Page 30 of 85

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 11:29 am
by Iggy1979
ATPTourFan wrote:
Bee311 wrote:
wpbrown8267 wrote:it would be great if they had beer from Whalers Brewing there, since its in town
Not sure about the pub but they had Whalers in the Alumni Lounge :)
Thrilled The RISE is in the Lounge for $5 and no line. There's a perk.

But I asked if it was also in the Pubs, and the server told me the Lounge is run by URI Catering Services, separate from general Ryan Center concessions.
Unfortunately no RISE in the pubs. Sam Adams and Harpoon was about as good as it got. Lines to get in, lines to get a drink. Good problem to have, I guess, but I think they need bigger rooms. The capacity, I think, is 130 and 104. That's not a lot when you have 6000-plus people in the RC.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 11:42 am
by Blue Man
I will continue to wonder why we don't sell booze at all concessions and/or beer carts.

It's not an NCAA rule, NCAA doesn't control regular season games.

There is beer and wine available in 4 places in the Ryan Center.

This weird puritan moratorium on booze is now just making everything more difficult - longer lines, people missing game action, etc, etc.

People want to give this school money and we're just saying - nah. Let's half ass this and kind of do it but piss everyone off in the process. The current set up pisses off the drinkers for affecting their game experience, pisses off the people who believe alcohol is the devil, and everyone loses.

In the words of Ron Swanson: "never half ass two things, whole ass one thing."

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 11:55 am
by ElmCityRhody
HEAR HEAR

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 12:59 pm
by NYGFan_Section208
Blue Man wrote:I will continue to wonder why we don't sell booze at all concessions and/or beer carts.

It's not an NCAA rule, NCAA doesn't control regular season games.

There is beer and wine available in 4 places in the Ryan Center.

This weird puritan moratorium on booze is now just making everything more difficult - longer lines, people missing game action, etc, etc.

People want to give this school money and we're just saying - nah. Let's half ass this and kind of do it but piss everyone off in the process. The current set up pisses off the drinkers for affecting their game experience, pisses off the people who believe alcohol is the devil, and everyone loses.

In the words of Ron Swanson: "never half ass two things, whole ass one thing."
Blue Man truly gets it.....Can this please just be re-posted every 20 minutes until something happens?

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 1:09 pm
by TruePoint
The other part of this I was thinking about as I was watching people file into their seats on Friday was that there has to be 200 people or so in the pubs before the games, if not more. I think it would be better for everyone if more people were in their seats prior to the game starting, for a variety of reasons. As things are now, people have to decide whether they want to have a beer or they want to be in their seats. I can't imagine the rationale for why our fans are forced into that decision.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 1:30 pm
by Rhodymob05
For most fans. its a long drive to Kingston and never easy to get on campus, but I still feel like Rhody fans take forever to get to their seats. Barely making it for the lineups.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 1:57 pm
by bigappleram
IMO there are a list of about 20 other things the program could execute better before the Pub was addressed.
Actually marketing the program beyond online banner ads might be #1. I have 19 more too, I would tell you over a beer at the Pub but I digress....

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:39 pm
by GansettSummer
Blue Man wrote:I will continue to wonder why we don't sell booze at all concessions and/or beer carts.

It's not an NCAA rule, NCAA doesn't control regular season games.

There is beer and wine available in 4 places in the Ryan Center.

This weird puritan moratorium on booze is now just making everything more difficult - longer lines, people missing game action, etc, etc.

People want to give this school money and we're just saying - nah. Let's half ass this and kind of do it but piss everyone off in the process. The current set up pisses off the drinkers for affecting their game experience, pisses off the people who believe alcohol is the devil, and everyone loses.

In the words of Ron Swanson: "never half ass two things, whole ass one thing."
I heard from an insider within the dept. that athletics and the Ryan Center have been trying to get full alcohol sales at games. They have been serving through the stands and letting people drink in their seats for some Ryan Center shows in the last few years but have been prevented in doing so at basketball for whatever strange reason.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:35 pm
by NorthernRamFan
Blue Man wrote:I will continue to wonder why we don't sell booze at all concessions and/or beer carts.

