Event was nicely done! Hurd Center was a great venue for it and it was well organized. The theme of Premier Night was carried out well, and made the event seem more significant and special. Still like the potluck idea for community among Tip-off Club, but this event being different made it feel like the start of something new, appropriate for a team that has only ONE player (according to Coach) who has played more than one year at Baylor in CNC's system.
When you walked in, you were greeted by a Tip-off Club member who outlined how the evening would unfold, pointed out where the theater was and pointed out the stairs and elevator, then showed us where to check-in and get our tickets for the trip presentation. We were then sent on our way with a suggestion to check out the unique presentations inside the four pillars that anchor the Hurd Center.
We checked in and were given tickets that mimicked nice theater tickets and we sauntered off to check out the presentations. Each pillar had a focus and a presentation that supported that focus. You stepped inside the pillar and it was like being inside a kiosk. Each presentation was totally different, not only in content, but in manner of presentation. For example, the themes were (I think) "Amplify, Aspire, Connect, Reflect," and for Aspire, they had produced a video presentation projected? on the bottom of a globe and it had testimonials from various "famous" BU alumni, ie RG3, Joanna Gaines, actors and other athletes. Then for Reflections, you stepped inside the pillar and were completely surrounded by mirrored panels reflecting…yourself. All were well done. The team and coaches were also in the lobby mingling with the crowd and they seemed very relaxed and happy. Sometimes, at theses events, you can tell the team members are uneasy or shy, but on this night, this group seemed to be having a good time!
As I said, felt like a new beginning. Hurd Center was new, film from overseas trip was new and different and was well narrated with very good cinematography. Gave a nice insight into players and coaches on a more personal level, and gosh, the scenery was spectacular! Watched the film on a big screen with theater seating. Quality of the pictures got a little fuzzy at times, but that's having computer mirrored on a GIANT screen as opposed to actual film projection, I suspect. Didn't take away a bit from the presentation, IMO. Sophia did the introductions and profusely thanked everyone for being there and especially, those who helped financially support the team's trip.
The theme of Premier Night was carried out with the snack offerings of popcorn, soft pretzels and movie candy. At the Q&A and meet the team section where the snacks were, the tables carried out the theme with paper centerpieces that were round movie reels with a platform that was wrapped in a strip that looked like old movie film, and in each frame were paper printout pics of various people and moments from the trip. A red and white striped pop corn box crowned the centerpiece. Very cool and took some assembly time. (Having been faculty assigned to prom set-up a few times, I say this with experience! I'm pretty sure I have seen those same decorations looking at prom catalogs in my past life!)
Derek Smith narrated the film presentation and was also the emcee for the night's team presentation and Q&A portion. He does a good job. They had tables set up along the side of the room with representatives from Tip-off Club, Bear Foundation, and BU ticket sales department, as there was a definite appeal for people to join up and to purchase season tickets, but not intrusively so.
Well, long wordy post, but wanted to share some of the experience of the evening, as it was pretty memorable and I like to hear all about the events I can't make. Will write more about the team presentation and Q&A later.
