Sent out Feb 21 PM (after Valpo clinched) by the alumni association:
Valpo Men Clinch #1 Seed - Host Horizon League Basketball Tournament
LET'S GO VALPO!!
The Valparaiso University men's basketball team's win over Loyola Tuesday night solidified its place as Horizon League regular season champions. The victory earned the team a #1 seed in the upcoming Horizon League Tournament, which will be hosted by Valpo.
Be a part of Valpo history -- participate in the tournament games and events!
The tournament begins Tuesday, Feb. 28 with games at local sites featuring the third through tenth seeds. The tournament comes to Valpo Friday, March 2 for round two. The Crusaders will first play Saturday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the tournament semifinals. The championship game will take place Tuesday, March 6 at 8 p.m. All times are Central.
TICKETS
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Feb. 22. For more information call 1-877-MY-VU-TIX or visit valpoathletics.com.
ALUMNI AND FAN RECEPTION AND PEP RALLY
Get pumped for the games at the official pre-game receptions. Wear your brown and gold and be sure to brush up on the Valpo Fight Song lyrics before shouting them along with the Crusaderettes and Cheerleaders as the Crusader Pep Band plays.
Saturday, March 3 – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Gather in Hilltop Gym inside the Athletics-Recreation Center (ARC). The reception menu includes creamy cole slaw, garden salad with ranch and Italian dressing, mac and white cheddar cheese, corn bake, potato skins with cheese and fixings, Southern fried chicken, BBQ pork rib-lets, corn cobbettes, Hoosier sugar cream pie and chocolate silk pie. Advanced registration is required. Wristbands will be issued to all registrants. Register online now. Call 800-833-6792, ext. 23 with questions. Reception passes are $10 per adult, $5 per child 10 and younger, and free for children two and younger. (Details on the reception to take place before the championship game on Tuesday, March 6 will be released following a March 3 Valpo win. Check your email or the alumni events page for more information!)
PARKING
Campus parking lots close to the ARC will be restricted for the tournament. Fans are encouraged to park in other lots on campus (view a Valpo campus map). Parking is also available on Lincolnway across from Horizon Bank (902 East Lincolnway) and the Uptown East Apartments.
TELEVISION AND WATCH PARTIES
Valpo's appearance in the semifinal round on Saturday, March 3 will be shown live on ESPNU starting at 7:30 p.m. The championship game will be broadcast live on ESPN starting at 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 6. All times are Central. Game "watch parties" may be planned in your part of the country. Visit valpo.edu/alumni/events throughout the week as more information becomes available. If you are interested in organizing a watch party in your city, please send an email to alumni@valpo.edu.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE TOURNAMENT!
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Updated info from a visit to the ticket office, February 22, 14:00 PM.
They're taking ticket pre-orders by fax, in-person, or by phone - with a credit card. Pick a category of seat (General admission for the Friday second round is $10; Semifinals is two games on one ticket, $30 chairbacks, $20 bleachers, $10 HL students; Finals are the same price for one game. Discounts available for groups of 10+).
So, watch parties planned - good fun (and might allow me to see the championship with other fans, while in NY).
And, they've been planning ahead: the menu's already set for the meal before the semi-final.
The message claims that tickets go on sale today, but I don't see anything (yet) on the athletics web pages.
Quote from: agibson on February 22, 2012, 10:29:39 AM
So, watch parties planned - good fun (and might allow me to see the championship with other fans, while in NY).
And, they've been planning ahead: the menu's already set for the meal before the semi-final.
The message claims that tickets go on sale today, but I don't see anything (yet) on the athletics web pages.
I don't either, and I got the same email. Just put a call in to the ticket office and had to leave a message.
Apparently they planned ahead in some areas a little more than in others ;)
I may actually fly up for this semi-final game. I couldn't book the trip assuming we get to the final, but since I have not been back in 8 years, it would be good to see a game like this and the campus renovations...tempting
As little as $150 round-trip on Spirit Airlines?
If you're in the area, you can go by the ticket office and fill out the form in person.
That will save you any frustration in not getting through to the tix office on the phone.
And hey, the reason you can't get through on the phone is because the office is swamped with tix requests, so that's a good thing, right?
It tells me $277 to O'Hare on 10 days notice through Spirit. Not bad, as it used to be about $200 more/person when I was in school.
Quote from: milldew72 on February 22, 2012, 11:45:29 AMIf you're in the area, you can go by the ticket office and fill out the form in person.
But where's the web form?
Quote from: milldew72 on February 22, 2012, 11:45:29 AM
If you're in the area, you can go by the ticket office and fill out the form in person.
That will save you any frustration in not getting through to the tix office on the phone.
And hey, the reason you can't get through on the phone is because the office is swamped with tix requests, so that's a good thing, right?
I'm not in the area ;)
Actually, I got the email with the attachment, and might just go that route, if I can get to a Kinkos
Quote from: valpotx on February 22, 2012, 12:06:53 PM
It tells me $277 to O'Hare on 10 days notice through Spirit. Not bad, as it used to be about $200 more/person when I was in school.
OK - the $150 may have been too late in the day Saturday to get to the game.
But how about Spirit, DFW <--> ORD, 5:45 -> 7:59 PM, 7:20 AM -> 9:33 AM, arriving Friday, returning Sunday, on Orbitz for $212.58.
Of course, you may have to pay more for friendlier flight times.
