Red-White River Jam Updates

[Chico]

Don't know what you mean by good ole boys, but I consider myself a good ole Bradley fan who has been going to games since the Armory days. Don't know what you mean by having to get the checkbook out. Are you saying us old timers haven't spent money to help support the Braves?

[wizard1]

Red-White River Jam updates

Toyota...While some of what you say may be correct, I also feel that you are overlooking some very real things that relate to the obvious dissatisfaction of so many BU fans.
First, we " old fogies" have supported BU Basketball for many years and in many ways have helped build it from its infancy. Decades of season tickets in good years and bad, establishing a booster organization over strong resistance from trustees, raising money for recruiting when virtually none was available from BU, helping coaches evaluate and recruit players back when this was legal under NCAA rules, establishing and funding promotions, traveling to road game to support our team in exciting places like Cedar Falls, Terre Haute, Carbondale, Etc. ( Our current Ath. Dept. so intent on "new" promotions has dropped the bus trips to road games ) and 7,300 to over 10,000 of us attended almost every BU home game and passed the wonderful legacy of Bradley Basketball on to our kids and grandkids.
And now, you suggest that all of this is relatively unimportant in the face of our wonderful new athletic administration with their exciting "new" preseason promotions. You say we should give these events a "try" before we complain. However Toyota, I submit that we have given them more than a fair "try" over the past few years and , except for the Bid for Braves, they have been singularly unsuccessful. Again...IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT!"
Wiz

[Bobby Parker]

The latest update regarding the River Jam Friday night: fans will have the opportunity to win several prize packages during the event, including four men's basketball season tickets. Bradley Bucks ($2 each) will be available for food and beverage purchases, as well as for entries into the prize drawings: http://www.bradleybraves.com/ViewArt...CLID=209700411

[Big Mike]

Toyota...While some of what you say may be correct, I also feel that you are overlooking some very real things that relate to the obvious dissatisfaction of so many BU fans.
First, we " old fogies" have supported BU Basketball for many years and in many ways have helped build it from its infancy. Decades of season tickets in good years and bad, establishing a booster organization over strong resistance from trustees, raising money for recruiting when virtually none was available from BU,helping coaches evaluate and recruit players back when this was legal under NCAA rules, establishing and funding promotions, traveling to road game to support our team in exciting places like Cedar Falls, Terre Haute, Carbondale, Etc. ( Our current Ath. Dept. so intent on "new" promotions has dropped the bus trips to road games ) and 7,300 to over 10,000 of us attended almost every BU home game and passed the wonderful legacy of Bradley Basketball on to our kids and grandkids.
And now, you suggest that all of this is relatively unimportant in the face of our wonderful new athletic administration with their exciting "new" preseason promotions. You say we should give these events a "try" before we complain. However Toyota, I submit that we have given them more than a fair "try" over the past few years and , except for the Bid for Braves, they have been singularly unsuccessful. Again...IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT!"
Wiz

Where is the like button........really like and agree with this post!

[Buesch N Chips]

Toyota...While some of what you say may be correct, I also feel that you are overlooking some very real things that relate to the obvious dissatisfaction of so many BU fans.
First, we " old fogies" have supported BU Basketball for many years and in many ways have helped build it from its infancy. Decades of season tickets in good years and bad, establishing a booster organization over strong resistance from trustees, raising money for recruiting when virtually none was available from BU,helping coaches evaluate and recruit players back when this was legal under NCAA rules, establishing and funding promotions, traveling to road game to support our team in exciting places like Cedar Falls, Terre Haute, Carbondale, Etc. ( Our current Ath. Dept. so intent on "new" promotions has dropped the bus trips to road games ) and 7,300 to over 10,000 of us attended almost every BU home game and passed the wonderful legacy of Bradley Basketball on to our kids and grandkids.
And now, you suggest that all of this is relatively unimportant in the face of our wonderful new athletic administration with their exciting "new" preseason promotions. You say we should give these events a "try" before we complain. However Toyota, I submit that we have given them more than a fair "try" over the past few years and , except for the Bid for Braves, they have been singularly unsuccessful. Again...IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT!"
Wiz

Things were broke, but a common business mistake is to over-correct.

[tornado]

fix what's broke instead of changing the things that were working fine....

If you want the fans to come, just come thru with the promises made many times over the past 4-5 years to start competing for championships and fill the stands...
Not one of the FOURTEEN sports programs at BU is even close to competing for championships right now...

[Bobby Parker]

Tornado, we are not where we want be overall, but that last statement is off base. Both cross country teams were contenders for MVC championships last year and will be again in a couple of weeks. Although the soccer team has struggled this year, they won a championship last year and the program is on solid footing in its ability to compete for MVC championships, particular as this large freshman class matures. The softball team just won a championship in 2014 as well. Both men's and women's golf teams were in contention for championships in the final round of last year's MVC Championship. Again, lots of work still to be done, in particular on the hardwood, but plenty of good things going on with Bradley Athletics teams, too.

