturday and make the short 3.5 hour drive to come on out to Cheney to watch the game. It will be great fun. I do not want your lack of a ticket to discourage you from showing up as you will be able to see into the stadium. Rooms are available and plenty of stores will be happy to send you home with the Christmas presents. Again, this Is great fun

Seems like Eagles fans alone would be able to generate a larger crowd than the 8600.
Eagle fans what are your thoughts?

 

[LDopaPDX]

The 8600 capacity is a bit of a joke. Eastern didn't add any seating to the stadium for Sam Houston State and drew ~11,000. You'd have to look up the exact number. The only thing you won't see is the Touchdown Club at the Southend as that is prohibited by the NCAA.

 

[KWCAT]

I personally got a couple of tickets for some friends of mine. Don't imagine I'll get there myself. Should be a good game if Adams is mobile and even bigger if Forte is good to go. Will watch on ESPN at least.

On the seating matter I cant imagine not setting up for a bigger attendance as per reasons in article. I can see limiting competition seating maybe to a point though. Just wonder what area business thinks of the decision. I know in Bozeman game days are big for the business community. Was even busy after the lowly attended 1` kickoff game with SDSU.

 

[EWURanger]

In the past Roos Field has been more maroon than red, but a majority of onlookers will be Eagles fans’

In the past? Yeah, the very distant past. Quite the embelishment there.

 

[kalm]

I'm pretty sure the temp seating isn't allowed either.

If we were down to 300 tickets by Tuesday, I'm sure additional seating would have been added if possible.

Poorly crafted article.

 

[GreatDayToBeAnEagle]

Sheesh. Would not expect something like this from the Missoulian. Would expect something like this from a student-run newspaper... maybe even a hight school student run newspaper as I know UM's J-school "Kaimin" is a respected newspaper. But not the Missoulian. Did this reporter even bother to check facts... AT ALL. From what I can tell, someone from eGriz wrote this, or the reporter did all of his reporting using eGriz as his main source.

- Adding seats is not allowed by NCAA.
- The university doesn't get the ticket sale revenue anyway, so why would the university employ its staff to spend time and dollars (in the freezing cold around the holidays I might add) to add extra seats so more people can come in to the stadium and add more money to the NCAA's pockets
- Saying Roos field has been more Maroon in the past is just a flat out lie. Everyone knows that. Even in 2010, the first game on the red turf, the crowd was easily 7K EWU fans to 3K UM fans (my own estimate).
- and speaking to the point of Griz fans' concerns . Why should that be a matter that Chaves, EWU Athletics or anyone else with EWU or the greater Cheney/ Spokane community should worry about. If Griz fans are so pissed off, they should blame their team who failed to get them home field advantage in the playoffs.

When the local newspaper becomes a mouthpiece for the fan, then you know expectations and reality are completely skewed. The word fan is derived from fanatic. It appears the Missoulian is now subjectively reporting on the opinion of the fanatics. The words journalism with fanatic shouldn't blend this well

 

[EWU98]

Also my thought is if the seats were added in the endzone then we would be on the hook for those tickets for every game we host throughout the playoffs and as much as I would like to say we would continue to sell out those seats I think it is fair to say that when the students leave in a week that those seats will more than likely be empty which leaves us on the hook for the cost of the tickets...Not a smart business move.

 

[USMC EAGLE]

Here's a shocker I figured Griz fans would be pissed about this so I went over to eJizz and they are completely irate over this. Apparently EWU has a responsibility to make sure all their fans may attend. It amazes the stupidity on the page.

 

[MTcowpoke]

EWU wins on Saturday and hosts another game next Saturday. And apparently EWU feels it would not draw more than 8,600 fans for that quarterfinal game. With over 400,000 people and nearly 40,000 alums in Spokane County it seems like 8,600 fans would be a lay up.

How much seating capacity would EWU like to have and when will it be built? Thanks.

 

[eaglesfootball]

Also my thought is if the seats were added in the endzone then we would be on the hook for those tickets for every game we host throughout the playoffs and as much as I would like to say we would continue to sell out those seats I think it is fair to say that when the students leave in a week that those seats will more than likely be empty which leaves us on the hook for the cost of the tickets...Not a smart business move.

this is most likely the case.

 

[MLEagle]

Have been reading about Chaves decision not to add bleachers for your 2nd round seeded playoff game.
What are your thoughts from a business and fans perspective?

From the Missoulian:

Eastern Washington’s Roos Field won’t have extra seats for either Eagles or Griz.

Bill Chaves, athletic director for Eastern Washington University, confirmed Thursday that temporary seating was not moved into place for Saturday’s FCS playoff game between the Eagles and No. 12 Grizzlies Saturday.

That will leave the capacity at around 8,600. Eastern’s Nov. 8 game with Montana drew 11,339 fans to Roos Field.

