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Post by Cactus Panther on Mar 5, 2024 9:49:39 GMT -6
If that is the prevailing attitude within the administration, you are absolutely correct. Nothing will change if the problem is not identified or there is no genuine desire to change. I think the problem has been identified by the administration. The lack of student interest is obvious. Joetix coming on here stating many students scatter throughout the arena and don't sit in the student section is just the latest example of problem identification. It is the genuine desire to change that has kept the program from moving forward. Administrators come and go. They collect their paychecks, set goals that are measured in self-serving favorable ways, make friends and acquaintances within the industry, and then go their merry way. They may work hard to fulfill their job requirements, but then only hope for consistent winning to help drive what becomes a short-lived blip on the radar of program relevance. On the other hand, many of us powerless long time fans dream of long-term program relevance and are frustrated to see this sleeping giant remain in it's perpetual slumber. Having stated that, I am going to continue with diplomatically providing ideas for program enhancement, and solicit same from other posters. Again, key personnel within the administration know what we discuss on here. I am sure they see most of it as nothing more than unsubstantiated noise from fanatics, and rightfully so. However, I would like to think that posts based in fact, experience and genuine desire for the good of the program gives them something to think about, and perhaps one day act upon. Preferably, sometime within the next 100 years. I don't view it as unsubstantiated noise! Some of the ideas that have been thrown out I agree with, others I don't feel will have the desired effect. We've talked with students as well as partners across campus to get an idea of what they're experiencing, and student engagement overall is harder to come by. It'll be a hot topic for us in the offseason, and I'm also happy to talk about it privately with anyone who comes to games on a semi-regular basis. That's terrific Joe. Hopefully the talks with students include not only those who go to games but those who don't. It is the latter group that you need to reach. I also hope you and the staff are also closely studying initiatives at peer programs to understand how they could be successfully implemented at UWM. For example, regarding student section relocation, what is PFW's experience with it's section being in the equivalent of your Section 209? I am not expecting you to answer that here. I'm just pointing out an example of the need to look outside as well as inside the program. Personally, I don't qualify to accept your invitation since my one-way commute to the Arena went from about 14 miles to 1,914 miles 8 years ago. I understand that and am perfectly OK with it. I'll just continue to throw out and reiterate ideas based on my former season ticket holder experiences, current observations from afar and season ticket holder experience in one of the best college basketball environments at Grand Canyon U. Thank you again, and best of luck with the hot topics this off-season!
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Post by reginaldkdwight on Mar 5, 2024 11:33:52 GMT -6
Let’s be real until every game is at panther arena I still feel there’s disconnect with the AD and the fan base. Not like our names not on the Mecca now or anything😂
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Post by TBone on Mar 5, 2024 13:51:23 GMT -6
While winning is certainly the closest thing to a cure-all for the attendance woes of non-students, as well as students, there's another major contributor to some of our program's best-attended games: rivalries.
Someone posted the list of highest-attended games a while ago, and the majority were rivalry games, particularly when both teams were good. If I remember correctly, Butler was on the list a number of times as was Green Bay. I think UIC made the list a couple of times. These are all schools that were pretty serious rivals back in the day.
It feels like any rivalries we had, no longer exist, though Green Bay and Youngstown games have gotten more chippy lately.
Winning is the biggest factor, but let's hope for some good rivalries to be generated or renewed along with bad blood to bring out the fans.
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Post by digmke on Mar 9, 2024 21:27:57 GMT -6
Why does Marquette, a school half our size and on the whole, probably on par/slightly less academically than us, sell out Fiserv? Here is why......
Engaged Alumni who are proud graduates: I am an alumni who has lived in Chicago since graduation. I come up for a few basketball games plus soccer. How many alumni from outside SE WI/Milwaukee are engaged with the school, go to games, etc. Probably none?!
I did my Masters at Northern Illinois University in part because of its active/engaged alumni.
Branding: The school needs to create its own, stand alone branding, getting away from the "University of Wisconsin at......" Milwaukee will always be viewed as a step sister to Madison. Many other states (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, etc) have distinct naming/branding/differentiation.
Stop being a school only for/about SE WI - I don't see any efforts to recruit kids from my area (western burbs of Chicago) and I have kids in high school!
Governance: Milwaukee needs its own Board of Trustees and not governed by an overarching UW System. The Trustee model is governed by notable alumni/community members who are directly in tune with the school. How about the CEO of Microsoft on our Board?
Athletics MUST report into the Chancellors office! Hard to elevate athletics when the AD reports into the same person who also oversees campus areas such as housing and the Norris Health Center. Not to put Student Affairs' down and the many vital campus areas it serves. However, almost all schools AD report in to the Chancellor/President. This reporting model makes no sense - Perhaps I will dedicate a separate post on the topic?!
Consistently good basketball program: Bruce Pearl did wonders for the program. A good team brings everyone out.
Willing/able to spend $$ See my note about reporting into Student Affairs - Hard to spend money when the overall budget reports into the same budget dealing with campus foodservice at the Union
Doesn't view itself as a "mid major" Milwaukee needs to create a destination approach. Marquette's head bb coach is from University of Texas! Giannis plays in Milwaukee.
