[ballcoach15]

I’ve read/heard a lot of concern about the concessions and poor quality. I don’t partake usually, outside of the souvenir cup (but that was disappointing so I didn’t get that either). Time for productivity. What should/could be done to make concessions better?

Sir, you are not the first to mention concessions but it surprises me no one is talking about clock management. The officials had to openly scold us. Music being played over the officials descriptions. The band not shutting down in time for plays. We are still sub division in many areas.

It shouldn't be very hard to set up soda/water tents throughout the stadium. I have seen that done at high school games.

As for game management, we were not FBS ready. Clock operator had several miscues. Video board wasn't ready for our hurry up offense. Replay was non existent for much of game. No excuse for playing music when ref is talking. Heck at one time, PA was playing music as we were snapping the ball. I have never understood why there has to be noise emitting from PA on every dead ball.

[LUAlum1215]

RE: Concessions-

All food, with two exceptions, is typically cooked on site in the concession stands at Williams Stadium. The exceptions this week were any catered food for the suites/press box, which is always prepared at Reber Thomas and delivered on game day, and Domino's Pizza. There was an issue with water supply in the Domino's stand (Im assuming this is the same issue that caused them to run out of ice and drinks), so they weren't permitted to cook inside so all pizza was cooked in the Domino's trailer in Doc's lot and carted over. Any other food is prepared on site as both the East and West towers have fully functioning kitchens with numerous grills, fryers, ice machines, etc in both. The problem with quality is that they cook a large sum of food, wrap it, and place it under a warmer long before it will be sold. As far as food trucks go, the kettle corn truck and one other (i cant remember which it was) were located just outside of the gate to the east of gate 1. (Between gate 1 and the student entrance at gate 6). The black gates between the brick columns were opened so people could access the food truck without having to go through security again. The drink island sounds like it would be a great idea. I'm not sure where they would fit that allow maximum use while not being too large of an obstruction for people to move about though.

[A Sea of Red]

Saturday Takeaways

https://www.aseaofred.com/saturday-takeaways/

[Purple Haize]

I used to go to a lot of Orioles games, and they always had walking vendors in the stands selling drinks and hot dogs. Wouldn't that work in Williams Stadium, too?

I did see a walking vendor selling Domino's pizza on the Baptist side of the Bill, but who wants pizza without a drink to wash it down?

There were some walking around with kettle corn too. Same question applies.
But you know those little carts the have against the wall selling just drinks (usually Adult Sodas) and maybe a limited food choice? You could have those around.

[Purple Haize]

RE: Concessions-

All food, with two exceptions, is typically cooked on site in the concession stands at Williams Stadium. The exceptions this week were any catered food for the suites/press box, which is always prepared at Reber Thomas and delivered on game day, and Domino's Pizza. There was an issue with water supply in the Domino's stand (Im assuming this is the same issue that caused them to run out of ice and drinks), so they weren't permitted to cook inside so all pizza was cooked in the Domino's trailer in Doc's lot and carted over. Any other food is prepared on site as both the East and West towers have fully functioning kitchens with numerous grills, fryers, ice machines, etc in both. The problem with quality is that they cook a large sum of food, wrap it, and place it under a warmer long before it will be sold. As far as food trucks go, the kettle corn truck and one other (i cant remember which it was) were located just outside of the gate to the east of gate 1. (Between gate 1 and the student entrance at gate 6). The black gates between the brick columns were opened so people could access the food truck without having to go through security again. The drink island sounds like it would be a great idea. I'm not sure where they would fit that allow maximum use while not being too large of an obstruction for people to move about though.

The “Problem” with those food trucks being there is if you come up from another entrance you have no idea they are there. We even walked around the inside of the stadium (looking for a shorter line) and had no idea there were even food trucks available. Even then to the casual observer, if they are outside the gate then they will figure they are not accessible. There are umpteen thousands football stadiums in America. This has been done successfully all over the USA. It shouldn’t be this difficult. Now if you tell me 0 thought was given to that part of the game day experience when plans were being made to construct the stadium I would not call you a liar
I do find it interesting that Baseball is run by Club Sports but not Sodexo.

[LUAlum1215]

RE: Concessions-

All food, with two exceptions, is typically cooked on site in the concession stands at Williams Stadium. The exceptions this week were any catered food for the suites/press box, which is always prepared at Reber Thomas and delivered on game day, and Domino's Pizza. There was an issue with water supply in the Domino's stand (Im assuming this is the same issue that caused them to run out of ice and drinks), so they weren't permitted to cook inside so all pizza was cooked in the Domino's trailer in Doc's lot and carted over. Any other food is prepared on site as both the East and West towers have fully functioning kitchens with numerous grills, fryers, ice machines, etc in both. The problem with quality is that they cook a large sum of food, wrap it, and place it under a warmer long before it will be sold. As far as food trucks go, the kettle corn truck and one other (i cant remember which it was) were located just outside of the gate to the east of gate 1. (Between gate 1 and the student entrance at gate 6). The black gates between the brick columns were opened so people could access the food truck without having to go through security again. The drink island sounds like it would be a great idea. I'm not sure where they would fit that allow maximum use while not being too large of an obstruction for people to move about though.