Chaves said the decision was based mainly on the unknowns of the FCS playoffs. Officials didn’t count on a rematch with Montana, he said, even after the bracket came out and the Grizzlies drew underdog San Diego. Eastern drew a total of 16,613 to its three playoff games in 2013, with a high of 6,207.

Of more concern to Griz fans is availability. Because Eastern had a first-round bye, the school offered seats at a discounted rate to season-ticket holders. That left fiew tickets for UM supporters. In the past Roos Field has been more maroon than red, but a majority of onlookers will be Eagles fans’ Saturday.

“I would there was an advantage to our season ticket holders,” Chaves said Thursday. “As it should be.”

Chaves noted that Eastern went beyond its NCAA-mandated obligation for tickets to the opposing team, which is 500. The school released almost 800 to the University of Montana, which is bringing its marching band.

On Tuesday, after EWU’s season ticket holders had their chance at tickets, some 300 were released and were quickly snapped up.

That leaves around 7,500 seats, of which up to 3,000 will be EWU students. Tickets were $45 for non-students and non-season ticket holders -- the same price as for the Nov. 8 game. None were available through online ticketing as of Thursday.

"It should be a great crowd," Chaves said.

Wow...a great crowd with 8,600? I think my high school basketball arena holds 2,500...at least you got them there...

And a comment from local Spokane business:

spock - December 01, 2014 9:43 pm I want to encourage all Montanans to get in the family car early Saturday and make the short 3.5 hour drive to come on out to Cheney to watch the game. It will be great fun. I do not want your lack of a ticket to discourage you from showing up as you will be able to see into the stadium. Rooms are available and plenty of stores will be happy to send you home with the Christmas presents. Again, this Is great fun

Seems like Eagles fans alone would be able to generate a larger crowd than the 8600.
Eagle fans what are your thoughts?

Very poorly written and researched article.

Griz have a very inflated view of their importance in the world outside of Montana.

 

[EWURanger]

Have been reading about Chaves decision not to add bleachers for your 2nd round seeded playoff game.
What are your thoughts from a business and fans perspective?

From the Missoulian:

Eastern Washington’s Roos Field won’t have extra seats for either Eagles or Griz.

Bill Chaves, athletic director for Eastern Washington University, confirmed Thursday that temporary seating was not moved into place for Saturday’s FCS playoff game between the Eagles and No. 12 Grizzlies Saturday.

That will leave the capacity at around 8,600. Eastern’s Nov. 8 game with Montana drew 11,339 fans to Roos Field.

Chaves said the decision was based mainly on the unknowns of the FCS playoffs. Officials didn’t count on a rematch with Montana, he said, even after the bracket came out and the Grizzlies drew underdog San Diego. Eastern drew a total of 16,613 to its three playoff games in 2013, with a high of 6,207.

Of more concern to Griz fans is availability. Because Eastern had a first-round bye, the school offered seats at a discounted rate to season-ticket holders. That left fiew tickets for UM supporters. In the past Roos Field has been more maroon than red, but a majority of onlookers will be Eagles fans’ Saturday.

“I would there was an advantage to our season ticket holders,” Chaves said Thursday. “As it should be.”

Chaves noted that Eastern went beyond its NCAA-mandated obligation for tickets to the opposing team, which is 500. The school released almost 800 to the University of Montana, which is bringing its marching band.

On Tuesday, after EWU’s season ticket holders had their chance at tickets, some 300 were released and were quickly snapped up.

That leaves around 7,500 seats, of which up to 3,000 will be EWU students. Tickets were $45 for non-students and non-season ticket holders -- the same price as for the Nov. 8 game. None were available through online ticketing as of Thursday.

"It should be a great crowd," Chaves said.

Wow...a great crowd with 8,600? I think my high school basketball arena holds 2,500...at least you got them there...

And a comment from local Spokane business:

spock - December 01, 2014 9:43 pm I want to encourage all Montanans to get in the family car early Saturday and make the short 3.5 hour drive to come on out to Cheney to watch the game. It will be great fun. I do not want your lack of a ticket to discourage you from showing up as you will be able to see into the stadium. Rooms are available and plenty of stores will be happy to send you home with the Christmas presents. Again, this Is great fun

Seems like Eagles fans alone would be able to generate a larger crowd than the 8600.
Eagle fans what are your thoughts?

Very poorly written and researched article.

Griz have a very inflated view of their importance in the world outside of Montana.

It is, indeed. I wouldn't expect to read something so factually incorrect from a major newspaper.

 

[EWU98]

The Athletic Department should pull their credentials for the game and then see how they feel :thumb:

 

[dudeitsaid]

If Griz fans are so pissed off, they should blame their team who failed to get them home field advantage in the playoffs.

