The absence of a pep band was not the only strange thing inside the ARC today, at the basketball game against Evansville. No, a much stranger thing took place under the west backboard. There were two toddlers that were assigned there to mop sweat from the floor. I say toddlers, because I estimate that they were no older than 5 years old. They were cute little girls, but they had no business doing that job as they were physically unable to handle the mops. Of course it certainly was not their fault, but rather that of whoever is in charge of filling that activity. There was a member of the ARC Event staff stationed near that backboard all game, who did absolutely nothing to help the kids and make sure that the floor was taken care of. Young children should not be used for this activity. It was so bad that late in the game, an Evansville team manager ran over, grabbed a mop, and dried off the floor prior to his team shooting a free throw - how bad is this? I, and the people around me were embarrassed.
It was a wet floor that led to Javon's injury. Maybe it was a sweat area that didn't get mopped up or maybe just condensation, but clearly something that needs to be addressed. Doesn't really matter if you're a "Take care of the big things and the little things will handle themselves" person or not: When it comes to Gameday Experience, we do not get the little things right. From the ball kids, to the PA, to the bathrooms that stink of urine and chemicals because the university doesn't believe in urinals that flush.
And the pep band. I'm under 50 so I'm not sure I'm old enough to use "back in my day". But back in my day, a virus taking out a dozen pep band members would leave 20-25 left, which would STILL be more than we have most games now. And I'm long past assigning blame for any of this. There are so many little things around this department that could be solved with some time and ingenuity rather than money, but it seems we're short on all three.
Two groups in the world seriously impacted by virus problems right now - China and the Valpo Pep Band.
You may want to include the kids keeping the floor clean also. As for helping the kids with the floor it looks to me like we have many "old farts" wearing the fancy VU "event" shirts that like to stand around and and do nothing. I think that there is a lot of "dead wood" in that group, however there are also a number of those staff people who work hard and try to do a good job.
The VU "event" guys are volunteers from the Lions Club. I think their only job is to assist with seating.
Quote from: valpospartan on January 26, 2020, 11:05:28 PM
The absence of a pep band was not the only strange thing inside the ARC today, at the basketball game against Evansville. No, a much stranger thing took place under the west backboard. There were two toddlers that were assigned there to mop sweat from the floor. I say toddlers, because I estimate that they were no older than 5 years old. They were cute little girls, but they had no business doing that job as they were physically unable to handle the mops. Of course it certainly was not their fault, but rather that of whoever is in charge of filling that activity. There was a member of the ARC Event staff stationed near that backboard all game, who did absolutely nothing to help the kids and make sure that the floor was taken care of. Young children should not be used for this activity. It was so bad that late in the game, an Evansville team manager ran over, grabbed a mop, and dried off the floor prior to his team shooting a free throw - how bad is this? I, and the people around me were embarrassed.
I noticed the two girls and the Aces' "volunteer" as well. I see this as more than an embarrassment issue. What if one of the Aces slipped and seriously hurt themselves. I'm sure that Evansville would have a legitimate gripe to the league. I've never seen the league contract, but it wouldn't surprise me if there were obligations built in, such as must provide a locker room, shoot around time, general security and safety, and so on. Seems that a requirement of generally and adequately staffing the sporting events would be included. If that's correct, then it seems that VU was in violation of the agreement. If the injury were due to a VU infraction of the agreement, then that could be a serious issue for the University.
I like it that young kids are given that job, but they need to be able to do it. As much as I enjoyed watching the two girls fumble around with the mop, I don't think it was appropriate for Division 1 basketball, which is serious business.
Are these kids (grandkids) of donors?
Quote from: Valpo89 on January 27, 2020, 06:23:11 PM
The VU "event" guys are volunteers from the Lions Club. I think their only job is to assist with seating.
Read my words again. I said "ARC Event staff". There was a yellow shirted female Event Staff person (presumably a student) who was around that backboard all game. She watched the girls struggle with the mops, and forget to deliver water to the refs. I never saw her step in and take over. Now I am not positive that she was there for that purpose, but she was there all game, mostly hiding behind the stanchion, so it is a good presumption.
