Bradley completes schedule

[Out of Balance]

My point was that some of you seem like you just cannot find the good in a situation without painting it negative in some way. Nothing is good enough. The Illini people do the same thing with Bruce Weber. Schedule comes out, people groan. New recruit comes in, we get "where's the big man". New scoreboard, people cry because it says Home and not Bradley. Fantastic new facilities where the students could more easily attend a game? People whine and threaten to yank their tickets (as if anyone cares) because of it. Get over yourself. The team would be fine without you.

I'm all for the occasional frustration, I have had them myself, but gee gosh willikers, I just don't understand the appeal of always finding the negative side of things, unless there is a longing for failure. I remember a time where people wanted John Shoop to fail, because they hated what he was doing, and the vitriol towards him made them criticize everything he did. Bear fans actually wanted the offense to look so bad that he would be canned, with the whole firejohnshoop.com nonsense. That's the impression I get from some of you on here. Everything is bad, focusing on what is not accomplished, rather than what is.

That's why I started the expectations thread, so we could get some of those people to talk before the season, instead of all of the revisionist stuff after the fact.

Whatever. When all is said and done, after the season, hopefully everyone will be happy.

Well, Your defiantly welcome to your opinion friend. I don't agree with most of it but some has merit. Show me one post, anywhere, where a poster has said I HATE JIM LES:!: Don't you think if your going to make negative statements and accusations like that, there would be some true backbone to them:roll: Hows the old saying go, You can please some people, some of the time but you can not please all the people all the time

 

[squirrelgotdead]

... Everything is bad, focusing on what is not accomplished, rather than what is...

I know it may cause some people to have a stroke, but I am normally one of the most positive and optimistic people in the world.

The problem with the above is, well, you can't really celebrate accomplishments when there are none of note.

I have big goals and dreams for BU, and a desire to see Bradley re-establish itself in national prominence academically, culturally and athletically. Academics are already strong. In order for the cultural re-establishment to occur, athletics must be elite, across the board at all times. This makes more money for BU which can be re-invested in its growth.

I do not sell Bradley short, and I think some people tend to take the "what's in it for me" approach in terms of basketball only, and that is unfortunate, because to me, it needs to be a mutually beneficial arrangement.

 

[amckillip]

My point was that some of you seem like you just cannot find the good in a situation without painting it negative in some way. Nothing is good enough. The Illini people do the same thing with Bruce Weber. Schedule comes out, people groan. New recruit comes in, we get "where's the big man". New scoreboard, people cry because it says Home and not Bradley. Fantastic new facilities where the students could more easily attend a game? People whine and threaten to yank their tickets (as if anyone cares) because of it. Get over yourself. The team would be fine without you.

I'm all for the occasional frustration, I have had them myself, but gee gosh willikers, I just don't understand the appeal of always finding the negative side of things, unless there is a longing for failure. I remember a time where people wanted John Shoop to fail, because they hated what he was doing, and the vitriol towards him made them criticize everything he did. Bear fans actually wanted the offense to look so bad that he would be canned, with the whole firejohnshoop.com nonsense. That's the impression I get from some of you on here. Everything is bad, focusing on what is not accomplished, rather than what is.

That's why I started the expectations thread, so we could get some of those people to talk before the season, instead of all of the revisionist stuff after the fact.

Whatever. When all is said and done, after the season, hopefully everyone will be happy.

Well said my friend.

 

[tornado]

again -- and I have said it for years -- you can identify those who are most negative because they all but disappear or post slams when there's great news (new arena, top recruit, big win, post-season success), but if something bad happens - even something minimally bad (scuffle, misunderstood tweet, bad loss, bad press, etc.) then the vile flows.........
"Ye shall know them by their fruits"
"can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water"

 

[squirrelgotdead]

Michigan, Michigan St, Illinois, Villanova just to name a few teams that wouldn't come to town to play in a high school size gym, but have played at Carver. College basketball has changed over the last 40 years or so with most, but not all, major powers having larger playing facilities than they used to have in the "old days". The Fieldhouse was a great place to watch a game back then, but the Braves outgrew it. It's always nice when I go to another arena and think "this is a good facility, but for a mid-major Bradley has a place they can play and accomodate all their fans which is, in most cases, just as good or better." It would be good to have an on-campus arena, but face the facts, parking was a problem during the Fieldhouse days and 1 parking deck wouldn't solve that problem. I used to walk to the Fieldhouse from West Peoria in all kinds of weather. How many of us would want to do that now?

