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Definitely saw that coming. One of the great "benefits" of OBC membership is access to the "End Zone Experience." In case you're wondering what that is, in 2021 it's a complete lack of signage or direction. If you do somehow discover that you're allowed to use the viewing area of the Academic Center, you are provided with...zilch. There was a woman uncorking some wine but otherwise ZERO beverages -- no soda, beer or water for sale. When I asked a GA about it, he said, "Our vendor didn't show up. We'll figure it out in the next few weeks." Here's an idea: Get the 3-4 GAs to put down their phones, grab some coolers or tubs, fill them with ice and water/soft drinks...and start gathering cash for the department. I understand that the department has to follow the university's COVID protocols, but the current concessions setup is a huge failure. If there were 20K in attendance last night, it's fair to assume 12K never even attempted to buy a drink, hot dog or other item due to the 30- to 40-minute lines. That's a lot of lost revenue and a lot of dehydrated fans. I would have expected the department to use the large, open-air plaza beneath the academic center for concession sales. Nope - totally empty. Julie Cromer and Co. -- PLEASE, at the very least, put several beverage stations in this area so fans can grab a Pepsi or water from bins of ice and then pay a cashier. I would happily have paid $8 for a water last night rather than have to miss an entire quarter waiting in line beneath the stands. This was a huge fail. If you don't fix this problem next week and the temp hovers around 80 degrees, you'll need some extra ambulances for heat stroke victims. The plaza area in front of the academic center had all sorts of activities and food vendors a couple of years ago. This year, virtually none. Whoever is running the scoreboard apparently decided to skip the step of updating down and distance for long stretches of the second half. Ms. Cromer seems to feel her role is well above the nitty-gritty of ensuring an acceptable fan experience. I expect better. Last Edited: 9/5/2021 11:29:02 AM by SBH Back to Top bobcatsquared General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Post Count: 5,034 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/5/2021 11:35:37 AM  Hope you and your better half found the dog sitter situation in Belpre to your satisfaction. Back to Top SBH General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Post Count: 3,747 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/5/2021 11:40:35 AM  That was the only upside to the evening. BTW, Dairy Queen's posted hours on Columbus Road are 11am-10pm. Lights were out at 9:45 last night... Back to Top bobcatsquared General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Post Count: 5,034 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/5/2021 12:21:17 PM  SBH wrote: That was the only upside to the evening. BTW, Dairy Queen's posted hours on Columbus Road are 11am-10pm. Lights were out at 9:45 last night... I expect better. Back to Top AlumDadDad General User Member Since: 10/18/2015 Post Count: 523 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/5/2021 12:34:11 PM  SBH wrote: Wow, was I impressed with student turnout. Did not see that coming. Wow, was I disappointed with concessions/game operations. Definitely saw that coming. One of the great "benefits" of OBC membership is access to the "End Zone Experience." In case you're wondering what that is, in 2021 it's a complete lack of signage or direction. If you do somehow discover that you're allowed to use the viewing area of the Academic Center, you are provided with...zilch. There was a woman uncorking some wine but otherwise ZERO beverages -- no soda, beer or water for sale. When I asked a GA about it, he said, "Our vendor didn't show up. We'll figure it out in the next few weeks." Here's an idea: Get the 3-4 GAs to put down their phones, grab some coolers or tubs, fill them with ice and water/soft drinks...and start gathering cash for the department. I understand that the department has to follow the university's COVID protocols, but the current concessions setup is a huge failure. If there were 20K in attendance last night, it's fair to assume 12K never even attempted to buy a drink, hot dog or other item due to the 30- to 40-minute lines. That's a lot of lost revenue and a lot of dehydrated fans. I would have expected the department to use the large, open-air plaza beneath the academic center for concession sales. Nope - totally empty. Julie Cromer and Co. -- PLEASE, at the very least, put several beverage stations in this area so fans can grab a Pepsi or water from bins of ice and then pay a cashier. I would happily have paid $8 for a water last night rather than have to miss an