Jimmy Buffet Night: The Embarrassment Of Purdue Basketball
by BoilerTMill on Jan 3, 2012 5:13 PM EST
in Men's Basketball
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PrintI am a basketball purist. I loathe the fact that the modern game, according to the powers that be, needs luxury boxes and expensive club seats. Even if I had millions of dollars at my disposal, I would rather stand in the Paint Crew than sit in the new Captain's chairs at Mackey Arena. In fact, I don't even think you should be admitted to the arena unless you promise to stand and scream your fool head off, adding to the Paint Crew, for the entire game. If you are going to sit down and politely clap the entire game you shouldn't even be int he gym.
Few fans have my passion, however. I hate that I am going to have to go back to quiet, proper old alumni section for the next home game. I would much rather do that, however, than have a Jimmy Buffet Night.
We should be embarrassed as a program that we are resorting to a gimmick night to sell out our Arena against a conference opponent. Maybe, maybe if it were a random non-conference game against Directional State U. during Christmas break it would be acceptable. Even then, it is a special circumstance of having thousands of student tickets flooding the market for a game where the students are not on campus. The proposed Jimmy Buffet Night against Iowa is on January 17, well after the students return.
You don't see the marquee programs like North Carolina, Duke, Kentucky, or Michigan State resorting to these shenanigans. We didn't even resort to them during football season when 20,000 seats per game were sitting empty in Ross-Ade Stadium. Indiana didn't even resort to these gimmicks when they were 1-17 a few seasons ago in the Big Ten. It is a flat out embarrassment that we would do something like this.
The product on the floor should speak for itself, and if you cannot sell the place out after winning 26 in a row then I don't know what you are waiting to see. Then again, this is the same athletic department that thought it would be a good idea to appeal to fan comfort rather than the product on the floor just because they could sell one seat for the price of four.
Sorry for the rant, but this idea really rubbed me the wrong way.
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+100000000000000000000
I wasn’t even aware we were having issues with tickets…when did we become the Nets?
Still think it was the PC leaders idea
If not then the Ath. Dept. has basically decided to become a Barnum and Bailey’s sized circus of bad ideas
1. There is no way this work it will fail terribly
2. Some one needs to fired over giving this idea the green light
3. If 3 extra people show up to Mackey because its “Jimmy Buffet Night” I will be amazed
Son of a son of a bitch
Manager at BT Powerhouse a Big Ten basketball blog
@babaoreally
by babaoreally on Jan 3, 2012 5:30 PM EST via Android app reply actions 1 recs
I'm fine with theme nights, BUT
Come on Jimmy Buffet night? I could see like an 80’s night, or Greek night, or something like that, but Jimmy buffet in the middle of freaking January? It doesn’t make sense. In Fact, it’s down right stupid.
I like that Athletic Department taking initiative (something they have never done for decades), but how stupid are these people!
Not sure about Paint Crew involvement...
The Paint Crew has been stellar for years, and Mackey has always carried that magic, even in down years. People are taking notice of our fan base and home winning-percentage – if we’re doing a Jimmy Buffet night, we need to make it the greatest tribute (possibly by default, but whatever) that Jimmy has ever seen. We might not be happy with it now, but I care more about having a great time watching our team play than having a theme. The Paint Crew will be supporting it when the time comes, so might as well buck up, don a lei and learn the words to something other than “Margaritaville.” Themes can work if the crowd will buy into it – what will look worse, 500 people giving a halfhearted attempt at a stupid theme or 14,000 people singing “Cheeseburger in Paradise?”
Boat Drinks
a song about getting loaded in the middle of winter “I want to go where it’s warm”.
Which choice will cause the Athletic Department to NEVER do it again?
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
"We have the Cannon, the Bucket, the Little Caesar's Bowl trophies, and I'm pretty sure the Nation's Best Kick-Off Team Trophy as well to put in our trophy case" --Purdue Coach Danny Hope
by carmen_fanzone on Jan 4, 2012 10:12 AM EST up reply actions
not to defend this
But I don’t believe it is a ploy to sell more tickets… it looks like the athletic department’s attempt at having a little fun. I can see the student section having some fun with this, and highly doubt any of the general public will participate. I bet there are already few tickets left for these games… just added entertainment… still… I can think of better themes than Buffet…
In other news… did you see Nick Hardwick may be retiring? Could we find s place as an assistant on our team? Perhaps an OL coach?
Boiler Up! Hammer Down!
by JuJuan some Moore? on Jan 3, 2012 5:48 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Absolutely beat me to the punch
With the exception that I’m a huge Jimmy Buffet fan.
