2023-2024 off-season

[Sectionq]

Just confirming... I truly believe if there is a plague on the wall as you stated that your name would be on it.
Thanks for the response.
I will just add that if the Elks had 15 million in gate revenue each game like the Heritage Classic had, it would also be a helluva game day experience.

You don't need 15 mill to make a good game experience. You don't need Nickelback playing 3 songs every game to make a good game experience.

I liked the Oilers pep band being there. They had those guys there. I've been to Oilers games early and those guys are walking around the concourse playing, they will stand out in a large area and do a set. The cheer squad is dancing around. Those guys have their little songs, they wave their towels around, have a routine. Why can't the Elks do that? Last time I was there, they had some I think highschool kids who are in band in a corner playing on one side of the field. That stadium is gigantic. So having a highschool band jammed in the corner playing, doesn't do much because I bet most of the stadium can't hear them. So why not get those guys or create your own to come to Elks games and do their thing? Get them on the field walking up and down that useless track that sets everyone so far back instead of jammed in some empty section on one side of the field. What would it cost you to pay the Oilers guys or create your own per game? Would it even cost you $500 per game to pay 5 guys to walk up and down the sidelines for 4 hours? That's $100 guy, $25 per hour.

Another thing I liked at the Heritage Classic is the live band they had. Not Nickelback but the other guys. That stadium is massive. Could you not set up a small stage that is covered in case of bad weather and bring in a live bad to be playing before the games and at halftime? Surely there are decent enough bands in the area that you could get one to come play for a couple of hours. What's the cost of that, a couple 1000? I have no idea what the cost of a band is.

It's about adding to the atmosphere to make it more of an event. The highlight of the entertainment shouldn't be watching some person follow tim hortons cups to find a donut in a cup or whatever games they do on the big screen.

[bone]

You don't need 15 mill to make a good game experience. You don't need Nickelback playing 3 songs every game to make a good game experience.

I liked the Oilers pep band being there. They had those guys there. I've been to Oilers games early and those guys are walking around the concourse playing, they will stand out in a large area and do a set. The cheer squad is dancing around. Those guys have their little songs, they wave their towels around, have a routine. Why can't the Elks do that? Last time I was there, they had some I think highschool kids who are in band in a corner playing on one side of the field. That stadium is gigantic. So having a highschool band jammed in the corner playing, doesn't do much because I bet most of the stadium can't hear them. So why not get those guys or create your own to come to Elks games and do their thing? Get them on the field walking up and down that useless track that sets everyone so far back instead of jammed in some empty section on one side of the field. What would it cost you to pay the Oilers guys or create your own per game? Would it even cost you $500 per game to pay 5 guys to walk up and down the sidelines for 4 hours? That's $100 guy, $25 per hour.

Another thing I liked at the Heritage Classic is the live band they had. Not Nickelback but the other guys. That stadium is massive. Could you not set up a small stage that is covered in case of bad weather and bring in a live bad to be playing before the games and at halftime? Surely there are decent enough bands in the area that you could get one to come play for a couple of hours. What's the cost of that, a couple 1000? I have no idea what the cost of a band is.

It's about adding to the atmosphere to make it more of an event. The highlight of the entertainment shouldn't be watching some person follow tim hortons cups to find a donut in a cup or whatever games they do on the big screen.

I love that group. They are greater at hyping things up. They've been to a couple Elks games as well, unfortuantely they just can't figure out the right way to amplify them at Elks games to make it fun.

Same with the drum line, they are fantastic but all we ever end up hearing is echoes. Hopefully, if they were able to make it sound right last night, they can pass that knowledge onto the Elks as that is way more fun than some random rap song or a Living on a Prayer speed up 50%.

[Sectionq]

Maybe once in awhile try to take a step back and try to have a bit of sense of humor about yourself and it could help prevent some escalation here.

It started off as a throw away joke comment about having not been to an "Elks" game, which you've stated many time that you haven't been to a game in a few years, so what you said is very much factual, but he's just making a joke about you not personally witnessing it.

