IS IT TRUE? November 6, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the management of the Evansville Icemen has just exhibited and orchestrated what is an act of marketing genius that could have never ever even been understood inside the walls of government?…that during the last several months the Icemen put together a formidable team that looks as though it will be capable of competing for a championship in its first year at Ford Center?…that took money and commitment to excellence?…that Evansville as a city is fairly unsophisticated in its appreciation of the sport of hockey but is famous for its long running love affair with the words FREE and DISCOUNT?…that the Icemen organization has been lighting the phones out making deals that resulted in nearly anyone who knows a small business owner being offered a FREE TICKET to the inaugural game last night?…that the result was an announced crowd of nearly 9,000 (tickets printed but not necessarily used), a visual estimate of the actual crowd of 6,500, and most importantly a WIN BY THE ICEMEN over a traditionally strong opponent?

IS IT TRUE that this is the way to launch a product people?…that the actual crowd was 300% higher than any crowd to see a hockey game in Evansville before and that the experience was positive all around?…that many of those people who attended their first game and many others who missed out will be back for more?…that even street peddlers know the marketing value of a free sample and this first hockey game was masterful marketing by Ron Geary and his team?…that with Butler and IU both having down years that the University of Evansville Aces may just be heading for a great year that is launched with wins over a traditional power and a two time national finalist?…that it looks like the stars are aligning for the first year of the Ford Center?

IS IT TRUE that last night was the first test of the traffic patterns and the parking situation that has been causing loads of fear and paranoia for years?…that we have yet to hear a complaint about parking or traffic at last night’s game?…that the key once again to keeping the parking angst in check is a great experience and a winning team?…that a nine block walk to that hard earned parking place is a breeze if one is talking about how great the game was, how great the next game will be, and how ones favorite player performed?…that as our teams go so shall go the financial success of the Ford Center that is off to a good start?…that the first big concert experience will be on Wednesday night when Bob Seeger and the Silver Bullet Band comes to town?…that good tickets are still available so make the call, spend the $70 and come on down and enjoy the concert?

IS IT TRUE that this writers favorite college football teams being the Stanford Cardinal and the University of Louisville Cardinals both extended winning streaks yesterday?…that Stanford has the longest winning streak in the nation and that UL has the most unexpected winning streak in the nation?…that Stanford will be tested next week by the Oregon Ducks whose mascot really is Donald Duck?…that Disney after it became corporate tried to sue the University of Oregon over the use of the Donald?…that OU produced a hand written letter from Walt Disney himself granting them the never expiring authority to use the image of Donald Duck as their team mascot?…that Walt Disney did the right thing and those lawyers tried to pull a fast one?

IS IT TRUE that there will be another IS IT TRUE today that is focused on local politics but that we did not want to foul up this good news with politics and other things suffering because of politics?