First time posting my own thread topic so forgive me if this is a little all over the place.
I saw the video about the Hard Hat awards for Spring football and had an idea for something I thought would be pretty interesting. I know that they do the Orange and Maroon Memories things and they have some cool experiences within that. But what if they created a "challenge" for the fan base that allowed for the hard hat awards to be earned by fans.
This is just a very preliminary thought but they could have standards based on age, gender, weight, etc. to earn the hard hat. Then you have the ever important idea that you would generate interest in the fan base because only certain fans would have earned them which would hopefully translate into more fans participating the following year to attempt to earn one. And possibly make it to where the top achieving fan would get to workout in the weight room with Hilgart?
I think it's an easy and relatively inexpensive way to get the fan base involvement increased somewhat and generate some excitement. I know a common topic on here is fan involvement and access and I agree I wish it was more and I'm always trying to think of ways they could do it. This idea seemed the most solid that I had developed so far, but I think this is an opportunity to interact with the fan base at another level.
Beyond that you have a segment of the fan base that would do whatever it took to earn it (me included) to have a kind of "collectors item".
Just a thought and I look forward to hearing any opinions (whether positive or negative) on this or other ideas we all may have.
Comments
With all due respect, I hate it. I want this to be for the team. I want fans to get excited. I saw people asking for BSF shirts. We don't need fans interjected into everything. No one cares about Kevin from NoVa and his work out with the team. We all want to see the chemistry and atmosphere that is being cultivated in the weightroom.
Let this be a team thing. Let them be proud of this and use it as their mark of excellence. The fans can talk about this as a mark of pride. It's something that's earned and isn't some tchotchke that is handed out.
Fuente has also perfectly leveraged the achievements of his players.
He is using this for the players and the fans don't need to be involved in it, we should just enjoy the access.
With all due respect to the OP, this x1000.
I appreciate the honesty and that's why I stated I wanted all opinions on this. After reading Fuente's interview on here about not wanting every rep seen by the media/fans to avoid ridicule of the players, etc. I just know if fan involvement is a goal there will have to be some more creative approaches. I saw this as an opportunity and figured I'd pose the question. No hard feelings here I appreciate the honesty and the view point.
All love here brother. I just know that the fans can be overbearing with programs and some things are almost sacred in sports. It's cool to be included in traditions, but somethings should be reserved for the team.
Good ways to involve fans are things like running out of the tunnel on fan days. Doing gear signings especially for the young ones.
BSF, the excitement around the hard hat awards on twitter, these things should be treated like an endangered species. They are so critical to team culture and chemistry and like it or not, when fans are introduced, Fuente has to keep the players on their best behavior. I want the athletes to focus on each other and the work that they have put in, the criticism they have faced, and the bond they have formed after, quite honestly, the fans have written them off as a mediocre team. They believe they are special and I love that. I don't want to see a bunch of tailgaters with BSF shirts on shotgunning Natty Lights. Or a bunch of greek life students leaving at half time wearing BSF shirts, shirts that are about dedication and determination. it just means something special to the team and they need that.
And I understand wanting to protect culture and build that camaraderie within the team as they go through the ups and downs of seasons. This is why I like hearing viewpoints because I see it a different way as if this is something that is earned by a group of fans by achieving some goal, i.e. completing a certain weight lifting goal as set by the team, it shows a level of support to the team as well. But I see both sides of this argument for sure and appreciate your well thought out insight.
QP out that thing looking like:
via GIPHY
Dax be like:
Anyone mind sharing what it takes to have earned the hard hat?
It is awarded for excellence in off season workouts. Seems to be coach selected.
Fan involvement goes up from winning games more than any other factor. Other things are nice to have, but winning is the most important thing we can focus on.
Fan involvement is a odd term. I dont want fans in our teams' weight rooms. I think the goal for VT should be creating the right viewing portal. The tweets between Dax and Fuente were great, seeing the team do a couple squats on BSF was great. It's getting the fans excited about the team, talking about the team, but when it comes to direct involvement with the team that's fans in the stands on game day.
There can be more fan involvement days but should be heavily scripted, autograph signing is never a bad thing.
It's more than that. I have a feeling that Fuente and Hilgart let them know that everyone would be watching. Fuente tweeting about this and being in the weight room is big. It sends the message, "Things are changing. This group is earning every inch."
The team looks like they fucking love it. They have a massive chip and they want to prove to the fans they aren't some 7-5 scrubs like half the internet is saying they are but they are also showing that they are working their asses off for this team and this school. This was, in all ways I can see it, a game day.
Oh yeah I agree, I didn't mean to diminish BSF. But to me that is what's been missing. Showing the team being a team. Get everyone excited.
The other thing is the Dax/Fuente tweet. I said this a while ago, but it's easier to keep your job after one bad season if everyone likes you. That tweet makes Fuente more likable.
Side bar: Shout out to Jarrod for being recognized at the Hard Hat Champ.
I got a sneaky suspicion that Hewitt was really pissed about last year. But wasnt a team leader and bit his tongue. But now he is a team leader and I think other players will have to step up this year or face a wrath from this year's leadership for last years failures.
A Strong lead by example candidate.
There are some very, very good names appearing on that list.
Good mix of veterans and young guys, love to see Hunter and QP in there