Now it is blown up into it being a full on personal attack.

I'm sorry you feel that way. I don't think many (if any) on here hate or even really dislike you and often probably agree with most of what you say, it's just how it's presented from time to time that I suspect has people rolling their eyes or shaking their head.

I'm sure you're a great dude and likely lots of fun to hang around, just sometimes take a step back and think of the chat on here as being the same as 5 guys around a poker table or a group of teammates in a dressing room post game shooting the ****. Sometimes people will take shots, but more often than not, it's meant in fun, and not always meant to be a personal attack.

It's a 2 way street man. Got to go both ways. I come here expecting to be attacked and it's based on past experience. So I come here 100% defensive ready to be mocked and called stupid. I get it. I am opinionated and my opinion differs from others. Doesn't make me stupid. Doesn't mean I don't know anything about football. I got over 40 yrs watching it and I played some. I'm not new to the game or the league. I just have a different perspective than some. That's it.

But it is what it is. I'm not looking for sympathy. I don't stay up at night because a few people in here and they know who they are, insult me. I really don't care what they say. I don't know them, won't meet them, won't be friends with them, so their opinions mean nothing to me. I have my opinions, I come here to express them and that's not going to change.

[Hugoagogo]

Maybe once in awhile try to take a step back and try to have a bit of sense of humor about yourself and it could help prevent some escalation here.

It started off as a throw away joke comment about having not been to an "Elks" game, which you've stated many time that you haven't been to a game in a few years, so what you said is very much factual, but he's just making a joke about you not personally witnessing it.

Now it is blown up into it being a full on personal attack.

[Sectionq]

I love that group. They are greater at hyping things up. They've been to a couple Elks games as well, unfortuantely they just can't figure out the right way to amplify them at Elks games to make it fun.

Same with the drum line, they are fantastic but all we ever end up hearing is echoes. Hopefully, if they were able to make it sound right last night, they can pass that knowledge onto the Elks as that is way more fun than some random rap song or a Living on a Prayer speed up 50%.

With a stadium of that size, sound will always be a problem. I do think, and this will be unpopular, I think moving people down to fill out the bottom section is 100% the right call. I know there are people that have sat in whatever section in the second deck for however many years. I get it. If I was in their shoes, it would be hard for change. But IMO it's pretty well next to impossible to have guy in Section Q2, row 75 get the same experience for whatever you are trying to do to bring atmosphere to the game vs what guy in Section Q, row 20 (that's where I used to sit). Guy in row 20 can hear the cheers of the squat, you can actually see them, hear a band if they are playing, catch the mini footballs, etc. Guy in row 75 will not. So I think bringing people down will help that and make the crowd feel more connected together.

I do think the team under utilizes that track a ton. I see that track as a massive negative because it pushes the stands back. If you look at all the smaller stadiums, the fan's are almost on top of the field. That instantly ramps up the atmosphere IMO. But they can't do anything to fix that so do something with it. That is where the pep band or bands should be. Drumlines. Create stages for live bands. I absolutely hated it when they got rid of the fire truck. I felt it took away from the game experience because as soon as they scored, people got on their feet when that truck came around. I don't if they replaced it but they should. If it can't drive around the whole track anymore, then make 2 smaller versions and have them go back and forth. You have that giant unused space between the stand and the field, so use it. Do stuff along it.

[Looner]

You don't need 15 mill to make a good game experience. You don't need Nickelback playing 3 songs every game to make a good game experience.

I liked the Oilers pep band being there. They had those guys there. I've been to Oilers games early and those guys are walking around the concourse playing, they will stand out in a large area and do a set. The cheer squad is dancing around. Those guys have their little songs, they wave their towels around, have a routine. Why can't the Elks do that? Last time I was there, they had some I think highschool kids who are in band in a corner playing on one side of the field. That stadium is gigantic. So having a highschool band jammed in the corner playing, doesn't do much because I bet most of the stadium can't hear them. So why not get those guys or create your own to come to Elks games and do their thing? Get them on the field walking up and down that useless track that sets everyone so far back instead of jammed in some empty section on one side of the field. What would it cost you to pay the Oilers guys or create your own per game? Would it even cost you $500 per game to pay 5 guys to walk up and down the sidelines for 4 hours? That's $100 guy, $25 per hour.

