Siouxper Slam 29

The REA is equipped for the lights to go on and off quickly...think they're called shutters. If the Alerus could do that, it would be great to have it dark, with the smoke and fireworks going off. I can't imagine UND would agree to a contract where the Alerus Center does not have to make any changes to their decor and make it feel like UND's home field. Alerus Center has dropped the ball big time and fans are noticing the lack of effort to make the place look good.

I guess it was something that the athletic department (who runs the in-game entertainment) decided to do. Seems like last year they tried putting a graphic with a black logo when the band was on the field; it helped but it was really bright. I agree that they need to find a tradition and stick with it (so far, 2-0 at home and leading the conference, it seems to be working).

I'll throw my two cents in here. This is what I think needs to change at the Alerus Center: 1. Winning (duh) 2. Student Involvement: Sad as it is to say, the students (and all students) seem to have ADD and can't keep their attention on one thing for too long. It's a nation-wide problem to get to students to go to games and then keep them there. Free t-shirts, TVs, and prizes given away at the end of the game help, but they have to be passionate about the team. I've always wondered how the traditions at men's hockey get passed down to the freshmen? They need to do the same thing for football. 3. Green the place: Everything is bare-bones, basic, and boring. There's nothing that is even remotely pleasant about the concourses or the seating sections. There's no UND pride in the building. Natural lighting would certainly help, some better quality or better priced concessions, and just a better overall atmosphere. Outside tailgating is great & vibrant...then everyone is pushed inside the arena (I think someone described it as a pole barn, which is very accurate), and they're forced to watch the same commercials and same promotions every game. There's nothing to get excited about until the team continues to perform well on a consistent basis or fans take this issue by the throat and make the change themselves.

One thing that has always made me curious is how new students know how to do all of the cheers & songs at hockey games, yet there is nothing like that for football (except slapping the seats on 3rd down, which isn't much)? There needs to be more of a student-driven atmosphere. Look at hockey games: would you rather go to a game where the students are loud and heckling the opponent, or a game where they aren't there, but maybe you get a better seat? It's about atmosphere and the students, whether they like it or not, drive it. That being said, it is hard to get excited to go to the Alerus Center for a game. The word "sterile" comes to mind when I walk around the building. The Alerus is supposed to the home of UND Football, but they aren't showing their pride very well. Something has to change on that front. And FYI: UND is not doing blackout before the entrance because it's gotten stale and with the brightness of the video boards, it doesn't really make it "black". Plus the lights take forever to come back on and they figured it wasn't worth the headaches.