How to create the homefield advantage?

[TheNewBeginning]

I am a diehard Texans fan just like everyone else on the message board. What frustrates me the most about our fan base is how the majority arrive so late to the games or even not at all. During the All Access I was really excited the way Matt Schaub and Rick Smith kept emphasizing how importing it was for us to have the homefield advantage. They know our fan support is definitely below par. Hopefully they will continue to stress the importance of getting to the games early and being loud.
I was trying to think of ways they would get the people into the stadium earlier. Lets see if we can come up with some ideas and then pass the best ones on to Rick Smith and company. I am sure they have been brainstorming, but we are the fans, the ones who know what it may take to get everyone in the stadium sooner.
Possible solutions.
1. Continue having every player stress the importance of being there early and loud at the games during every radio/tv interview.
2. What if they used the carts/ golfcart trains they used at the Rodeo for parking. Each "train" holds anywhere @ 100+ people. They could use these for the further lots. I know many of us tailgate, and then being in the further lots away from the stadium it takes every bit of 10-15 minutes to walk all the way to the stadium. Then consider getting a drink, use the R.R and then finally sit in your seat. I think using carts to transport people from the outer lots to the entrance of the stadium would speed up the process tremendously.
3. Entry into Give aways for everyone who enters the stadium before 11:40am will have the chance to win airlines tickets, or anything the Texans would consider a good prize that encourages people getting early.
It's a shame everyone just can me in their seats by 11:45 am waving their towels and screaming from the top of their lungs. Maybe one day we can have the homefiled advantage like the chiefs have. It would be awesome to see when CBS goes live at Noon and their isn't a seat empty and you see Thousands of towels being waved. YOU KNOW the players would see it and feel the energy. That alone would give us the homefield advantage that could lead to us pulling out a few more games.
Keep the solutions coming.
Go Texans!!!!!

[Texan's Blue]

Good luck with this one... that's how the Astros' games are too.

[Zagen30]

One word- winning
Winning should be enough to pack the seats (I say should because in some sports like hockey or baseball even winning doesn't fill arenas/ballparks. But then again this is football, with 8 home games instead of 41 or 81).
Once we start winning, or at least start looking like a decent team going places, people will come out to watch, even early on. Wouldn't want to miss the Schaub-to-AJ, -Jones, or -Daniels fireworks.

[Whiskeyrbl]

I think something like giveaways to say the first 20,000 or 30,000 fans through the gates might help instead of everyone getting something no matter when you get in. Maybe have a mini concert before a game (30 min) or so. Bring the all time Pro football legends of Houston in before a game. Hold a raffle for a seat number in the stands for a trip anywhere in the continental U.S. at 11:15 a.m ( must be present at time to win).

[Sprtsfanatic]

I think suggestion #2 is quite constructive. Thats sounds like a hell of an idea to me. I'm not sure on how many more people will actually board the little trainslifts to the stadium as opposed to walking over when they fell they are ready...but the idea is a great one.

[rush2112mn]

I think everyone should get there early. If you tailgate you should be there at 8am, I start tailgating early so I can go in the stadium by 11 to yell when players come on the field for warmups. It is up to us to encourage everyone to get there early. I know some seats are ticket broker seats and are empty for reason. But we should make a effort to get there early.
I like the idea of using the trams....or the golf cars with the seats. It makes good sence.

[Zagen30]

Hehe, a voucher for a free beer if you enter early. That'll get people coming in.

[HydrOshocK]

I think all of your ideas are excellent and would work to help bolster attendence in the short term. As for the long term issue Zagen hit the nail on the head. Winning is the cure for attendence problems. If we are in a fight for the division and/or the playoffs then we will start packing the house and Reliant will be shaking from the noise.

[TheNewBeginning]

I do agree winning is the best thing. BUT, we need the homefield advantage to help us win. I think I will shoot 610am and 790am an e-mail any maybe they can help spread the word, and then I will send something to the Texans front office. Well see.
Go Texans.

[Zagen30]

I think all of your ideas are excellent and would work to help bolster attendence in the short term. As for the long term issue Zagen hit the nail on the head. Winning is the cure for attendence problems. If we are in a fight for the division and/or the playoffs then we will start packing the house and Reliant will be shaking from the noise.