Another thing I liked at the Heritage Classic is the live band they had. Not Nickelback but the other guys. That stadium is massive. Could you not set up a small stage that is covered in case of bad weather and bring in a live bad to be playing before the games and at halftime? Surely there are decent enough bands in the area that you could get one to come play for a couple of hours. What's the cost of that, a couple 1000? I have no idea what the cost of a band is.

It's about adding to the atmosphere to make it more of an event. The highlight of the entertainment shouldn't be watching some person follow tim hortons cups to find a donut in a cup or whatever games they do on the big screen.

Funny you mention the band, they've been doing that along with the cheer leaders for the last few years. I come plenty early and they are around at the tail gate and then move around the concourse before the game.

CFL is not and never will be the NHL so comparing them is unfair. Canadians will line up like lemmings and fork over whatever the NHL tells them to because hockey is Canadas game and so many wear it as their identity, football is not the same. It takes a fair amount of time to figure out how the game is played and what all the nuances are compared to hockey where you could watch 1 game every 5 years and still know whats happening.

[bone]

With a stadium of that size, sound will always be a problem. I do think, and this will be unpopular, I think moving people down to fill out the bottom section is 100% the right call. I know there are people that have sat in whatever section in the second deck for however many years. I get it. If I was in their shoes, it would be hard for change. But IMO it's pretty well next to impossible to have guy in Section Q2, row 75 get the same experience for whatever you are trying to do to bring atmosphere to the game vs what guy in Section Q, row 20 (that's where I used to sit). Guy in row 20 can hear the cheers of the squat, you can actually see them, hear a band if they are playing, catch the mini footballs, etc. Guy in row 75 will not. So I think bringing people down will help that and make the crowd feel more connected together.

I do think the team under utilizes that track a ton. I see that track as a massive negative because it pushes the stands back. If you look at all the smaller stadiums, the fan's are almost on top of the field. That instantly ramps up the atmosphere IMO. But they can't do anything to fix that so do something with it. That is where the pep band or bands should be. Drumlines. Create stages for live bands. I absolutely hated it when they got rid of the fire truck. I felt it took away from the game experience because as soon as they scored, people got on their feet when that truck came around. I don't if they replaced it but they should. If it can't drive around the whole track anymore, then make 2 smaller versions and have them go back and forth. You have that giant unused space between the stand and the field, so use it. Do stuff along it.

There you go with your personal attacks as I'm vocal critic of this move in bold letter. (Sorry, couldn't resist).

I agree with most of your the post, but I don't think the sound issues are only because I was in the upper deck as I was close enough to the front of the upper deck that I'm really not much further from the field and technically closer to the speaker. I think they they need some more speakers field level as the lone set of speakers 100s of feet in the air so far away from all the concrete just begs for echoing.

[Sectionq]

Funny you mention the band, they've been doing that along with the cheer leaders for the last few years. I come plenty early and they are around at the tail gate and then move around the concourse before the game.

CFL is not and never will be the NHL so comparing them is unfair. Canadians will line up like lemmings and fork over whatever the NHL tells them to because hockey is Canadas game and so many wear it as their identity, football is not the same. It takes a fair amount of time to figure out how the game is played and what all the nuances are compared to hockey where you could watch 1 game every 5 years and still know whats happening.

No offense man but you are making excuses for the team. Will people go to a hockey game more often than a football game just because? 100% yes they will. WHY? Because I would guess most of us played hockey as kids vs some maybe football. Most people probably have kids in hockey during the winter. I have 2 boys in hockey. So from October to March, between the 2 of them on average, we have 3-4 games per week and 3-4 practices a week. So I spend a lot of time in the rink. I have no illusions my kids are going to be NHLers but we live in country that for 5-6 months of the year, it's cold and snowy. So if we didn't do hockey, there isn't a ton else to do in January. So I think people will go to hockey more than football because of either playing the sport or involved with it.

