Valpo vs Missouri St 1/15 4 pm at the ARC

[oklahomamick]

WH, you are correct that Valpo is in over it's head in the MVC. 

But so is our coach.  His first ever head coaching job was taking over the NIT runner-up champion.  Never even managed a YMCA team......Yes he played at a high level but he had no coaching experience.  Way in over his head. 

[mj]

The basketball atmosphere at the ARC was a major selling point of the university. Hell, it's one of the reasons I wanted to go to Valpo.

It blows my mind that the university squandered an asset like that. An asset that gave the university exposure on national tv. Especially at a time when the school has financial difficulties.

The students turned out for the volleyball team earlier this season, so I do have some hope that atmosphere could return. But this needs to be a priority of the school. Immediately.

[wh]

So despite my lack of insider knowledge, I actually have an answer to the band question. I had some students sit behind me at the game last night (apparently some of the students sit in the chair backs now since there's so many open.) and overheard one of them say that only 9 people showed up for the pep band after winter break so it is effectively disbanded (pun intended). They're working on getting enough together for a couple of games but it will be touch and go.

Pep bands have been an ever present staple of high school and college basketball games across the nation for generations. They are unfailing, irrespective of school size, team record, weather conditions, conflicting priorities, whatever. Band members are the first to arrive and last to leave. They are a part of Americana - except for one national university in northwest Indiana that plays division-1 basketball as a member of an elite mid-major conference full of rich tradition.

We are in desperate need of a complete restart.

[valpotx]

The basketball atmosphere at the ARC was a major selling point of the university. Hell, it's one of the reasons I wanted to go to Valpo.

It blows my mind that the university squandered an asset like that. An asset that gave the university exposure on national tv. Especially at a time when the school has financial difficulties.

The students turned out for the volleyball team earlier this season, so I do have some hope that atmosphere could return. But this needs to be a priority of the school. Immediately.

I remember my first recruiting visit to Valpo in 1998.  It was during March Madness, and students were lining up outside the ARC for tickets to something.  Growing up in TX, at a time when no one cared about college basketball in the state, I had no idea that Valpo had just made the Sweet 16.  Seeing that enthusiasm from students at a small school, was a small part of what helped me to pick Valpo over Buck Futler & Creighton.

[VALPO LI]

Not to knock seven bells but the crew seems restless. Many fans lost or are losing hope in their captain and feel this ship has run aground.  Others are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.
It seems the perfect storm is culminating and even the brightest Beacon of light may not be able to guide this ship safely back to shore.  Batten down the hatches for this will be an interesting ride.

[covufan]

Not to knock seven bells but the crew seems restless. Many fans lost or are losing hope in their captain and feel this ship has run aground.  Others are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.
It seems the perfect storm is culminating and even the brightest Beacon of light may not be able to guide this ship safely back to shore.  Batten down the hatches for this will be an interesting ride.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSXaxBME99yZ3YCUeA-5kFdfIBQewvw1j5KVw&s


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[justducky]

Not to knock seven bells but the crew seems restless. Many fans lost or are losing hope in their captain and feel this ship has run aground.  Others are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.
It seems the perfect storm is culminating and even the brightest Beacon of light may not be able to guide this ship safely back to shore.  Batten down the hatches for this will be an interesting ride.

Worst case imaginable could be coaches returning accompanied by almost no returning press, fans or players. The nightmares continue.

[Just Sayin]

Is the die cast already?

[wh]

• a 5-minute weekly coaches show published twice in 12 weeks

I just wanted to jump in and provide a clarification as I know you've brought up the coaches shows on several occasions. We rotate weeks between men's basketball and women's basketball, so Mary joins me every other week. I've done three men's coaches show with Matt and the fourth will be recorded tomorrow and published this week, plus there have been just as many coaches shows featuring women's basketball. There were a few weeks where we did not a record with either coach during the nonconference season due to travel to Stanford and the Bahamas plus the weeks of Christmas and New Years, but now that we're into conference play and the schedule is more consistent, we're into a rhythm of coaches shows every week rotation between men's and women's.