Quote from: StlVUFan on February 22, 2012, 01:03:17 PMActually, I got the email with the attachment
Huh - which email was this?
I may wander by the ticket office...
Quote from: agibson on February 22, 2012, 01:09:00 PM
Quote from: StlVUFan on February 22, 2012, 01:03:17 PMActually, I got the email with the attachment
Huh - which email was this?
I may wander by the ticket office...
From Jennifer Garrett, entitled Horizon League Tournament Information.
The thing is, I recall last year placing a provisional order for such tickets 2 weeks prior to the establishment of the tourney site. What happened this year? Actually, it was probably just putting my name on a list or something, but still.
I am actually going to come in Thursday night at 5:45 pm, so that I can show my gf a little of Chicago on Friday, and then Valpo's campus Saturday before the game. Thank you for pointing out Orbitz, as Travelocity has the flight at $277!
I just reserved 2 chairback seats for the semi-final, though it takes quite a few times to get through due to volume. They don't tell you the seat numbers (probably in anticipation of season ticket holder selections?), just that they will reserve the 2 seats.
I just got through on the phone and got my order in. Yay! :dance:
valpotx, due to the volume of calls and orders, Cindy has always had a policy for non-season ticket holder calls to be the best available seats in the pricing section you choose. In terms of season ticket holders, I believe the HL has it as all seats are up for grabs in the pricing matters, so season ticket holders can sit in the same section they usually do, but they might not get the same seats they get for Valpo games.
Quote from: valpotx on February 22, 2012, 01:28:37 PMThank you for pointing out Orbitz, as Travelocity has the flight at $277!
What I'd really recommend is kayak.com. A great flight meta-search engine, that hits the airlines, the various middle-men etc. Doesn't hit southwest, unfortunately.
I'm not used to so much variation between site in ticket price - maybe a Spirit phenomenon.
Quote from: StlVUFan on February 22, 2012, 01:12:53 PMFrom Jennifer Garrett, entitled Horizon League Tournament Information.
The thing is, I recall last year placing a provisional order for such tickets 2 weeks prior to the establishment of the tourney site. What happened this year?
Huh. Looks like I wasn't on the mailing list. I do see a note in my box from _January_ of 2009 offering pre-orders.
Just got back from the ARC. They didn't seem _flooded_ with phone calls, but there was a steady stream, and only one person in the ticket booth.
It sounds like they don't yet know how many seats they have. Media arrangements aren't finished yet, for starters. They're taking pre-orders where you can pick a price category, basically (chairbacks, bleachers, or discounts for groups and HL students). The form's not new - it was clearly printed before the outcome of the tournament was clear. When you give them your request, and payment info, they time stamp the order. I'm not sure what they'll do for season ticket holders, but it seems like they'll fill "best available in price category" according to time stamp.
You can do it by phone, in person, or by fax. I have another copy of the form if someone would like e.g. a scanned or faxed version to fax in.
agibson, I don't believe season ticket holders get seat priority at all, since the university is doing all the ticket work for the conference. The conference has control over how seating works. What do I wonder is what the conference will do about fitting two pep bands in, since the open end usually has extra seating bleachers?
Quote from: agibson on February 22, 2012, 02:38:53 PM
Just got back from the ARC. They didn't seem _flooded_ with phone calls, but there was a steady stream, and only one person in the ticket booth.
It sounds like they don't yet know how many seats they have. Media arrangements aren't finished yet, for starters. They're taking pre-orders where you can pick a price category, basically (chairbacks, bleachers, or discounts for groups and HL students). The form's not new - it was clearly printed before the outcome of the tournament was clear. When you give them your request, and payment info, they time stamp the order. I'm not sure what they'll do for season ticket holders, but it seems like they'll fill "best available in price category" according to time stamp.
You can do it by phone, in person, or by fax. I have another copy of the form if someone would like e.g. a scanned or faxed version to fax in.
I called the ticket office today and could not get through to a live person. Do you know by chance whether the ticket office is taking pre-orders for the semis only or whether they are taking pre-orders for both the semis and the championship in the event that VU wins on Saturday? I was just curious about this.
They took my provisional order for championship game. Cindy Eaton returned my call and said that online sale begins on Monday.
Quote from: StlVUFan on February 22, 2012, 06:55:46 PM
They took my provisional order for championship game. Cindy Eaton returned my call and said that online sale begins on Monday.
Thanks for the info! I am going to call again tomorrow and see if I can at least scoop up a provisional for the championship.
I would call a little after lunch, as I got through at that time.
Quote from: crusaderjoe on February 22, 2012, 06:52:52 PMDo you know by chance whether the ticket office is taking pre-orders for the semis only or whether they are taking pre-orders for both the semis and the championship in the event that VU wins on Saturday? I was just curious about this.
As Jim said, pre-orders are open for the finals as well. Indeed, for all three rounds that can or might be played at Valpo. I added info on prices to the bottom of the first note in this thread.
You can fax in your order as well. # of tickets at what price point, name, address, email, credit card info. Or I can get you a form if you want to fax in the "official" document.
At least yesterday, if you're getting no answer, it's probably because the one person in the office is currently on the phone. But, there was definitely space between phone calls. So, if you keep trying, you may be able to get through on repeated phone attempts.
Quote from: agibson on February 23, 2012, 11:59:40 AM
Quote from: crusaderjoe on February 22, 2012, 06:52:52 PMDo you know by chance whether the ticket office is taking pre-orders for the semis only or whether they are taking pre-orders for both the semis and the championship in the event that VU wins on Saturday? I was just curious about this.
