2012 Town Hall

[T-Bone]

Save the date:
Fan_Forum_EBlast_2_web+copy.jpg

[argofandave]

Was this posted on the Argo website? I can't find find it there.

[T-Bone]

I don't believe it was posted on the Argos website. It was sent via e-mail in an Argos E-Blitz. I'm not sure if it was sent to everyone on the E-Blitz mailing list or just seasons ticket holders.

[argofandave]

Thanks for letting me know. I'm a season ticket holder and I'm on (I think) the E-Blitz mailing list but they never sent anything to me. I don't remember that last time I received an E-Blitz.

[ArgoGabe22]

I will be attending this or hope to at least.

[paulwoods13]

Has anyone been able to confiirm if this is open to all STH, or just those on the invitation list? I never received an invitation, not sure if they deliberately culled the list to limit numbers or if it's because my online account with them has an out-of-date email address.

[Mulder]

Has anyone been able to confiirm if this is open to all STH, or just those on the invitation list? I never received an invitation, not sure if they deliberately culled the list to limit numbers or if it's because my online account with them has an out-of-date email address.

Call the office, It's probably the out of date email address.

[Argocister]

I also am a season ticket holder that did not receive the invite. ..... so it may be invitation only. I am sure since they are wanting fan feedback they will not turn you away if you showed. But if you are the rabblerouser they may escort you to the door if you are being disruptive.

[T-Bone]

I also am a season ticket holder that did not receive the invite. ..... so it may be invitation only. I am sure since they are wanting fan feedback they will not turn you away if you showed. But if you are the rabblerouser they may escort you to the door if you are being disruptive.

I wouldn't show up with out RSVP'ing first as the invite says space is limited. I sent the e-mail as instructed and received a call a few hours later to confirm.

[argofandave]

I didn't receive an invitation but I did RSVP them but they did NOT call me back to confirm. I sent an email to my Argo rep on Monday but haven't received a reply and I phoned him today but he hasn't phoned me back so perhaps he's on vacation this week. This will be my 25th year as a season ticket holder so I'm assuming that they will let me attend. I'll give them another call tomorrow and talk to someone else if my rep isn't there.

[paulwoods13]

I didn't receive an invitation but I did RSVP them but they did NOT call me back to confirm. I sent an email to my Argo rep on Monday but haven't received a reply and I phoned him today but he hasn't phoned me back so perhaps he's on vacation this week. This will be my 25th year as a season ticket holder so I'm assuming that they will let me attend. I'll give them another call tomorrow and talk to someone else if my rep isn't there.

It's disappointing to think they would not invite all STH, or at least all longtimers. I'm sure space is at a premium but it would be nice to know how they determined who got invited if the list was limited. Maybe based on price point?

The Ticats have (or at least used to have) someone who regularly answered fan queries on their forum -- would be nice if Argos would start doing that as well. I have emailed and tweeted my interest in attending -- will see if they answer.

[argomANIA]

Argos via Twitter:
#Argos season ticket holders- have you RDVP'd to the Town Hall event coming this Monday? Hope to 2 c u there!!


So I'm guessing it's open to all season ticket holders. Have you guys checked your junk mail?

[Mulder]

Argos via Twitter:
#Argos season ticket holders- have you RDVP'd to the Town Hall event coming this Monday? Hope to 2 c u there!!


So I'm guessing it's open to all season ticket holders. Have you guys checked your junk mail?

Instead of whining about it here about not getting contacted, the simple thing to do would be call 416-341-ARGO and ask them.

[argofandave]

I just received a call from my Argo rep. He said that the Town Hall meeting is open to season ticket holders only and that's why it was not posted on the Argo website. He also said that even though I had enrolled in the E-Blitz program, someone at their end had checked a "do not send" box so that is why I never got an invitation (or anything else) by email. I told my Argo rep that other people had posted on this website the same problem that I was having. Any STH who didn't get an invitation and would like to go should contact the Argo office and RSVP to clientservices@argonauts.ca.

