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The Telios Group
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Sports Team’s Youth Jersey Night

July 20th 2009

Q. Jersey night used to be popular with fans.  Is this still a successful promotion and do you know of a sports team that has done it recently?

A. The Colorado Avalanche hosted its youth jersey night this past season when they gave away free youth jerseys to the first 5,000 youth 14 years old and younger.

Here are links to two other youth jersey nights from the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and the Orlando Magic.

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Town Hall Meetings With Fans

March 30th 2009

Q. Are you familiar with any college athletic programs that have successfully conducted town hall meetings with their season ticket holders and fans?

A. The University of Colorado Athletics Department conducted seven town Hall meetings between Feb 16 and Mar 2, and you can access the event information here.

Colorado conducted the town hall meetings to “gain feedback, stimulate new ideas, and educate their fans” and included on the Buff’s Town Hall meetings page are the Town Hall meeting schedule; links to the BuffsTV On-Demand of the Mar 2 Town Hall meeting; a downloadable 50-page PowerPoint presentation fused at the Town Hall meetings; an online form for fans to submit Town Hall meeting questions; and an online form for fans to provide feedback.

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Staying Connected With Season Ticket Holders

March 9th 2009

Q. In this down economy, what strategies or best practices do you recommend sports teams consider for staying connected with their fans?

A. This is a great question and the right focus – your season ticket holders, group leaders and loyal fans.

With the struggling economy and less disposable income, many sports teams find themselves struggling to meet their projected ticket sales goals and therefore find themselves focusing on new ticket sales rather than remaining committed to retention efforts and new ticket sales.

Here are three strategies to consider for staying engaged with your fans: (more…)

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Successful Volleyball Promotions

October 20th 2008

Q. What successful volleyball match promotions would you recommend for engaging and exciting fans, and is there one promotion you’d recommend for Halloween that involves fan participation?

A. I’m a big fan of the traditional T-shirt toss and pizza cheer-off promotions to get fans on their feet cheering, and the ever popular kids candy dash is popular with the youth every Halloween.  Cover the court with candy, and let the kids c

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Alumni Kids Club Programs

January 28th 2008

Q. Are you familiar with any college alumni programs that have worked in collaboration with athletics to offer an Alumni Kids Club Program?
 

A. Many colleges offer Kids Club programs, and kids of alumni who choose to become kids club members – like the University of Minnesota’s Goldy’s Gang Kids Club – receive a special discount off the regular kids club price.  This is a great strategy for college athletics departments and alumni associations to collaborate.
 
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Baseball Season Promotion for Next Season

June 22nd 2007

Q. With the College World Series in full swing, what new promotion did you see this year in baseball that you recommend colleges – as well as minor and major league baseball – consider adding to their promotions schedule next year?
 

A. I really like the Cleveland Indians Play Catch with Dad on Jacobs Field promotion. On Father’s Day, the Indians hosted its second annual “Play Catch on Jacobs Field,” and over 900 dads and their kids participated with over $10,000 being donated to the Indian’s charity. (more…)

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Keep the Ball

June 11th 2007

Q. The Arena Football League allows fans to keep any football that goes into the stands. The same holds true for baseball. Could this be equally popular with college or professional basketball?
 

A. An interesting idea and one I believe would be worth exploring with college, amateur, and professional sports.
 
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Ron Goch,
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Pom Poms, Rally Towels or Bangers

May 30th 2007

Q. I was watching the Pistons-Cavs NBA Playoff game this past weekend and couldn’t help but notice the rally towels all the fans were waving. We have not used rally towels – only pom poms and bangers. Are rally towels making a comeback, and of the three, which do you feel are the most effective for exciting fans and distracting opponents?
 

A. I’m not sure if rally towels are making a comeback, but they’ve been popular for quite some time with the Minnesota Twins and its Homer Hanky as well as the Pittsburgh Steelers and its Terrible Towel. (more…)

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An Update on NCAA Bracket

March 22nd 2007

Q. How is your NCAA bracket looking after the first  two rounds?
 
A. I did not fill in brackets for the men’s and women’s tournaments, so I guess they’re looking pretty good. (more…)

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Tennessee Men’s Coach Supports Lady Vols

February 20th 2007

Q What are your thoughts on the Tennessee men’s basketball coach painting his chest and standing front row behind the basket with some of his players last month at a Tennessee-Duke women’s basketball game at Tennessee?

A. I was surprised like most people I’ve talked to and from the news reports, but at the same time, it was great to see the Tennessee men’s basketball program supporting the Lady Vol basketball program.

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Ron Goch,
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Weddings at Sporting Events

February 8th 2007

Q. In years past sports teams would host a wedding, or a large wedding for several couples, during half-time of basketball games.  Is this still popular among teams?
 