It's not an NCAA rule, NCAA doesn't control regular season games.

There is beer and wine available in 4 places in the Ryan Center.

This weird puritan moratorium on booze is now just making everything more difficult - longer lines, people missing game action, etc, etc.

People want to give this school money and we're just saying - nah. Let's half ass this and kind of do it but piss everyone off in the process. The current set up pisses off the drinkers for affecting their game experience, pisses off the people who believe alcohol is the devil, and everyone loses.

In the words of Ron Swanson: "never half ass two things, whole ass one thing."
Dilly Dilly!

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 8:04 pm
by ATPTourFan
My understanding is the general sale of alcohol during basketball games requires approval from President Dooley.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 10:36 pm
by NorthernRamFan
Dooley... he’s dragging his feet, hopefully he starts looking at the bottom line!

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 11:06 pm
by TruePoint
I have respect for Dooley's role as more than the President of a basketball team. He has to do what he thinks is in the best interest of the institution as a whole. A lot goes into that, and I think we have fairly outlined the "pro" arguments for going full beer and wine sales at men's basketball games, but there is more to it than that.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 9:12 am
by section(105)
......at the Dunk last nite, the trash back an forth between a few Gopher fans and the PC fans was fine, fun and spirited....until late in game when a liquid was tossed toward the most vocal Gopher fan by a group of exiting PC fans.....my guess is that liquid was not water.....full beer at the RC.....not sure that is way to go for a campus venue....

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 9:21 am
by ramster
Sction (105), it looked like on TV that with about 1.5 minutes to go there was a fight going on. Most fans in the Dunk were standing to look at the fight that appeared to be behind the basket at one end. PC Board mentions a Minnesota an holding a sign that people didn't care for.
Did anyone get hurt?
How long did the fight go on for and how many involved?

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 10:17 am
by section(105)
......it appears to me it was mostly push/shove kindabout, I did not see the Gopher fan at center of event holding anything.....no one appeared to get hurt, arena security on it quickly, went on for a few minutes where PPD sorted things out and took two folks out(with assistance of course)....I think the liquid tosser was long gone down the concourse by the time the PPD arrived on scene.....the scene was across court from me, in the court corner area behind the Gopher bench, say 6-8 rows from court, the PC fans were early exiting in front of the Gopher fan.....whom seemed upset over the fact the liquid tosser was not held up and the fans around the fan taken out seemed to try to explain that to the security folks.....the only sign I was was a PC fan holding one which said....”Pitino paid me to be here.....”..... hard to tell how many were directly involved, saw two taken out....not good.....AND let me add this; the Gopher fan was probably not wishing a good evening to the exiting PC fans, and as we have all seen time and time again as the alcohol content goes up, the IQ goes down no matter which color clothing the fans wear...

Getting the fans more involved DURING game

Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 10:16 am
by Bri234u
Greeting from Section 309,

I can't think of anything better to do with my spare time than to take my family to see the Rams play. It is the highlight of our winter season. It is great to see more and more people attending games this season. With that said it would be great for this board to brainstorm ways to get the fans more involved DURING the game. I don't expect our fans to stand and cheer the entire game but there might be other ways our fan base can show their support.

Here are some ideas...

Example #1 - during our free throw attempts everyone raises their arms and if the free throw is made every claps once. If a second free throw is made (two claps). I have seen this done before with other programs and it looks and sounds awesome.

Example #2 - Place some cheerleaders around the crowd for part of the game. Have them hand out rewards for the fans who are involved. - tshirts, Rhody balls, free tickets.....

Example #3 - Show coach Hurley more on the big screen. Especially when he is trying to get the crowd fired up.

Example #4 - Have our mascot be more involved. Is there a reason why he is not being used during the game to get the fans fired up. Isn't that one of the main responsibilities of a mascot?

Thoughts?