[T-Bone]

I just received a call from my Argo rep. He said that the Town Hall meeting is open to season ticket holders only and that's why it was not posted on the Argo website. He also said that even though I had enrolled in the E-Blitz program, someone at their end had checked a "do not send" box so that is why I never got an invitation (or anything else) by email. I told my Argo rep that other people had posted on this website the same problem that I was having. Any STH who didn't get an invitation and would like to go should contact the Argo office and RSVP to clientservices@argonauts.ca.

Glad to hear they could accommodate you. See you Monday.

[Argonauter]

Toronto Argonauts twitter-

CEO Chris Rudge at #Argos Town Hall, "Business side of operation going well. Season ticket sales at 500% of same time last year."

Argos Town Hall.jpg

Pic from the town hall.

[paulwoods13]

Rudge: Time to stop making excuses for why people don't come to games. 5 mln ppl in Toronto, enough to attract good crowds. Need 25k per game to make money. Have to "act big." Doesn't want to go 9-0 at home while winning every game 12-7. Would rather lose a few but have the score 38-35. (Milanovich disagreed, saying he'd rather win 42-2 but if he can't do that, winning 12-7 would be fine.) The practice facility is "not what I would call a robust facility for a professional team." Developing a plan to "give coaches and players the professional home they deserve."

Barker: Milanovich is a "superstar coach." Team had to recruit him now or he would have been snapped up by someone else.

Milanovich: was offered the HC job two yrs ago, turned it down because of mgmt and stability at that time. He will serve as OC but game-planning will be collaborative. He can rely on Jones to look after the defence so he can focus on offence. He will eventually get an OC in the future but not this year.

Barker: lost 35 years of memorabilia and personal stuff in the practice facility fire. All kinds of playbooks and even notes written by Bill Walsh with the 49ers when Barker was at SF State -- he would wait until the mtg ended and then when all the coaches left, scoop up Walsh's notes.

Milanovich: Ricky Ray is "as tough a QB as you will ever find -- he gets smashed in the mouth and then fires a strike on the next snap."

Barker: Ricky Ray will be the starter for at least 3-4 years. He is in his prime years. Jarious Jackson is a great locker room guy. "We needed to improve the leadership in the room." Tyler Holmes (last year's draft pick who went back to Tulsa) is "not the NFL style." He may get an NFL camp invitation but Barker is optimistic he'll be with the Argos and be a "pleasant surprise."

Milanovich: Likes Cory Boyd as a player "but the offence will not run through Cory Boyd, it will run through Ricky Ray." Boyd will get 20 touches per game, but better touches without nine or 10 guys swarming around him. Kackert is a good player and it's psbl both will dress at the same time but that won't be figured out until he knows which Cdns he has that can start. And there's only one ball anyway.

Rudge: Has a good relationship with Rogers, Beeston and Pelley. In negots to renew the Rogers Centre lease for 3-5 years. "We will be there at least five more years." Blue Jays and Argos have same type of challenges -- to inspire people to buy ST when they know they can walk up to the gate and get good seats. Beeston told him in advance he was thinking about grass, but Rudge feels it's very unlikely because of the number of revenue events the RC would have to give up. "It's theoretical, hypothetical." Doesn't care about the Bills issue -- the Detroit Lions co-exist with Michigan and Michigan State, same thing can happen here.

There was an impassioned plea from a fan to bring back the boat logo. David Bedford replied that it did not win the Facebook poll, but said to stay tuned. He personally prefers the Theismann-era A logo. He implied to someone afterwards that the boat logo may be back in some way next year, which is the 30th anniversary of the 1983 GC win.

Three players attended: Durie, Eppele and Pottinger. Ricky Ray answered a couple of fan questions on tape via Skype.

All in all an excellent event and a great opportunity for ST holders to meet key guys from the team.

Star coverage:

http://www.thestar.com/sports/footba...back-on-a-list

[1argoholic]

Well I hope Rudge can work some sort of magic.
I personally think the Argos think Ray is going to be the only player we need. I don't think they've done nearly enough for us to be anywhere near the Grey Cup this year. We'll have a very young team learning how to play together and about the CFL in most cases. If we show some improvement I'll be happy or at least if we're finally heading in the right direction. If we end up looking like the Leafs I'll be pissed off.

Please don't bring back the A. Boring crap.

