120th Monon Bell Classic

bashbrother · October 09, 2013, 02:24:42 PM

Outlawing Beer Pong at the tailgate still hurts.

1837Tigers · October 10, 2013, 08:05:17 AM

A new book is coming out Oct. 29. I was sent a preview of the chapter on the '81 game; very thorough - http://www.depauw.edu/news-media/latest-news/details/30335/

Wabash Hokie · October 10, 2013, 08:46:00 AM

Quote from: 1837Tigers on October 10, 2013, 08:05:17 AM
A new book is coming out Oct. 29. I was sent a preview of the chapter on the '81 game; very thorough - http://www.depauw.edu/news-media/latest-news/details/30335/

1837 Tiger: Thanks for posting the link. I look forward to hearing more about the book. I would humbly suggest that the author provide a preview to someone from Wabash as well. Getting both sides to endorse the book would be something I would look for. To date, the works that I have read or seen about the Bell game have been well done and balanced, regardless of the school of origin.

sigma one · October 10, 2013, 10:59:30 AM

Wabndy: As far as I know, both teams install portable bleachers that along with the permanent stands add up to the number of tickets printed. In other words, if every ticket is sold the stands (in theory) should be filled. The stands have to be erected far enough in advance that the schools can't wait to see how many tickets will sell. Now, some fans don't show up, some buy multiple tickets (yes, so that they can leave--to drink (?)-- at half time or at another time), some don't ever sit down; they stand on the track (more at Wabash that at DPU, where they enforce more strictly the idea that everyone should be in a seat except certain categories (cheerleaders, Sphinx Club, et.).
Last year, I think DPU returned as many as 1500 tickets from its share. I could be a bit off, but it was a big number. Think about it this way: a thousand returned tickets is a revenue downfall of $15,000. There have been years when both sides have not sold all their tickets. When the games were close, this was generally by a small number. You are certainly correct about the weather influencing attendance--and now that the Game is broadcast so effectively, those who don't want to sit in the wet and/or cold can stay home in comfort. And most years (not all, there have been times when the tickets are gone) but it's likely dangerous for fans to assume they can show up and get in. If I recall correctly (maybe not), DePauw announced two years ago that there would be no Game-day ticket sales. I can't recall whether Wabash has gone to a like arrangement.
At this point I am guessing that the schools have evaluated how many tickets to print and how many portable stands to put up. When the Game is sold out, or nearly so, it's about a break-even financial proposition for the schools. As last year, when the ticket sales are down, the host school will lose even more money than usual because it bears the burden of setting up the stands, hiring security, getting port-a-johns, etc.
By the way, plenty port-a-johns are inside the fence. No one has to leave to go to the bathroom. (Some may choose to because they don't like portables.) I know fans who purchase multiple tickets so that they can leave and re-enter. Frankly, if people have to go outside to drink, then, well, I'm not sorry they have to buy an extra tricket.
Those of us who have been around the Game for many years remember a time when the crowd was out of of control--and thought that being that way was part of the experience. Hence the beefed up security for over a decade. Hence the fencing and the separation of the two crowds. It's gotten better.

Yes, I know all the hype and insults, but it's a football game that was once close to being interrupted for a few years. Seriously. Watch the end of the game now and see how the teams themselves have helped make the rivalry better. I can tell you for a fact that the year of The Catch, how long ago, during the week of the Game the coaches and teams agreed to meet in the center of the field in the traditional manner to shake hands. That had not happened for a long time--too long. The DePauw team through all its disappointment stood in the middle of the field for the Wabash players to return, and the Wabash players did return for the handshake. When DePauw kicked a field goal on the Game's last play to pull out a victory, the Wabash players stayed to shake hands. Any trouble or potential trouble in recent years has been from students and some others who want to taunt the losing team. This is a heated, beautiful rivalry. Better now and in recent years than it used to be. Lynch will help return it to a more competitive contest--if not this year, we hope soon.
We probably all know fans who purchase both a red ticket and a gold ticket so that they can switch sides a halftime.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled animosity.

Wabash Hokie · October 10, 2013, 01:07:49 PM

Regarding seating at Blackstock, when I drove past the field in August, I did not see any visitor stands - just flat track and open space on the east side of the grounds. If it is a given that there is no permanent visitor seating, is it fair to say that DePauw has the flexibility to provide more / better seating that before?

1837Tigers · October 10, 2013, 01:44:31 PM

Quote from: Wabash Hokie on October 10, 2013, 08:46:00 AM
Quote from: 1837Tigers on October 10, 2013, 08:05:17 AM
A new book is coming out Oct. 29. I was sent a preview of the chapter on the '81 game; very thorough - http://www.depauw.edu/news-media/latest-news/details/30335/

1837 Tiger: Thanks for posting the link. I look forward to hearing more about the book. I would humbly suggest that the author provide a preview to someone from Wabash as well. Getting both sides to endorse the book would be something I would look for. To date, the works that I have read or seen about the Bell game have been well done and balanced, regardless of the school of origin.

Pretty certain the publisher sent press materials to both schools, Hokie. The book appears to be right down the middle, as I agree it should be.

Wabash Hokie · October 13, 2013, 09:55:28 AM

Monon Bell Game Ball Relay - the DePauw and Wabash chapters of Phi Delta Theta are going to join forces to raise money for ALS (Lou Gerhig's disease - Gehrig was a Phi Delt at Columbia). A commemorative game ball will be relayed from the steps of the Wabash Chapel and, following the path of the original Monon railroad, will travel backroads through Ladoga, Roachdale, and Bainbridge to Greencastle and Blackstock Stadium. Each of those towns were stops on the former Monon line.

Two companies headed by DePauw and Wabash alumni have tentatively agreed to sponsor the relay and both chapters are working with their respective schools get the details ironed out. Great example of cooperation between the two schools for the common good.