Valparaiso has ACCEPTED* the Invite to become the 10th Member of the MVC!!!!

[wh]

A business article I was reading today brought to mind my earlier claim that the lack of convenient ARC parking is responsible, in part, for declining attendance. In relevant part:

"A successful business is one that attracts clients and keeps them coming back. Everything about the business should aim for that goal. Despite having a great line-up of products and excellent service, not every business achieves that goal because of one simple, yet fairly common problem: parking space shortages".

One of the aspects often overlooked by business owners when searching for a Dallas office space is parking. To have a successful business, it is essential to find a Dallas office space that is equipped with enough parking spaces to cater to the needs of the business customers as well as the employees. A simple parking space shortage can cause a lot of problems for the business in the long run.

Client Parking – Clients who prefer private transportation over public transportation expect the same level of convenience when stepping out of their vehicles. If a client has to drive around the block several times to find a space to park, it could potentially drive clients away to look for a similar business with better parking space options.

http://www.lcrgusa.com/dallas-office-space/30-parking-space-shortage-dont-let-it-ruin-your-business/

Obviously, the settings are dramatically different, but the message is the same.

[vu72]

Brandon is a total class act.  He is having a great pro career and is doing great things in his community. 

[FieldGoodie05]

A business article I was reading today brought to mind my earlier claim that the lack of convenient ARC parking is responsible, in part, for declining attendance. In relevant part:

"A successful business is one that attracts clients and keeps them coming back. Everything about the business should aim for that goal. Despite having a great line-up of products and excellent service, not every business achieves that goal because of one simple, yet fairly common problem: parking space shortages".

One of the aspects often overlooked by business owners when searching for a Dallas office space is parking. To have a successful business, it is essential to find a Dallas office space that is equipped with enough parking spaces to cater to the needs of the business customers as well as the employees. A simple parking space shortage can cause a lot of problems for the business in the long run.

Client Parking – Clients who prefer private transportation over public transportation expect the same level of convenience when stepping out of their vehicles. If a client has to drive around the block several times to find a space to park, it could potentially drive clients away to look for a similar business with better parking space options.

http://www.lcrgusa.com/dallas-office-space/30-parking-space-shortage-dont-let-it-ruin-your-business/

Obviously, the settings are dramatically different, but the message is the same.

From a fan perspective of a sport that routinely plays in the temperature range of 0-35 degrees, PARKING IS HUGE!!!  It's short sighted to say otherwise in the blustery winds of the Midwest.

I consider myself a fan, but I think twice before attending games last minute.

[VULB#62]

From a fan perspective of a sport that routinely plays in the temperature range of 0-35 degrees, PARKING IS HUGE!!!  It's short sighted to say otherwise in the blustery winds of the Midwest.

I consider myself a fan, but I think twice before attending games last minute.

Part of the move up to The Valley is the implied responsibility to increase attendance at home games.  We've all talked about that (ad nauseum?).  The one thing the administration can't do is just assume that with MVC teams coming in that attendance will automatically go up and thus do what was done in the past. Sure the Wednesday/Saturday MVC schedule will be helpful, but there are no guarantees.  It is up to Valpo to be proactive in this respect and do everything in their power to put butts in the bleachers game in and game out.  Convenient parking, and lots of it, can be very big in this regard.  Build a crushed stone lot for a couple hundred cars close by Brown Field on the Porter property and PUBLICIZE it.  ....... And we all know the ARC upgrade arguments by heart, so let's not go there -- this is not a facilities string.

Another area that needs further attention is student involvement at games.  MVC teams already are aware that the ARC can be a terrible place to play -- and filled student sections can make that even more painful. More has got to be done to create enthusiasm within the student body about home game attendance.   That should start at Freshman orientation with presentations and activities that get freshmen juiced about attending games.  Valpo needs to do a lot of work in changing the mindset of students, combating complacency and getting them involved.

Also student-related is the need to resurrect a top notch Pep Band.  I have great respect for the kids who presently try their hardest to add some zip to the game experience, but they are few, sort of unpolished, and they can't do it alone.  They need administration backing and incentives (credits?) to attract more musicians and have a professional (faculty?) leader.

[VU2014]

I wonder how they chose the sites? Are they randomly picked? Rotated? Best arenas/venues possible?