entire quarter waiting in line beneath the stands. This was a huge fail. If you don't fix this problem next week and the temp hovers around 80 degrees, you'll need some extra ambulances for heat stroke victims. The plaza area in front of the academic center had all sorts of activities and food vendors a couple of years ago. This year, virtually none. Whoever is running the scoreboard apparently decided to skip the step of updating down and distance for long stretches of the second half. Ms. Cromer seems to feel her role is well above the nitty-gritty of ensuring an acceptable fan experience. I expect better. Totally agree. The lines were unbelievable. It's like everyone knew there was a football game last night...except concessions. Is Jackie O's no longer doing Ohio Athletics events? That bit of local flavor was a huge boost to what otherwise qualifies as a High School band booster concession experience. Back to Top Bobcat Love General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Post Count: 937 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/5/2021 1:40:50 PM  As I told someone, I really don't want to be "that guy" about the concessions situation....however the University left the GDP of a small African nation on the table last night because of lost revenue due to the concessions situation. That was a tough one to watch. Back to Top bshot44 General User Member Since: 2/12/2012 Post Count: 2,211 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/5/2021 1:50:37 PM  What a miserable experience outside of just finally being back at a football game. ZERO heads up they were honoring Frank pre-game. C'mon. Then the absolutely embarrassment of the concessions. I had about 15 friends come along to this game and it was really tough to explain "it's normally not this bad" I'd love to know what deal with Jackie O's? Did they pull out? Was that an OU decision? Either way ... why no beer/water/soda stand in end zone concourse?!?!? Inexplicable. What an epic fail. You get a huge crowd for the first time in years and the impression you make was miserable. And I'm not even talking about what transpired on the field. Don't get me started on that ... will only make me more depressed. Excited to be back at Peden ... but man what terrible customer experience. Really hope someone from Athletic department reads these comments and they make some serious changes for next week and the <10k crowd that'll probably attend Back to Top AlumDadDad General User Member Since: 10/18/2015 Post Count: 523 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/5/2021 1:51:20 PM  Putting the pieces together, complaints about the condition of the field logo (the turf is not that old), lack of concessions, dead spots in the relatively new video board... All point to funding issues. Virtually no season last year, declining enrollment, all putting the crunch on a program our size probably. WRT concessions, though, you're right about opportunity missed! Huge crowd last night could have brought in $$$. Back to Top AlumDadDad General User Member Since: 10/18/2015 Post Count: 523 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/5/2021 2:06:32 PM  One more thing before I have to get on with putting away the tailgating gear. A decent entrepreneur could see that a local brewery stand (any one of the three) next to a burrito buggy stand (wouldn't have to be the real buggy, could be a replica or the little one) on the Sook concourse would be a huge draw. An easy way to really improve the experience and put an Athens stamp on it. Back to Top Deciduous Forest Cat General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Location: Ohio Post Count: 4,302 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/5/2021 2:21:21 PM  The lack of anything on the endzone concourse was a big wtf moment before the game. Why the hell is it there? I left room in my liver for one good Jackie o beer before calling it a day and it wasn't an option. Back to Top AlumDadDad General User Member Since: 10/18/2015 Post Count: 523 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/5/2021 2:45:39 PM  Deciduous Forest Cat wrote: The lack of anything on the endzone concourse was a big wtf moment before the game. Why the hell is it there? I left room in my liver for one good Jackie o beer before calling it a day and it wasn't an option. And to think I passed on a perfectly good Chomolungma thinking I'd just get one in Peden.... Back to Top MonroeClassmate General User Member Since: 8/31/2010 Post Count: 1,998 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/5/2021 3:31:02 PM  Concessions, play on the field, condition of the field..... But what about the 110 and Band Day, did the pre-game and halftime show live up to the high standards that has entertained Bobcat fans for years? Back to Top FanInTheStands General User