I know it isn't the job of the Lion's Club volunteers, and didn't intend to give that impression.
Quote from: valpo64 on January 27, 2020, 10:25:17 AM
You may want to include the kids keeping the floor clean also. As for helping the kids with the floor it looks to me like we have many "old farts" wearing the fancy VU "event" shirts that like to stand around and and do nothing. I think that there is a lot of "dead wood" in that group, however there are also a number of those staff people who work hard and try to do a good job.
I think you are mixing up two different groups: One is ARC Event Staff, which I believe is made up of students. The other that you hatefully referred to as old farts and dead wood, are ushers, who are volunteers from the Lion's Club. I presume that the biggest part of their job is standing around offering crowd control. I submit that you owe them an apology.
Not sure who's who in all this. If there's a group who volunteers, great. Thanks for your help.
Then I wonder how many of our conference mates have unpaid volunteers in their home arenas.
In so many ways we never really left the Mid-Con.
Quote from: valpospartan on January 26, 2020, 11:05:28 PMThe absence of a pep band was not the only strange thing inside the ARC today, at the basketball game against Evansville. No, a much stranger thing took place under the west backboard. There were two toddlers that were assigned there to mop sweat from the floor. I say toddlers, because I estimate that they were no older than 5 years old. They were cute little girls, but they had no business doing that job as they were physically unable to handle the mops. Of course it certainly was not their fault, but rather that of whoever is in charge of filling that activity. There was a member of the ARC Event staff stationed near that backboard all game, who did absolutely nothing to help the kids and make sure that the floor was taken care of. Young children should not be used for this activity. It was so bad that late in the game, an Evansville team manager ran over, grabbed a mop, and dried off the floor prior to his team shooting a free throw - how bad is this? I, and the people around me were embarrassed.
This scenario needs to be forwarded to Mark LaBarbera with a well thought out "are you kidding me?" attached to the email.
If Mark is on the board, here is my personal "are you kidding me?"
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on January 27, 2020, 10:24:55 PMNot sure who's who in all this. If there's a group who volunteers, great. Thanks for your help. Then I wonder how many of our conference mates have unpaid volunteers in their home arenas. In so many ways we never really left the Mid-Con.
Whoever who is who, it ought to be figured out without somehow including single digit aged kids.
This is just ridiculous. That's just incompetence and laziness to have an oversight like that. How much thought time and effort does it take to find somebody who can reasonably be expected to know (someone of at least middle or high school age but preferably an adult) to wipe the floor during time outs and deliver water to the refs? Maybe this is why we're on the wrong end of some tough calls even at home. We don't take care of the refs then why should we expect them to take care of us? Just ridiculous and embarrassing. I don't even think that's NAIA stuff. That's not even church rec league stuff. It's not even Boys and Girls Club or YMCA kids league stuff. That's just.. I don't even know what that is... Come on Valpo Do better...
This isn't a new issue. For years kids who are too young to pay attention to their duties have been chosen for the job. I'm not sure how the kids are chosen, but if coaches of local middle school teams were contacted (or coaches of varsity teams who would relay the info down the train), I'm sure* that there would be plenty of kids who would jump at the chance to sit at courtside and be part of the game.
*As I type I have become less "sure." I would like to think that kids haven't changed that much.
Like seriously though? How does an athletic department that has accomplished as much as this one has amid difficult circumstances less than stellar administrative support a small alumni base and tough sledding for fan support miss stuff like this? Like I said how much time thought and effort does it take to ensure that stuff like this is taken care of? It's ridiculous and upsetting because it's a bad look for the school and unbecoming and not befitting the status this department has achieved. They deserve recognition for all the good they've done but good God this kind of stuff SEVERELY undermines all of the gains that have been made and are being made.
3 recent alums were disappointed when they returned on Sunday and couldnt find a pep band or any replays, and where the community dance team that was brought in for halftime was better than the Valpo dance team who performed right before them, despite being much younger.
