I wanna talk about the Braves!

[alczervik75]

It's been several years since I posted, so let me give you some background. I was lucky enough to attend Bradley in the from 1993 - 1997 as a member of a different athletic team right as basketball was experiencing a resurgence under Mo. I remember the years fondly making every game, with most being near capacity crowds.

Because I do not live within a couple hours, I rarely can catch a game unless they are on TV. Having said that, I was able to make the Creighton game, and was surprised by the poor attendance. While Jim Les was a decade older than myself, we were in the same fraternity and he was, imo, a very good guy and ambassador for the University and community. Regardless, I think Geno Ford is the type of coach who will be able to really build a program up for several years. While last years results were unfortunate with a depleted roster, it seems this year was a positive step forward.

Maybe someone closer than I tell me I'm wrong, but I feel like excitement should be building. It seems the two transfers can bring a lot to the floor next year, and Fields would allow Lemon to move to the combo guard slot which seems his true position. maybe those close to the program know something I don't about the transfers progression, but I'm expecting big things, and having two good ballhandlers on the floor together, with Pickett should make a huge difference in Ford's offense. In addition, I'm under the impression that while Michael Tucker needs to hit the weight room, he should be able to help immediately

Also, for full disclosure I grew up in a family that had Illinois season tickets, and since they are easier to follow closely, I've remained a fan. It seems to me based on some connections I have that at least Mike Shaw will be strongly considering following Chin Coleman here for the remainder of his career. The addition of the new facility is a big deal when competing for recruiting, and I suspect it will be paying dividends (although at this level, evaluation is a huge key as well). Now, for those that follow closely, a couple questions.

1. Are there reports of how the two transfers are competing in practice?

2. Is there any reason to believe the fans wont come back with wins? I know it takes time, but everyone loves a winner. It is our fans and facilities that dictate we belong in the top 3 in the valley, and I hope our fans realize that potential is right there and we have a very well connected coach right now.

[lake Camelot]

I feel everything you have heard is true. Others I'm sure will dissagree, but I feel after we consistantly win a couple years we will draw about like we used to. I feel a few years of being down has changed peoples plans about attending, but will change back.

I feel pretty optimistic with the future. Although we still need some more players if we are going to compete at a high level. I am optimistic, and really enjoyed this year also.

[lefty]

Pretty much agree with everything you said there...

The transfers are doing well in practice and helping to make the current roster better

I think fans will come back as time goes and we start winning more(along with a better economy)

[wily coyote]

Pretty much agree with everything you said there...

The transfers are doing well in practice and helping to make the current roster better

I think fans will come back as time goes and we start winning more(along with a better economy)

Lefty ,I agree I think the economy has a little to do with the attendance but I'm convinced that when we start winning and competing for titles we will fill the seats again and tickets will be hard to get. That's my hope anyway and I'm confident Geno is the person to make that happen.

[tornado]

the fans will come back with plenty of wins - but that hardly erases the enormous benefit there would have been had there been 10,500 instead of 6,500 or 7,500 for the past couple years...
but there is also a chance given the atmosphere where long time loyal fans - might thus be replaced by younger - possibly more fickle fans who need consistent winning to stay around - then you might see what's happening at DePaul...
they have lost many long time and loyal fans who have simply given up on any hope of winning - given up their season tickets, and moved on...and now DePaul is considering moving back to their smaller on-campus arena..
...but keep in mind - they still have the Catholic connection - we don't

[lefty]

[quote=tornado;276030]the fans will come back with plenty of wins - but that hardly erases the enormous benefit there would have been had there been 10,500 instead of 6,500 or 7,500 for the past couple years


why do you think there would have been 10,500 the last couple of years?

[tornado]

cuz I have talked with many - maybe not 3000, but many - who would have been there had things been different

[lefty]

yeah...I'm sure.......I know a few..not because they told me but because they sat near me....I've never actually talked to anyone who said they aren't going because of the change....we dropped 900 in attendance the last year Jim coached.....which quite frankly I would attribute to performance and economy...