As Jim said, pre-orders are open for the finals as well. Indeed, for all three rounds that can or might be played at Valpo. I added info on prices to the bottom of the first note in this thread.
You can fax in your order as well. # of tickets at what price point, name, address, email, credit card info. Or I can get you a form if you want to fax in the "official" document.
At least yesterday, if you're getting no answer, it's probably because the one person in the office is currently on the phone. But, there was definitely space between phone calls. So, if you keep trying, you may be able to get through on repeated phone attempts.
Thanks for offering this information and help with the fax order form. I didn't get a chance to call today because of some unexpected
un po' di affari but I am assuming there is still plenty of availability. I may as well just wait until they go on sale online.
By the way, I think I received a call back last night around 8:30 EST from the ticket office (I missed the call). I would say they're working hard and putting in the effort, that is for sure. That's the good thing about the VU ticket office I find--someone always calls you back if you leave a message.
Apparently tickets for the tournament are now available online
http://valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2011-12/11465/ticket-info-for-2012-horizon-league-mens-basketball-championship/ (http://valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2011-12/11465/ticket-info-for-2012-horizon-league-mens-basketball-championship/)
Has anyone heard anything about their pre-orders?
Online they list "lower bleachers" A, B, C, D, and K. I'm not sure which is section K.
The only "lower bleacher" with two seats together, at the moment, is K (D 1 and 2, for example). The rest is singles.
Then it's "MezBlch" BB, CC, and DD.
So, hopefully my pre-order got me better than K-D!
Quote from: agibson on February 27, 2012, 05:01:45 PMHas anyone heard anything about their pre-orders?
received an email today about mine but I am confused.
It lists times to pick up tickets, listing season ticket holders first by several days.
Does this mean I'm not going to get my seat assignments until I pick up? As I am not local I don't want to drive over an hour each way to pick up tickets on Weds after faxing in my form hours after it showed up online.
Hopefully this is not the case.
They were writing the date and time on forms as they were submitted. I trust they filled the advance orders before putting up the tickets online - so I trust that your seats are already assigned. Maybe it's just going to take them a long time to package them all? Seems strange. I'm definitely surprised by the "season ticket holders pick them up days early" bit.
I trust they'd hold them for you at "Will Call", if you prefer?
I've not gotten an email yet, myself...
Tickets do seem to be moving. If you want a pair together, it's now upstairs. Row FF (fifth row?).
We got our tickets in hand, but we stopped by the ticket office today and paid for them.
this is the body of the email I received
Fans,
The Valpo Ticket office will have extended hours this week to allow all ticket purchasers enough time to come pick up their tickets for the Horizon League Tournament. If you have ordered Friday Second Round tickets and/or Saturday Semi Final tickets the pick up schedule is as follows:
Season Ticket Holders may pick up their tickets beginning today Monday, February 27th
All other ticket purchasers may pick up their tickets beginning Wednesday, February 29th at 10:30 am
The Valpo Ticket office hours this week are as follows:
Monday 10-5
Tuesday 10-8
Wednesday 10-8
Thursday 10-8
Friday 10-game time
Please note that the doors will open one hour prior to tip off on game day and tickets are good for both games that day. There is also a NO RE ENTRY policy, if you leave the building you may not re enter unless another ticket is purchased. Also, please note that unfortunately, due to parking restrictions ARC and GOLD lot passes will not be valid for the Tournament. Parking will be free in lots 14, 15, and 43 and can be found on a campus map.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you this weekend at the ARC!
Sounds to me that your tickets have been assigned and will be available for you to pick up anytime after said date.
Thanks for posting the email. I do see it now... in my spam folder (and my spam filter's usually pretty good! but I see it did catch a few of Hank's blog post announcements too).
Not sure about the wait until Wednesday bit. If I were you, I'd probably plan on Will Call.
Hank, did you stick with Section EE? ;) Or, forced to pay for the tickets, are you moving downstairs?
I was up in EE for the Butler game, and the view was fine. Being low down (I was in FF) was key. I think I'll have to be more aggressive in the future, willing to crowd in a bit, even if I stick to the east side of the mezzanine.
There isn't a bad seat in the ARC. I was at the top of EE for the Butler game and could see just fine. Only problem up there was you can't hear the PA.
We are in DD, row EE (coincidentally) for Saturday.
I am assuming I can still pick up my tickets on Saturday? It doesn't mention the hours the office is open, but it would have to be on a game day, correct?
Good news! I have been informed that VU will give out 200 free tickets to students for any Crusaders tournament game. This should help attendance by students.
Quote from: valpopal on February 28, 2012, 04:12:04 PM
Good news! I have been informed that VU will give out 200 free tickets to students for any Crusaders tournament game. This should help attendance by students.
I saw this on Facebook. I think it was Student Senate, or one of the other campus organizations, that purchased the tickets.
The seeds are holding in the first round. Butler, Youngstown and Detroit with travel plans to the Vale of Paradise... and Milwaukee is helping UIC warm up the busses with a 14 point lead early in the second half.... I'm looking forward to Friday's games... both should be physical affairs.
Mind you, that 14 point Milwaukee lead is down from a _28 point_ lead earlier. But, still, I don't think UIC's going to find a way back into this one.
Quote from: sectionee on February 27, 2012, 10:22:33 PMThere isn't a bad seat in the ARC. I was at the top of EE for the Butler game and could see just fine. Only problem up there was you can't hear the PA. We are in DD, row EE (coincidentally) for Saturday.
