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

[M]

This is a really good idea. I think they used to do a coaches clinic, but thats been at least a few (handful) of years.

[VU2014]

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. 

Love this idea. Could be huge for building connections and getting on the radar of local recruits.

[vu72]

Clearly the Athletic Department is trying to expand our reach and also to bring more excitement to the game day experience.  Today they announced on Facebook that the Jan 26 Drake game will be "Boy Band Night" (whatever that might be!) 

[vufan75]

Ran across this on twitter. Good idea!
Posted by Valpo Basketball this afternoon.

"Hey Valpo Students!! Come hang out with our players at 6 in Brandt Hall!! Free pizza and giveaways provided!!"

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

[VUBBFan]

If only Valpo Basketball had something like this. It would be awesome.

https://twitter.com/espn/status/1071196033860988928

[M]

Went to Bloomington and took in my first IU game in person yesterday. What a great experience even without any students being there. Place was packed and there was something happening nonstop during timeouts. If you've never been to Assembly Hall it's a must see.

[VU2014]

Would love to see Valpo Swim Tean do this again lol. The swim team use to do this every season. They were some of the most passionate fans in the Valparaizone.

The student section was awesome on Saturday. I hope we can keep that going.

https://twitter.com/SIU_Basketball/status/1087110232948510720
https://twitter.com/Valpo_Hoops/status/1087111947991072768

[oklahomamick]

We will always struggle with numbers.

1.  We have 4,000 undergrad.  40% (being generous) of the student body shows up and we are at 1600
2.  Not very many alumni living within 30 minute drive of campus. 
3.  Small town

Do whatever marketing we can but we will always be limited due to the factors stated above.

[VU2014]

Would love to see Valpo Swim Tean do this again lol. The swim team use to do this every season. They were some of the most passionate fans in the Valparaizone.

The student section was awesome on Saturday. I hope we can keep that going.

https://twitter.com/SIU_Basketball/status/1087110232948510720
https://twitter.com/Valpo_Hoops/status/1087111947991072768

Interesting response. So they won't support the BBall team unless they show up to the Swim meets.

I don't think she realizes that the Swim Team use to do the same thing the SIU team did pretty much every single year.

https://twitter.com/reddanielleow/status/1087128453911064576?s=21

https://twitter.com/valposwim/status/788128081865220096?s=21

[NativeCheesehead]

I do think it's important to support as many sports as possible. I try to make a football, softball and baseball game at least once a year. But I'm not sitting through a four hour swim meet in 80 degree pool air. Swimming is one of the most physically tough sports out there. A spectator sport it is not. (Olympics are different.  I'm on my couch and can change channels between races.)

[VU2014]

I do think it's important to support as many sports as possible. I try to make a football, softball and baseball game at least once a year. But I'm not sitting through a four hour swim meet in 80 degree pool air. Swimming is one of the most physically tough sports out there. A spectator sport it is not. (Olympics are different.  I'm on my couch and can change channels between races.)

Yeah swimming is a pretty grueling sport and the training is intense, but probably not a big spectator sport.

Her response kind of surprised me. It comes off as a bit bitter that swimming doesn't get a great amount of fan support. It comes across as, "Well they don't support us so why should we support them?" That's not a healthy attitude, imo.

The swim team use to be BIG supporters of the men's basketball team. I know the swim team went through a coaching change recently, so maybe there was a culture change as well?

[M]

I think she thinks you want to see them in their swim suits 👀...vs just see them be rowdy behind the hoop.

[VU2014]

I think she thinks you want to see them in their swim suits 👀...vs just see them be rowdy behind the hoop.

Haha well that was a giant miscommunication. They could show up in pajamas for all I care. Although I did find it absolutely hilarious when the Valpo Swim Team would show up in speedo to distract the free throw shooters.

[VUBBFan]

I do think it's important to support as many sports as possible. I try to make a football, softball and baseball game at least once a year. But I'm not sitting through a four hour swim meet in 80 degree pool air. Swimming is one of the most physically tough sports out there. A spectator sport it is not. (Olympics are different.  I'm on my couch and can change channels between races.)

Yeah swimming is a pretty grueling sport and the training is intense, but probably not a big spectator sport. Her response kind of surprised me. It comes off as a bit bitter that swimming doesn't get a great amount of fan support. It comes across as, "Well they don't support us so why should we support them?" That's not a healthy attitude, imo. The swim team use to be BIG supporters of the men's basketball team. I know the swim team went through a coaching change recently, so maybe there was a culture change as well?

I took her response as just trying to be a little funny. Looked at some of her other posts and they seem light hearted and humorous. My opinion is the comment was not condescending or mean spirted.

[NativeCheesehead]

How about the offensive line show up in speedos to distract the opposing team?

[VU2014]

How about the offensive line show up in speedos to distract the opposing team?

haha that'll work 

*free throw shooters be like*

[usc4valpo]

Turn back the clock event - see previous topic. I really think this would be a great event.

[vu84v2]

Turn back the clock event - see previous topic. I really think this would be a great event.

Yes, but not at a marquee game. Lower conference opponent or decent non-conference opponent would be ideal. Indiana State recognized the 40 year anniversary of Larry Bird and the Championship runner-up team at the same game in which they played Loyola - which makes no sense. Use your promotional ideas to generate attendance at games in which you are not already going to get strong attendance.

[bigmosmithfan1]

I dunno about that. I think ISU played that perfectly. For something like that 1979 reunion and Larry Bird appearance, you definitely want to make sure you have a full building. One way to do that is to make sure you have a game that's already going to draw well. A sellout of 10,000+ isn't probably going to happen for the Loyola game on its own or the '79 day on its own.

[VU2014]

I dunno about that. I think ISU played that perfectly. For something like that 1979 reunion and Larry Bird appearance, you definitely want to make sure you have a full building. One way to do that is to make sure you have a game that's already going to draw well. A sellout of 10,000+ isn't probably going to happen for the Loyola game on its own or the '79 day on its own.

Well we'll get Bryce back at the ARC next season and that better be a sell out.

[oklahomamick]

10% chance Bryce comes back to the ARC

[VU2014]

10% chance Bryce comes back to the ARC

Not from what I've heard. I think fans will be much happier about next seasons non-conference schedule.

[vu72]

10% chance Bryce comes back to the ARC

Not from what I've heard. I think fans will be much happier about next seasons non-conference schedule.

And the timing couldn't be better when we have a legit chance to be a Sweet Sixteen team.

[VUGrad1314]

10% chance Bryce comes back to the ARC

Not from what I've heard. I think fans will be much happier about next seasons non-conference schedule.

And the timing couldn't be better when we have a legit chance to be a Sweet Sixteen team.

Is it more than just Vanderbilt (possibly) and GW?

[oklahomamick]

Side bet.  Vandy not coming to the ARC.  Hope I'm Wrong though