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Post by buppie05 on Nov 24, 2010 11:14:11 GMT -6
The high-water mark for attendance was around 5000/game in 2005 I believe. . Those numbers are only that high because of the HL semi-final and finals. I would argue that the attendance numbers are misleading, but not the way you are saying. I barely missed a game in 04-05 and 05-06. Early season games against parkside, low and mid majors, and even horizon league foes like YSU and Loyola had low turnouts. I would say almost half the games that season had an attendance around 2,500-3,000. This would make our attendance per game appear low, and as if we didn't have a passionate fan base. However, when we played the good horizon teams; Detroit, UIC, Butler ect. The fans showed up in droves. I remember late season a game was on ESPN (I think vs UIC) and everyone on campus knew about. There were signs everywhere on campus and a lot of buzz that we needed to show up to represent our team. I was so pissed that game because I only came a half hour early, and had to sit in the second level of the student section, a section which is now unused the majority of the time. Sadly that 9 win season following all the success lost a lot of momentum that the success during 1999-2006 managed to generate. However, If you look at the attendance during the 9 win season, it still was a lot higher than our 20 win season last year. We could have overcome a down year or two, but not several in a row. Its not all Jeter's fault, he was learning on the fly. |
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Post by Pounce Needs Pals on Nov 24, 2010 11:23:12 GMT -6
Those numbers are only that high because of the HL semi-final and finals. I would argue that the attendance numbers are misleading, but not the way you are saying. I barely missed a game in 04-05 and 05-06. Early season games against parkside, low and mid majors, and even horizon league foes like YSU and Loyola had low turnouts. I would say almost half the games that season had an attendance around 2,500-3,000. This would make our attendance per game appear low, and as if we didn't have a passionate fan base. However, when we played the good horizon teams; Detroit, UIC, Butler ect. The fans showed up in droves. I remember late season a game was on ESPN (I think vs UIC) and everyone on campus knew about. There were signs everywhere on campus and a lot of buzz that we needed to show up to represent our team. I was so pissed that game because I only came a half hour early, and had to sit in the second level of the student section, a section which is now unused the majority of the time. Sadly that 9 win season following all the success lost a lot of momentum that the success during 1999-2006 managed to generate. However, If you look at the attendance during the 9 win season, it still was a lot higher than our 20 win season last year. We could have overcome a down year or two, but not several in a row. Its not all Jeter's fault, he was learning on the fly. Average Attendance Regular Season 2004-05 4,290 2005-06 4,773 |
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Post by BBFran on Nov 24, 2010 11:23:26 GMT -6
That was probably one of the two or three worst games of basketball, from start to finish, that I have ever seen one of my teams play. Not one player played well. In fact, with the exception of Ant and Tony, who merely played poorly, it's not unfair to say every other player was simply terrible. I'm not talking about effort, because some of them at times played hard (for example Ryan and Kaylon). But in terms of execution, they were just god-awful. If this game was the only thing I could base a decision on, Ryan, Kaylon, Hags, Kyle, Ja'Rob and Mitch -- to name just a few -- would never play another minute. Hell, we couldn't field a team based on this.
But fortunately, guys, we know you are so much better than this. We have seen it. You have done it, as recently as last Saturday. But if you don't respect every game, every opponent, every practice and every opportunity you get to play at this level, this is what will happen to you.
As for the whole Klotsche "experience" -- it was a travesty. The simple truth is that we should never again play in that building unless and until it's for a short transition period into a new on-campus facility, which last night's travesty convinces me even more is absolutely necessary. How do we expect students and other fans to respect the program, to actually want to see the games, if it's being treated as a third class citizen? There are high school gyms better than the Klotsche. And speaking more broadly than just the facility issue, dylan's comments about soul-searching by our athletic department, administration and coaches are right on the money.
Last night was a bitter pill for us all. All we can do is get back to work and keep working to make it better. I love these guys and I will continue to support them. I'll be there on Saturday.
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Post by buppie05 on Nov 24, 2010 11:33:00 GMT -6
I work here on campus and there isn't a single thing I can think of on game day or the days leading up to a home game that lets students or staff/faculty know there is a game going on. Its absolutely pathetic. I have never been so disappointed with an athletic event on multiple levels. This was complete failure. I held off on commenting last night thinking that my tirade would most likely get me banned. Still steaming this morning. Last night I gave my extra ticket to a student who lost his voucher. Thankfully, my roommate did not want to go so he could finish some grad school work. I texted him at half time and told him I was glad he couldn't make the game. I would be sitting next to an empty seat all season. Would I be correct in assuming the reason they thought that student attendance was going to be so high was because they were just giving students vouchers for this game when they asked for a Marquette voucher? This is pathetic! Why shoot ourselves in the foot? Why should students care if nobody else does? Does anyone know who to contact about this to voice concern? or even better to offer to donate assistance and time to help out? Before this loss we were a winning team coming off of a win against a sweet 16 team from a year ago. We had around 4,000 people at that game, because it excited a lot of casual college basketball fans, and again not a lot of students attended. It probably wouldn't make much of a difference talking to anyone who markets this team, because they probably think they are doing a good job, or have a handle on this thing. Frankly I'm tired of putting lipstick on this pig! Whoever is in charge of marketing this team to students and the public is INCOMPETENT . If a University employee who frequents all areas of the campus is saying that there is NO VISUAL EVIDENCE that a game is even going on, how can we expect people to show up? Not winning is one thing, but shooting yourself in the foot? If you want ideas on how to improve the program, read this thread. Its really easy to figure out exactly what your fans, and potential fans are looking for. LISTEN TO THEM |
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Post by A Statement By SHAUN on Nov 24, 2010 11:51:56 GMT -6
Sure, we lost the game against Western Michigan...but how about that dunk by Ryan Allen?!
