Fan feedback has UNM's attention — the good, the bad and the absurd

UNM asked for it. And boy, did they get it.

From positive pats on the back for added tailgating festivities and engaging video board content, to constructive pleas for more cup holders in the stands and less rap music between plays, to far more critical complaints about parking issues and even one unverified complaint about sex in a porta potty.

Seriously.

Yes, UNM did, in fact, get plenty of solicited feedback from football fans after the first two home football games of the season — a Sept. 6 win over Idaho State with an announced attendance of 17,639 at University Stadium and a Sept. 27 sold out rivalry win over New Mexico State with an announced attendance of 37,440.

“We can’t expect our fans to show up to things and events we’re asking them to be a part of without asking them how it went,” said first year Athletic Director Fernando Lovo. “And for us to sit here and think that every time we host an event that everything’s going to go perfectly, would be naive on our part.”

Lovo personally, and his staff, scoured through every single reply from fans — the good, the bad and the absurd. And, through an Inspection of Public Records Act request, the Journal scoured those replies as well.

The oversimplified two-part takeaway seems to be that pleasing everybody in college athletics ain’t all that easy, but there are also numerous changes already in place from just one month ago that fans will see for Saturday’s UNM Lobo football game against Nevada in University Stadium.

“You take positives and you celebrate those and you try to enhance what you do well, and you accept the negatives,” said Lovo. “We know that we’re not going to be perfect, but I also want our fans to know that they have an avenue and an outlet for them to share that with us, and we take it very seriously.”

For instance, when there were concerns about the number of older kids playing in the pregame bouncy houses at the new “Louie Lane” tailgating area, by game two, UNM added another. They also added more age-appropriate and safe opportunities for the younger kids.

When UNM realized that the new free park and ride service was dropping fans too far off from the stadium — initially thought to be an exercise that would relieve traffic closer to the stadium — Lovo and crew assigned a new drop off spot next to the stadium and decided to continue the free service all season.

When Wi-Fi issues led to ticket scanning delays at the gates, UNM in the last two weeks have upgraded, for the first time since 2016, the Wi-Fi at all points of entry so there shouldn’t be the same sort of delays at future games — though they do also ask fans to have tickets downloaded onto their smart phones before they get to the gates (fans downloading their tickets when trying to enter proved to be a major delay at the NMSU game).

The most number of complaints were about parking. UNM has done more pre-game media blitzes and social media campaigning than in previous years concerning this issue. They also opened up more parking areas around the stadium, but there is not exactly much that can be done without some major renovations to the area around the stadium, which is more than a half century old now and had plenty of parking around it when first built.

As for the rest, here’s a sampling of the roughly 1,000 that came in — many included here show that what may bother one certainly doesn’t bother all, and in some cases, additional context provided via conversations with Lovo:

The sound of music

“The audio system was too quiet.”

“Music too loud.”

“The music was much better versus the first home game.”

“Honestly, you gotta get rid of the third down music. Just do the Lobo Howl.”

“The 3rd down song needs to be louder.”

“The announcer did a nice job!”

“The announcers are irritating.”

“I used to show up 1hr to 45 min early, get something to eat and enjoy the environment. Now, because of the rap/crap, I eat before I go to the game and I show up just in time for the Nat’l Anthem.”

“The music was great and non stop. Loved it!”

Lovo noted that the sound in University Stadium is, in fact, an issue that can be addressed, though with investment he hopes to get in the near future.

All the audio in the stadium comes from the large video board in the north endzone. As a result, some people sitting near the video board may be thinking it’s too loud while fans in other areas of the stadium may have trouble hearing.

The food

There were several complaints about long lines and slow sale transactions — things Lovo says he hopes will be fixed by both the upgraded Wi-Fi and some additional training of non-profit groups who weren’t all aware that, even when offline, there was a way to complete a sale at the concession locations.

“Nacho cheese was cold.”

“Concession prices were reasonable.”

“Concessions and stadium entry was improved with professional and friendly personnel.”

“$12.50 to $16 beer is absolutely ridiculous. I’d support UNM athletics through beer purchases if the price was reasonable. These prices aren’t.”

“Thoroughly unimpressed with your four dollar hot dog, Coke, popcorn.”

“I liked the new grab and go concessions. Whoever came up with that deserves a promotion. Excellent idea.”

Gotta go

“Please thank your janitorial staff for their work on maintaining the cleanliness of the restrooms at the southwest end of the stadium.”

“The bathrooms were unusable super gross. I know this is an issue with dirty inconsiderate fans but this was an issue for anyone needing the bathroom.”

Lovo noted the closing of the southwest bathrooms during the NMSU game led to plumbing crews discovering a root had penetrated some pipes well below ground and those have been fixed.

I’m with the band

"The UNM marching band should play some motivating fight songs at half-time and not Toy Story, Golden Girls boring songs.”

"I like the band and winning the game!”

"The band — they were really good. It’s unfortunate that they have to sit in the hot sun for the whole game though.”

"The band and their new location was great.”

"Yes, give the band more freedom to play during the game. “

This and that...

"So happy to see all of the positive changes that are being implemented! Keep it up!”

"Cup holders for drinks.”

"Should have better monitoring. People having sex in portable bathrooms were holding up the lines.”

"More portable toilets!”

You can reach Geoff at ggrammer@abqjournal.com or follow him on Twitter (X) @GeoffGrammer.