The “Problem” with those food trucks being there is if you come up from another entrance you have no idea they are there. We even walked around the inside of the stadium (looking for a shorter line) and had no idea there were even food trucks available. Even then to the casual observer, if they are outside the gate then they will figure they are not accessible. There are umpteen thousands football stadiums in America. This has been done successfully all over the USA. It shouldn’t be this difficult. Now if you tell me 0 thought was given to that part of the game day experience when plans were being made to construct the stadium I would not call you a liar
I do find it interesting that Baseball is run by Club Sports but not Sodexo.

You won't find any argument from me there. Unless you were A) looking for the trucks and B) walked up to investigate the gate situation, you had no idea they were there and open. The problem with WS is in order to have plenty of area for food trucks to be functional it has to be outside the gate requiring people to go back through security. So its a lose-lose under current configuration. If the concourse was twice as wide it could work inside the gate, but they didn't think that far ahead I suppose.

[LibertyD]

It was quite hilarious to hear the music playing while the refs were talking. There were times when it was playing while SU was running their plays. I didn't mind that so much. But really unaccpetable. A good trial run for all. We can only get better from here. Hopefully!

[ballcoach15]

Also it appeared that. The Flames Club fan of the game award was delayed until PA finished making noise.

[CCWMichael]

If you don't have room for food trucks and the contract doesnt allow more concession workers, then what other option but machines? I think there were 6 machines in the Vines. Maybe 12 for football so SJ's math works out...or just limit the soda machines to coke, diet coke, and water. (Or pepsi, whoever we are with). Mark up the price to make it comparable to the concessions. This isn't to replace concessions, it's just to get the soda only people out of the lines.

Except for those that purchased the free refill cups and are not being honored by running out. Machines do nothing in this case.

[CCWMichael]

I used to go to a lot of Orioles games, and they always had walking vendors in the stands selling drinks and hot dogs. Wouldn't that work in Williams Stadium, too?

I did see a walking vendor selling Domino's pizza on the Baptist side of the Bill, but who wants pizza without a drink to wash it down?

Looked like that poor woman was pushing through some serious knee pain even without soda.

[CCWMichael]

It was quite hilarious to hear the music playing while the refs were talking. There were times when it was playing while SU was running their plays. I didn't mind that so much. But really unaccpetable. A good trial run for all. We can only get better from here. Hopefully!

I for one am not hopeful. This was the same for last year but for the clock issues. No one learned any lessons. Are they even aware? Will it take a contested outcome because of band or PA interference? I am all for good vibes but it needs to be done well not whenever the frank we wish.

[thepostman]

For those that were curious about Jr's whereabouts.

[gerb]

Freeze made an amazing hire in Symons. And Symons and our defense delivered faster than anyone could have imagined. Only Clemson and Notre Dame have been able to hold Cuse to 24 points or less last year. That is amazing.

[jimflamesfan]

I know sometimes we have attendance issues, but to put things in perspectice...Here is a picture of the crowd from the Pitt/UVA game (it's from a friend's fb. I think it was taken pregame...the band spells Pitt.)

Compare that to A Sea of Red's picture of the LU crowd - which I believe was also pregame - the band spelling USA.

Compared to a crowd at LU from 20 years ago (my dad took this picture).

We are headed in the right direction.

[Chippy]

I know sometimes we have attendance issues, but to put things in perspectice...Here is a picture of the crowd from the Pitt/UVA game (it's from a friend's fb. I think it was taken pregame...the band spells Pitt.)

Compare that to A Sea of Red's picture of the LU crowd - which I believe was also pregame - the band spelling USA.

Compared to a crowd at LU from 20 years ago (my dad took this picture).

We are headed in the right direction.

The announced attendance was 47,000+. When was the picture taken and what did the other side look like given they play in a 68,000 seat stadium?

[thepostman]

We should note that attendance has been down across the FBS the last couple of years. With the advances in technology more people are skipping the high prices and watching on their big screen TVs at home.

Doesn't change the fact we should've sold this game out.

[alabama24]

At the risk that this has already been discussed... (I'm too lazy to read through the entire thread lol)

RE: Attendance - I think we did pretty well. Consider this: Tickets were MUCH cheaper for all other games in past years.

