Author Topic: Gazette: Kickoff times not on side of Herd fans (Read 1821 times)

ZackUSAF82 · « **on:** July 18, 2011, 06:08:40 AM »

Quote

By Doug Smock

AROUND and around and around the horn we go; where we stop, nobody knows ... Hey, is that me chasing the Pittsburgh Pirates bandwagon? Shhhhh ...

All that years-long rage from Marshall fans about getting football home games back to 7 p.m. is quickly being rendered moot.

Conference USA and Southern Mississippi announced this week the Thundering Herd's home opener against the Golden Eagles on Sept. 10 will kick off at 3:30 p.m.

The Herd's game against Virginia Tech two weeks later? Same time, 3:30 p.m.

The Oct. 29 game against Alabama-Birmingham? That's a nooner.

So that leaves the Oct. 15 game with Rice and the Nov. 26 season finale with East Carolina. You can figure the latter won't be a 7 p.m. start, so that leaves the Rice game, barring a time set for TV.

Link: http://wvgazette.com/Sports/Marshall/201107171492

HerdFans.com · « **on:** July 18, 2011, 06:08:40 AM »

Marshallguy04 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 18, 2011, 09:16:42 AM »

Hopefully fans dont complain...
I know many jobs cant be called off by a phone call but you have a month now.

forphase1 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 18, 2011, 10:10:04 AM »

While it isn't an issue for me any longer as my son has now grown up past that age, but for me it wasn't work issues that kept me away, but rather youth football. IIRC, many others also had the same issues. Youth football games are played on Saturday, and often they go until the late afternoon depending on the age of your child And those games can't be modified or changed by the parents regardless of how much notice is given to us. :-) Daytime kick offs hurt our attendance.

herd_67 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 18, 2011, 10:17:02 AM »

Just have to roll with the flow, I thought we would have atleast one 7pm game in warm weather but those are the breaks. Either way just show up and yell for the herd and love it!!!!

HerdMan84 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 18, 2011, 06:26:03 PM »

I would sure hate to be there at 3:30 on a day like today. And if we are losing, it would be even more miserable.
Night games seem to have a better atmosphere too; it's easier to hide the booze.

W0lfman · « **Reply #5 on:** July 18, 2011, 06:28:46 PM »

Hopefully the reason behind the announced times are TV. Really no other reason to play Sep/Oct games at the Joan earlier than 730pm.

Herdmeister · « **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2011, 06:35:34 PM »

Quote from: W0lfman on July 18, 2011, 06:28:46 PM

Hopefully the reason behind the announced times are TV. Really no other reason to play Sep/Oct games at the Joan earlier than 730pm.

7:30 kickoffs would eliminate any newspaper coverage. Deadlines would pass, for the most part. Only local editions would make the cut.

mxman870 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2011, 07:02:02 PM »

Quote from: forphase1 on July 18, 2011, 10:10:04 AM

While it isn't an issue for me any longer as my son has now grown up past that age, but for me it wasn't work issues that kept me away, but rather youth football. IIRC, many others also had the same issues. Youth football games are played on Saturday, and often they go until the late afternoon depending on the age of your child And those games can't be modified or changed by the parents regardless of how much notice is given to us. :-) Daytime kick offs hurt our attendance.

This is exactly the reason alot of people dislike the early games. You can`t forget the cheerleaders either. Add in the fact ALOT of the folks are board members of their respective leagues and there are duties involved long after the last play of the late game that need to be addressed. No excuse for having the Sept. games played in the early afternoon.

IM4DHERD · « **Reply #8 on:** July 18, 2011, 07:03:57 PM »

I'd trade afternoon games for newspaper deadlines, with TV and internet, nothing is missed. I'd much prefer night games for the atmosphere alone.

The So Miss (CSS) and Va Tech (CBS Sports Network) are both on TV. CSS coverage sucks, but it is available through most of the South where our recruiting base. Not going to be available on any satellite since it's owned by a cable company. C-USA All-Access package for game watching parties.

