Big time new media blitz and theme by UNLV

[Rebel1986]

Coach Sanchez is making the rounds to sell the new them for UNLV athletics. If this can't excite the town of Las Vegas, nothing can. Hope to see a nice little spike out of ticket sales come from the new marketing campaign.

UNLV Football ‏@unlvfootball 5h5 hours ago

Riding in style for today's media blitz with Coach Sanchez. First stop @FOX5Vegas. #LasVegUs

Cassandra Jones ‏@CassandraJFOX5 4h4 hours ago

Look who's in studio with us this morning!!! @UNLVSanchez @UNLVathletics #Cheerleaders tune into @FOX5Vegas #Vegas

Just finished @8NewsNow with @BrianLoftus8. #LasVegUS @unlvfootball @UNLVSanchez #MediaTakeover

UNLV Athletics ‏@UNLVathletics 3h3 hours ago

The @UNLVSanchez #LasVegUS Limo rolls on! @unlvfootball #MediaTakeover

UNLV Football ‏@unlvfootball 3h3 hours ago

.@UNLVSanchez is Live on air with @SparksRadio and @BrittneyCason right now on @KOMPRadio

UNLV Athletics ‏@UNLVathletics 3h3 hours ago

Next stop @oldschool1057 for @UNLVSanchez on #LasVegUS @unlvfootball #MediaTakeover

UNLV Athletics ‏@UNLVathletics 3h3 hours ago

#LasVegUS @unlvfootball #MediaTakeover.

UNLV Athletics ‏@UNLVathletics 2h2 hours ago

On the air with @oldschool1075 @UNLVSanchez #LasVegUS #MediaTakeover

• UNLV Athletics ‏@UNLVathletics 2h2 hours ago

1. Next up @720KDWN for @UNLVSanchez on the #LasVegUS #MediaTakeover

UNLV Athletics ‏@UNLVathletics 2h2 hours ago

UNLV Athletics ‏@UNLVathletics 1h1 hour ago

We are LIVE here at @LVMorningBlend ! Momentum is building. #LasVegUS


UNLV Athletics ‏@UNLVathletics 2h2 hours ago

Next stop for @UNLVSanchez in @unlvfootball #MediaTakeover is @ktnv for The Morning Blend at 9 am. #LasVegUS


Live now on KKLZ radio. #LasVegUS


AND IT JUST KEEPS GOING!!!!!

 

[rebelbuck]

Sanchez is certainly doing his part to sell this program. Hopefully this media blitz will push some more season ticket sales (as well as single game/mini plans) and get some more public interest riled up.

 

[RebelBuzz]

"Pretty sure Bobby Hauck did the same thing..."


Said no one ever.

 

[Rebel1986]

The only media blitz that coach Hauck ever did was the weekly TV and radio shows that he was required to do.

Correction, he did have a media blitz when he complained and threatened to file a lawsuit, over not being paid in full after he left UNLV. Funny how after UNLV responded to his crap that you have not heard or read anything else from him and his lawyer. This alone is my reason for calling him the worst coach in the history of UNLV football.

 

[LasVegasReb]

The only media blitz that coach Hauck ever did was the weekly TV and radio shows that he was required to do.

Correction, he did have a media blitz when he complained and threatened to file a lawsuit, over not being paid in full after he left UNLV. Funny how after UNLV responded to his crap that you have not heard or read anything else from him and his lawyer. This alone is my reason for calling him the worst coach in the history of UNLV football.

Hmmm. I'm trying to decide between Sanford and Hauck for that title. I'm leaning toward Sanford but I can see a strong case for either.

 

[rebelbuck]

Hauck initially left with some class in the final episode of the Reb Zone, then it slowly started to wain and look like complaining/whining. Once Facts were presented on the buyout details he got quiet really quick, that SDSU game should be fun right? How many fake punts/field goals can we expect the Aztecs to attempt in that one.

Never the less Sanchez has made it priority #1 to get people talking about UNLV football and he has been successful at that. Between regional/national radios spots, to this local news blitz its nice to see someone legitimately passionate about spreading UNLV football's brand (or Re-Branding).

 

[DocRebel]

The quality and quantity of interaction Sanchez provides the media and fans is day and night over what Hauck provided. Sanchez exudes pure excitement and genuinely loves opportunities to talk about his team and players, whereas Hauck seemed to do interviews more out of obligation and sometimes even appeared annoyed that the media would ask him any questions.

