A Retirement Gift from the Yard

[UConn4ever]

I'm also in and I like the billboard idea as well

 

[willie99]

I'll participate

 

[nycscooby]

I am definitely in. I like the billboard idea. Gets our collective sentiments across, helps raise funds for JC's foundation and gets some exposure for this site. Works for me on all fronts, no need to over think this we are not curing cancer here....or maybe?

 

[uconnbill]

count me in 100%.. Love the billboard idea

 

[Mike Honcho]

I am definitely in. I like the billboard idea. Gets our collective sentiments across, helps raise funds for JC's foundation and gets some exposure for this site. Works for me on all fronts, no need to over think this we are not curing cancer here....or maybe?

If you're looking for big & brash, as Deep pointed out, a full page ad in a newspaper (or two or three) would probably cost about the same and have greater reach than a billboard. You can get decent bang for your buck these days with newspapers; I'm guessing we could negotiate a nice discount from rate card, particularly because we are not a corporate entity but a collection of individuals.

I do agree with Deep that there's an opportunity to do something a bit more creative -- and perhaps even longer-lasting -- though.

Just brainstorming here...

• A crowd sourced statue of the man
• A campaign orchestrated through social media that gets the crowd to pay homage at the first home game -- could potentially pair this with a giveaway of special commemorative t-shirts to blanket Gampel
• Run a contest to find a JC impersonator -- winner gets season tickets but must lead cheers and -- if game situations warrant -- coach

 

[temery]

If it is a billboard everyone really wants, I would suggest one intended on honoring him by driving donations to the Calhoun Cardiac Center or the cancer ride.

I could set up an easy to remember domain that could forward directly to the charities. Perhaps you could contact them to see if they'd set up a form on their sites for the donations.

I'm not sure how much they'd get, but I think he'd appreciate it more than just a billboard thanking him.

Another gesture I think he would really appreciate - shut the 'yard down every year on his birthday

He deserves it. We have the ability to be creative and the resources to put something splashy together.

So, what are we going to give him?

Something as simple as a card signed by us?
A billboard near Hartford or Storrs?
An ad inside Gampel this season?
Ten hookers and a case of Cristal sent to his house?

For all the enjoyment this guy gave us, we need to put all the Mojo power together one last time for him and knock his socks off.

 

[PhilG]

I'm in for whatever is decided upon.

 

[nimzovich]

i'm in

 

[The Funster]

I'd make him be a moderator here at the 'yard

 

[sledog]

The billboard is fleeting. Screw that.

How about a massive bronze bone in front of Gample. Now THAT's memorable!

 

[UConn3432]

i'm in

 

[GemParty]

We might need the top 5 feasible $$$ ideas in a 2 week poll. Vote and then execute the idea. Let's use our boneyard resources. Designers, graphics people, marketing, etc. Something Special would be Great from the Yard. The OP should create the poll based on what the best/popular suggestions are. It was their original idea. Billboard(s), for charity seem nice. I like a Thank-you billboard idea combined with (posters names) scrolling in print or billboard. Problem is not many people buy papers anymore- which is why a full page ad could be dirt cheap. But we would be one of 20 purchased over the next few weeks from corporations all over Hartford. We wouldn't stand out. Statue? where/how/cost no idea. I like the billboards if its doable. Not sure how long they can stay up as you enter/exit Hartford. Could we afford 3-6 months? A year? Could we Thank him/promo the Yard/Get on the news/drive people towards his charity/& say screw the NCAA all in one board? Ideas......................post pics!! I loved when the football board did lots of designs for a tailgate flag. Let's get creative!

 

[Tommyboy]

I am in.

How bout this for a simple billboard:

Or incorporated somewhere.

 

[Marat]

Yes, I am in as well.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Love the idea. Let's see what is actually feasible.

 

[huskiesnyc]

count me in

 

[sledog]

Who typ pays for statues?? Alums?? Let's chat with the Alum group.

 

[CL82]

Mine too. Someone needs to find him.

And how about lark? Did he make the latest migration to this site, or do I need to reach out to him off-board? He usually had some thoughtful input on stuff that required, well, thought.

I thought I'd seen him on here once but I checked the membership list and his handle isn't listed.

 

[ZenConn]

I'm def. in.

 

[UCweCONN]

I'm in and will wait for more specifics.

 

[GemParty]

Im not sure if we need a separate thread or if this should be moved to the pinned one. I'm no good at showing a graphic but here are the elements of a billboard I think might be cool.

Tag line on National flag blue: ALL HEART

Underneath: Thank You Jim Calhoun from your friends at UConnfan.com Boneyard.

Next: Pat & Jim's cardiology Center or web address to donate.

It might be nice to contact them, and get their support for what we are doing to point awareness there way. Maybe they will give a logo, advice, a donation?

In the background wallpaper: scroll all the names of Yard members who give at a certain level donation!

Do u like? Can anybody mock up a drawing?

What can we do better? How much will it cost? How quick can we do it? How long can it stand?

 

[defaultroute]

I'm in!

 

[John Fryer]

I am in.

How bout this for a simple billboard:

Or incorporated somewhere.

This is a Great Suggestion. How about adding more context to each.

For example: Link the First NC banner to his first charity (asking for support and donations).

Link the Second NC banner to UConn being the only Div. 1 school to ever win both Men & Women NCs, In The Same Year!

Link the Third NC banner to his second charity (asking for support and donations).

Finally, seek the support of the State Transportation Department to have them installed at the CT state line on I84, I91 and I95!

Peace,

John Fryer

 

[4UConn]

Whatever the final result, it would be an honor to contribute. Count me in.

 

[suzyq]

He deserves it. We have the ability to be creative and the resources to put something splashy together.

So, what are we going to give him?

Something as simple as a card signed by us?
A billboard near Hartford or Storrs?
An ad inside Gampel this season?
Ten hookers and a case of Cristal sent to his house?

For all the enjoyment this guy gave us, we need to put all the Mojo power together one last time for him and knock his socks off.

I'm in as well. Let's get this done. Billboard is an awesome idea. Don't we have someone who owns a billboard company. Is he still around?