Suggestion Box on how to boost Student Attendance & Enthusiasm at Games

[wh]

How about making attendance of athletic events available for CORE 5th hour credit or giving students a punch card every month where attendance at athletic events leads to rewards like free food or bookstore discounts or partner with businesses in the community on this venture so that students on a budget can still patronize and support community businesses while supporting their fellow students. Rewards can escalate in value with the number of events they attend. Or you can do this on a point system. Each event a student attends is worth a certain amount of points (same value for every sport--extra points can be awarded throughout the game for students who dress up\make signs and cheer loudly. The points are then redeemed for prizes at least once per semester. Prizes can simply be bought with points or they can be given away in a raffle (attend more events win more points have better chance to win but everyone has a chance at the best prizes) or they can be auctioned off. Students may also have the option to save their points for later if they choose under the buying\redemption or auction format to go for bigger prizes later. Additionally a special set of prizes could be given out for those recognized for their spirit (cheering signmaking wearing Valpo gear). Not sure how feasible any of these ideas are but at least it's a suggestion for whatever that's worth.

There was a program just like this in place and operating in the 2007-2009 range. Several of the student leaders from that program are still occasional posters on this board.

The success of these efforts seem to come and go according to who the student leaders are and little more. Kind of like an upstart mega church that stays on top only as long as its charismatic founder survives. I'm all for student leadership, but where is the athletic department ownership of these student-led initiatives? Whose responsibility is it to work with work with these students? To coordinate and facilitate their efforts? Lobby for necessary funding? Develop a student leadership succession plan to sustain success year over year?  If that "someone" exists, let me suggest it's time to find a new "someone."  If that person doesn't exist, why not?  It would be like leaving the student cheerleaders in charge of themselves every year. What a fiasco that would be. Even assuming students are always well intended, they're still kids - kids with very little life experience, a million conflicting priorities and short shelf lives to boot.  They need adult leadership, guidance and support.  If the answer is "there is no one" or "that was assigned to someone and they do the best they can with the time they have," we now know where the problem resides.     

[VUGrad1314]

How about making attendance of athletic events available for CORE 5th hour credit or giving students a punch card every month where attendance at athletic events leads to rewards like free food or bookstore discounts or partner with businesses in the community on this venture so that students on a budget can still patronize and support community businesses while supporting their fellow students. Rewards can escalate in value with the number of events they attend. Or you can do this on a point system. Each event a student attends is worth a certain amount of points (same value for every sport--extra points can be awarded throughout the game for students who dress up\make signs and cheer loudly. The points are then redeemed for prizes at least once per semester. Prizes can simply be bought with points or they can be given away in a raffle (attend more events win more points have better chance to win but everyone has a chance at the best prizes) or they can be auctioned off. Students may also have the option to save their points for later if they choose under the buying\redemption or auction format to go for bigger prizes later. Additionally a special set of prizes could be given out for those recognized for their spirit (cheering signmaking wearing Valpo gear). Not sure how feasible any of these ideas are but at least it's a suggestion for whatever that's worth.

There was a program just like this in place and operating in the 2007-2009 range. Several of the student leaders from that program are still occasional posters on this board.

The success of these efforts seem to come and go according to who the student leaders are and little more. Kind of like an upstart mega church that stays on top only as long as its charismatic founder survives. I'm all for student leadership, but where is the athletic department ownership of these student-led initiatives? Whose responsibility is it to work with work with these students? To coordinate and facilitate their efforts? Lobby for necessary funding? Develop a student leadership succession plan to sustain success year over year?  If that "someone" exists, let me suggest it's time to find a new "someone."  If that person doesn't exist, why not?  It would be like leaving the student cheerleaders in charge of themselves every year. What a fiasco that would be. Even assuming students are always well intended, they're still kids - kids with very little life experience, a million conflicting priorities and short shelf lives to boot.  They need adult leadership, guidance and support.  If the answer is "there is no one" or "that was assigned to someone and they do the best they can with the time they have," we now know where the problem resides.     

Maybe creating a position for someone whose sole job is to be a link between the students and the department\administration would really help. Great suggestion!

[VU2014]

When you are the self proclaimed "student section leader" this isn't the best look. If you are trying drum up attendance and enthusiasm to attend the basketball games it's probably not wise to insult the football team. When I was a student at VU the football team was dreadful and had some character issues, but from all accounts and results on the field Coach Cecchini has really turned around the program culture. The student section is rocking when the football team shows up (which unfortunately has been less and less the last few years from what I can tell).

https://twitter.com/happeninghoops/status/1025481822036271106

[VUGrad1314]

Yeah, given the absolute yeoman's work Coach Cecchini has done and is doing to change the culture and the fortunes of the football team, this shot seems ill-timed and out of place. As a growing twitter presence with a recurring show on campus radio, they are a very public and prominent voice both within and outside the university community. I don't know why they use that platform to constantly take shots at other accounts and stir the pot--especially when they don't have much of an argument. It's a really bad look. I know they're young, but somebody needs to talk to them about professional conduct as  members of the media. They have much to learn. If you're going to be a divisive presence, then don't be shocked or complain when the student body doesn't unite behind you.

[bbtds]

They have much to learn. If you're going to be a divisive presence, then don't be shocked or complain when the student body voters doesn't don't unite behind you.

Hmmmm. In what other area does this sentence ring very true?

[VUGrad1314]

There are plenty of places for political discussion on this site and in life in general Can we please keep that stuff off the sports portions of this forum?

