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Message: [QUOTE="gsmooth, post: 5157077, member: 9355"] I was there at Fenway-the atmosphere was fantastic. [B]Exposure and Visibility[/B] As far as visibility for the team ("eyeballs") being on ESPN and the first game of the day as opposed to being a later game and on one of the ancillary channels like ESPNU or CBS Sports Network (sorry, it's true even if it's UConn Football's channel) was great. Some other factors that were a humongous positive is the game being at Fenway because Fenway Park has a historic novelty to it so people that are not fans of UConn or North Carolina or of college football will tune in for some time just because they want to see a football game with the visuals of the ballpark and the outfield walls and such. Yankee Stadium has that appeal, too. I would also add the naming and branding factors at play here really helped UConn. Let's face it, most of the bowl games outside of the CFP are meaningless and very few people remember them. But the Fenway Bowl as well as the Pinstripe Bowl are linked to iconic baseball franchises and stadiums so people will notice and remember them more than these other bowl games outside of the CFP-I know I do. The fact that there were 2 well known basketball blue bloods going at it also catches people's attention, too (i.e tweet about 2 basketball schools playing football in a baseball stadium). The fact that this game got the press attention here in Boston is amazing considering this is a pro sports city, but again remember the game was at Fenway which helps in that regard and it was well attended. If this game was BC's home field it wouldn't have gotten any noticeable press attention. [B]Paradigm shift[/B] Performing well does a lot in terms of turning the tide on the negative perception about UConn Football. That negative perception is that UConn Football 1) is God awful and that 2) UConn does not care about football and their fans don't either. The performance as well as the stands being full at Fenway Park will do a ton in nixing those negative perceptions. [B]Overall take away and strategy going forward[/B] UConn needs to strike when the iron is hot. Don't start pinching pennies, that would be penny wise dollar foolish. UConn fans, if you have the money and can afford it donate to UConn's NIL fund. Bleeding Blue for Good pays the players and goes towards good causes that are more important than sports. Fill up the Rent next fall and try to get it to match or go beyond the noise and crowd levels that were seen on TV at Fenway. The optics on TV for games at the Rent are so important for a P4 or P-whatever invite. UConn admin, use the full court press to double down football investment and get better players. With the increase positive attention for UConn Football, and with consistent better on field product, trust me another conference will eventually want to add UConn. Even if that is not immediate, UConn Football as an independent can be maybe be a lite version of Notre Dame, a very lite version, and get a better TV deal than the one they have with CBS Sports Network. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach