I find it a bit odd that Melissa Dawson did more as our AD in four months (Jarvis extension, new women's b-ball coach, for example) than Pat Chun had done. Maybe because he hasn't had as much to take care of as Dawson did but still. If Dawson was still at the helm, do you guys think we could have gotten naming rights for the stadium already? I really want Hooters to step up to the plate and secure these naming rights. Think about, "Welcome to Hooters Stadium Owls fans!"

Owl_Ranger said

I find it a bit odd that Melissa Dawson did more as our AD in four months (Jarvis extension, new women's b-ball coach, for example) than Pat Chun had done. Maybe because he hasn't had as much to take care of as Dawson did but still. If Dawson was still at the helm, do you guys think we could have gotten naming rights for the stadium already? I really want Hooters to step up to the plate and secure these naming rights. Think about, "Welcome to Hooters Stadium Owls fans!"

That would be cool and what a natural tie in! maybe we just want too much for a team with 3 wins in the past two seasons. Maybe we should cut nthe rate but make it adjustable based on wins, attendance and tv games to make SOMEONE want to make the jump while the opportunity is there.
And WHY don't we AT LEAST have our name up there in a designated - non changing space then add the naming rights sponsors name in THEIR DESIGNATED space when that happens. TWO years and if you did not already know this was FAU, you just drove by on I-95 and wondered who or what that big building belongs too! JUST PLAIN STUPID TOO ME! Talk about LACK OF MARKETING SKILLS!

I would encourage you to send an email to the AD.

During the construction; there was a banner with the owl head FAU logo hanging from the tower. I don't understand why they have not put something there after a year.

What do you think our average attendance should be? based on students, alumni, winning/losing record and some marketing?
Other than losing what do you think FAU is not drawing more fans?

FWIW, we already tried talking to Hooters about naming rights - in fact, I think Scott Travis from the SS did a short column about it - and they weren't interested. It was too much money.

NîTE said

I would encourage you to send an email to the AD.

During the construction; there was a banner with the owl head FAU logo hanging from the tower. I don't understand why they have not put something there after a year.

What do you think our average attendance should be? based on students, alumni, winning/losing record and some marketing?
Other than losing what do you think FAU is not drawing more fans?

I have never understood why we had a banner there during construction yet can't put the FaU name up there now that we have a stadium!

Owl2Doc said

FWIW, we already tried talking to Hooters about naming rights - in fact, I think Scott Travis from the SS did a short column about it - and they weren't interested. It was too much money.

Hooters is HQd in Tampa, and Ed Drozdy (I think that's his name) has lost a decent amount of cash over the past few years on an airline and a Vegas hotel…other than the Owl connection and the fact that they employ some of our coeds across the street, there isn't much a synergy. I can only imagine how much it costs to start an airline.

I think we're going to need someone like Terramark to come in and put their name on the stadium bc their founder is an alum…or we start packing the house so ADT can justify the money spent on "impressions."

I think we need more support from the city of Boca Raton.  I am not an expert so I do not know how we achieve this and my only other frame of reference is Gainesville on game day.  I realize Gainesville is a "college town" and we are no where near that but the city of Gainesville has an electric feel on game day.  I still think the businesses across the street need to get involved on game day, offer free parking and a bus shuttle, promotions, give aways, food, cheap beer…something.  The local Hooters could do the same (if they don't already.)  We need some community support, more dorms (I know they are building more,) fraternities and sorrorities on campus (if possible.)  What about Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Deerfield Beach?  We are the closest college with a football team, show us some love! 

dcoker309 said

I think we need more support from the city of Boca Raton.  I am not an expert so I do not know how we achieve this and my only other frame of reference is Gainesville on game day.  I realize Gainesville is a "college town" and we are no where near that but the city of Gainesville has an electric feel on game day.  I still think the businesses across the street need to get involved on game day, offer free parking and a bus shuttle, promotions, give aways, food, cheap beer…something.  The local Hooters could do the same (if they don't already.)  We need some community support, more dorms (I know they are building more,) fraternities and sorrorities on campus (if possible.)  What about Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Deerfield Beach?  We are the closest college with a football team, show us some love!

I agree.  The best way to get the communities involved, is to make them a part of what is happening at FAU.  Have youth day, community appreciation.  Even if they have yet to give full support, let them know what the school and the programs are about.  It is up to the President and the AD to forge a relationship with the "Locals" if you will.  I am from Pompano Beach and there are people who will be willing to come and see AJ play next season.  I always talk about the school and how happy I am that AJ decided to stay home.  I mostly talk about how strict they are about academics.  Also, the stores across the street should show more pride.  If they are not giving the students discounts, they should.  AJ uses the Sprint store across the street.  When we went there, they had one small banner up.  What about the school making signs and banners to give to the stores so they can display them.  When there is a home game, make signs!  Put your mark everywhere you can in Palm Beach, Broward and yes Dade.

It would be nice to see the local businesses show some love.  Something as simple as a "GO OWLS!" on the marquee signs at a local McDonalds would be great.  Along Flowler Ave. in Tampa there are signs all over the place saying "Welcome to Bulls Country", I can't imagine it would take too much to get something like that accomplished in Boca. 

duder said

It would be nice to see the local businesses show some love.  Something as simple as a "GO OWLS!" on the marquee signs at a local McDonalds would be great.  Along Flowler Ave. in Tampa there are signs all over the place saying "Welcome to Bulls Country", I can't imagine it would take too much to get something like that accomplished in Boca.

Actually a TON of restaurants now have FAU up in some fashion. They may not have signage out front but they do have Owls stuff on the inside. Off the top of my head…

Hooters(FAU Table and Helmets), Shanes Rib shack (FAU baseball jersey), Mcdonalds (Military Trail, FAU posters) La Spadas (Mural), Chilis(ChalkBoard), Duffys,