Amnesty

[Da Coach]

Bradley's attendance and fan following has dropped significantly in the last several years since the damaging changes of the previous administration. And Bradley has lost a lot of fans who simply got tired of all the losing and waiting for the team to rebuild. I can't really blame them. I talked to a couple people in St. Louis this past weekend who were among those who dropped out for a few years, and are now coming back, buying tickets, and following the Braves again. But I was surprised to hear from those couple fans that they feel a bit guilty they dropped their support, and they even hesitated to return and re-invest themselves again now. But thankfully they and many others did. Bradley had way more fans at the Enterprise Center than any other MVC school. But there still may be many other fans who have not returned and may be thinking about it.
As the administrator of BradleyFans.com, I want to suggest that we grant a full amnesty to any and all Bradley fans who have not yet bought into this team and the program, and encourage everyone to buy season tickets again, donate again, and follow the Braves again. Nobody should be hesitant or ashamed to return as fans. Bradley needs everyone back. With the kind of support we know this community can give to Bradley basketball, we can become the next Creighton or the next Wichita State and help the coaches keep building the program upward, bringing talented recruits to Bradley, and winning more championships. Go BU!

Go Braves.jpg

[tornado]

Bradley needs to also swing a deal to soften the blow of "Maintainance" for those wanting to re-up for season seats in the lower bowl...

[Classof77]

I was just thinking this morning, "I wonder how much my season tickets will increase next year since we made the Big Dance." Perhaps there should be no increase for those of us who stuck it out.

[tornado]

but if you hike prices at the very time you want to draw back those who abandoned the program due to the former admin, then it might be self-defeating

btw- I have seen many, many Tweets and Facebook posts from past players, Ken Kavanagh, other former assistants (like Rick Karius), etc., etc....
But I have not seen a single peep that can be attributed to JG, Cross or Geno....

[Da Coach]

Speaking of past players... I sat with David Thirdkill at Saturday's game. He looks great and said he follows Bradley. He had a great time, and got to see Bradley knock off the #1 seed Loyola.

[Go_Braves]

Bradley's attendance and fan following has dropped significantly in the last several years since the damaging changes of the previous administration. And Bradley has lost a lot of fans who simply got tired of all the losing and waiting for the team to rebuild. I can't really blame them. I talked to a couple people in St. Louis this past weekend who were among those who dropped out for a few years, and are now coming back, buying tickets, and following the Braves again. But I was surprised to hear from those couple fans that they feel a bit guilty they dropped their support, and they even hesitated to return and re-invest themselves again now. But thankfully they and many others did. Bradley had way more fans at the Enterprise Center than any other MVC school. But there still may be many other fans who have not returned and may be thinking about it.
As the administrator of BradleyFans.com, I want to suggest that we grant a full amnesty to any and all Bradley fans who have not yet bought into this team and the program, and encourage everyone to buy season tickets again, donate again, and follow the Braves again. Nobody should be hesitant or ashamed to return as fans. Bradley needs everyone back. With the kind of support we know this community can give to Bradley basketball, we can become the next Creighton or the next Wichita State and help the coaches keep building the program upward, bringing talented recruits to Bradley, and winning more championships. Go BU!

Go Braves.jpg

Extremely well stated Da Coach. Wardle and his assistants, Chris Reynolds, Gary Roberts have all done marvelous jobs. Especially Wardle and his assistants to turn the Braves around so much in so little time - I mean in months since January.

Another side of the "healing coin" that concerns me. I do not know nor understand the politics of what happened when Joanne Glasser was President and her "yes" man Michael Cross were at Bradley - but key central past Bradley Basketball legends were on (did I hear correctly) various Bradley boards and organizations and either resigned or left due to Glasser and Cross. I don't know how true this is - but I seem to recall Bradley legends such as Hersey Hawkins, Roger Phegley, Mitch Anderson and likely others. And of course Jim Les. Rumors included that past players were not really invited to attend practices or be on campus or something like this. Does any of this ring a bell ?? Chris Reynolds did a lot in attempt to "mend the fence" with Joe Stowell. That is really great. If my past age memory isn't recalling all of this correctly - forgive me - but if some "bridges" with Bradley's past legends and others need to be mended - then the task to mend these bridges needs to be taken into consideration. Thank you Da Coach - again you are absolutely correct - the time is now to move forward.

Lastly - today's student body attendance has been lacking. HEY TODAY'S BRADLEY STUDENTS and THOSE BRADLEY STUDENTS that never experienced some of the "magic" of Bradley Basketball since 2006. You just witnessed and are a part of the latest Bradley Basketball LIFE TIME MEMORY. Embrace it - cherish it and Support Your Bradley Braves.

Thank you "ALL" BRADLEY FANS.

[Da Coach]

There is truth to all those things. Hersey Hawkins was on Bradley's Board of Trustees. And there were several highly successful Bradley alumni on the board as well, most of whom had made pledges to donate $1, $2, $3 millions dollars and more, and all those good people were alienated and pushed out in order to get a Board that was friendly to the President. And yes, there were games where great Bradley HOF players were at games, but Bradley chose not to even recognize them. I can give specific examples, but I'd rather focus on continuing the program in the right direction now.
And I think the excitement of an NCAA season will bring some students back to the games next year. It remains to be seen how many. But the Bradley athletic department people do everything they can to attract students.

[tornado]

She also fired Joe Stowell, ran him out and banned him from even setting foot on campus all because of a petty dispute she had with him
..but you don't have to believe me - go check the facts for yourself...

[BradleyBrave91]

Hello fellow Braves! First posting here in probably 5 years.....I can say that we are merely one family of 5 but we as a family are back supporting our Bradley Braves. Sat on the sidelines for many years due to the previous administration's decisions. Stopped donating. Watched the sports teams and school from afar. Finally saw some good things happening starting a few years back and took notice. Everyone knows what they are. BU is on a streak of some very good decisions academically and athletically. Would I change things a bit still or recommend continued improvements, yes of course (dormitories need upgrades, adding one of the most popular high school sports-D1 women's soccer). Save those issues for another day....We will be up watching all Bradley sports often, will be back on campus, and donating as well.

[Go_Braves]

There is truth to all those things. Hersey Hawkins was on Bradley's Board of Trustees. And there were several highly successful Bradley alumni on the board as well, most of whom had made pledges to donate $1, $2, $3 millions dollars and more, and all those good people were alienated and pushed out in order to get a Board that was friendly to the President. And yes, there were games where great Bradley HOF players were at games, but Bradley chose not to even recognize them. I can give specific examples, but I'd rather focus on continuing the program in the right direction now.
And I think the excitement of an NCAA season will bring some students back to the games next year. It remains to be seen how many. But the Bradley athletic department people do everything they can to attract students.

She also fired Joe Stowell, ran him out and banned him from even setting foot on campus all because of a petty dispute she had with him
..but you don't have to believe me - go check the facts for yourself...

Thank you Da Coach and tornado for confirming some of the things that I thought I read and heard and remembered. Those types of internal personal wounds take years to heal and hopefully Wardle and Chris Reynolds and Gary Roberts can assist the healing of them over time. Sounds like Chris is doing all that he can for recognizing Joe Stowell - very good. I am sure everyone is now enjoying the ride that these Bradley Braves are providing all alumni and fans. I know that I am - GO BRAVES.