A. Believe it or not, weddings being hosted on or near Valentine’s Day are still popular with not only basketball teams, but at hockey, lacrosse, and other winter sporting events and activities. (more…)

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Creative Name for Airplane Toss

February 6th 2007

Q. What is a creative name for a half-time airplane toss?
 

A. How about the “Flight Against Drugs” which was hosted at Lambeau Field this past Sat?  Then there’s the United Way Airplane toss, which they call the “Model Aviation Proficiency Competition.”  Wow, that’s a bit too technical for me.
 

There’s always the traditional “Airplane Toss” which will be hosted in Sioux Falls by the Stampede hockey team in a fund-raising effort to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network.
 

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Ron Goch,
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Locker Room Tours

December 19th 2006

Q. We’re considering offering locker room tours to our premium and suite holders. Do you have examples of how sports teams and other colleges have executed locker room tours?

A. This is a great premium seat and suite holder benefit. You may want to also consider offering this to groups with a minimum purchase of tickets. Below are five links to what teams and facilities are doing with their locker room tours.

Georgia Dome Tours 

Green Bay Packers Tours 

Lincoln Financial Field Tours 

Plymouth Whalers Group Attendees Tours 

World Cup Stadium Tours 

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Ron Goch,
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Ideas for Christmas-Themed Promotions

December 15th 2006

Q. Could you please provide ideas for a Christmas themed promotion at a basketball game to entertain fans?
 

A. Check out The Telios Group’s Question of the Day blog where you’ll find a post on Dec. 1 that addresses your question with information and links for Santa appearances at sporting events over the holidays.  You may want to also check out the Question of the Day blog posts between Dec 4-8 where we provided links for Holiday and stocking stuffer ticket offers.
 

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Ron Goch,
The Telios Group
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Encouraging Fans to Wear School Colors

November 29th 2006

Q. We’ve struggled with students – and fans in general – not wearing our school colors or our logo. What strategies do you recommend to encourage fans to wear our school colors to games?
 

A. College Colors Day would be a great day to kick off your campaign.  You can check out some of the stories and strategies included in the links below where school presidents have encouraged fans to wear school colors, and proclamations have been issued recognizing this day.
 

Additionally, I’ve included a link from Purdue where they have “Boilermaker Black & Gold Fridays.”  They’ve created a logo and promote on campus and throughout the community.  Many businesses not only allow, but encourage, their employees to wear the school’s colors.
 

NCAA – College Colors Day 

Purdue Athletics 

University of South Carolina
 

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Ron Goch,
The Telios Group
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Tailgate and Picnic Policies

November 27th 2006

Q. Could you provide examples for tailgating and picnicking policies for college and other sports teams?

A. Here are five examples from college and professional sports:

Montana State Athletics

UTEP Athletics

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Western Illinois Athletics

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Ron Goch,
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Restaurant Promotions for Basketball Games

November 21st 2006

Q. Can you share a new or interesting on-court basketball promotion for half-times that would be appealing to a restaurant corporate partner? Our standard promotions are old and outdated.
 

A. I don’t know if I can provide new promotions that would be idea for a restaurant promotion, or half-time activities, but I’m happy to share five of the more popular ones in hopes of striking one or two that can be used.
 

Coupons: You can provide the restaurant coupons as fans enter your arena, or distribute as exit coupons thanking fans for attending the game.  Additionally, you could include the coupons with the T-shirts tossed to fans during your “3-point T-shirt Toss;”
 

Eating Contests: Adults, children, faculty and staff, and/or students;
 

Hot Dog Launch: Wrap and launch hot dogs (complete with condiments and coupon packaged with the hot dog) to fans standing and cheering during a selected timeout or half-time. Note of caution: Be careful not to set the compression too high on the launcher or you’ll likely be sharing a hot dog with more than one fan…which happened several years ago at a basketball game;
 

Loudest Section: Encourage fans to cheer for burgers, pizza or whatever food you and the restaurant agree to deliver to fans – or a section of fans – who cheer the loudest during a selected timeout of a game;
 

Student’s Dinner: Provide meals to the first 100-500 students who enter your arena for a game.  A nice touch might be your coach greeting the students, thanking them for coming out to the game and supporting the team, and handing them a boxed dinner or pizza, courtesy of the corporate partner.
 

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Ron Goch,
The Telios Group
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Bank Promotions for Basketball Games

November 20th 2006

Q. I am looking for ideas for a bank promotion or a contest to be used during a basketball timeout.

A. The oldies but goodies include the dash for cash, the cash cube and the splash for cash (kid’s pool filled with water and coins). You could also do the “bank shot” promotion which has a nice name tie-in.

