Back from the UC Davis game. Huge "yuck".

So many non-basketball issues that struck me this evening. Each was minor -- some almost totally insignificant even -- but they all added up to a negative experience:

Arrive about 8 minutes before game time, in the rain (hard to blame that on anybody). Standing in the rain, I had to dig out my phone and car key fob and put them into a wet bowl, as I went through the metal detector. I considered complaining, but I felt sorry for the folks out there that had to try and do their jobs in the fowl weather.

Into Haas: No Straw Hat Band. I theorized that it might be the evening of their end-of-season banquet... dunno... but if that were the case, they would have had a long time to organize an alumni group to play... if they cared. Bottom line, the Band didn't care enough to see that someone was playing at this game. A first?

At the beginning of the second half, I was bored with the game, so I took a walk around Haas. On the third level (deserted) there was an armed police officer, standing guard over nothing. Me (smiling): "Kinda quiet tonight, eh" Him: (only a scowl).

Now I'm back down to the second level: Can't help but noticing a giant billboard: "Fan Code of Conduct" No doing this, no doing that, no doing this, no doing that... Okay, got it. Thanks.

Let's go down to the first level: the entry way to the floor (south basket)... doors closed, the area roped off and an employee there guarding it. Me (smiling): "Good that the area is secure! No trouble tonight, eh?" Him: (scowl and vacant look)

Still on the first level: All the concessions are closed. Huge signs: "Due to the power outage, you must go to the concessions on the second level." I asked an employee there (smiling, always smiling): "Why is there a power outage?" Her: (scowling) "no power down here"

Now, if I'm just going to complain about a lot of little tiny things, I should have some recommendations for improvement, right?

1. Have a Straw Hat Band there. Find a way.

2. Bring the Axe to the game. Parade it at time outs, instead of the stupid promotions. Put it -- well guarded -- in front of the closed concession stands, or the Fan Code of Conduct and let fans touch it and get pictures with it.

3. In general, less "controls" and more organic, Cal-type fun. The product on the floor is bad enough, as it is. Do they want to drive me away?

Go Bears.

Well it was last day of class and many students took off this afternoon, probably including many of the straw hat band

The cheerleaders were there

I've never gotten a rude response from a security person (not saying it doesn't happen)

The place absolutely should have security on each floor of the stadium

Game wasn't that inspiring but a lot of that was the weather

Oh, and Paris thanked everyone for coming while the players were walking around the perimeter after the win

HoopDreams said:

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Well it was last day of class and many students took off this afternoon, probably including many of the straw hat band

The cheerleaders were there

I've never gotten a rude response from a security person (not saying it doesn't happen)

The place absolutely should have security on each floor of the stadium

Game wasn't that inspiring but a lot of that was the weather

Oh, and Paris thanked everyone for coming while the players were walking around the perimeter after the win

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Glad you had a good time at the game, HoopDreams!

oskidunker said:

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Canned music was ok and at a-low level.

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I wasn't at Haas tonight but that's my primary complaint so it's good to know someone is listening.

A little weird to complain about rain-related problems, IMO. It was raining really hard, and that was unpleasant, and caused a power failure, ( though it also doused fire fears). Act of god, as they say.

Bearprof said:

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A little weird to complain about rain-related problems, IMO. It was raining really hard, and that was unpleasant, and caused a power failure, ( though it also doused fire fears). Act of god, as they say.

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Is that what happened? The first rain of the year knocked out the power in one part of Haas, but not the rest? And the power had been "out" long enough for them to have had the time to make professional-looking "power is out" signs to place over the concession stands, even though it had only been raining hard for an hour or so. Hmmm...

Where is the axe anyway? Years ago I remember it was on display in the student union. I'd like to get a selfie with it!

Axe will likely be paraded around at the Stanford Basketball game.

oskidunker said:

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Where is the axe anyway? Years ago I remember it was on display in the student union. I'd like to get a selfie with it!

Axe will likely be paraded around at the Stanford Basketball game.

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Excellent. But where is it?

Has anyone looked in the Student center?

I was surprised to see a beer and wine concession stand on the second floor. This is the first time I have seen alcohol outside of the club area or the courtside seats.

Big C said:

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Bearprof said:

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A little weird to complain about rain-related problems, IMO. It was raining really hard, and that was unpleasant, and caused a power failure, ( though it also doused fire fears). Act of god, as they say.