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 12:06 pm
by ATPTourFan
For this game vs Bonnies that will be a (virtual) sell-out, sure hope the security measures are... ahem.. measured and reasonable.

Don't give parents with kids under 6 a hard time by scanning each small child.

Don't give mothers carrying small children a hard time about their diaper bags.

Don't make our more mature patrons open coats, etc if they appear to have difficulty doing that outside on-demand.


Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 12:18 pm
by Blue Man
The biggest issue I've noticed is how WOEFULLY underprepared the concessions are for people.

The lines are out of control.

In the pub, any of the food areas, anything.

It's honestly inexcusable for an arena of only 7600 to have 20+ minute lines to get a god damn bottle of water. They need to figure that out.

Also on my list is teaching the cameramen where to find the zoom button. I've been to literally dozens of arenas and stadiums in my time. In and out of this region, in and out of this country...and I have never seen video board promos and activities have the zoom any further out than we do at the Ryan Center.

We literally couldn't even pull off a kiss cam because there are 15-20 people on the screen at once and no one would be able to figure out who was doing what.

Also replays. REPLAYS. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WHY CAN'T SOMEONE JUST TAKE AN AUX CABLE AND PLUG THE TV FEED INTO THE VIDEO INPUT??

We have the same level of LED boards as TD Garden. There is a video input in there somewhere.

I will even volunteer my phone to stream the game so that you can plug it into the videoboard so we can see the replays they see at home.**


**Streaming actually wouldn't work because the WiFi in the building is AWFUL. That could also use some fixing.

For the second time in as many years we have a premium basketball product on the court in front of us. WHY CAN'T WE HAVE A PREMIUM HOME GAME EXPERIENCE TO WATCH IT!? WHYYYYYYYYY

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 1:12 pm
by section(105)
......uuuuuummmmm, not thinking “Big”

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 1:17 pm
by ElmCityRhody
the concessions are ridiculous

i refuse to go b/c of the wait

who wants to wait 20+ mins

its a complete and utter joke

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 1:51 pm
by Billyboy78
I went to get a soda. One girl was the only person out front. (It was about 45 minutes before tipoff. ) When she went to ring it up, she couldn't figure out how to use the register. I was there for 10 minutes. Not her fault. Who trains these kids?

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 2:00 pm
by rhodysurf
Blue Man wrote:
**Streaming actually wouldn't work because the WiFi in the building is AWFUL. That could also use some fixing.
The guest wifi sucks but URI secure works really well even during games so you just ave to find a willing student to input their creds haha

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 11:34 pm
by Rhodygirl2
My experience with the concessions the last 3 games:
- ordering, paying for and receiving ice cream to then find out there were no utensils, “we ran out” (20 mins before the game)
- after paying for soda with food I’m told “actually we don’t have coke I can pour it but it doesn’t taste right tonight”
- yet another separate time “the fountain drinks aren’t working right now”

Again all these instances were BEFORE the game started. This is on top of the fact that they are the slowest people I’ve ever seen working registers and getting food.

Regarding the security, I understand the need in this day BUT we can not ask elderly fans to wait in long lines outside in the middle of winter. I hope that a reconfiguration of the interior lobby can be done to accommodate the area needed to do this inside next year OR they build an extension area in front of the current entrance to enclose and heat the “plaza”. If not I know for sure my 70 year old father won’t renew his seats, he’s very pissed off at this experience.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 12:21 am
by ramster
Rhodygirl2 wrote:My experience with the concessions the last 3 games:
- ordering, paying for and receiving ice cream to then find out there were no utensils, “we ran out” (20 mins before the game)
- after paying for soda with food I’m told “actually we don’t have coke I can pour it but it doesn’t taste right tonight”
- yet another separate time “the fountain drinks aren’t working right now”

Again all these instances were BEFORE the game started. This is on top of the fact that they are the slowest people I’ve ever seen working registers and getting food.

