Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

[rhodylaw]

Maybe Wakefield Liquiors is a sponsor. I don’t know. I am sure if they had the beer stands that vendor would probably sponsor as well. I always wondered if the restrictions on beer sales (the gaurded curtained off area) had something to do with an on campus facility and under aged students. This is the state of RI the leader in unusual laws/regulations.

you're right about the reason why, just not the source of it.

the RC being dry is a carryover from Carothers and his extremely strict rules.

As a response to the whole "#1 party school" days he swung the pendulum as far as he could the other way in the on campus rules. The alcohol at the RC was a casualty of this. Unfortunately its not an easy process to move the pendulum back towards the middle.

So true. His policies simply put all the drinking off campus, though.

.......and, like the 21 year drinking age generally, increased the use of other drugs and harder liquor to get drunk quicker and "more discreetly" to not get caught. Kids weren't drinking Nyquil and taking pain pills to get high in the 70s and 80s in the numbers they do now just to get hooked and move to harder stuff. I tell every teen (17 plus) in my life that I will never be upset if they get caught drinking (or smoking pot) but I will punch them in the face if I hear about them taking pills or driving messed up.

[Taylor Swift]

Or shots of vodka to the eyeball? That’s a thing now.

[STC]

Or shots of vodka to the eyeball? That’s a thing now.

Maybe for the same kids eating Tide pods...

[RAMFAN]

I'd like to be able to not have to leave my seat 10 minutes before the half ends in order to actually buy A BEER at the at the Ryan.

Two thoughts - spend two hours without drinking or make an annual donation to the Ram Fund and get admission to the Alumni Longue.

1. Wanting a beer at the game does not make you an alcoholic, don’t be snarky about it. Lots of people enjoy beer.

2. Not everyone (particularly young alumni) want to make an annual donation to the ram fund, or sit in the alumni lounge. Make it available everywhere, watch the ticket sales expand. Make it easy to pass to underage students, we have a party in our hands every game and it would be awesome (mostly kidding on that one).

Dumb question regarding the Alumni Lounge. Are donations to just the Men's basketball program, acceptable to get in? What type of proof do you need? Can you bring a guest? kids?

Thanks

[Rhodymob05]

Anyone see the new additions to the trophy case? Looks awesome, not sure what the crystal basketball is, any thoughts?

[section(105)]

.....alum lounge, donation levels can be designated via the Foundation can be designated for "athletics".....kids, I rarely see kids there, guests often.

[NYGFan_Section208]

Tables and bar stools in the pub, at least at the south end. Seats were awesome for someone like me with wheels under repair. I think though, when we start seeing 5-6K-ish attendance, it's going to make an already tight crowded place even more tight and crowded.

[Billyboy78]

Went up to order my soda before the game like I always do. Gave the order to the kid at the register. His immediate response was to turn around to someone in the back and say, "How do you work this thing ? " I felt bad for the kid. Not his fault. Just very poorly run.

[adam914]

Went up to order my soda before the game like I always do. Gave the order to the kid at the register. His immediate response was to turn around to someone in the back and say, "How do you work this thing ? " I felt bad for the kid. Not his fault. Just very poorly run.

Preseason for the concession stand employees too I guess. First time under the bright lights, I heard they lost 4 starters from last year and their manager to. They'll settle in and be working those soda machines like a well oiled machine soon enough.

[Billyboy78]

Went up to order my soda before the game like I always do. Gave the order to the kid at the register. His immediate response was to turn around to someone in the back and say, "How do you work this thing ? " I felt bad for the kid. Not his fault. Just very poorly run.

Preseason for the concession stand employees too I guess. First time under the bright lights, I heard they lost 4 starters from last year and their manager to. They'll settle in and be working those soda machines like a well oiled machine soon enough.

Maybe one 10 minute training session might help before sticking a kid on a register. I guess it's a good thing I didn't order two items.

[Rhody15]

If they pour the beers into cups at the Rhody pub during regular season games, that is going to be an absolute nightmare and take twice as long.

Who the hell thought that would be a good idea?

[NYGFan_Section208]

If they pour the beers into cups at the Rhody pub during regular season games, that is going to be an absolute nightmare and take twice as long.

Who the hell thought that would be a good idea?

Beer is available at the arena. After that, all good ideas were put on hold.

[Rhodymob05]

Right after the "Welcome to Friartown" billboard on RT95 are these beauties.

[Taylor Swift]

Great to see this!

