Cratter

You can't spell whine without WDAY....

The Ralph lacks parking too. Doesn't seem to be an issue as it increases profits for bars running shuttle buses. Why can the Ralph do it but all of a sudden be an issue for the Alerus!!? Don't kid yourself....The Alerus would much rather sell that $5 spot to a $15 tailgator if it meant more money for them (as you pointed out. People were complaining about its bottom line).

People aren't going to start tailgating cause its cheap, but let me say it is and will drive away people that could or would otherwise tailgate such as myself. As is seen in my picture, the tailgating spots sat empty the whole time. None of us know how many people aren't going tailgating now because they, like myself, can't buy season tailgate tickets because they sold out and don't want to pay $45 or more to park their rigs and tailgate anymore....non of us know how many people quit going because of that...and some day I might quit too like them. Don't kid yourself if tailgating was more popular and sold out everygame at these prices the Alerus would just open another tailgating lot to make sure they even made more money!

And I am happy to help the Alerus make money. I'm glad it's there. Wouldn't have it any other way. I go to as many concerts as I can (and gladly pay for parking) even promoting the concerts here on SiouxSports (see George strait thread). But as a fan of UND Football, I try and support the team and try to get others to help support it more. And the only real way to do that is by having great attendance. Which most would agree is an issue. I'm just pointing to one issue. I understand money rules the world. Minus food and alcohol sales, I feel the Alerus would rather have 7,000 people attending the games at $15 a ticket rather than 10,000 at $10 a game ($105,000 vs $100,000). And in a way I think that's what is happening with the cost of tailgating. I feel in the long run UND is losing money because of this. They need to build a bigger fan base and the cost of tailgating isn't helping! So I didn't buy tailgating season tickets. Yeah its sold out but c'mon the price for one spot is more than my actual game ticket for Pete's sake (Cause I actually did buy season tickets for that)! They need to concentrate on trying to get closer to the equilibrium point for maximizing profits.

How did it use to work fine before the Alerus started charging and assigning seats? Or Memorial? There's plenty of open spots sell them for less. I fully understand the dynamics. I don't agree with it. It's the most expensive piece of real estate in Grand Forks at the prices they charge per hour. Tailgating was fine when it was free at the Alerus Center and coincidentally more people attended the games. It's just turning away fans for $. Sorta like discontinuing the shuttle bus service at hockey games to increase $ (by having less expenses). Or the moral clause of not letting people smoke outside at the REA...which isn't even saving the Ralph any money. (Smoking outside is fine - just give us more money and you can smoke between periods - buy another game ticket to get back in).

Both ends have video boards. You'll want to take others advice and sit in the visitor section to cheer on your team. Heck buy any ticket anywhere plenty of seats will be open to almost sit where you want.

Human errors and bias are why computer rankings are better.

Are you in Bismarck? I already have tickets, but I'd be interested as I could try and give them away at tailgating.

Here's of picture of tailgate fans enjoying the Alabama Vs Texas A&M game I was able to provide.

Does anyone think a great tailgating area jampacked with cool setups and a great atmosphere would eventually lead to greater attendance (at least for the first half)? It seems in today's culture tailgating is just as important as the game (at least for many fans/casual fans - especially when the team isn't very good). I just feel the Alerus Center is ruining the tailgating atmosphere by charging people $15 per spot. I'm just an average Joe that loves UND football and The tailgating atmosphere (with no atmosphere there's no point in going). I do my best to get everyone I know to "at least come tailgating" and with any luck they might also end up going to the game (my friend and his girlfriend went for Montana cause a couple was giving away tickets at tailgating). Granted they were free tickets but I singlehandely got two more people to cheer on UND football, and with a good time tailgating and a better product on the field they might come back. But it cost me $45 for them to enjoy that experience ($15 per spot. Who tailgates in just one spot anyways?!) How much are season tickets $60-70? "I could split costs with others." That would probably ensure even less people would want to tailgate given they already have to pay $5 to park already and walk to tailgating. Now this weekend do I ask my girlfriend and her lady friends that I'm going with to chip in also? I'm fortunate to be able to afford it, but I wonder how many people would also like to enjoy tailgating that can't afford it?! (Money saved would buy them a game ticket). I feel if the average tailgator didn't have to spend an average of $315 per year to just tailgate, Game Attendance would increase.

How many years til UND wins another championship? It's bound to happen. Every year the some of the best FCS teams leave (app state, Georgia southern)!

UND is rated the 77th best team in FCS. Take that Bison Fans!!

Wish I knew all the names and positions like ya all....I've been saying for years I wish they had the names on the jerseys I don't feel like studying the program!

Oh I get it now....senior year.....of high school.

How good was Riddle even? He was going to be a senior but had barely seen the field? (I don't remember hearing much about him.)

That's my point. Why are these kids leaving? Coaches recruited the wrong type of players? Players not liking the coaching staff? Either way it's on the coaches if you ask me that they put UND in that position. UND would probably be starting another transfer this year had their been one. And UND "got lucky" to win as many games as they did with Hanson. (even though he got hurt) I think his credentials/confidence/leadership helped build up the team around him. Otherwise last year might have looked more like this year.

Seems these coaches start players who they "like more" than based on actual game performances.

When we are getting blown out we need to put a lot of the younger players in. Why did we even recruit Sparks?

Just need to give Mollberg the confidence that he won't get pulled even if he has a bad play or two. Give him the tools and confidence and he can only get better. It's the coaches fault for havin to start freshman quarterbacks. And before that it was transfer after transfer at that position. They musta forgot to recruit good qbs that wanted to stay and develop within the program three and four years ago.

Women's Volleyball could surpass Women's basketball ( cause Brewster sucks) as UNDs #4 sport.

Once they make the tournament I see them getting their own section.

A Midget AAA team. Read this article: http://www.letsplayhockey.com/online-edition/news/946-lph-inbox-refuting-russo.html

A development league I believe the Ralph was talking about starting...not sure if it ever came through.

Here's the link 350,000 tickets are sold to watch a sports event in Grand Forks in a year. I don't think that leaves much time and money for another successful hockey team.

If the UND hockey team were ever to evaporate I think Grand Forks could support any of those as there is a big hockey culture. But with UND already having hockey I think the population wouldn't support it as there are way to many ticket options. Look up star2citys thread about UND already can claim the most spectators watching its sports among similar schools (FCS).