This isn’t a ploy to sell tickets, and people aren’t going to come for Jimmy Buffet night and not care about the game. This is just an attempt at some fun. Just because you’re a good program doesn’t mean you can’t try to be entertaining as well. 10,000 leis will be pretty funny and I’m sure the Paint Crew will have some fun with it.
by ElijahJones22 on Jan 3, 2012 5:51 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
but
Jimmy Buffet has nothing at all to do with Purdue, Indiana, basketball, winter, or any other thing that is related to the game.
Given that, all the people like me who think Jimmy’s a hack will a) not get it, and b) be embarrassed.
The b) would be mitigated if he had anything to do with the game. Like the above poster said, at least do something like an Axl Rose night so that even people who think Axl’s a douche can shrug and say it makes some sense. Just sad…
"This is just an attempt at some fun"
If you don’t think watch some of the best college basketball in the nation isn’t any fun by itself, you are a fan of the wrong college basketball team. Go find some Big East team to cheer for that plays in a NBA arena.
Sorry if that came off as a personal attack, I didn’t mean it as such. Just the entire culture of needed to constantly be distracted and entertained.
Jimmy Buffett Night in January?
West Lafayette in January is anything but paradise. Plus, WL is like 1,000 miles from the nearest ocean. Who is that big of a Jimmy Buffet fan who lives here? I hate the idea of themed nights, but couldn’t they think of a better theme than Jimmy Buffet in Indiana?
Yeah this is kind of sad
I don’t think it was an attempt at boosting ticket sales, though.
80’s night would have been much better.
Reaction images? I got 'em
Senior All-American Alto Sax
Non Student Seating
I totally agree with you, I HATE sitting down during games. I love cheering from start to finish but I have been told multiple times to sit down during games, it really takes the fun out of it sometimes.
by BoilermakerAustin on Jan 3, 2012 6:53 PM EST reply actions
Back when I was there
seemed like every game was Animal House night for my friends and I. Man, I wish I could do that stuff again!
Pretty sure I've seen before
that Coach Painter wanted to see more theme nights. I guess he enjoys the costumes…
Agree
I’m pretty sure I saw somewhere before the season started that the coaching staff was pushing for more theme nights and stuff like this.
I was able to find this
from an old e-mail from the president of the paint crew earlier this year before the Northern Illinois game:
“The coaching staff expressed their wishes for more theme games from us and this is one of them.”
"them" = theme games in general?
Or the sort of theme games the coaches want?
I sense pronounial trickery.
by Beavis Beefcake on Jan 4, 2012 2:21 AM EST up reply actions
I assume so
It was before the N. Illinois game, which we dressed up in Halloween costumes. “Them”, I can only assume meant one of the theme games in general.
by boilermaker4 on Jan 4, 2012 11:19 AM EST up reply actions
The luxury seats
I think the luxury seats are sold, but the people that buy them either don’t live near WL or are to busy to go. I’ve had quite a few people ask me if I would like to go sit down there, but I’ve always been super busy to make a trip down in Chicago traffic.
those seats should be filled by other patrons
After the first quarter… if noone is sitting there, allow other people from upper seats yo move down….
Boiler Up! Hammer Down!
by JuJuan some Moore? on Jan 3, 2012 7:37 PM EST up reply actions
They are not sold.
I emailed Burke in a drunken stooper one night bitching about those seats. He said we are sold to 80% capacity in the premium seats. That is a joke. Imagine what it would look like if we string out a couple mediocre seasons. That’s why they put it on the side that doesn’t get the cameras very often.
I swear everyone that makes decisions in our Athletic Department is advised by chimpanzees.
by Boiler_Ditsor on Jan 3, 2012 9:57 PM EST up reply actions
don't be sorry for the rant Travis.
I’m with you. I hate the Buffet theme. We should have a get off your ass and cheer theme. I too, think the cushy seats are just stupid. Sure if I was sitting in one during a game I would love it but it just looks ridiculous. They are so spread out and usually half empty. I saw the whole top row of the black cushy chairs in one section was practically empty last game.
Unrelated; man Wisconsin sure knows how to ugly up a game. Hope they beat MSU tonight though.
Don't be so sure
When Mackey was “unofficially opened” after a volleyball game, I may or may not have been one of the several students to sneak a peak at our new court before the official opening. During this time, I may or may not have sat in both the gold and black chairs – and if I were to have done this, I would mention that the gold seats are awesome and cushy, but the black ones are hard and uncomfortable. I can’t imagine wanting to sit in those torture traps.
by Topher Endress on Jan 4, 2012 1:56 AM EST up reply actions
Then I would really think about re-establishing season ticket purchases.
Even with a 2 1/2 hour drive.
by Boiler_Ditsor on Jan 3, 2012 9:59 PM EST up reply actions
Who says you can't cheer loudly in the alumni section?
Are there like different rules or something? lol.
Shoot, maybe if you take some of your passion and intensity and let it show, some other people will get into it?
