Enough to bring it back??

[mtgrizfankb]

The ZOO that is. I mean tonight i could not make it but i heard it was LOUD and PROUD and amazing. A great effort from the students. Do you think that showed the university that if you atleast bring the zoo back for the BIG GAMES that we will come and make a big showing. I think they should give it a shot (atleast the big games) maybe try and sched. some bigger teams maybe two or three a year at home. Like the CSU game but with a few more teams a season. Then the cat game and maybe one or two other conf games.

 

[Griz1999]

In the first place, the Zoo should have never been removed from the east side after the remodel was done. I feel that was the first sign of student fallout with basketball. As far as bringing it back now, I would have to say no. The students don't show up for games anytime during the season unless they are begged by the UM marketing dept saying you need to come to x number of games in hopes of getting it back for good. Students should not have to be bribed or begged, they should have enough school pride to come out and support their fellow students and athletes of UM.

As far as tonight's game and the student crowd, I was disappointed. They only really came to life in the last few minutes, granted their were some fans that were trying to get the whole Zoo going but it was never constand. A big game like that, they should have been all over the Cats, just like when I went to school and all the classes prior to me.

 

[Lady Fan of the Griz]

In the first place, the Zoo should have never been removed from the east side after the remodel was done. I feel that was the first sign of student fallout with basketball. As far as bringing it back now, I would have to say no. The students don't show up for games anytime during the season unless they are begged by the UM marketing dept saying you need to come to x number of games in hopes of getting it back for good. Students should not have to be bribed or begged, they should have enough school pride to come out and support their fellow students and athletes of UM.

As far as tonight's game and the student crowd, I was disappointed. They only really came to life in the last few minutes, granted their were some fans that were trying to get the whole Zoo going but it was never constand. A big game like that, they should have been all over the Cats, just like when I went to school and all the classes prior to me.

I thought they could have been louder too but I believe it's something that has to grow and become tradition. Griz football has not always been what it is today. The noise in the stadium continues to grow as fans hear other teams mention it and they see it causes troubles to the opposing teams. Some people would like to change some of the traditions that have grown (cotton eyed joe) but it's those little things that keep it going and growing. The ZOO isn't going to just come back one game and be here to stay. It is going to take time. The first step would be the seats though.

 

[grizd]

If the team gave the students something to be excited about then they would have made some noise. The ladies game was much more exciting.....it suprises me that there aren't more students at those games.

 

[GrizBBIsKing]

If the team gave the students something to be excited about then they would have made some noise. The ladies game was much more exciting.....it suprises me that there aren't more students at those games.

It may be surprising, but really, most fans like and prefer men's sports. More physical and athletic and gets above the rim. How many women have made a dunk?

 

[BWahlberg]

I guess maybe I was in the wrong location of the Zoo, I thought the energy coming from it was ok, but not amazing, the large amount of sorority girls there only cheered during the timeout or halftime games when one of their "sisters" was in it. Lots of kids just texting or chatting, the excitement for big 3 pointers, blocks, etc didn't seem the same to me.

In talking with someone who is a long time season ticket holder (my dad) he had a good idea, give back about 1/2 of the Zoo gradually. If an east-side ticket holder re-news move them to the far side that isn't "the zoo" or move them to the west side, every time a west side person doesn't renew move someone from the east side over. That would open up some of those seats for the zoo.

The issue is, with the long break and a lot of home games inbetween, the UM would lose tons of money by having tons of prime seats left wide open.

 

[Tanker]

most fans like and prefer men's sports

Wasn't backed by statistics this weekend. Had to bribe a percentage to even show up for the men's game and were still short over a thousand. I think if you ask around, people are figuring out that there is a little more consistency and hustle on the women's side.

Another reason for the women's consistency is the lack of revolving door of players. Most of the women's players stay four years, get better, so a fan is able to watch and grow with them. They do not act bigger than the program. On the men's side it is always a little different. The players have to watch over their shoulders because the coaches are always looking to replace you with a different player rather than helping you grow. Even on this board, the talk is always how the men's team will improve with the players we have never seen. I will add though that this isn't just with Montana.

