Reasons the community and students aren't attending games?

[Metz]

Is it me, or is there a lot less of those Saturday double-headers than there used to be? Sure 6 hours of bball is a long time but that's only if you go to both games. I always thought those seemed to draw more of a crowd though and we've only had what, one this year?? Back in high school though, it seemed like I was at one of those every other weekend atleast.

[falconfan1]

McMetz, you got it in my opinion.

In the Ice Age, when I was in school, BG basketball played on Wednesday nights and Saturdays. You knew when we played. Now, because of a zillion reasons (some good), we have home games on Mondays, Sundays, Tuesdays, noon starts and, my per peeve (I know- hard to get around this one in total)- at least THREE games and as many as FIVE when the students are gone on breaks.

At least 20 to 25% of our home schedule can get little to zero student support. This is, and always will be, bad with a capital B.

Now, getting back to McMetz's comment, I have no idea exactly what/who goes into our home schedule. I am sure it is a very complicated process. The MAC, coaches' needs/requirements. available dates, TV. guarantees and many, many other factors. I am sure our AD and our department are doing the best job they believe they can do. And I support the teams/department all the way.

But how about this scenario which I think has happened maybe once this season.

A Saturday. Women (what a fun and talented team!) play hated rival EMU at 4 PM followed by the men vs. Miami at 7 PM or 7:30. Hockey team (what a turnaround) by happenstance is at WMU. Kids show up, faculty show up, families show up, college students show up, we win two. Kids party and spend money before returning to class at 8:30 AM Monday following Sunday studies fully refreshed and ready to learn.

Why is this bad and why can't we do it more often?

Yes, parking is bad. It was bad when Anthony Stacey was a freshman. Park somewhere and walk to the gym. People showed up then.

Give things away? Good idea. I know we have a budget to watch closely.

But there must be a reason why our two biggest sports crowds have been hockey games this winter. Catch Antonio on a travel day I guess like Blake in a strike season.

There are indeed more night classes now and more activities/meetings at night. And Wednesdays sometimes involve church etc. But we always knew we played on Wednesday and Saturday nights (usually Sat. nights) for all MAC games. Life was simpler thwn I guess.

Go Falcons!

[BleedOrange]

It truly is a hassle for non-students to come to games. The parking situation is unclear and confusing, not to mention very inconvenient. I'd bet that this intimidates many. At Kent State, the situation is help by having shuttles running from the gym to the far corners of the parking lots. BG should do the same.

I remember the Wed-Saturday routine. It was better. You knew when we played. Now, you have to work to know when we play. People's lives are complicated. If something is non-essential, then it'll fall by the wayside if it's harder to keep track of.

The 7pm game times are another problem. It's too early. 7pm cuts in on many class schedules and dinner times. For those from Toledo, Lima, or Findlay, it's even more of an issue. In the days of Wed-Sat, we played at 8pm.

YO, 'BASKETBALLCONTACT', ARE YOU READING THIS?

[BleedOrange]

Another thing to consider is 'kid-friendliness'. Limitations to AA prevent family restrooms and play areas, but hopefully these types of things can be considered for a new facility. As a parent, I can tell you that decisions to do many things are VERY heavily influenced by how easy it'll be to it with their kids.

[It's the Journey...]

When I got here we had far more double headers as well. But, what is wrong with changing things up and having the women play late and the men take the early shift. I can't even begin to imagine how frustrating it is to be playing your a$$ off and having a bunch of people file in when you need fan support and all they care about it talking about the next game. That is totally disrespectful! I do like having set days when you know games are taking place. I would love to see something like the women play on Mondays and Thursdays, the men play on Tuesdays and Fridays, and then double headers on Saturdays. And we do need shuttles to help with the parking thing.

