Men's attendance and Venerable Anderson Arena

[h2oville rocket]

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.

I would say the number is accurate. We've had 7,000+ twice I believe- the first game and then $2 Night later. The rest seem to be a pretty solid 4-5 thousand. Fans seem to support the team in spite of their poor performance- we'll see what ahppens when the allure of the new building wears off. A pretty decent non-con schedule helped as well.

[bgsufalcon24]

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.

I would say the number is accurate. We've had 7,000+ twice I believe- the first game and then $2 Night later. The rest seem to be a pretty solid 4-5 thousand. Fans seem to support the team in spite of their poor performance- we'll see what ahppens when the allure of the new building wears off. A pretty decent non-con schedule helped as well.

Winner winner chicken dinner. You bring in big-name schools that fans recognize, you get big crowds. End of discussion.

[Matty B]

I personally find the whole situation at AA atrocious at best at this juncture in time.... Let me share with you an encounter I had with one of Jimbo E's cronies earlier this season..

The game here was the game vs Akron on ESPNU.. where there was actually a decent student showing (in comparisson to the other games this year). I was doint my tribute to the good old days as I always do, rocking my Sideline Squad shirt (Sideline Squad was the predecessor to Anderson Animals... and it was the row of black that used to span the entire sideline.. 2 deep.. back around the turn of the century.. Kudos to VDUB for attempting to keep that going by the way, but the apathetic student body wouldn't allow for that to happen... but I digress)..

Anyway, I was standing on the sideline generating energy and getting pumped for the game when I was approached by one of Jimbo's merry men, which led to the following conversation (Mind you this is during pregame warmups):

-(Nameless): Sir, could you sit down? People are complaining that they can't see.
-Me: I'm Sorry, I thought this was the Student Section
(Nameless): WE DON'T HAVE A STUDENT SECTION
-Me: Yes, we do. I'm in it. There are signs that indicate this as such... as well as a warning that Students stand the whole game. The sign is right there (point to sign that reads "STUDENT SECTION" located directly behind me)
-(Nameless):That Doesn't matter, people want to see and they can't if you're standing up. Why can't you just sit in the front.. you can still see the game ( )
- Me: (I actually will not quote myself here, mainly because this is a family site and I had previously spent some quality time at Ziggys beforehand, but basically explaining that I wasn't going to sit down for him or anybody and that there was nothing he could do about it.

Apparently, I was right.. because he walked away.

Basically, this was a probably unnecessarily lengthy example showing that even the Athletic Department staff is actually DISCOURAGING student spirit at these games. AA is a special place and probably the ONLY place in the ENTIRE D-1 that Students can literally stand right on the sideline and intimidate opponents, high five your favorite player after a big play, or even clothesline the referree if you see fit (which is often )

Furthermore, the alleged "Anderson Animals" that also stand on the sideline for the most part do not earn the namesake because A) Half of which are not even dressed in Orange. B) Don't harrass opposing players C) Do not Start or even participate in chants. D) Discourage others from joining them in attempted BGSU pride.. which I totally do not understand on any level. When myself and VDUB and others were participating members of the Sideline Squad, ANY AND ALL were encouraged to be a part of the rowdiness.. shirts were sold/distributed and heck the Sideline Squad probably did more marketing to students than the University did (but thats another issue).

Basically, I'm not trying to bash the people that do go to these games, what I'm trying to say is that the general attitude of the Arena is AWFUL, and is really taking away from the fun experience that can be had at this wonderful old venue. and THAT, my friends, is why people don't feel inclined to journey/return to AA to watch a basketball game.

NOTE: This was long and I apologize for that, and will probably be turned into a letter to the editor in some publication in the wood county area, but I felt that it needed to be said to get the general environment of the arena turned around.

[Redwingtom]

Hey, I see me, my daughter, Hammb and his friend John in the picture

[BgWaRrIoR]

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.

I too worried about a blowout, and I think there should be no doubt that getting beat by 50 points cannot help a program in any way, even if the opponent was Duke. But I think that a team from the Big East may work out, like Notre Dame, Cincy, or Seton Hall. The thing is: no one knows how good these teams will be in three years. Its a guessing game, really. But on the other side of the card, who knows how good BG will be?!? I just think a basketball program with a big name, but having a down period would be best. Maybe Iowa or Indiana? Georgia Tech, Virginia, NC State? Colorado? Just some ideas, and only based on this year's records....

[BgWaRrIoR]

http://media.www.bgnews.com/media/stora ... 7621.shtml

Take a look at the crowd the Globetrotters drew at AA

[Peregrinner]

Furthermore, the alleged "Anderson Animals" that also stand on the sideline for the most part do not earn the namesake because A) Half of which are not even dressed in Orange. B) Don't harrass opposing players C) Do not Start or even participate in chants. D) Discourage others from joining them in attempted BGSU pride.. which I totally do not understand on any level. When myself and VDUB and others were participating members of the Sideline Squad, ANY AND ALL were encouraged to be a part of the rowdiness.. shirts were sold/distributed and heck the Sideline Squad probably did more marketing to students than the University did (but thats another issue).

Not sure exactly who you're talking about when you say "alleged 'Anderson Animals'" but I can make a general guess.