But that doesn't mean the Elks don't need to try. IMO, I think the amount of people who just go to Elks games because they have had tickets for 30 yrs and they went with their dad who went with his dad and it's a family things and that's just what they do are dwindling and the crowds reflect that. I think a better team will help bring some into the building but they need to do way more to make it a reason for the casual fan to come.

[bone]

Funny you mention the band, they've been doing that along with the cheer leaders for the last few years. I come plenty early and they are around at the tail gate and then move around the concourse before the game.

CFL is not and never will be the NHL so comparing them is unfair. Canadians will line up like lemmings and fork over whatever the NHL tells them to because hockey is Canadas game and so many wear it as their identity, football is not the same. It takes a fair amount of time to figure out how the game is played and what all the nuances are compared to hockey where you could watch 1 game every 5 years and still know whats happening.

I think he's specifically referencing Brass Tactics who've only been at a few Elks games and they are great, along with the drum line but they can't seem to figure out the audio. On TV yesterday (though I have no idea if it was the same in the facility), it sounded like they were pretty loud so I really hope they learned something about using those group to better effect.

On the concourse, pregame those bands are great and the kids love it!!!

[Hugoagogo]

Funny you mention the band, they've been doing that along with the cheer leaders for the last few years. I come plenty early and they are around at the tail gate and then move around the concourse before the game.

For me, I really enjoyed the tailgate experience this year. The expansion of the space has made a big difference. It just feels like a fun pre-game gathering of football fans who all seem like your friends. It reminded me a lot of Grey Cup events and I had a really good time.. Of course it was the Labour Day rematch, so that (and a win) added to the overall experience.

[bone]

For me, I really enjoyed the tailgate experience this year. The expansion of the space has made a big difference. It just feels like a fun pre-game gathering of football fans who all seem like your friends. It reminded me a lot of Grey Cup events and I had a really good time.. Of course it was the Labour Day rematch, so that (and a win) added to the overall experience.

Labour Day Rematch may have been the funnest day at Commonwealth since the Hervey/Jones/Rhodes debacle (though the Mike Reilly sack fest in 2019 was pretty fun as well).

The tailgate was great because it started nice and early. The crowd had settled down after finally getting the win the game before and were feeling good having won 2 of the previous 3 games and likely deserved a better fate at McMahon on Monday. The game time was great to get a balance of families and people out to have a fun night, the great 4th quarter comeback, and then having so many people go down to field level and celebrate, run around and get autographs was icing on the cake.

It was a strange happy vibe with even some Stampeder fans high fiving Elks fans as if everyone was just enjoying a great day out.

That game alone gave me hope that there's a chance for a football revival someday in Edmonton. Long way to go to ever get back to the numbers of the early 2000s but at least there was a positive vibe finally once more.

[Sectionq]

There you go with your personal attacks as I'm vocal critic of this move in bold letter. (Sorry, couldn't resist).

I agree with most of your the post, but I don't think the sound issues are only because I was in the upper deck as I was close enough to the front of the upper deck that I'm really not much further from the field and technically closer to the speaker. I think they they need some more speakers field level as the lone set of speakers 100s of feet in the air so far away from all the concrete just begs for echoing.

Better speakers probably would help. But do you agree that if they are doing something on the field level, unless it's a giant production in mid field, if it's on the sidelines, it's probably not either being seen or not as engaging for someone in the lower sections where it's in front of the fans vs if you are in row 75, you are probably not getting the full effect because you are so far away?

[bone]

Better speakers probably would help. But do you agree that if they are doing something on the field level, unless it's a giant production in mid field, if it's on the sidelines, it's probably not either being seen or not as engaging for someone in the lower sections where it's in front of the fans vs if you are in row 75, you are probably not getting the full effect because you are so far away?

