100 in 100 Update 08.31

Aug. 31, 2011

With kickoff of the 2011 Ole Miss football season just four days away, gameday preparations are being finalized as part of the plan for 100 improvements in 100 days. The 100 in 100 plan is based on results of the gameday survey conducted last fall and focuses on customer satisfaction and fan experience.

Items that have already been completed are crossed out, while the final few are in progress.

1. The Ole Miss Athletics Marketing and Communications department will take over gameday production and fan experience.

2. Due to the negative scores in speaker sound, a leading stadium sound-consulting firm (Acoustics Research) was hired in December to analyze our current system and stadium. Following their report about how to solve the sound issue, we are now implementing their recommended plan for equipment

3. A 3-D computer model of the stadium will be developed to assist in defining the exact loudspeaker selection, placement and orientation.

4. The existing electrical accommodations will be evaluated. In the event that any additional accommodations need to be made, accommodation drawings will be provided to the electrical contractor.

5. Bid documents will be generated (written specifications, detailed schematic drawings describing the systems design, conduit requirements for the systems and loudspeaker positioning and aiming angles).

6. Acoustics Research will evaluate the systems and ensure that they have been installed in accordance with the design documents. They will verify that the speaker angles are correct.

7. Acoustics Research will measure the differential in the delays, and then set them so that there is smooth transition from the main clusters to the delay speakers. They will set the crossover alignments for multi-way speakers.

8. Acoustics Research will complete their work with critical listening. They will use a library of specifically targeted source material to evaluate the tonal response of the system and make adjustments.

9. In each end zone, the pads and banners covering them will be replaced with new ones that match the correct shade of navy blue.

10. The helmet on the west side elevator shaft will be removed and a new concept will be produced.

11. Ole Miss Athletics has hired a design firm that specializes in stadium and concourse appearance to provide a three-year plan for a complete overhaul of aesthetics inside and outside of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

12. A number of the "Text Rebs if there is a stadium issue" signs will be removed.

13. Mini cell towers have been added to significantly increase coverage inside the stadium for participating carriers.

14. Stadium steps in need of touch-up paint will be painted.

15. All grandstand and concourse areas will be pressure washed.

16. Missing row and seat numbers will be replaced.

17. A number of signs inside and outside of the stadium will be replaced with signs matching the correct Ole Miss colors.

18. Ole Miss Athletics will conduct extensive customer service training for all gameday employees and non-profit groups.

19. A secret shopper system will be used to obtain information on the performance of service workers.

20. Stadium staff will be participate in a rewards system that uses patrons' input on service workers who go above and beyond.

21. Our concessions partner Centerplate, an industry leader, will continue to work with Coca-Cola to ensure that all maintenance is done on fountain and beverage equipment, as well as additional technicians on site for gameday issues.

22. For the upcoming season, Centerplate will be adding Coke Zero and Dr. Pepper flavors at locations throughout the stadium.

23. Centerplate will also have increased presence with our in seat-vending program for sweet iced tea and fresh squeezed lemonade.

24. Traditional condiments will be offered at all locations, and plans are to add specialty menu items where additional condiments will be supplied.

25. Centerplate will add additional staff that will only be responsible for the cleanliness of the condiment tables.

26. Centerplate will add additional condiment locations to the stands that have the highest volume of food sales. As noted above, staff will be added to these areas to keep it neat and stocked properly throughout the duration of the event.

27. All supervisors will be Serv-Safe certified and will be responsible for filling out time and temperature logs.

28. Centerplate has identified the areas that present the longest wait times and will add points of sale at those locations to increase the speed of service.

29. Centerplate will streamline the ordering process at these stands to decrease wait times of fans.

30. All permanent concession stands will accept Visa and Mastercard as payment options.

31. A hot dog artist concept will be implemented on the lower east side. Grilled hot dogs and sausages with the guest's choice of toppings. These will include cheese, peppers and onions, along with an assortment of traditional condiments as well as red jalapenos, banana peppers, green relish, fresh chopped onion, etc.

32. Chops BBQ will be introduced on the lower east side with a fresh roll out to include menu offerings such as pulled pork sandwich, BBQ turkey legs, sausage and cheese platters, as well as the very popular pulled pork nachos. Fans will have their choice of three distinctly different sauces from which to choose.

33. A fry stand will be implemented on the upper east side that will feature fried items such as chicken tenders, fries, etc.

34. In the South End Zone, implement the hot dog artist concept and Chops BBQ with the potential of adding grilled hamburgers as well at this stand.

35. On the west side, create "THE GRILL" which will serve grilled hamburgers, cheeseburgers, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches and sausage sandwiches.

36. In the west club, implement Chops BBQ service as well as the hot dog artist concept.

37. Additional offerings that will be located throughout the stadium include cotton candy, snow cones, kettle corn, fresh squeezed lemonade, funnel cakes, sweet tea and Bavarian nuts.

