They asked my opinion, and I answered with my thoughts, particularly changes under Patterson, the operation of the Jumbotron, quality of product on the field diminishing while prices accelerate. Get to the end of the survey and the last few questions become personal, and quite frankly none of their business. For the record, I am straight; I have always been straight; I shall always be straight. I did find it offensive that the questions of race, sexual orientation, family size and ages of children, and age were listed on a survey about improving the game day experience at Memorial Stadium. I could write an entire editorial on these questions and the people responsible, but that would put y'all out of your misery because I would be banned.
I think the question on your age will determine how much they value your survey. If you are older (60+) they probably don't care what you think as your season ticket years are numbered. I sent my thought again about having a running scoreboard(Like MLB) with the other Big 12 teams and the top 25 teams plus adding major games of interest. I think this could be accomplished by utilizing the screen strip around the stadium that at present seems to just flash logos and lights at us. I agree the questions about race sexual orientation and age were a bit much.
I was tempted to check the box "I don't identify with any of the gender choices" and let them figure it out. I told them I was considering not renewing (true), because of ticket resale policy, annoying jumbotron, drunks in the stands, and parking selection that should be automatic. (mostly Patterson stuff).
got mine yesterday wasn't sure if I wanted to fill it out or not. I guess renewal emails will be out next month
Inability to "bequeath" the rights to seats held for almost 30 years ... to a new account holder of equal/higher "status" should be a no brainer. No ... when the patriarch passes ... that's it. Those 4 of the 12 our family has held since '88 will go back to the general till. That's poor. Ditto the indignation with demographic ... with the possible exception of age. How about "booze in the bleachers?" The experience has become quite the airport-like hassle. Some of us have to tolerate the airport to earn a living or choose another line of work. Spectating UT Football from Section uh huh ... that's a luxury.
I would ask "why does the race, gender or sexual orientation of anyone buying a football ticket matter" but then I remembered we are dealing with a university entirely fixated on the physical characteristics of people and not the people themselves. They do not care about what you think (see the steve patterson policies they have continued). They only care about the physical attributes you were born with. It is very sad UT is run this way.
Completed mine yesterday. And yes, I also wondered a bit about the newest demographic questions. I usually try to make a point and whether anyone else agrees with my viewpoints at least I feel like I tried to communicate what I don't like. I kind of feel like they take their own surveys more seriously than they do an individual communication so figure it's worth my time. I hit upon not being able to resell tickets (and the harm that does to having fans in the stands when one does not have friends who would like to use the tickets). Also hit upon a few other pet peeves that are probably not shared by as many others!
I filled it out today. I didn't give too many high marks, unfortunately, and made a point that my feedback wasn't about the team's direction. I also hit 'other' on the sexual orientation question and stated 'why would you ask this?' in the text box. A fan is a fan. Who the person loves at home doesn't seem relevant to me. Regardless of sexual orientation, ALL of us should be able to answer simple questions about the game experience and the team. When I got to that question, I just rolled my eyes and couldn't take the survey seriously anymore. Besides, anyone who charges $9 for a 16oz Miller Light is asking for people (even well gilded donors) to flask in the drink of their choice or buy a 6 pack and watch the game at home.
Yeah, I told them to turn down the Adzillatron, get rid of all the stupid promos during breaks, parking policy sucks, and so on. I don't like all the demographic questions because they will sell it as marketing data while we can't resell our tix.
I spoke with someone in the school's "marketing department" this afternoon and was told that he survey came from the NCAA and is being used by a number of schools. They want the data to determine the demographics of the college football ticket purchasers across the nation. That said, if The University of Texas wants my opinion, they have had my contact information for 46 years. If the NCAA wants anything form me, get a subpoena or go perform an impossible, unnatural sex act on yourselves. WE ARE TEXAS! WE DRIVE THE TRAIN, NOT RIDE IN THE CABOOSE! At least that's the way it was before Powers and Patterson.
