Gary Barta microtargeting DB population

[Platon Karataev]

It appears that this is where the money lies. Not sure I like giving up a home game for the City of Big Shoulders if I'm Iowa.

"I don't have it done, but I'm working on it," Barta said. "In a perfect world, it would be on a Labor Day weekend, great sunshine, and a regional opponent that fans would get excited about."

The vibrant atmosphere before and after Iowa's 16-3 win against Northern Illinois last Sept. 1 at Soldier Field has Barta on the prowl for more.

"From the moment fans from both teams arrived in Chicago to the time they left - it certainly looked to me like everyone was having a good time," Barta said. "It's something I want to recreate."

Iowa has an open date Labor Day weekend - Sept. 4, 2010.

"It'll be a few years out, but I want to get it done," Barta said.

Last season's game attracted an announced crowd of 61,500 on a brilliant Saturday afternoon at the stadium that is home to the Chicago Bears. Officials said Iowa fans comprised at least 40,000 of the crowd.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/SPORTS020502/806260399

[newsbreaker]

There is a certain "advantage" or utility to playing on the largest regional stage from time-to-time. Once very 4-5 years seems about right, IMHO.

[Bulstrode]

Mr. Barta,

This is stupid waste of time unless you schedule Notre Dame.

Thanks,
Desmond

[Platon Karataev]

There is a certain "advantage" or utility to playing on the largest regional stage from time-to-time. Once very 4-5 years seems about right, IMHO.

It will be interesting to see the opponent(s). September 4 indicates that we're more likely to see a Miami-OH over a Miami-FL. Of course, you might be able to swing a Notre Dame/Nebraska type for a one-game stand in Chicago v. a home-and-home.

My general distaste for Napervillagers aside, I think you are correct to the potential benefits, although I'm not sold on giving up a home game.

[MikeyJoe]

My general distaste for Napervillagers aside
Personally, I've always preferred Napervillains.

[SL]

Mr. Barta,

This is stupid waste of time unless you schedule Notre Dame.

Thanks,
Desmond

I agree with this.

[Platon Karataev]

My general distaste for Napervillagers aside
Personally, I've always preferred Napervillains.

Using the root word villain almost elevates them too much for me. There have been some pretty respectable villains ever time-- Dr. No, Darth Vader, Ned Flanders-- to the point that it could be taken as a compliment.

Wikipedia uses Napervillains.

[PipeDaddy]

Playing Notre Dame anywhere would be cool.

[atemp]

....maybe Iowa should focus on scheduling teams that they can beat at home first. Iowa played Duke in hoops at the United Center the place was jammed...a few years later they played Texas Tech and you could hear crickets in there.

If Gary Barta expects 40,000+ people to attend again when the program is in the tank, or is heading that way....I just don't think he'll get the same sort of pre-game excitment that led up to the game last year...the NIU game itself was booooring.