Some thoughts on the lack of students at games

[BUfan17]

Hi everyone, this is my first actual thread I've posted but I've been a long time lurker on here. I don't want to assume everyone's age but I think I'm probably one of the younger ones on here as I just graduated from Bradley last year. My thoughts may be a little different than others but I think its good to compare views. As we all have seen, the Bradley students just don't show up to games. Ever since I was just a freshman at Bradley (middle of the horrible Geno era) less students have been going to the games every year. So much so that they turned a half of the student section into the Hyvee Red Zone. Now I know winning should bring them back(and it seems to be working a little) but I think there is also a few other problems. Bradley students seem to have this mentality that going to the games isn't the "cool" thing to do. To most students it doesn't even cross their mind that they have a D1 basketball team playing every week, partying is usually more of a priority. Even though you see lots of people wearing Bradley apparel, school spirit seems to be rather low. Many of my friends at Bradley had gone their entire college career without going to a single game. Another problem is that the games are downtown and not on campus(from my understanding this is due to logistics and some political reasons with the city, correct me if I am wrong). I know this probably doesn't seem like a huge problem to most of you since we drive everywhere everyday but when you are used to being on campus and being able to walk to anything you need in 5 minutes, getting on a bus or having to drive downtown can be a pain. There would be a lot more students if they could just walk up to the game. What does everyone else think? I hope we finish this season strong with a good crowd and hopefully really pack Carver all of next season.

[Bradley3342]

It seems Bradley has tried everything to get the students going to the games. Even games on campus but nothing seems to help much. Everyone on this site has hashed this over many times. I think the only thing that will help bring the students back is to keep this winning streak going. Getting a big W on Wednesday night. Go Braves!

[tornado]

..the games are downtown and not on campus(from my understanding this is due to logistics and some political reasons with the city, correct me if I am wrong)....

mainly logistic as Bradley historically always drew 8,000-10,000 - and altho the old Fieldhouse did hold 7,200, the streets were narrow, parking difficult, and the downtown arena helps land television coverage as well as is a recruiting tool - kids wanting to play in nice, big, glamorous arenas.
The only political issues are actually a negative, as it is hard to get all the dates Bradley wants, and prime Saturday nite dates go to the Rivermen and Disney on Ice.
And lastly - the huge majority of the long time fans, sponsors, and big money donors prefer downtown, and you sure don't want to tick them off (something Joanne Glasser & Mike Cross never quite figured out)

[Da Coach]

Hi everyone, this is my first actual thread I've posted but I've been a long time lurker on here. I don't want to assume everyone's age but I think I'm probably one of the younger ones on here as I just graduated from Bradley last year. My thoughts may be a little different than others but I think its good to compare views. As we all have seen, the Bradley students just don't show up to games. Ever since I was just a freshman at Bradley (middle of the horrible Geno era) less students have been going to the games every year. So much so that they turned a half of the student section into the Hyvee Red Zone. Now I know winning should bring them back(and it seems to be working a little) but I think there is also a few other problems. Bradley students seem to have this mentality that going to the games isn't the "cool" thing to do. To most students it doesn't even cross their mind that they have a D1 basketball team playing every week, partying is usually more of a priority. Even though you see lots of people wearing Bradley apparel, school spirit seems to be rather low. Many of my friends at Bradley had gone their entire college career without going to a single game. Another problem is that the games are downtown and not on campus(from my understanding this is due to logistics and some political reasons with the city, correct me if I am wrong). I know this probably doesn't seem like a huge problem to most of you since we drive everywhere everyday but when you are used to being on campus and being able to walk to anything you need in 5 minutes, getting on a bus or having to drive downtown can be a pain. There would be a lot more students if they could just walk up to the game. What does everyone else think? I hope we finish this season strong with a good crowd and hopefully really pack Carver all of next season.

Thanks for your insight.