Anyone know if or when Valpo will host any these events in the future? No surprise we're not hosting anything next season because we're the new guys on the block.

https://twitter.com/MVCsports/status/870369745152954368

[vu72]

A business article I was reading today brought to mind my earlier claim that the lack of convenient ARC parking is responsible, in part, for declining attendance. In relevant part:

"A successful business is one that attracts clients and keeps them coming back. Everything about the business should aim for that goal. Despite having a great line-up of products and excellent service, not every business achieves that goal because of one simple, yet fairly common problem: parking space shortages".

One of the aspects often overlooked by business owners when searching for a Dallas office space is parking. To have a successful business, it is essential to find a Dallas office space that is equipped with enough parking spaces to cater to the needs of the business customers as well as the employees. A simple parking space shortage can cause a lot of problems for the business in the long run.

Client Parking – Clients who prefer private transportation over public transportation expect the same level of convenience when stepping out of their vehicles. If a client has to drive around the block several times to find a space to park, it could potentially drive clients away to look for a similar business with better parking space options.

http://www.lcrgusa.com/dallas-office-space/30-parking-space-shortage-dont-let-it-ruin-your-business/

Obviously, the settings are dramatically different, but the message is the same.

So, does it make any sense for folks to park at Eastgate and have the University run a bus to the ARC?  Perhaps there is a closer lot of size that the University controls.  It would be a lot cheaper than building a new ramp or repairing the one from the hospital.  I'm thinking of golf tournaments where there is limited parking for fans at the course.  They all just bus the folks in.

[valpotx]

Baseball!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bbtds]

There was some busing going on from LaPorte Ave at one time. I remember parking in the lot next to the parking garage and getting picked up by a bus that then proceeded down LaPorte to University Dr/Campus Dr where the bus turned right. It stopped by the Union and picked up more people and then by the parking lot next to the softball field to pick up more people before dropping the passengers off in front of the ARC on Union Street. I think that was the 2015-16 season.

[VULB#62]

There was some busing going on from LaPorte Ave at one time. I remember parking in the lot next to the parking garage and getting picked up by a bus that then proceeded down LaPorte to University Dr/Campus Dr where the bus turned right. It stopped by the Union and picked up more people and then by the parking lot next to the softball field to pick up more people before dropping the passengers off in front of the ARC on Union Street. I think that was the 2015-16 season.

Say I am a casual fan, meaning that I might go to a game or two if it is convenient and my schedule permits, I would not find it convenient to wait in the cold for a shuttle bus, sit on that bus for anywhere from 5-15 minutes as it makes its stops, and after the game wait with dozens of other for a chance to bus to my remote parking lot.

In terms of butts in the bleachers, that, to me as a "casual fan," would be a reason NOT to go to games. And Valpo's job in this new era is to attract and convert an expanded base of casual fans to being committed fans/season ticket holders.

The simple solution is to inexpensively create parking on the Porter property by Brown Field/Lebein Hall within just a short walk of the ARC.  Until those acres are fully developed into the prosed Recreation Building and soccer stadium, it is a great utilization of the space.

[crusadermoe]

That's a smart, simple solution to the parking problem.  Hopefully it is not too smart for a university to consider.     

Getting more pumped for next season already.  Schedule usually comes out near Labor Day, right?   We know several game dates already.

[VULB#62]

Hell, unless the ground is super soggy, just have people park on the grass there. By December it will be frozen, then just plow off the snow as necessary. The sidewalk is already in place. What's so complicated with that?

[bbtds]

Hell, unless the ground is super soggy, just have people park on the grass there. By December it will be frozen, then just plow off the snow as necessary. The sidewalk is already in place. What's so complicated with that?

Valpo/Chicago hasn't been that cold the last few years. I won't go into global warming but you take a good chance of getting many cars stuck in the mud. It would most likely take a fully paved parking lot.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/valparaiso-in/46383/march-weather/332943

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/valparaiso-in/46383/february-weather/332943?monyr=2/1/2017

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/valparaiso-in/46383/january-weather/332943?monyr=1/1/2017

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/valparaiso-in/46383/december-weather/332943?monyr=12/1/2016

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/valparaiso-in/46383/november-weather/332943?monyr=11/1/2016

[VULB#62]

Hell, unless the ground is super soggy, just have people park on the grass there. By December it will be frozen, then just plow off the snow as necessary. The sidewalk is already in place. What's so complicated with that?

