[A.G.]

http://www.libertyflames.com/index.cfm? ... 86&TeamID=

I would have *never* imagined:

Flames Club Set To Start New Season; Venue Changes For First Meeting

August 23, 2006
Lynchburg, Va.

Liberty University Athletics will officially kick off the 2006-07 season with the first meeting of the revitalized Flames Club. The first meeting of the season on Friday has been moved from the Williams Football Operations Center to the Reber Thomas Dining Hall. The start time remains the same at noon.

The Williams Football Operations Center is not quite ready for the first luncheon; it will be finished in time for opening day on August 31st and will serve as the site for the remaining luncheons.
The Flames Club serves as the booster organization for Liberty University Athletics and will meet once a month on a designated Friday during the athletic season. The meeting will run from noon to 1:30 p.m. and lunch is provided for a $10 cover charge. Select coaches will speak each week, giving insight into the progress of their programs, presenting video highlights and taking questions from those present.

Head football coach Danny Rocco and Director of Athletics Jeff Barber will be the featured speakers for the first Flames Club luncheon on August 25th. Discount advance tickets are available for each luncheon, and season passes may be purchased for all 11 luncheons scheduled for only $77. Passes are non-refundable and non-transferable. Tickets may be purchased by calling 582-SEAT e-mailing tickets@liberty.edu, or by visiting the Vines Center Ticket Office.
The luncheons are sponsored this year by UBS Financial Services, with door prizes provided by the Liberty University Bookstore. The complete 2006-07 Flames Club Luncheon schedule is:

August 25th
September 8th
October 13th
November 3rd
December 1st
January 26th
February 9th
March 2nd
March 23rd
April 6th
May 4th

With Flames Club membership running far ahead of last year’s record pace, and excitement over the upcoming football season, its is anticipated that this event will be at or near capacity… So, get your tickets early!

[krh44]

I don't like that they are having so few luncheons compared to the past. Anyone know why?

[TallyW]

Probably to focus on making them better and to build anticipation between each one.

[Number1inda'hoodG]

Also guys, I'm honestly not sure how much they're making off those things. Sure the first one was packed, but how many people were staff and others who didn't have to pay. Probably better to save some time and expense to focus on other things...

[new flame]

N1NDHG, those meetings aren't about making money. They are about creating awareness and excitement for the program, and for making people aware that the Flames Club exists. And, that it's a good idea to help your team out by giving generously to the athletic department. At those meetings people get to hear the AD speak, coaches speak, etc. Where else can a fan listen to the coaches talk about their sport and the progress they're making?

LU will make money by fans giving to the Flames Club and buying season tickets (even if they don't plan to use them all). Texas and Ohio State spend $75 million a year on athletics. What's our budget, $8 million? And how much do we lose annually up this point, $7.25 million? We Flames fans have GOT to step up to the plate and begin to shoulder more of the financial burden for taking our athletic program to the next level.

Then, if we are in touch with LU alumni, we need to passionately recruit them to join the Flames Club, too.

Said my peace. Hope I don't trip stepping off my soap box.

[SuperJon]

Where else can a fan listen to the coaches talk about their sport and the progress they're making?

Many schools have weekly call in shows with coaches to do this. A lot of times they'll do it at a place where people can come watch live (i.e. Logan's Roadhouse in Myrtle Beach with David Bennett) or they can call in.

There's so much stuff for the athletic department to do that setting up a meeting every two weeks is probably extremely difficult. Once a month, along with weekly e-mails, is perfectly fine. It all comes back to quality vs quanity.

[new flame]

Quality vs. quantity? I don't get it, SJ. I wasn't there yesterday, but was the quality lacking somehow? E-mails and call-in shows are the minimum expectation. They don't make money either. As long as the lunches are packed out (with staff AND fans), keep em coming.

[SuperJon]

I was just saying that with a once a month meeting they can put more time into planning it and making sure that it's good.

[prototype]

It's not about time or money. It's just plain simple logic. Most your businessmen that LU wants to attract are not able to attend a lunch meeting for an hour and half every week. Secondly - It gets STALE. Do some research and you will find very little Universities at any level meet every week like the Flames Club did. The ones who fight for the weekly deal are probably the ones that give 10% of the money. There is a reason they were losing steam the last couple of years, and it wasn't because of location changes, it's due to the fact that there is just only so much you can hear from coach comment about practice and game planning.

They should have the Flames Club members be able to attend special Media Post Game Press Conferences, or put their efforts into getting a 30 Minute coaches show on Radio and TV every week back on the air.

[BJWilliams]

It's not about time or money. It's just plain simple logic. Most your businessmen that LU wants to attract are not able to attend a lunch meeting for an hour and half every week. Secondly - It gets STALE. Do some research and you will find very little Universities at any level meet every week like the Flames Club did. The ones who fight for the weekly deal are probably the ones that give 10% of the money. There is a reason they were losing steam the last couple of years, and it wasn't because of location changes, it's due to the fact that there is just only so much you can hear from coach comment about practice and game planning.

They should have the Flames Club members be able to attend special Media Post Game Press Conferences, or put their efforts into getting a 30 Minute coaches show on Radio and TV every week back on the air.

Its funny that you mention the coaches show thing because I was talkign to somebody at 90.9 and we are supposed to start a coaches show with Coach Rocco this year. Mark Edwards would be the host of that one

[Number1inda'hoodG]

Friendly FYI: If a coaches show does launch, Mark Edwards would not be the host.

[givemethemic]

That is correct, Jerry would be the host

[Number1inda'hoodG]

And nothing against Mark Edwards, he does fine work. But at most schools (i.e. UVA-Mac McDonald, VT-Bill Roth) Those guys are the voice of their schools and they host the coach's shows.

[Sly Fox]

So how long til Mark gets that honor?

[BJWilliams]

Thanks for the correction Number1 and GMTM. Great job with the show on Saturday btw

[givemethemic]

no prob, thanks... you good for a meeting at 11 tomorrow morn in my office?

[BJWilliams]

no prob, thanks... you good for a meeting at 11 tomorrow morn in my office?

Yeah Im good for that. I only have one class on MWF and its in the afternoon