Don't worry, we can't hear the PA either in my section and I sit about 4 feet behind the announcer
Quote from: cmack on February 28, 2012, 09:56:30 PM
Quote from: sectionee on February 27, 2012, 10:22:33 PMThere isn't a bad seat in the ARC. I was at the top of EE for the Butler game and could see just fine. Only problem up there was you can't hear the PA. We are in DD, row EE (coincidentally) for Saturday.
Don't worry, we can't hear the PA either in my section and I sit about 4 feet behind the announcer
we couldn't hear it in the student section typically, either.
Quote from: valpopal on February 28, 2012, 04:12:04 PM
Good news! I have been informed that VU will give out 200 free tickets to students for any Crusaders tournament game. This should help attendance by students.
Price isn't the biggest factor facing students. Its going through all the logistical stuff (paper work, finding places to stay, things to do) that is going to turn off students. It helps, but really it was just 10 dollars. The only students that will go through all the logistical stuff would have been willing to pay the $10 anyways. It will be disappointing on Tuesday night and we win and there is only a handful of students there to celebrate.
Do you think that stops Butler students, Dukies, Zagers, Aggies of USU, Huskers, Sluggies, old guys wearing speedos in powder blue jackets?
NO!!
Excuses, excuses!!!
QuotePrice isn't the biggest factor facing students. Its going through all the logistical stuff (paper work, finding places to stay, things to do) that is going to turn off students. It helps, but really it was just 10 dollars. The only students that will go through all the logistical stuff would have been willing to pay the $10 anyways. It will be disappointing on Tuesday night and we win and there is only a handful of students there to celebrate.
Agree. I remember trying to stay on campus for a few days during spring break (to work studio for the Mid-Con tournament) and dealing with housing was a pain. Plus the campus was a complete ghost town.
I had a good situation for housing during spring breaks when I was still in town because of the Mid-Con tourney or band tours with having friends in fraternities that I could get some room space. A lot easier there if they know you well enough. The housing can be worked out in various ways that don't require the housing office, especially if you know someone local from a class that might have a spare room/bed/couch for a night, if you don't live close enough, or need a place if the weather might be bad somewhere along your drive home afterwards.
Apparently the line was huge for picking up the free tickets today, so it looks like there may be a decent student turnout considering the housing situations.
Quote from: swiftmutiny on February 29, 2012, 11:34:00 AM
Apparently the line was huge for picking up the free tickets today, so it looks like there may be a decent student turnout considering the housing situations.
Or slow ticket people. But let's hope not.
Now don't you guys feel ashamed??? Spirit is never confined by superficial things.
They are just excuses.
Money, now that's a bird of a different feather.
The ticket people weren't slow as far as I'm aware. A friend of mine said there were 4-5 guys there giving out the tickets so that it didn't take all of chapel break.
From what I read, the tickets were being distributed at the Union, so there was enough space to handle the crowd of people trying to get a free ticket.
All 200 tickets were sold within 45 minutes of opening up the desk. So it's looking to me that Saturday will be an atmosphere that there is usually at the ARC. Now if we win, Tuesday might be a little less with students most likely having to travel back to watch the game.
the dorms are being kept open an extra day to accommodate saturday nights game. the real effect that break housing policies will have will be for the championship game, if we play in it. i'm not too worried about saturday night.
Nice job Valpo ticket office!!!!!!!!!
There's a small (proportionally to tuition) cost that goes a long way if Valpo wins Saturday night with the students attending.
You guys may not need the speedos and powder blue jackets, Stl.
Just came back from the ARC to pick up my tickets. The basketball facility is really shaping up:
---The small set of cheap aluminum bleachers on the east end have been replaced with a much larger steel frame bleacher support system with wooden bleachers and floor planking. They are 7 rows high (west end bleachers are 16 rows) and extend the full width of the court (like the west end bleachers do). They are surrounded on 3 sides by attractive railing complete with vertical slats set 3 or 4" apart. Skirting has been installed all around the base of the bleachers. They look very attractive and should hold close to half as many people as the west end. This is a very nice improvement that I hope is permanent.
---Section E has been completely converted to an area for the press. From the floor up there are 3 rows of bleachers. A nice wooden table has been built all the way across row 4 and hard wired for 3 stations. Going up from row 4 are 4 additional full width tables placed at every other row up to the top of the Section. It looks very professional.
---A wooden platform, complete with decking and railing, has been built and placed in the first 2 rows of Section C (court side chair backs, center court). It runs the full width of the Section. Looks like very professional carpentry work.
---It appears that more banners have been taken down on the mezzanine side so people sitting in the upper rows in those sections will have better visibility of the scoreboard. I'm not 100% certain about this, but something looks different and I think that's what it is.
I was just over myself, picking up my tickets. I didn't think to peek into the gym - thanks for the report!
I'd seen photos of Section E in the newspaper. For the wooden platform: is it in section C (center court, but on the bleachers side), or section H (center court, chairbacks)?
I'm sure the gym will be back to its usual self after the tournament. They've had more substantial bleachers on the east side, from time to time, in the past, right? I suspect they're temporary.
I think my tickets are pretty good - but I can't find a seating chart! Section C (center court, bleacher side), Row K (not sure how far up it goes?), 18 and 19 (maybe that's near the end? but I'm not sure which end).