Valpo/Chicago hasn't been that cold the last few years. I won't go into global warming but you take a good chance of getting many cars stuck in the mud. It would most likely take a fully paved parking lot.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/valparaiso-in/46383/march-weather/332943

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/valparaiso-in/46383/february-weather/332943?monyr=2/1/2017

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/valparaiso-in/46383/january-weather/332943?monyr=1/1/2017

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/valparaiso-in/46383/december-weather/332943?monyr=12/1/2016

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/valparaiso-in/46383/november-weather/332943?monyr=11/1/2016

If by paved you mean crushed stone -- go fot it VU!

[vuny98]

Hell, unless the ground is super soggy, just have people park on the grass there. By December it will be frozen, then just plow off the snow as necessary. The sidewalk is already in place. What's so complicated with that?

Valpo/Chicago hasn't been that cold the last few years. I won't go into global warming but you take a good chance of getting many cars stuck in the mud. It would most likely take a fully paved parking lot. http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/valparaiso-in/46383/march-weather/332943 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/valparaiso-in/46383/february-weather/332943?monyr=2/1/2017 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/valparaiso-in/46383/january-weather/332943?monyr=1/1/2017 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/valparaiso-in/46383/december-weather/332943?monyr=12/1/2016 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/valparaiso-in/46383/november-weather/332943?monyr=11/1/2016

If by paved you mean crushed stone -- go fot it VU!

That field is used by intramural's I think. Not sure VU would want to remove that option. There are ample spots at the two lots by the softball field. Problem as all have mentioned is it is a bit of a walk. Agree a shuttle bus is not the best answer. Buses take too long to load and if they make multiple stops you wind up waiting 20-30 minutes. So how do other places with remote parking handle it? Made me think of Disney world and their trams they have at the parking lots. Easy to load quickly, makes a single stop. Have the university buy one of these vehicles, have it make a stop in the middle of the two lots by the softball field and go direct to the arc. It'd be a 2 min drive at most, only 2 mins to load and unload, meaning you would need to wait at most 6-8 minutes for a shuttle. Run it continuously for the night of the game. Could get a second tram do the same thing for the lots by the old hospital parking garage or another location too if one wouldn't be enough. I'm sure the university could find other uses for these on a regular basis as well to help with the ROI.

Just a thought...

[VULB#62]

Not all of that property is used for intramurals. There is more than enough to accomodate both a parking lot and intramurals. There is also space for intramurals down by the old Theta Chi house and there is lots of space at East Gate too which is underutilized.

[VU2014]

Harry from Valley Hoops Insiders interviewed Coach Lottich and is doing a "Getting to Know Valpo" article series.

http://www.valleyhoopsinsider.com/getting-to-know-valpo/

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/fatherharry1/status/872086131415928832

[vu72]

Great stuff.  Had no idea that Alan had told Mark that. Really looking forward to hearing about the players.  This is the type of coverage we would NEVER have gotten from writer in the Horizon, save our beloved Paul Oren and Michael Osipoff! 

[oklahomamick]

What's the horizon league?

[Just Sayin]

What's the horizon league?

[E-Villan]

"I wonder how they chose the sites? Are they randomly picked? Rotated? Best arenas/venues possible?

Anyone know if or when Valpo will host any these events in the future? No surprise we're not hosting anything next season because we're the new guys on the block."

Here is a link to the 2015-16 sites. As you can see, Loyola was hosting fairly soon. Everything besides basketball is rotated pretty well. I would think Valpo would be in the rotations as soon as next year.

http://www.archmadness.com/news/archives/2014-15/8157/mvc-announces-2015-16-championship-sites/#.WTeDkevyupo

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/Valpo_Hoops/status/872482475431407617

http://www.kxel.com/panthers/2017/06/07/homeofthepantherscom-podcast-driving-the-lane-ep-23

The guest right after Michael sings Valpo's praises and said Valpo was a good addition but he says Valpo will likely need to upgrade its facilities in the near future.