Regarding the security, I understand the need in this day BUT we can not ask elderly fans to wait in long lines outside in the middle of winter. I hope that a reconfiguration of the interior lobby can be done to accommodate the area needed to do this inside next year OR they build an extension area in front of the current entrance to enclose and heat the “plaza”. If not I know for sure my 70 year old father won’t renew his seats, he’s very pissed off at this experience.
Rhodygirl2,
Do you think that the right people are hearing about these issues? How do we fix these issues?
Expect big crowds in all of the remaining games so I hope things improve.
Would seem that bringing more help for concessions and having drinks available would be a high priority to bring in more revenue.
Thanks for sharing.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 7:17 am
by section(105)
......where has the service gone in the service industry?......regarding the metal detector wands......an earlier game this year, I went to sit down and a lump in my back pocket turned out to be a screwdriver I forget to remove before leaving the house......

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 7:55 am
by Rhody74
My wife and I are 65 and don't mind the wanding. It's a sign of the times. But the concessions are terribly run.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 8:13 am
by NYGFan_Section208
Maybe those working concessions just aren't gettinmg enough practice...have more events at the Ry....

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 8:33 am
by TruePoint
ramster wrote:
Rhodygirl2 wrote:My experience with the concessions the last 3 games:
- ordering, paying for and receiving ice cream to then find out there were no utensils, “we ran out” (20 mins before the game)
- after paying for soda with food I’m told “actually we don’t have coke I can pour it but it doesn’t taste right tonight”
- yet another separate time “the fountain drinks aren’t working right now”

Again all these instances were BEFORE the game started. This is on top of the fact that they are the slowest people I’ve ever seen working registers and getting food.

Regarding the security, I understand the need in this day BUT we can not ask elderly fans to wait in long lines outside in the middle of winter. I hope that a reconfiguration of the interior lobby can be done to accommodate the area needed to do this inside next year OR they build an extension area in front of the current entrance to enclose and heat the “plaza”. If not I know for sure my 70 year old father won’t renew his seats, he’s very pissed off at this experience.
Rhodygirl2,
Do you think that the right people are hearing about these issues? How do we fix these issues?
Expect big crowds in all of the remaining games so I hope things improve.
Would seem that bringing more help for concessions and having drinks available would be a high priority to bring in more revenue.
Thanks for sharing.
The general manager of the Ryan Center is Leah Becki. You can email her here: leah_becki@comcastspectacor.com

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 8:50 am
by Billyboy78
Just train these kids better and tell them to move a little more quickly....not that difficult.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 8:59 am
by TruePoint
It's not that difficult, and yet...

The reality is that if it doesn't get on someone's radar it isn't ever going to be corrected.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 9:04 am
by RhowdyRam02
Billyboy78 wrote:Just train these kids better and tell them to move a little more quickly....not that difficult.
From reading this thread it sounds a lot more difficult. It doesn't seem like they have any chance of doing better if machines and processes aren't running right. I know it's easy to slam them because they're the ones you see and they're young, but the issues go above their heads and have been issues for awhile

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 9:56 am
by UCH21377
It's not the kids' fault. The setups are terrible.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 10:53 am
by Rhodygirl2
Completely agree it’s a mgmt and process thing. The reason I mentioned that the problems I see are before the game is because those are entirely setup and solvable.

Also don’t mind the wanding it’s the fact that it’s outside in winter.

I will email - thanks for posting contact.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 3:12 pm
by Billyboy78
RhowdyRam02 wrote:
Billyboy78 wrote:Just train these kids better and tell them to move a little more quickly....not that difficult.
From reading this thread it sounds a lot more difficult. It doesn't seem like they have any chance of doing better if machines and processes aren't running right. I know it's easy to slam them because they're the ones you see and they're young, but the issues go above their heads and have been issues for awhile
Oh, I agree. Faulty equipment and the fact they're not trained properly is certainly not the kids' fault.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 3:32 pm
by ramster
TruePoint wrote:It's not that difficult, and yet...