[NativeCheesehead]

I've had it with this guy. Garbage "Hot Take" so called journalism. Trying to be the next Skip Bayless.  Hope he ends up with a linebacker for a roommate.

[vu72]

Is this "Rock the ARC" some sort of event to get students involved??

All Valpo students! Head on down to Rock the Arc! Our coaches and players will be there if you're looking for some good competition!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DlAM50IW4AEjLwN.jpg

[crusader05]

It's a late night event to get students down to the ARC and having fun. They have basketball tournaments, yoga classes, open swim and other stuff. Teams are often there engaging with the students as well. They had the basketball team there playing bags.  The basketball team also came to some other sessions and led the students in chants, some games and encouraged them to come out in November

[VU2014]

If you follow Valparaiso University on SnapChat that post some videos of the event. It looked fairly successful. Lot's of freshman looked to be hooping on the court. The videos are still on the University's story.

https://twitter.com/ValpoBasketball/status/1031338522811219969

[valpopal]

[tweet]1031632928877551621[/tweet]

[vu84v2]

It's a late night event to get students down to the ARC and having fun. They have basketball tournaments, yoga classes, open swim and other stuff. Teams are often there engaging with the students as well. They had the basketball team there playing bags.  The basketball team also came to some other sessions and led the students in chants, some games and encouraged them to come out in November

This sounds like a great idea!  Fun, personal, everyone welcome. A big part of building enthusiasm is making personal connections and you need events that create opportunities for those connections. Kudos to the people who thought of this and made it happen!

[crusader05]

If you haven't I really encourage you to look over teh welcome week events page. https://www.valpo.edu/admission/files/2018/07/Freshman-Welcome-Booklet-2018-Final.pdf

It used to be that there was not a lot going on during move-in but over the last 8 years or so the University really has created a pretty awesome few weeks of events that even upperclassmen look forward too every year. It's constantly evolving with Athletics getting way more involved this year and that, combined with the efficiency of freshman move-in has been a great way for many students to get their footing on campus.

[vu72]

If you haven't I really encourage you to look over teh welcome week events page. https://www.valpo.edu/admission/files/2018/07/Freshman-Welcome-Booklet-2018-Final.pdf

It used to be that there was not a lot going on during move-in but over the last 8 years or so the University really has created a pretty awesome few weeks of events that even upperclassmen look forward too every year. It's constantly evolving with Athletics getting way more involved this year and that, combined with the efficiency of freshman move-in has been a great way for many students to get their footing on campus.

Hmmm.  When did President Heckler take office?   

[VU2014]

[tweet]1031632928877551621[/tweet]

Love seeing this! Next year we need to get the Pep Band, Crusaderettes and Cheerleaders involved in this to take it to the next level.

[VUGrad1314]

That's right. Make it a big-time event like many colleges do. Still progress is progress and should be celebrated.

[VU2014]

That's right. Make it a big-time event like many colleges do. Still progress is progress and should be celebrated.

Agreed. It should really become a big must go to event. This was held in the big lecture hall in the Neils Science Center. How many seats does that room hold? Maybe 200-250?  So maybe it could hold at most 1/3 of the freshman class. I had a psychology class in there.

Anyone know how many students showed up? We only can see that the first 7 rows were filled.

[valpopal]

[tweet]1031639023046086661[/tweet]

[crusader05]

There were 3 separate sessions and he came for all 3 and the entire freshman and transfer class were required to come so probably close to 800+ students saw it give or take some people who ditched out. The session was about safety and fun socializing at Valpo so the basketball team was invited to encourage school spirit and game attendance.

[vu72]

It wasn't just Matt!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmuABI0HDpE/

[VULB#62]

The school year is getting off to an exciting and eventful start.  Quite the promotion around the men's and women's doubleheader soccer matches on Friday. 

http://www.valpoathletics.com/msoccer/news/2018-19/18347/futbol-at-brown-field-set-for-friday/

[tweet]1032003721251704832[/tweet]

[vu72]

Matt and Mark at the Opening Convocation.  Clearly there is an enhanced effort by the Athletic Department to be part of the Student Community.

https://www.facebook.com/valparaiso.university/photos/ms.c.eJxlzMENACAIBMGODHAKR~;~_NGX~;m~_G4m6~_Ynd5EdJ5mI5V~_pUQgpvbXkMGWz6LkhBkYx8Bimn7mOHSgx.bps.a.10156472917948632/10156478892933632/?type=3&theater

[VULB#62]

VU Football was a visible presence across campus on Move-in Day as well. They've done this annually but this year it seems to jell better with other athletic department efforts (some addressed in posts below) to "recruit" new students as fans.

[tweet]1030814341505933313[/tweet]

[tweet]1030866972299472896[/tweet]

[VU2014]

What will the student section do without it's faithful leader?  I agree it's a crap opponent but there is no way I'd miss MY team's home opener if I were a student. Disappointing to hear this.

https://twitter.com/happeninghoops/status/1032321756122566656

[VUBBFan]

What will the student section do without it's faithful leader?  I agree it's a crap opponent but there is no way I'd miss MY team's home opener if I were a student. Disappointing to hear this. https://twitter.com/happeninghoops/status/1032321756122566656

This guy is a self absorbed want to be sports analyst. Trying to make a career as a big shot nationally. Give him credit as a sports fan, he definitely is, but a Valpo fan I think not. His Valpo fandom seems to be of convenience that he goes to school here. Which is perfectly alright but don't try to come off as a staunch Crusader fan to the true bleed 'em brown and gold.