New AD Has High Hopes For Ball State
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThree months into the job, Ball State University’s new athletics director says she’s happy with early successes, but knows there is work to be done. Beth Goetz says she will work on raising attendance by focusing not only on a better product, but also improving fan experience. "How we consume sports is significantly different today than even it was five years ago," says Goetz, adding that she is putting a priority on fan engagement from the time they purchase a ticket to the time they leave a game.
In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Goetz said the need for higher attendance "is not something we’re going to run away from."
Ball State’s football season began last month with some enhancements already in place. They include a new video display, beer sales on a pilot basis and the opportunity for reserved season ticket holders to request a chair back. She says other amenities she’s focusing on are the ability to connect to Wi-Fi and engage with other fans, adding it’s a part of making sure the school stays aware of how the industry is evolving.
"It’s a really special time in that we’ve got a great group of coaches right now that have worked really hard over the last couple years to build these programs, and I think what you’re going to see this year and into next year is really the fruits of that labor paying off," said Goetz.
Goetz came to Ball State from the University of Connecticut, where she was chief operating officer and chief woman administrator. She has also served in leadership positions at the University of Minnesota, Butler University and the University of Missouri-St. Louis.