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Post by ghostofdylan on Nov 24, 2010 11:55:33 GMT -6
Just wanted to echo Fran's sentiments about the people associated with this program. They are very, very nice people.
Sometimes, I suspect that the coaches are a little too gentle with the players. Is there a bad cop here?
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Post by ghostofdylan on Nov 24, 2010 12:24:12 GMT -6
"Sure, we lost the game ... but how about that dunk by Ryan Allen?!"
Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?
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Post by panthersteve on Nov 24, 2010 12:25:37 GMT -6
Agree with Paul... the people in Athletics without exception are great. They do not always have the most robust budget to work with and work their butts off. It takes a village and they do the best they can although last night, come on... could have had a bit more imagination per my previous e mailsl to spice up the experience a bit...otherwise this is a collective result for which alumni, media, team, coaches, Athletics Marketing, UWM administration, students all collectively have contributed or not contributed....I am not that worried about our team. We will be alright but holy cow... no MORE KLOTSCHE
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Post by gman2 on Nov 24, 2010 13:00:40 GMT -6
While I'm disappointed at what occurred last night, I'm not as upset or angry as some on this board. I'm not surprised this occurred. I think I was the only one on this board who had any criticism of the play on Saturday night against UNI. To me, last night was simply an extension of the second half against UNI. We had some issues in the second half against UNI and they were not corrected going into this game.
This team has the potential to be good if they work hard, put in the effort and don't take anything for granted.
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Post by blackcatinorange on Nov 24, 2010 13:14:50 GMT -6
That was probably one of the two or three worst games of basketball, from start to finish, that I have ever seen one of my teams play. Not one player played well. In fact, with the exception of Ant and Tony, who merely played poorly, it's not unfair to say every other player was simply terrible. I'm not talking about effort, because some of them at times played hard (for example Ryan and Kaylon). But in terms of execution, they were just god-awful. If this game was the only thing I could base a decision on, Ryan, Kaylon, Hags, Kyle, Ja'Rob and Mitch -- to name just a few -- would never play another minute. Hell, we couldn't field a team based on this. But fortunately, guys, we know you are so much better than this. We have seen it. You have done it, as recently as last Saturday. But if you don't respect every game, every opponent, every practice and every opportunity you get to play at this level, this is what will happen to you. As for the whole Klotsche "experience" -- it was a travesty. The simple truth is that we should never again play in that building unless and until it's for a short transition period into a new on-campus facility, which last night's travesty convinces me even more is absolutely necessary. How do we expect students and other fans to respect the program, to actually want to see the games, if it's being treated as a third class citizen? There are high school gyms better than the Klotsche. And speaking more broadly than just the facility issue, dylan's comments about soul-searching by our athletic department, administration and coaches are right on the money. Last night was a bitter pill for us all. All we can do is get back to work and keep working to make it better. I love these guys and I will continue to support them. I'll be there on Saturday. You're right....the KC experiment didn't work. I thought someone on this board was saying 400 student ticket vouchers were handed out for this game. I can still support an on campus arena...but I'm done with idea that "if we build it, they will come." I was happy to win 2 jerseys last night....again supporting my team with my attendance and my $$$$$. I thought I was going to be able to get the jerseys last night...but RJ was still "talking" to his team 30 minutes after the final horn. |
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Post by PantherU on Nov 24, 2010 13:14:56 GMT -6
Sure, we lost the game against Western Michigan...but how about that dunk by Ryan Allen?! LMAO |
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Post by PANTHERfan on Nov 24, 2010 13:33:58 GMT -6
It's funny how last night became about so much more than just a bad basketball game. But we all felt it, and it certainly put us all in a pretty sour mood.
Part of what bugged me most was the lack of halftime adjustments. It's one thing to come out flat and put up a stinker half, but another thing entirely to follow it up with an even worse second half. You would have thought this team had learned from their two previous egg droppings in Portland...
Oh well, onward and upward. I sincerely believe the team will rebound. However I've lowered the expectation bar and buckled my seatbelt for what could be a turbulent season.
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Rawls
Junior
Everyone's Entitled To My Opinion
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Post by Rawls on Nov 24, 2010 13:50:17 GMT -6
You're right....the KC experiment didn't work. I thought someone on this board was saying 400 student ticket vouchers were handed out for this game. I can still support an on campus arena...but I'm done with idea that "if we build it, they will come." I was happy to win 2 jerseys last night....again supporting my team with my attendance and my $$$$$. I thought I was going to be able to get the jerseys last night...but RJ was still "talking" to his team 30 minutes after the final horn. Feel the same way. I still fully support the on-campus arena. But even if the AD marketed the hell out of this game; pep rally at the Union and blanketing the campus with flyers,...how any more students would have come...really? You have got to put it on the students at some point. Not the ones that read this board, many of whom try to convince their friends to join them, but the ones that can't be dragged there kicking and screaming. As someone who tried it before when I was a student, there are a lot of kids who would rather hit that friend of a friend of a friend's house party. And I tried when the Sweet 16 was still fresh in people's heads. Can the AD do better? Certainly. But I'm sick of this mentality that just because they didn't etch it backwards on your forehead, that they are the one's to blame. Most students just don't care....Period. |
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Post by uwm97 on Nov 24, 2010 14:00:42 GMT -6
We can have this attendance discussion forever, but the bottom line is 90% of fans are frontrunners and only come to see a consistent winner. Until this program starts playing in and winning HL tournament championships, close the book on winning that fan over.
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Post by ghostofdylan on Nov 24, 2010 14:13:20 GMT -6
I half-agree with this premise.
The team is coming off a 20-win season a year ago and was fresh off a win over a Sweet 16 team.
Were the members of the student body informed of this or that their presence was needed?
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