Attendance - Ideas to improve?

[UNI MadCat]

Re: Attendance - Ideas to improve?

Drake is doing fine with attendance with their 5 generic guys pumping 3's

All it will take is a minor dip in success on the court and their attendance will come back down again just like it did ours after last year's season (which, as most of us on here know, was still one of the better in our D-I history, just not as good as the previous 3). The casual Drake "fan" is far more apathetic than ours. I found one of the Register writer's comments (Keeler maybe) about how the day's of "$1 tickets and hot dogs at Drake games are long gone" hilarious. They aren't gone. Unless Drake puts a run of 5-6 years together of this kind of dominance, it won't last. Too many other options (including sitting at home) appeal to people. That's not a knock on Drake (or us)... its just the truth.

[DancerHall Cat]

Re: Attendance - Ideas to improve?

Unless Drake puts a run of 5-6 years together of this kind of dominance, it won't last. Too many other options (including sitting at home) appeal to people. That's not a knock on Drake (or us)... its just the truth.

The other interesting question regarding the recent run of success is the status of Keno. At this point, I would assume he has to be the frontrunner for national coach of the year.

It has only been 1 year, but the amount of success this guy is having is nothing short of remarkable. Will a BCS school make Keno a serious offer after only 1 year? It seems like a little soon, but I wouldn't be shocked to see him get a look either. If that happens, the seats could be empty even sooner than some are suggesting.

[Zakelsta]

Re: Attendance - Ideas to improve?

It's the students. Or the lack thereof. UNI students don't go to UNI for the sports. If they want that, they'd be at iowa or ISU. Students started coming to the football games, and selling them out, because we were awesome, and it was "uncool" to not go. We need to make it "uncool" to not go to the bball games as well.

[Whitey81]

Re: Attendance - Ideas to improve?

Win.......

[TommyT]

Re: Attendance - Ideas to improve?

Sorry, won't make a lick of difference. This did exist when I was in school and we did a feasibility study on it and, sadly, while we were all in favor of it as an idea, in reality it was a cash killer. And mind you, this was a FREE service for students (students will never pay for it).

We found the only students using it were the ones that were going to make their way to the games regardless. It wasn't really infusing much new blood.

The only way it would truly have a shot at working would be to promote the living sh!t out of it, stick to a set schedule and be willing to comitt to that for at least 3 years (b/c inevitably, what happens with programs like this at the university is that after 1 try, or 1 year, they dont build enough momentum and the program is deemed a "failure" which isn't always true). But as you can guess, that would take a TON of money.

I remember the costs (drivers, bus, advertising/pr and GAS) being huge and this was back when gas was about $1 a gallon.

Sorry, that wasn't a rant against you. More just to a rant to showcase how even the most well-intentioned ideas have so much extra "baggage" that the university often times seems like it is moving at a standstill.

So did they look into sponsorships for it? Set up package deals where if they bring their ticket stub, rode the "Panther Shaggin' Wagon" they wouldn't have to pay cover to get into a local establishment? I know the university wouldn't go for any tie-in to alcohol, but there are ways around it.

[williebat]

Re: Attendance - Ideas to improve?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html


interesting article on SI

My personal opinion on this is winning is what generates fans.

[run&blade]

Re: Attendance - Ideas to improve?

"Bandwagon Fan" personified.

Exactly right, and bandwagon fans is what the difference is between selling out th dome for football and get 10,000 and change. Bangwagon fans is what sold out The Uni-Dome, Mcleod and even Kinnick. Kinnick had thousands of empty seats when Kirk started. Why was the Dome sold out this year? Because they were kicking butt every week.

Do you think Drake is sitting around wondering how to get fans to come this year? Hell no, because they are winning. Drake tried everything except bringing in prisoners to get people to come to their games before this year and nothing worked, except winning.

Sports need the bandwagon fans, very few teams have the hardcore base to show up when the team is down, Cubs is one that comes to mind.

If my family is not going to get enjoyment out of our entertainment dollar then why go? We went to a lot of football games because they were winning and fun to watch.

You guys break out your slide rulers and PHD's in marketing like getting people into McLeod is a complex puzzle. The answer is simple, WIN. Nothing else is going to work.

It wouldn't hurt to have a $1 hotdog night or something like that. Strippers is an interesting idea but I would have to leave the kids home for that one.

If UNI doesn't put a better product on the court in the next couple of years, empty seats from season ticket holders will be the least of their problems.

If I was single and bored I would go to some UNI basketball games but that isn't the case. With 3 kids I have a lot going on and when I find time to spend money on entertainment I want to be entertained. I don't want to just make a donation to a cause based on past performance.