The billboards. And let us not forget “Friartown” at Baggage Claim at the airport.

[Blue Man]

Band sounded much improved and larger from what I heard

[RF1]

Keep in mind that the new dorm under construction diagonally across from the Ryan Center has eliminated many spaces where game attendees used to park. Parking will likely be more of an issue going forward.

[UCH21377]

So Bryant gets exclusive use of one of the pubs. Not so good

[section(105)]

So Bryant gets exclusive use of one of the pubs. Not so good

.....maybe they will recip for us in Smithfield.....?

[Rhody74]

Food lines are much better but WiFi still sucks.

[NYGFan_Section208]

The return of EZ B...almost like WWE. Awesome.

[rhodyrudder]

Bathrooms could use privacy dividers...
The sink is like 4 inches from the first urinal

[RF1]

So Bryant gets exclusive use of one of the pubs. Not so good

They most likely paid for that.

[bigappleram]

Get professional announcers for the TV coverage. Disano, Abu both available. Love the kids but they should be on WRIU. This is supposed to be an NCAA program.

[rhodylaw]

I thought the kids did a nice job on the broadcast - the audio quality stunk (but it did match up which was a positive). It’s a game against Bryant, it may as well have been an exhibition game.

[bigappleram]

The kids were fine, and I like Stone and think he will be a great on air guy some day. But they are still students. At least pair Stone up with a professional color guy who can add something to the broadcast.

[ATPTourFan]

Agree that Stone did well. A credible pxp performance. Needs a decent color guy. DiSano?!? Make it happen.

[Billyboy78]

Chris would be great. I look forward to the few minutes he does with Don and Steve after each game on the radio. He's very good at what he does.

[Taylor Swift]

I still can't ever get the WiFi to work.

I walked by the Bryant "private party" and there were probably 5 people in there.

Fortunately, the band learned some new songs during the offseason because I have no desire to listen to the Game of Thrones theme song at a basketball game.

Lastly, that intro of JV was perfect. I also like the team's new intro this year. No more Kanye, lol.

[bigappleram]

Disano should be the color guy, easily the most knowledgeable on URI and A10 hoops in the area.
Get him on the air Rhody!

[Rhody74]

Disano should be the color guy, easily the most knowledgeable on URI and A10 hoops in the area.
Get him on the air Rhody!

His appearance on the postgame show is my favorite part of the ride home.

[bigappleram]

That seems to be the consensus, though not sure why the powers that be at URI/Learfield don't give him a bigger platform.

[Rhodyram]

Super glad JV is back and his intro was great. The new girl is going to take some getting used to as there’s something about her voice that makes it difficult to understand what she’s saying on mic.

[NYGFan_Section208]

Bathrooms could use privacy dividers...
The sink is like 4 inches from the first urinal

Note to self: Don't use sink next to first urinal.

[ramster]

Bathrooms could use privacy dividers...
The sink is like 4 inches from the first urinal

Note to self: Don't use sink next to first urinal.

Funniest line of the new basketball season to date

Let that sink in

[Taylor Swift]

Bathrooms could use privacy dividers...
The sink is like 4 inches from the first urinal

Note to self: Don't use sink next to first urinal.

Funniest line of the new basketball season to date

Let that sink in

I am REALLY glad I've never had this issue.

[Da_Process_Survivor]

Athletics Instagram post about EZ's return. Hass is a fan

[URI96]

Super glad JV is back and his intro was great. The new girl is going to take some getting used to as there’s something about her voice that makes it difficult to understand what she’s saying on mic.

Niki will be fine once she gets a few games under her belt. She's still just a student (like Stone).

[Taylor Swift]

[RhowdyRam02]

Super glad JV is back and his intro was great. The new girl is going to take some getting used to as there’s something about her voice that makes it difficult to understand what she’s saying on mic.

Niki will be fine once she gets a few games under her belt. She's still just a student (like Stone).

I think she was already better in the opener than she was in the exhibition

[bigappleram]

That Fortnite inspired opening video is genius, one of the best marketing pieces targeting our younger fan base that I have seen us produce. Smart way to get a student who understands youth culture to drive the idea.

[Rhody74]

Super glad JV is back and his intro was great. The new girl is going to take some getting used to as there’s something about her voice that makes it difficult to understand what she’s saying on mic.

Niki will be fine once she gets a few games under her belt. She's still just a student (like Stone).

I think she was already better in the opener than she was in the exhibition

I hate to criticize a student but her voice is very off putting. I don’t know if that’s something you can improve.