Maybe it's just me, but I believe I have seen kids doing the mop duty at NBA games, let alone mid major D1 Basketball . So I would imagine it's not uncommon. Also I'm sure we have all seen situations in high profile games where the "Mop Boy" just can't seem to figure out how to clean the wet spot on the floor and the ref has to keep redirecting him to clean it up. That being said, if the people chosen are not able to do the job, whether it be they are not paying attention, too young, can't handle the mop... yes it is a problem and should have been addressed. But to act like this is some huge scandal and embarrassment that we had kids handling mop duty is a bit of an over reach. There are plenty of other things we as a fan base should be embarrassed about as it pertains to the ARC and the gameday experience before we get to kids and mops.
Athletic department blemishes go beyond using kids as mop up duty.
We know this.
So when things don't change and we hear excuse after excuse, then us as consumers and fans pick any and everything to complain about including kids mopping up moisture on the floor, no parking, bad lights, bad sound system, no beer, bad non conference home schedule, concessions, bathrooms, halftime shows, people working at the game and season ticket prices.
I guess I should have just stopped with the kids working mop duty.
Come on athletic department. Just give us one of these. Just one to convince us you are trying. Just one.
Quote from: vuny98 on January 28, 2020, 02:24:10 PM
Maybe it's just me, but I believe I have seen kids doing the mop duty at NBA games, let alone mid major D1 Basketball . So I would imagine it's not uncommon. Also I'm sure we have all seen situations in high profile games where the "Mop Boy" just can't seem to figure out how to clean the wet spot on the floor and the ref has to keep redirecting him to clean it up. That being said, if the people chosen are not able to do the job, whether it be they are not paying attention, too young, can't handle the mop... yes it is a problem and should have been addressed. But to act like this is some huge scandal and embarrassment that we had kids handling mop duty is a bit of an over reach. There are plenty of other things we as a fan base should be embarrassed about as it pertains to the ARC and the gameday experience before we get to kids and mops.
I agree with you to an extent. I think that Mick was simply noting the cumulative number of things, which I think is where some of the frustration is.
One thing that would make a lot of these complaints go away would be more wins. If VU were 17-3 (or better) right now rather than 10-10 (or 11-10 depending on how you count), then we'd be talking about a lot of other things like bracketology, polling, etc., and not about mopping and bathrooms. I think most of us prefer those other conversations.
I bet the department will be thrilled when they get your emails offering to volunteer to do mop duty.
M - I may not volunteer to mop from 1,000 miles away but I do donate and give. :thumbsup:
You got next?
4throwfan, spot on. Yes, it's a long laundry list of things too. These shortcomings were happening the last 10 years, but we were winning so we didn't bother.
Quote from: vuny98 on January 28, 2020, 02:24:10 PM
Maybe it's just me, but I believe I have seen kids doing the mop duty at NBA games, let alone mid major D1 Basketball . So I would imagine it's not uncommon. Also I'm sure we have all seen situations in high profile games where the "Mop Boy" just can't seem to figure out how to clean the wet spot on the floor and the ref has to keep redirecting him to clean it up. That being said, if the people chosen are not able to do the job, whether it be they are not paying attention, too young, can't handle the mop... yes it is a problem and should have been addressed. But to act like this is some huge scandal and embarrassment that we had kids handling mop duty is a bit of an over reach. There are plenty of other things we as a fan base should be embarrassed about as it pertains to the ARC and the gameday experience before we get to kids and mops.
But you haven't seen 5 year old's mopping. The school hires students, as do must schools, to do various jobs at athletic events, so why not use them for mop duty. Heck Volleyball games have students cleaning the floor, and mopping sweat. No one is calling this a scandal, but it is just another embarrassment that takes place at the ARC.
I'm not finding any little thing to complain about...so no I won't be volunteering (I may ask my 8th and 4th graders if they're interested though).
Go Valpo
But hey, at least we're getting lights on the baseball field......
M - That's awesome, while asking your 4th and 8th graders to mop can you also ask Pa to fix just one of the laundry list items? Just one. It will give us hope.
The laundry list items are things that similar sized private universities would sneeze at.
Or we could start winning again and overlook the laundry list items.
