BB attendance D1 chart

[Grizbeer]

I have just about given up on bb at UM - and lately it occurs to me maybe that is exactly what needs to happen - if all us old guys go away maybe the students will reclaim the program. Instead of asking old people on egriz you just simply need to ask the students. When I ask them they tell me the same thing: the games are not fun for them, probably in part because too many of us bitch about the good old days and what we think is fun is not the same thing kids think is fun. That said here is what it think needs to be done to make the games more fun:

1) Instead of a daycare in the WAG it should be a beer garden. Seriously we use the wag as a day care and can't figure out why students don't go? Meanwhile drink pour freely in the sky club for boosters whose kids are in the wag daycare. That pretty much tells you everything, but

2) make the student section only open to students, and not students families. Why anyone would insist on sitting in the student section with their 3 year old is beyond me, but then to complain to other students about their language is nuts. Ban a Anyone under 18 from the student section and put up some chain link around it - call it the bear cage or something stupid but let the kids go nuts.

3) get rid of the contract incentive that pays the coach for taking guarantee games, and replace it with a bonus for attendance and home SOS. I know they need the money to pay for the science building but they it is costing them fan support. It is hard enough to get good teams to come, but when you reward a coach for turning down a 2 for 1 in favor of a $50,000 guarantee all you can expect too see is NAIA and directional community colleges. With the conference as bad as it is you can't afford the boring non-conference schedules as well.

 

[mtgrizrule]

I have just about given up on bb at UM - and lately it occurs to me maybe that is exactly what needs to happen - if all us old guys go away maybe the students will reclaim the program. Instead of asking old people on egriz you just simply need to ask the students. When I ask them they tell me the same thing: the games are not fun for them, probably in part because too many of us bitch about the good old days and what we think is fun is not the same thing kids think is fun. That said here is what it think needs to be done to make the games more fun:

1) Instead of a daycare in the WAG it should be a beer garden. Seriously we use the wag as a day care and can't figure out why students don't go? Meanwhile drink pour freely in the sky club for boosters whose kids are in the wag daycare. That pretty much tells you everything, but

2) make the student section only open to students, and not students families. Why anyone would insist on sitting in the student section with their 3 year old is beyond me, but then to complain to other students about their language is nuts. Ban a Anyone under 18 from the student section and put up some chain link around it - call it the bear cage or something stupid but let the kids go nuts.

3) get rid of the contract incentive that pays the coach for taking guarantee games, and replace it with a bonus for attendance and home SOS. I know they need the money to pay for the science building but they it is costing them fan support. It is hard enough to get good teams to come, but when you reward a coach for turning down a 2 for 1 in favor of a $50,000 guarantee all you can expect too see is NAIA and directional community colleges. With the conference as bad as it is you can't afford the boring non-conference schedules as well.

All great feedback. For what it is worth, I hope the GRIZ don't lose you in order to improve atmosphere and attendance. Whatever needs to be done can be done without losing anyone or any group. Every fan can contribute to bettering GRIZ basketball. We have to start somewhere.

(1) Many would agree, there needs to be more fun. The beer garden idea has been suggested before and multiple times. It is a consistent in what fans would like to see. Definitely something which needs to be considered, in my opinion. For the fans who would like to see this be done, How would you feel about legal drinking age fans being able to get beer at the Sky Club, but at a higher cost than those who are Sky Club members? Rather than that, I'd think other options can be found for child care, if that is necessary.

(2) I'm 100% with you on giving back the courtside sideline to the students. I have been to many college basketball venues. The ones with student sideline seating are more fun, add to the environment, and it is contagious to all fans. We all know this makes sense for the sake of the school, and basketball program. How can it be done? What will it take for the donors who sit on those seats to sacrifice them, yet still support the program? What can be done during winter break when most students are gone? Would it make sense for the team to have a vast majority of their out of conference road games during this period? Scheduling bigger payday tough games on the road during this time. Before break schedule the best teams we can get at home. Maybe get as many WAC, WCC, Big West, MO Valley, Sun Belt, etc games at home.
Tie in promotions for football fans during football Saturdays, such as discounted concessions, admission, etc.

Section nicknames would be terrific. Names such as "The Bear Cage", "GRIZZLY Den", tied in with contests for the rowdiest students, sessions, or fans in general would add to it. Fully packed student session at tip off win the students whatever, or x amount of $$$ per game toward a worthwhile student activity, or student support event. Have a mobile cage that can be moved from half to half , where 10 to 20 students, can volunteer to be in it for so long, or be nominated by the student body, or a frat contest that combines % of members attending, invites attendance (can invite anyone to the game), and how loud a frat is would be rewarded with so many dollars, free concessions etc, have this contest run all basketball season for a grand prize. Frat contests are competitive and fun, I feel this would work well to get the students involved. It would also motivate them to invite others to games.

