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

[bbtds]

I think the Crusader could handle a T-Shirt cannon. Wouldn't mind seeing the Athletics Dept add that to the Gameday experience during timeouts. It could entertain the crowd.

That would be a serious blast to the attendance that could move the needle towards a ball busting record of ghastly proportions.

[humbleopinion]

I think the Crusader could handle a T-Shirt cannon. Wouldn't mind seeing the Athletics Dept add that to the Gameday experience during timeouts. It could entertain the crowd.

Did they stop using the t-shirt cannon?  I remember it being used commonly to send Centier or Family Express Shirts into the banners while aiming for the upper bleachers.

[VU2014]

I think the Crusader could handle a T-Shirt cannon. Wouldn't mind seeing the Athletics Dept add that to the Gameday experience during timeouts. It could entertain the crowd.

That would be a serious blast to the attendance that could move the needle towards a ball busting record of ghastly proportions.

If the resources aren't currently there to achieve the big projects (AC, parking, giving the ARC a MUCH needed facelift, etc.) then doing the little things to improve the gameday experience could add up. Ultimately winning and getting quality opponents to the ARC are the most important keys to attendance.

[VULB#62]

If the resources aren't currently there to achieve the big projects (AC, parking, giving the ARC a MUCH needed facelift, etc.) then doing the little things to improve the gameday experience could add up. Ultimately winning and getting quality opponents to the ARC are the most important keys to attendance.

Background  -- living in NY and then Massachusetts from 1967 to 2013 and just south of Green Bay since then, I don't get to the ARC for MBB games, but I managed to get to all the UWM and UWGB games that I could since 2013. That all ended with the change to the MVC, of course.

Now my comment  -- At both UWM (Panther Arena) and UWGB (Resch Center) it seemed like every break in the action involved some sort of activity like T-shirt cannons, ticket-related drawings for prizes, games of "skill," or other such stuff.  During half-time there was either organized entertainment or more eleborate contest for fans to both participate in or just watch or both.  The key to me was that any type of participatory activity always seemed to draw its participants from the student section (it might have been 100% of the time, but pretty close) and prizes were pretty attractive as i recall.

My question -- You pretty much don't see much on TV during the breaks. Does Valpo do what I described above in the ARC?  If so, what is the response?  If not, why not?  As 2014 noted, lots of little things can add up to a better overall game experience which may entice return visits.

[VU2014]

This kid really doesn't understand what it means to be a student body leader...  Hopefully some other students step up and push these guys to the side. He'd rather mock the football team than embrace them and bring them into the fold. This is a bad look...

https://twitter.com/happeninghoops/status/1043609292165861377

[VU2014]

This got me thinking what Valpo could (should?) do with our Pep Band. Why don't we strategically put our band close to opposing teams bench to make it as loud, annoying, and chaotic for the opposing teams bench? The goal should be to make the opposing team as uncomfortable as possible.

Remember when the band use to go on the court at halftime and play music right next to the opposing team during timeouts? Why don't we do that again? It was always entertaining for the fans and it got the student section a little bit more rowdy (which we need more of these days). I think I remember someone mentioning that the Horizon League HQ putting the kibosh on it but we're not in that conference anymore so who cares. I'd like to see that come back. If anyone from Athletics Dept is listening, any chance we can bring that back? Please. I see other schools doing it. Why not us?

https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1043579127503224834

[VUGrad1314]

If the resources aren't currently there to achieve the big projects (AC, parking, giving the ARC a MUCH needed facelift, etc.) then doing the little things to improve the gameday experience could add up. Ultimately winning and getting quality opponents to the ARC are the most important keys to attendance.

Background  -- living in NY and then Massachusetts from 1967 to 2013 and just south of Green Bay since then, I don't get to the ARC for MBB games, but I managed to get to all the UWM and UWGB games that I could since 2013. That all ended with the change to the MVC, of course. Now my comment  -- At both UWM (Panther Arena) and UWGB (Resch Center) it seemed like every break in the action involved some sort of activity like T-shirt cannons, ticket-related drawings for prizes, games of "skill," or other such stuff.  During half-time there was either organized entertainment or more eleborate contest for fans to both participate in or just watch or both.  The key to me was that any type of participatory activity always seemed to draw its participants from the student section (it might have been 100% of the time, but pretty close) and prizes were pretty attractive as i recall. My question -- You pretty much don't see much on TV during the breaks. Does Valpo do what I described above in the ARC?  If so, what is the response?  If not, why not?  As 2014 noted, lots of little things can add up to a better overall game experience which may entice return visits.

They used to I think even up to the early HL days but certainly throughout the mid con days but they've stopped in recent years. I think the goal was to sell the game as a standalone event.