It doesn't get any more straightforward than that. I think Chaves made the right decision. History has shown playoffs at EWU are not better attended than regular season games. I am always surprised that the playoffs are not better attended then they are. But I think it's another example of the fact that Spokane still views WSU as the football team to follow. They, like most of the country, really don't care much for lower division football.

As much as Griz fans want to pat themselves on the back, they are one of the main state supported schools in their state. If they want to compare their amazing attendance to other schools, they should compare themselves to WSU, UW, OSU, UofO, CSU, etc. Most of those schools would point out how the Griz and rest of FCS are "minor league" college football, and most everything Griz sucks compared to them. The Griz are the highest level of football there is in their area. If EWU was the highest level of football in Eastern Washington, IMO, we would crush them in attendance and support, as those people who drive to Pullman would only need to drive to Cheney.

It aggravates me to no end that Spokane doesn't support EWU athletics better. But their choices are much more diluted here and at many other FCS schools. In any case, it does sound like this game will be one of the best attended playoff games we've had. Hopefully future games will follow suit. Those games SHOULD sell out, you would think, but who knows.

 

[Eaglefanatical]

If Griz fans are so pissed off, they should blame their team who failed to get them home field advantage in the playoffs.

It doesn't get any more straightforward than that. I think Chaves made the right decision. History has shown playoffs at EWU are not better attended than regular season games. I am always surprised that the playoffs are not better attended then they are. But I think it's another example of the fact that Spokane still views WSU as the football team to follow. They, like most of the country, really don't care much for lower division football.

As much as Griz fans want to pat themselves on the back, they are one of the main state supported schools in their state. If they want to compare their amazing attendance to other schools, they should compare themselves to WSU, UW, OSU, UofO, CSU, etc. Most of those schools would point out how the Griz and rest of FCS are "minor league" college football, and most everything Griz sucks compared to them. The Griz are the highest level of football there is in their area. If EWU was the highest level of football in Eastern Washington, IMO, we would crush them in attendance and support, as those people who drive to Pullman would only need to drive to Cheney.

It aggravates me to no end that Spokane doesn't support EWU athletics better. But their choices are much more diluted here and at many other FCS schools. In any case, it does sound like this game will be one of the best attended playoff games we've had. Hopefully future games will follow suit. Those games SHOULD sell out, you would think, but who knows.

Our football attendance has been outstanding the past couple of years. Cold and the fact that the games can be watched on TV keep people in Spokane at home during the playoffs.

 

[Hambone]

Have been reading about Chaves decision not to add bleachers for your 2nd round seeded playoff game.
What are your thoughts from a business and fans perspective?

From the Missoulian:

Eastern Washington’s Roos Field won’t have extra seats for either Eagles or Griz.

Bill Chaves, athletic director for Eastern Washington University, confirmed Thursday that temporary seating was not moved into place for Saturday’s FCS playoff game between the Eagles and No. 12 Grizzlies Saturday.

That will leave the capacity at around 8,600. Eastern’s Nov. 8 game with Montana drew 11,339 fans to Roos Field.

Chaves said the decision was based mainly on the unknowns of the FCS playoffs. Officials didn’t count on a rematch with Montana, he said, even after the bracket came out and the Grizzlies drew underdog San Diego. Eastern drew a total of 16,613 to its three playoff games in 2013, with a high of 6,207.

Of more concern to Griz fans is availability. Because Eastern had a first-round bye, the school offered seats at a discounted rate to season-ticket holders. That left fiew tickets for UM supporters. In the past Roos Field has been more maroon than red, but a majority of onlookers will be Eagles fans’ Saturday.

“I would there was an advantage to our season ticket holders,” Chaves said Thursday. “As it should be.”

Chaves noted that Eastern went beyond its NCAA-mandated obligation for tickets to the opposing team, which is 500. The school released almost 800 to the University of Montana, which is bringing its marching band.

On Tuesday, after EWU’s season ticket holders had their chance at tickets, some 300 were released and were quickly snapped up.

That leaves around 7,500 seats, of which up to 3,000 will be EWU students. Tickets were $45 for non-students and non-season ticket holders -- the same price as for the Nov. 8 game. None were available through online ticketing as of Thursday.

"It should be a great crowd," Chaves said.

Wow...a great crowd with 8,600? I think my high school basketball arena holds 2,500...at least you got them there...

And a comment from local Spokane business:

spock - December 01, 2014 9:43 pm I want to encourage all Montanans to get in the family car early Saturday and make the short 3.5 hour drive to come on out to Cheney to watch the game. It will be great fun. I do not want your lack of a ticket to discourage you from showing up as you will be able to see into the stadium. Rooms are available and plenty of stores will be happy to send you home with the Christmas presents. Again, this Is great fun

Seems like Eagles fans alone would be able to generate a larger crowd than the 8600.
Eagle fans what are your thoughts?