Member Since: 10/11/2015 Post Count: 172 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/5/2021 8:31:04 PM  MonroeClassmate wrote: Concessions, play on the field, condition of the field..... But what about the 110 and Band Day, did the pre-game and halftime show live up to the high standards that has entertained Bobcat fans for years? Let me add this little tidbit as well. I was one of the lucky few to get 3 soft drinks prior to the game starting. It wasn't a smooth transaction though. After waiting in line for 15 minutes or so as I get near the front of the line they announce "cash only" as they can't access the internet. (Typical se Ohio problem). Then as they hand me my drinks they remove the bottle caps. I asked why they were doing that and was told they have to keep all caps so we don't throw them on the field. WTF??? Where do they get this stuff? I agree with many others on here about the appearance of the field and Peden. The overall appearance of the stadium was dirty...field included. You'd think someone locally would have been happy to powerwash the bleachers for a minimum fee or even donate time to do it. The field looked terrible in person...even worse on TV. Finally, the recognition for Frank was an embarrassment. Why not do it between quarters or at a time when full attention is given to him and not when folks are still rushing to their seats and bands are clearing the field? He deserved better. Back to Top Jeff McKinney     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/6/2021 12:10:57 AM  This Message was Deleted at 9/6/2021 12:54:18 AM Back to Top WishIWasAtLuckys General User Member Since: 7/31/2014 Post Count: 160 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/6/2021 1:03:02 AM  From a consumer experience perspective, everyone is spot on. A huge step back from my last time in the stadium which was 2018. The Solich recognition was actually sad to watch. There was music blaring from the speakers almost making the modest video obsolete in addition to almost everyone still trying to arrive to their seats … I will get past the lines and the overall state of the stadium but Coach Solich deserved far better than that. Back to Top Casper71 General User Member Since: 12/1/2006 Post Count: 2,894 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/6/2021 1:19:53 AM  Talk about lack of game day experience. Why doesn’t the band stay on the field for the team entering or get to their seat before the game starts. No fight song as kick off is approaching? Then the whole issue of all you’re going over the loudspeakers while the band is trying to play. The whole thing was stupid. Back to Top The Optimist General User Member Since: 3/16/2007 Location: CLE Post Count: 5,552 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/6/2021 10:52:28 AM  AlumDadDad wrote: One more thing before I have to get on with putting away the tailgating gear. A decent entrepreneur could see that a local brewery stand (any one of the three) next to a burrito buggy stand (wouldn't have to be the real buggy, could be a replica or the little one) on the Sook concourse would be a huge draw. An easy way to really improve the experience and put an Athens stamp on it. Agreed. Get rid of these corporate vendors who apparently don’t even show up and bring in local places. Would be a huge draw and make the game day experience unique. I've seen crazier things happen. Back to Top BillyTheCat General User Member Since: 10/6/2012 Post Count: 9,454 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/6/2021 6:23:34 PM  FanInTheStands wrote: MonroeClassmate wrote: Concessions, play on the field, condition of the field..... But what about the 110 and Band Day, did the pre-game and halftime show live up to the high standards that has entertained Bobcat fans for years? Let me add this little tidbit as well. I was one of the lucky few to get 3 soft drinks prior to the game starting. It wasn't a smooth transaction though. After waiting in line for 15 minutes or so as I get near the front of the line they announce "cash only" as they can't access the internet. (Typical se Ohio problem). Then as they hand me my drinks they remove the bottle caps. I asked why they were doing that and was told they have to keep all caps so we don't throw them on the field. WTF??? Where do they get this stuff? I agree with many others on here about the appearance of the field and Peden. The overall appearance of the stadium was dirty...field included. You'd think someone locally would have been happy to powerwash the bleachers for a minimum fee or even donate time to do it. The field looked terrible in person...even worse on TV. Finally, the recognition for Frank was an embarrassment. Why not do it between quarters or at a time when full attention is given to him and not when folks are still rushing to their