[VUGrad1314]

This kid really doesn't understand what it means to be a student body leader...  Hopefully some other students step up and push these guys to the side. He'd rather mock the football team than embrace them and bring them into the fold. This is a bad look... https://twitter.com/happeninghoops/status/1043609292165861377

Taking shots at the athletic programs of the school that provides space for you to do a radio show probably isn't the smartest idea in the world for your career prospects and you CERTAINLY won't win students over to support the sports you support by insulting them and calling for the outright elimination of entire programs. How about instead of sitting in your dorm watching and tweeting you go to Brown Field and show some freaking leadership and support them by cheering them on? You'll probably get more people at basketball games that way. No wonder student attendance is down the student leadership stinks. It's one thing to make a joke about the football program or to express your opinion that it should be cut privately with your friends but doing so publicly especially in the capacity of a student leader is so utterly and unfathomably stupid I don't know where to begin. I think I know why they love GCU so much: they already have good  student leadership so there's no need for these guys to put in the work they're so unwilling to put in to create the raucous environment they want AND they don't have football which these guys seem to hate.

[VUGrad1314]

He's getting soundly and rightly called out for this in the comments. Good. I hope he learns from this (but he probably won't).

https://twitter.com/happeninghoops/status/1043609292165861377

[VU2014]

If the resources aren't currently there to achieve the big projects (AC, parking, giving the ARC a MUCH needed facelift, etc.) then doing the little things to improve the gameday experience could add up. Ultimately winning and getting quality opponents to the ARC are the most important keys to attendance.

Background  -- living in NY and then Massachusetts from 1967 to 2013 and just south of Green Bay since then, I don't get to the ARC for MBB games, but I managed to get to all the UWM and UWGB games that I could since 2013. That all ended with the change to the MVC, of course. Now my comment  -- At both UWM (Panther Arena) and UWGB (Resch Center) it seemed like every break in the action involved some sort of activity like T-shirt cannons, ticket-related drawings for prizes, games of "skill," or other such stuff.  During half-time there was either organized entertainment or more eleborate contest for fans to both participate in or just watch or both.  The key to me was that any type of participatory activity always seemed to draw its participants from the student section (it might have been 100% of the time, but pretty close) and prizes were pretty attractive as i recall. My question -- You pretty much don't see much on TV during the breaks. Does Valpo do what I described above in the ARC?  If so, what is the response?  If not, why not?  As 2014 noted, lots of little things can add up to a better overall game experience which may entice return visits.

They used to I think even up to the early HL days but certainly throughout the mid con days but they've stopped in recent years. I think the goal was to sell the game as a standalone event.

For me personally I could care less about the halftime entertainment and things like that. Ultimately the budget should go towards hiring the best coaches possible, gear/equipment for the team and recruiting budget. Winning by far means the most to me and getting quality opponents to the ARC. But I know the little things matter to others. We should be doing whatever we can (within financial responsibility) to get casuals to be repeat customers and ultimately become reliable fans.

I think having a fun atmosphere goes a long way into improving the fan experience. Investing in improving the pep band is an example. It wouldn't even require a huge investment to improve the band. They could make the pep band a 1/4 or 1/2 credit. Have the music dept supply them with the equipment/guidance they need. A quality band goes a long way at College athletics events.

[VUGrad1314]

Apparently he's not the leader anymore and hasn't been for some time. Wonder what the reasons are for this decision. Regardless, hopefully someone more engaged who is less divisive and more of a unifying force will step forward and take on leadership duties. This seems like the best move for both sides: He gets to focus on his radio show working on his media skills and being a fan while the student section gets a new and hopefully better leader. I wish both sides well. Good luck to Happening Hoops and to the Valparaizone and  as always  Go Valpo!

https://twitter.com/happeninghoops/status/1043656326755377153

[4throwfan]

I'm not sure that we should lay too much at the feet of the person from Happening Hoops.  It seems to me that the two main reasons for student lack of attendance are 1) the students just aren't interested, and 2) schedule conflicts with Greek activities.  (Just note, as for No. 2, I'm completely uninformed on this.  I simply got this from other postings on this board.)  It seems that if the Greek leaders/society wanted students at the games, then they could conform their activities to coincide with the basketball games.  Since they don't, it seems like they, like the other students, just aren't interested.  So, we're back at No. 1.

I'm asking this because I simply don't know, so don't read too much into it.  But, the HH guy says that he's no longer a student section leader.  What does that mean?  Are there section leaders that are supposed to do something?  How do they get that position? 

It seems that the leadership should really develop from the Greek crowd.  Is that right?  If so, that ain't happening, because they're not interested.

If anyone knows how all of that works, I'd like to hear.  Like I said, I truly don't know.  The only thing that I know about student life is what I learn from this board, and from going to basketball games.

[FieldGoodie05]

If the resources aren't currently there to achieve the big projects (AC, parking, giving the ARC a MUCH needed facelift, etc.) then doing the little things to improve the gameday experience could add up. Ultimately winning and getting quality opponents to the ARC are the most important keys to attendance.