Sanchez frankly gets me pumped when I hear him talk. He's openly competitive and optimistic about football, which I think players (not just fans) feed off of, combined with a willingness to answer questions openly and intelligently. As a fan, I really appreciate his approach and engagement with the media, etc.

 

[DocRebel]

Coach Sanchez on Fox 5. Video interview.

http://www.fox5vegas.com/Clip/11789...oach-tony-sanchez-talks-about-upcoming-season

 

[rebneck]

I am so anxious to see this team on the field. I know it's going to be a work in progress, but it's the whole concept of "progress" that has me stoked!

 

[DocRebel]

More stories:

 

[Rebel1986]

The nice thing to hear from the interview was that ticket sales have already passed all of last year including the walk ups as of the interview with TKM. So, if UNLV doesn't sell a single other ticket they already have passed the 15K average for the season. It looks more and more like 20K plus average is all but a sure thing.

 

[j. spilotro]

The nice thing to hear from the interview was that ticket sales have already passed all of last year including the walk ups as of the interview with TKM. So, if UNLV doesn't sell a single other ticket they already have passed the 15K average for the season. It looks more and more like 20K plus average is all but a sure thing.

I love everything that's happening. But I'm also concerned. Sanchez is just being himself - very enthusiastic. That makes it even better when it's the way he genuinely is. But the fans in this town. I don't trust them. When UNLV gets pulverized by someone on the slate, fans are going to hightail it out of there and continue with the badmouthing, just trying to be that turd in the punch bowl and bring everyone down.

His whirlwind tour and enthusiasm is really selling people. I like seeing it. But they'll be the first to claim a false bill of goods when the team doesn't immediately deliver. Any fan with a sliver of common sense, ones that choose to live within a couple blocks of reality - they'll understand that this is going to take some time.

And then we'll have those blind SHOW ME NOW OR ELSE "fans"...

This thing is going to take some time.

 

[LasVegasReb]

No doubt. But the fan base isn't growing exponentially this year. Yes. They will surpass last year season tickets number but not greatly. Expecting a 15-20 percent bump from last year which should put the team around 4,500-4,650. Most of these sales are die hard fans and likely are tempering expectations.

In regard to the remaining fans that attend, ummm that a mix of students, 7,500-10,000 non-season ticket holders and decent showing of opposing team fans.

Even if the non-season tickets holders jump ship after this season, there will be other fans to replace them. Vegas has a population of 2M and marketing will do its job to get the community to go to the game. You really can't be worried about something that's been the same for 15 plus years. BTW, Sam Boyd holds only 1.6 percent of the entire greater Las Vegas population.

I'd share a little no more concern (not much), if it was another coach than Tony Sanchez. The lives and breathes to promote UNLV Football. And when the new athletic facilities are announced, progress on the new stadium and hopefully so surprises (high level recruit, unexpected win, bringing home the Cannon), the Rebel football program will have more to look forward to next year.

It seems to be a common theme that if UNLV has another 2 win as expected that things are going to get worse. Someone needs to tell me how that's possible. Less tickets sales, ummm, it's pretty low. If it gets lower they'll give away tickets. Less boosters? What boosters?

Rebel Footbal is headed in a very good direction and another two win season is NOT going to derail it.

 

[Rebel1986]

One thing that is on the side of Sanchez is that he is not making the first season sound like UNLV will just go out and win games. I hope that most existing and new fans will see that the team does not quite and plays hard, and understand that it will take a couple of years to see the winning record that everyone desires. I think enough information is out there that most people (see poll that had 60% of people seeing UNLV with 3-5 wins) will be happy if the team shows any real improvement.

Reduce the scoring average of the other team
Increase the scoring average of UNLV
Decrease the difference between the scores.
Reduce the number of interceptions
Increase the average game attendance
Increase the yards running per game
Increase the overall offensive yard total
Decrease the other teams overall yard total
Etc.

It could have a huge effect on the team if you see 25-30k fans per game at the game. Considering we play UCLA, Hawaii, BSU, and SDSU, I can easily see UNLV with an average attendance over 25K with an outside shot at 30k plus if they can steal a couple of wins.