I don't see the games being moved back to campus any time in the near future, thanks to the current AD's desire to remain a big time D1 program. And the fans are mostly happy about that. But hopefully, the people from the AD's office or the basketball office can work out an even more convenient and efficient way to get students to the games.

And maybe when Bradley is recruiting the general population of high school kids for each year's class (not the basketball coaches, but the University admissions department), they need to ask all prospective high school recruits if they like college basketball, and try to recruit more basketball fans.

[Chico]

Having to drive downtown shouldn??™t make a difference. Downtown isn??™t much further than the spots down on Farmington Rd.

[FortyTwo]

Rather than try and create more of a student friendly environment (floor seating section, Hy-vee zone, etc.) I would remove the student section and the Hy-Vee zone entirely and replace it with very attractive season ticket packages or low cost general admission prices. This has literally been an issue for 25 years, and at this point trying to find new gimmicks to attract students is the definition of insanity. Culturally, it's not a desirable part of the student experience for the vast majority and I don't that getting better in the digital age.

I'm a season ticket holder and it's downright embarrassing to have to explain to guests why we have an entire end zone empty and dedicated to a group that obviously has little to no interest in attending games. I'm guessing the team/coaches would much prefer to see the lower bowl full of fans, which seems like it could be accomplished with a simple tweak to the ticket pricing strategy. I'm no economist, but seems like selling 500 end zone tickets at $5/each would generate more revenue and a better game atmosphere than the current approach.

[amettrick]

I've always believed that student turn out would be a lot higher if the idea of attending games was pounded into their heads early, beginning with Freshman Orientation. It's been 15 years, so maybe things are different now, but there was 0 presence from the Athletic Department at my orientation session.

I personally didn't start to really follow BU athletics until my sophomore year. I didn't attend any games freshman year and I had no idea there was a shuttle service available to do so during my first year.

Why not get them excited about Bradley Basketball from the moment they step onto campus for that orientation. Have Coach Wardle and a player or two stop by to say hello, hand out a free t-shirt, give them free student season tickets for the first year, advertise the heck out of the shuttle service.

Make a concerted effort to get the freshman to the games from day one, and I believe you'll have a lot better chance of getting them to keep coming.

[Mikovio]

I graduated in the Sweet 16 '06 year. Back then and shortly thereafter, not only were both sides of the band filled for games, but students were seated in the upper bowl. It's no mystery what's changed since then. Classes of students have seen our basketball be bad from the moment they stepped on campus until graduation.

When Les was hired he went to all of the fraternities and gave speeches. There were free t shirts and shuttles from the student center. But until he got things going the student section typically wasn't even half full. There's plenty you can do at the margins but at the end of the day the product on the floor is what draws fans, and that goes more for students because most know little to nothing of Bradley basketball. Even 2006 is ancient history to them.

And yes it's the same distance to downtown as it is to Farmington Road but Carver doesn't have dollar bottles!

[Da Coach]

...
And yes it's the same distance to downtown as it is to Farmington Road but Carver doesn't have dollar bottles!

That may be the solution! Let's get the Civic Center to sell $1 beer for Bradley games!

[BUfan17]

I've always believed that student turn out would be a lot higher if the idea of attending games was pounded into their heads early, beginning with Freshman Orientation. It's been 15 years, so maybe things are different now, but there was 0 presence from the Athletic Department at my orientation session.

I personally didn't start to really follow BU athletics until my sophomore year. I didn't attend any games freshman year and I had no idea there was a shuttle service available to do so during my first year.

Why not get them excited about Bradley Basketball from the moment they step onto campus for that orientation. Have Coach Wardle and a player or two stop by to say hello, hand out a free t-shirt, give them free student season tickets for the first year, advertise the heck out of the shuttle service.

Make a concerted effort to get the freshman to the games from day one, and I believe you'll have a lot better chance of getting them to keep coming.