I was reading along and thought you were going to say that the free beer was the long-term solution[:D]

[HydrOshocK]

Well I consider beer the long term solution for coping with the losing [;)]

[smokingpiper]

You have hit the subject I have been concerned about for several years. Houston fans don't understand the importance of fan support. The answer I hear the most is when they win then I will show up. One only has to look at that first Cowboy game to understand that a full house generates wins. So with a full house the Texans would have won more games. I believe the lack of fan support has been as big a problem as Carr, the offensive line, or as some people think the definsive backs.

[Vinny]

just win baby....and that tram idea is a good one. I've had a bad hip for years and tend to avoid long walks. I will say that this has never kept me from being in my seat before kickoff however. If the fans want to get there on time they will. I've been a bit disappointed that we haven't had a full stadium at kickoff too often.

[Houston_Fanatic]

It is such a rare event for me to get to go that I am always in my seat before kickoff. I am going to the Denver game this year and will definitely be there before kickoff even though I will have to leave work early.

I don't understand not being there at kickoff - you might miss something exciting! But I am a hopeless homer fan. I think the incentives are good and would definitely help. Winning will do it, too.

[Dawgnme]

I think something like giveaways to say the first 20,000 or 30,000 fans through the gates...
Done that
... instead of everyone getting something no matter when you get in.
Stadium actually more electric when everybody is waving the white or red Reliant towels, etc.
Maybe have a mini concert before a game (30 min) or so.
Do that. Although not inside the stadium - I'll give you that. You figure if the NFL can create a stage, connect pyrotechnics(sp), hold a concert, and break down said equipment in 20 minutes, we should be able to do the same on a much smaller scale. Could work in that vein.
Bring the all time Pro football legends of Houston in before a game.
Done that.
Hold a raffle for a seat number in the stands for a trip anywhere in the continental U.S. at 11:15 a.m ( must be present at time to win).
Could be a great promotion - Continental should eat that one up! KILT has their early fan of the game, or whatever they call it, but a late, dispassionate fan base is just a cult of living in Houston. We're the same way for the Rockets and Astros, it's just something we and the players have to live with.

[Mean Machine]

Wow, what a great thing to try to build on as we approach Sepember 9 Liberty White Kick off!
Couple of suggestions I would like to see would be some sort of sound effect to let people know what time it is. We get there at 8am for the tailgate and before you know it, it's 11:30am and we're rushing to put things away and head on in to Reliant.
At the Indy 500 every year, when the gates open on race day at 6am, they fire off a huge canon, you can hear that thing all over the place. The Texans should do something similar, at say 11am, and follow up at 11:30am with fireworks over Reliant.
Make it the place to be INSIDE early. Free giveaways is excellent, great pre-game entertainment, get the place rocking and when the Texans come out for intros, people should be there and ready to yell and cheer the Texans.

[rush2112mn]

I like the idea of opening the tailgate lots earlier. That makes good sence. The beer coupons, that is a good idea too.

[eric138]

they should have the concession stands selling beer and food at a lower rate until 11:30am. Say 80% off from 10:00 to 11:30. Then it goes back to freakish numbers again.

Or at 11am they should blow 160 decibles into the parking lots until game time. That should be annoying enough to want to go inside.

[eric138]

...even with good tanctics and we actually achieve getting 90-100% of our seats filled we need to teach 80% of them how to cheer while at the game. Don't cheer the offense and cheer the d.. how freaking hard is it.

[rush2112mn]

Everyone should call 832 667 2002 and give them your suggestions on creating a homefield advantage....I already have. If everyone calls in they will notice, If we dont....they wont......
CALL IN AND LET THEM KNOW YOUR OPINION... OR SEND A EMAIL ....

[TheNewBeginning]

Everyone should call 832 667 2002 and give them your suggestions on creating a homefield advantage....I already have. If everyone calls in they will notice, If we dont....they wont......
CALL IN AND LET THEM KNOW YOUR OPINION... OR SEND A EMAIL ....


That is a **** good idea to call them. I sent an e-mail to sports radio 610am. Hopefully they will spread the word and contact the front office. I will be sending e-mails and calling the Texans directly. IF everyone participates, then who knows what will happen. SPREAD the word.
Go Texans!!!