I'll keep donating, giving and complaining. When I stop donating is when I will stop complaining. But be careful, several have already quit donating and caring. This forum is an example, there used to be more contributors. Take care of the product or people will quit investing time and money in it.
I just like solutions (or at minimum suggestions for a solution) to problems when people complain.
:'( :'( :'(
I'll see myself out.
M - I can respect that.
Unfortunately I don't have the solutions. But I also don't make over 100k and hired to have those solutions. Someone is....
Other similar schools are able to do it. These excuses are starting to sound like Luke Gore and his scheduling inability.
Sorry I have no solutions nor does the man who was hired to have solutions.
We should just copy a page from the book of other similar universities who don't have as long of a laundry list.
Go Valpo!
See I appreciate some thoughts here that others have posted. For instance - I'm not paid to have solutions. These people are. And they're well compensated for it. Make way more than the average. So ya there should be some responsibility and accountability when you're making really good money .... maybe not anywhere near the Coach Ks of the world but in relation to most of us ... really, really good money. I was raised to believe that with such opportunities the responsibility increases. That's why the Bryce Drew's of the world get booted so quickly .... make a lot of money and don't perform ... you're gone. Right or wrong it's the name of the game.
Hey Valpo fans look who is mopping up the court in Peoria.....you guessed it a kid!
Quote from: VALPO LI on January 29, 2020, 06:51:05 PM
Hey Valpo fans look who is mopping up the court in Peoria.....you guessed it a kid!
As I said in the game thread I think it's a matter of training.
The ref guided that young lad in pink quite well...the young minion must have given him water during the time out!
The person who brought up the issue of kids mopping the floor was probably just aggravated by 1. not winning and 2. the laundry list. Thus choosing any little thing to complain about. One has to be admit, it hasn't been real fun the last 4 years.
Quote from: VALPO LI on January 29, 2020, 06:51:05 PM
Hey Valpo fans look who is mopping up the court in Peoria.....you guessed it a kid!
Probably a middle school age boy, NOT a 5 year old girl.
At least we're consistent ... in digging a hole that we almost pull ourselves out of and end up with a moral victory.
Quote from: oklahomamick on January 29, 2020, 09:20:07 PMThe person who brought up the issue of kids mopping the floor was probably just aggravated by 1. not winning and 2. the laundry list. Thus choosing any little thing to complain about. One has to be admit, it hasn't been real fun the last 4 years.
Yeah not winning (obviously) has a lot to do with this. I'm sure of it. The laundry list is concerning\embarrassing but I trust that they're working on it. There would be a lot less heat if we were legitimately in the title discussion right now as opposed to fighting with everything we have to avoid a THIRD straight PIG finish.
Do you guys remember when we hosted Florida St. (a couple nba picks) in a full house ARC and whooped them? Good times.
"Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days...."
-MH
I haven't joined in this discussion, but I certainly appreciate the comments. I hope I'm wrong, but I get the feeling that complaints by posters on this board are the only reason anything ever gets done to improve the game day experience.
Per Paul's write-up, we had ~2,000 fans in attendance last night. Now, idk if they all stuck around for the second half after that shellacking but .... wow. There were 2 inches of snow. It was doable for locals in the community. The roads were iced. Not progressing nicely.
At the time of the game it was still snowing in lots of places and the roads(or the drivers on said roads) were horrible. There were accidents all over. I would definitely not have driven to the game in that condition, especially since the weather reports were saying we could get up to six inches
Stop it...the roads were garbage last night.
Also a bad look when your main beat reporter slips outside the ARC. I know he said in the tweet it was his shoes....
I've exited plenty of games where the salt seems to end midway between the doors and the street, if it's even there. I'm guessing that's really not on the athletic department, but it does continue our recent trend of not taking care of the small things.
