re: This Tiger Stadium problem was years in the making (long)

Was thinking about this while driving home from FU game... I'd like to add some thoughts.

These are interdependent.

Disclaimer: I'm one of those TAF season ticket holders, I haven't had my season tickets that long (finally making enough $), I sat through the AU game till first v-formation and :42 left in FU game.

1. Wake up the Hate!
This is the "we're spoiled" comment. But with a slight twist. Yes, we've gotten used to winning. Nothing wrong with that. But there is a certain segment of the LSU attendee market that has almost only seen LSU win 86% of the time. They didn't live through the Gator poundings (and trash talking), didn't see Riggins destroy LSU and UT plant the flag. They didn't see Sean Alexander almost on his own ruin a signature win for DiNardo. Tack on the idea that "hate" is too strong of a word for most organizations and we have a portion of the fanbase that for them every game is like the other. For many of us, an SEC game is AN SEC GAME! With special hate for each and every SEC opponent based on something.

2. Marketing... The Hate
I consider this the starting point for counteracting the necessary evil of such things as TAF points. Other than XX% of the student population who saw anything other than the CBS commercials (which suck) drumming up excitement for the UF game? no, no one. because it doesn't exist. Basic business principle, if the excitement/want/need for your product doesn't exist... create it via marketing. If the school wants asses in the seats (as opposed to just tickets purchased), then market it. And I say market it in a way where every arse in the seat is there to see an arse whooping, hard hits, and swag. Not just a victory. In other words, create the hate.

3. Us Old Farts
yes, hard not to make excuses for my demographic. But every one 28 and younger lumps us all into one group. Firstly, the 32 - 50 yr old group, which I am in, we HATE. Look around the SEZ (non-students), or East Side. It looks different than the W side. The really old farts have the seats on the W locked up. On the W side and SEZ there is a lot of 30's, 40's, and some 50's. So lets just set the record straight there first. I kind of understand the really old farts not showing up. They want to support LSU, the easiest way is to give money. It is not easy to come to the games. Just the way it is. However, LSU can do something to mitigate this. Possibly give minimal TAF points (0,1? 0.25?) to the old farts that give their unused tickets to students that don't make the cut for the student section is an idea. There's got to be more ways of doing this, and tying it to better marketing and TAF would be beneficial.

4. Technology and Attendence
The USPS can relate to this one. I grew up in Houma. Often to see an LSU game (or Saints game with blackout rules) you had to go to the games. Now, with ESPN3 and digital atennas you can watch the game from right outside Death Valley and still get your tailgate on!! Or, like the old farts, support your school by giving money and watch it from home. Unlike previous decades you didn't have to cross your fingers and hope that Jefferson Pilot was kind enough to show LSU instead of AU or MSU. LSU is televised every week now. Thanks to our schedules lately, it's often one of the better games on too. This has to be a factor; just not sure if huge or just equal with some of the others.

I'm clueless how to battle the corporate issue. That's everywhere now-a-days. Is it a necessary evil? Eh, maybe not with LSU being a national brand. If they marketed the brand better, especially in TX, LA, and MS maybe it wouldn't even be necessary.

And the excuses... yeah, parking sucks (getting worse). Cops at UF game just randomly redirected traffic and you couldn't get to wherever you wanted to park anyway. AU was a frigging mud puddle of biblical proportions. The concession stands ran out of water Saturday. blah. I personally, find it hard to miss a game despite all this. Maybe when I get even older, that will change. Maybe after I've had my season tickets for over a decade I'll decide I am supporting my school sufficiently. But for now, to see us run it down UF's throat and NOT see a LSU team fight and fight and still lose because they're just not as talented is fricking worth it!!