[AngeloV]

Rudge: Time to stop making excuses for why people don't come to games. 5 mln ppl in Toronto, enough to attract good crowds. Need 25k per game to make money. Have to "act big." Doesn't want to go 9-0 at home while winning every game 12-7. Would rather lose a few but have the score 38-35. (Milanovich disagreed, saying he'd rather win 42-2 but if he can't do that, winning 12-7 would be fine.) The practice facility is "not what I would call a robust facility for a professional team." Developing a plan to "give coaches and players the professional home they deserve."

Barker: Milanovich is a "superstar coach." Team had to recruit him now or he would have been snapped up by someone else.

Milanovich: was offered the HC job two yrs ago, turned it down because of mgmt and stability at that time. He will serve as OC but game-planning will be collaborative. He can rely on Jones to look after the defence so he can focus on offence. He will eventually get an OC in the future but not this year.

Barker: lost 35 years of memorabilia and personal stuff in the practice facility fire. All kinds of playbooks and even notes written by Bill Walsh with the 49ers when Barker was at SF State -- he would wait until the mtg ended and then when all the coaches left, scoop up Walsh's notes.

Milanovich: Ricky Ray is "as tough a QB as you will ever find -- he gets smashed in the mouth and then fires a strike on the next snap."

Barker: Ricky Ray will be the starter for at least 3-4 years. He is in his prime years. Jarious Jackson is a great locker room guy. "We needed to improve the leadership in the room." Tyler Holmes (last year's draft pick who went back to Tulsa) is "not the NFL style." He may get an NFL camp invitation but Barker is optimistic he'll be with the Argos and be a "pleasant surprise."

Milanovich: Likes Cory Boyd as a player "but the offence will not run through Cory Boyd, it will run through Ricky Ray." Boyd will get 20 touches per game, but better touches without nine or 10 guys swarming around him. Kackert is a good player and it's psbl both will dress at the same time but that won't be figured out until he knows which Cdns he has that can start. And there's only one ball anyway.

Rudge: Has a good relationship with Rogers, Beeston and Pelley. In negots to renew the Rogers Centre lease for 3-5 years. "We will be there at least five more years." Blue Jays and Argos have same type of challenges -- to inspire people to buy ST when they know they can walk up to the gate and get good seats. Beeston told him in advance he was thinking about grass, but Rudge feels it's very unlikely because of the number of revenue events the RC would have to give up. "It's theoretical, hypothetical." Doesn't care about the Bills issue -- the Detroit Lions co-exist with Michigan and Michigan State, same thing can happen here.

There was an impassioned plea from a fan to bring back the boat logo. David Bedford replied that it did not win the Facebook poll, but said to stay tuned. He personally prefers the Theismann-era A logo. He implied to someone afterwards that the boat logo may be back in some way next year, which is the 30th anniversary of the 1983 GC win.

Three players attended: Durie, Eppele and Pottinger. Ricky Ray answered a couple of fan questions on tape via Skype.

All in all an excellent event and a great opportunity for ST holders to meet key guys from the team.

Thanks for the in depth description of the evening Paul. Would have loved to have been there, but I had a previous commitment.

[Area 51]

Barker was a bit over the top in patting himself on the back and literally laughing aloud at how badly he ripped off the Eskimos in the Ricky Ray trade. Not sure if he remembers what happened last time Tillman traded a premier QB to Toronto

Rudge gave a good speech, in spite of all the corporate cliches - - "this is an evolution, not a revoloution"..."nobody's as smart as everybody"...I think that's one of his personal faves, he threw it out there at least twice.

The Q&A session was pretty weak. The soloution to increasing attendance is to have focus groups of people who have had season tickets for 40+ years...some guy rambling about how the league needs to have Canadian QBs...another going on about how little kids can't recognize the letter A but will surely be able to identify with a boat.


Best comment/question came from the guy who questioned why Kackert was ignored last year - - Barker really took offence to that question. And I could see exactly where Barker was going with his rebuttal asking the guy "how many carries should Kackert get....10 or 15....and what about Boyd, 15 or 20? So that leaves Ricky Ray throwing about 10 passes a game because if you know anything about the game you know there's only about 45 offensive plays...."

At an event for season ticket holders you wouldn't expect the GM to try and embarass one of the people in attendance. Nice job Barker.