Those of us on the boards aren't casual fans but there are lots of those too and I have talked to plenty of folks(not season ticketholders) who have other places for discretionary entertainment money

[LittleBrave]

cuz I have talked with many - maybe not 3000, but many - who would have been there had things been different

I know that some people may have legit reasons not to follow this team now since the change, but for many of them, you've got to question how loyal of fans they were. It would take a whole heck of a lot to stop coming to BU games if I were in the Peoria area. For some, I guess it doesn't take much aside from winning to keep them away.

I mean, people who post on here regularly have endured the same "change" that every other fan has, right? And that hasn't kept us away. Just thinking out loud...

[alczervik75]

the fans will come back with plenty of wins - but that hardly erases the enormous benefit there would have been had there been 10,500 instead of 6,500 or 7,500 for the past couple years...
but there is also a chance given the atmosphere where long time loyal fans - might thus be replaced by younger - possibly more fickle fans who need consistent winning to stay around - then you might see what's happening at DePaul...
they have lost many long time and loyal fans who have simply given up on any hope of winning - given up their season tickets, and moved on...and now DePaul is considering moving back to their smaller on-campus arena..
...but keep in mind - they still have the Catholic connection - we don't

Being Catholic, and having lived very close to Depaul's campus, I don't believe the religious affiliation matters one bit for DePaul's basketball attendance. Having an "on-campus" arena walking distance (or a short cab ride) from hundreds of thousands with money to burn, plus playing big names would certainly help their attendance in a way that is different than here. Bradley will always be different than DePaul, but it does have an advantage of being the only game in town.

I don't think it's entirely a generational thing with fickle fans, as the early 90s' saw 3 straight years with under 7,400 avg fans, and it took winning and building a program to bring them back. Also, while I'm sure there are a good number of fans who were loyal to a previous coach and left because of a change, there are certainly others who have stayed because of the hope of a new staff. This isn't all that unlike Bruce Weber at Illinois, you either lose donors when you fire him because they liked him, or you lose donors if you keep him because they didn't think he'd cut it

Unfortunately, Bradley will have to be successful for a sustained time before they will likely be asked into a conference treated like a major (similar to Butler, but they also have a major city). The good news is, Bradley's attendance, facilities and financial support should insure we end up in whatever the "best of the rest" conference is, and that shouldn't be far from the current MVC (and may be better). The only way we're totally screwed is if it gets to 4 16 team superconferences that leave the NCAA.

[tornado]

but it DOES if it the key that gets them into a GREAT Catholic conference with a huge TV deal...
my point was that without the Catholic connection - BU is never going to get into the new Big East

[alczervik75]

but it DOES if it the key that gets them into a GREAT Catholic conference with a huge TV deal...
my point was that without the Catholic connection - BU is never going to get into the new Big East

OK, I absolutely agree there.

Best thing that could happen for Bradley is joining with the losers from the A10 in this thing along with a few other MVC teams.

[bradleyfan124]

"Build it and they will come" from the baseball movie. You will always get the diehards to come to the games no matter what ( like me) but the extra 3000 will come back when we become more competitive and we will. Geno i feel does a good job of coaching and I think he will recruit also.

I hope it is true about Mike Shaw!

[Chico]

I know that some people may have legit reasons not to follow this team now since the change, but for many of them, you've got to question how loyal of fans they were. It would take a whole heck of a lot to stop coming to BU games if I were in the Peoria area. For some, I guess it doesn't take much aside from winning to keep them away.

I mean, people who post on here regularly have endured the same "change" that every other fan has, right? And that hasn't kept us away. Just thinking out loud...

You're right. I for one haven't been a fan of all the BU coaches since I've been, or now was, a season ticket holder and before, but I went to every game and wanted every coach to succeed. For those who haven't been gone during the season, you'll never know how much you will miss watching the Braves.