carbonpoke
Well-known member
Its 2:30 am pacific time for me, and I can't sleep. Watched the game, have an early flight to Jackson Hole in the morning... let's just say my mind is too busy. Its times like this that I contemplate things; I can find some clarity and really give into the thoughts that need to be processed.
I always find myself trying to think of ways to improve the system, while excluding being part of the said system. I don't have a horse in the race, nor do I actively have any desire outside that of a diehard that wants to see the University succeed. Most of the time I try to limit sharing my views because it really does feel futile or pointless. Tonight is not going to be one of those nights however, there is just to much rolling around up in my brain.
Go-Pro helmets... after watching Epps get concussed I reflected back to a moment last year in a safety meeting I had at work. I work in petroleum and delivery of hazardous products... so safety is big time on the agenda. Currently we are going through big changes in the way we track and monitor deliveries, trying to find approaches that are more cost effective while tightening our safety standards. One of the phrases my boss likes to use is "leveraging technology". In our case, things are getting streamlined with software. Our smartphones communicate through app tech with a system similar to an I-pad... I haven't seen it yet so it might actually be an I-pad... I don't know exactly. What it does ultimately is records data perfectly. Which in turn, our company can utilize that data to keep our insurance cost down. Last year we lowered our insurance by close to half a million dollars over a calendar quarter.
So the question is "How much does the University pay to insure our athletes?" I would guess its a healthy chunk of change. Would it be more cost effective to have better equipment? Honestly, this seems like something we should explore. I'm not an expert on the tech, but the components are there. The NCAA probably has rules about cameras and sensors in games... but I am betting that we could practice with whatever gear we want.
Have our equipment distributor look into installing mini Go-Pros above the face mask, possibly having some additional impact sensor tech installed in the top of the helmet and in the shoulder pads. Something along the lines of those cardio wrist bands, but to measure impact. The helmet would talk to the shoulder pads during a high stress contact event, measuring in detail the speed and distance of the head trauma in correlation to the chest.
The Go-Pros serve different purposes, as I bet every coach in the country would love to see what their players are looking at during different points of practice. Additionally, it would be another recruiting pitch. Again, there is cost in everything... but there are also lower insurance bills as well. So, yes... I think the cost balance might work in this case... but what puts it over the top is the increase in coaching value.
Good, that idea is covered. Feel free add or subtract with your knowledge... I bet wyo2dal might have some software ideas, maybe not.
Another idea that comes to mind has to with improving concessions and sales. I am a bit of a foodie, and also a traditionalist. I haven't been to a game in a long time, but from what I remember, and from what has been communicated on this forum it seems to me like we could improve things tremendously without having to spend hardly any additional funds. Game day experiences vary greatly due to changes in region and culture. The catch to game day experience though is acknowledging that we are Wyoming, and we "Should" be different than Idaho, Colorado, California. Its important to develop an identity that is ours. It also involves more than just hot dogs and hamburgers. I can get hotdogs and popcorn at the movie theater, even a high school football game. Two menu items come my mind immediately that scream Wyoming... Chugwater Chili and Shoshoni Malt Shakes. Those things are damn hard to find, trust me... I've looked. Cant even find the milk shakes any more in Shoshoni. But don't just take my word for it. If the University wanted to improve the concessions, they could simply type in "Wyoming Chef" to google, getting in contact with a local food expert, then build a few menu items that give us something to sell. Easy.
I feel better, my wife should wake up in ten minutes and yell at me for not getting any sleep... it only took me an hour to write this shitty thing, at least I'm closer to getting on that plane to get back to the greatest place on earth.
I always find myself trying to think of ways to improve the system, while excluding being part of the said system. I don't have a horse in the race, nor do I actively have any desire outside that of a diehard that wants to see the University succeed. Most of the time I try to limit sharing my views because it really does feel futile or pointless. Tonight is not going to be one of those nights however, there is just to much rolling around up in my brain.
Go-Pro helmets... after watching Epps get concussed I reflected back to a moment last year in a safety meeting I had at work. I work in petroleum and delivery of hazardous products... so safety is big time on the agenda. Currently we are going through big changes in the way we track and monitor deliveries, trying to find approaches that are more cost effective while tightening our safety standards. One of the phrases my boss likes to use is "leveraging technology". In our case, things are getting streamlined with software. Our smartphones communicate through app tech with a system similar to an I-pad... I haven't seen it yet so it might actually be an I-pad... I don't know exactly. What it does ultimately is records data perfectly. Which in turn, our company can utilize that data to keep our insurance cost down. Last year we lowered our insurance by close to half a million dollars over a calendar quarter.
So the question is "How much does the University pay to insure our athletes?" I would guess its a healthy chunk of change. Would it be more cost effective to have better equipment? Honestly, this seems like something we should explore. I'm not an expert on the tech, but the components are there. The NCAA probably has rules about cameras and sensors in games... but I am betting that we could practice with whatever gear we want.
Have our equipment distributor look into installing mini Go-Pros above the face mask, possibly having some additional impact sensor tech installed in the top of the helmet and in the shoulder pads. Something along the lines of those cardio wrist bands, but to measure impact. The helmet would talk to the shoulder pads during a high stress contact event, measuring in detail the speed and distance of the head trauma in correlation to the chest.
The Go-Pros serve different purposes, as I bet every coach in the country would love to see what their players are looking at during different points of practice. Additionally, it would be another recruiting pitch. Again, there is cost in everything... but there are also lower insurance bills as well. So, yes... I think the cost balance might work in this case... but what puts it over the top is the increase in coaching value.
Good, that idea is covered. Feel free add or subtract with your knowledge... I bet wyo2dal might have some software ideas, maybe not.
Another idea that comes to mind has to with improving concessions and sales. I am a bit of a foodie, and also a traditionalist. I haven't been to a game in a long time, but from what I remember, and from what has been communicated on this forum it seems to me like we could improve things tremendously without having to spend hardly any additional funds. Game day experiences vary greatly due to changes in region and culture. The catch to game day experience though is acknowledging that we are Wyoming, and we "Should" be different than Idaho, Colorado, California. Its important to develop an identity that is ours. It also involves more than just hot dogs and hamburgers. I can get hotdogs and popcorn at the movie theater, even a high school football game. Two menu items come my mind immediately that scream Wyoming... Chugwater Chili and Shoshoni Malt Shakes. Those things are damn hard to find, trust me... I've looked. Cant even find the milk shakes any more in Shoshoni. But don't just take my word for it. If the University wanted to improve the concessions, they could simply type in "Wyoming Chef" to google, getting in contact with a local food expert, then build a few menu items that give us something to sell. Easy.
I feel better, my wife should wake up in ten minutes and yell at me for not getting any sleep... it only took me an hour to write this shitty thing, at least I'm closer to getting on that plane to get back to the greatest place on earth.
