The idea was a success!

[tornado]

the whole idea is kinda new and it might take a while but in the end if we can pack the place like we used to pack the Fieldhouse - it'll be fun and quite profitable for the school

The information regarding the '82 team was released less than 24 hours ago. I'll take a wild guess that ticket sales will increase over the next two weeks.
Again, if Bradley can't sell out a 4,200-seat on-campus arena when there is seemingly new excitement and optimism around the program, then Bradley has bigger problems than I thought!

You were right sg -- the late surge in tickets sold was a key part of this game being a LOUD sellout!!


OK -- sure to start a debate - but here goes....

All that whining and complaining for nothing!!!
This "experiment" was a rousing success..........

and I hope they do it again next year -- if there were ANY season ticket holders who did not make this game it was FULLY because they CHOSE not to - since there were still plenty of tickets available right up until game day!

And what a memorable game it was -- this was "one for the ages" that we will still be talking about years from now like we talk about the Chris Roberts buzzer beater and the end-to-end Jimmy layup to beat ISU.


BTW -- this morning Kirk Wessler has a column admitting a few facts that allow the reader to conclude how great this game was, exciting - packed.....and what a great idea it now turns out to be....but....he still disses on the BU admin for doing it!

BUT -- did you notice HOW MANY little digs he still takes at BU for doing this game?? Come on Kirk -- Man up and admit you were wrong and that this idea, even tho it took work, succeeded and succeeded BIG TIME - just like some here said it would as we cautioned all the complainers to wait and see!
I am proud of even the little part we did here on the message boards to get the word out and spearhead ticket sales...
but here are some of the digs Kirk fires off...

"I know. Some of you Bradley basketball fans are still ticked off that the
Braves would play a home game that's not on your season-ticket package. I
get it."

"To be sure, a couple or three hundred students left at halftime and did not
return. Must have had to get to their 8:30 night classes. Or something."

"Now, it wasn't the mighty roar that drove generations of Peorians to
premature hearing loss from time spent at Braves games in old Robertson
Field House.

"..they need the team to win consistently. Nothing brings out the fans like a
championship program."

"..they need the administration to care about the students again. The sad
fact for too long on the Bradley campus has been that the basketball program
is invisible."

"One game played in Renaissance, a campus arena much too small for the
season-ticket base, won't fix that."

"..they need to do it again, no matter where the games are played."

[Beninator]

Just a couple of points here:

Having the games on campus was a good idea, but it will only be a good idea if the administration continues to find ways to increase student involvement. We need a more inclusive fan base!

I am all for having one on-campus game per year.

Have to disagree that this was "a game for the ages." A good ending to a game no doubt but I find it hard to believe that this would be in a top ten for a "Bradley game of the ages." There is no way this compares to Robert's three quarter court game winning heave, or JL's layup to beat ISU. Absolutely no comparison!

[BradleyJD]

I see your point and his.

The game was great, very close, and a winner. Both things helped immensely.

I also think that consistent winning will get the kids to the CC. I just do not understand why kids wouldn't go regardless.

Don't give me the studying bit either. We all went to college, there wasn't non-stop studying going on all the time.

The kids get charter bus transportation and nearly free tickets. I think having the team and coaches out in the University and the P.R. machine reminding students of each and every game will help too

[basketball nut]

I see your point and his.

The game was great, very close, and a winner. Both things helped immensely.

I also think that consistent winning will get the kids to the CC. I just do not understand why kids wouldn't go regardless.

Don't give me the studying bit either. We all went to college, there wasn't non-stop studying going on all the time.

The kids get charter bus transportation and nearly free tickets. I think having the team and coaches out in the University and the P.R. machine reminding students of each and every game will help too

Have to agree on this last part and the best way to keep students involved is for the team and coaches to be the voice of the team on campus-they are the PR we really need.
Also what about getting an area that the students can go to and recieve cheaper cost food such as dollar dogs & 2 dollar sodas and nachos. I am sure they could work something into the CC contract to allow that for students.
Lets face it when students go to BB games they want to get something to eat and a nacho & hotdog and if you do that at CC prices it will cost you close to $15. If I was a student and had a choice of spending that much for food at a BB game or going to Agatuccis for pizza would probably opt at least half the time for the pizza ( a brew or 2-LOL)