We once did a $10,000 cash grab where we delivered to center court what looked to be bags of money in a wheel barrel. We had a student dressed as a security guard (the uniform, hat and badge) who played the security guard role well as he wheeled the money out and dumped it on the court.

The contestant had 15 seconds to select one of the bags – which were numbered 1 to 100 – that either had the consolation prize of $100 or the grand prize of $10,000.

The contest was insured, and we had a camera on the spot watching as the bag was selected and opened by the security guard in front of the contestant. It made for great TV highlights – as well as for everyone in the arena – when one contestant actually selected the $10,000 money bag and went crazy – jumping up and down, and screaming at center court. The crowd erupted with enthusiasm as well.

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Ron Goch,
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Looking To Improve Player Introductions

November 15th 2006

Q. We’ve always introduced our basketball team from the bench, and I’d like to create a new tradition to entertain the fans, or interact with the fans during our team introductions. What are some strategies teams have implemented to improve player introductions?

A. There are many different ways to introduce players and engage your fans at the same time. You may want to consider a ball exchange, which WNBA teams are known to do when players are introduced. Teams line up youth on the court and as each player is introduced, they hand one of the youth a basketball and exchange a high-five.

Some teams who have stairs that lead down to their court have positioned a different player at each stair entrance, and as the players are introduced, they run down the stairs and high-five fans on the way down to the court.

Players have also been known to toss mini-basketballs or T-shirts into the stands as each are introduced, or all at once following introductions.

And another strategy you could consider is the tunnel entrance, but I would recommend doing something different than the traditional inflatable tunnel. Be creative and different from your local and conference teams so whatever you do crates a buzz and entertains your fans. Adding pyrotechnics and lighting can also be fun for all involved.

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Ron Goch,
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Traditions Following Touchdowns

November 2nd 2006

Q. Many teams cheerleaders do push-ups following their football team’s touchdown. What else do teams do to celebrate a touchdown?
 
A. There are many traditions and rituals teams have following a football team’s touchdown.
 
Three of them include the ROTC firing a canon from the field; fireworks; and cheerleaders running up and down the field behind the goal posts with large flags that feature the team’s logo.
 
I watched the Clemson-Virginia Tech football game last week, and when Tech scored, its mascot had weights and a weight bench on the sidelines, and bench-pressed the number of points the Hokies had scored to that point.
 

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Ron Goch, The Telios Group
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The Development of Fan Traditions

October 25th 2006

Q. Do you think schools that don’t have much fan traditions at athletic games should try to create fan traditions or is this something that should be initiated by fans?
 

A. There are good examples of traditions created by colleges – as well as professional sports teams – where the school (or team) took the initiative ,and there are many examples of fans creating their own traditions.
 

Each college, market and situation is different and I’d encourage schools and sports teams to do what they feel are best for all involved.
 

I’ve been involved in assisting schools and professional sports teams with creating and implementing cheers that have turned into traditions, but in each situation we figured out the best way to introduce and successfully execute. Once introduced, it was up to the fans whether they chose to make the cheers and chants traditions.
 

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Ron Goch, The Telios Group
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Midnight Madness

September 15th 2006

Q. Are any college programs still successfully hosting Midnight Madness or are there other successful basketball tip-off events you’d recommend for fans?
 
A. I haven’t heard of too many teams hosting Midnight Madness-type events.  Washington has a Midnight Madness event they will host featuring its men’s and women’s basketball programs following a volleyball match, and a number of colleges are planning to host Morning Madness as well.  Both college and professional basketball teams have also had success hosting tip-off luncheons, similar to football team’s annual kick-off luncheons.
 

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Ron Goch, The Telios Group
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Quality Half-time Entertainment

September 13th 2006

Q. Do you recommend teams invest in quality half-time entertainment to entertain fans, but also to increase ticket sales?
 
A. I believe a mix of quality half-time entertainment along with utilizing half-times for local group performances – dance groups, cheer teams and others who perform and purchase tickets – is a great way to entertain fans while also increasing ticket sales.
 

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Ron Goch, The Telios Group
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Cubs or World Champion White Sox?

August 30th 2006

Q. Since you’re a Chicago native, I have to ask – Cubs or White Sox?

A. I was born on the north side and that’s where my loyalties remain. I’m one of those die-hard Cub fans, which I guess also makes me an internal optimist!

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USC Band Receives its Marching Orders

July 11th 2006

Q. What do you think about the USC marching band being relocated after more than 30 years on the Trojan’s sideline? Isn’t tradition more important than creating additional donor seats?

A. I read the story: USC Band Sent Marching Out of Usual Coliseum Spot, and based on school officials communication, the Trojan’s marching band being relocated for the upcoming football season was made in an effort to position the marching so more people throughout the Coliseum could hear and enjoy the USC march band.