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Post by reginaldkdwight on Mar 10, 2024 10:49:05 GMT -6
Why does Marquette, a school half our size and on the whole, probably on par/slightly less academically than us, sell out Fiserv? Here is why...... Engaged Alumni who are proud graduates:I am an alumni who has lived in Chicago since graduation. I come up for a few basketball games plus soccer. How many alumni from outside SE WI/Milwaukee are engaged with the school, go to games, etc. Probably none?! I did my Masters at Northern Illinois University in part because of its active/engaged alumni. Branding:The school needs to create its own, stand alone branding, getting away from the "University of Wisconsin at......" Milwaukee will always be viewed as a step sister to Madison. Many other states (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, etc) have distinct naming/branding/differentiation. Stop being a school only for/about SE WI - I don't see any efforts to recruit kids from my area (western burbs of Chicago) and I have kids in high school! Governance:Milwaukee needs its own Board of Trustees and not governed by an overarching UW System. The Trustee model is governed by notable alumni/community members who are directly in tune with the school. How about the CEO of Microsoft on our Board? Athletics MUST report into the Chancellors office!Hard to elevate athletics when the AD reports into the same person who also oversees campus areas such as housing and the Norris Health Center. Not to put Student Affairs' down and the many vital campus areas it serves. However, almost all schools AD report in to the Chancellor/President. This reporting model makes no sense - Perhaps I will dedicate a separate post on the topic?! Consistently good basketball program:Bruce Pearl did wonders for the program. A good team brings everyone out. Willing/able to spend $$See my note about reporting into Student Affairs - Hard to spend money when the overall budget reports into the same budget dealing with campus foodservice at the Union Doesn't view itself as a "mid major"Milwaukee needs to create a destination approach. Marquette's head bb coach is from University of Texas! Giannis plays in Milwaukee. I live in New York City and met Milwaukee alum there, so youre alittle off the plot already. Marquettes BBALL coach was gonna be canned from Texas before he went to MU. He didnt want that stink on himself. What does Giannis playing in Milwaukee have to do with Panther basketball? You also clearly seem to not understand how the UW system works and thats okay but there won't be a move away from the UW system anytime soon. I went to UWM and met tons of kids from north central ill and the burbs. What we need to be doing is doubling down as the school that represents SE Wisconsin.
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Post by DunneDeal on Mar 10, 2024 19:51:20 GMT -6
Consistent winning cures that. But there will still be games where the students don't come out.
I remember games my freshman year (Sweet16) and the section wasn't packed by any means. You had the die hards but it didn't get full until TV games late in the season
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Post by digmke on Mar 14, 2024 20:45:03 GMT -6
Why does Marquette, a school half our size and on the whole, probably on par/slightly less academically than us, sell out Fiserv? Here is why...... Engaged Alumni who are proud graduates:I am an alumni who has lived in Chicago since graduation. I come up for a few basketball games plus soccer. How many alumni from outside SE WI/Milwaukee are engaged with the school, go to games, etc. Probably none?! I did my Masters at Northern Illinois University in part because of its active/engaged alumni. Branding:The school needs to create its own, stand alone branding, getting away from the "University of Wisconsin at......" Milwaukee will always be viewed as a step sister to Madison. Many other states (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, etc) have distinct naming/branding/differentiation. Stop being a school only for/about SE WI - I don't see any efforts to recruit kids from my area (western burbs of Chicago) and I have kids in high school! Governance:Milwaukee needs its own Board of Trustees and not governed by an overarching UW System. The Trustee model is governed by notable alumni/community members who are directly in tune with the school. How about the CEO of Microsoft on our Board? Athletics MUST report into the Chancellors office!Hard to elevate athletics when the AD reports into the same person who also oversees campus areas such as housing and the Norris Health Center. Not to put Student Affairs' down and the many vital campus areas it serves. However, almost all schools AD report in to the Chancellor/President. This reporting model makes no sense - Perhaps I will dedicate a separate post on the topic?! Consistently good basketball program:Bruce Pearl did wonders for the program. A good team brings everyone out. Willing/able to spend $$See my note about reporting into Student Affairs - Hard to spend money when the overall budget reports into the same budget dealing with campus foodservice at the Union Doesn't view itself as a "mid major"Milwaukee needs to create a destination approach. Marquette's head bb coach is from University of Texas! Giannis plays in Milwaukee. I live in New York City and met Milwaukee alum there, so youre alittle off the plot already. Marquettes BBALL coach was gonna be canned from Texas before he went to MU. He didnt want that stink on himself. What does Giannis playing in Milwaukee have to do with Panther basketball? You also clearly seem to not understand how the UW system works and thats okay but there won't be a move away from the UW system anytime soon. I went to UWM and met tons of kids from north central ill and the burbs. What we need to be doing is doubling down as the school that represents SE Wisconsin.
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Post by milwsport on Mar 18, 2024 15:37:54 GMT -6
One thing that might help is a "School Night" series. UWM has a number of schools, Nursing, Social Work, Engineering etc. What if a different school was in the spotlight for every game. Recognize distinguished alumni from that school, do a video about research projects, have the faculty invite their students to turn out for that game. Engineering students could show off a project they are working on, upcoming nursing grads and/or alums could be asked to stand and be recognized. Host a reception for alums from that school as a way for people to reconnect with friends they may not have seen for years.
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