Overall, it looks like B, C, and the chairbacks are sold out. With singles in A, D, and K. There still seem to be big blocks available in the mezzanine, starting with e.g DD row JJ. You can get nine seats together in row KK.
Another staff member came up behind me to buy four tickets. Luke Gore happened to be in the ticket office, and was very politely fielding a chairback's complaints about the band and their seating area excursions (drum beating right in someone's ear, someone else getting bumped, etc.). I didn't get a chance to say how much I enjoy those excursions, and how very amusing it is to see the occasional sousaphone silhouette on the video feed.
The platform is in section H, chairback side. If you have seats directly behind it will be interesting if they obstruct the view. Also, the banners have not been taken down. But it is a good idea to do so. Larger bleachers have been added on the concession side.
agibson that is funny about someone complaining about the band. That is so typical for that section. I moved out of the chairback section years ago as other "fans" would get mad if you stood up and clapped.
Quote from: agibson on February 29, 2012, 02:31:30 PM
I think my tickets are pretty good - but I can't find a seating chart! Section C (center court, bleacher side), Row K (not sure how far up it goes?), 18 and 19 (maybe that's near the end? but I'm not sure which end).
These are very good. If the rows are the same as during regular games, K is the 4th row from the back of the section. My season tickets are in Row N, the last row. I think 18 and 19 are more toward section D.
Quote from: valpopal on February 29, 2012, 03:17:44 PMIf the rows are the same as during regular games, K is the 4th row from the back of the section. My season tickets are in Row N, the last row. I think 18 and 19 are more toward section D.
I _guess_ they'll leave the rows the same, maybe removing rows and seats as necessary, simply because the numbers are painted on them.
And, thanks, you confirm my hunch about 18 and 19.
Now N is nice! Noone behind you, maybe a place to rest your back, etc.
There's a crew from my church that has regular tickets in row N somewhere through C, D, or E - though I didn't manage to spot them at the Butler game.
Quote from: valpopal on February 29, 2012, 03:17:44 PMMy season tickets are in Row N, the last row.
And, one other note.
I wonder, did they let you keep them for the tournament?
Quote from: agibson on February 29, 2012, 05:24:12 PM
Quote from: valpopal on February 29, 2012, 03:17:44 PMMy season tickets are in Row N, the last row.
And, one other note.
I wonder, did they let you keep them for the tournament?
My season tickets are in Section C Row N as well, we were able to keep our seats for this weekend.
Does anybody have any idea how many tickets were sold for the Friday session so far? How many buses are coming from Butler/Detroit/Youngstown/Milwaukee? If I read it correctly one bus is coming from Cleveland and leaving at 10:30am eastern on Saturday. That bus will leave for Cleveland from the ARC during halftime of the Valpo game on Saturday.
We (Milwaukee) have a least 1 student bus which at last check was full at 50. Plus, at least 5-6 car loads that I know of for Fridays game.
Valpo announced that (Valpo) faculty and staff could get tickets for today's games for $5 instead of $10. So, they're making some efforts to drum up attendance.
I plan to watch at least most of the Butler-Milwaukee game. But, probably at home, with family.
We'll see what time I get out of the office. If I'm still on campus, maybe I'll stop by the first session.
From Lazerus' blog (I didn't check the time stamp).
Quote
---- The Horizon League is hoping for a big walk-up in terms of ticket sales for Friday's games -- always a tough sell every year, because the home team doesn't play. Associate commissioner Bill Benner said that more than 1,000 tickets have been sold, and with promotions -- kids under 12 get in free, there's a promotion with the local YMCA, etc. -- that they hope to get more than 2,000 in the building. As for Saturday's semifinals, tickets are going fast. He expects a particularly high demand right before the games begin. "If you're planning to wait, don't wait," Benner said. "Get them now."
I'd forgotten kids were free. I might bring the family out for the first one...
Will anyone be here to chat during tonight's games, or are any of you interested in chatting about the games tonight? I'll plan to be here, and I'll be here tomorrow too.
They're really pushing tonight's games. I just got an email from the Valpo YMCA offering 2-for-1 adult tickets for tonight. As well as the kids 12 and under free.
There seems to have been a big rush on tickets for Saturday - I'm not sure what happened. It's almost like they took a bunch off sale? Or, I guess, there was just another big rush of advance purchases.
For two seats together on Saturday, you're now in row _XX_ of the mezzanine (can be section BB). You can get a single as low as row BB. There seem to be seats remaining (even singles) only in AA, BB, and DD.
What's the story with tickets for Tuesday? Are they waiting until the result is known tomorrow before they go on sale or were they part of a package for the whole tournament?
They've been available for pre-order, and presumably still are. The first note in this thread has a little info.
You can place an order now (well, they might be a little busy _right_ now; but maybe tomorrow morning?) by phone or fax. If Valpo hosts, they'll execute it.
Or, maybe after tomorrow's game, they'll open it up for online sales.
;)Detroit is up by 16 over YSU at halftime. If they keep playing like this, there's only one other team left in the tournament that can stop them. Fortunately, it happens to be us. ;)
Quote from: valporun on March 02, 2012, 11:52:15 AM
Will anyone be here to chat during tonight's games, or are any of you interested in chatting about the games tonight? I'll plan to be here, and I'll be here tomorrow too.
i may well poke my head into the chatroom during the butler/milwaukee game
props given to valpo by will haskett on twitter, calling it "Best environment for a 2nd round HL tourney session since the format switch, in my opinion."
just pulled up the hln broadcast, and apparently there's now a video display on the front of the scorer's table instead of the old rolling poster display. does that belong to the conference? or is that ours to keep??