[Taylor Swift]

That Fortnite inspired opening video is genius, one of the best marketing pieces targeting our younger fan base that I have seen us produce. Smart way to get a student who understands youth culture to drive the idea.

Yes, the creator of the intro video is a recent Rhody Alum -- she does great work from what I've seen on Twitter. Also, I believe most of the players are big Fortnite fans themselves.

[Rhodyram]

Niki will be fine once she gets a few games under her belt. She's still just a student (like Stone).

I think she was already better in the opener than she was in the exhibition

I hate to criticize a student but her voice is very off putting. I don’t know if that’s something you can improve.

This is what I was getting at in my original post ^

[RAMFAN]

Get professional announcers for the TV coverage. Disano, Abu both available. Love the kids but they should be on WRIU. This is supposed to be an NCAA program.

BAR I agree with your point about the color guy .Correct me if i'm wrong but the whole purpose of ESPN+ is to produce low cost,low frills games that would never be on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3. It's designed to be low budget.

I listened to Stone Freeman during the Pace game and was impressed.I was in my car during election night and I got so frustrated and switched from Steve McDonald to the college guys, they are much better

[adam914]

Get professional announcers for the TV coverage. Disano, Abu both available. Love the kids but they should be on WRIU. This is supposed to be an NCAA program.

BAR I agree with your point about the color guy .Correct me if i'm wrong but the whole purpose of ESPN+ is to produce low cost,low frills games that would never be on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3. It's designed to be low budget.

I listened to Stone Freeman during the Pace game and was impressed.I was in my car during election night and I got so frustrated and switched from Steve McDonald to the college guys, they are much better

ESPN+ is not producing the games, they are simply streaming the feed of the local TV broadcast. In our case thats the Cox Yurview broadcast, which also uses the WRIU radio announcers.

[bigappleram]

And therein lies the issue. Someone on our side is deciding that 2 twenty year olds calling our games on TV / online is good enough. I would venture to guess their isn’t a Top 25-30 program in the country that has kids calling their games on TV. This isn’t a knock on the kids, Stone is quite good. But it screams small time having them on the TV call. We aren’t talking a lot of money to have someone like disano or abu on with Stone.

[RF1]

And therein lies the issue. Someone on our side is deciding that 2 twenty year olds calling our games on TV / online is good enough. I would venture to guess their isn’t a Top 25-30 program in the country that has kids calling their games on TV. This isn’t a knock on the kids, Stone is quite good. But it screams small time having them on the TV call. We aren’t talking a lot of money to have someone like disano or abu on with Stone.

It not like there is money lying around for an audio upgrade from millions of additional program revenues from sources such as NCAA units, increased ticket sales, increased corp sponsorship, head coach exit buyout, and reduced new head coach salary.

Always remember to THINK BIG!

[RhowdyRam02]

And therein lies the issue. Someone on our side is deciding that 2 twenty year olds calling our games on TV / online is good enough. I would venture to guess their isn’t a Top 25-30 program in the country that has kids calling their games on TV. This isn’t a knock on the kids, Stone is quite good. But it screams small time having them on the TV call. We aren’t talking a lot of money to have someone like disano or abu on with Stone.

Well I wouldn't think Disano or Abu belong on student radio. I wonder why they use the student radio call over the Steve and Don call or having separate announcers for the stream though. I wonder if it's to try and potentially get the students extra exposure for their future careers. Obviously using student radio is a savings over having separate announcers for a stream, but you're already paying Steve and Don to announce the game

[theblueram]

And therein lies the issue. Someone on our side is deciding that 2 twenty year olds calling our games on TV / online is good enough. I would venture to guess their isn’t a Top 25-30 program in the country that has kids calling their games on TV. This isn’t a knock on the kids, Stone is quite good. But it screams small time having them on the TV call. We aren’t talking a lot of money to have someone like disano or abu on with Stone.

Well I wouldn't think Disano or Abu belong on student radio. I wonder why they use the student radio call over the Steve and Don call or having separate announcers for the stream though. I wonder if it's to try and potentially get the students extra exposure for their future careers. Obviously using student radio is a savings over having separate announcers for a stream, but you're already paying Steve and Don to announce the game

This doesn't make any sense. ESPN+ or ESPN3 is streaming the games. Can't have second rate talent voicing it. Streaming is just like tv nowadays.

[section(105)]

......the quality and quantity of radio and TV/stream coverage is mostly about the product and sponsors to pay for the product?