I’m guessing you’ve never had to sit in front of a 60 year old JPC member. The older they are/more money they donate, they more they act like they own the place
purdue junior. never had to sit in the alumni section
lucky.
"We'll put em in the pot, shake it up and see what comes out." - Howard Mudd
"Nothing's complicated if you understand it." - Tom Moore
"It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter's Law." - Hofstadter's Law
Dallas Clark is
Just. This. Incredible.
This is gonna be the most half-assed 'theme' ever
might as well just call it ‘beach night’, because everyone is just gonna wear Hawaiian floral shirts and sandals.
Maybe we just want it to be really, really painful...
…for any OMHR fans who make the trip down.
Iowa travels well you know and maybe this would dissuade them.
Let’s hope our fans don’t want to get lost in Margaritaville after the game.
This is more appropriate for the north endzone
against a SEMO type team next year. Fake palm trees and tiki huts….. Morgan Burke is a complete doofus.
by SmallMarketBigPlays on Jan 4, 2012 7:16 AM EST reply actions
Only solution...
Free Range Chicken Night.
by mtschohl on Jan 4, 2012 7:27 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Better than anal probe night
A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance
HammerAndRails, SBNation's Boilermaker Blog
I think everyone is missing the truth here
What’s obviously happened is that some front office staffer in the athletic department meant to order 100 leis for an office party, but mistakenly ordered 10,000. The only choice was to declare a Jimmy Buffet Theme night.
If that’s not what happened, then this is a travesty. Totally with Travis on this one, it’s an embarrassment. I don’t have any problem with a theme night to liven things up against garbage opponents. In conference play, the only acceptable attire is Black and Gold.
As to the last point about the crusty old folks, I suspect that many are alumni, and if that’s the case then there’s no excuse for the lack of spirit. If you’re not in a wheelchair, get off your ass and cheer some. I understand that you may be sore, especially sitting on a bench seat with your arthritis, but trust me standing up and stretching out will do some good. Just once I’d love to see the entire arena packed with passionate alumni. I know that lots of people from Lafayette and the surrounding towns come out for the games, despite never having attended Purdue, and that’s great, we need their support (ticket sales). However, to those individuals it’s just a game of basketball, something to do on a winter evening. Just once I’d love every fan in the house to be a passionate student or alumnus like those on this site.
Words can't describe how I feel, so I'll use a picture
There we go.
Volleyball Correspondent for Hammer and Rails
BTFU or GTFO
Theme night idea
Let’s have “lava seat night” where everyone does their best impersonation of a person standing in front of a trough of molten lava. Also for the people that have never sat anywhere other than the student section. I used to be like you. Used to think I’d turn it all around. Until you start feeling guilty that you’re blocking the view of grandma, grandpa, and their two grandkids.
he alwasy sounded really good after a few dime beers
could always spot alumni as they could actually afford to drink bottled beer!
>Hoosier by birth, Boilermaker by the grace of God
>Don't cry, MSU - It's just a game...
Dime beers!!!!!!
I wish the beers were still a dime. The only dimes are (some) of women at this point. Now it’s 50 cents a beer
even with a $5 cover .50 cents for 32 oz beer is a hella good deal
even if it is Keystone Light. Hell I my friends and I would go to the Cactus with 10 bucks in our pockets and get completely loaded.
In a completely related note graduating was the worst decision I have ever made
50 cent Keystone Lights?
In my day it was 10 cent Miller High Life.
I thought we won the Cold War…
A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance
HammerAndRails, SBNation's Boilermaker Blog
Jimmy Buffett night?!?!
The more I repeat it, the funnier/sadder it gets. What recruit is going to see this and think “Damn, that’s cool, I want to go there.” None. Older folks, JPC members, might think Buffett is cool and has mass appeal, but the younger generation thinks he’s a joke, a punchline, a guy associated with a cheesy restaurant… Ozzy Osbourne theme? Hell ya. It makes sense because we at least use crazy train and would be wearing black. Still recruits might not dig that either so let’s just go with Purdue theme night.
Oh, F!
Gonna be real fun to explain to my 8 year old that whatever this entails is not what a Purdue Basketball game is really about.
>Hoosier by birth, Boilermaker by the grace of God
>Don't cry, MSU - It's just a game...
Haven't You Heard?
Nancy Cross was appointed Assistant Athletics Director In Charge of Mackey Arena Promotions.
by U-P Boilermaker on Jan 4, 2012 12:56 PM EST reply actions
Not a given
I don’t want to be a downer, but that’s far from a given. We have to jump like 8 teams, so we need other teams to lose if we expect two so-so wins to put us in the top 25.
Sorrowful
In my time at Purdue, they printed the attendance in the handout that included a score sheet. WTF is this about?
by Leading Edge Boomer on Jan 4, 2012 6:30 PM EST reply actions
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