First of all, there are only a couple people who wear "Anderson Animals" shirts anymore, so don't pretend that 'group' tries to make any serious claim to a 'name.' There's no 'group,' they're just people attending a game.

Second of all, those "alleged 'Anderson Animals'" are, for the most part, there for every single game in Anderson Arena, be it men's basketball, women's basketball, volleyball, or even gymnastics. They're at every game, cheering, chanting, taunting and trying to make noise for the team. I don't want to get into the whole "true fan" debate, so please don't try to take this as such, but the very people you're calling out actually make an effort and attend more than just some men's basketball games here and there.

Last, these people you're disparaging go to the games to have fun and not to make a fool of themselves screaming at officials, players and coaches until they're damn near thrown out of the game. If that's your thing, fine, go with it, but check your attitude before you try to rip on people who are just there trying to enjoy the game.

Jesus. Who knew this attendance crap would turn into BG fan cannibalism?

[always a falcon]

Let's just say that the students aren't the only ones who are "hassled" and leave it at that. My explanation would probably get me into deep doo doo.

But make a student section and don't let anyone else in. Heck, I'd buy shirts for the whole section if there was one.

Many high schools don't have a lot of students attending the games. There are so many different avenues for entertainment now, and add in working. They aren't used to going so it doesn't carry over to college if they didn't go to games in high school.

I am told that some of the largest student groups on campus hold meetings on Wednesday night and that takes out a lot of the crowd who would be apt to be supportive. Can they be offered incentives to come after?

Marketing seems to think that they have projects that they are working on to help boost attendance. Good for them and I hope it works.

Remember different BGSU coaches have tried and tried to get teams to come and play here. It isn't as easy as just picking up the phone. That has been worked on for a long time!

This is my first and will be my last post on attendance. Good for you who are there. Bring friends. "Each one- Reach one" and the numbers will start to grow.

[Metz]

First of all, there are only a couple people who wear "Anderson Animals" shirts anymore, so don't pretend that 'group' tries to make any serious claim to a 'name.' There's no 'group,' they're just people attending a game.

There are no more Anderson Animals. They are dead. Just because someone who never attended this university (falconboy) and an alumnus and future BGSU bus driver (Burtch) wear their shirts, it doesn't mean the group is still there. A lot of the original group are around and go to games, but like I've said before in posts, we don't feel like standing with that group is a good representation of what BG fans really are. It was a potentially good idea that didn't work...just like "The Flock."

[Metz]

Heck, I'd buy shirts for the whole section if there was one.

I don't recommend that. You will only see people wear them to one big game and you'll never see them again.

[TG1996]

Who knew this attendance crap would turn into BG fan cannibalism?

I did.

Wait...make that this --->

[Peregrinner]

First of all, there are only a couple people who wear "Anderson Animals" shirts anymore, so don't pretend that 'group' tries to make any serious claim to a 'name.' There's no 'group,' they're just people attending a game.

There are no more Anderson Animals. They are dead. Just because someone who never attended this university (falconboy) and an alumnus and future BGSU bus driver (Burtch) wear their shirts, it doesn't mean the group is still there. A lot of the original group are around and go to games, but like I've said before in posts, we don't feel like standing with that group is a good representation of what BG fans really are. It was a potentially good idea that didn't work...just like "The Flock."

Just to be clear, I'm not claiming there are any more. I know your feelings on that subject.

[murphdogg]

Heck, I'd buy shirts for the whole section if there was one.

I don't recommend that. You will only see people wear them to one big game and you'll never see them again.

Kind of like the seat cushions at the Minnesota football game. Except those didn't even last one game

[hammb]

The Sideline Squad is dead too, and for good reason. It was also started with good intentions as a group of fans to come be rowdy at all the games. As the years went on the group devolved into a bunch of kids that thought matching t-shirts meant they could come in right before tip and get the front row seats that others had gotten there an hour early to reserve. The same goes for the old kegs 'n' eggs crew that would just show up plastered and then leave at halftime to go drink more beer...they too would show up right before tip and assume their "earned" spot in the front row.

Bottom line is you cannot fake this sort of group support. When the team starts winning kids will come to games. They'll start having fun and telling their friends, and more people will start coming to the games. Then the student section will be rowdy again.

Everything comes from winning. This program does not have the tradition required to earn consistent support through mediocre or worse stretches of on court results. Yeah, I think it sucks that's the case, I'm there quite often regardless of how good we are, but it's also the truth. When we win we get attendance (students, alumni, townies); when we're not winning we don't get attendance. It's a really simple equation, actually. Marketing can try to dream up all they want, but until they figure out the formula for consistently winning they're wasting their time.

[NWLB]

Bottom line is you cannot fake this sort of group support. When the team starts winning kids will come to games. They'll start having fun and telling their friends, and more people will start coming to the games. Then the student section will be rowdy again.

Indeed, but don't tell anybody in certain parts of athletics this is true, they don't believe it, and have tried again and again to "create" these groups. Indeed, they've even tried to supplant grass-roots groups with what they think is better. Each attempt has fail. And they've fed the beast at times by telling some groups of kids they could have special privileges since it was deemed desirable. Dating back to the late 90s, they have tried variations of that.