Anyone else debating renewing their season tickets?

[bamakeith]

So we're still in the immediate post-loss anguish, but I find myself in serious doubt whether I will shell out another $1000 next season.

I have been on the don't-fire-Shula side, and I still am with the sole argument being the "one more year" thing. But I, like many posters here, see the glaring inadequacies in the people standing on the sidelines beneath the headsets. There was hardly a pleasing game to attend this season as a fan, whether they were the poor performances against vastly inferior and uninteresting opponents or the MSU debacle or the bitter defeat yesterday.

This torture is not as painful when viewed from my couch. Is the pregame campus/gameday experience worth this repeated postgame misery?

 

[babyray]

So we're still in the immediate post-loss anguish, but I find myself in serious doubt whether I will shell out another $1000 next season.

I have been on the don't-fire-Shula side, and I still am with the sole argument being the "one more year" thing. But I, like many posters here, see the glaring inadequacies in the people standing on the sidelines beneath the headsets. There was hardly a pleasing game to attend this season as a fan, whether they were the poor performances against vastly inferior and uninteresting opponents or the MSU debacle or the bitter defeat yesterday.

This torture is not as painful when viewed from my couch. Is the pregame campus/gameday experience worth this repeated postgame misery?

Well I can't tell you what you should do, but I would imagine that you are not the only fan who is asking himself this question. For the working guy, being a fan and going to the games is quite an investment, and when you are paying to see a crummy on the field product, it's only natural to question your continued investment.

 

[lowend]

Keep them and sell them to make a profit. If the product ever does get better, it will be hard to get your hands on them again.

 

[Tide-one-on]

I will be intereste din buying any tickets from you next year..have you seen the home sked???

 

[J4Bama]

I have a friend that donates $25,000.00 a year with his seats each year. He said he's cutting that size of donation off until there is a change. I will renew my seats next year.

 

[BocaLance]

I was actually flamed a few weeks ago for calling my ticket purchase and Tide Pride membership an "investment." But that is exactly what it is (an investment into the program FOR the program) ... unless that money is going directly into Juwan Simpson's ice cream cone fund. I'm not rich by any measure, but more than $2000 every year to see uninspiring play against patsies, and losses to just about every quality opponent gets real old.

Certainly you question it.

 

[Roll2vic]

We, as fans, have very little influence. The thing that gets the AD and other administration official's attention is the money. Once the donations and season tickets start dropping believe me, changes will be made. I'm not advocating it, because it would hurt my beloved Tide. However, an '07 with the current coaches will result in significant lost revenues IMHO. Sad. This could be avoided.

 

[crimsoncolored]

Go ahead and don't buy season tickets. That may free up seats for some fans that would like to go or maybe free up some seats for the LSU, UT or Arkansas fans to sit.

 

[Pop12]

Oh for crying out loud. It's entertainment and the value is in direct proportion to the entertainment you recieve. The band, the vendors, The RV's, the people watching, and 92,000 of your closest friends. What else is a working man going to spend their money on...a 30K bass boat and sitting on your butt complaining the fish won't bite? Go ahead don't renew, maybe it will free up some seats for some real fans who will stay in them until the clock reads 0:00 rain or shine. I'd rather be a Bama fan on the end of a 20 game losing streak than wear Orange and constantly dream about a national or SEC championship. Either way, I'll be there and will be the first to welcome back all fair weather fans when the clouds depart.

 

[talisitider]

. What else is a working man going to spend their money on...a 30K bass boat and sitting on your butt complaining the fish won't bite?

Now that's not a bad idea at all. At least I'm the only one to blame then, and I can always change baits and basically do my own playcalling. And I can leave in the 4th quarter and not feel so bad about doing so. Maybe Mike and Mal will be available to go with me too!

 

[bamakeith]

Go ahead don't renew, maybe it will free up some seats for some real fans who will stay in them until the clock reads 0:00 rain or shine.

