Fighting Sioux Club - Bar Access

[cfm567b27]

This is somewhat confusing - aren't all non-student season ticket holders "members" of the FSC?

Thirsty hockey fans may end up in Penalty Box New bar will be built for non-Fighting Sioux Club members.

by Alissa Johnson

September 27, 2004

Starting this hockey season, there will be a new penalty box at the Ralph Engelstad Arena.

The general public will not be allowed in the club lounges that overlook the ice in the upper bowl. Instead REA built a new bar in the arena's Olympic Center.

Both club lounges are only open to Fighting Sioux Club members. Previously on the south bar was reserved for Fighting Sioux Club members, while the north lounge was open to ticket holders over the age of 21.

According to Jane Sykes, Ralph Engelstad Arena marketing coordinator, the decision to build the new bar was made in order to free up space in the existing bars.

The club seat owners felt that the bars were too crowded, Sykes said. She added that the decision to implement this new policy change was made by top-level Fighting Sioux Club members and REA management.

Patrons of the Penalty Box will have to watch the game on televisions, but Sykes said the Penalty Box will feature special events during the games to keep fans entertained while they are away from the action.

"There will be nightly drink specials and entertainment for the non-club members," Sykes said.

New this year are reward cards, which reward frequent drink buyers with free drinks. During games in the Penalty Box, Sykes said REA officials plan on having prize giveaways and drawings.

Cheerleaders for the Minnesota Vikings will be on hand to meet Sioux fans and sign autographs Oct. 22 during the game against Minnesota, Sykes said.

Sykes added that non-members of the Fighting Sioux Club will still be able to enter the bars at the north and south ends of the arena, but they will have to rely on guest passes that will be available for club members to use.

Sykes said the first guest pass will be free for club members, but additional passes are obtainable for a price.

[The Sicatoka]

I'd go with the letter I got with my season tickets: Only Club Seat holders (and a limited number of their guests) in the Club Rooms.

And yes, with the change this year, just about everyone in the arena will be a FSC member (at some level).

My question is this: How'd they build this "Penalty Box" in The Oly and not affect the space for ice, lockers, and the rest, in there?

[airmail]

"There will be nightly drink specials and entertainment for the non-club members," Sykes said.

New this year are reward cards, which reward frequent drink buyers with free drinks. During games in the Penalty Box, Sykes said REA officials plan on having prize giveaways and drawings.

Cheerleaders for the Minnesota Vikings will be on hand to meet Sioux fans and sign autographs Oct. 22 during the game against Minnesota, Sykes said.

I am soooooo pleased that they're doing so much to keep people in the bar instead of in the seats watching games. But who am I kidding... we have atmosphere a plenty, don't we?

They've lost their f***ing minds, IMO.

WAKE UP, REA!!!!

[dagies]

I am soooooo pleased that they're doing so much to keep people in the bar instead of in the seats watching games. But who am I kidding... we have atmosphere a plenty, don't we?

They've lost their f***ing minds, IMO.

WAKE UP, REA!!!!

I agree. The show is on the ice. Don't entice people to spend their time somewhere else.

I sent a letter to the REA marketing department expressing my concerns that efforts to entertain the fans are going in the wrong direction. When I go to a game I want atmosphere, not distractions. The more people hang out away from the ice, the less atmosphere there will be.

I'm beginning to think there's a good solution to my concerns and those of the students, and it will be attractive to the REA's bottom line too.

Rip out the plush leather seats that are so comfy you don't want to stand up and install bleachers. We could get another 1000 students in the lower bowl, and your tired butt will be MUCH more willing to STAND UP AND CHEER,

Stand up and cheer for North Dakota......!

[The Sicatoka]

Go here and scroll down to "Drawing a crowd, drawing a line". Actually the whole article is appropriate. It's a problem across all of college athletics.

[Blackheart]

Interesting article Sicatoka...I say,If you are not coming to see the game than stay home!! (and let me know so I can buy your ticket )

[airmail]

Interesting, yes... The article beats home the idea that people need more entertainment than the game to "get their money's worth". I would beg to differ when talking about our hockey program.

The game was enough to sell out all of the season tickets for another year. The game is enough to keep ~200 families on the waiting list. The game is enough to keep "the most knowledgeable fans in college hockey" coming back for more. The game is the reason Ralph played hockey. The game is the reason he built the place. (at least that's what we thought, I'm no longer positive)

Ralph Engelstad said, "It is my desire to share my good fortune with the UND hockey team." When someone can explain to me how "frequent drinker cards" and the Vikings cheerleaders can be an enhancement to the UND hockey team, I might listen. Until then, I'll shut up, pay my ridiculous FSC dues, at let the mighty REA money machine rake it in at the expense of atmosphere, and at the expense of the real fans who can't afford to be a part of the tradition they helped build. Yes... I know the money goes back to Sioux athletics, but at a much higher expense, in my opinion.

Sorry for the rambling on and on, but this new bar and entertainment stuff makes my stomach churn. God forbid there wouldn't be enough entertainment at a Fighting Sioux Hockey "EVENT."

[teamsioux]

I don't get it...it takes months, maybe years of UND and the city butting heads to allow fans at the Al to have ONE beer at their seats. Now the Ralph has a rewards program for frequent buyers of booze and "drink specials" . What next...a dance club as another profit generator. Maybe the Ralph could be the next El Roco or Edge as a hotspot around town. If there isn't a hockey game they could just open up the bar for the public. I wouldn't put anything past these people as moronic as they have proven themselves.

[teamsioux]

People used to kid that Ralph would put a casino in the arena, heck that would seem normal now, why not some slots at the bar. I think I found the sight for the new Indian casino in town.

How many REA officials does it take to screw in a light bulb? I don't know, but it would take awhile as they figure out much more $$$$ to charge fans while screwing them over more and more.

[Smoggy]

I don't get it...it takes months, maybe years of UND and the city butting heads to allow fans at the Al to have ONE beer at their seats.  Now the Ralph has a rewards program for frequent buyers of booze and "drink specials"  .  What next...a dance club as another profit generator.  Maybe the Ralph could be the next El Roco or Edge as a hotspot around town.  If there isn't a hockey game they could just open up the bar for the public. I wouldn't put anything past these people as moronic as they have proven themselves.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Let's not give them any other ideas.

[MafiaMan]

dagies, airmail, and teamsioux, you guys sure have hit the nail on the head. The old Engelstad was all about the hockey. Goofy novelty acts (Thunder, for example), were for the most part ignored. The focus was on hockey. Now it's on shooting t-shirts into the stands, the jumbo-tron, talking on your cell phone, and standing around at the bar waiting for a beer with your back turned to the hockey game. People almost forget there's a game going on. What's next, maybe a pole installed inside a bar somewhere and have a Sioux-Per Strip Club? It's gotten out-of-control and the money-making ideas are only going to get worse. How about opening the arena at 9:00 am on gameday so people can come in and get good and drunk hours before the first puck hits the ice? Talk about a money-maker.

I seem to recall a line from the movie "Gladiator" that might work here. I can't remember exactly, so forgive me if it's off a bit, but it was Maximus' comment about Nero's Rome..."Ceasar had a vision of Rome once AND THIS IS NOT IT."

[dagies]

The email I sent was to the marketing rep listed on the REA website. She was nice enough to reply that the REA is very interested in maintaining a great fan experience and asked for my opinions which I was happy to give. She said they are going to be making efforts to find out what the fans want throughout the year.

I would suggest if anyone has ideas on how the atmosphere could be improved, or concerns about how things are going, a tactful email expressing your ideas may be worth sending.

[lawkota]

As a pre game gathering spot for fans, I don't think the Penalty Box is a bad idea. I would agree that the rest of it is dumb (cheerleaders and frequent drinking cards??). Regardless, I don't see how any of it hurts the game.

I come to watch and cheer the Sioux. I don't care what someone else is doing, or not doing, or where they're doing it (obviously, there is a limit to this ). If a guy who paid for a seat wants to waste his time in a bar watching the game on tv, that's his problem. It doesn't ruin my experience (in fact, it probably improves it). If the couple next me just want to sit in their seats, motionless and quiet, I'll scratch my head as to why they come at all - but it doesn't prevent me from going nuts after a goal.

I know there are alot of people in the arena who aren't there for the game. I doubt there's anything you can do to change that. Sioux hockey is the "place to be". The arena and the team are the problem. It's too nice and the team's too good. Neither are going to change.

[UNDProud]

It is my understanding that the Penalty Box will be closed during the game and only open pregame and between periods. I also got the Sioux Club letter regarding the North and South lounge closing to all but the people who hold those tickets. Personally I agree with this policy and if the Penalty Box is closed during the game, I think this a good change for everyone. I have never heard anything about the new bar being open during the game, just the pregame stuff with prizes and stuff.

[schmidtdoggydog]

As a pre game gathering spot for fans, I don't think the Penalty Box is a bad idea.  I would agree that the rest of it is dumb (cheerleaders and frequent drinking cards??).  Regardless, I don't see how any of it hurts the game. 

I come to watch and cheer the Sioux.  I don't  care what someone else is doing, or not doing, or where they're doing it (obviously, there is a limit to this  ).  If a guy who paid for a seat wants to waste his time in a bar watching the game on tv, that's his problem.  It doesn't ruin my experience (in fact, it probably improves it).  If the couple next me just want to sit in their seats, motionless and quiet, I'll scratch my head as to why they come at all - but it doesn't prevent me from going nuts after a goal. 

I know there are alot of people in the arena who aren't there for the game.  I doubt there's anything you can do to change that.  Sioux hockey is the "place to be".  The arena and the team are the problem.  It's too nice and the team's too good.  Neither are going to change.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Great post!

As for the "problem," it is sure a good problem to have!

[Fedorov]

New this year are reward cards, which reward frequent drink buyers with free drinks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sweet. We are not going to be number two in binge drinking for long. Way to be proactive in obtaining the number one spot.

[dagies]

It is my understanding that the Penalty Box will be closed during the game and only open pregame and between periods.  I also got the Sioux Club letter regarding the North and South lounge closing to all but the people who hold those tickets.  Personally I agree with this policy and if the Penalty Box is closed during the game, I think this a good change for everyone.  I have never heard anything about the new bar being open during the game, just the pregame stuff with prizes and stuff.

If that is true, it lessens my concern greatly.

[fightingsioux4life]

As a pre game gathering spot for fans, I don't think the Penalty Box is a bad idea.