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Is that what happened? The first rain of the year knocked out the power in one part of Haas, but not the rest? And the power had been "out" long enough for them to have had the time to make professional-looking "power is out" signs to place over the concession stands, even though it had only been raining hard for an hour or so. Hmmm...

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Doesn't everyone in the Bay Area have professionally made "power is out" signs on hand by now?

True that we can't really complain about the rain, but shouldn't security (and the ticket office) have some preparations for rain, so we can conduct transactions and make it through security without all of our stuff (including tickets) getting soaked? They shouldn't be asking us to put our phones and keys in containers full of water to pass through security.
I also was expecting them to parade the Axe through Hass, either last night or at the women's game on Sunday, but no such luck. As of Sunday, it was not in the Student Union yet, but we didn't check yesterday.
I was disappointed that there was no band, but it seems that for the past few years, that has happened once a season for one reason or another. I wish they had at least played more recorded Cal songs on the PA during the game.
I found the temperature very cold in Haas last night behind the North basket.
And one facility issue that I keep forgetting to contact someone about is the fact that there are no lights towards the bottom of the northwest stairwell (near the baseball field), making it very unsafe when exiting night games.

calalum81 said:

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I was surprised to see a beer and wine concession stand on the second floor. This is the first time I have seen alcohol outside of the club area or the courtside seats.

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That beer and wine concession has been in that location for the last 3 games. Apparently, it's going to be a new permanent fixture, which is good.

OP of this thread here. Well, I was quite the Negative Nancy (guy version) by the time I got home last night, wasn't I? I had forgotten to mention the coup de grace: Tacos Sinaloa had just closed when I got there at 9:05 after the game, even though they had been staying open later (which I had counted on). There went my late dinner plans! That's got to be on Knowlton, right?

I'm glad a number of you had a pleasant experience at the game. As mentioned, the music volume was turned down a bit and, on the little walk I took, I also noticed the beer and wine stand. That's gotta be a positive (maybe I should have had a drink to take the edge off, lol).

As I had mentioned, there were just a lot of small negative things I noticed that seemed to all add up for me last night.

They gotta fix that security-inspection-in-the-rain problem and I'm sure they will. (What if it had been a highly-attended game?)

I can't see any excuse for not having a Straw Hat Band (or alumni band). Gone home for Thanksgiving?!? 200 Cal Band members... I'm sure a few dozen must live fairly close. Plus, they knew the schedule for months. That's part of the Straw Hat Band leader's job (Cal Band Student Director). Having the Straw Hat Band and the Aggie Band there would've added a lot (Aggie Band currently in deep doo-doo, I know).

Also seems like it would've been a natural to have had the Axe there. Maybe on an earlier-start game in the next couple of months, they can have a "event" on the floor for half an hour after the game, where fans can come down, touch the Axe, get pictures, etc. Maybe even have some of the players down there with us.

Go Bears!

People around me have been saying that for years. You are absolutely right. Plus its tired and old. Just hope the Bart races are gone for good.

calalum81 said:

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I was surprised to see a beer and wine concession stand on the second floor. This is the first time I have seen alcohol outside of the club area or the courtside seats.

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they had it since the first game, but you wouldn't know it was there unless you walked by it (at least I didn't see anything to indicate it was there)

I expect the Axe to be shown at a Pac12 game later in the season, which I think is the right way to do it

I've went to a cal v stanford game in Maples very late in the season where they brought it out with a bowl win trophy

HoopDreams said:

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calalum81 said:

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I was surprised to see a beer and wine concession stand on the second floor. This is the first time I have seen alcohol outside of the club area or the courtside seats.

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they had it since the first game, but you wouldn't know it was there unless you walked by it (at least I didn't see anything to indicate it was there)

I expect the Axe to be shown at a Pac12 game later in the season, which I think is the right way to do it

I've went to a cal v stanford game in Maples very late in the season where they brought it out with a bowl win trophy

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What if they had the Axe in the front lobby of Haas before A BUNCH of basketball games? (from, say, 50 min. before tip off, until 20 minutes before tip off... an incentive for folks to get there early). Would that be diluting the product?

Big C said:

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HoopDreams said:

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calalum81 said:

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I was surprised to see a beer and wine concession stand on the second floor. This is the first time I have seen alcohol outside of the club area or the courtside seats.

