FB: Empire 8

[AUPepBand]

Alfred was one of the first institutions in the country to install lights for its football field and it was actually for religious reasons. Alfred was founded by Seventh Day Baptists who observe the Biblical Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. The majority of the town was Seventh Day Baptists and, in fact, at one time, Alfred had the only post office in the country that was CLOSED on Saturday and open on Sunday. Thus, in deference to the Sabbath, home football games were played on Saturday nights under the lights.

This proved to be beneficial as the team drew larger crowds from among high schools that had played their games either Friday nights or Saturday afternoons. It also eventually became detrimental because there were not too many schools that wanted their football teams returning to their campuses so late at night.

AUPepBand believes the Saxons would draw larger crowds to Saturday night games because they, in most cases, would not conflict with the high school schedule.

[labart96]

It's absolutely not an obsession. It is all about maximizing value by maximizing attendance and competitive advantage. I suggest that someone at Fisher has concluded that Homecoming and "maybe" parents weekend games are best held at night. One thing not mentioned so far is that players LOVE to play under the lights. As I said, Ithaca's attendance record is clearly very good. How much attendance ,though, is being left on the table? Ithaca has  had very good records. A home team playing at night before a pumped up home crowd has a definite competitive advantage, and I think that holds true at all Divisions. If none of that is worth the installation of lights, so be it, and I respect that decision. But at every institution someone needs to at least weigh the pros and cons.

TGP thinks one of the cons heavily considered by most AD's is the fact - especially in Upstate and later in the football season, it gets REALLY FREAKING COLD AT NIGHT and most students/fans are more likely to show up in the sunlight vs. freezin under the lights.

Lame, yes, but also true.

[AUPepBand]

TGP: Good point....Brrrrrr! Chilly temperatures are tough on the band. Been awhile, but anytime AU plays a night game, it's usually a home opener or early season game.

[Knightstalker]

Plus night games tend to draw a crowd that has been imbibing in spirits and they often let those spirits get out of hand and many schools don't want the hassle or legal implications.

[Jonny Utah]

That being the case, perhaps the alumni and boosters need to step up. Ithaca already has a great attendance record. The new facility is going to be great. Make these bold moves while you have the momentum!

1) The Alumni and boosters have stepped up in just about every situation.  From at least 6 new buildings on campus since 1997, at least 4 more in the works...including the athletic facility and many endowed programs and scholarships.  I know you were joking on this one, but I just wanted to put that out there that there has been a ton of construction on campus in recent years.

2) I don't understand the obsession with night games.  Does that make a program?  Obviously Ithaca does OK in attendence.  Saint Johns does pretty well too with no lights, Linfield was in that top 10 and has no lights.  I guess I just don't see the absolute need.  Furthermore, students do not make up the majority of (or probably even 1/4) of the fans.  I don't see night games making any difference in numbers, income, recruiting, or scheduling.  Maybe its just my opinion.

Friday night games are for high schools.  All college games should be played on Sat (night if need be).

There isnt a football stadium planned for the new IC center is there?  It looks like a football field with stands inground from the building on one side, but thats just from what I saw on the picture.  Anyone know for sure if they are keeping football in Butterfield?

[AUPepBand]

It was Pep's understanding from previous discussions on these boards that the new facilities will not be used for home football games....Butterfield is the place, as it should be.

[Sir Spiedie]

I definitely agree about the cold, so even assuming no night games past Oct 15 or so,  that leaves, what, 6-7 weeks, depending on when the season starts.
Students imbibing spirits? Gambling in Casablanca? I'm shocked!

[Sir Spiedie]

6 or 7 week WINDOW not 6 or 7 games.

[superman57]

I think most teams do try for one or two night games a season....I remember for a fact the night game that I went to this year it POORED the entire game and was cold and miserable

[labart96]

There were a couple of late season games where the lights were on in the daytime because it was so dark.

Tis known to have happened many a day in Upstate.

Back in his prime, when a gig in downtown Geneva would spill into after hours parties followed by a 7:30 am faceplant, TGP would awake dazed and confused thinking it was 8 or 9 pm in the evening.  TGP would look out the window and see what basically appearred as night, but lo and behold, the digital clock by the bed would say 4:33.

Go figure!

BTW - TGP may be older, but TGP is still young enough to get a kick out of having a karma of 69 DUDE!!! 

[Pat Coleman]

Linfield was in that top 10 and has no lights. 

Linfield has lights. Played two night home games this past season.

[realistic]

That being the case, perhaps the alumni and boosters need to step up. Ithaca already has a great attendance record. The new facility is going to be great. Make these bold moves while you have the momentum!

1) The Alumni and boosters have stepped up in just about every situation.  From at least 6 new buildings on campus since 1997, at least 4 more in the works...including the athletic facility and many endowed programs and scholarships.  I know you were joking on this one, but I just wanted to put that out there that there has been a ton of construction on campus in recent years.

2) I don't understand the obsession with night games.  Does that make a program?  Obviously Ithaca does OK in attendence.  Saint Johns does pretty well too with no lights, Linfield was in that top 10 and has no lights.  I guess I just don't see the absolute need.  Furthermore, students do not make up the majority of (or probably even 1/4) of the fans.  I don't see night games making any difference in numbers, income, recruiting, or scheduling.  Maybe its just my opinion.

Friday night games are for high schools.  All college games should be played on Sat (night if need be).

There isnt a football stadium planned for the new IC center is there?  It looks like a football field with stands inground from the building on one side, but thats just from what I saw on the picture.  Anyone know for sure if they are keeping football in Butterfield?

JU - theres a turf field planned for the back side of the facility.  It has stands but I think it is planned for practices and to be used when needed (I would assume bad weather, etc.) I think Butterfield is planned for football for the long run.

Linfield was in that top 10 and has no lights. 

Linfield has lights. Played two night home games this past season.

my bad - been there once for a day game, must not have been paying attention.

[AUPepBand]

At one time, AU was going to build athletic facilities on Jericho Hill, 2300 ft. above sea leavel and about 600 feet above the present Merrill Field. There still remains on Jericho Hill an athletic field used by Alfred's rugby club and a grass football field surrounded by trees and the old Terra Cotta Field lights. Pep is unsure whether the lights can still be used but fondly remembers seeing the sky lit up in late August when Coach Yunevich had his boys up there in pre-season camp.

Pep just had to post something, this board is getting rather quiet.

[Jonny Utah]

At one time, AU was going to build athletic facilities on Jericho Hill, 2300 ft. above sea leavel and about 600 feet above the present Merrill Field. There still remains on Jericho Hill an athletic field used by Alfred's rugby club and a grass football field surrounded by trees and the old Terra Cotta Field lights. Pep is unsure whether the lights can still be used but fondly remembers seeing the sky lit up in late August when Coach Yunevich had his boys up there in pre-season camp.

Pep just had to post something, this board is getting rather quiet.

Pep, I think you meant to say the legendary coach Yunevich.  Please dont make that mistake again.

[AUPepBand]

At one time, AU was going to build athletic facilities on Jericho Hill, 2300 ft. above sea leavel and about 600 feet above the present Merrill Field. There still remains on Jericho Hill an athletic field used by Alfred's rugby club and a grass football field surrounded by trees and the old Terra Cotta Field lights. Pep is unsure whether the lights can still be used but fondly remembers seeing the sky lit up in late August when Coach Yunevich had his boys up there in pre-season camp.

Pep just had to post something, this board is getting rather quiet.

Pep, I think you meant to say the legendary coach Yunevich.  Please dont make that mistake again.

You're right, Jonny. I had already given Pat his one time. Thanks for catching my obvious error of omission! +K