Red-White River Jam Updates

[Da Coach]

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?

I think they are somewhat right, but only to a degree. As I have said before, Bradley fans are about as loyal and supportive as any fans at any D1 school. But eventually, when they feel they are being ignored or taken advantage of, or they don't feel they are getting what they've been promised for their money, the loyalty wanes and they'll finally drop their tickets and donations, as thousands already have.
I predict even the fallout deniers will be amazed how many empty seats there'll be, and how many former season ticket people have dropped out and won't be at games this year.
We'll see record low attendance numbers for many of the games again this year.

[tornado]

event was well organized - wish weather was a bit better but it didn't rain...

there are a couple pics posted - the number of students there, other than players & cheerleaders, was pretty disappointing

https://twitter.com/DaveReynolds2/status/523263671230021632

[Big Mike]

Reynolds: http://www.pjstar.com/article/201410...orts&map=11130

[Buesch N Chips]

Article says 600 people. Not bad.

[lightsout]

I for one enjoyed the event, and thought it was put together very well. I got a chance to talk to Coach Ford who said today was the first day we really had everyone practice at 100%. Coach was very nice and said that Wichita St. is the top dog in the Valley but there is no reason why this team can't take a big step up in the Valley this year. All of the players seemed excited for the season to start and were great interacting with all the fans. I also talked to Xzavier Taylor for a bit and he said that his foot feels great and he was able to go through practice today fully and is ready to go. Looking forward to what is hopefully a very successful season for Bradley basketball!

Player Intro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TchpVuDko24

[Da Coach]

Thanks for the video!

[Chico]

Glad there was a good turnout in spite of the chilly weather. Didn't really expect a good student turnout. Hope the shot in the picture isn't indicative of our shooting this season.

[tornado]

Glad there was a good turnout....

Not sure what the expectations were but the turnout was marginally "good", suppose that's relative - but there sure weren't 600...
... I am sure the folks who put a lot of time & effort into this event would have definitely liked to see more - especially more students...
I was there before the player intros and that was about when the numbers peaked - but it's really disappointing when a large hunk of the crowd left just as the coaches were about to speak ...
By the time the band was playing there weren't many folks remaining......

https://o.twimg.com/2/proxy.jpg?t=HBgtaHR0cDovL3N0YXRpYy5vdy5seS9waG90b3Mvb3JpZ2luYWwvN2dxaTQuanBnFMBDFIAmABYAEgA&s=BQugLDbWH122WYM0KQOeisJpXrwlysT0VwtxeVo5bYY

[wizard1]

Red-White River Jam Updates

Attended the River Jam....Arrived about 6:00 & left about7:30. Clearly, attendance was not even close to 600 as was incorrectly reported by Dave R.
I would estimate no more than 300 max. and this included players, cheerleaders, and small kids. The players did not scrimmage and generally seemed bored, the food was sparce and was in another area away from the main event. This was more like an event for a high school or a very small Divn.III school.
It was not at all a good "kick off" event for he season. It looks like other schools had Red & White type scrimmages for their fans which were well attended.

Again, the Ath. Dept hardheads just don't want to do anything like the old ITOO event or the real Red & White both of which were highly successful and very well attended by real BU fans....and ticket buyers.

[Dub]

My family of 6 all went on friday, and we had a good time. Got there when it started and left about 1/2 way through the dunk contest. My little kids liked the free bouncy houses. I would have preferred a short scrimmage. All in all good. We'd probably return.

[Da Coach]

Thanks for the reports. As I have said before, I have no problem with trying new events to attract new fans, but not if it means eliminating the highly popular events that ticket-buying fans have always loved. I'd like to hear from anyone at Bradley if they think the Red-White River Jam resulted in any new tickets sold. It doesn't sound like it attracted or energized the students.
I was planning on attending, but it was just too cold for us now that we have a small grandson. I know several people who returned for the Bradley Homecoming, but they did not attend the River Jam. I doubt many did, as it was not at all conducive to attracting the Homecoming alums.

[Chico]

Thanks for the reports. As I have said before, I have no problem with trying new events to attract new fans, but not if it means eliminating the highly popular events that ticket-buying fans have always loved. I'd like to hear from anyone at Bradley if they think the Red-White River Jam resulted in any new tickets sold. It doesn't sound like it attracted or energized the students.
I was planning on attending, but it was just too cold for us now that we have a small grandson. I know several people who returned for the Bradley Homecoming, but they did not attend the River Jam. I doubt many did, as it was not at all conducive to attracting the Homecoming alums.

And it was on high school football night.

[Da Coach]

Reynolds: http://www.pjstar.com/article/201410...orts&map=11130

From the Dave Reynolds article (on page 2) describing some things said by Coach Ford at the Red-White Jam last Friday-

"Ford mentioned the Braves had gone from 10th to eighth to seventh in the Missouri Valley Conference in his three years and predicted another improvement this season."

I understand it was said at a rally for the team, but it is not correct to suggest there was improvement over the last 2 seasons.
In 2012-13, Bradley finished 7-11 (16-16 overall) and tied for 7th place in the MVC.
In 2013-14, Bradley finished with the exact same 7-11 record (12-20 overall) and in 7th place in the MVC.

Plus, between the 2012-13 and the 2013-14 seasons, Conference Champion Creighton left the MVC and was replaced by a 10th place team, Loyola, greatly weakening the MVC, and dropping the conference RPI a couple notches.

Hoping for a real improvement this year.

[LittleBrave]

From the Dave Reynolds article (on page 2) describing some things said by Coach Ford at the Red-White Jam last Friday-

"Ford mentioned the Braves had gone from 10th to eighth to seventh in the Missouri Valley Conference in his three years and predicted another improvement this season."

I understand it was said at a rally for the team, but it is not correct to suggest there was improvement over the last 2 seasons.
In 2012-13, Bradley finished 7-11 (16-16 overall) and tied for 7th place in the MVC.
In 2013-14, Bradley finished with the exact same 7-11 record (12-20 overall) and in 7th place in the MVC.

Plus, between the 2012-13 and the 2013-14 seasons, Conference Champion Creighton left the MVC and was replaced by a 10th place team, Loyola, greatly weakening the MVC, and dropping the conference RPI a couple notches.

Hoping for a real improvement this year.

Yeah. That didn't do anything to tickle my feathers hearing we had improved.
If anything, we took a major step back last year, which gave Braves fans a little less faith in Coach Ford. Hoping he can restore our hope this season.