More high praise from HLN's Joel Cornette; mentioned during halftime of the BU/UWM game that it's been a "first class" experience with the tournament here so far, and also said "to bring the earplugs" for Saturday's nightcap... which might not be a bad idea :)
It was pretty loud tonight, but a lot of that was the PA! It's loud in the chairbacks! (General Admission, so we decided to investigate how the other half lives.)
And a lot of the rest was YSU's excellent pep band. Great low brass, they lead cheers, great horn flashes, etc, etc. Very impressive.
I didn't try any kind of careful estimate, but I could imagine easily 1,000 for the first game, with more Butler fans drifting in as the game went. The bottom ball was maybe roughly half full. Maybe somewhat less than that.
They look pretty well setup for tomorrow. Bonus concession stands (I don't think they're normally there?) in the NW corner, on both floors.
I saw Jeremy Montgomery (hard to miss), but didn't notice other CSU or Valpo players. Jake, Luke, and Roger were walking from the chairback-side, court-side, media table for the first half. And then moved to the NE corner for the second. Bryce apparently gave an interview during halftime of the Butler game, but ESPN3 didn't seem to carry it.
I didn't expect two 20 point wins tonight, for sure!
Haskett's at it again
Quote
2,239 the attendance at the ARC tonight. Again, I emphasize: Best 2nd round atmosphere I've seen in an HL tourney since 2003 format switch
And tickets continue to sell. If you want two together, if you want two together it's section BB row ZZ, section CC row PP or worse.
Even a single seems to be well up: section CC row PP or so, again. It might well sell out tomorrow (whether or not every seat will actually be taken at the _same_ time during the two game session is a little doubtful, of course).
Do we get any kind of a cut? Or a lump some payment, or anything, from the league?
There are a bunch of Detroit fans in my hotel (Holiday Inn Express). Proudly wearing my VU baseball apparel all over this place :)
Quote from: valpotx on March 03, 2012, 12:28:03 AM
There are a bunch of Detroit fans in my hotel (Holiday Inn Express). Proudly wearing my VU baseball apparel all over this place :)
I would be careful....Detroit Mercy is the school of hard knocks. Careful.
Quote from: oklahomamick on March 03, 2012, 08:17:55 AM
Quote from: valpotx on March 03, 2012, 12:28:03 AM
There are a bunch of Detroit fans in my hotel (Holiday Inn Express). Proudly wearing my VU baseball apparel all over this place :)
I would be careful....Detroit Mercy is the school of hard knocks. Careful.
they might break down the hotel if they lose tonight
Just ate breakfast with much of the CSU team, as well as Waters. He sat at the table next to ours, and was talking strategy with his assistant coaches. They talked about Ray McCallum for literally 20 minutes. We will have to wait and see if his brilliant strategy of stopping Ray from driving, making him take outside shots, will work. He kept repeating the same thing to them over and over in different ways, and you could tell they were just half listening as he was talking :)
What was the line from the postgame? "We missed nine layups?"
Quote from: agibson on March 03, 2012, 02:57:13 PM
What was the line from the postgame? "We missed nine layups?"
yeah, that was it. i remember watching that press conference in the chat w/ run and stl, and repeatedly asking each other how many layups they missed that night.
I can report that once again a viking opponent has taken a nasty spill in a crowd and no foul was called (no surprise) and not one single viking foul called has met with anything bit angry looks from their bench. Yep, typical CSU basketball.
And Brad Stevens has the gall to say Valpo is too physical.
valpotx -- looks like CSU isn't listening to anything Waters is saying. (2d half observation)
84, you could say that ;)
CSU/Detroit was a fun game to watch (got there for second half). Many stupid shots down the stretch for CSU did them in.
Atmosphere for Valpo/Butler was awesome. It reminded me of what it was like when I was in school, good job fans! I especially loved the chants at the end of the game towards the Butler section which loves to talk trash: "why so quiet?" & "same as last week" :)
Quote from: StlVUFan on March 03, 2012, 05:29:49 PM
I can report that once again a viking opponent has taken a nasty spill in a crowd and no foul was called (no surprise) and not one single viking foul called has met with anything bit angry looks from their bench. Yep, typical CSU basketball.
Are you serious? CSU got seriously screwed on multiple non-calls at the end of the game.
Mccallum has no control of his team. Not sure who else saw this but Detroit player Donavan Foster told Coach Mccallum he was "f"ing stupid for taking him out of the game one point. He said it to him multiple times. Mccallum nor any assistant coaches did anything to him.
There was another time where Ray Jr told his dad to take a time out and his dad said no. He looked at his dad and called the timeout anyways.
03, at the time I posted that, it was still in the first half. It was true up to that point.
Furthermore, I didn't say anything about whether csu was getting screwed. I commented that they didn't seem to believe they had committed a single foul to that point. From my perspective they not only had, but had also gotten away with some that weren't called. For the record, I saw at least a handful of fouls called on csu that Waters *did* approve of, so at that point what I said was *no longer* true.
Quote from: chairback on March 03, 2012, 11:11:32 PM
Mccallum has no control of his team. Not sure who else saw this but Detroit player Donavan Foster told Coach Mccallum he was "f"ing stupid for taking him out of the game one point. He said it to him multiple times. Mccallum nor any assistant coaches did anything to him.