I stay for every last painful second, every time. I adjust my weekend work schedule around our home game. I make every effort to convert my uncommitted friends into Bama fans. No one who knows me would question my devotion or faithfulness to the Crimson Tide. My status as a fan should not be questioned. But committing a significant percentage of one's income to something which gives someone repeated anguish versus the lesser degree of anguish I can experience at home for free... This is my dilemma.

I join everyone on these forums in their desire for Alabama to return to the heights of glory it once enjoyed.

 

[leakywader]

Keep them and sell them to make a profit. If the product ever does get better, it will be hard to get your hands on them again.

This is my plan...

 

[BamaJama17]

I don't have any but I sure would if I had any.:BigA: :BigA: :BigA:

 

[edwd58]

Let me help you. If you are to the point of having to "debate renewing" then you need to go ahead and give up your tickets. Let someone that wants to be there have the opportunity. If you think that by not renewing, you're sending the athletic department a message, you are mistaken. They have a waiting list longer that your arm for every level of TP, a classic case of cutting of your nose to spite your face.

While I'm on the subject, buying tickets (to football, sports in general, movies, theatre, whatever) entitles you to one thing, admission. If you don't like the product, don't buy tickets. Sure you can gripe about how bad the movies was, you didn't like the ending, the popcorn didn't have enough butter, the kids on cell phones wouldn't sut up, the players didn't block, dropped passes, missed tackles and field goals, coaches didn't call the plays you wish you could have called. It is your prerogative to complain and this board provides the ultimate venue for that purpose.

But you know, the rest of us don't really care what you didn't like, or why. I know I don't. I go to the games because I am a Bama fan. I hate losing but I stay to the end of every game (including yesterday ans MSU). I support the players and the coaches, whoever they are. Coaches come and coaches go but my support and loyalty remain a constant.

One last rant, we all love our team and program. However, I am left to wonder just what kind of fan base the "Bama Nation" really is and the power brokers that run our program. Consider: Perkins left to go to Tampa Bay (they aren't good today but they were horrible then and he still left us for them), Curry left us to go to Kentucky where football is lucky to rank third in popularity (way behind basketball and horse racing), Stallings left us becuase of people in the AD, Franchione left us (hold on, I'm not defending him) but he left us all the same. Sure, there are many differing reasons why each of these men left, but it doesn't change the fact that they all left.

In closing, I'll again say that if you're debating about renewing your tickets, if you are having doubts, if you're just not sure;

we don't need you. Y'all have a nice day and Roll Tide.

 

[Big_Fan]

(snip)

One last rant, we all love our team and program. However, I am left to wonder just what kind of fan base the "Bama Nation" really is and the power brokers that run our program. Consider: Perkins left to go to Tampa Bay (they aren't good today but they were horrible then and he still left us for them), Curry left us to go to Kentucky where football is lucky to rank third in popularity (way behind basketball and horse racing), Stallings left us becuase of people in the AD, Franchione left us (hold on, I'm not defending him) but he left us all the same. Sure, there are many differing reasons why each of these men left, but it doesn't change the fact that they all left.

(1) Perk left because Tampa offered him a seven figure check during a time when college coaches got low six figure checks
(2) Stallings left for a couple of reasons, not the least of which was John Mark's health. He wanted to go back to the ranch and spend time with his son. Down's Syndrome children do not live long lives as a rule. John Mark is a senior citizen by Down's standards. Bockrath really got under Bebe's skin but he was not the sole reason Gene left.
(3) Curry left because he could not handle the pressure.
(4) Fran left a 15M contract on the table unsigned because it contained a large buyout and he was scared of probation.

Don't blame those things on the Bama Nation or power brokers.

 

[Bama Torch in Pcola]

In closing, I'll again say that if you're debating about renewing your tickets, if you are having doubts, if you're just not sure;

we don't need you. Y'all have a nice day and Roll Tide.

Who is "we"? Bama fans expect and deserve excellence. The lack of commitment and discipline within the program is a direct insult to all the great individuals who have helped to build that stadium in which you take such great pride in sitting. There are many fans who still have an idea of what it's supposed to mean to put on that Crimson helmet. If some of those fans want to voice their displeasure with the current staff by not renewing their tickets then it is their personal choice. And it is most definitely not for you to question.