I realize that the dynamics have changed a lot in the last 40 years. I also realize they have changed dramatically further in just the last 10-15. The Illinois, Michigan and Villanova contests were all in that 10-15 year range. Michigan State has been since.

And I've never said anywhere that those would be the kinds of teams we would be playing at the new arena. On occasion we still will get those, albeit with slightly less frequency-unless we become a consistent national power. And those games would and should be played at Carver.

My point is adding 1-2 home games NOT played at Carver against lower-tier schools makes more money for BU, which can then turn around and be used to put more competitive offers out there to get more teams at the level of CUSA, MWC, A10 and above for games at Carver.

On one hand some fans are complaining about the caliber of teams on the home schedule, (I share that beef somewhat-but I know how the factors involved have led to the watering down over the years) and some of the same fans are wanting to rob BU of the vehicle it has to enhance the home schedule.

 

[amckillip]

I realize that the dynamics have changed a lot in the last 40 years. I also realize they have changed dramatically further in just the last 10-15. The Illinois, Michigan and Villanova contests were all in that 10-15 year range. Michigan State has been since.

And I've never said anywhere that those would be the kinds of teams we would be playing at the new arena. On occasion we still will get those, albeit with slightly less frequency-unless we become a consistent national power. And those games would and should be played at Carver.

My point is adding 1-2 home games NOT played at Carver against lower-tier schools makes more money for BU, which can then turn around and be used to put more competitive offers out there to get more teams at the level of CUSA, MWC, A10 and above for games at Carver.

On one hand some fans are complaining about the caliber of teams on the home schedule, (I share that beef somewhat-but I know how the factors involved have led to the watering down over the years) and some of the same fans are wanting to rob BU of the vehicle it has to enhance the home schedule.

This is pretty much exactly how I feel about the whole situation. I don't love playing games in the small arena, but I understand it's a necessity.

 

[Chico]

I realize that the dynamics have changed a lot in the last 40 years. I also realize they have changed dramatically further in just the last 10-15. The Illinois, Michigan and Villanova contests were all in that 10-15 year range. Michigan State has been since.

And I've never said anywhere that those would be the kinds of teams we would be playing at the new arena. On occasion we still will get those, albeit with slightly less frequency-unless we become a consistent national power. And those games would and should be played at Carver.

My point is adding 1-2 home games NOT played at Carver against lower-tier schools makes more money for BU, which can then turn around and be used to put more competitive offers out there to get more teams at the level of CUSA, MWC, A10 and above for games at Carver.

On one hand some fans are complaining about the caliber of teams on the home schedule, (I share that beef somewhat-but I know how the factors involved have led to the watering down over the years) and some of the same fans are wanting to rob BU of the vehicle it has to enhance the home schedule.

How would playing in 4200 seat gym enhance the home schedule? What major school would want to play there? After sitting through the home schedules in the 70's, I don't want to see it again.

 

[tornado]

How would playing in 4200 seat gym enhance the home schedule? What major school would want to play there? ....

--there has never been nor ever will be any plans to play all our games there - only a select few might be played there. A lot of schools do the same thing -- I have given at least 7 or 8 examples, some are way bigger schools than us.
what MVC school does host "major schools".
--and no "major school" will ever be scheduled to play in our on-campus arena, and that fact has been stated in the press by Dr. Michael Cross, so why are we still worrying about it?

 

[squirrelgotdead]

How would playing in 4200 seat gym enhance the home schedule? What major school would want to play there? After sitting through the home schedules in the 70's, I don't want to see it again.

You obviously mis-read my entire post.

As tornado just said, we're not talking about playing ALL games there.

You add 1-2 games that aren't going to be big draws anyway and move only those to campus. So you enhance the schedule with more home games.

More home games means more wins. The on-campus games make the basketball program more profitable.

A more profitable program means they can go out and buy better home games to be played at Carver. And with a more consistent winning program, more top-flight teams would be willing to play Bradley.

It's going to take a few years before you really start to see it, and now you can add one more due to the fact it's not happening this year.

 

[AZ BU Fan]

Of course another way to make more money for BU's Athletic Dept would be to improve and WIN MORE GAMES, particularly at home. This would grow attendance at the PCC for all games and increase season ticket sales. With higher ticket prices and seat license fees increasing, this would add to the revenue as well.

A couple more appearances in the NIT/NCAA Tourney's would also increase the revenues for BU.

Winning more games, and adding more NIT/NCAA appearances would also make it more likely good teams would be willing to play in Peoria as beating BU would mean more and losing at BU wouldn't be a negative.

Hopefully BU won't have to resort to scheduling cream puffs and moving them to a cozy on campus gym to build a winning record to try and improve scheduling and profitability....Lets do it the old fashioned way by being more successful recruiting better players and doing a better job developing them to play winnng bb.

IMHO, BU has to learn to better "market" their product to non Alums in the greater Peoria area since more and more BU alum are not staying in the area, and the avg age of those who are in the area is increasing.

Improve the game experience at the PCC for BU games...This should be a must attend event during the winter months for casual or even non fans who want to enjoy the event. Take some notes from how the Phoenix Suns try to enhance their fan's experience at their bb games and be creative. Frisbee catching dogs, Quickchange, baby races, etc are getting stale. Find out what would get more younger people there who aren't BU alums...

As 'Yogurt' says in 'Spaceballs', "its all about the merchandising!"

 

[Chico]

--there has never been nor ever will be any plans to play all our games there - only a select few might be played there. A lot of schools do the same thing -- I have given at least 7 or 8 examples, some are way bigger schools than us.
what MVC school does host "major schools".
--and no "major school" will ever be scheduled to play in our on-campus arena, and that fact has been stated in the press by Dr. Michael Cross, so why are we still worrying about it?

But most posters don't care about the 8 "other schools." I keep asking for fans of the other schools you have mentioned to reply, but there doesn't seem to be any of their fans on this board.
I know as does everybody else that all the games won't be played in the new gym. Just following up on Da Coach's post a few post back suggesting it would be good for more games to be played in the gym.

 

[dogsrus]

Of course another way to make more money for BU's Athletic Dept would be to improve and WIN MORE GAMES, particularly at home. This would grow attendance at the PCC for all games and increase season ticket sales. With higher ticket prices and seat license fees increasing, this would add to the revenue as well.

A couple more appearances in the NIT/NCAA Tourney's would also increase the revenues for BU.

Winning more games, and adding more NIT/NCAA appearances would also make it more likely good teams would be willing to play in Peoria as beating BU would mean more and losing at BU wouldn't be a negative.

Hopefully BU won't have to resort to scheduling cream puffs and moving them to a cozy on campus gym to build a winning record to try and improve scheduling and profitability....Lets do it the old fashioned way by being more successful recruiting better players and doing a better job developing them to play winnng bb.

IMHO, BU has to learn to better "market" their product to non Alums in the greater Peoria area since more and more BU alum are not staying in the area, and the avg age of those who are in the area is increasing.

Improve the game experience at the PCC for BU games...This should be a must attend event during the winter months for casual or even non fans who want to enjoy the event. Take some notes from how the Phoenix Suns try to enhance their fan's experience at their bb games and be creative. Frisbee catching dogs, Quickchange, baby races, etc are getting stale. Find out what would get more younger people there who aren't BU alums...

As 'Yogurt' says in 'Spaceballs', "its all about the merchandising!"

Well put.....how about selling out the 11,400 seat arena you have before you start downsizing. The crowds we got last year were woeful and a sign of alot of things but a better product is the BEST way to fill the arena.

Sunday games...losing 5-6 games after having big leads.....those things killed us and attendance and atmosphere (lack of) reflected that.

 

[Chico]

You obviously mis-read my entire post.

As tornado just said, we're not talking about playing ALL games there.

You add 1-2 games that aren't going to be big draws anyway and move only those to campus. So you enhance the schedule with more home games.

More home games means more wins. The on-campus games make the basketball program more profitable.

A more profitable program means they can go out and buy better home games to be played at Carver. And with a more consistent winning program, more top-flight teams would be willing to play Bradley.

It's going to take a few years before you really start to see it, and now you can add one more due to the fact it's not happening this year.

I read your entire post. Don't think BU is going broke that they need to play any games outside of exibition games in the new gym. Still can't figure out why some fans want to see any regular season
played in the new gym when the season ticket holders out number 4200. If the students are sports fans they know where the games are played and will go. If they don't want to go all the way, 2 miles, to the CC that's their problem. Plenty of seats there for both the students and the loyal fans who buy season tickets year in and year out no matter what the team produces on the court.

 

[squirrelgotdead]

I read your entire post. Don't think BU is going broke that they need to play any games outside of exibition games in the new gym. Still can't figure out why some fans want to see any regular season
played in the new gym when the season ticket holders out number 4200. If the students are sports fans they know where the games are played and will go. If they don't want to go all the way, 2 miles, to the CC that's their problem. Plenty of seats there for both the students and the loyal fans who buy season tickets year in and year out no matter what the team produces on the court.

I am less than thrilled about the move and don't really want to see games at the on-campus arena. . .but frankly, the numbers support the move.

BU is not going broke, you are right. But they are conservative in spending right now and they aren't going to spend more in buying basketball games unless the funding comes from the source.

These games would be in addition to the season ticket package. The goal here is to play perhaps as many as 18 home games. Without looking it up, I imagine you have to go back to the 1960's to see that. Actual attendance numbers at games similar to the games we would play at the new arena would shock you...because those numbers are PATHETIC.

So I'm willing to give it a shot because I would take more home games, especially if it allows BU to go out and buy better opponents for games at Carver.

Adding these extra games to Carver, knowing that attendance would stink, BU would potentially lose money on them.

I don't see why some fans refuse to acknowledge the numbers and the long-term benefits to the move.

Ideally, the circumstances could be better surrounding the move. . .a larger on-campus arena would've been nice. A better team year in, year out would be nice because demand for the product and games at Carver would make this unnecessary. But I also understand why the University wants to make the move.

But I can agree to disagree.

 

[tornado]

...
These games would be in addition to the season ticket package.....

just thought this bears repeating since some seem to have a complete misunderstanding of this and think they are getting cheated..
You are right in pointing out that any and all games on campus would be a complete bonus to what you're already getting so you should be happy not ticked..

 

[BUBrave28]

Chico (not to single you out because there are a lot of people this is directed at), I usually agree with just about everything you say, but I think you're being completely short sighted here.

T and Squirrel are right, the games on campus would be "bonus" games to the overall home schedule. Noone would be losing any value on their season tickets.

People complain all the time that students aren't more involved with the program, but then you say if they can't make the 2 mile trip, screw em. The kids will come out to the games on campus and when they see that atmosphere they are much more likely to make that 2 mile trip downtown.

The other huge part you're missing is that if we schedule a couple games on campus all of the season ticket holders will get higher quality opponents in the future. Again, everyone complains that our home schedule is terrible. There is a solution staring us in the face and still all anyone wants to do is shoot it down.

Obviously the best way would be to put a better product on the court. That's an easy answer to throw out there. The complicated part is HOW do you put a better prudct on the court. One answer is to get better quality opponents. Another is to have a great atmosphere. You can help both those things by scheduling a couple of games on campus every year.

To me, it's an obvious solution. Some people need to stop having a me-first attitude when it comes to basketball. Yes, you pay for tickets and donate money. BU is better off because of it. But if you really are looking out for the best interests of the school, then it's easy to see why these couple of games are a great idea.

 

[tornado]

if the students see just a couple games at the on-campus arena -- then they'll be hooked and more of them will head down to the Civic Center, which is certainly good for everyone!

 

[Chico]

Chico (not to single you out because there are a lot of people this is directed at), I usually agree with just about everything you say, but I think you're being completely short sighted here.

T and Squirrel are right, the games on campus would be "bonus" games to the overall home schedule. Noone would be losing any value on their season tickets.

People complain all the time that students aren't more involved with the program, but then you say if they can't make the 2 mile trip, screw em. The kids will come out to the games on campus and when they see that atmosphere they are much more likely to make that 2 mile trip downtown.

