North Texas Home Games

[Mad Hatter]

I'm curious about our Home Game "production".

We have a very cool intro song, guys running the flags, smoke machine, etc...Is there a reason that we don't do more to make it even more of an event? Could we turn off the house lights to draw more attention to the fact that the team is coming out? Get some guys in the cat walks on spot lights and wave them around the Pit? then focus them on the tunnel right before the team comes out?

They could do something similar during the player introductions?

I'm fairly certain that wouldn't take much in the way of $, but would only take someone coordinating the lights. I think this would help the whole experience seem more entertaining to the fans, kind of like an NBA game.

Having said all that, there may be a reason that we don't already do it? Against NCAA rules?

Might seem silly if you only had 500 people there to watch? On the other hand, by increasing the overall enjoyment, could you increase the attendance numbers?

What are your thoughts?

What other ideas do you have?

[drex]

The last time I checked the lighting at the SuperPit is such that it takes time to come on and off. That is to say that you cannot just turn them off,,,,they fade out and then fade back on when you turn them on. I am talking minutes to make the transition. That could make things a bit weird trying to get the dark lighting, spots, etc.

[UNTFan23]

We can dim the lights, but we can't turn them off and then turn them back on a few minutes later. If we do turn off the lights, it takes like 15 minutes for them to come back on. To darken the arena, we need shutters on the light fixtures. I'm not sure what it would cost to have shutters put in.

Click here for some info on the start and warm-up of metal halide lamps, which is what the PIT uses.

Edited January 13, 2008 by UNTFan23

[CMJ]

I used to like when teams turned out the lights during the intros in the early 90's when it was the new thing. But honestly, I think it's kind of overdone now that EVERYONE does it.

[Mad Hatter]

I used to like when teams turned out the lights during the intros in the early 90's when it was the new thing. But honestly, I think it's kind of overdone now that EVERYONE does it.

Not quite everyone. We can't seem to turn our lights off.

What other ideas do ya'll have?

Would spotlights do any good with our dimmed lights? Or would that just look funny?

[CMJ]

Not quite everyone.

You know what I meant.

But back in the day there were only a handful of Pro basketball teams that did it(I really remember Chicago of course). Pretty soon it was all of the NBA and the NHL. Only a few college arenas do that I know of - off the top of my head UNLV and Rupp arena(sometimes) come to mind.

Sorry...I'll let the thread get back on topic.

[Mad Hatter]

Yeah, I know what you mean.

I, for one, still think it gets the crowd "into" the game. I know that I get pumped to see the rest of the fans excitement....everyone kind of builds off everyone else's energy.

At the past few home games, I've just noticed that "The Champ is Here" starts playing and everyone just keeps talking amongst themselves. It's not until the band starts the fight song, and the team is halfway out of the tunnel, that the crowd reacts. Maybe the announcer could direct our attention to the highlight reel on the screens?

Just throwing out ideas.

Edited January 13, 2008 by Mad Hatter

[UNTFan23]

This is a good thread. Grass roots ideas should be sent on to someone in the AD office.

[ADLER]

Good idea.

Maybe the light operator could practice by shining a spotlight on whoever is speaking at the podium during the football banquet.

Then again, having the speeches and awards done in the shadows has become kind of a tradition.

[DeepGreen]

I live too far away from Denton to attend many basketball games, but the ones I have attended I've noticed that the Super Pit is dark on the inside(the upper row seating areas) and outside. Has anything been done recently on the outside to brighten things up?

[filmerj]

Uhm... we are talking about things that cost $, so no, things have not been done to brighten up the outside or bring attention to the fact that games are being played there.