10,000 for Senior Night

[dylanrocks]

While lofty, this should be the attendance figure all of us should strive to attain for this year's Senior Night game against Detroit on Feb. 21. This gives all of us one month to alert friends, business associates, casual acquaintances, anyone we can find who has even a passing interest in college basketball. What better way to honor the most accomplished senior class in the history of our budding program? Remember what Adrian said in the article that appeared the day after the Tip-Off Luncheon, "I only wish that more people would have come to see us play." This isn't for us, it's for the players. It's a lofty standard, but so was bringing this program from ruins to the Sweet 16.

[FTA1982]

Cannot agree more. If we can get 6,000 plus for Wright St, we should be able to get 9,000-10,000 for the last regular season home game especially against Detroit. I am going to cherish these next 4 home games because I have a feeling next year (hopefully not) might be a little tough to take.

[dylanrocks]

Well, it might be a little tough to take if you're expecting 20-plus victories. But I think that UWM under Rob will be strong enough that it will do better than merely survive in a transitional year. I'm told that Ricky Franklin is well worth the price of admission.

[germanathens]

10,000 would be nice, but 7,000 is realistic. Either way, it would be a great crowd for the seniors.

[FTA1982]

dylanrocks said:

I'm told that Ricky Franklin is well worth the price of admission.

I hope the same about Franklin, however I'm scared to believe any hype though after Tyrone Young.

[dylanrocks]

Agreed about Young/Franklin. As for "realism," that's part of the problem with the non-basketball side of the program. We all must not get complacent about promoting our Panthers. Promotion is an immense part of the building process. Word of mouth is the absolute best way to do this. We drew over 5,500 on a Wednesday for a Horizon League-clinching victory over what was a subpar Butler team a season ago. This year, lifted by the Sweet 16 appearance, we should be able to easily outdraw that. When I hear the word "realism," I get the sense that that person -- not to single you out, Freak -- just intends to sit back and watch as we "get whatever crowd we get." That's no good.

[germanathens]

I get the sense that that person -- not to single you out, Freak -- just intends to sit back and watch as we "get whatever crowd we get." That's no good.

Interesting you say that. Only a few of us on this list can say that they've personally made game day fliers and passed them out in the dorms and the union for three consecutive years. You're not one of them. Kkrazie, thepaintedone, UWMkrazies, Womack... we've put a lot of time and funding into this program. Hundreds of students have attend UWM games over the last 4 years because of the Student Black and Gold Club. When we could not afford the fliers, Jason Clark and the athletic department would make them. We would still do the grunt work and pass them out.

Of course the original krazies have all graduated. The void has yet to be filled. Luckily students are starting to traditionally attend games, generally not needing the daily reminder.

You're telling the wrong person. I'm just realistic.
-UWMfreak

[dylanrocks]

As always, your efforts are greatly appreciated by this older alum.

[mattk]

Rick Franklin is a player. He is so strong but yet so quick and can shoot the ball. He'll be one of the top guards in the Horizon for atleast the next three years. Had he not gotten noticed so late, he would be in a major program right now.

xucantcmex said:

dylanrocks said:

I'm told that Ricky Franklin is well worth the price of admission.

I hope the same about Franklin, however I'm scared to believe any hype though after Tyrone Young.

[milwsport]

One idea would be to send out an email to everyone at work. That's what I'm going to do. Point out that for the first time ever the word Milwaukee was in the Sweet 16, we won the HL title four times and now it's time to say thanks to be guys who did that for us.

[Kroener3535]

I wish the athletic dept could send out an alumni news letter to all the alumni or e-mail all students, that would be nice

[fan]

I think 8,000 should be attainable. 10,000 is a stretch. We'll prolly top that if/when we get to the HL title game though.

[milwsport]

I'm sure the Athletic Department will be emailing everyone for that night.

[teddyp00]

I am almost positive that the business school is using that game to try and get faculty, admin, and friends family of them to go to. Got an email about it last week. So maybe they are having each school work on it to make it an event for the school, rather than trying to reach out to all faculty as a whole.

Also, maybe someone that has had some contact to Bobbi from the JS could shoot her an email and see if she would be able to put out an article maybe two weeks or so in advance letting me know about the success of the senior class, what they have done for the program and get some more Tigert type quotes saying how they wish more fans could have seen them play, etc.

[Womack]

I think it really depends on where we are in the standings and what is on the line. I hate to say it that way but thats the truth behind it all. I will be there regardless to honor one hell of a senior class but I think if we have everything wrapped up the crowd may be more scarce..

This is for the seniors...Lets get out there for them

As for next year...Dont be so worried..We always replenish with new players...We have a great recruiting class plus transfers coming in...No we will not be as experienced but I challenge everyone, especially the kids who were not in college a few years ago to look back....Remember just 3 or 4 years ago when we lost, Clay Tucker, Dan Weisse, Jason Frederick, Ronnie Jones, Justin Lettenberger, Jose Winston, and that whole crew, everyone said we were screwed and it was a "Rebuilding" year and back to the drawing boards...What happened the next year? We had yet another breakout year and we have continued down the path of success...We will once again be successful and someone else will step up

I remember when Chris Hill took over for Ronnie Jones, many people including myself did not believe he could replace him...Look now...He has done a fabulous job...No one thought Clay would be replaced BUT Dylan did just that...After him was McCants who took over for Dylan and now its Joah who took over for McCants...Next year WILL BE someone else that we may or may not know right now...

Just have faith in Rob Jeter and the program right now...We will continue to grow and only get better as the years go on...Lets just stay in the here and now and focus on another championship and return to the NCAA and hopefully sweet 16 and beyond