For sure I see it at row 75.

My issue has always been more so the idea of getting rid of rows 45-60 than 61-85. Row 46-60, goal line to goal line, are the best seats in the house for watching the actual game.

Moving below, might we be a bit more engaged with what's happening on the sidelines? Probably for the activities happening on our side of the field, but no different for the ones opposite side. I was also pretty engaged when they used to trot out the prize games into the endzones at TV timeouts or of the cheerleaders taking the field for a routine, but that all got shot down by the league a few years ago.

[Sectionq]

For sure I see it at row 75.

My issue has always been more so the idea of getting rid of rows 45-60 than 61-85. Row 46-60, goal line to goal line, are the best seats in the house for watching the actual game.

Moving below, might we be a bit more engaged with what's happening on the sidelines? Probably for the activities happening on our side of the field, but no different for the ones opposite side. I was also pretty engaged when they used to trot out the prize games into the endzones at TV timeouts or of the cheerleaders taking the field for a routine, but that all got shot down by the league a few years ago.

You are probably right. I am sure sitting in the second deck is the best place to watch the football game if you are the type that goes there to be able to just watch football. You can see the whole field, see the motion on both sides of the ball, see the plays develop, see the patterns being run, etc. This is just my opinion and maybe I am wrong but I would probably suggest to you that the amount of legit hardcore football fans meaning people who go to the games to just watch football, is probably relatively small and getting smaller by the year. Just my opinion but I would suggest to you that a lot of the people that go and more correctly, they people they want to get to come, are not hardcore football fans who will go to watch the game. They are casual fans who like football to a degree but are going to the games for the entertainment value. They want to be entertained, they want to be in a high energy, rowdy place that is fun and they are around people and have lots going on around them. Probably lots of them know the game to a degree but aren't hardcore enough where they know every rule and are there to focus on the game. Yes there is a football game going on but it's more about what's going on around them.

I think of my wife. She isn't a hardcore football fan. She doesn't mind the game but it's not her fav. When we used to have tickets, she'd go once or twice because she knew I liked it and she did it for me but that's it. She was more than happy not to go. When she was there, she's watch but she was more about what was happening around and by the 3rd quarter, she'd had enough because she'd seen it all. We were in row 20 so she liked being close and liked when the cheerleaders were in front and being able to watch them. If we were in row 55, she wouldn't like it as much because she doesn't care about how the play goes or what the patterns look like.

So for the hardcore football fan, I get it and can understand your pain. You won't be able to see the game like you are used too. But for probably the majority of the people who go or might go, they will probably like it more because the crowd will probably be rowdier because people are closer vs spread out.

[Looner]

No offense man but you are making excuses for the team. Will people go to a hockey game more often than a football game just because? 100% yes they will. WHY? Because I would guess most of us played hockey as kids vs some maybe football. Most people probably have kids in hockey during the winter. I have 2 boys in hockey. So from October to March, between the 2 of them on average, we have 3-4 games per week and 3-4 practices a week. So I spend a lot of time in the rink. I have no illusions my kids are going to be NHLers but we live in country that for 5-6 months of the year, it's cold and snowy. So if we didn't do hockey, there isn't a ton else to do in January. So I think people will go to hockey more than football because of either playing the sport or involved with it.

But that doesn't mean the Elks don't need to try. IMO, I think the amount of people who just go to Elks games because they have had tickets for 30 yrs and they went with their dad who went with his dad and it's a family things and that's just what they do are dwindling and the crowds reflect that. I think a better team will help bring some into the building but they need to do way more to make it a reason for the casual fan to come.

not making excuses for the team at all, they've been terrible and the first step to getting anyone in the door is some W's, which you've said yourself. I'm saying to compare the CFL to the NHL is not fair and it exactly based on the comments you made plus the ones I made. I've coached hockey for coming on 30 years and I can tell you that there are A LOT of delusional parents that think their kid is their meal ticket. They ruin the sporting experience for so many as they are always "experts" but not willing to step up and help out.