What will make attendance better?

[The Old Guy]

Parking becomes a significant problem if the team back to campus. When the team was still on campus, the University had to depend on the community north of Main Street to provide parking. We lived about two blocks north of the Fieldhouse and our kids loved the fact that they could sell parking spaces in our driveway. Would have to get the neighborhood on board again to make playing on campus feasible.

[Bradley3342]

The Illinois State game should always be on a Saturday both home and away.

I agree with you braves16. When was the last time this game at home was played on a Saturday? Correct me if I’m wrong but I think almost every game in the last few years has always been played on a Wednesday…

[Bradley3342]

I’m not student age, but not “older” either, and I would say these are my thoughts:

1. I’ve probably always been an “old soul” in terms of my interests and tastes. I don’t love loud or modern music much. Give me an acoustic figure and I’m good. However, that’s not the case for most in my generation. It is a tough balancing act because to a certain extent you have to play to younger people’s interests or eventually you will have no one left because older fans won’t be around forever. I love baseball the old fashion way as a non-timed relaxing game, but younger people generally don’t and that’s the MLB’s problem too right now.

2. At the same time, for a program like Bradley the older fans are its lifeblood right now. It’s a tough balancing act between young and older fans.

3. It’s harder to get invested in programs when the team changes every year with the new rules. I’m not saying I even disagree kids should have more pay or choice, but it’s created other problems to solve. I don’t know what the right answer is there. Having said that, Bradley did have some returning players and hype this year as much as a modern mid-major can expect, and it hasn’t seemed to matter much.

4. I’m not sure if power teams will even do 2 for 1s anymore, but maybe even more scheduling deals with other upper level mid majors (established, known programs). I don’t see what that’s not possible. We don’t see to do that much.

5. I don’t think the streaming is hurting young people attendance much. Young people aren’t generally watching cable tv anyway, and sports interest is less in younger generations unless they are playing them. It’s all about promoting one’a self now.

6. I do think more student would go if it was on campus and easy. Also experience is a big factor right now. The college game day type atmosphere with students jumping up and down along with a loud arena are a draw. This would happen more in a smaller arena. I just don’t see, baring a final four Loyola type run, Carver being filled like it used to be no matter what Bradley does due to societal factors. Maybe they could make it a “family” event like some are saying and try to attract people that way, but I’m not sure it’ll work.

To me, keep winning, hopefully eventfully on a national stage (NCAA tournament or beat ranked teams - cause that’s what the kids check), and move to campus (the 6200 seat expansion sounds good enough if still possible) to create a better student and overall atmosphere. Do more scheduling with upper level mid-majors that are well known programs and 2-for-1 with power teams if at all possible. Even do this with lower power teams, because with the new rules programs can change year to year anyway in terms of how good they are. Find a balance between younger game day happenings and a family/older generation happenings in terms of what is presented during games.

As someone who doesn’t live in the immediate Peoria area, as mentioned, the ticket prices are a huge factor for me too. I can’t afford nice seats very often.

Well said BUfan14

[Da Coach]

I agree with you braves16. When was the last time this game at home was played on a Saturday? Correct me if I’m wrong but I think almost every game in the last few years has always been played on a Wednesday…

Just last season, the ISU game at Bradley was on a Saturday (Feb. 19, 2022), though you are right that most home ISU games in the recent past have fallen on weekdays.

A former AD told me the main reason for this is because the MVC makes the schedule, and they have always tried to schedule the closer road trips for teams during the week, and the longer trips over weekends so the players miss the minimum amount of classroom days.

[braves16]

I just watched some of the Providence-Creighton game from Omaha. The Blue Jays had a huge student section and they were 9-8 going into that game. It would be interesting to know if Creighton does anything special to get students out for games.
When McDermott left Iowa State for Creighton, ISU hired Fred Hoiberg. ISU started selling $99 season tickets in the balcony at Hilton Coliseum. A buddy of mine jumped on that for 5 or 6 years. My friend has had ISU football tickets for about 45 or 46 years. I know they were still offering those tickets at the beginning of the Steve Prohm era because I went with him to a game when Prohm was there. Maybe Bradley could offer something like to get people interested in going to games without breaking the bank. Just a thought.

[braves16]

Is it possible for the Journal-Star beat writer to get a FOI and get the information on what Carver Arena charges Bradley per game. I think that info would be interesting to know.

[Da Coach]

It is ~$40,000 per game. The Civic Center keeps all revenue from parking & concessions.

[braves16]

It is ~$40,000 per game. The Civic Center keeps all revenue from parking & concessions.

Thanks DC.

[Grizz]

Aren't most of the problems solved (except parking) if they move to RenCol?

The answer to improving turnout is to move into a building that seats fewer people than the lowest average we've ever had? So even fewer people can attend?? What sense does that make?

[Da Coach]

The Renaissance Coliseum could be expanded, which is feasible.
If attendance is shrinking with no signs that it will go back to numbers like a decade ago (>6000). The BU Athletic Department cannot continue to lose money with every game like they are at the Civic Center.

[braves16]

Even at 4,000 to 5,000 fans a game, I wonder what Carver rakes in for concessions and parking.

[BradleyBiz]

Renaissance can probably add some seating. A capacity of 6,000? Highly unlikely. 5,000 is probably more practical. Anything else would have to be cost prohibitive. But seating is not the only thing Renaissance will have to overcome. Security and admission would be a disaster for a crowd of 4-5k. Concessions would be a mess unless they are able to add 4-5 new areas. Plus you probably lose some of the variety of concessions. If the move is made and these areas are not addressed adequately, you will be looking at a Belmont situation where you have a 4500 seat gym that’s half filled. That is a major risk of going down this path.

RC is a glorified high school gym. Looks nice but has some major drawbacks. Unfortunately, Bradley was very shortsighted when RC was designed. If it was designed for 6000-7000, we’d already be there.

[BUBraves2006]

Many great responses on the thread - glad I started it ... a couple more thoughts I've had when reading through ->

• Some may say, well, let's focus on the locals. That's fine but unless those locals are going to be loud, it doesn't really make the environment more exciting. And, I'm actually not saying this to blame the locals. I'm going back to the students and maybe even the band and cheerleaders as well. When I was attending, the place was LOUD. And this was driven by a combination of a thundering band, very loud chants by the students most possessions and cheerleaders always starting some kind of chant to get the students and the crowd into it. Maybe I'm being too nostalgic at times but, I'm certain that was part of the reason why people went to so many games. It was EXCITING! (Among many of the other reasons already stated)

[Big Mike]

I worked on the construction of renaissance....was told at the time there is room on the east court side (across from benches) was built with room for upper deck expansion ....

[Da Coach]

I worked on the construction of renaissance....was told at the time there is room on the east court side (across from benches) was built with room for upper deck expansion ....

Yes. Joanne Glasser commissioned a study a decade ago when Bradley was having problems negotiating a new contract with the Civic Center, and she felt she needed a backup plan to help give her an advantage in negotiating. It found that it was feasible to add balconies on one or both sides that would increase the capacity to a maximum of a little over 6,000. The structure could possibly be expanded on either side.
And it could be modified to provide easy admission, concessions, restrooms, security, etc. Parking would be the only serious issue. However, Bradley owns most of the properties to the west and south, as well as in other areas that could be redesigned for parking. It could be done, and I believe eventually it will be. It's been done at many smaller private schools, such as Drake (capacity 6,400) and Belmont (capacity 5,000). Each of those 2 arenas have only one concession area in their entrance lobbies, and it works fine.