Bradley hires Rocky Vonachen

[tornado]

he will actually be a Learfield Sports Properties employee

https://bradleybraves.com/news/2018/8/17/general-rocky-vonachen-returns-to-bradley.aspx

"Vonachen will manage all aspects of Learfield's Bradley Sports Properties and work alongside (Athletic Director Dr. Chris Reynolds)
and the entire athletics administration. Bradley Sports Properties oversees the university's comprehensive athletics rights
which include signage, television, radio, digital and the corporate partner program."



also another note from Dr. Chris Reynolds - a picture of the new in-arena Braves Club area

[Dubl R 1]

Not a huge fan of the new Braves club. What u guys think. A few thoughts:

1. Looks like a dead zone
2. Needs more festive look.. needs to look more upscale
3. If ur gonna lose those seats, why not just make it a free student section, and finally put the students up front
4. It??™d be cool if they added like a ???bar??? rows facing the court u could either stand behind or sit at... kinda like the Coca Cola deck at Busch stadium
5. Is this open all game?... why stay at ur seat if this is closer?

[Da Coach]

We'll have to see how it works out. Like everything else they do at Carver, I'm sure it can be reversed if it is not working out.
Does anyone know if there is a sponsor for this section like Hy Vee sponsored the student section?

[tornado]

most of the members who will be allowed access to this "in-venue lounge" have season tickets that are far better than the view you would get if sitting at those tables. I'd have to think only a few people would congregate there during play and mostly it would be used pre-game & halftime.

[Chico]

IMO, it??™s ridiculous. It??™s basketball folks.

[kds]

IMO, it??™s ridiculous. It??™s basketball folks.

+100

[Dubl R 1]

most of the members who will be allowed access to this "in-venue lounge" have season tickets that are far better than the view you would get if sitting at those tables. I'd have to think only a few people would congregate there during play and mostly it would be used pre-game & halftime.

If it??™s empty during the game I think it will look awful. Just looks like a huge dead zone to me.

[tornado]

what it does tho, is shift numerous former end zone people into the side sections and make the attendance look much fuller - hopefully getting rid of all those unsold empty seats you see on all the TV broadcasts

if the lower bowl gets so full that new fans are clamoring for more lower bowl seats - it becomes an easy job to open that north end zone section back up for fan seating

[Chico]

I go to the Civic Center to watch basketball not to be seen sitting at a restaurant.

[Mikovio]

I??™m sure there will be carpeting, banners etc that will make it look nicer on game day. I like it. Some people go to drink and be seen. So what. And yes, anybody paying $300 and up for the Braves Club likely has a better view from a sideline seat.

[Chico]

I??™m sure there will be carpeting, banners etc that will make it look nicer on game day. I like it. Some people go to drink and be seen. So what. And yes, anybody paying $300 and up for the Braves Club likely has a better view from a sideline seat.

Right. But at least they look like they??™re at a basketball game in a BASKETBALL arena, not a restaurant. Since when does having a beer mean you want to be seen? I don??™t have to sit at a fancy table to enjoy my drink.

[tornado]

I’m sure there will be carpeting, banners etc that will make it look nicer on game day. I like it. Some people go to drink and be seen. So what. And yes, anybody paying $300 and up for the Braves Club likely has a better view from a sideline seat.

well - be it noted that our AD received numerous requests (and complaints) that the Braves Club room was too remote, to hard to get to, too far from the arena, caused fans to miss part of the action, etc., etc....

can fans just accept that THIS A.D. is listening to the people and trying his da**edest to find ways to make Bradley basketball better.
I think we oughta wait & see how this goes - it may go over way better than having the Braves Club room so far from the arena
Thank you Dr. Reynolds- I look forward to this season and all the excitement!!

[Chico]

well - be it noted that our AD received numerous requests (and complaints) that the Braves Club room was too remote, to hard to get to, too far from the arena, caused fans to miss part of the action, etc., etc....

can fans just accept that THIS AD is listening to the people and trying his da**edest to find ways to make Bradley basketball better.
I think we oughta wait & see how this goes - it may go over way better than having the Braves Club room so far from the arena
Thank you Dr. Reynolds- I look forward to this season and all the excitement!!

Not knocking Dr. Reynolds. I just think the whole arena should look like an arena.

[FortyTwo]

I actually like the idea, but wish they would have learned from the failed attempt at the "fan zone" area they created a couple years ago. People don't want white linen table clothes and 8-top round tables to sit at during a game. Agree with the earlier comment, set it up with a series of beverage rails and bar stools and make it more casual and condusive to watching a game and having a conversation.

I am confused about the intent for it during games (I'm sure it will be packed during halftime). Are they assuming Braves Club members will stay there during games instead of their actual seats? If they don't, will it be empty during the games or will other people be allowed in? Does seem like an opportunity for a giant dead zone in a very large, visible area adjacent the court.

[tornado]

it's a trial -- may not work out but I'd give it a year or two to find out how much the fans like it...
If it causes casual & walk-up fans to like it then they may be inspired to join the Braves Club

btw- Braves Club, Scholarship Society membership, and even the season ticket base overall - dropped precipitously
under the "leadership" (or lack thereof) of Joanne Glasser & Mike Cross.
The BSS was over 70 members when Ken Kavanagh was run off- but under Glasser/Cross it dwindled down to about 20
That gang was great at only two things - alienating great, generous, lifelong Bradley basketball fans and donors & making
horrible administrative decisions that nearly sent Bradley back to DIII as well as tanking enrollment & costing the University $Tens of millions.
Rocky was one of many who pulled his support as part of the fans' initiative to wake up Shaheen, Doug Stewart & the Board to get the right thing done.
Sad that Joanne was able to dupe a few of the totally clueless into thinking she was going to be a great President.
Dr. Roberts & Dr. Reynolds need to reward Rocky & give him back his front row seats at mid-court! Their family has done so much for Bradley
and for all of Peoria, it's just a shame that people like that (& Puterbaugh's, Turner's, Hersey Hawkins, etc.) were treated so badly by our admin for those 8 years.
Outside of family accomplishments & the accomplishments of my favorite team, the Bradley Braves... my most valued accomplishment is the lending of my support to the movement in 2013 & 2014 that finally got the Board members' heads out of the sand (or out of JG's u-know-what) and got her & Cross canned & the right group brought in here.