There was another time where Ray Jr told his dad to take a time out and his dad said no. He looked at his dad and called the timeout anyways.
I also heard Homan yell at Ray, Jr. during a break in the action, "Get me the f-ing ball." Junior just walked away. Another time he walked over to the Detroit bench area and yelled in an angry voice, "I need a blow!" Yet another time I saw him yelling at Ray, Sr. and pointing angrily at him. McCallum lowered his head and walked away. Plus, the players looked like they didn't want to be on the same court with each other. Amazing dysfunction, immaturity and lack of control. There is no justice in the world if that team wins on Tuesday.
Quote from: wh on March 04, 2012, 12:07:27 AM
Quote from: chairback on March 03, 2012, 11:11:32 PM
Mccallum has no control of his team. Not sure who else saw this but Detroit player Donavan Foster told Coach Mccallum he was "f"ing stupid for taking him out of the game one point. He said it to him multiple times. Mccallum nor any assistant coaches did anything to him.
There was another time where Ray Jr told his dad to take a time out and his dad said no. He looked at his dad and called the timeout anyways.
I also heard Homan yell at Ray, Jr. during a break in the action, "Get me the f-ing ball." Junior just walked away. Another time he walked over to the Detroit bench area and yelled in an angry voice, "I need a blow!" Yet another time I saw him yelling at Ray, Sr. and pointing angrily at him. McCallum lowered his head and walked away. Plus, the players looked like they didn't want to be on the same court with each other. Amazing dysfunction, immaturity and lack of control. There is no justice in the world if that team wins on Tuesday.
We heard this too...and then Holman proceeded to miss two straight bunnies.
mccallum senior is gonna have to get them under control if he wants any sort of improvement next year. bad chemistry will destroy teams. ucla in recent years is a prime example, if you believe the author of the sports illustrated article. though nelson came out and said the claims were crap and he was taken out of context.
Quote from: valpotx on March 03, 2012, 10:00:31 AM
Just ate breakfast with much of the CSU team, as well as Waters. He sat at the table next to ours, and was talking strategy with his assistant coaches. They talked about Ray McCallum for literally 20 minutes. We will have to wait and see if his brilliant strategy of stopping Ray from driving, making him take outside shots, will work. He kept repeating the same thing to them over and over in different ways, and you could tell they were just half listening as he was talking :)
It didn't work! ;D
Quote from: chairback on March 03, 2012, 11:11:32 PM
Mccallum has no control of his team. Not sure who else saw this but Detroit player Donavan Foster told Coach Mccallum he was "f"ing stupid for taking him out of the game one point. He said it to him multiple times. Mccallum nor any assistant coaches did anything to him.
There was another time where Ray Jr told his dad to take a time out and his dad said no. He looked at his dad and called the timeout anyways.
I think you're being a bit hasty with that conclusion. Maybe that's just the way they talk to each other. It's not my cup of tea either, but that's totally irrelevant. The only thing that matters -- with respect to how they do Tuesday night -- is whether it is *their* cup of tea. This is Detroit we're talking about. I don't think it's entirely inconceivable to think that they just talk that way to each other.
I don't mean to imply that I approve of it -- I don't. Again, all that matters is if they approve, if we're analyzing whether they are ripe for a meltdown.
Quote from: StlVUFan on March 04, 2012, 03:23:00 PM
Quote from: chairback on March 03, 2012, 11:11:32 PM
Mccallum has no control of his team. Not sure who else saw this but Detroit player Donavan Foster told Coach Mccallum he was "f"ing stupid for taking him out of the game one point. He said it to him multiple times. Mccallum nor any assistant coaches did anything to him.
There was another time where Ray Jr told his dad to take a time out and his dad said no. He looked at his dad and called the timeout anyways.
I think you're being a bit hasty with that conclusion. Maybe that's just the way they talk to each other. It's not my cup of tea either, but that's totally irrelevant. The only thing that matters -- with respect to how they do Tuesday night -- is whether it is *their* cup of tea. This is Detroit we're talking about. I don't think it's entirely inconceivable to think that they just talk that way to each other.
I don't mean to imply that I approve of it -- I don't. Again, all that matters is if they approve, if we're analyzing whether they are ripe for a meltdown.
There is a lot of truth to what you say, Stl. Although if Ray Jr called a time out after his father told him he wasn't going to call time out then there is a definite disciplinary problem.
From the Detroit board:
We had a few Valpo fans who squeezed into our section behind our bench. Since we arrived for the first game and picked up our tickets at the U-D checkin table (why did we have to sign by our names, by the way?) we received two tickets, one for game 1 and one for game 2, plus a special necklace that gave us first-game priority behind our bench. Despite all this, Valpo nuts who were worried that we weren't going to leave and give them their seats squeezed into our rows. Why they would want to sit with our screaming bunch is beyond me, but many of them refused to leave. I mentioned it to one guy who insisted on taking his seat (of course, right during game action) but he was too dense to understand.
I was one of those with tickets in Section D (behind Detroit's bench). We arrived about 5 min. into the game-1, only to find Detroit fans sitting in our seats. I didn't confront them because experience tells me this never goes well. You try to nicely tell someone that they're in your seats and they just look at you with a blank stare and just sit there hoping you'll go away. It's about that time that I want to pick them up and throw them about 5 rows down on top of their knucklehead friends, who are doing the same thing to someone else. I can only imagine my reaction if someone told me I can sit in your seat because I have "a special necklace." Instead, my wife (knowing how these things can quickly get out of hand) quickly intervenes and tells me to go get an usher.
