Will the band be at the game on Sunday?

[BCPanther]

Yes, its a 14 year old thread. Yet, nothing has changed.

People wonder why our attendance sucks ass, and yes the #1 reason is the basketball program simply has not been good enough, but there are a whole host of other reasons outside of that and things like not have a band at your games are absolutely part of it.

There is nothing good about the atmosphere in our arena. The music is quiet. There are no students at the games. We still have no center court video board. And there is hardly ever even a band playing, which is something that shouldn't even need to be said. Its a killer for the atmosphere.

Its embarrassing. Its pathetic.

The worst part is that all of the promotions and stuff are all lazy video board based stuff that then instantly takes your focus off the floor and to the dead end of the arena and puts a spotlight on your ancient video and score tech. It's SUPER cringy. I don't need to see the same 6 middle aged couples kiss every Wednesday night.

Marketing and in-game atmosphere are there to keep attendance up when you're not having the seasons you want to have. Nobody gives a **** if the minor league hockey or baseball team wins or loses, they just want to have a good time. We don't provide that.

[Big Cats]

I thought I read somewhere during the pre-season that a DJ had been hired so I assumed the pep band would not be at most games. Is my information incorrect?

[06panther10]

Imagine your friend was in town last night and you brought them to the UNI game, and that is the game they saw. Do you think they are going to be impressed and want to come back?

Bad attendance, no students, no band, no atmosphere whatsoever, crap game. This stuff used to be something to be proud of. I used to go out of my way to bring non UNI people to our games because of what we had. Not now. I am embarrassed.

There is NO REASON that we cannot have a 3-4k size crowed for EVERY Game with a GOOD atmosphere. We know we aren't Iowa State, and that's not what the expectation is. We aren't asking for the world here. DO BETTER.

[ronfitch]

Yes, its a 14 year old thread. Yet, nothing has changed.

People wonder why our attendance sucks ass, and yes the #1 reason is the basketball program simply has not been good enough, but there are a whole host of other reasons outside of that and things like not have a band at your games are absolutely part of it.

There is nothing good about the atmosphere in our arena. The music is quiet. There are no students at the games. We still have no center court video board. And there is hardly ever even a band playing, which is something that shouldn't even need to be said. Its a killer for the atmosphere.

Its embarrassing. Its pathetic.

In my FB feed earlier this month, a FB group/page called "Vintage Scoreboards" had a post about the video board in McLeod with photos and stating:

"Not quite vintage, but Northern Iowa really needs an update, preferably center hung. Pretty sure these Dakotronics boards are orginal to the arena openign in 2006. Video board on south end and maybe be 2nd one there. Otherwise its' a nice arena for a mid-major."

The first comment to the post was about how they were used when UNI got them.

(I would post a photo, but the admins took away media hosting here long ago and posting an image link inline here is hit or miss here, so a link https://ibb.co/tqpJmdH ).

[Born-a-Panther]

I thought I read somewhere during the pre-season that a DJ had been hired so I assumed the pep band would not be at most games. Is my information incorrect?

Yes, we have a DJ every game. It was supposed to be in addition TO the band. Not instead of. In fact, when it was announced there would be a DJ, there were a number of people complaining on social media that they prefer a band and think a DJ is a terrible idea. And many of us had to remind them that the band doesn't show up to half the games...

[achrist70]

What are some promotions or activities during the games that would be successful at increasing crowd involvement and size?

[UNIAlum95]

Sorry but pep band or no pep band isn't fixing the atmosphere issues at the McLeod. Everything BC stated is the problem.

Heck, I'd make a donation to get rid of the stupid kiss, sing along, and flex cam. 200 people in attendance so let's put them on camera and try to get the old folks (yes that's me also) to kiss. Has anyone looked at the arena when they tell you to get up with your friend and sing along to Mr. Brightside? There's 10 students in the entire place and absolutely no energy so let's show absolutely everyone ignoring the promotion.

[UNIpanther99]

Winter break plus competition with high school basketball means nobody at UNI games. This isn't new.

[BCPanther]

Yes, we have a DJ every game. It was supposed to be in addition TO the band. Not instead of. In fact, when it was announced there would be a DJ, there were a number of people complaining on social media that they prefer a band and think a DJ is a terrible idea. And many of us had to remind them that the band doesn't show up to half the games...

It all goes back to the music not being loud enough. The DJ is fine but when you can't really hear it anyway....

[kochrab]

It all goes back to the music not being loud enough. The DJ is fine but when you can't really hear it anyway....

What's crazy is that the stream last night made it seem like the music was BUMPIN in there during timeouts. I don't know if it was the levels for the stream or whatnot, but it gave a whole different impression.

[Born-a-Panther]

What's crazy is that the stream last night made it seem like the music was BUMPIN in there during timeouts. I don't know if it was the levels for the stream or whatnot, but it gave a whole different impression.

The DJ plays the music loud. The music played by the department for the intros/starting lineups is way, way too quiet.

[kochrab]

The DJ plays the music loud. The music played by the department for the intros/starting lineups is way, way too quiet.

ahhh. Thank you for the clarification on that. That makes way more sense.

[Panther AC]

Winter break plus competition with high school basketball means nobody at UNI games. This isn't new.

Yes, I'm not a defender of the pep band at all, but my understanding is students don't return for second semester until next week, so disappointing but not surprising, that we had no pep band again last night.

[Born-a-Panther]

Yes, I'm not a defender of the pep band at all, but my understanding is students don't return for second semester until next week, so disappointing but not surprising, that we had no pep band again last night.

I agree but the cheerleaders are there - and if the dance team wasn't at nationals this week, they would have been there also. Both mascots have also continued to be in attendance. I'm willing to be wrong on this one - but I don't believe other schools have pep bands that miss all of winter break and don't come to games for an entire month. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[UNIpanther99]

I agree but the cheerleaders are there - and if the dance team wasn't at nationals this week, they would have been there also. Both mascots have also continued to be in attendance. I'm willing to be wrong on this one - but I don't believe other schools have pep bands that miss all of winter break and don't come to games for an entire month. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

At Iowa, most of the winter break is covered by the alumni pep band. I'm not sure if there would be enough local interest for a UNI alumni pep band, but it would be cool if there was.