Q: Dear Chet: It was nice to see you this morning before the game. I wish now that I had seen you after the game though.
The changes in the stadium are almost all very positive. One that is decidedly negative was apparent today. The extraordinarily high volume levels coming out of the scoreboard was almost painful at points. Coupled with most of the music chosen to be blared between plays, the combination was offensive.
I sincerely hope that you can do something to moderate the volume, and, if we must have continual music between announcements and plays, use something more appropriate like Navy fight song melodies or something else that is more moderate. By the way, playing the fight songs for sing-alongs is a good idea. It's the rap or rock or whatever at excruciating volume levels that need to go. - asked by: Jack Brons '59 -
A: Thanks, Jack, for the information. We're going to follow up on this and make some adjustments.
- answered by: Chet Gladchuk
Q: Love all the changes at the stadium! We sit in the ADA seats in Sec. 2, and it is impossible to hear the announcer where we sit. Is there any chance speakers will be added under the overhang so we may hear what is being said on the loud speaker? Thanks for all the hard work! - asked by: Molly Hall -
A: Molly, I've just addressed a number of questions regarding the volume of the loudspeaker system at the stadium. The complaints have been that it's too loud. I want you to know how interesting it is to know that there is someone in the arena who actually can't hear the music. You are a testament to my position that finding a balance in the volume coming from a single source distribution center is truly a challenge. We're working on it and, hopefully, we can resolve the issue shortly. Many thanks for your support.
- answered by: Chet Gladchuk
Q: Comments on the new Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium: The changes to the facility are great - ingress and egress much easier. Seatbacks are great also, even if they mean the legroom is now more cramped.
Two criticisms:
The PA system plays much too loud and much too often. The volume and frequency at times this week hurt my ears, and my wife, who has tinnitus already, suffered definite hearing impairment, which we hope will prove temporary.
The second criticism is the volume and number of commercial ads. There are WAY too many and they are WAY too loud. Just how does Admiral Cleaners "sponsor" a turnover? That is ridiculous. It also seemed totally inappropriate for USAA to shout at the plebes that they ought to visit their tent - repeatedly. And the Under Armour thing was atrocious, each of the many times it played. Must we have these constant, screaming ads?
Our time in the stands now does not present much of a chance to converse with neighbors and classmates - whenever we're not watching the play we are being bombarded by loud and unwelcome advertising.
I, for one, would welcome a ticket price hike if necessary, to compensate for an end to this constant flogging of products to us, a captive audience.
Best regards, - asked by: W. S. Hamel '57 -
A: Mr. Hamel, thank you for your note. We'll take a look at the issues that you bring to my attention, and I think with some fine tuning, we will make it work. Keep in mind that as annoying as some of the advertising may seem, they clearly help pay the costs of fielding 30 Division I intercollegiate programs.
- answered by: Chet Gladchuk
Q: Two questions, actually. The first is why do we have to suffer the earsplitting noise from the scoreboards throughout the games - pre-game, after a score, during timeouts, etc.? Saturday, the officials on the field were drowned out in one situation and at other times, I noticed people around me holding their ears - which I have done myself too many times to think about.
Second question: Why are fans no longer permitted to bring signs in to hangfrom the railings on either level? When I had my season tickets for three or four years (1977 or '78 or so), I had a banner that I hung from the railing in front of my seat on the Upper Gold side at every game; I liked the fact that the team, on the opposite sideline, could see that I supported them. Now, I can only yell encouragement...and - in spite of some peoples' opinions - I can't yell THAT loudly..... - asked by: Mike Calo -
A: Mike, we're working on the volume. Secondly, I agree with you that we should be able to hang banners that are not obstructing from the stadium. I'll talk to our people about that to see if we can't loosen up whatever regulations are in place. Thanks for your note.
- answered by: Chet Gladchuk