[Panther-Sheik]

Re: Attendance - Ideas to improve?

...and with your tremendous support, Run&Blade, those wins can't be too far off. Thanks for explaining to me just how important you and the rest of the bandwagon nation are.

[clenz]

Re: Attendance - Ideas to improve?

it wouldn't hurt to have a $1 hotdog night or something like that.

That wouldn't help. I saw a flyer at Panchero's today that said tickets are two dollars to the womens game Saturday with 1 dollar hot dogs. I promise there isn't a lot of people at the game because of a one dollar hot dog.

[clenz]

Re: Attendance - Ideas to improve?

Exactly right, and bandwagon fans is what the difference is between selling out th dome for football and get 10,000 and change. Bangwagon fans is what sold out The Uni-Dome, Mcleod and even Kinnick. Kinnick had thousands of empty seats when Kirk started. Why was the Dome sold out this year? Because they were kicking butt every week.

Do you think Drake is sitting around wondering how to get fans to come this year? Hell no, because they are winning. Drake tried everything except bringing in prisoners to get people to come to their games before this year and nothing worked, except winning.

Sports need the bandwagon fans, very few teams have the hardcore base to show up when the team is down, Cubs is one that comes to mind.

If my family is not going to get enjoyment out of our entertainment dollar then why go? We went to a lot of football games because they were winning and fun to watch.

You guys break out your slide rulers and PHD's in marketing like getting people into McLeod is a complex puzzle. The answer is simple, WIN. Nothing else is going to work.

It wouldn't hurt to have a $1 hotdog night or something like that. Strippers is an interesting idea but I would have to leave the kids home for that one.

If UNI doesn't put a better product on the court in the next couple of years, empty seats from season ticket holders will be the least of their problems.

If I was single and bored I would go to some UNI basketball games but that isn't the case. With 3 kids I have a lot going on and when I find time to spend money on entertainment I want to be entertained. I don't want to just make a donation to a cause based on past performance.

OK, I did the hot dog part of this, but seriously this post just reeks of stupidity, and screaming of a fan who isn't a true fan.

[Newsbreaker]

Re: Attendance - Ideas to improve?

OK, I did the hot dog part of this, but seriously this post just reeks of stupidity, and screaming of a fan who isn't a true fan.

His post "reeks" of being right. You have firmly established yourself above him in the panther fan pecking order though, so congratulations to you on that.

[clenz]

Re: Attendance - Ideas to improve?

So we need nothing but bandwagon fans? It is better for a team to have people only show up when we win than all the time? That shows great support for the school and programs. I've hated seeing all the empty seats in the McLeod Center because of all the bandwagon fans not showing up, but that has changed. I know realize it is a good to have a bunchh of bandwagon fans that won't show up to a game because we are only 13-8. Good thing WSU fans think the same way!! Oh wait...Good thing ISU fans think the same way....oops wrong again.

I guess having the second lowest showing in the MVC attendance (according to what Griff said he saw) wise is a good thing.

[clenz]

Re: Attendance - Ideas to improve?

Also believe it or not, even though these kids are D1 players they see all the empty seats and it does affect their play. They see people aren't willing to come out to see them play, so there is at least a little thought of "They don't care about us, so why care about putting a winning team out there." It isn't a huge feeling but it is there.

[KansasCityPanther]

Re: Attendance - Ideas to improve?

It's hard for me to accept that winning is the only way to sell tickets. Mostly because this team is winning. As a matter of fact, we haven't had a losing season in quiet awhile. If winning means winning everygame, then I guess there are very few teams that deserve to have great crowds. Granted this year's team has struggled at times, most teams do at certain points in the season. The great thing about college basketball, it still allows teams to struggle and then get hot at the right time and extending their season.

I can't stand it when we lose and its great when we win. The ups and downs are a part of being a fan of something. You can't enjoy the goods times as much if you have been there for the bad (trust me this is not a bad time).

Hopefully, a few more wins this week will get everyone back on the bandwagon. I guess I am just jealous of the schools that don't have to win every game to sell out their arena.

Students: You are missing out on an opportunity to enhance your college experience. And I can understand GRIFF'S frustration! If that's all it is.

Side Note: I am glad that Rima brings a great deal of passion for Panther Athletics. I look forward to everyone of his broadcasts.

[Panther'73]

Re: Attendance - Ideas to improve?

So, to be entertained UNI has to always win? I enjoy attending the UNI events because it's fun to watch players from many Iowa high schools play - players you read about in the papers. I'd LOVE to have UNI always win but I'm still entertained by their hard work, hustle, and HEART!!!! - even when they lose. Do you think they lose on purpose?