FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[WAF78]

BB...
C'mon man...what did you expect...it's DePauw. They had to limit the number of ticket sales to Wabash as they know if they truly opened it up...there'd be more red in the staduim than black and gold. Yes, it is a paltry number...but again...consider with whom we're dealing. DPU - a great girls school.

[formerd3db]

This from an "outsideer" to "The Bell Game":  yes, that seems pretty stupid to me also.  You would think that a game that gets +10,000 in attendance each year (and could easily do 12,000 as you mention), that they (DePauw) would want to have as many people as they can, especially since it is at their place.  They should alot at least double of what you mention they are giving to your school/fans and for that matter, they should just sell as many as they can at the door - no limits IMO would not be a problem (they can provide for security, police, ambulance, aspects, etc., etc. handily regardless of the size of the crowd at the game).  Heck, it is for only one game (and the biggest) of the year!

[formerd3db]

BB:

I think you have some good points and ideas.  I'm assuming that you are saying that the number of tickets have been purposely limited in past years.  Based on the recent attendance as you mention in recent years, I can't imagine that the game would have a problem drawing that type of attendance every year i.e. +12,000-15,000.  People would pay the extra $ as you suggest which would help defray extra costs for those services - it isn't that much and, absolutely, is a bargin compared to what you pay for going to DI games - and in that comparison, this isn't just any little DIII game as you know - it doesn warrant and get the attention, attendance, hoopla, etc, etc. for obvious reasons, just like a DI game, speaking in the general sense.

Do you ever see DPU consenting to consider making some changes, though? (even if approached in a serious, diplomatic way??)  You know the"atmosphere" better than I.  Thanks for your discussion.  A relevant and interesting topic.

[wally_wabash]

2700?  Seriously?  LAME.  Glad I didn't wait until this weekend to get mine...there might not be any left by halftime. 

DPU limits the ticket sales and hides behind the reason of "security" (note: I'm not knocking the importance of security...without it, these games could get out of hand, and have in the past),  but I think you've hit the nail on the head...if they opened it up with a reasonable ticket distribution (2/3 home, 1/3 visitors) they'd never sell it out and the actual fan distribution would be closer to 50/50 which would be a total embarrassment for them.  I've been to 11 of these games...my first was '96 and that game ended ugly.  The '98 game ended just as ugly.  Then security got cranked way up at both sites and there haven't been any problems since.  With a couple of incident-free games having been held at Wabash since the '98 game, Wabash started bumping up the number of tickets for games held in C'ville.  There's no reason why DePauw shouldn't be doing the same thing...unless they were concerned about not being able to sell 7000-8000 tickets to their own fans. 

Shame on DePauw...the game deserves better. 

[cave2bens]

Haven't been to any Monon games since 2002, and none (of half dozen) in Greencastle since 1981.  Has the configuration of Blackstock changed since then?  It seemed that the visitor side bleachers were few in number - certainly insufficient for a game (and tradition) of this magnitude.  Does the capability of a temporary expansion exist?  Too old to remember twenty-six years ago, except for Tommy Mont's referee suck-up routines.  

Possible embarrassment and security aside, this is an opportunity for some positive publicity (with Wes' laudible efforts) to counter DPU's DZ sorority fiasco.  But then, at least the Dannie Band will show up at home    

Will yield my desire for 2:2700 and an evening in scenic Putnam County, and make the trip in 2008.  For those more local, 'Bash fans - you could probably trade a case of Zima or Smirinoff Coolers for a couple of ducats...

WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS

[wally_wabash]

Haven't been to any Monon games since 2002, and none (of half dozen) in Greencastle since 1981.  Has the configuration of Blackstock changed since then?  It seemed that the visitor side bleachers were few in number - certainly insufficient for a game (and tradition) of this magnitude.  Does the capability of a temporary expansion exist?  Too old to remember twenty-six years ago, except for Tommy Mont's referee suck-up routines. 

It seems to me that Blackstock is about the same size as Hollett.  In fact, this site lists the capacity at Blackstock at 4,000...Hollett is listed at 4,200.  If they wanted 10,000 fans at the game, they could get 10,000...they'd just have to sell more red tickets than they're comfortable with. 

Possible embarrassment and security aside, this is an opportunity for some positive publicity (with Wes' laudible efforts) to counter DPU's DZ sorority fiasco.  But then, at least the Dannie Band will show up at home   

This much is true, but no band at all beats a band that plays "Eye of the Tiger" for three hours straight. 

[BashBacker#16]

Wally,

That reminds me, you and your cronies need to lock in on the Wabash/DePauw Stag that will be held on the Thursday night before the Bell game at the Marriott downtown Indy.  I think capacity this year will be 300 (pretty evenly split) - both sides have roasters, and last year's was a lot of fun.

I agree on the security, there has not been an incident for a long time.  The fact that they keep both sides on their respective sides, the fact that there is an actual Bell exchange process, prevents any major problems.  DPU needs to open it up more.  They have never placed bleachers in the endzone on the South end of the stadium and that seems like a logical spot to add a bunch of spectators.

WAF78 - you are right...its DPU!

Wally - haven't missed a Bell game since '81...I was 13.    Best weekend of the year.

In the meantime, let's beat Oberlin!

[Li'l Giant]

Wally,

That reminds me, you and your cronies need to lock in on the Wabash/DePauw Stag that will be held on the Thursday night before the Bell game at the Marriott downtown Indy

Wally, you me and GoBash need to talk about this. I've not made flight arrangements yet.

[wally_wabash]

Monon Stag conversations are happening as we speak, 16.  It's looking like I'll be there. 

[bash06]

Blackstock may seat 4,000 but thats mainly on the home side. The visitors side can barely hold the 2,700 even with the construction of the temp. seating and a standing section.

[smedindy]

I don't think DPU can really shoehorn anymore people in there than what they already do for the Bell. It is what it is there - has been for a while ever since they stopped allowing mass chaos.

[DadofBashWarrior..]

WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS

[ScotLass]

GO  SCOTS!!!!!! 

and best wishes to all.....except Allegheny   

[WAF78]

Go Wabash Beat Oberlin. I had no idea that Oberlin's losses had come by the hands of some pretty good teams...Wash-Jeff among them. Last week the Wabash run D was great..they need that today. Hope the pass D firms up. Also, I hope CP gets a lot more touches...I really like him. Go little Giants.
The DPU discussions will continue and intensify as the time draws near. I hope to be at the Stag as well this year. One of the all time one liners from the Stag from years ago..."Did you hear about the confused Dannie...He went into the bathroom, pulled out his tie ...and pissed his pants."
I, for one, lament the SWAT team/storm trooper approach for security for the bell game. It has totally inhibitied...no....squashed the creativity, excitment and high jinks during the game. But...with our PC times and the litigious nature of our society, I understand why it has happened...I'm just glad I played when I did and saw some of the funniest stuff in my life at Bell Games.

[bashbrother]

Good Luck to Wabash and all of the NCAC teams today.  May it be an injury free - hard hitting day.