Background  -- living in NY and then Massachusetts from 1967 to 2013 and just south of Green Bay since then, I don't get to the ARC for MBB games, but I managed to get to all the UWM and UWGB games that I could since 2013. That all ended with the change to the MVC, of course. Now my comment  -- At both UWM (Panther Arena) and UWGB (Resch Center) it seemed like every break in the action involved some sort of activity like T-shirt cannons, ticket-related drawings for prizes, games of "skill," or other such stuff.  During half-time there was either organized entertainment or more eleborate contest for fans to both participate in or just watch or both.  The key to me was that any type of participatory activity always seemed to draw its participants from the student section (it might have been 100% of the time, but pretty close) and prizes were pretty attractive as i recall. My question -- You pretty much don't see much on TV during the breaks. Does Valpo do what I described above in the ARC?  If so, what is the response?  If not, why not?  As 2014 noted, lots of little things can add up to a better overall game experience which may entice return visits.

They used to I think even up to the early HL days but certainly throughout the mid con days but they've stopped in recent years. I think the goal was to sell the game as a standalone event.

For me personally I could care less about the halftime entertainment and things like that. Ultimately the budget should go towards hiring the best coaches possible, gear/equipment for the team and recruiting budget. Winning by far means the most to me and getting quality opponents to the ARC. But I know the little things matter to others. We should be doing whatever we can (within financial responsibility) to get casuals to be repeat customers and ultimately become reliable fans.

I think having a fun atmosphere goes a long way into improving the fan experience. Investing in improving the pep band is an example. It wouldn't even require a huge investment to improve the band. They could make the pep band a 1/4 or 1/2 credit. Have the music dept supply them with the equipment/guidance they need. A quality band goes a long way at College athletics events.

I think if we go back to the % of fans who are locals, then halftime entertainment and engagement is important.  We have a FAR FAR greater likelihood of getting locals to attend in the numbers required than we do getting alumni to drive many hours OR students to get their heads out of their _____.

While I agree with your personal opinion, I do think that drawing bigger region crowds is option 1A and growing student involvement is option 1AB . . . then option 9 is entice alumni do travel 3+ hours to a game.

[talksalot]

And when the Crown Point girls 6th grade team sells 50 tickets to concession-buyers in attendance....

[a3uge]

He's getting soundly and rightly called out for this in the comments. Good. I hope he learns from this (but he probably won't).

https://twitter.com/happeninghoops/status/1043609292165861377

What a moron. They get like 50 non scholarship students to come - kids that wouldn't have chosen Valpo in the first place, and kids that will donate and be engaged as alumni in the future. Sure the team is historically putrid, but cutting it is a stupid idea.

[VULB#62]

The kid is also obtuce to the fact that football brings in over 100 male students to the campus annually which is a university desire in maintaining  a 50-50 enrollment split.

No VU student leader of an athletics support group should be unsupportive and highly critical voice of Valpo sports teams. If he/she fits tha negative profile, they should be asked to do so privately as an individual and not the voice of Valparsizone.

[VU2014]

If he/she fits tha negative profile, they should be asked to do so privately as an individual and not the voice of Valparsizone.

It sounds like that may have already happened. He stepped down as the self proclaim leader of the student section. By my estimation there wasn't much leadership or work being done. Being a leader requires taking initiative and not just running a twitter account.

[VU2014]

Not sure why Valpo stopped having the Midnight Madness. It was a fun tradition and it kicked off the season.

https://twitter.com/jon_sherrick/status/1048784487843352576

[VU2014]

We need the Valpo Student Section to get it's edge back lol

https://twitter.com/VoxSlug/status/1049481037963640832

[vu72]

This doesn't have to do with student attendance but does have to do with crowd participation and drawing fans to the ARC.  A great idea!

http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2018-19/18499/valpo-basketball-teams-to-hold-open-practice-at-hammond-civic-center/

[VULB#62]

Great idea!  Looked at some of the HCC images in Google and it looks like a great place to showcase our teams. Would love to levitate the arena and plunk it down on the Porter property.  It has the old fashioned look and confines that make it a real pit and a terrible place for visiting teams.  Hope there is a good turnout and that between Valpo and the City of Hammond the promotion is really heavy.

As a later afterthought -- might this be a toe in the water to see if one or two OOC games might wind up being played there in the future? Students come on buses and regular season ticket holders have a little longer drive, but it might generate some increased local interest and widen the fan base.

[M]

Great idea to hold practice....hope they never play a "home" game anywhere besides on campus.

[humbleopinion]

Not a bad idea to raise our recruiting profile in Lake County as well.

[crusader05]

I think it's a great idea. A good way to raise your profile with local athletes and students at a younger age, plus a good way to remind the region we are here. I also wonder what will Happen with Purdue Northwest's recent diploma change? Valpo is already seeing an increase in commuter students. I wonder if this would help drive even more people to us instead of their now that they don't get a plain "purdue university" diploma

[VULB#62]

I would think that high on the promotion list would be personal invitation letters to every HS HBB coach (boys & girls) in Lake county as well as Porter county  to attend along with their players.  The program could also double as a coaching clinic, with both Matt and Mary describing drills to the audience and explaining desired outcomes, etc.