Toronto Argonauts Games: How To Improve the Fan Experience
The Toronto Argonauts were soliciting feedback from Argonaut fans after this dismal 2009 season. I decided to fill out the survey as I’m a big fan (despite their awful record). What does an Argonauts fan sitting in the same end zone seats for four years think? Here are some ideas. These are more than I could write in the survey as they limited their ‘additional comments’ field to 350 measly characters - yowch, do you want feedback, or not?
Bring Back the End Zone Seats
This past season the Argos got the big idea to replace the end zone seats (regular ‘Skydome’ seats) with benches-sorta. Bottom line is there’s no seat backing and they’re really not comfortable at all. The ‘official’ word was it was to build camaraderie among the end zone patrons. Great goal, but wrong approach. These ’seats/benches/whatever’ are horribly uncomfortable.
Lets Fans Keep the Footballs
A regular occurrence at Argonaut games is when a football misses the mesh on a field goal some lucky fan gets a free ball. Not so fast. They’ll be surrounded by Rogers Centre staff in no time - and asked to give up the ball. The usher I spoke with says it’s a ’safety issue’ — ummm, ok. It seems they may give you a ’souvenir’ football in replacement - which, of course, if not an official ball. I’m not sure if this is the Argos policy, Rogers Centre policy, or that of the CFL. Whatever it is, it stinks. The CFL (and especially the Argos) need every fan they can get. You destroy the fan experience when you start confiscating footballs. How about this scenario: The ball is caught by a young fan attending his first Argonauts game. He’s elated, and brings it to school, telling all his friends what happened. Right away, the Argos are shown in positive light from the best source possible — word-of-mouth. This young fan’s friends take interest in the game and then bug their parents to take them to the next Argos game. If they’re hooked, you may have an Argonauts fan for life. The alternative is that this impressionable young fan is bugged by multiple Rogers Centre ushers/security folks to cough up his newly won ball. What’s his story at school now? I can tell you it won’t be positive. So much for getting new Argos fans on that playground. I’m still not sure of the real reason why the Argos take the balls or if the ’safety’ reason described to me is legitimate. I can see how they may want to deter people from running/pushing/whatever for the ball when it enters the crowd, but how does taking the ball away after-the-fact help that cause? Or, if it’s because the football becomes a ‘projectile’ after-the-fact then they should be sweeping everyone for everything they bring in. I can tell you the cowbells of the front row of Section 122 (and 123) can do a lot more damage than that football. Oh, and don’t even think about taking them.
Bring Back the Argonauts Fight Song
We (myself and my fellow Section 122ers) were elated when the Argonauts brought back the Fight Song a year or two ago. What a great way to connect with the past (so much history with this club, why not reach back for some of that!). Also, it’s simply a great tune that had the fans of the end zone and beyond standing and chanting/singing/whatever upon an Argonauts touch down. The Argonotes (including Taylor!) got in the act as well (sidenote: more Argonotes - they’re great!). So, what happened in the 2009 season? Sure the team scored less, but even when they did the Fight Song was not to be played (from what I recall) - or, if it did, it got cut off by some awful promo-bit. Really? Kill the fight song so we can plug Barrie Nissan - or whoever? (side note: ‘dependability, trustworthiness,…’ I forget the rest. Help me out Kent Austin!). So, umm, yeah, bring back the song! Put the lyrics back on the big screen so all can join in. Have the Argonotes play their hearts out. Good times. Hopefully there will be more touch downs, too.
Crowd ‘Promo’ Noise During Defensive - Not Offensive
This one is not my idea, but it’s genius. Hat tip to the Section 122 crowd noise leader, and ‘Renew-Your-Tickets’-poster-boy, Jube. For whatever reason (oh, free stuff!), Argos crowds make noise (and lots of it) for the lame promo giveaways. You know, T-Shirts that say ‘Show us your Parts’ (ok! - enjoy kiddies), and the like. So, coordinate these giveaways for when the defense is on the field and wants fan noise - not when the offense is on the field and want quiet. So simple.
Toronto Argonauts organization, if you’re listening, leave us a little comment below with your thoughts. Thanks-much! I’ll see you next season, hopefully in seats that don’t hurt my…
November 24th, 2009 at 8:30 am
I talked with John Mathers & Bob Nicholson about that in a fan meeting with the Douuble Blue Crew (Section 121). There is only 13 game balls for each game. They can’t go giving them away every fieldgoal/extra point. They are however not allowing Rogers Security to take them away. An Argo Rep is suppose to come down and replace it with a autographed ball.
If you also have noticed we have an Argo Rep roaming in the endzone to help us with any issues that may come up. They want to help improve atmosphere in the dome, however turning the endzone into the “Family Zone” may be a bad idea considering how loud we can get.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Who cares about a CFL football.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Hi there, thanks for your feedback. We’re glad that you took time fill out the fan survey and post this blog page to share your other thoughts and feelings.
The response posted by Stephen Mulder (above) is exactly right regarding game balls. You’re correct, it would be a thrill for fans to keep actual game balls but footballs are much different than baseballs when it comes to quantity available at each game. Also, midway through the season, the club collected practice balls (which are essentially used game balls) and had players sign them. The signed practice balls where then ‘traded’ for any game balls that were heaved into the stands and picked up by a fan. The practice balls are very much an authentic and memorable souvenir from an Argos game.