As for the topic of this thread, Today's "You Pick the Music" category for the River Jam is Country and your four song choices are:
Keep Your Hands to Yourself (Georgia Satellites)
Wagon Wheel (Old Crow Medicine Show, recently covered by Darius Rucker)
Friends in Low Places (Garth Brooks)
Gunpowder and Lead (Miranda Lambert)

http://www.bradleybraves.com/quest/Questionaire.dbml?&QID=269021&DB_OEM_ID=3400

[tornado]

BP- I'm mainly a basketball fan and the past 4-5 years has been the worst span in 50 years. Our 4-year loss total of 82 is unprecedented and really no "key wins" or highlight wins in that span.

I won't argue the soccer - even tho right now they have a ways to go - as soccer has been strong at BU for over a decade..
..and I am happy for our recent golfers' and XC's successes, and they are getting closer but some of the recent meets we've competed in are largely DIII's and NAIA opponents -
but it's the emphasis BU has put on basketball, the spending, the changes, the turmoil, the promises, dropping sports and using the advantage of both track & XC scholarships to help XC.......
I'd love for the fans to be seeing the championship successes, but it's been disappointing. I'd trade 1000 Mascot competition titles for a Top 3 finish in basketball.

[Toyota12]

When I spoke of good ole boys it did not mean old fogies. Some of BU's best fans are older and that is great heritage built on a winning tradition. What I meant was the network of good ole boys who try to be so involved with program to boost their image in the community by being seen around the program. When I mentioned get out the check book a lot of these guys would rather trade out services from their business than just write a check to the program so they say I was at practice the other day. As I have stated this program has problems that need to be fixed and we all need to try and support the efforts of all involved from the athletic dept. We all know how much pressure they are under from the micro manager and her right hand man. Bobby and the other people involved are trying new things and let's give them our backing.. GO BU

[Chico]

When I spoke of good ole boys it did not mean old fogies. Some of BU's best fans are older and that is great heritage built on a winning tradition. What I meant was the network of good ole boys who try to be so involved with program to boost their image in the community by being seen around the program. When I mentioned get out the check book a lot of these guys would rather trade out services from their business than just write a check to the program so they say I was at practice the other day. As I have stated this program has problems that need to be fixed and we all need to try and support the efforts of all involved from the athletic dept. We all know how much pressure they are under from the micro manager and her right hand man. Bobby and the other people involved are trying new things and let's give them our backing.. GO BU

Nice try. But you keep bringing up the checkbook. Do you think season tickets for many, many years is a cheap way to support the program? I don't. Most good ole boys belong to the Chiefs club, etc. Nobody is knocking Bobby.

[tornado]

I don't see anyone knocking the trying of new things....
just the curiosity & questions about why the successful old, long time events have been phased out...
they are very fair questions - and I think as to why they were phased out or whose idea it was has never actually been answered.

People who repeatedly defend the new ideas are blowing smoke - as we have all been very open and anxious to see the new events - in fact
the upcoming practice that will be open to season ticket holders is universally being praised - is it not??
There's just some who are asking about the old time favorite events....

[Toyota12]

Nice try. But you keep bringing up the checkbook. Do you think season tickets for many, many years is a cheap way to support the program? I don't. Most good ole boys belong to the Chiefs club, etc. Nobody is knocking Bobby.

Nice try about what? I had season tickets for 12 years due to job and financial difficulties I could no longer renew them. I have never stopped supporting and promoting BU any way I can. Getting the check book out is directed to the local egos who trade out rather than write checks example a couple being give a car to the athletic department get 4 season tickets, do some printing and get some tickets, give a player a summer job etc. etc. also those guys used to go to practices sit around and brag about being in the know to boost egos and sit down on or by the floor at games to be seen.. I am not taking a shot at the old fans just the egos that think they are entitled to things they have gotten for years due to trade outs
and not truly donating money like a lot of true loyal BU fans that do!!

[Da Coach]

Both you guys, Toyota and Chico, are among the legions of older and dedicated loyal fans, as are many others here. I hope we can change our fortunes soon before we lose too many more of your type.
As I've said, I realize getting new, young fans interested is important, but with the fallout and long downturn the program has taken, that won't be easy right now. I think the effort is far better spent appreciating and catering to the loyal, dedicated, long-time supporters who have stuck with the program and continued their support despite all the losing, to try to keep them from giving up their support or dropping their tickets. I have been told by some such fans they feel like they are taken for granted when they see the events they enjoyed disappear, games moved to different venues, attempts to drop the name Braves, ticket prices hiked, etc.

[Chico]

Nice try about what? I had season tickets for 12 years due to job and financial difficulties I could no longer renew them. I have never stopped supporting and promoting BU any way I can. Getting the check book out is directed to the local egos who trade out rather than write checks example a couple being give a car to the athletic department get 4 season tickets, do some printing and get some tickets, give a player a summer job etc. etc. also those guys used to go to practices sit around and brag about being in the know to boost egos and sit down on or by the floor at games to be seen.. I am not taking a shot at the old fans just the egos that think they are entitled to things they have gotten for years due to trade outs
and not truly donating money like a lot of true loyal BU fans that do!!

Why just blame the "local egos"? Why not the ones at BU who are making the trade outs?

[Buesch N Chips]

I have been told by some such fans they feel like they are taken for granted when they see the events they enjoyed disappear, games moved to different venues, attempts to drop the name Braves, ticket prices hiked, etc.

If people keep paying those ridiculous maintenance fees and donating, even when they feel they are being taken advantage of, then they really have nothing to complain about. BU apparently thinks you are going to donate no matter what they do. Are they right?