[Canton BU fan]

Have to agree on this last part and the best way to keep students involved is for the team and coaches to be the voice of the team on campus-they are the PR we really need.
Also what about getting an area that the students can go to and recieve cheaper cost food such as dollar dogs & 2 dollar sodas and nachos. I am sure they could work something into the CC contract to allow that for students.
Lets face it when students go to BB games they want to get something to eat and a nacho & hotdog and if you do that at CC prices it will cost you close to $15. If I was a student and had a choice of spending that much for food at a BB game or going to Agatuccis for pizza would probably opt at least half the time for the pizza ( a brew or 2-LOL)

Show student ID?

[lake Camelot]

I will agree it was a success last night. However in the long term I hope that it doesn't encourage this in the future. That has been my fear all along. I think even if the arena held double what it does that would be too small for games if BU wants to compete at a decent level. 8,000 is the absolute minimum to play on campus too me. And even that is bad.

Now if they someday come up with money to build an 10,000 or more seat arena on campus I would be all for it. But I would still need to find a differnt place to park than the deck.

[Chico]

KW's last line says it all. No matter where the game is, show up.

[Bradleyfan1]

All in all yes a success, but only 1 night

Yes, I will agree this goes down as a success. Thanks to Taylor Brown! Who is the heart and soul of this team and program, and thats saying alot with the likes of Ricus and the rest of this talented bunch! Congrats to Geno on being 2 and 0 he's my coach now the best coach in the valley, this has coach of the yr all over it. But alot of things have to continue to go his way, please let it just be cramps with Ricus he's a super tough kid and what a start he got off to. But no matter how this season continues to go I will not pretend what was done to Les was right and I think the brightest days for the UC Davis program are ahead of them, and he gets some even if it be only the smallest bit of credit for this teams success! But I apoligize for beating dead horses and my poopy lol grammer. We are 2 and 0 the valley looks tough cept for SIU and ISU which doesnt bother me at all. Defense was good I'd say we held them under what they will average for the season, rebounding was ok but we should be dominating on the glass hopfully that will smooth out as the season progresses, Great win over a great team not a powerhouse but in no way should we play more than a few games a yr tops on campus be it tho a good idea even to try and schedule maybe a big match up there in the future, but less than 5000 people in a small venue does not and will never match up to 11,000 in a larger venue take Mich St a few yrs ago or The War on 74 as examples as what carver can be as a 6th man but i love any promotions to try and drive traffic to downtown, anything from games on campus to free tickets and transportation to and from games for students more lower bowl seats for them going around the court vs up to the rafters heck even lower the outrages beer charges for the fans of age shoot give the students 2 free beers with there free ticket and transportation to and from the game be that on a weekend game only maybe lol but that i think would get them downtown anyway, go braves and I wish ya'll the best!

[tornado]

Appreciate your thoughts B1...
if you have any influence on students get them to the game Saturday!!

[jasonpeoria911]

Next year they need to make the tickets cheaper for non students though. $20 is quite steep without a structured seating plan for a low interest opponent. That would save them from having to beg students and practically throwing tickets at them on the last day. Maybe a $10, 5, and 1 type plan instead of a $20, 10 and 1.

Jason

[it's boogie time]

I think the game was a success. I have my doubts on it having any effect on the student turnout in the future.

Are there any plans to finish decorating Renaissance Coliseum? I've been looking at a lot of pictures from last night's game on facebook and the blank walls stand out. The place is nice, but it could use some character.

[Canton BU fan]

I think the game was a success. I have my doubts on it having any effect on the student turnout in the future.

Are there any plans to finish decorating Renaissance Coliseum? I've been looking at a lot of pictures from last night's game on facebook and the blank walls stand out. The place is nice, but it could use some character.

I was thinking at the game last night that the blank walls look like a place where a second deck of seats could go.

[Da Coach]

I have thought that, too, but I don't think it's feasible. I believe there are offices and other rooms on the upper level behind those walls.

[srw]

can't they sell some advertising on those dang white walls...

Man there is a lot of whitespace.

[Canton BU fan]

I was wondering if they could get another 1500 to 2000 seats in there. Not necessarily a full second deck or concessions and restrooms up there.