As for your other points:
Fight Song: In an effort to keep the gameday experience current and appeal to a younger generation of fan (a group that we’ve seen come through the turnstiles in growing numbers the past few seasons), we elected to introduce a more contemporary sound in 2009. Although the fight song is classic, and projects old-school camaraderie, we’ve found that it doesn’t engage everyone in the stands the way it could. The new song, based in rhythm with rock & roll undertones, seems to encourage fans to get up out of their seats to both dance and sing along. Our game day people have witnessed a big difference in the atmosphere when we play the new song vs. the fight song. You’ll still hear the fight song occasionally throughout the games but the feedback we’ve received regarding the new Argos song has been exceptional.
In-Game and Videoboard Promotions: All of the promotions you see during the game are based on the timing dictated by the television broadcast and a pre-approved script. Game day presentations, in all sports, have become a science that includes network and sponsorship considerations among other things. There’s a large team that synchronizes the videoboard presentation with promotions that happen on the field and in the stands, and it’s vital that they are all on the same page – always. In fact, there’s a rule that if artificially generated noise is being used when the visiting team offence breaks their huddle then the home team can be penalized for a delay of game penalty. The script is approved well in advance of the game so that the graphics on the board can be built and the football game itself is not interfered with. It’s similar to producing a television show in that everything is timed precisely. Finally, the game day crew does run crowd prompts when the defence is on the field and requests quiet from the crowd when the Argos’ offence takes the field.
Endzone Seating: You’re correct, the seats were replaced to build camaraderie among fans who own season tickets in that section or purchase single game seats. The fans in that area of the stadium are among our loudest and most loyal and for 2010 those seats have been value priced at just $161 for a season ticket.
Thanks again for your thoughts, I hope that this clarifies things and see you on the field in 2010.
November 24th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
@Argos - Thanks, appreciate the detailed response! Balls: Sounds like a decent solution. Glad you put a stop to the security heist — It was awful. Fight Song: Understandable - you have to cater to youth. Sorry to see it go… Still believe the youth could get behind it. Promos: Good point re: ‘artificial’ noise — lets try to keep be short when the O is on the field, though. Seats: Sorry to hear that… but the adjustment in price helps. Still rather pay more for real seats, though. Again, appreciate the time taken to respond. Will see you in 2010.
November 24th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
THIS COMES FROM A 50 YEAR ARGO SUBSCRIBER (BACK IN THE GOOD-OLD DAYS OF THE DOUBLE BLLUE CLUB - A SOCIAL AND SPORTS MUST BEFORE A GAME AT EXHIBITION STADIUM - THE TOUGHEST TICKET IN TOWN. LEAF SEASONS WERE EASIER TO GET BACK THEN. ON TO THE PRESENT - BLOW THIS THING UP FROMM TOP TO BOTTOM. SOKOLOWSKI AND CYNAMMON ARE AN ABSOLUTE JOKE EVEN WITH THEIR WIVES MONEY. WELCOME DAVID BRALEY YOU CARE ABOUT THE CFL, AND WONT CLUTTER UP THE SIDELINES WITH YOUR SHOWBOATING AND COLLECTION OF FAMILY MIS-FITS. PRESIDENT BOB NICHOLSON ANOTHER TORONTO SPORTS SCENE RETREAD MISFIT. GREG MOHNS COULD NOT SCOUNT HIS WAY OUT OF A CUB GROUP. ADAM RITA A GOOD GUY BUT PLEASE TAKE THE COACHING JOB AT UBC. ANDRUS, BARRATO AND GANG GOOD-BYE, SORRY YOU CANNOT DECIPHER OUR WONDERFULL THREE DOWN GAME IN A WEEK-END AT YOUR WHITEFISH LAKE RETREAT WHICH IS ALL THE TIME YOU APPEAR TO HAVE PUT IN. FOR GOSH SAKES WE SSTUCK LONG ENOUGH WITH DAMON ALLEN AT QB LETS NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE WITH A WASHED UP KERRY JOSEPH. AND PLEASE GOOD BYE TO THAT HOT DOG JERK WHO CALLS HIMSELF THE KISSING BANDIT (belly indeed)..AND THAT IS JUST A START. GO ARGOS.
November 24th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
“Endzone Seating: You’re correct, the seats were replaced to build camaraderie among fans who own season tickets in that section or purchase single game seats. The fans in that area of the stadium are among our loudest and most loyal and for 2010 those seats have been value priced at just $161 for a season ticket.”
Yeah right. Sounds like a money grab to me. Anyone know what the before and after seat counts are?
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-bench-seating.htm
Bench seating is a term used to describe seating options that do not include a backrest as part of the seating option. Bench seating may be configured to accommodate one or two people, or as a means of providing seating for larger numbers of people, such as in a sports stadium. Seating of this type if often found in both private and public settings.
When most people think of bench seating, the first thing that comes to mind is a sports arena or stadium. It is not unusual for college and professional football stadiums in the United States to make use of bench seating. This approach is practical for several reasons. First, bench seating makes it possible to accommodate more people than the installation of individual seats would allow. This means that there is the potential to sell more tickets for any sporting event taking place in the facility.
Another advantage to bench seating in a sports stadium has to do with care and maintenance. Stadium seating of this type can effectively be washed off and allowed to air dry in many climates. Along with the fact that the bench seating is usually constructed of durable materials such as concrete, the wear and tear on the seating is minimal, making it possible to last for many more years than other types of seating options.
Along with sports stadiums, bench seating is also used in many outdoor performing venues. The reasons for employing bench seating in these settings is very similar to those associated with a sports arena. It is possible to accommodate more attendees and thus increase ticket sales. Depending on the location, the bench seating for these types of facilities may be simple concrete benches or feature hardwood or metal seating. In some cases, the bench seating may be retractable, meaning that when not in use, the seating is folded and stored out of the elements.
November 25th, 2009 at 11:30 am
I am 4 for 2 - there’s no stoping this!