I hate to say it, but it’s true: college football in New England is disappointing.
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve enjoyed going to BC, UMass, URI, UConn, UNH, and heck, even Endicott and Salem State games.
Then, I turn on a game between Alabama and Auburn and, well, forget about it. The crowds, bands, mascots, fireworks, live performances, and so forth. It’s like a different universe.
I’m not going to write about how this happened, or why. It goes too far back and I don’t want to be an ignorant 24-year-old kid.
Instead, let’s look at the future: how can college football thrive in New England?
I have four suggestions.
First, I know it’s easier said than done, but hire more staff. When you have more bodies working on a product – in any industry, actually – the better the product becomes.
If a marketing team has 10 members instead of five, you’re going to have double the ideas to enhance the fan experience, and double the bodies to execute gameday operations.
And, at the end of the day when they’re walking to their cars, you’re going to have people saying, “Wow, I had a great time.”
Now, I’m not stupid, I know it’s not easy to dig out of financial holes, or spend money you don’t have – especially when a lot of money comes from academics.
But, creativity – to an extent – costs no money. That’s number two.
Look at Clemson. Someone thought of the idea for the Tigers to run out of a bus and down a hill onto the field. It’s awesome, and how much did that cost?
Do we really want to hear a public address announcer say, “Now introducing the…” followed by the team running out of the same spot for the zillionth time?
Third, hire the big-name coach. Again, this costs money, but sometimes, you just have to pull the trigger. Spend money on a name everyone knows. Give him or her the paycheck, because the reward will follow.
Players will follow him, news stations will follow him, and so forth.
Look at Colorado bringing in Deion Sanders. Colorado is popular, but not that popular – not like Notre Dame or Alabama. Yet, bringing in Sanders is going to put so many more eyes on that program – it’s not even funny.
In the long run, his $29 million contract across five years will pay off – literally and figuratively. Wins aside, he comes with three E’s: exposure, entertainment, and expertise.
Last but not least, have fun, and change what isn’t working.
If you’ve had the same logo for a century and your program loses demographics every year, change it. If you have three uniform combinations, add three more. If you play each other at Gillette Stadium every year in hopes that people will be blown away by it, play somewhere else.
Have fun on social media and get involved in the culture, too. That’s what high school kids want, and how they’re going to pick the next chapter of their lives.
I’m also very self-aware. I know I’m no economist or marketing specialist, but those are my thoughts.
Anyway…
I was chatting with Saugus Football Coach Steve Cummings a few weeks ago. Through casual conversation, he was blown away that I hadn’t seen “For Love of the Game.” I’ve since watched it, and what a film it was. Earlier this summer, I also watched “Field of Dreams” for the first time. So, overall, Kevin Costner is the man.
While we’re talking about college football in New England, I have some predictions. BC will upset Pitt on the road and UMass is going to reach four wins (it would be its most since joining the FBS). As for URI, I say the Rams take down both UNH and Maine this season.
Week one of high school football is already a treat. Peabody and Lynn Classical going toe-to-toe that week is the cherry on top. Both head coaches – Peabody’s Mark Bettencourt and Classical’s Brian Vaughan – know what they’re doing, and each have lots of returning talent. See you both then.
Is Japanese boxer Naoya Inoue the real deal? Yes, he is, but is he the face of boxing? Absolutely not. Regardless of who is, I say he comes to the United States to fight Gervonta Davis. Then, we’ll see.
I just checked SeatGeek to see what tickets are going for when the Patriots host Philadelphia in their home-opener. Oh, and this guy named Tom Brady will be receiving his tribute. I can get in the door for $400. What do you think?
