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Post by BBFran on Jan 17, 2020 10:02:32 GMT -6
(Not that anyone will answer it, of course.) Were there more actual fans at the Milwaukee-UDM game last night... ...or shown just in this picture of just one small part of the WFB Dominican high school gym for their game against Racine St. Cate's, also last night?
Focusing on the week to week wins and losses of the team against distressingly bad Horizon League opposition is a distraction. It misses the bigger picture: the community (both the University community and the broader community) have abandoned the program since it was kneecapped in 2016. Yet the architects of its destruction seemingly have complete job security. At this point we can only assume they will finish the job, whether intentionally or through incompetence.
I wonder whether some regents will start asking questions about why any University or student money is being spent on a non-competitive D1 program still renting a large arena for "crowds" that would look sad in a high school gym. Hmm, I wonder.
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Post by 73withharoldlee on Jan 17, 2020 10:23:21 GMT -6
I awoke wondering what last night’s game would have been like with 5,000 in the stands. Hell 2500 would have made a difference. There is no magic or home court advantage. Referees can dominate the game. There were too many whistles on both ends of the court. That being said, one of my least favorite phrases, who is to blame or better yet how is this corrected. This year I signed up for ESPN+ and most games are not heavily attended at the mid major level especially during break. Still given our facility, our size, our city’s seemingly love for sport putting 2500 in the seats should be a bad night. Where is the program going wrong. I don’t have the capacity to figure it out. Maybe if we sign Pat Baldwin Jr. 1000 agents, press, and scouts attend games. We still wouldn’t have 2500 but it would be closer. Dazed and Confused after all this time.
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Post by steveisback on Jan 17, 2020 10:24:54 GMT -6
Come on now Fran!!!! Don't you know that all that needs to be done is set out a business plan aka Path to Prominence. Obviously, managing up has been successful and birds of a feather fly together meaning those impressed by term papers and buzz words without accountability motivated by survival instinct through kicking the can down the road. Ok, enough buzzwords . In the short term I guess the budget is balanced even though not sustainable at current trajectory. Ugly...Sad...
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Post by nickpanther on Jan 17, 2020 13:04:35 GMT -6
Last night, we had maybe 200 people there. It was embarrassing really. A crowd that small can't generate any home court advantage.
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Post by Pounce Needs Pals on Jan 17, 2020 13:08:59 GMT -6
Last night, we had maybe 200 people there. It was embarrassing really. A crowd that small can't generate any home court advantage. Many did try. |
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Post by ghostofdylan on Jan 17, 2020 13:58:20 GMT -6
I'm deeply concerned about the attendance freefall and what it could mean for our program. When does the current arrangement with the WCD end?
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Post by nickpanther on Jan 17, 2020 14:11:58 GMT -6
I'm deeply concerned about the attendance freefall and what it could mean for our program. When does the current arrangement with the WCD end? 2024, but UWM has the option to extend it to 2029 |
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Post by BBFran on Jan 17, 2020 14:38:20 GMT -6
Last night, we had maybe 200 people there. It was embarrassing really. A crowd that small can't generate any home court advantage. Many did try. With a "crowd" of 200, it's impossible for "many" to try. I note that this was the attendance after the team had won three league games in row, by the way. When dylan and I went to the game in Madison I remarked to him that even though it was, by UW's standards, not a heavily attended game, there were very likely still more fans there than Milwaukee would see in its entire home season. I underestimated the discrepancy. It was vastly more. This is literally the only sport on our campus that could be a revenue generator. Does the University administration simply not care? I don't know how to read this calamity any other way. |
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Post by Pounce Needs Pals on Jan 17, 2020 14:47:07 GMT -6
Handfull. Let's not be picky on words. Please.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2020 15:38:07 GMT -6
Panthers can't catch Titans, lose 90-84: www.milwaukeepanthertracks.com/2020/01/panthers-cant-catch-titans-lose.htmlWhat if we just give up? F##k it. I've got better sh$t to do than watch Amanda Braun try to take Milwaukee to DII. She too will move on at some point... Don't give up, friends/fellow Panther fanatics. The road is long and weary but totally worth it- where were you in March 2014?  All we need is for prep to meet opp on a BIG stage. .... That all being said, I fear that too many coincidences are pointing to something more systemically nefarious. Why would they piss off Nicholas Funds? (and everyone else who financially supported the program?) WHHHHHYYYYY ?? So blind.  |
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Post by Cactus Panther on Jan 17, 2020 15:41:26 GMT -6
Does the University administration simply not care? No it does not, at least not since Nancy Zimpher was at the helm. Many fans were asking that same question when the administration failed to recognize and/or do something about the program's gradual decline following Bruce Pearl's departure. One example is that for several years, it did nothing to remove automatic contract extensions for an overpaid head coach who failed to excite the general fan base. Another example is the bureaucratic, politically motivated process that led to selection of a series of incompetent athletic directors. I think most of us now believe the answer to the question is "no." Some of us just recognized it sooner than others.  |
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Post by Cactus Panther on Jan 17, 2020 15:42:26 GMT -6
There have been a couple of other timely posts today about smaller crowds in many other mid-major facilities. I think this also plays a role in UWM's attendance decline, especially with success of local professional and high major collegiate teams.
Now that I live in an area having a large amount of people from other parts of the country, it frustrates me how little people know or care about the mid-major basketball programs where they came from and in some cases, attended school. Mid-major college basketball is irrelevant for all but a very few, even among general sports fans.
That does not affect my interest though. I am already looking forward to watching the next game against Oakland. And I do look for the culture to turn around, even if it takes decades to do so. There is so much opportunity. I hope I live long enough to see it happen.
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Post by Spirit of Bruce on Jan 18, 2020 11:51:03 GMT -6
I find it hilarious how CP's sunshine and rainbows apply to everyone and everything except Rob Jeter, who has been gone for 3.5 seasons, yet he's still grinding his axe instead of recognizing the incompetence of the current head coach.
"Nothing to see here! All is well as long as Rob Jeter is gone! Even if it takes decades!!"
For as tired as I have been of Fran's endless drum-beating, at least there's realism to it.
I will give CP credit for recognizing the AD situation for what it is, though. A much better qualified applicant, with a track record of unbelieveable success at an in-state school, was passed on TWICE because he didn't check the right liberal buzzword boxes. Now, we're stuck with the aftermath. It's concievable that a Bo Ryan or Bruce Pearl would never be hired here now, either, for the same reasons.
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Post by TonyTuba on Jan 18, 2020 14:34:56 GMT -6
HEYYYYYY! What's this lying around SH!t! Come on guys we're Panthers with a capital P. youtu.be/q7vtWB4owdEIn all seriousness, I think the way the school has been run for my 4 years here has led to some disappointing choices in the path. I'd like to keep the spirit up and be a proud panther for life. I cannot see myself or any student not on the team coming back to watch a game on their night off. in 5-10 years our fan base and the revenue coming from them will dryer then Australia. what happens then, I'd bet the dreaded D2 status. Some way somehow were gonna fold, Is not for lack of effort on the staff. Everyone I've seen working a game has been putting in at least 105% effort. Many I can assure are doing 125%. The problems I can see aren't easy ones to fix but clear to diagnose from a fan standpoint. The next thing is finding the boiling point and getting some action from the administration. Without a doubt, no one cares, The High and mighty are safe from the people they serve. Ignoring the numbers and facts of the situation. When is enough, enough... Go Panthers! |
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