W0lfman · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2011, 07:48:49 PM »

Quote from: Herdmeister on July 18, 2011, 06:35:34 PM

7:30 kickoffs would eliminate any newspaper coverage. Deadlines would pass, for the most part. Only local editions would make the cut.

What newspapers are you talking about?

wvmafia · « **Reply #10 on:** July 18, 2011, 08:24:53 PM »

There are reasons for the start times. I'm not saying that our Athletic Department and CUSA don't care about the fans, but the fans who sit in seats are the VERY LAST consideration. Just like the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night games we played while in the MAC. Making a game day or time convenient for the fan going through the gate, in this day and age of multiple media outlets, is of no concern whatsoever...please tell me you are all able to realize that.

Thunders · « **Reply #11 on:** July 19, 2011, 02:00:26 AM »

Just freakin get to the games whatever way you can.

HerdFans.com · « **Reply #11 on:** July 19, 2011, 02:00:26 AM »

miltonherdfan · « **Reply #12 on:** July 19, 2011, 08:15:15 AM »

i have no problem whatsover w/adjusting game times to accomodate for tv (which is what hamrick's doing). but i think what i & a lot of other fans didn't like were kayo's 4:30 kickoffs -- that no fan liked -- when he wasn't getting the game televised. it's like he was just setting them at 4:30 to see how bad he could tick people off. so, if the game's not going to be televised, THEN schedule a 7pm kickoff (or noonish when it starts to get cold).

Herdmeister · « **Reply #13 on:** July 19, 2011, 08:25:59 AM »

Quote from: W0lfman on July 18, 2011, 07:48:49 PM

What newspapers are you talking about?

Virtually any paper. I know when I was a writer for the Wheeling paper, any game that came across our desk after 11PM was never in the outlying area additions, only the local addition. I'm sure it is still pretty much the same.

Thundering Lydia · « **Reply #14 on:** July 19, 2011, 03:09:39 PM »

Quote from: Herdmeister on July 19, 2011, 08:25:59 AM

Virtually any paper. I know when I was a writer for the Wheeling paper, any game that came across our desk after 11PM was never in the outlying area additions, only the local addition. I'm sure it is still pretty much the same.

That was Kayo's rationale for early start times.

Makes me wonder how anyone ever heard of us when we played nearly ALL of our home games at 7:00 . . . . Now, where is that eye-roll emoticon . . . .

But, really, if you're trading your fans wishes for TV coverage, that's one thing; but if you're doing it for newspaper coverage in rags that will only give you a blurb anyway, then that's terribly short-sighted. Print media is on life-support as it is.

IM4DHERD · « **Reply #15 on:** July 19, 2011, 03:37:24 PM »

Quote from: wvmafia on July 18, 2011, 08:24:53 PM

There are reasons for the start times. I'm not saying that our Athletic Department and CUSA don't care about the fans, but the fans who sit in seats are the VERY LAST consideration. Just like the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night games we played while in the MAC. Making a game day or time convenient for the fan going through the gate, in this day and age of multiple media outlets, is of no concern whatsoever...please tell me you are all able to realize that.

If the choice is for exposure to the 25,000 who might come to the game, only to leave at halftime to not return, or to the millions who we could be exposed to on TV, including potential recruits and poll voters, there is no question as to the right call. Huntington and the attitude of the fans have made that choice all too easy.

Herdmeister · « **Reply #16 on:** July 19, 2011, 04:23:03 PM »

Quote from: Thundering Lydia on July 19, 2011, 03:09:39 PM

That was Kayo's rationale for early start times.

Makes me wonder how anyone ever heard of us when we played nearly ALL of our home games at 7:00 . . . . Now, where is that eye-roll emoticon . . . .

But, really, if you're trading your fans wishes for TV coverage, that's one thing; but if you're doing it for newspaper coverage in rags that will only give you a blurb anyway, then that's terribly short-sighted. Print media is on life-support as it is.

I was responding to a 7:30 start time. 7:00 is a totally different scenario. Deadlines can be met, in most cases with a 7 PM kickoff.

tazz60 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 19, 2011, 04:32:33 PM »

If you think that it hot at noon and don't want to be inconvenienced - try putting on a full uniform. Pads, full length pants, high socks, sholder pads and helmet. Dont't complain - go to the games and be glad for shorts, sandles, t-shirt and a cold beer.

