The Tradition Continues- Bid for the Brave auction a big success

[tornado]

In line with all the other Bradley events this year- this one was a huge success as well..
thanks to those who did such a great job...525 BU fans packed the place and raised over $105K

http://www.pjstar.com/article/20150926/SPORTS/150929432/12701/SPORTS

I am proud of how fast Dr. Reynolds, Coach Wardle and the rest of the staff have rebuilt things...

[Old Coach]

In line with all the other Bradley events this year- this one was a huge success as well..
thanks to those who did such a great job...525 BU fans packed the place and raised over $105K

http://www.pjstar.com/article/20150926/SPORTS/150929432/12701/SPORTS

I am proud of how fast Dr. Reynolds, Coach Wardle and the rest of the staff have rebuilt things...

It was indeed a fantastic evening. Unless I lost track of the math, I think they actually exceeded the reported number. At one point, I think they announced that they were at $50,000 on the silent auction items. Then came the live auction, followed by the big rally for the branding campaign. Chris Reynolds's energy allows him to absolutely own a room.

[tornado]

One more idea....

next year - STREAM the entire auction for fans who are out of town or couldn't make it...
Then - have Dave Snell put together a video package of highlights, past glory, and some promos..
and get some bids & donations going by phone...

Hey - the big auctions do this - and they often get the biggest bids from phone bidders!
..and there's a lot of people who would go except it isn't a kid-friendly event - so families with children would be more inclined to view than be able to attend

[tornado]

A little history to compare to this year's 550 attendees & $105K+ result..:

Bids for the Braves in 2014 raised almost $100K -
In 2013, 450 attended, almost $100K raised
Up thru 2012 it was held at Par-a-Dice and in 2012 about 400 people attended, and proceeds were slightly over $100K
In 2011 they drew 400 people and raised almost but not quite $100K
2010 - at Par-a-Dice, $100K raised
2009 - over 500 attended and this auction was definitely the standard that others are compared to 'til now

It appears both from my memory and from conversations I have had with others who have been to the auctions going way back -
that NONE of the former Bids for the Braves have ever exceeded the number of people who were at this year's event nor the proceeds gained....
So why was DR's column so bland - surely he's been to auctions before - did he not notice that this one beat them all?

[lefty]

How much did they raise last year?

[tornado]

I found a reference that said it was "almost $100,000"

[lefty]

I found a reference that said it was "almost $100,000"

Geez. I blasted through your post and didn't really read that you stated a little under 100k. I wasn't there when Chris Reynolds spoke but I was there long enough to buy a silent item and live auction item. It didn't seem that much different from years past really

[Da Coach]

From attending most of the previous auctions, my impression is that you can't tell much about fan sentiments from the auction night. Everyone is there to have a good time, and it seems a large portion of those in attendance are not season ticket holders, and many are not even fans or people who go to the games. Bradley obviously wants people there who have money to spend, so they make it an appealing evening and they draw many people from the community who attend because it's a fun social event, and it is a great chance to raise money for something that is important to Bradley and the community. There are always some pretty unique items available, some at a great price. I have a lot of one-of-a-kind items in my basement from past auctions.

[lefty]

From attending most of the previous auctions, my impression is that you can't tell much about fan sentiments from the auction night. Everyone is there to have a good time, and it seems a large portion of those in attendance are not season ticket holders, and many are not even fans or people who go to the games. Bradley obviously wants people there who have money to spend, so they make it an appealing evening and they draw many people from the community who attend because it's a fun social event, and it is a great chance to raise money for something that is important to Bradley and the community. There are always some pretty unique items available, some at a great price. I have a lot of one-of-a-kind items in my basement from past auctions.

I tend to agree with you regarding sentiment. Seems like quite a few season ticket holders though??¦??¦..I see the same people there every year it seems??¦

In any event it's always been a very fun night

[tornado]

lefty - u gonna be a the Smoker? Would love to have your report if so..
..but you prob see a few long time BU fans every day during the course of business like I do - I sense a whole different attitude and optimism than the past few years..
people are anxious for the games to start, to see the team, to know more about the new guys, and each of the events thus far - the Tradition banquet, the Itoo, last night-
each of them seems to demonstrate the same with renewed excitement and fans getting behind the team again.

[lefty]

lefty - u gonna be a the Smoker? Would love to have your report if so..
..but you prob see a few long time BU fans every day during the course of business like I do - I sense a whole different attitude and optimism than the past few years..
people are anxious for the games to start, to see the team, to know more about the new guys, and each of the events thus far - the Tradition banquet, the Itoo, last night-
each of them seems to demonstrate the same with renewed excitement and fans getting behind the team again.

I will be there. And yes there is a whole different attitude going into this year. I do think that probably happens every time there is a coaching change.

[tornado]

maybe but I wasn't so sure I saw it after Versace or Mo were fired - each time a lot of people held back or dropped their tickets...
and there was a huge drop in season average in 2011 to levels that we've not seen since the Fieldhouse era...
I will highly surprised if we don't see an immediate spike in attendance this year - unlike what we've seen the last few times there's been a changeover

[Old Coach]

maybe but I wasn't so sure I saw it after Versace or Mo were fired - each time a lot of people held back or dropped their tickets...
and there was a huge drop in season average in 2011 to levels that we've not seen since the Fieldhouse era...
I will highly surprised if we don't see an immediate spike in attendance this year - unlike what we've seen the last few times there's been a changeover

I agree that there will definitely be an increase in season ticket sales this year. I really like the new family and young alumni season ticket plans.

[tornado]

I got an idea for all loyal Bradley fans
it's up to you but for myself & my family - we are gonna WEAR RED every Saturday...
I know the staff wears their Bradley gear everywhere they go every day (except maybe to church on Sunday )

We're going to put on Bradley gear wherever we go - every Saturday (and I also do likewise many times during weekdays) but if lots of Bradley fans are doing the same thing,
then people will ask....hey- they already do whenever I am out with Bradley gear on....
Here's a sampling of questions I have heard...(remember, lots of people don't read message boards or even newspapers)
"how they gonna be this year?"
"they going to be any better"
"when's the season start?"
"Do you know when tickets get sent out"
(btw-they don't get sent out but since there've been times in the past that they were, some people mistakenly think it happens every year)
"who are the new guys"
"have they moved all the games to the girl's gym"
"is the schedule any better this year?"
"any chance we're going to beat ISU?"

well - I credit the fact that I am wearing red that these conversations spark up - and it gives me a chance to make sure the fan base gets on board with this year's team...

So - anyone else- I suggest try it and when you're out around town, people will ask what's going on - most have heard something good is happening -