[UK Peregrine]

When I got here we had far more double headers as well. But, what is wrong with changing things up and having the women play late and the men take the early shift. I can't even begin to imagine how frustrating it is to be playing your a$$ off and having a bunch of people file in when you need fan support and all they care about it talking about the next game. That is totally disrespectful! I do like having set days when you know games are taking place. I would love to see something like the women play on Mondays and Thursdays, the men play on Tuesdays and Fridays, and then double headers on Saturdays. And we do need shuttles to help with the parking thing.

What's disrespectful is just over 600 some fans showing up to the women's game last evening. That's disrespectful! Who cares if people are there primarily for the men's game. When they do get to AA, they support the women team just as much as the men's.

[TG1996]

I can't even begin to imagine how frustrating it is to be playing your a$$ off and having a bunch of people file in when you need fan support and all they care about it talking about the next game. That is totally disrespectful!

Wouldn't it be alot more disrespectful for the women to come out for warmups in front of a "full" house from the men's game, then by the time tipoff starts have the same 600 people there? I think its still a no-win situation, though having a building crowd for the second half of your game seems like it would be alot less disrespectful than having the place empty out as you're getting ready to start. Sure, it might keep a few more people around, but I wouldn't believe it would keep a noticeable amount around after a men's game ended.

[kdog27]

TG, I like the banner.

[bacn3]

I don't think there is much you can do. I think we could get more students, there is no reason students can't come out. There has been a very small effort to promote the game on campus but how many older people, or alums are on campus? We need to promote in town too... what happened to commercials on tv and stuff, i mean games are on every day of the week now not just wed. and sat. You want more people from town to come but they don't even know about the team other than the local paper.The problem is we e have two different towns here in BG and BGSU and they don't get along. Kids hate the town people town people hate the kids, i just hope we get a good number there tonight... this is a very big game!!!

[orangeandbrown]

A few points.

First, my son (8) and I have missed only one home game this season. With that in mind:

Having so many games during break is fine for us, but keeps the students from "bonding" for lack of a better term with the team. If its unavoidable, its unavoidable, but there's an effect.

Parking does stink, but it can be managed for something people really want to do.

I personally HATE kids areas. All it does is create whining at football games.

I don't think giveaways really help very much.

Last time I checked, we were 12th in the MAC in home attendance, and that's got to be improved.

[It's the Journey...]

I can see both sides of this arguement. I think it would be better to know that when you tip off the fans who are there stayed to watch you play and didn't just come in to grab a front row seat. The last double header we had I couldn't believe how many people came in, sat down, and talked their way through the finish of a game. I guess the basic point of my post is I love double headers but if they are gonna happen show some love to the women by giving them the late game. Always having the early game makes it way to easy for that game to be seen as the JV or warm up game. And 642 is a horrible attendance figure for the hottest team in the MAC. It seems that in order to buy tickets for the women's games in Cleveland you should have to have attended a regular season game. Or we just get all the front row seats

[TG1996]

TG, I like the banner.

Thanks. It looks pretty good for the rudimentary 2AM photoshopping skills...

[hammb]

Of your double headers I can speak for me, only.

If you put the women's game first I will arrive sometime in the 2nd half, only to get my seat for the men's game. I will cheer halfheartedly for the women, mostly discussing something other than basketball, or possibly the upcoming men's game.

If you put the women's game last I will be gone before tipoff.


I don't think I'm alone in these respects.

[Warthog]

Of your double headers I can speak for me, only.

If you put the women's game first I will arrive sometime in the 2nd half, only to get my seat for the men's game. I will cheer halfheartedly for the women, mostly discussing something other than basketball, or possibly the upcoming men's game.

If you put the women's game last I will be gone before tipoff.


I don't think I'm alone in these respects.

Me too, except that I might not even get there for the second half of the women's game if it was first. Sorry.

[Flipper]

Not me...I like watching basketball. I even pay attention during the little kid games during the halftime of the men's games. The women play a solid game.

I'm pretty sure our women's team second five could take any five people on this board and kick the bejabbers out of them.