(3) My suggestion in (2) combines the best of both worlds. Scheduling is difficult at the U of M. Wayne worked very hard at getting quality opponents here. Because so much of scheduling is driven by $$$, team pride, and conference pride, it may be the most difficult task our basketball program has. I really don't know the immediate solution to this. I do know a raucous basketball environment does make it easier for schools to want to come play somewhere. That is exactly why Montana has a competitive advantage in FCS football in getting home playoff games, and solid FCS programs scheduling to play at Montana. In the best years of "The ZOO", the atmosphere was known nationally and it was an easy sell to get teams to visit.

I really do believe 1 and 2 can be achieved with the commitment from GRIZ fans. For the sake of the program, and future of GRIZ basketball, I kindly ask those in the sideline seats to please ask yourself, "What is best for GRIZ Basketball, and the university you love?"

 

[statler & waldorf]

Attendance has declined from the "ZOO" days to what it is today. We still have a zoo, but it is a petting zoo. Day care? Family sections? Christ! Until the students are back into fray, attendance will continue its downward spiral. Weber State doesn't have a problem packing the house. Consistently good basketball is the start.

 

[GrizLA]

Attendance has declined from the "ZOO" days to what it is today. We still have a zoo, but it is a petting zoo. Day care? Family sections? Christ! Until the students are back into fray, attendance will continue its downward spiral. Weber State doesn't have a problem packing the house. Consistently good basketball is the start.

In the seventies, UNLV decided to get serious about its athletic programs, including rescheduling more prominent football and basketball teams and it proved HIGHLY successful, especially in Basketball. The Runnin' Rebs became the only game in town and it was impossible to get a ticket unless you bought the full package. As a casino exec I was fortunate to get passes and the show was all it was said to be. It was the most impressive in the country and the teams became better and better each year as the talent level rose. The NCAA was pressured to witchhunt Tarkanian but could not find much but the standards of UNLV were always questioned. However, the huge successes were a revelation. There were few, and I mean FEW students at the games and I was told a couple of the cheerleaders were actually paid, though never verified. Simply put, run and gun with good defensive talent will pack the place. Today, UNLV has a larger student body and they show up at basketball games. Back then, they had no gym of their own...Not saying UM needs to focus on bball at the expense of other things but giving people what they want, generally pays off. I admire Tinks and his achievements, but oftentimes, the walk down the floor, only to pass to a 3 pt shooter will result in win but it is not exciting. Still, he had great moments and when he did, the students supported the Griz by turning out...I am optimistic about the new coach and his style of play and UM has the talent to go with that...Gimmicks don't bring out students or fans...Good, exciting play and increasingly stronger opponents will. I remember one game at UNLV vs. Iona where pizza was given to students with each 20 point win who could produce a ticket stub...that led to all kinds of kids cleaning up the place after the game...

 

[AllWeatherFan]

Consistently good basketball is the start.

Yeah, I don't think it's all about marketing. Beating some good teams early in the season gets the fans interested. Of course, better marketing (meaning 'any' marketing) would help, too.

 

[mtgrizrule]

Consistently good basketball is the start.

Yeah, I don't think it's all about marketing. Beating some good teams early in the season gets the fans interested. Of course, better marketing (meaning 'any' marketing) would help, too.

Spot on. :thumb:

 

[Silvertip]

Ah, Big Sky basketball. At Sac State and Portland State the handful of folks who attend games all know each other and rotate carpooling and share babysitters. So much for the attraction of having conference members in major metro areas...

 

[Buttegrizzle]

I don't have stats to back this up but basketball in the 80s and early 90s was just more fun to watch. Fast breaks and great passing guards. Now is fullback type guards cleared out for 1 on 1 and the only pass is the kick out for a three if the 1 on 1 is not there. Get back to rebounding and running a bit more! And lower the ticket prices. 5500 x $15 vs 2250 x $30 right?

 

[citygriz]

I don't have stats to back this up but basketball in the 80s and early 90s was just more fun to watch. Fast breaks and great passing guards. Now is fullback type guards cleared out for 1 on 1 and the only pass is the kick out for a three if the 1 on 1 is not there. Get back to rebounding and running a bit more! And lower the ticket prices. 5500 x $15 vs 2250 x $30 right?

i agree. too much one on one. too much ego. here's a "fun" stat: showtime 10, carmelo anthony 1.