Things I would like to see.....

[Rusty 54]

While I would love to see students in both end zones, I don't think that there are enough students that go to games now to make that realistic. I would move the band to a corner and give the other students the entire end zone. I am all for red outs every game, but I thought the red-white checkerboard was cool too.

[Beninator]

Exactly! And you want to get as MANY students involved as possible as often as possible. Besides creating a better atmosphere for all, don't forget the students of today are the fanbase / donors of tomorrow.

Which is all the more reason to find new ways to give the students a reason to go to the games. As DRu stated and I completely agree, BU games are an event. I think we just need to find fresh ideas to generate greater interest among the students. We can have the pregame festivities (which I am very much in faver of) at the PCC (if not the PCC then we need to find a good place) , but we cant do the same thing at each pregame or the interest in pregame activies will fade away. It would probably be impossibe because of the catering service in the PCC, but how about a mini taste of Peoria pregame festival for one game in one of the banquet halls with BU basketball decor. --ok just dreaming out loud again with no regard for the specifics involved--- Maybe have a pregame with a promotion in which a BU student gets his or her books free for the next semester. --another pregame could involve bringing in a band for a pregame show/fun atmosphere---The main thing is that pregame promotions and promotions during the game cant be the same old same old thing... Nothing against the cheerleaders at all, but the surfing thing during a time out got real old real fast. --again not knocking the cheerleader as the do a fine job---

[Chucky T's]

In Cincinnati for the Reds games they had "high five" seats for $5.00. The seats were in the top five rows of the stadium but it was cheap and fun entertainment. I always thought that the Civic Center / BU should do the same for events / games. Wouldn't it be better to sell the seats cheap than to not sell them at all? Put the "high five" seats on sale at 5:00 the day of the game and you might see more fans at the games.

[Chico]

What do you mean more reasons for the students to go to the games? Their team is playing. That should be enough. As for Bradley having their own facility, get serious. Where would 10,000 fans park in that neighborhood? We have a fine arena. Better than most in our conference.

[SaintLouBrave22]

Really all that needs to happen is a renovation of the inside of the arena portion....brighter colored seats and backdrops and get rid of the ice, the Rivermen are a JOKE anyways! The new video board will help, but there is much more that could be capitalized on to make the entire experience more fan friendly and just all in all a better atmosphere...


Actually winning your home games would help too...make the place one of those like SIU Arena where opponents look at their schedule and say "oh god, we gotta go to Peoria on Wednesday"


And for the love of G.A., keep the opening video montage from the final game v Tulsa...thats the one EVERYONE loves!

[JasonAtBradley]

All Quick Change, all the time...

If we want more entertainment at halftime, we could go with this attraction. Creighton already has.

[tornado]

Jason, I thought that slinky guy was a bit interesting at first, but after just 20 seconds I figured I had seen the gig,
and couldn't care less what he did after that. I was ready to go for popcorn, but forced myself to watch the rest of the act.
It seemed agonizingly loooooong, and seemed as if it was never going to end. I don't know, something about it
made me wonder how anyone could watch it more than 20-30 seconds? Finally at the end,
I was shocked to see the guy "step out" of the "costume" before runnning off the floor. It was a real downturn, very anti-climactic,
as I think he should have shortened his act and just slinked off the floor leaving viewers to wonder just who he was, man or woman??

[dogsrus]

What do you mean more reasons for the students to go to the games? Their team is playing. That should be enough. As for Bradley having their own facility, get serious. Where would 10,000 fans park in that neighborhood? We have a fine arena. Better than most in our conference.

Basically I agree with you Chico...there is a game, either you want to go or you don't. Sometimes though a little mkt'ing will go along way to create NEW fans, especially freshman or newbie townies.

Get em hooked and then go from there.....

[Chico]

Dog, I can see some marketing for the incoming students to get them interested. Maybe for the red-white game and any pre-season game, but after that, it's up to them. They're either a BU fan or not. They're old enough to realize it's game night.

[Beninator]

Chico, I know where you are coming from with the "reason" thing. But we have seen from a previous post on this thread that we need to find ways to encourage student participation. Since the games were moved from the Fieldhouse, there is simply a disconnect between the team and the students.imo

As I have stated on a previous thread a while ago, once the facilities are complete, I would like to see BU incorporate the Red/White scrimmage with an outside afternoon cookout possibly in the quad area incorporating past players, booths from sponsors, and bands to promote the team to students, alumni, and fans. If this were to take off, it could be a great for recruiting as well.

[Rusty 54]

No night classes on game nights!

[Chico]

How's this? On the first day of classes give each student a Bradley basketball schedule with a note saying "Come support your team. The Civic Center isn't much further than the stops on Farmington Rd."

[Beninator]

Why stick to the status quo to increase interest?

[Chico]

IMO, when they come to Bradley they know about the school's basketball reputation. If they want to go to the games they will.

[Rusty 54]

IMO, when they come to Bradley they know about the school's basketball reputation. If they want to go to the games they will.

I don't really think thats true anymore. I knew about the Sweet 16, but didn't know about the history. Maybe kids from central Illinois do, but I don't think a lot of the other students know.