 

[robomomo]

If they legalized weed inside Dahlberg there'd be more students than at the rose bowl. The UM student demographic has shifted since the old Zoo. Probably not going to come back until this team flirts with top 25.

 

[GrizBBIsKing]

most fans like and prefer men's sports

Wasn't backed by statistics this weekend. Had to bribe a percentage to even show up for the men's game and were still short over a thousand. I think if you ask around, people are figuring out that there is a little more consistency and hustle on the women's side.

Another reason for the women's consistency is the lack of revolving door of players. Most of the women's players stay four years, get better, so a fan is able to watch and grow with them. They do not act bigger than the program. On the men's side it is always a little different. The players have to watch over their shoulders because the coaches are always looking to replace you with a different player rather than helping you grow. Even on this board, the talk is always how the men's team will improve with the players we have never seen. I will add though that this isn't just with Montana.

I agree with you.

but, my response was to the poster as to why there aren't more students at Lady Griz games. there are more students at the mens games then there are at Lady Griz games. My perception is that the younger generation such as the students like to see more athletic, physical, and above the rim type of play which you get from watching the men play.


Since attendance is roughly the same for both programs (Lady Griz averaged just over 100 fans more a game), mens games get more students, therefore, more adults watch the Lady Griz. Lady Griz attendance doesn't exactly drop as much during winter break as it does with the mens when the students go away. But certainly will jump when they play a big game against a good opponent.

Since the women team can't play above the rim, they have to stick with the fundamentals. How the Lady Griz have been so consistent has been because of being taught the fundamentals by the same coaches for around 15 years. That helps keep players in the program.

So, I figure students watch the mens play for the above rim, but once get older they get tired of it, and want to watch the Lady Griz play for a more sound fundamental game.

 

[Tanker]

I understand what you are saying GrizBBisKing.

I wonder what would happen if the University went out of their way to promote the women's game as they do the men's?

I do like the way how the games are on separate days now and how the Ladies have a true following. I always hated how during the heyday of the "Zoo" people would trickle in during the women's game to watch the men's.

 

[grizd]

Wasn't backed by statistics this weekend. Had to bribe a percentage to even show up for the men's game and were still short over a thousand. I think if you ask around, people are figuring out that there is a little more consistency and hustle on the women's side.

Another reason for the women's consistency is the lack of revolving door of players. Most of the women's players stay four years, get better, so a fan is able to watch and grow with them. They do not act bigger than the program. On the men's side it is always a little different. The players have to watch over their shoulders because the coaches are always looking to replace you with a different player rather than helping you grow. Even on this board, the talk is always how the men's team will improve with the players we have never seen. I will add though that this isn't just with Montana.

I agree with you.

but, my response was to the poster as to why there aren't more students at Lady Griz games. there are more students at the mens games then there are at Lady Griz games. My perception is that the younger generation such as the students like to see more athletic, physical, and above the rim type of play which you get from watching the men play.


Since attendance is roughly the same for both programs (Lady Griz averaged just over 100 fans more a game), mens games get more students, therefore, more adults watch the Lady Griz. Lady Griz attendance doesn't exactly drop as much during winter break as it does with the mens when the students go away. But certainly will jump when they play a big game against a good opponent.

Since the women team can't play above the rim, they have to stick with the fundamentals. How the Lady Griz have been so consistent has been because of being taught the fundamentals by the same coaches for around 15 years. That helps keep players in the program.

So, I figure students watch the mens play for the above rim, but once get older they get tired of it, and want to watch the Lady Griz play for a more sound fundamental game.

I understand your point, but I question whether the men are more athletic. I saw both games on Saturday and the women (both sides) were far more athletic. The men's game was so choppy it about put me to sleep and I would watch grass grow if one farmer was wearing maroon and silver and the other farmer was wearing blue and gold. It's sad that the admin has to bribe 500 students to come to watch the men play MSU and then the team doesn't perform. Yesterday was a reaffirmation of the pecking order for basketball in Missoula. Lady Griz rule the town and until the men play athletically and above the rim they will be for some time.