My attendance projection:

UCLA - this game will include a huge number of Bruin fans - expect a minimum of 30k and most likely sold out or close to sold out
Hawaii - this game is always one of the better attended games of the season with 6-8k fans or more from Hawaii. I would expect around 25k-30k at the game
BSU - They will most likely be ranked in the top 25 when they come to Las Vegas, and will likely bring 5k-8k plus fans to the game. I see 25k-30k at the game
SDSU - This game will depend on how the rest of the season has gone. If SDSU is in a position to need this win, I can see 3-5k fans showing up for SDSU. If UNLV has won a few games and this game could make a difference I can see a decent crowd. This game can have anywhere from 15k-30k at the game.

 

[RebelBuzz]

@LasVegasReb your post needs a few edits, FYI. Specifically your last sentence.

@j. spilotro I hate that you're right, but you are. There is a VERY real possibility that we start the season 0-3 headed into that home game against Idaho State. I'm afraid that the city will have lost all of its momentum by then. I hope I'm wrong, and I'll certainly be there cheering like crazy, but it isn't gonna take much to have this town saying "here we go again..."

One thought I had, though. I wonder if Coach Sanchez is being calculated with the announcement of a football facility. Not that he is holding back and could announce it today, but I wonder if he is planning to announce it at the end of this season or once the season is over. That way, if we get good results on the field (say, 4-5 wins, let alone 6+) the facility announcement is just another boost to the positive vibe around the program. On the other hand, if the results are bad (0-2 wins), you start the offseason with a boost and show that we are in this for the long haul.

We'll see. I feel good about where we are.

 

[LasVegasReb]

Thanks @RebelBuzz I added the 'not'.

It's highly likely and almost all but certain that the Rebs are going 0-3. Unless they can pull off an upset win at NIU, it's going to happen. Who can be a football fan and look at the first 3 games and think any differently?

I guess my point is that there are very few casual fans going to the game or watching that won't already have this expectation. And as much as I like Sanchez, he has been able to sell an additional 5K of season tickets. If that were the case, I'd agree wholeheartedly with you. But an 0-3 start isn't going to damage the extra 15-20 percent more season tickets sales.

I think it's going to be more about how this team competes this season and how they finish that will have a stronger impact.

I just don't see the same doom and gloom with Sanchez even after an 0-3. Any casual football fan knows that it takes 3 seasons for a coach to really see what their worth.

 

[j. spilotro]

@LasVegasReb your post needs a few edits, FYI. Specifically your last sentence.

@j. spilotro I hate that you're right, but you are. There is a VERY real possibility that we start the season 0-3 headed into that home game against Idaho State. I'm afraid that the city will have lost all of its momentum by then. I hope I'm wrong, and I'll certainly be there cheering like crazy, but it isn't gonna take much to have this town saying "here we go again..."

One thought I had, though. I wonder if Coach Sanchez is being calculated with the announcement of a football facility. Not that he is holding back and could announce it today, but I wonder if he is planning to announce it at the end of this season or once the season is over. That way, if we get good results on the field (say, 4-5 wins, let alone 6+) the facility announcement is just another boost to the positive vibe around the program. On the other hand, if the results are bad (0-2 wins), you start the offseason with a boost and show that we are in this for the long haul.

We'll see. I feel good about where we are.

I'm fine with the direction as of now, love the enthusiasm, and I can be patient. But I see things differently now than I did 20 years ago. Unfortunately, I see how our fans are - most fans nowadays are the same.

As for timing of announcements? If he's smart, they are calculated announcements to keep momentum going during times of stagnancy or decline.

 

[DocRebel]

UNLV basketball fans and UNLV football fans are two very different types.

Anyone who has stuck with football over the years has had multiple opportunities to jump ship. If they haven't done so already they're not going to no matter what happens. But I know you're referring to new ticket-buyers and not the 4-5K hardcore UNLV diehards who are well beyond battle-tested.

Basketball, on the other hand, has never experienced the long stretch and desolate levels we've seen in the football program, or anything even closely resembling it. Fans have been conditioned with certain basketball expectations, so when basketball deteriorates (such as the past two years) there are plenty who jump off left and right. A little adversity shakes them immediately.

Even with the fan conditioning aspect aside, Sanchez has shown a strong competency in areas that UNLV football leadership has lacked severely. That ability alone will buy him respect and "time" to build even if we lose a bunch of games initially. He makes practices fun, the players like him. He makes fans proud to be in Las Vegas the way he highlights the city at every turn. He is interesting and motivating when he talks and gives direction. Players and fans alike will respond, and already are, in ways Hauck and Sanford and Horton and Jim Strong never could, not even in the beginning of their tenures.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

If I could give multiple likes for a post it would be Doc's post above.