W0lfman · « **Reply #18 on:** July 20, 2011, 10:14:49 PM »

Quote from: tazz60 on July 19, 2011, 04:32:33 PM

If you think that it hot at noon and don't want to be inconvenienced - try putting on a full uniform. Pads, full length pants, high socks, sholder pads and helmet. Dont't complain - go to the games and be glad for shorts, sandles, t-shirt and a cold beer.

Cant put it any better than that.

robowski · « **Reply #19 on:** July 20, 2011, 10:37:53 PM »

This is bull crap - I have to miss a home opener due to work that day (a big commitment that i can't get out of). i WAS HOPING FOR 7PM kickoff so i could at least make it there by 2nd quarter
why in the hell do we keep scheduling early season games during the hottest part of the day? it better be for tv and increased exposure
its too friggin hot in sept and sometimes early october in huntington as well - i don't care whose wearing helmets and pads yadda yadda - im the man paying for the tickets and its hard for me to keep from passing out in the 95 degree heat

we are supporting this team and we want later kickoffs early in the season - hamrick needs to take note and if the opponent is worthy then the tv coverage will usually be there regardess
also its bad enough we only have 5 home games - the first two of the season will be smoldering!

TwoBuffaloes · « **Reply #20 on:** July 21, 2011, 07:51:03 PM »

Quote from: Thundering Lydia on July 19, 2011, 03:09:39 PM

But, really, if you're trading your fans wishes for TV coverage, that's one thing; but if you're doing it for newspaper coverage in rags that will only give you a blurb anyway, then that's terribly short-sighted. Print media is on life-support as it is.

Ouch. I'm still working for newspapers and that hurt just a little. :'(

But you're right about print media.

In fact both you and Herdmeister are right. The H-D and Charleston paper will push back deadlines, but others won't. I work in Ashland and we don't hold deadline for anything other than high school football and basketball. Even then, it depends on the team and the importance of the game.

carolinaherdfan · « **Reply #21 on:** July 22, 2011, 10:37:04 AM »

Quote from: robowski on July 20, 2011, 10:37:53 PM

This is bull crap - I have to miss a home opener due to work that day (a big commitment that i can't get out of). i WAS HOPING FOR 7PM kickoff so i could at least make it there by 2nd quarter
why in the hell do we keep scheduling early season games during the hottest part of the day? it better be for tv and increased exposure
its too friggin hot in sept and sometimes early october in huntington as well - i don't care whose wearing helmets and pads yadda yadda - im the man paying for the tickets and its hard for me to keep from passing out in the 95 degree heat

we are supporting this team and we want later kickoffs early in the season - hamrick needs to take note and if the opponent is worthy then the tv coverage will usually be there
regardess
also its bad enough we only have 5 home games - the first two of the season will be
smoldering!

This is the reason for the 7:00 pm start. Our attending fanbase including our students work on gameday's. Not to mention youth sports. We need the 7:00 pm start for so many good reasons.

HerdFans.com · « **Reply #21 on:** July 22, 2011, 10:37:04 AM »

herdfifteen · « **Reply #22 on:** July 22, 2011, 01:02:19 PM »

I hope we never allow CSS to dictate a time for Herd football. Unless you get their silly crap little network they deny Herd fans across the nation a chance to see Herd football. At times the idea we have 8 "televised" games is somewhat ridiculous and vastly overstated.

greenskeeper · « **Reply #23 on:** July 22, 2011, 01:52:09 PM »

When\IF CSS gets syndicated onto directtv you may feel differently...

svherd · « **Reply #24 on:** July 22, 2011, 11:23:59 PM »

7pm starts and Herd home games go together like beer and pizza. But hey, I'll be there like I have been since 1980.

HerdFans.com · « **Reply #24 on:** July 22, 2011, 11:23:59 PM »

Author Topic: Gazette: Kickoff times not on side of Herd fans (Read 1821 times)

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