Getting More Students to the GAmes

[mwu]

Feb 15, 2010 21:39:33 GMT -6 milwsport said:

The places this approach was tried in weren't high schools either abut it worked. I could go on but why bother.

An optimist says the glass is half full. A pessimist says "It's half empty." But we have people here who would argue that there's no water in the glass at all and no hope of ever getting any water in it.

It's not that it was my idea that bothers me. It's that EVERY idea gets shot down by someone. It's part of the reason why so few people even bother anymore. You don't like an idea? Fine, but let someone who may like it try it without having all kinds of water thrown on it from the get go.

Sure a winning team with a dynamic coach would solve some of the problems, but we don't have either so we have to look at what we can do with what we do have.

The woe is us, nothing will help, no one cares attitude takes negativism to new levels. This is a fan board. Yes, it's a place to bi*** about stuff, but it should also be place to build excitement and interest.

Sadly, there has been little of the latter and way too much of the former. Quite frankly it's sickening.

ditto!

[dutchpthr]

Feb 15, 2010 21:39:33 GMT -6 milwsport said:

The places this approach was tried in weren't high schools either abut it worked. I could go on but why bother.

An optimist says the glass is half full. A pessimist says "It's half empty." But we have people here who would argue that there's no water in the glass at all and no hope of ever getting any water in it.

It's not that it was my idea that bothers me. It's that EVERY idea gets shot down by someone. It's part of the reason why so few people even bother anymore. You don't like an idea? Fine, but let someone who may like it try it without having all kinds of water thrown on it from the get go.

Sure a winning team with a dynamic coach would solve some of the problems, but we don't have either so we have to look at what we can do with what we do have.

The woe is us, nothing will help, no one cares attitude takes negativism to new levels. This is a fan board. Yes, it's a place to bi*** about stuff, but it should also be place to build excitement and interest.

Sadly, there has been little of the latter and way too much of the former. Quite frankly it's sickening.

as the one who "came and shot down" your idea earlier and the person who i am assuming that this response was aimed at i will say this.

First, i was not trying to be-little any time that this has worked fro you in the past or any other circumstance, congrats to you and your technique working in other areas, second if you are going to talk about a message board being a place to launch ideas then don't be surprised when an idea is met with a different way of thinking. My point was merely that even while your idea may be a way to consider the bigger issue is that the sense of disconnect that the general student body feels toward our athletics program, and that is across the board. Even if you could reach out and get the "trendsetters" to have people follow them those kids feel no connection to Athletics, that is the reality, and I do not think that connection will be gained by using this method, if there was a strong sense of campus spirit and this way tried then maybe, but the thing that needs to start is a connection needs to be made from Athletics to the general student body. That is the big issue since from my time there the biggest thing that I heard was basically that students weren't interested, and it boiled down to there being no feeling of interest or connection. I just stating the things that I found out.

[DunneDeal]

Im one that shot it down..and that is only due to the fact that I have done all these things, walked around, talked to kids, tried to get the Greek Life involved, I'm just saying I don't think it will work..thats all.

[milwsport]

I appreciate what you did but it's not the same thing as what I'm talking about.

This is about using the right approach, glad handing people, building them up, making them feel good and helping them to understand why it's in their best interest to help. AND then helping them to help.

This is a message board and there isn't room for all the details. The point was to give some general information and show a way that could be helpful.

But this constant drumbeat of "that won't work" is a real turn off. How do you expect people to try something new that at least might be helpful when every idea elicits a chorus of "it won't work?"

How many people do you think will get excited a program where thread after thread after thread is almost all negative? It's not that there aren't things to be negative about, but if there aren't any workable ideas on how to build a better program why should anyone bother to care?

[repoman]

Get a program that only loses 2-3 games a season in the HL and plays an exciting brand of basketball and you might get more students. When I was an undergrad I could care less about basketball and the team was awesome then I only went to a couple of games because my friends were suitemates with Craig Greene and we wanted to see him play. All I wanted to do was skateboard and drink in my free time. Most students don't wan't to spend saturday night at a basketball game when they could be in their dorm room or at a house party getting drunk. Once they are 21 they shift to bars. Its the way of life for about 80 percent of students living on or near campus.

[TopTekeUWM]

Interesting topic to bring up. It's always hard to ask the 20% that always attend why they attend or follow, it's just the way of life for them.

UWM has some deep issues with student connection and involvement. This is just my opinion based on my experiences. Until UWM commits to a true student experience on campus beyond just a few students interested in the residence halls or the third floor of the union, this problem will continue. Until the administration empowers students beyond the ones that choose to be involved, people won't step up. There is a new type of student in college today and when you can get the pack mentality working, it can be both positive or negative. UWM games are not the place to be seen, not the place to meet people of the opposite sex, not the place where students celebrate. You have to appeal to student values.

When was the last time the athletics truly reached out to the student experience beyond asking SA for money? When was the last time athletes supported athletes in the student section? When was the last time the faculty got involved? When was the last time someone reached out personally to ask the students what they want and what it would take to get them to games or involved on campus? When was the last time young alumni were asked to step up and help? Obviously you can start with those already involved and offer them incentives but you have to link those incentives to them bringing friends along. The leadership needs to care less about themselves and more about those around them. That goes for student and staff. Is there a genuine interest to get more people involved?

It also doesn't help to have a team that doesn't dominate the league or have an intense rivalry. Personally, I don't care for the style of play, it bores me to death and well I could go on. It doesn't help that students can't afford to wear UWM gear either. The problem is deep and the major players involved seem to care more about their own agenda instead of getting the right people on the right teams.

Again, just my opinion.

[PantherU]

I'll address these one at a time:

Last time athletes supported athletes - All the teams attend each others' games for the most part, but the last time I remember athletes getting hardcore was for the GB women's game a couple years ago when the swim team came in their unis, which of course are speedos and bathing suits. They were wild, and it was awesome.

Last time faculty got involved - I know of several faculty that attend games - obviously Maureen Keyes and others are season-ticket holders - but the only real time I saw support was in class. I had a classical mythology class, and it was the day of the first game in 2007-08. I asked the prof if I could speak to the class for 30 seconds before lecture (about 300 students) and he said it was OK. Well, after I started, he jumped in and talked to the students about how he is a season-ticket holder and the student section makes the experience fun for everyone. That night I saw many students from that lecture.

What kinds of things do you think the Young Alumni could do?

As far as being able to afford UWM gear...well, we're working on that.

[Super King]

You know what we should do? Short of throwing a pep rally like we used to do in the Pearl days, we should start using the arrangement from the other day in the Union -- the day of or the day before the game, put Jeter, an assistant, some coaches, and maybe even Koonce down in the Union Concourse every day to advertise the fact that a game is taking place. Have little contests like beanbag toss to win door prizes like keychains.

[PantherU]

Feb 25, 2010 10:52:34 GMT -6 Super King said:

You know what we should do? Short of throwing a pep rally like we used to do in the Pearl days, we should start using the arrangement from the other day in the Union -- the day of or the day before the game, put Jeter, an assistant, some coaches, and maybe even Koonce down in the Union Concourse every day to advertise the fact that a game is taking place. Have little contests like beanbag toss to win door prizes like keychains.

You know, that's a heck of an idea. Get players through there too, playing the bean bag toss games and stuff when they're on break from class.

[TopTekeUWM]

It was encouraging to read examples of fellow athletes supporting the team and even faculty being proactive. My challenge back to those involved would be to continue to bring their friends and other faculty members with. Utilize incentives for this. Those isolated incidents of support need to happen more often.

With the young alumni, I think you need to draw them in to continue the connection and not just put the UWM experience behind them. I know many leave the area, but most stay. Having a night or series that includes some socializing directed toward the age group or even a networking type event included with the game would draw them in. Keep the cost low and the atmostphere fun yet professional, I bet people would attend. Again, it goes back to the experience people have. Ask them to be on focus groups and ask them to get involved on some level. The key is to just ask, and not just for money.

[Pounce Needs Pals]

Where did all the students come from? Too bad it can't be like that at every home game.

[PantherU]

I don't get why it has to be like this. We should be able to market games like this all the time.

[jhart05]

They will come.