Men's attendance and Venerable Anderson Arena

[HoopsFan]

The Blade is at it again http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... /-1/SPORTS

Some things they neglect to mention is the parking lot, concessions, price of tickets, etc.

They do point out that the last glory days for "venerable", read decrepit, AA attendance was the 3 20-win seasons and maybe having Antonio Daniels and Keith McLeod as bonafide stars on the team vs. 4 friggin' passes and the motionless offense and great defense that's as fun as watching paint dry that now charachterized Falcon teams of the last 7 years.


Here's a suggestion. Convert those empty student section seats to GA. First come, first served. You buy a $7 ticket and you can sit anywhere in the arena, including the orange seats behind the bench..subject to removal if the season ticket holder shows up. Run a free shuttle bus to the parking lot, Cut the concession prices in half. Kick out Gladeux or whoever is doing such a wonderful job robbing our fans.

I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

HoopsFan

[factman]

I couldn't agree more. The administration has to take a large share of the blame here. The above mentioned are all very valid points and concerns, but also the number of students and fans they have upset for one reason or another, over time, seems to have taken its toll. It seems they sometimes have the right policy in mind, but their "gestapo like" ways of enforcing them really turn people off, and some of the people in charge of things like this really need to take a course in "people skills", including some of those in administration. Of course, I question some of the policy too, but then again, everyone has different ideas on how things should be run.
There is still more to athletic administration than the business end and raising money, and Bowling Green was built on the "PEOPLE" and the friends and acquaintces that they kept near and dear to the program. "Resume builders" work for a short time, but their stepping on anyone and everyones toes to meet their objective, hurts the program in the long run.

[It's the Journey...]

I would wlcome anyone with concerns to get them to the correct person. In this case that person is Jim Elsasser (http://bgsufalcons.cstv.com/genrel/elsasser_jim00.html). I'll stop by saying every one of these points are valid. Treating people with respect would go a long way but that does not seem to be the way business is done with Jim in charge.

[gmartin]

The Falcons are averaging 204 students per game this season. Admission for BGSU's approximately 21,000 students to the games is free.


OUCH!!!!! Maybe we need some more incentives for the students as well.

[cph2133]

The Falcons are averaging 204 students per game this season. Admission for BGSU's approximately 21,000 students to the games is free.


OUCH!!!!! Maybe we need some more incentives for the students as well.

While that number is very very bad, 5 of the 9 home games were when students were on break.

The other games I can think of (BSU and Akron: Thanks for catching my stupidity) in partiuclar happened on nights with rough weather.

Also, when the students do show up for the game (Akron was biggest students crowd i've seen this year) and the team plays like crap, who wants to go to the games anymore?

Its not that people don't like the sport, as someone mentioned on another thread, just try to get into a game at the REC on any given day, it's packed. So the love of hoops isn't the issue.

I would just say people have other things they'd rather do than walk through bad weather to see mediocre basketball.

Also, I could be off base with this, but I beleive the number of students on campus is the lowest it's been in a while (they've closed down HAB i believe) because they can't fill the rooms. With no parking, the off campus students don't want to bother with driving there, walking half a mile to the game (if they don't want to pay for parking).

What is the average student attendance for the ladies games? I'd guess its much higher than 204...and that would be because of what? W's and an exciting game to watch.

[BGFalconfromCincy]

not sure who you were thinking of but the men haven't hosted Kent yet

[MarkL]

My opinion: start with a student section. Create a section just for students, and I suppose also alums, and those people only. Get the people who have most reason to care about the teams, the people who will make the most noise and put them into one area. Check student IDs to get in, maybe. With such a section, there would likely be a lot more noise generated, which I'm sure would get noticed on campus, and more people may decide to show up to games. Also this would create a sense of belonging for students - an area just for us. I think the feelings surrounding that would draw people.

[Falconboy]

What is the average student attendance for the ladies games? I'd guess its much higher than 204...and that would be because of what? W's and an exciting game to watch.

Well actually student attendance for the women leave a lot to be desired. I'd love to think that we average 204 students for the women but I'd say its more around 80-100 at best. Honestly student attendance at the women's games is paltry which is unbelievably sad since women's basketball is our best program bar by far.

[NWLB]

I will say there was some hotly unwelcome smug-ass attitude copped by one whom I'll leave others to name, when the "student" section began. And frankly, yes, that man, and his underlings, treated people who had been attending games loyally for many years like crap.

Some people don't want to be bothered with treating people in the way local expectations hold to be proper. I've haven't had an interest in going to men's games in part out of not having a fair chance at seats. Nothing sells tickets like a sold-out sign. In this case, the students aren't getting it done, let those who would enjoy the seats and games, and who frankly were there before the Anderson Animals were out of elementary school, back to where they belong.

[h2oville rocket]

I will say there was some hotly unwelcome smug-ass attitude copped by one whom I'll leave others to name, when the "student" section began. And frankly, yes, that man, and his underlings, treated people who had been attending games loyally for many years like crap.

Some people don't want to be bothered with treating people in the way local expectations hold to be proper.

Sounds like our ushers from last year. Apparantly somebody tlaked to them because I haven't been checked this year. With only 1400 per game @ AA though it sure seems like you could get good seats now. Even the wierd upper level endzone seats offer a decent view.

[cph2133]

not sure who you were thinking of but the men haven't hosted Kent yet

Sorry, i get Kent and Akron confused. You know, navy blue, yellow/gold, from the same area-ish.

[NY-BG-FAN]

Does Toledo really get 5.402 and 2,147 for women's games?? 5,402 is more than Anderson holds at overflow capacity. That number just seems inflated, based on the games at UT I've been to. Granted, I'm sure their new arena is bringing more people out, even with the team struggling. But considering the struggles they are having right now, that number seemed surprisingly high.

No sour grapes because it's Toledo, I'm just wondering aloud. If they are really getting a legit 5400 a game good for them.

[BgWaRrIoR]

My opinion: start with a student section. Create a section just for students, and I suppose also alums, and those people only. Get the people who have most reason to care about the teams, the people who will make the most noise and put them into one area. Check student IDs to get in, maybe. With such a section, there would likely be a lot more noise generated, which I'm sure would get noticed on campus, and more people may decide to show up to games. Also this would create a sense of belonging for students - an area just for us. I think the feelings surrounding that would draw people.

+1. I've always said that student sections make games so SO much more enjoyable. I would much rather go to one of my old HS's basketball games than a BG game. Why? B/c we have a great student section and it is great fun to stand there and scream as loud as I can the whole game. It is an amazing experience, and it is something that I hope to new Stroh center will bring. I think the best thing would be to get a beatable, big name school to come play us for the home opener, get ESPN to televise it, and let the students do the rest. I really hope the Stroh revives basketball for us...

[murphdogg]

It can be very frustrating sitting in the GA seats when the other team has the ball and be able to hear Coach Orr from all the way across the arena. The place is dead and it's because there is no student section. I have a feeling that the apathetic atmosphere at games is depressing turnout

[Metz]

It is an amazing experience, and it is something that I hope to new Stroh center will bring. I think the best thing would be to get a beatable, big name school to come play us for the home opener, get ESPN to televise it, and let the students do the rest. I really hope the Stroh revives basketball for us...

I believe there already are plans for a standing room only section which I assume is for students. However, having a game against a big name team might not be the best. Who would you consider a beatable big name school? Technically any team is beatable on the right night . I'd love to see us get some Big East team in here for that though.

However, I don't want BG to have the potential to get blown out by a mediocre but well known Big East team or the like and leave that for the students to remember. While I'm sure it would help attendance for one game, I don't see it doing that for the long run.