[TheNewBeginning]

Here is the e-mail I sent to the Texans fan feedback.
To Whom it may concern:

I am a Diehard Texans fan and season ticket holder. I recently attended the Texans "All Access" and once again it was awesome. I was extremely excited to see the importance the Texans (Rick Smith and Matt Schaub) placed on us fans getting inside the stadium early and being loud. We know that our fans have a tough time getting in their seats before kickoff. It makes me so mad when my friends who are watching it on t.v call me and say how empty it looks on t.v at the beginning of the first quarter.

I decided to take the initiative and figure out things the Texans could do to get fans in their seats before kickoff.

Below is a list of things I think would be very beneficial towards getting fans in their seats. Starting with #1 being the best idea and so on.

I also put a post on the Texans message board to get ideas from other fans as well. Here is the link.
http://boards.houstontexans.com/forums/1/25584/ShowThread.aspx

I know the Texans have tried some of these. But I think these will work.

#1. Using the tram/golf cart trains they use for the rodeo to transport people from the further located parking lots to the stadium. Last February for the rodeo I was forced to park in the far back corner of the yellow lot and it took me over 15 minutes to walk to the stadium. ( I am 22 years old). The next time I parked there I decided to jump on the golfcart/tram train and it was packed full of people and I was there in less than 5 minutes. Thats an extra 10 min that I saved. That also prevents everyone getting in the stadium just minutes before kickoff then faced with long lines for food and drinks allowing them to be in their seats befor kickoff.

#2. Some kind of sound system that lets everyone know it's like 45 min before kickoff and for them to start making their way to the stadium. Either a loud speaker through the parking lots. OR CHEAPER route would be for cannons to go off Like 11:00am - 11:15am signaling it's time to head to the stadium. I am a huge tailgater and I always get there at 8am. Before I know it, it's like 11:15 and I have to rush to clean up and head into the stadium. You loose track of time. This would remind people IT'S TIME TO GO.

#3. Receive entry into a drawing for being inside the stadium before 11:30am. Then at 11:45 put the seats that won on t.v and if your in your seats you win. The Texans should team up with Continental airlines and give away airline tickets to multiple fans who entered the stadium before 11:30am. and in their seats at 11:45am. In addition, they could give out Texans memorablia so more fans win.


#4 Give out prizes to the first 30,000 - 40,000 fans. Maybe posters or bobble heads. ALSO give out towels to EVERY FAN every game. It looks so great on t.v and inside the stadium when 70,000 fans are waiving towels.

#5 Have $2.00 beers and $1.00 hotdogs from 11:00am-11:30am inside the stadium. This will DEFINITELY get fans into the stadium earlier. Especially the average fan who doesn't tailgate. I am a huge tailgator and I get there at 8am. I would definitely be enticed and WOULD enter the stadium around 11:15am. It could become a national news. I remember hearing how the Cincinatti reds had like $2.00 beers the whole game. The news of cheap beer and food for a small stretch of time at a professional sporting event would spread fast.

#6Open the gates for tailgating at 7am instead of 8am. With the fans heading into the stadium at 11:00am they only have 3 hours or less from 8am-11am to tailgate. With the gates opening at 7am, they will have up to 4 hours before they need to start heading into the stadium.

To recap; We the fans can arrive at 7am to begin tailgating, come 11:15am hear the cannons go off or the speaker system knowing it's time to head into the stadium, jump on the golfcart/tram for a quick ride to the stadium, arrive at the stadium and receive a poster and my towel, then enter the gates at 11:15am for $2.00 beers and $1.00 hotdogs, then receive my entry for airline ticket and Texans memorablia since I entered the stadium before 11:30 and in my seat by 11:45am.

#7 Continue having the players and coaches preach to the media about having the fans GET THERE EARLY AND BE LOUD

I know this is something I would not think twice about. I am sure there are about 70,000 other fans who would agree as well. I definitely believe this would help promote fan attendance to be in their seats come kickoff. It would help end the embarassment we face when we go live at noon and see thousands of seats vacant.

If you could, please forward this e-mail to the rest of the Texans front office or anyone who can help. I really, I mean really do believe this would help. The Texans have never played well in the first quarter at home. With a packed house come kickoff and everyone waving their towels and a few cheap beers in them, I know the players will feel the energy and they will produce.