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they had it since the first game, but you wouldn't know it was there unless you walked by it (at least I didn't see anything to indicate it was there)

I expect the Axe to be shown at a Pac12 game later in the season, which I think is the right way to do it

I've went to a cal v stanford game in Maples very late in the season where they brought it out with a bowl win trophy

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What if they had the Axe in the front lobby of Haas before A BUNCH of basketball games? (from, say, 50 min. before tip off, until 20 minutes before tip off... an incentive for folks to get there early). Would that be diluting the product?

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I've been disappointed that Haas took away the Haas store and the Trophy case
Yes, it would be cool to have the Axe displayed in Haas sometimes

calalum81 said:

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I was surprised to see a beer and wine concession stand on the second floor. This is the first time I have seen alcohol outside of the club area or the courtside seats.

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Yeah, same here. Good addition.

We can't hold Cal accountable for unfriendly staff working events in the current economy. We're in the midst of an unprecedented labor shortage, in particular with respect to lower wage workers. Customer service everywhere you go is horrendous right now because low level employees just don't care. They know they can't get fired because employers need them more than they need the job.

I saw one person drinking a beer.

PtownBear1 said:

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We're in the midst of an unprecedented labor shortage, in particular with respect to lower wage workers.

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LMAO. Trump voter.

The Sfo airport is so desperate for workers they are paying people $50 to interview for food service jobs. Unemployment is at an all time low. But I will vote for whoever runs against trump, fyi

Big C

by the way, I am not saying Haas is a great overall experience

lots of areas for improvement

right now, it's not a must get ticket, nor is it an exciting game day atmosphere

My opinion is there are some simple, inexpensive ways to improve the facilities, services, and atmosphere

Cal has done some things (e.g. star player posters in hall ways), but it's been a limited. I know they have limitations in resources and funds and are doing the best they can given that

they are very good at listening and doing what they can

Big C said:

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Professor Turgeson Bear said:

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PtownBear1 said:

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We're in the midst of an unprecedented labor shortage, in particular with respect to lower wage workers.

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LMAO. Trump voter.

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Professor, please endeavor to keep "my" thread on topic. Have you been to a basketball game yet this season? What did you like/not like about your experience?

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Have not been yet this season, but would like to. Most of what I like about going to a basketball game has little to do with the arena and more to do with the Top Dog I'll be eating or the game I'll be watching. The arena experience is neither a large plus or minus for me.

PtownBear1 said:

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Professor Turgeson Bear said:

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PtownBear1 said:

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We're in the midst of an unprecedented labor shortage, in particular with respect to lower wage workers.

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LMAO. Trump voter.

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Actually I'm not, but you're clearly clueless as to what's happening in the workforce. Guessing you're either retired or a low wage worker yourself.

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https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/jobs-report-growth-unemployment/

Quote:

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Keeping the unemployment rate stable is one of the Federal Reserve's goals when setting interest rates.

But without the right context, they're a bit misleading. Let's start with job growth.

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Quote:

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Last month, roughly 317 Americans were considered in the labor force out of every 500 tracked by the BLS for its employment statistics (those who are 16 or older and are not in the military,1 prison, a long-term care facility or otherwise institutionalized). And roughly 11 of those 317 didn't have a job, which gives us the unadjusted unemployment rate of 3.3 percent.

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Quote:

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What about your cousin who wants a gig but gave up looking a few months back? As far as the U-3 is concerned, your cousin isn't in the labor force, so he isn't part of the official unemployment rate.

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Quote:

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The BLS has a broader measure of unemployment the U-6 which includes people counted in the official jobless rate, those who've tried to find a job in the past year but haven't looked in the past four weeks, and part-time workers who want a full-time job. October's unadjusted U-6 was 6.5 percent. That's 3.2 percentage points higher than the unadjusted unemployment rate.

So when the next jobs report comes out on Dec. 6, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. That unemployment rate in the headlines? It doesn't really take into account your cousin or anyone else who has quit job-hunting for a while or is working less than they want to. And that job growth number? Take it with +/- 120,000 grains of salt.

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Just like a professor to cite agency statistics when the reality is you could walk into any store, office or restaurant, speak with any small business owner, and see how real the staffing struggle is. At least in the Bay Area. The other day I was handed a help wanted flyer with my meal at a drive thru!

Big C - sorry for derailing your thread but hard not respond when I'm accused of being a trump supporter. I'll shut up about this now though.