Realistically I think we finish anywhere between 8-10 and 10-8 but predicting the individual results of each game will be difficult. I do think we'll go into Normal in a week and a half at 5-8 though. Loyola won't throw up two clunkers in a row and they're at home and SIU is just too hot (though Evansville almost got them so maybe? Getting either of these games significantly changes my outlook but I just don't see us winning either game. I'm sorry. )I hope i'm right about our season finish (particularly to the high side) because if we finish any worse than that it becomes REALLY hard to justify any contract extension for Matt. I mean UNI is the best team in the conference so for anyone who might misconstrue what we're saying NO THIS IS NOT A BAD LOSS however WE PLAYED BADLY IN THE LOSS. That is an unavoidable fact. We are still plagued by the same issues and not everything is on the coach because he can't make the shots for the players but I just don't get why we can't ever put 40 minutes together or why we can't seem to avoid slow starts. Last night was a tall order but this one was winnable.
Quote from: crusader05 on February 06, 2020, 08:26:37 AM
At the time of the game it was still snowing in lots of places and the roads(or the drivers on said roads) were horrible. There were accidents all over. I would definitely not have driven to the game in that condition, especially since the weather reports were saying we could get up to six inches
We drove to the game without even a skid. There were no problems, and no accidents seen.
Watching the Loyola game today was tough. Such a great feel in the Gentile Arena. Updated seating, video boards, sound, and a REAL collegiate feel. Watching the UNI game yesterday, I was blown away. The differences between the ARC and the stadiums of our conference members are unbelievable. Hard to believe at this point (having now experienced the MVC as a member of it) that it wasn't part of the agreement when we joined the conference .... that we do some major upgrades .... like, even the yellow lights for starters. Embarrassing.
Perhaps it was part of the agreement, long-range, when we joined the MVC. Who knows for sure. BTW, Loyola's Gentile Center's capacity is less than the ARC and I believe we may average more in attendance than they do.
What's more frustrating is that we as fans are left out in the dark as usual. No glimpse of hope lies ahead.... :'(
Quote from: valpo64 on February 09, 2020, 08:13:38 PM
Perhaps it was part of the agreement, long-range, when we joined the MVC. Who knows for sure. BTW, Loyola's Gentile Center's capacity is less than the ARC and I believe we may average more in attendance than they do.
Yes, per Wikipedia, the Gentile Center capacity is only 4,963 vs 5,000 at the ARC. Your belief on attendance comparisons is wrong according to the MVC website.
Not about seating capacity as much as amenities
Quote from: GoldenCrusader87 on February 09, 2020, 07:53:13 PM
Watching the Loyola game today was tough. Such a great feel in the Gentile Arena. Updated seating, video boards, sound, and a REAL collegiate feel. Watching the UNI game yesterday, I was blown away. The differences between the ARC and the stadiums of our conference members are unbelievable. Hard to believe at this point (having now experienced the MVC as a member of it) that it wasn't part of the agreement when we joined the conference .... that we do some major upgrades .... like, even the yellow lights for starters. Embarrassing.
And, Loyola's 50-member band rocked the place. And, they have a food court adjacent to the Gentile Center that we chose to use after the game rather than stop somewhere on the way home. And, 100 year old Sister Jean gave a lengthy opening prayer courtside. Very cute lady!
I hear you...we need the improvements in the worst way I totally agree. I guess I am surprised that with their recent successes Loyola's attendance is not that much better than ours, even with their better facility and our antiquated one. Maybe? Maybe?
Maybe not, but a better home environment can translate to more wins, which is better seeding in the conference tourney, a better chance to win and go to the tourney, etc which does equate to more money. Loyola, even after their final four run, is still well outside the sports radar of most Chicagoians. Big cities typically don't show a ton of support to their mid majors (See League, Horizon). But their doing better than I expected in the MVC since they made the jump.
1. Broke the streak by winning 2 straight.
2. Let's say we win vs Drake on Wednesday to make it 3 straight wins.
3. Let's say there's no snow storm or any bad weather on Saturday with Bradley coming to the ARC.
Question: What does the ARC look like? +/- 3,000 fans? Or is +/- 2,500 the bar we will set?
We wanted more Saturday night games. Especially when students are there. And we'd be on a win streak with an opportunity to stay out of Thursday night - which is a goal many folks on here have set for this season - sooo will people show up? How about students?