Very poorly written and researched article.

Griz have a very inflated view of their importance in the world outside of Montana.

It is, indeed. I wouldn't expect to read something so factually incorrect from a major newspaper.

*Major.

 

[MLEagle]

Have been reading about Chaves decision not to add bleachers for your 2nd round seeded playoff game.
What are your thoughts from a business and fans perspective?

From the Missoulian:

Eastern Washington’s Roos Field won’t have extra seats for either Eagles or Griz.

Bill Chaves, athletic director for Eastern Washington University, confirmed Thursday that temporary seating was not moved into place for Saturday’s FCS playoff game between the Eagles and No. 12 Grizzlies Saturday.

That will leave the capacity at around 8,600. Eastern’s Nov. 8 game with Montana drew 11,339 fans to Roos Field.

Chaves said the decision was based mainly on the unknowns of the FCS playoffs. Officials didn’t count on a rematch with Montana, he said, even after the bracket came out and the Grizzlies drew underdog San Diego. Eastern drew a total of 16,613 to its three playoff games in 2013, with a high of 6,207.

Of more concern to Griz fans is availability. Because Eastern had a first-round bye, the school offered seats at a discounted rate to season-ticket holders. That left fiew tickets for UM supporters. In the past Roos Field has been more maroon than red, but a majority of onlookers will be Eagles fans’ Saturday.

“I would there was an advantage to our season ticket holders,” Chaves said Thursday. “As it should be.”

Chaves noted that Eastern went beyond its NCAA-mandated obligation for tickets to the opposing team, which is 500. The school released almost 800 to the University of Montana, which is bringing its marching band.

On Tuesday, after EWU’s season ticket holders had their chance at tickets, some 300 were released and were quickly snapped up.

That leaves around 7,500 seats, of which up to 3,000 will be EWU students. Tickets were $45 for non-students and non-season ticket holders -- the same price as for the Nov. 8 game. None were available through online ticketing as of Thursday.

"It should be a great crowd," Chaves said.

Wow...a great crowd with 8,600? I think my high school basketball arena holds 2,500...at least you got them there...

And a comment from local Spokane business:

spock - December 01, 2014 9:43 pm I want to encourage all Montanans to get in the family car early Saturday and make the short 3.5 hour drive to come on out to Cheney to watch the game. It will be great fun. I do not want your lack of a ticket to discourage you from showing up as you will be able to see into the stadium. Rooms are available and plenty of stores will be happy to send you home with the Christmas presents. Again, this Is great fun

Seems like Eagles fans alone would be able to generate a larger crowd than the 8600.
Eagle fans what are your thoughts?

Very poorly written and researched article.

Griz have a very inflated view of their importance in the world outside of Montana.

It is, indeed. I wouldn't expect to read something so factually incorrect from a major newspaper.

*Major.

Major relative to the state of Montana, but as significant as a fly on a monkey's ass to the rest of the country; just like the Griz football program.

 

[EWURanger]

Damnit, you guys know what I meant. :lol:

 

[golden77]

Exactly why everyone outside of Missoula thinks their fans are the most arrogant, entitled, obnoxious people in the fcs. They actually have three pages on Egriz where they are bashing other facilities in the fcs and big sky and pounding on their chest about how great their facilities are. What a bunch of dinks.

 

[dudeitsaid]

If Griz fans are so pissed off, they should blame their team who failed to get them home field advantage in the playoffs.

It doesn't get any more straightforward than that. I think Chaves made the right decision. History has shown playoffs at EWU are not better attended than regular season games. I am always surprised that the playoffs are not better attended then they are. But I think it's another example of the fact that Spokane still views WSU as the football team to follow. They, like most of the country, really don't care much for lower division football.

As much as Griz fans want to pat themselves on the back, they are one of the main state supported schools in their state. If they want to compare their amazing attendance to other schools, they should compare themselves to WSU, UW, OSU, UofO, CSU, etc. Most of those schools would point out how the Griz and rest of FCS are "minor league" college football, and most everything Griz sucks compared to them. The Griz are the highest level of football there is in their area. If EWU was the highest level of football in Eastern Washington, IMO, we would crush them in attendance and support, as those people who drive to Pullman would only need to drive to Cheney.

It aggravates me to no end that Spokane doesn't support EWU athletics better. But their choices are much more diluted here and at many other FCS schools. In any case, it does sound like this game will be one of the best attended playoff games we've had. Hopefully future games will follow suit. Those games SHOULD sell out, you would think, but who knows.

Our football attendance has been outstanding the past couple of years. Cold and the fact that the games can be watched on TV keep people in Spokane at home during the playoffs.

I agree, it has been improving. Having season tickets probably helps the regular season games, especially businesses that purchase blocks of seats and such. It has been much better. But it's frustrating that such important games aren't better attended.