The reality is that if it doesn't get on someone's radar it isn't ever going to be corrected.
It is managements responsibility to know if the operation is running successfully or not. It's very evident from the comments here that there is plenty of opportunity to improve. Just the fact that the lines are enormous tells a pretty bad story. Soft drink machines not working from the start Running out of utensils. on and on.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 3:39 pm
by ramster
Billyboy78 wrote:
RhowdyRam02 wrote:
Billyboy78 wrote:Just train these kids better and tell them to move a little more quickly....not that difficult.
From reading this thread it sounds a lot more difficult. It doesn't seem like they have any chance of doing better if machines and processes aren't running right. I know it's easy to slam them because they're the ones you see and they're young, but the issues go above their heads and have been issues for awhile
Oh, I agree. Faulty equipment and the fact they're not trained properly is certainly not the kids' fault.
Sounds like things are broken at many levels, Inefficient layout of the operation. Lack of training. People who are working moving too slow. One person running the whole stand was mentioned. Inventory issues with running out of utensils. Drink machines not working properly. Long lines. I have been there when the hot dogs were not ready when they opened 60 minutes before game time - why not have the hot dogs ready for the buying public when you open?

The issues are obvious to anyone who wants to look. Half way through the season so it's not like these issues should not have been resolved right now. If management at the half way point does not realize there is trouble in paradise then it's time for a new Captain of the ship

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 4:14 pm
by Rhodyram
I gave up buying food at the concessions a while ago, my observations from just walking by the counters echo those stated above. Today as I passed a counter I noticed a line of at least 20 with only 2 workers visible(both at registers). No one getting food/drink and 2 other registers unmanned. I bring in my own snacks- don’t mind paying for concessions but I will not waste time standing in line missing any part of the game.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 4:35 pm
by KevanBoyles
In the post game press conference today Dan mentioned the upgrades to the Ryan Center that have been performed since he first started. Living in Florida and only visiting the Ryan Center once in the fall of 2016, I have no idea what they are. Can someone fill me in? Thanks.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 4:43 pm
by theblueram
KevanBoyles wrote:In the post game press conference today Dan mentioned the upgrades to the Ryan Center that have been performed since he first started. Living in Florida and only visiting the Ryan Center once in the fall of 2016, I have no idea what they are. Can someone fill me in? Thanks.
Let's see: New Jumbotron, new floor, upgraded locker room, new arena ribbon board, new scorer's table with screen, two pubs, new Media Room. I'm sure there is more.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 4:53 pm
by KevanBoyles
New scorers table with screen? Don’t understand.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 5:07 pm
by theblueram
KevanBoyles wrote:New scorers table with screen? Don’t understand.
The scorer's table used to have a scroll for adverts. The real cheap kind that looks like crap. Now it is an integrated system on an LED screen.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 5:15 pm
by urirx
New lights

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 5:34 pm
by Phen Egap
And oh a team that’s on fire

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 6:26 pm
by Rhodymob05
Don't forget the new trophy case.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 6:36 pm
by urirx
Bodies in the seats

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 6:45 pm
by section(105)
......a positive future, rather than stuck in the past, the recent negative past.....

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 7:54 pm
by RhowdyRam02
Billyboy78 wrote:
RhowdyRam02 wrote:
Billyboy78 wrote:Just train these kids better and tell them to move a little more quickly....not that difficult.
From reading this thread it sounds a lot more difficult. It doesn't seem like they have any chance of doing better if machines and processes aren't running right. I know it's easy to slam them because they're the ones you see and they're young, but the issues go above their heads and have been issues for awhile
Oh, I agree. Faulty equipment and the fact they're not trained properly is certainly not the kids' fault.
Fair enough, I misread what you were saying and read too much into it. My fault

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 9:59 pm
by KevanBoyles
Thanks The Blue Ram. Now I understand.

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 10:15 pm
by CT Rhody
Why wouldn’t URI hire college kids looking for beer money that will work events to staff these concessions? I did that back in college for a minor league hockey team and it worked out great. We busted our butt and got some great beer money out of it!

Re: Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 10:17 pm
by KevanBoyles
Same here. Worked Keaney and Meade 1973 - 76.