The other huge part you're missing is that if we schedule a couple games on campus all of the season ticket holders will get higher quality opponents in the future. Again, everyone complains that our home schedule is terrible. There is a solution staring us in the face and still all anyone wants to do is shoot it down.

Obviously the best way would be to put a better product on the court. That's an easy answer to throw out there. The complicated part is HOW do you put a better prudct on the court. One answer is to get better quality opponents. Another is to have a great atmosphere. You can help both those things by scheduling a couple of games on campus every year.

To me, it's an obvious solution. Some people need to stop having a me-first attitude when it comes to basketball. Yes, you pay for tickets and donate money. BU is better off because of it. But if you really are looking out for the best interests of the school, then it's easy to see why these couple of games are a great idea.

I'll comment on your's an T's posts. First of all you are the one who said "screw the students" not me. I said if they can't make a 2 mile trip downtown that's their problem and it is. Farmington Rd isn't much farther and they don't have a problem finding their way down there without a free bus ride. As I said many times before, if they are real sport fans they know when and where games are and should go support their team.
As for having the University's best interest, I have been giving to Bradley, a school I never attended, and not just to the BB program, for longer than many people on this board have been alive.
Sorry, but still can't see how scheduling, like you say, a couple games in the new gym, can help Bradley schedule better opponents in the future. I realize the games there wouldn't be part of the season tcket package. We have more season ticket holders than seats in the new gym so that's logical. IMO, the new gym is a great addition to the campus and I hope the women's bb team and volleyball team fill it up, but they are the only regular season games that should be played there.

 

[AZ BU Fan]

I wasn't in Peoria much in the 80's and 90's. When BU had some success did students show up at the PCC and get involved in the games/team?

I still think it comes down to winning and having success in the Conference generating student interest in attending.

I have been to several MVC games at Drake, a similar size school, with a smaller, gym like court they play at on campus. I didn't see any more Drake students at their on campus facility home games than Bradley students at home games at the PCC. In fact, if anything, BU students outdraw Drake students for home games, particularly if you count the number of BU students who attend home games at the PCC who are part of the band, cheerleaders, and cheer/dance squad.

BU needs to help create more rivalries in the MVC with their students and fans than just the ISU Red game...Drake, UNI and Creighton games should be just as intense as the Illinois State games. Perhaps some sort of "competition within a competition" between BU and these schools to raise the interest and competition between these schools...fundraising challenges, attendance challenges, a special trophy, student challenges, administration challenges, student prizes for wins in a multi team challenge.

If the Athletic Dept is interested, I have lots of ideas to help generate more interest in students attending home games at the PCC....First off, why not talk to the students who don't go downtown for home games and ask them why? Convenient, free(?) bus transportation, BU tee shirts, pom poms and cheap seats don't seem to be enough. What would make them more interested?

 

[Out of Balance]

just thought this bears repeating since some seem to have a complete misunderstanding of this and think they are getting cheated..
You are right in pointing out that any and all games on campus would be a complete bonus to what you're already getting so you should be happy not ticked..

Webster defines BONUS as extra payment:!:
So we would be redefining the term Season Ticket Holder now:doubt: It use to mean when you purchased a season ticket, it meant you bought a seat/seats that untitled you to ALL HOME GAMES (NO Matter the #, + or - each year) plus entitled you to (the first) to purchase those seats for all home played post games:!: So as a bonus to SOME, NOT ALL, unless you can show me a way BU will get all 7,200+ season ticket holders in that 4,200 gym, there will be many who will not be able to attend:!: Then, as for the ones who could get tickets, bonus is the right term, as they would have to and be willing to pay for it:!: Thanks for clarifying it for us T and setting the record straight

So we would have fans in the following category's:
1. Public (ticket at the door)
2. Students (the ones who would come)
3. Mini Package Deals (2,3,4 game specials)
3. Mid Season Package ticket holders (who pay no maintenance fee's)
4. Season Ticket Holders "TERM ONLY" (Who Pay Maintenance fee's)
5. Bonus Season Ticket Holders (Season Ticket Holders willing to pay again
for what they have already pay for, if they
can get tickets)
6. Ticket Holders of seats they purchased in the New Facility (that would
entitle them to any Mens BB there)
Did I miss One:? Am I a HATER YET