Staff If/When you were named VCU's new AD, How would you change the gameday experience?

They did that before the homecoming game last year and it was pretty f'ing cool.

this is a great idea!

It would be a lot easier for me than sneaking a bunch of airplane bottles into line and casually drinking them.

(Theoretically. I've never broken any law.)

So many great ideas. The scoreboard and sound system really need to be pushed up to the top of the list. Tailgating won't work like it does at big football parking lots but they could do something along the lines of the beer tent set up outside the caa tourney. A pre-game party a short walk away would be great.
The Washington Capitals have used local college and high school drumlines to pump up the pre-game crowd. They play out on the sidewalk as the crowd starts and then during warmups they march single file around the concourse playing. It is awsome. The highschool kids are put in caps tee-shirts, when Georgetown does it they wear silly striped rugby shirts, the big suburban highschool drumlines blow them away.

It won't with that attitude.

Monroe Park is too far away or that could have been a staging area since the top of the parking decks my not go over -- so how about a partnership -- Lowe's parking lot is usually dead around game time. They should sponsor the tailgate party. They could have music , get an ABC event permit, and use it as a great marketing tool for their business. A $5 cover charge would provide admission and a $5 store coupon. Lowes would see increased business, increased exposure, could profit from beer sales,... This also takes it off VCU's plate and maybe could be co-sponsored by Alumni Association.
If course more simple, since they close off the street by the main entrance an hour or so prior to the game; close it 2-3 hours before and have the event there. A tailgate party by definition probably wouldn't work due to our use of parking decks and not large open spaces like those available near many football stadiums.

Bottom line, many of us would like something like this before the game and we need to make it happen- kinda like the "Bring Game Day " campaign.

We used the Lowe's parking lot when staging the drumline and gathering our supporters to march on the Stu. They were very easy to work with. That said, providing alcohol on their lot may pose some insurance/liability issues that corporate would look none too kindly upon. Someone remind me again what's wrong with the old Ukrop's lot where the 500 Academic Centre is now located? I think it's been suggested in the past but there was some kind of issue. Seems a no brainer as it's within spitting distance and you could use the same vendors inside and outside so no money is lost (and likely a lot more made)....

http://www.maps.vcu.edu/monroepark/500nharrison/
http://goo.gl/maps/qxYv

The reason I was saying the the Park was too far was two-fold: One large crowds crossing busy streets creates a safety issue ( it is two more blocks and another major street to cross), two think January and February - proximity is everything. Lowes began tightening their grip last year as to parking for non-shoppers. I know this suggestion was a long shot, but it was just to get the ball rolling on some brainstorming. I still think a closed street works.

Broad St. shouldn't be open 2 hours before a game any way. Let's just party in the street.

How about reserved spots on the lower level of the deck instead? Or just close off the road already!

Probably a non-starter during the week. Can't close Broad at 5pm on a Wednesday. But I say absolutely for weekend games.

Was thinking Harrison or Marshall...