Illinois State University Athletic Department Presented By: Christen Baumhardt Joel Hartman Sarah Boysen Ryan Patera Adam Garel-Frantzen Scott Verdery Michael Gresher John Wilson Supervised by Dr. James E. Cox, Jr.

Historical Background  Offices based in Redbird Arena Redbird Arena in its 16 th year  Dr. Linda Herman Interim Athletic Director  Dr. Sheahon Zenger Hired as Athletic Director in April; starts June 1  Marketing Staff Leanna Bordner, Brad Ledford, and Cory Acree

Historical Background  Facilities Redbird Arena  Richard and Fran Owen Strength and Conditioning Center Hancock Stadium  Kaufman Football Building Horton Fieldhouse Redbird Field Adelaide Street Fields

Historical Background  Sports 8 men’s and 10 women’s  Client’s concern Student attendance Informing students about upcoming events

Research Methodology  Surveyed ISU students  Random number table 10 off-campus residences 6 on-campus residences  Surveys administered door-to-door at selected sites

Research Methodology  Data collection Media Why students attend games? Why students do not attend games? Televising ISU games All-Sport Tickets  Limitations

Profiling Sample

Profiling Sample cont…

Objective 1  To determine the most effective way to market athletic events to ISU students  Hypothesis: We feel that expanding the athletic database of student and increasing advertisement in the Vidette would be the most effective way to advertise.

Findings

Recommendations  Increase advertising in the Daily Vidette  To encourage word of mouth communication Put fliers in professors mailboxes Ask them to talk about it in class  Implement referral program Reward for individual or organization who refers people to a game

Objective 2  To determine the main reasons students do not come to games  Hypothesis: We believe many students are not aware of the games and lack knowledge of the teams’ records. We also think a lack of school spirit exists among the student body.

Findings

 Activities students would rather do than going to a ISU men’s basketball game 58.8% go out to the bars 43% go to a movie 35.1% watch TV 22.8% study 8.3% go to the game 9.2% other

Recommendations  Take steps identified in objective 1 to better inform the student body of upcoming events  Work to create an atmosphere of school spirit at games Idea:  Student group similar to Orange Krush or Cameron Crazies

Objective 3  To determine why students attend games  Hypothesis: We believe students go to games because the students enjoy watching sports and the games are fun and exciting.

Findings

 Relationship showing students on-campus attend more games than off-campus students  Most interested in men’s basketball and football  Attended men’s basketball and football the most

Recommendations  Give discounts to students in large groups They prefer going with friends  Advertise more to older students Help change negative perception  Show how going to games provides fun and exiting atmosphere TV spots, crowd reactions

Objective 4  To determine if televising games would enhance student’s perception and awareness of ISU athletics.  Hypothesis: We believe that increasing the number of televised games will increase student’s overall view of ISU athletics.

Findings

 40% of sample is unaware ISU games are on TV  Of that 40% % would have watched some games if aware  31% of sample watches 3 or more college games per week

Findings

Recommendations  Televise more games Increase awareness and attendance  Contact local bars Ask them to put all televised ISU games on their TV’s  Reach students who go to bars  Increase their likelihood of attending home games

Objective 5  To determine students’ awareness of ticket prices and All-Sport Tickets  Hypothesis: We believe students are aware of the All-Sport Tickets. However, we think that students are unaware of the pricing of All-Sport Tickets or single game tickets

Findings  Students who claim to know the price of a single game ticket 27%  Of the sample… 60% thought the price was over $4 Only 29% were correct at $3

Findings

 ISU students who claim to know what an All- Sport ticket is 70%  Perception of price From the entire sample  46% thought All-Sport tickets were over $40  Only 19% were correct at $35

Findings

Recommendations  Advertise ticket and All-Sport ticket prices  Reach out to off-campus students  Provide discount for repeat All-Sport ticket buyers  Provide incentives to All-Sport ticket holders

Conclusion  A Special Thank You to the Athletic Department Leanna Bordner Brad Ledford Cory Acree  Also thank you to Dr. Cox for your support.  Any Questions??