Chicago State game moved to smaller older campus arena

[Da Coach]

Bradley is scheduled to play at Chicago State on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 2 PM, the first time Bradley has visited Chicago State since Dec. 4, 1993.
Chicago State opened their new Emil and Patricia A. Jones Convocation Center in 2007 and that is where they play their home basketball games. It has a capacity for basketball of around 6,000.

However, Chicago State just announced today that they will celebrate the school's 150th Anniversary with a Throwback Game at the Jacoby Dickens Center on Saturday, Dec. 16 against Bradley beginning at 2:05 p.m. The school was founded Sept. 2, 1867, and started playing men's basketball in the 1966-67 season. -
MEN’S BASKETBALL HOSTS BRADLEY IN CSU’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY THROWBACK GAME ON DEC. 16

http://gocsucougars.com/news/2017/12/5/mens-basketball-hosts-bradley-in-csus-150th-anniversary-throwback-game-on-dec-16.aspx

The Dickens Center is their old and much smaller campus gymnasium, which is normally is used just for volleyball now that the Jones Center houses their basketball games. It has a seating capacity of under 2,500.

http://www.gocsucougars.com/sports/2008/4/13/JDC.aspx?id=19

Their home average attendance so far this season is 489 per game.

[wily coyote]

Will this game be on any TV or espn3?

[Da Coach]

Will this game be on any TV or espn3?

The Chicago State game on Saturday, Dec. 16 is not currently listed anywhere on TV or video streaming

[Southside]

CSU v BU

That stinks.

I've been to dozens of CSU games and their basketball arena is nice. Good place to catch a game. CPS plays their HS basketball championship game there. The Dickens Center is like a HS gym.

Very disappointing.

[tornado]

I wonder if the thought crossed their minds that there's more Bradley fans in Chgo than Chicago State fans so they want to make it harder and less likely many will show

[DannyCooksey]

I wonder if the thought crossed their minds that there's more Bradley fans in Chgo than Chicago State fans so they want to make it harder and less likely many will show

Do you really think a public school in this state would turn away ticket sales and much needed money out of fear the opposition might bring more fans? If that thought did cross the minds of the powers that be at CSU then it's no surprise they are in the trouble they're in.

[tornado]

They have been known for making some very bad decisions...

And administrations making bad decisions aren't like hens teeth you know...
...speaking of bad decisions - they definitely do happen - I once heard of an administration at one of the top 50 all time DI programs (in both wins and attendance) who made so many bad decisions like moving games to a tiny on-campus gym and jacking season ticket prices & maintenance by 300-400% for some fans, and firing all the most popular and competent people in the Athletic Department who were responsible for Sweet Sixteen runs, record attendance and record revenue - then replaced them all with complete doofuses who ran the entire program into the ground.

So - I have seen it - there are DI programs who make stupid decisions that cause them to lose massive amounts of revenue.
Thankfully some of those programs have fans who are smarter than the admin, and the fans find a way to run the incompetents out...

[Da Coach]

Do you really think a public school in this state would turn away ticket sales and much needed money out of fear the opposition might bring more fans? If that thought did cross the minds of the powers that be at CSU then it's no surprise they are in the trouble they're in.

Though I don't buy that excuse, it is strange that they could have chosen any of their 11 home games this season to have their 150th Anniversary Throwback Game, yet they chose the one game that would draw the highest attendance, mostly from visiting BU fans.

[DannyCooksey]

Though I don't buy that excuse, it is strange that they could have chosen any of their 11 home games this season to have their 150th Anniversary Throwback Game, yet they chose the one game that would draw the highest attendance, mostly from visiting BU fans.

On the plus side, Dickens is a great place to see a game and there is great history there. Chicago State was an NAIA power back in the 70's and 80's when Bob Hallberg was there (later coached at UIC). Lots of big games have been played there and for you die-hards that will make the trip I think you will enjoy it immensely.

Perhaps its a sign of respect to Bradley? Maybe they moved the game to their old gym in an effort to find some of the old magic and perhaps spring an upset against easily their toughest home opponent of the year. The 150th Anniversary is just a bonus.

I actually think it's a cool idea. If there are 800-1200 people in that facility that will sound and feel a lot better than that same qty in the Convo center. The atmosphere should be very lively and fun.

[molar50]

How can I get tickets for this game?

[Da Coach]

How can I get tickets for this game?

The Bradley ticket office might get some tickets. Their phone is 309-677-2625.

The other option is to get them from Chicago State.
Here is their ticket page for the Bradley game. It requires you register to buy tickets-

https://gocsucougarstickets.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=1348&cid=167&r=bc443def469d494b9a7704819e3254d1

However- caution....I registered and proceeded to the page wher you can select and buy tickets for the Dec. 16 Bradley game, and it shows there are plenty of tickets available. However, the seating chart they show which allows you to select your tickets is for the Jones Convocation Center where they play all their other games, not for the Jacoby Dickens Center where this game will be played. So I did not buy tickets there, and plan on buying them at the door. Despite the smaller venue and the throwback promotion, there should still be good seats available at the door.

[tornado]

but surely there are already some people who have bought tickets prior to the announcement of the change in location, and have tickets in hand for some seat at the Jones Convocation Center. I have to believe they have a plan to accomodate those ticketholders.

[Jim]

Bus trip

Have you folks ever thought about organizing a "Bradleyfans" bus trip to some away games?

[Da Coach]

Have you folks ever thought about organizing a "Bradleyfans" bus trip to some away games?

I am not sure who you might be referring to with "you folks", but if you meant the owners and administrators of this Bradley fan message board, the answer is no.
The Bradley Chiefs Club (now known as the Bradley Braves Club) used to organize and operate multiple bus trips to road games every year for fans. But it came to an end when the previous administration killed off the fan interest and discontinued the bus trips. I am sure there are many people on this board who have gone on some of those past Braves Club bus trips organized by Ken Goldin and Ken Kavanagh (and Ron Ferguson before him), and everyone always had a great time, win or lose. They frequently stopped for food at nice restaurants like The Beef House, and there were contests and merchandise giveaways on the bus. I can even remember when they had to add a 2nd or 3rd bus in some past years because of the tremendous fan interest and involvement.

I would love to see this new administration revive the fan bus trips starting with one or two a year to nearby opponents like Chicago State and ISU. A trip to the Chicago State game could have been coupled with a stop at one of the large shopping malls in the suburbs or a visit downtown.

[tornado]

and lunch at Portillos