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The games won't start until November, but plenty of events to keep fans engaged with Bradley Basketball throughout October, including two open practice events. The release also includes reminders for ticket sales dates and the various available mini-packages:
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Bradley Associate AD for Communications and Operations
Twitter: @BPtheBrave -
That's a rather unfortunately named camp they're going to on the third. -
The team has assisted at the Kourage Kids Camp for several years now. Here's some info: https://www.unitypoint.org/peoria/se...rage-kids.aspxLast edited by Bobby Parker; 09-30-2015, 07:20 PM.Bradley Associate AD for Communications and Operations
Twitter: @BPtheBraveComment
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These are great events, and in line with some of the promises made by Dr. Reynolds at the luncheon in June. I am sure they will be well attended. Thanks Bobby!Comment
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Here are the fan - related events...just what I think many fans were waiting to hear - open practices, etc............
Oct. 12 - MONDAY - 11:30 a.m. Season-Ticket Holder Appreciation Luncheon Renaissance Coliseum Braves Club Room
Oct. 20 - TUESDAY - 7:30 a.m. Season-Ticket Holder Appreciation Breakfast Renaissance Coliseum Braves Club Room
Oct. 20 - TUESDAY - 3:30 p.m. Season-Ticket Holder Appreciation Reception Renaissance Coliseum Braves Club Room
Oct. 28 - WEDNESDAY - 8:30 a.m. Season tickets available for pickup Renaissance Coliseum Nick & Nancy Owens Atrium
Oct. 28 - WEDNESDAY - 4-6:00 p.m. Men's Basketball Open Practice Renaissance Coliseum
Oct. 31 - SATURDAY - 10:00 a.m.-Noon Men's Basketball Open Scrimmage Renaissance Coliseum
Season ticket holders can attend the Breakfasts & receptions but MUST CALL to reserve...
...Chris Braun (309-677-2668 or cabraun@bradley.edu).
Thank you BP, and thanks to Dr. Chris Reynolds, Coach Wardle, and Chris Braun - fans are gonna love it.Comment
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FAIR WARNING...Originally posted by tornado View Post
if you want to go to one of these free fan-appreciation evernts, you'd better get on the ball....
The October 12 LUNCH RECEPTION is already booked full and closed to any further requests!!
..and the other two events on Oct. 20 are nearly full........
I recommend call today!Comment
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Oct. 12 Luch Reception
I can't believe this!....We didn't receive the postcard on the Oct 12 Luncheon until Friday. I had a 5-1/2 hour surgery earlier that week and wasn't able to call until Sat. Couldn't get through so I called early Monday and was told the luncheon was full and "nothing could be done". I did receive a nice call from Chris Rs. secretary. Looks like they need a larger room for the luncheon.
WizComment
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that's bad news, wiz...but in a way it is GOOD NEWS....
I think it's phenomenal that in just a couple days, the first of the fan appreciation receptions is completely booked - even before some got their postcards about the events!!
I suspect if they all fill, they may add more...
anyway, when this was done before - I said then & I still think now that it was a very good idea...but there were reasons resulting in half empty club rooms...
...I really enjoyed the one I went to just before we headed out to the Bahamas, and I think they were great for the fans who were there but - they were poorly attended for reasons that we could debate - but nice to see this year might be different.Comment
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video report - Bradley Braves with the kids
ISU announces their Hoopfest-
it follows the Volleyball game and is blended the women's event and with fan events, dunk contest, etc.... on Oct. 23
Last edited by tornado; 10-08-2015, 11:30 AM.Comment
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the 2nd of the Preseason Fan Appreciation events - this morning's Breakfast - is now in the books and was an enormous success, just like the first one.Originally posted by tornado View Post
One more at 3:30pm this afternoon - it is also completely booked...
Get ready...........
Next up .....
Originally posted by tornado View PostComment
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Just back from the event - the afternoon reception with the basketball coaches & AD - it went on almost 2 hours with Coach Wardle and Chris Reynolds talking about the program, the players, etc.....then an extended question & answer session
Exciting - fans were enthusiastic and anxious for the season.... it's a feeling I see everywhere and haven't seen it like this is years!
everyone on the same page - didn't seem like there were any doubters at all that we were fully on the same page and we are going the right direction with the right people in charge.
-the team just finished their 14th practice and they are allowed 6 weeks, and 5 practice days per week with 2 mandatory days off - 30 practice days leading up to the first game.
-season ticket sales are up substantially but moreso the new special packages are very popular - especially the family packs
-games will look different - there's going be a big presence of an atmosphere that will be kid-friendly..
-Coach Stowell, and every other past Bradley player and coach will be heartily welcomed and many will also have a big presence at all future games
-the new walk-on player D'Angelo McBride, although he is a sophomore academically, is a freshman in athletic eligibility since this is his first year. So now we have TEN freshmen.
-Some news on Mike Shaw - not good - struggling with injuries cannot redshirt - used his RS with the transfer
-talked a little about recruiting - hinted that we are targeting 2 or 3 remaining recruits with our final 2016 scholarship - but will not use it unless we find the right fit - no desperation to use it quick
-here is the Bradley video coordinator - Zach Larson
-Coach Wardle and staff have visited every high school - especially during open gyms and practices - for a 50 mile radius - some multiple times.
The single thing they heard said almost every day was..
"nobody from Bradley has set foot in this gym in years. In fact nobody ever even called us"
-excited with who we have committed for 2016 but cannot comment on them specifically until they sign
-perhaps someone who is currently a freshman might transfer after 1 or 2 years - and that transferring is a near-epidemic in DI - so it could happen, but Coach Wardle is not counting on it and has no particular thought on who might.
-gotta get more young people and younger fans - marketing will be aimed at bringing in new season ticket buyers...
..more when I have time - gonna go pull for the CubsComment
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Evansville just held one of these similar events...and it was heavily promoted - with the players and coaches at the event...
They expected MORE than 100
(remember - our Itoo event drew well over 500, the Auction- despite the $100 fee- also drew 550,
& each of the three morning & afternoon receptions were sellouts and drew 60-80+ and more)
but as you can see from the photos they appear to have drawn only about 80 or so fans
(16 tables with 7 or 8 at each - although at least a couple at each table are the players/coaches).
PHOTO GALLERY
No knock on the Aces - they call their event a great success...but this really shows that Bradley's fan base is awesome - that we have the ability to draw almost 8-10 times what they drew for preseason events!
one other thought-
if Bradley does reasonably well in 2015-16 and the outlook is good for next season - then I'd like to see a well organized (paging Ken Goldin)
PRESEASON BANQUET at a nice venue - but possibly Ren-Col, with the players (like we used to do - LINK and in the post-season) and I think we'd draw 2000!
There hasn't been a pre-season or a post-season banquet since Dr. Cross arrived and yet they used to draw over 1000 in some years (recall at the huge Exhibition Hall downtown in 2006?)
Even the hastily arranged going-away reception for Ken Kavanagh that was held at the Civic Center with NO help or cooperation from the Bradley admin at the time - still drew well over 1000!Last edited by tornado; 10-21-2015, 01:46 PM.Comment
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I have just heard that individual game seats and especially the package plans (Family Plan, Marquee 3, Pick 5, Opening Act Plan..etc...)October 12 - 8:30 a.m. Single-game tickets go on sale - LINK....
are selling well and the lower bowl and choice upper bowl seats are disappearing --
Act quickly as I have heard even season ticket holders are buying up additional seats
and they show up at Ren-Col to pick up their tickets in a few days (on Wednesday)
Originally posted by tornado View Post
GO Braves!Comment
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