[flameshaw]

RE: Concessions-

All food, with two exceptions, is typically cooked on site in the concession stands at Williams Stadium. The exceptions this week were any catered food for the suites/press box, which is always prepared at Reber Thomas and delivered on game day, and Domino's Pizza. There was an issue with water supply in the Domino's stand (Im assuming this is the same issue that caused them to run out of ice and drinks), so they weren't permitted to cook inside so all pizza was cooked in the Domino's trailer in Doc's lot and carted over. Any other food is prepared on site as both the East and West towers have fully functioning kitchens with numerous grills, fryers, ice machines, etc in both. The problem with quality is that they cook a large sum of food, wrap it, and place it under a warmer long before it will be sold. As far as food trucks go, the kettle corn truck and one other (i cant remember which it was) were located just outside of the gate to the east of gate 1. (Between gate 1 and the student entrance at gate 6). The black gates between the brick columns were opened so people could access the food truck without having to go through security again. The drink island sounds like it would be a great idea. I'm not sure where they would fit that allow maximum use while not being too large of an obstruction for people to move about though.

The “Problem” with those food trucks being there is if you come up from another entrance you have no idea they are there. We even walked around the inside of the stadium (looking for a shorter line) and had no idea there were even food trucks available. Even then to the casual observer, if they are outside the gate then they will figure they are not accessible. There are umpteen thousands football stadiums in America. This has been done successfully all over the USA. It shouldn’t be this difficult. Now if you tell me 0 thought was given to that part of the game day experience when plans were being made to construct the stadium I would not call you a liar
I do find it interesting that Baseball is run by Club Sports but not Sodexo.

Sodexo does a very good job in the Club level and the suites. Always bring in fresh food, drinks, etc. The only problem I have seen there is that they will occasionally run out of bottled water late in the game. Very satisfied.

[badger74]

Parking was atrocious. Fuzz Aflame had no idea what they were doing, got mixed-messages from the same group of cops, very rude and as Jinxy said, they cut off too many entry points, too early. This is the 3rd year in a row, opening game was a disaster from a ingress/egress perspective. Getting out was almost as bad. The cops wouldn't stop a very long line of students to let cars pass/exit the lots. Every other part of the game management/experience was top shelf. (Don't use the concessions, so I have no experience/input on that). Hopefully they can get this fixed, very frustrating.

Came in from north on 460. Parked near Mercados (free) in about 30 seconds and walked the two blocks to the food court. Took all of 5 minutes.

[badger74]

Real FBS football atmosphere. They played this song during the Cuse game. Brought back some memories. (PG)

[flameshaw]

Parking was atrocious. Fuzz Aflame had no idea what they were doing, got mixed-messages from the same group of cops, very rude and as Jinxy said, they cut off too many entry points, too early. This is the 3rd year in a row, opening game was a disaster from a ingress/egress perspective. Getting out was almost as bad. The cops wouldn't stop a very long line of students to let cars pass/exit the lots. Every other part of the game management/experience was top shelf. (Don't use the concessions, so I have no experience/input on that). Hopefully they can get this fixed, very frustrating.

Came in from north on 460. Parked near Mercados (free) in about 30 seconds and walked the two blocks to the food court. Took all of 5 minutes.

Yes, didn't want to say it, but I have a reserved parking pass, very close to the stadium. Should have better access without having to go down Ward's Rd. Way out of the way.

[Jonathan Carone]

I'm not a Pardon My Take fan, but the interview with Freeze was highly entertaining. Some highlights:

An old school wrestling reference
Freeze talking about a pee break in the 3rd quarter
Not being able to get his pants on
Being like Saban to show we're a Coke Zero school

[TexanMark]

If we had played a P5 school that was closer to Lynchburg than Syracuse, I think attendance would have been a lot better. Syracuse doesn't travel well, and there are very few Syracuse fans in the area.

Cuse traveled 20K+ fans to the Bowl Game last year
Normally travel 4K+ to ACC games in NC
Labor Day weekend was a big issue, plus many fans are traveling to @Maryland next week
That said I expected at least a 1000 fans and probably only had 750 fans

[bigsmooth]

should have been 10-10 at the half. who knows how the 2nd half would have played out. disappointed that Bennett did not go in earlier. It was obvious Buckshot was not going to get better this game. He looked lost. Props to Syracuse though. solid team for sure.

[JK37]

Re: Mack benching.

Take your licks now, teach the lesson early, bet he doesn’t fumble again!

I predicted less than a sellout. I just didn’t see it happening - yet. Not a known commodity - yet. Winning heals all. Freeze will get us there.

No problem with the coach being in the booth. Who cares if they knocked a wall. I would’ve been fine with taking out the roof to lower him in if that’s what it takes. Think those players will go to war for him now?

He asks them to run for a wall, now all they’ll ask is how big do you want the hole, Coach?!