You can read the entire story here.

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Ron Goch, The Telios Group 

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Most Unique Game Promotion

July 10th 2006

Q. What’s the most unique game promotion or fan entertainment offer you’ve experienced lately?

A. The Houston Comets of the WNBA have a unique promotion and fan engagement activity they offer this season. It’s an enter to win contest called “Houston Comets VIP Bench Ticket Sweepstakes,” where a lucky winner will receive two VIP ticket packages to a Comets game against the Seattle Storm on Aug 12 at the Toyota Center in Houston.

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Seeking and Receiving Feedback from Fans

June 8th 2006

Q. We haven’t done a good job of seeking and receiving feedback from our season ticket holders and fans.  When is the best time to solicit and receive feedback from our season ticket holders, as well as our general fans?
 

A. Immediately following each sports season, it’s an ideal time to seek and receive feedback from your season ticket holders while their season experience is still fresh in their minds.  Additionally, placing feedback cards at each of your home games to solicit feedback from game attendees throughout the season should yield some good feedback from your fans.
 

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Ron Goch, The Telios Group
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Fostering Relationships & Fulfilling Dreams

April 10th 2006

Q. Last Month you shared some ideas on how we could connect our players with fans, and most of the strategies were at our facility.  What strategy or ideas do you have for connecting our players in the community?
 

A. On March 10, I did write about Connecting Players with Fans, and just last week I read a story about how the Greater Baltimore Committee hosted its 27th annual luncheon with the Orioles and community business people since 1979.
 

The event attracted 450 employees from 61 different businesses, and has been an excellent way to foster relationships in the community and with businesses, while also providing a unique experience for Orioles fans.
 

Your turn to take a swing!
 

What events are you hosting with your players and coaches to bring them together with fans in an effort to foster a greater connection with fans, season ticket holders, and businesses throughout your community?
 

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Ron Goch, The Telios Group

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In-Game Atmosphere and Experience

March 20th 2006

Q. What are sports teams doing to enhance the in-game atmosphere and overall fan experience?

A. Here are five events and programs that are great examples of being creative with engaging fans and offering fans a unique experience:

Verizon Customers Get Puck-Sized Boost at Arena 

PGA Tour Exhibit Pavilion Engages Fans 

Richmond Raceway Offers Open Test Session 

Indy Car Race Experience – Thunder on the Ground 

Saints Rebrand Gameday Experience 

Your turn to take a shot!

What is your sports organization doing to engage your fans and offer a unique in-game experience?

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Ron Goch, The Telios Group 

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Annual Kick-off and Tip-off Luncheons

March 19th 2006

Q. We’re thinking about implementing kick-off and tip-off luncheons for our football and basketball programs.  Could you provide some examples of these events?
 

A. Hosting kick-off and tip-off events are terrific events for your fans, and could also be a great way to generate ticket sales for your home opener by packaging a ticket, and possibly an event T-shirt with the price of the event.
 

Since a large number of season ticket holders would likely attend the luncheon, having the tickets benefit a children’s charity or under-served youth would be an excellent way to positively impact and serve youth in your community who may not otherwise have an opportunity to attend one of your athletic events.
 

Tulane athletics hosts a neat Fall Kick-off Luncheon that not only features the Green Wave football team, but the soccer and volleyball programs as well.
 

Here are some Kick-off and Tip-off event examples, including the Green Wave’s annual event:
 

ODU’s Basketball Tip-off Luncheon
 

Tulane’s Fall Kick-off Luncheon
 

Washington Huskies Basketball Tip-off Luncheon
 

Rose Bowl Kick-off Luncheon
 

Atlanta Falcon’s Kick-off Luncheon
 

Your turn to take a shot!
 

What annual events does your sports organization host to kick-off or tip-off your sports seasons?
 

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Ron Goch, The Telios Group

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Offer Fans an Enjoyable Tailgate Experience

March 17th 2006

Q. What are colleges and pro sports teams doing across the country to offer fans an enjoyable tailgate experience?

A. Colleges and professional sports team are becoming more involved in their tailgate areas versus opening the parking lot gates and letting fans tailgate each week.

There are on-stage band performances; cheerleaders, dance teams and marching bands entertaining the fans; cooking contests; and interactive and inflatable games for the kids just to mention some of the changes over the last few years.

Here are some stories on contests, tailgate hot spots, and the celebration taking place in the parking lot.

The University of Miami’s Football Tailgate Contest

The Ultimate Football Tailgate Cook-Off

Fans Plan to Kick off Tailgate Season

College Football Tailgating Hot Spots

The Celebration in the Parking Lot 

Your turn to take a shot!

What unique programs and activities will you offer your fans during the 2006 season?   

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Ron Goch, The Telios Group 

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