I completely agree, I think Wardle could do some stuff like that though. I'm not sure how it was when you were at Bradley but it seems like the campus culture is broken up into three parts, the athletes, the Greeks, and then the res-life/everyone else. Everyone kind of seems to keep to their groups. Seems like most of the students that go to games are other fellow athletes. I think Bradley could do a better job of integrating the athletes into the rest of campus so students would feel more connected/involved to go to games to support their classmates. But overall the most effective thing to bring students back would be to win and play higher caliber teams at home. ISU is about the only game they show up for now.

[Chico]

I graduated in the Sweet 16 '06 year. Back then and shortly thereafter, not only were both sides of the band filled for games, but students were seated in the upper bowl. It's no mystery what's changed since then. Classes of students have seen our basketball be bad from the moment they stepped on campus until graduation.

When Les was hired he went to all of the fraternities and gave speeches. There were free t shirts and shuttles from the student center. But until he got things going the student section typically wasn't even half full. There's plenty you can do at the margins but at the end of the day the product on the floor is what draws fans, and that goes more for students because most know little to nothing of Bradley basketball. Even 2006 is ancient history to them.

And yes it's the same distance to downtown as it is to Farmington Road but Carver doesn't have dollar bottles!

So you don’t drink for 2 hours while your school team is playing.

[Mikovio]

Thirsty Thursdays seem like the best draws for the Chiefs, so beer specials probably wouldn't hurt in drawing fans of all stripes. Drafts are $6 and up which is ridiculous. This isn't Chicago. Now that Bradley is getting a cut of concessions maybe they can work with PCC to make the menu more fan friendly. Could also draw families with hot dog and soda specials. I know beer specials aren't the best look for a college but we play off campus and are selling it anyway. If you're going to do it you might as well take full advantage of its drawing power.

[tornado]

Here is a great idea...something I know wizard & I have argued for many years...

North Dakota State (whose athletic budget is roughly on par with ours)..
is hiring a full time Athletic Director for FAN ENGAGEMENT!

"Developing plans and implementing and evaluating the athletic department??™s marketing, promotion and fan engagement strategies.
...Enhancing fan engagement through community and statewide outreach events.
Building relationships with campus and community leaders.
Building a culture of inclusiveness at athletic events that makes fans feel welcome and involved."

Fan engagement, building relationships, building a culture of inclusiveness...
making fans FEEL WELCOME!!
All of these areas are LIGHT YEARS better than they were 3 years ago but we still gotta get those fans coming back!

https://jobs.ndsu.edu/postings/9144

[bradleyfan124]

Here is a great idea...something I know wizard & I have argued for many years...

North Dakota State (whose athletic budget is roughly on par with ours)..
is hiring a full time Athletic Director for FAN ENGAGEMENT!

"Developing plans and implementing and evaluating the athletic department??™s marketing, promotion and fan engagement strategies.
...Enhancing fan engagement through community and statewide outreach events.
Building relationships with campus and community leaders.
Building a culture of inclusiveness at athletic events that makes fans feel welcome and involved."

Fan engagement, building relationships, building a culture of inclusiveness...
making fans FEEL WELCOME!!
All of these areas are LIGHT YEARS better than they were 3 years ago but we still gotta get those fans coming back!
https://jobs.ndsu.edu/postings/9144

Would that not be in Bobby Parkers area? I think all of the above would work. I don't think one idea will be the solution

[tornado]

what community and statewide outreach events have we seen lately?
Sure we have the Itoo supper and a few others - but attendees there are almost exclusively already long time season ticket holders.

the issue with making fans feel welcome & involved is what drove 1/2 our fan base away back between 2010-2015 ...fans were told repeatedly by those who ran the program that their input and involvement was UNwelcome and that the fans were uneducated & impatient and did not know what was good for them.

I talk almost every day to people who say they used to be season ticket holders but haven't gone lately for those very reasons...

I have said all along that Dr. Reynolds have been tremendous in reversing the damage Cross did and restoring things like the Itoo supper & some open practices, but I still think the program has NOTHING to lose & everything to gain by having a fan advisory committee.