 

[THE BAMA IRISHMAN]

My brother currently gets my tickets for another year. While I was overseas I had them sent to his house. In 2008 I get my tickets back. I plan on keeping them in the family.

I like Mike Shula but as stated he is in over his head. It is not easy to be a HC at Alabama and Coach Shula taking the job might have been an agree of sorts. That is something we will never know. Did Coach Shula come in and keep the program moving in the right direction until a coach was found who could steer the Alabama Cruiser into NC battle contention? He did not exactly have the resume for the Alabama job. :BigA:

I will always care about Coach Shula but change is necessary for the school. About those tickets. I will keep renewing. I Love Alabama. :BigA:

 

[exiledNms]

About those tickets. I will keep renewing. I Love Alabama. :BigA:

If I could afford to have them I would renew without question. For the reason the Irishman listed here.

Mrs. exiled & I are hoping to one day be able to get back into position to buy season tickets. I can guaran-durn-tee you that who is or is not coach has absolutely zero to do with our decision. It's simple: once the $$ are there & we clear the waiting list, we will buy them. Annually. We'll go walk the quad & remember when we were young students just falling in love...we'll hit the Bryant museum every game...we'll check the legends tent & see who's there...we'll roam by Bidgood Hall & remember some more...we'll eat a blackened chicken/steak sandwich...we'll be cheering on the walk of champions...I'll still check & see if my hands & feet are the size of any of those by Denny Chimes...we'll buy some more Bama garb to wear proudly around here in exile where there is so little...we'll go & sit in the stadium & roar when the band plays...and when "I ain't never been nothin' but a winner" & "the same things win that always won" come over the speaker...& when the team takes the field. And--win or lose--we'll be back for the next home game to do it all again. And we will love it dearly.

Through the generosity of friends who are season ticket holders, I was able to attend 3 games this year: UL-M, Vandy, & yesterday. I loved all of them, though yesterday's outcome obviously stinks bad. Especially since the morons here in exile-land will be all up in my grill about it tomorrow at work. ("Why couldn't we have played y'all this year?" etc...)

Yesterday was exiled, jr.'s first ever Iron Bowl, & my first in 20 years. We had a blast. We did have to tighten up a couple of Barners after the game--"y'all have a good program...you should learn to act like it..." (did I mention that exiled, jr. is fairly big & strong? ) But I wouldn't trade yesterday afternoon in BDS with my son for any of Tubby's digits & millions of rolls of toilet paper without him there.

Mom was @ the Capstone during the Whitworth era, when (I quote) "we never thought of winning...we just hoped to score now & then to make it interesting..." And then shortly thereafter, a pretty fair coach & former player came along & restored--not created, but restored--Bama's football fortunes. I was there at the end of his era. exiled, jr. goes elsewhere to school (no pharmacy school + no-chance-of-out-of-state-tuition school teacher income )

(end of rant)

So, yeah...buy season tickets & donate them to those of us who dream of one day being able to do so...:biggrin2:

Note: all of that is one man's opinion, and is certainly not to tell anyone what do to with their $$ & the Tide. I'm just saying what I would go in a different financial place.

Roll Tide! (& I hate Auburn...)

exiled

 

[Jimbo4Bama]

YESSS.....all of you people who are considering not getting them next year go right a ahead....Ive been on the waiting list for a year and a half so maybe you will free up some spots for me

 

[trenda]

While I know that, in the end, I'll still re-up and renew, the logic part of my brain still has to ask the question -- financially, does this make sense?

Would you buy a boat if you knew it was going to sink?
Would you buy tickets to a movie if you knew it was going to stink?
Would you buy tickets to the fair if you knew that the rides didn't work properly?

Wouldn't make sense financially. However, sometimes you have to throw logic out the window.

At the end of the day, my heart will always be with the Tide. Outside of losing games or the team not performing up to expectations, I've never once had a bad experience on campus. My entire family thoroughly enjoys and loves the experience of coming to campus and attending the games. You can't put a price on quality family time such as that.

More than anything else, that's why I will continue to re-up and renew.