This time, rather than confront anyone, I went straight to the usher and asked him to get the people to move. Much to my surprise, he tells me that "someone" had decided that Detroit fans could sit in the area behind their bench during their game and then they would move to their assigned seats for game-2. I said, "Ok, where are we supposed to sit?" He said that there are plenty of empty seats in the mezzanine. Just pick some and sit there. I asked what happens when the fans who have those seats show up and want us to move? No response. To make a long story short, we had to move twice during the first game, and sit in the mezzanine to boot.
My point is if someone agreed to this (and apparently they did), they should have added a note to our tickets indicating that our seat assignments are only good for the Valpo game and that we will have to fend for ourselves in the other game. Instead, we were caught totally off guard. From what the Detroit poster said, you can see the general confusion and needless confrontation it caused between Valpo fans with Section D tickets and Detroit fans sitting in their seats. Way too much over thinking by someone wanting to please one group without stopping to consider the fallout from it. The bottom line is everyone there has an assigned seat. Simply go find it and plop your butt on it. If it's where you want to be - great. If not, too bad.
did you have tickets for both games? or just tickets for game 2.
We had one ticket with one seat assignment good for both games, just like everyone in every other section. By the way, we have the same seats for Tuesday's game. I hope to God I don't find some Detroit knuckleheads sitting in them when we get there.
what... wow I didn't realize that although now I see that it did say that on the email. darn it!
you are right to be upset. that is messed up.
Odd! Perhaps if you'd gone all the way back out the ticket booth, you might have gotten a more satisfactory reply. I'm not sure how busy they were.
As I was fighting through a slow-moving mob to get into the ARC after the Detroit game, I was finally getting close to my seats, walking below the mezzanine, about to descend into section C. There were a couple of middle-aged Butler fans (mixed gender group) considering the same descent, saying aloud, "Shall we try down there? What's the worst that can happen?" I explained none too politely that they'd be wasting my time, and theirs, that the game was sold out (close enough). I should work on my hospitality!
But, I, too, am not keen on people taking others' assigned seats, particularly at an obviously well attended event!
agreed. there is a huge difference between moving down after the game has started and there are huge areas of open seats, and plopping down in primo seats when it is clear that there are few seats that will remain unfilled.
Tickets for the final seem to be selling reasonably well. The bottom bowl didn't sell out in pre-orders, but it's close now.
If you want two together you can have row Q of section K (the one piece of the student section they sold publicly), or row JJ of section DD in the mezzanine (row JJ), row QQ of section CC, etc. Lots of tickets left in section EE! You can have row DD, for example.
Going to be tough to sell it out. But, it would be fantastic - and potentially very helpful to the team - to generate the kind of atmosphere we had in the ARC Saturday nght.
Come on Valpo, support your team! Be a part of history! See some great basketball! Be on ESPN!
I'm seeing this final much like how it was in 1980 with the US hockey team against the Russians. We beat them in the semis, then get a weaker team in the finals. I just hope fans don't feel a major letdown too early, otherwise the last 4-5 minutes of the game will be as exciting as playing IUPUI in 2002, and winning by 33.
That IUPUI championship game was very fun to watch, I definitely would LOVE to watch a major beatdown of Detroit on ESPN come Tuesday :).
In regards to the seating, that definitely should have been communicated better. However, the Detroit poster's reaction is just stupid. How can you blame a Valpo fan for wanting to take the seat they paid for (all tickets were for both games that day)? I kicked some CSU fans out of my seats with ease on the chairback side. There is always that awkward moment where you stare at each other, but I find that I generally have no trouble winning that battle ;)
Last year, in Milwaukee, a friend and I were moved out of our "unassigned seats" even though there was no one wishing to sit in them. We went back to the upper deck end zone seats with the rest of the Valpo fans.
Thanks historyman. Two additional things:
1. I saw Holman twice readily admit to a foul that was just called on him.
2. The only timeout I say jr call was one he *had* to call to avoid a 5 seconds call.
Quote from: StlVUFan on March 05, 2012, 06:48:10 AM1. I saw Holman twice readily admit to a foul that was just called on him.
I saw similar episode and thought it might say a lot about his efforts at personal discipline and improvement. A foul was called, he started to react, perhaps angrily, or at least in disbelief. Then you could sort of see him catch himself, he and the ref exchanged a few (seemingly polite) words, and he nodded in acceptance and apparent understanding. I could sort of imagine him getting angry... catching himself... and backing down. Made me think positively of his chances after college.
Quote from: agibson on March 05, 2012, 05:59:05 PM
Quote from: StlVUFan on March 05, 2012, 06:48:10 AM1. I saw Holman twice readily admit to a foul that was just called on him.
I saw similar episode and thought it might say a lot about his efforts at personal discipline and improvement. A foul was called, he started to react, perhaps angrily, or at least in disbelief. Then you could sort of see him catch himself, he and the ref exchanged a few (seemingly polite) words, and he nodded in acceptance and apparent understanding. I could sort of imagine him getting angry... catching himself... and backing down. Made me think positively of his chances after college.
Dennis Rodman used to do the same thing - raise his hand on select foul calls in order to convey to the refs that they actually got a call right. It's all about control and manipulation. Holman is either doing the same thing, or he's in the process of reforming his life as you suggest. Readers' choice...