Improving our home court experience

[yahtzee]

To me the atmosphere is set by winning and the student section. Case and point, Northern Iowa... every game something new.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viEuYvUuwmo&feature=player_embedded

[Da Coach]

To me the atmosphere is set by winning and the student section. Case and point, Northern Iowa... every game something new.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viEuY...layer_embedded

That was an impressive show for that WSU game that was shown on ESPN. But they do not show up like that for most games. I have been there for games that were not on national TV, and there were a fraction of that number of students, and they were rather sedate. Last night's crowd of barely more than 4,000 for senior night and an imprtant game was a good example of how poorly their fans support them when the national TV cameras aren't there.

[BU Braves]

A Note from Bradley Sports Marketing

To those fans that have contributed positive comments to this thread, thank you. I am new to the staff and was going to put this idea to the boards next week when the season wrapped up but since fans beat me to it, please keep it going. We welcome suggestions and opinions on how to improve the atmosphere at Carver arena. I may be new to Bradley but I am not new to college sports marketing. While you are brainstorming, I will give you a couple of things to keep in mind:
- Marketing cannot control the product on the court. Our efforts are the same regardless of wins and losses- we still have to find a way to bring people in
- Marketing has nothing to do with the game opponents, dates or times
- Students make up a small percentage of our seats so their seating location is likely not up for debate. Most schools put their student section and band as close to the basket and opposing team bench as possible for a reason.
- Budgets are not unlimited and we have to spend wisely to get the "most bang for our buck". Our return is measured in tickets purchased so if we purchase a halftime act like Quick Change for $4500 than means it needs to sell roughly 450 additional tickets to that one game to make up for it.
- We play in an arena we don't own so much of the advertising and commercials you see are contractual obligations from the Civic Center and not put there by Bradley
- Corporate sponsorships bring in significant amounts of revenue so the on-court contests and the like are not going away. We welcome ideas for more fun/exciting ways to incorporate the activities we need to do on court to fulfill these contracts
- Bradley has no relationship with concessions and do not receive any of the profits. We also are not permitted to advertise the fact that alcohol is available.
- Free and discounted tickets are a thing of the past, there will be opportunities for special packages, group discounts, targeted discounts for specific groups but the prices are going to remain competitive

Many of you are season ticket holders and have been for many, many years. You come no matter what and we appreciate it. In your brainstorming think about how we can reach our two goals which are to fill the arena and make it an enjoyable experience regardless of the outcome of the game. This means reaching out the community- maybe Bradley fans maybe not, maybe just basketball fans or maybe someone that has never been before. Here are just some areas where we have the ability to make adjustments and welcome ideas:
- Where do you get your information and where are you looking to find details about the games?
- How do you want to see the video board used?
- What businesses do you own or frequent and how can they be involved?
- What professional organizations are you a part of and how can they be involved?
- How can the sponsored on-court promotions be more exciting
- What is appropriate for halftime entertainment?
- Are there pregame or post game initiatives that could be started?
- Are there traditions that have been left behind or new ones that would be fun to start?

Our suggestion box is always open at busportsmarketing@bradley.edu. We welcome constructive feedback and ideas for the future. We have many new staff members and our work involves many moving parts. We want the Bradley game day experience to be great and we know there is room for growth and improvement in many aspects.

Thank you and we look forward to the continued discussion.
- BRADLEY SPORTS MARKETING

[tornado]

BUBraves, thank you very much for taking the time to make your comments..
I feel you guys do a great job given that all the state schools naturally get a bit of an advantage given there's people paid by the taxpayers who do some of their marketing for them......

http://www.ibhe.state.il.us/Colleges%20and%20Universities/default.htm