Diehard Texans fan, Brian

[Sprtsfanatic]

Now thats a well thought out and articulate email that may get us some results. Again, very good ideas backed up with logic and reasons that make sense. Very nicely done there.

[El Tejano]

Did they ever do collector items. First so many people get a signed...

[TheNewBeginning]

Here is the e-mail that Texansfanfeedback sent to me.
Dear Brian,

Thank you for your email and support of the Houston Texans! We appreciate all the thought that went into these great ideas and would like to clarify some of our efforts and promotions to encourage fans to come into the stadium before kick-off.

<LI class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1">Tram: The Rodeo does have success using the trams, but unfortunately unlike the Rodeo the majority of our fans enter the stadium within the same 30 minutes instead of throughout the day. Although we’ve investigated the possibility of using the trams, we don’t think we could accommodate enough fans to make this a benefit to most. <LI class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1">Sound System: We do use gate messages that play recordings of the Houston Texans players advising fans that it is time to go into the stadium because the game is about to start. Unfortunately, depending on where you are tailgating and how much noise is surrounding your area the gate message may not be heard. We will look into expanding this to try to reach more fans in the parking lots. <LI class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1">Drawing: We currently do have a drawing called The Houston Texans Early Arrival Sweepstakes and it awards fans who arrive at the game early for a chance to win tickets from Continental Airlines. To win, your game ticket must be scanned 30 minutes prior to kickoff and you must be in your seats at the time of the drawing. The winners are announced during the game and shown on the Video Board. <LI class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1">Prizes: For the Liberty White Kickoff game, which is the first game of the season, we pass out power towels sponsored by Reliant Energy to all the fans. Each game thereafter we pick a power section and the fans sitting in that section receive power towels. TORO also walks around each game and passes out power towels. <LI class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1">$2 beers and $1 Hot dogs: We encourage responsible drinking and therefore do not participate in discount drink specials. Two seasons ago we did offer $1 hot dogs in Budweiser Plaza and unfortunately it was not as popular as we had hoped. This season we will continue to look for value-priced food and beverage that will appeal to all fans. <LI class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1">Tailgating: We open our platinum lot at 7am for tailgaters wishing to get an earlier start. You may purchase a platinum lot pass through our ticket office at 888-GOTEXAN (468-3926) if you wish to arrive before 8 am. All spaces in the Platinum lot are reserved so that you are guaranteed to be able to tailgate in the same area as your friends each game.
Get there early promotion – this season you will see t-shirts, stickers, advertising, etc. with the phrase “I’m the Home Field Advantage”. We will be promoting the message to get there early to cheer your team as they enter the field and to be loud to create a home field advantage! We would love all of our fans to embrace this and encourage the other fans in the parking lots to come into the stadium for player introductions. Having the support of our fans encouraging other fans is invaluable to us!
We do appreciate your feedback and are constantly focused on making the game experience the best it can be. Please let us know if you have any questions or additional feedback as we examine every suggestion in detail. Have a great day!

Go Texans!

Sounds like it wasn't very successful. :(

[Mean Machine]

Let this not be discouraging, I see this as a 100% positive. The Texans are aware of the lack of homefield, lack of arriving on time and they are willing it sounds like to step up the promotion.
While I am not a UT fan, when Mack Brown came in over here, he started this UT home game mantra:
come early
wear orange
be loud
stay late
It has changed DKR Memorial Stadium, of course as mentioned earlier, winning cures all. I think the Texans should adopt this too, except for the wearing orange part.
To me, as a fan, a Blue Lot tailgater, season ticket holder from the start, this is one area where we the fans can truly help our team be victorious. Home field is HUGE, and man, is it ever exciting, when the stadium is full BEFORE kickoff, electricity in the air. We all need to encourage any and all, to get into Reliant early on Game Day, and to get the Power House Rocking! Keep the ideas coming, the Texans front office will see them, and good things will happen.
I know for one, I am taking responsibility this season, to shut down the Battle Red Bunch Tailgaters at 11:15am, so we can get in there and get loud!
Let's Do IT!!!!!!!!!!Go Texans