seats and bands are clearing the field? He deserved better. Not serving closed bottles is standard operating procedure in all stadiums. Maybe should get out some more b Back to Top Jeff McKinney Moderator Member Since: 11/12/2004 Post Count: 6,043 Status: Online     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/6/2021 10:19:20 PM  Casper71 wrote: Talk about lack of game day experience. Why doesn’t the band stay on the field for the team entering or get to their seat before the game starts. No fight song as kick off is approaching? Then the whole issue of all you’re going over the loudspeakers while the band is trying to play. The whole thing was stupid. The reason the 110 didn't stay on the field was HS band day. They are normally on the field when the team enters. Back to Top FanInTheStands General User Member Since: 10/11/2015 Post Count: 172 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/7/2021 7:30:10 AM  First time it has happened to me in all of my years at Peden. Was at TQL stadium in Cincy last month and wasn't an issue there either. Back to Top SBH General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Post Count: 3,747 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/7/2021 8:49:39 AM  One wild card in all of this - including my complaints - is the availability of workers. Someone told me last night that Big 10 teams are facing the same issue - no one is willing to work at the concession stands. I would have begged for a periodic 4-hour paying gig back in the day. Back to Top OUcats82 General User Member Since: 1/9/2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Post Count: 1,827 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/7/2021 9:47:12 AM  SBH wrote: One wild card in all of this - including my complaints - is the availability of workers. Someone told me last night that Big 10 teams are facing the same issue - no one is willing to work at the concession stands. I would have begged for a periodic 4-hour paying gig back in the day. Same. Most campus employment jobs seemed to be word of mouth or "if you knew a guy.." Really discouraging to read all of these comments and experiences. With an AD who came from an SEC program you would think that the standards would have been raised. Do they still have churches, non profits volunteers etc. working the concessions? Even with limited cash and labor it still seems like it shouldn't have been as bad as it was? Ohio-The State University Back to Top shabamon General User Member Since: 11/17/2006 Location: Cincinnati Post Count: 6,102 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/7/2021 10:37:51 AM  Where I sat in the Phillips Club, I could look directly behind me and see into the concourse where the concessions line was. Each time I went to the restroom, I could see that the line stretched halfway down the concourse. In my experience with our concessions and the workers needing calculators to total the price, I didn't even want to bother. The only concessions I noticed by the academic center was a single snow cone vendor, so I took my four year old there as I rather he be hydrated than fed, if I must choose. To that guy's credit, he kept the line moving fast. Then just as the fourth quarter began, I looked back and saw the line had shortened, so I got in only to be told that I just missed the cutoff for last customer of the night. That really disappointed my son who was quite restless at that point. So the Arby's on State Street got my late night food money instead of Ohio Athletics (and Arby's also forgot ketchup and the milk that's supposed to come with the kid's meal). I was also a little disappointed in the area immediately outside the stadium north of the Academic Center. I saw advertisements that this was supposed to be some big tailgate plaza with games and food vendors and really it was only a DJ, some cornhole boards, and Burrito Buggy. To BB's credit, they had three people in the truck and hussled to get orders out, but the line did get long which can be problematic when you have to assemble orders. I was expecting like three food trucks and perhaps some inflatables. Back to Top shabamon General User Member Since: 11/17/2006 Location: Cincinnati Post Count: 6,102 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/7/2021 10:43:00 AM  Oh and BTW, if Union Street Diner can install Xlerator hand driers, Peden Stadium has no excuse. Back to Top OU_Country General User Member Since: 12/6/2005 Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County Post Count: 8,320 Status: Offline     RE: Gamedy experience    Posted: 9/7/2021 11:06:58 AM  I wasn't even at the game, and I could have predicted this thread, and the challenges it's complaining about, in advance of gameday. Thank goodness for tailgating maybe? 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