38. Older restrooms on the East and West sides of the stadium will be improved. This will include replacing sinks, toilets, flush valves, partitions and lighting.

39. In addition to the above structural and plumbing improvements, these older restrooms will have the walls and floors painted with epoxy paint.

40. All metal soap dispensers and trash cans will be replaced with new soap dispensers, hand sanitizer dispensers and paper towel dispensers.

41. New sinks will be added where space permits.

42. New baby changing stations will be added.

43. New trash cans will be installed in stalls.

44. Hooks on backs of stall doors will be added.

45. Partitions will be installed on the troughs in the men's restrooms.

46. An attendant will be present at each and every restroom. This attendant will make sure all items are stocked regularly, address leaks/repairs, and help out with usage flow in and out of the restroom.

47. In addition to the improvements to existing restrooms, an architect has been hired to prepare plans for building additional restrooms.

48. Pep rallies will be held each home game week, featuring various figures from Ole Miss Football.

49. The student section will be expanded into Section A, which was previously occupied by the band.

50. Ole Miss Athletics will join with the Cardinal Club in educating students in cheers and other preparations for gameday.

51. A number of new cheers will be implemented.

52. Videos that educate the fans on these cheers will begin circulating prior to the first game.

53. Fans will be asked to wear red for every game.

54. The Yell O crowd prompt will be further educated and used.

55. Rebel, our new on-field mascot, will also help engage the crowd.

56. Red pom poms will be available at all portals.

57. We will promote a movement to follow the Band to the stadium after the pre-game performance in The Grove.

58. The Band will move from section A to the top of Section 6, which will allow them to be louder, as well as maximize fan involvement.

59. The Band will have new uniforms this season.

60. The Band will have a new entrance to the stadium.

61. The Band will have a new entrance video that will be played prior to pre-game.

62. The Band will update and improve the stand songs and cheers.

63. The Band will take pep bands to all road games (minus Fresno State).

64. The Band has added two additional drum majors taking the total from one to three.

65. The Band will perform three halftime shows this season over seven games.

66. The number of Band members will increase by 20 percent.

67. The Band music style and speed will move in line with the fans expectations and desires.

68. A more intensive technical run-through on Wednesday's of each game week will be scheduled troubleshoot and make repairs to the audio/visual presentation.

69. The gameday sound operations area will be relocated and modified, providing greater connection to the atmosphere in the stadium.

70. Gameday staff will utilize a more advanced communications system.

71. All new video features and prompts on the video board to excite and unite the crowd.

72. Sponsors will no longer use thirty-second commercials on the video board.

73. A full-time creative staff has been hired to energize video board content.

74. New personnel will be added to the video board production crew to insure the highest quality of live game production.

75. More cameras and sound equipment will be added to the sideline shooting staff for web features and the coaches show.

76. Additional video content will be created to encourage fans to arrive at the stadium more than 30 minutes prior to the game.

77. Highlights from past games, both recent and historical, will be shown more frequently.

78. Scores from the Top 25 and SEC will always be shown on the both ends of each ribbon board.

79. An actual sound meter will be introduced to show the crowd how loud they are.

80. Graphics for video board and ribbon boards will feature new design schemes to create congruity throughout the stadium.

81. There will be more interactive fan promotions including text requests features for the video board.

82. Gameday Central feature will be enhanced on OleMissSports.com.

83. Screen savers and desktop backgrounds that feature the excitement of Ole Miss Gameday will be available as free downloads on OleMissSports.com.

84. More exclusive and exciting RebelVision content will lead up to each game.

85. OleMissFB.com is introduced to promote and explain processes for tickets and tailgating.

86. Online questionnaires will be created to identify the fans' favorite moments from Ole Miss history for use in video board features.

87. An online suggestion box will be established for fans to provide input on their gameday experience.

88. A mobile-enhanced olemisssports.com site will be launched for all devices.

89. New stand-alone apps for Android and iPhone devices will be created and launched.

90. A network of new twitter and social media accounts will keep fans informed and entertained on gameday.

91. The coaches TV show will have a new format.

92. A full-time graphic designer has been hired to improve printed items including game programs, media guides, tickets, etc.

93. Actual tickets, which continue the showcasing of past Rebel All-Americans, will be larger and of much higher quality.

94. Tickets will take on a collectible trading card style, providing details of the respective All-American's career.

95. The game ticket's designated Rebel All-American will be featured in a short video, showcasing the individual's career with highlights and accomplishments.

96. Billboards (digital and permanent) promoting season tickets will be posted in key media markets.

97. An advertising campaign promoting season tickets will be launched in newspapers and online media across the region.

98. Stadium cups will utilize an exciting new design.

99. Game programs will be redesigned with a new cover style and template.

100. A gameday guide will be distributed to make the public aware of various fan opportunities and campus policies.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

Related News

Related Videos