Consensus from most of the MVC media guys is that Valpo was a good add but that we are going to need to upgrade our facilities. I think they may be disappointed if that is the "expectation" around the league. I don't think we should expect any major renovations to the ARC. The ARC needs a facelift & needs to address the parking issue, but the former likely won't happen without a very generous donor that currently doesn't exist or that hasn't been willing to donate toward that cause.

I could see minor improvements to continue to happen. Would love to see the the low level bowl chair back seating. Maybe something like that is in the works and we just aren't aware of it yet.

[4throwfan]

I could care less what MVC media guys think about the ARC.  I truly hope they have only two thoughts: 1) the people there are really nice, and 2) that's where their own teams go to get shellacked.

[bigmosmithfan1]

This is the type of coverage we would NEVER have gotten from writer in the Horizon, save our beloved Paul Oren and Michael Osipoff! 

Indeed! I'm already seeing the pre-announcement fretting about trading the "major media markets" of the HL for the "college towns" of the Valley failed to take into account the intensity of the media coverage the MVC receives. While a HL league game might get covered in the Detroit Free Press or Cleveland Plain Dealer, it will be a short write-up on page C6 vs. a front-page of the sports section story in Peoria, Evansville, Cedar Rapids, etc.

And that doesn't take into account local broadcast, particularly radio: UNI, Missouri State, Southern Illinois, Ill. St. and Evansville all have multi-station radio networks, some of which span their states and have affiliates in neighboring states as well. Those that aren't (Drake, Bradley) are on a powerful local radio station (Drake's station in Des Moines has a signal that can be picked up from Iowa City to just shy of the Nebraska state line). I don't think any of our former HL conference mates (save Butler) have more than one station -- some don't even have that. All of the hometown "flagship" stations for these schools have shows dedicated to their local Valley schools' sports (see all of the segments about Valpo that have appeared on UNI station KEXL). The local TV affiliates cover the MVC teams like Chicago stations cover the Bulls or Blackhawks. 

In short, we're going to be trading being sports brief #9 or #10 in a large HL market for receiving top billing and in-depth, big-time coverage in the mid-sized markets of the MVC. It's going to be a great trade-off, IMO.

[VUGrad1314]

This is the type of coverage we would NEVER have gotten from writer in the Horizon, save our beloved Paul Oren and Michael Osipoff! 

Indeed! I'm already seeing the pre-announcement fretting about trading the "major media markets" of the HL for the "college towns" of the Valley failed to take into account the intensity of the media coverage the MVC receives. While a HL league game might get covered in the Detroit Free Press or Cleveland Plain Dealer, it will be a short write-up on page C6 vs. a front-page of the sports section story in Peoria, Evansville, Cedar Rapids, etc. And that doesn't take into account local broadcast, particularly radio: UNI, Missouri State, Southern Illinois, Ill. St. and Evansville all have multi-station radio networks, some of which span their states and have affiliates in neighboring states as well. Those that aren't (Drake, Bradley) are on a powerful local radio station (Drake's station in Des Moines has a signal that can be picked up from Iowa City to just shy of the Nebraska state line). I don't think any of our former HL conference mates (save Butler) have more than one station -- some don't even have that. All of the hometown "flagship" stations for these schools have shows dedicated to their local Valley schools' sports (see all of the segments about Valpo that have appeared on UNI station KEXL). The local TV affiliates cover the MVC teams like Chicago stations cover the Bulls or Blackhawks. In short, we're going to be trading being sports brief #9 or #10 in a large HL market for receiving top billing and in-depth, big-time coverage in the mid-sized markets of the MVC. It's going to be a great trade-off, IMO.

THANK YOU! THIS is one of the premier reasons why this is an incredibly good move for VU from an influence and branding standpoint The SIZE of the market matters MUCH LESS than your place in the pecking order of that market. Better to get top billing in a top 50-75 market than be the fifth option in a top 20 market. In the MVC Valpo's name will spread throughout the midwest; In the Horizon,   it would remain buried  somewhere between the article about who should win the position battle to be the third string long snapper the puff piece on the pro basketball team's assistant director of operations'secretary's favorite food and fan's angry letters to coaches that will never be read.


The step up in competition, the possibility of being in a multi bid league, or getting a better NIT seed at least, and competing against more academically inclined residential and private institutions like VU, these are all great things,but the increase in coverage exposure and notoriety for the university may well be athe most significant positive benefit for the university as a whole