Rice Stadium 2016 Fan Experience Report

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1 Rice Stadium 2016 Fan Experience Report

2 Introduction Since the end of the 2015 season, we ve sent out three surveys to our fans to learn about their experience at Rice Football games, and have received over 1,300 responses: 2015 postseason fan experience review for Rice season ticket members 2015 postseason fan experience review for any fans who attended a Rice football game but were not season ticket members (including students) 2016 Rice Stadium modernization survey for all Rice fans and alumni We received tremendous feedback, and have implemented several improvements for the 2016 season based on fan desires and satisfaction levels: New video board & sound system Upgraded concessions Open alcohol sales A permanent team store with expanded selection A new mobile application with video, updated stats, and much more We have heard loud and clear the feedback that fans are not pleased with our restrooms. The restrooms on the west side upper deck were renovated two years ago, and those in the stadium s highest-volume areas on the lower west side received improvements this summer. We are continuing to work towards additional improvements to restrooms throughout the stadium.

3 Restrooms, concessions, and parking were voted most important; ticket price, parking, and event staff earned the highest satisfaction Very 5 Importance Somewhat Not at all 1 Restrooms Concessions Parking Event Staff Ticket Price In-game entertainment Team Store Excellent Satisfaction Average Poor 1 Ticket price Parking Event staff Concessions Team store In-game entertainment Restrooms 2015 Season Ticket Members 2015 Single-game fans 2016 modernization survey

4 Improvement for 2016 New State-of-the-Art Video Board and Sound System Both season ticket members and single-game fans rated in-game entertainment as one of the least satisfactory aspects of attending a game at Rice Stadium in Many fans wrote to express their displeasure with the lack of a video board and a garbled sound system with inconsistent volume levels. Although we knew the lack of video was temporary due to construction on the Brian Patterson Sports Performance Center, we are nonetheless excited to announce the installation of a new Daktronics video board and Big House sound system! The new system will feature a 29 ft. x 49 ft. main video display with a 13HD pixel layout for excellent image quality and contrast with wide-angle visibility to appeal to every seat in the stadium. It will also feature two acoustically transparent video displays in front of the venue s speaker systems. These free-form LED stick applications will measure 29 ft. x 10 ft. to provide additional video and graphics capabilities in a space typically used for fixed signage. Rice is only the second school in the country to implement the new technology, and this installation is the largest of its kind. This new audio and video platform is a game-changer for our fans, Rice Director of Athletics Joe Karlgaard said. It represents a quantum leap forward in the fan experience at Rice Stadium, placing Rice at the forefront of the latest innovations in fan engagement from both a visual and audio standpoint as well as our overall video production capabilities. Our fans have been passionate about the need to dramatically upgrade these areas and we believe this installation is the kind of cutting-edge leap forward one associates with Rice University.

5 Improvement for 2016 New Concessions from Melange Events and open alcohol sales Both season ticket members and single-game fans rated Rice Stadium concessions as just above average in 2015, with selection and quality among the least satisfactory aspects. Based on this feedback and additional responses from surveys at Tudor Fieldhouse and Reckling Park, Rice Athletics chose a new partner Melange Events as the primary concessionaire at all athletic venues. New food concepts at football will include the Burger Shack, featuring items such as the Bayou City Burger, the Lance Dog served with venison chili, and an Ahi Tuna Salad. The number of points of sale has increased significantly, allowing for faster, more efficient, and more effective customer service. Melange will also introduce Midfield, which will offer grab-and-go drinks and snacks, further speeding transaction times for fans with simpler needs. In addition to this expanded selection of delicious and high-quality food, Melange will sell beer and wine available for consumption throughout Rice Stadium. This new offering will include selections from Anheuser-Busch and Miller as well as local Texas favorites Saint Arnold, Buffalo Bayou, and Lone Star, and wines from California and New Zealand. Section 107 will remain as an alcohol-free family zone. Melange will also provide catering for the premium areas of Rice Stadium, the R Room and the Stadium Club.

6 Improvement for 2016 Permanent team store with expanded selection: Rice OwlZone Both season ticket members and single-game fans rated the team store as one of the least satisfactory aspects of attending a game at Rice Stadium in 2015, and complained about the selection of merchandise as well as the physical location and appearance of the store. The lack of a permanent, enclosed space made it difficult to display Rice gear in an orderly and appealing fashion, and also hindered efficient customer service. Thankfully, those problems are resolved for 2016! Together with the university, Rice Athletics has transitioned to a new partnership with Follett to manage the campus store in the Rice Memorial Center. Follett has also opened a new, permanent, and enclosed store in the south end zone of Rice Stadium, filling the space vacated after the football coaching staff moved to their new homes in the Brian Patterson Sports Performance Center. This new Rice OwlZone as well as additional satellite locations around the concourse and in Tailgate Owley will offer greatly increased selection and improved customer service, making it easier for fans to showcase their Rice pride on game day and every day. Even more options like personalized jerseys await fans at our all-new merchandise website, ShopRiceOwls.com.

7 New addition for 2016 Rice Owls Gameday LIVE Mobile App On the stadium modernization survey, several fans expressed a desire to have a mobile application featuring updated statistics and game information. Sample comments included: Game stats and trivia pushed to our Smart Phones if we opt in Smartphone app that enables stats and real-time updates An app to keep up with statistics Game enhancing mobile features (up to minute stats, etc.) We are pleased to announce that these wishes are now a reality! To kick off the sports season, Rice Athletics has launched a brand new mobile application for ios and Android platforms: Rice Owls Gameday LIVE. It delivers coverage of football and all Rice Owls sports, to make sure fans have everything they need on Gameday or any day: OwlVision, News, GameTracker, Schedules, Tailgate Tracker, Social, Facilities, Enhanced Rosters and Bios, Photo Galleries, Mobile Alerts and much more! Download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play.