I was hoping you had a better story than that, but it is what it is. For openers Women's basketball is a different sport with a different coach. It's also a sport that I have no personal interest in, so I wouldn't know what you do over there, nor do I care. What I do know is you formerly hosted a weekly show called basketball weekly, featuring men's bb coach Matt Lottich. The purpose was to review the games from the prior week (not the prior 2 weeks, and look ahead to upcoming games that week (not 2 weeks). That would make it a weekly show - by itself. Thus, you have reduced what was by name - and deed - a weekly show covering Valpo's flagship sport - MEN's basketball - to 2 or 3 total occurrences this season. If this isn't accurate, let me know and I'll be the first to apologize. If it is accurate, maybe you should try owning it rather than changing the definition of what Valpo weekly means to paper over a drastic reduction of Matt Lottich interviews.

[valpopal]

So despite my lack of insider knowledge, I actually have an answer to the band question. I had some students sit behind me at the game last night (apparently some of the students sit in the chair backs now since there's so many open.) and overheard one of them say that only 9 people showed up for the pep band after winter break so it is effectively disbanded (pun intended). They're working on getting enough together for a couple of games but it will be touch and go.

Pep bands have been an ever present staple of high school and college basketball games across the nation for generations. They are unfailing, irrespective of school size, team record, weather conditions, conflicting priorities, whatever. Band members are the first to arrive and last to leave. They are a part of Americana - except for one national university in northwest Indiana that plays division-1 basketball as a member of an elite mid-major conference full of rich tradition.

We are in desperate need of a complete restart.

I spoke today with a student organizing the pep band, and he says he hopes to have the band at future games plus he is trying to revise the drum line, though he could not offer specifics or a guarantee yet.

[NativeCheesehead]

This is another example of the points a lot of us are making in terms of lack of leadership in the department. Why is it on the students to self organize the pep band?

[humbleopinion]

This is another example of the points a lot of us are making in terms of lack of leadership in the department. Why is it on the students to self organize the pep band?

I guess you aren't aware of how hard the music department has been hit...

[valpotx]

Hasn't the pep band always been student or volunteer led?  I seem to remember that during my time on campus.  Valporun?

[NativeCheesehead]

Absolutely not on the music department. Should be on the Athletic department.

[VU2014]

[Pgmado]

Absolutely not on the music department. Should be on the Athletic department.

If there aren't students to do it, there aren't students to do it. I get frustrated that the campus radio station isn't staffed the majority of the day like it was when I was a student. It's just not a reality. Students have other interests now than they did before. I don't know much about the pep band situation, but I do know that things change and evolve on a college campus, frustrating as that may be.

[VALPO LI]

Absolutely not on the music department. Should be on the Athletic department.

Actually the Crusader Pep Band is sponsored by the Athletic Department and Music Department as per the University website.
https://www.valpo.edu/music/ensembles/extra-curricular-ensembles/

[NativeCheesehead]

If there aren't students to do it that's fine. My point was, is there a person in the Athletic department responsible for this? One of my roommates played in the pep band and they had a director who met regularly with one of the Assistant ADs. They had a small budget for shirts and food for some of the games. What happened to that money? Is it still there and not being used? Or was it actively cut from the budget and we're reaping what we sowed?

[David81]

Absolutely not on the music department. Should be on the Athletic department.

If there aren't students to do it, there aren't students to do it. I get frustrated that the campus radio station isn't staffed the majority of the day like it was when I was a student. It's just not a reality. Students have other interests now than they did before. I don't know much about the pep band situation, but I do know that things change and evolve on a college campus, frustrating as that may be.

As a long-time denizen of higher ed, I find it unfortunate that students are taking less advantage of extracurricular activities that make for a more enriching college experience. I'm not necessarily blaming them, either. Part-time jobs necessitated by tuition & expenses, internships and co-ops necessitated by pressures to build vocational credentials, etc., are all playing a role in this. This all steamrolls into dampened enthusiasm for a DI basketball team with a so-so record.

(Sad to hear about WVUR as well. In my day, WVUR, The Torch, and I believe The Beacon were housed in what would become the campus police office. The building was a beehive of student activity and a fun place to hang out.)

[valpo95]

Absolutely not on the music department. Should be on the Athletic department.

Actually the Crusader Pep Band is sponsored by the Athletic Department and Music Department as per the University website.
https://www.valpo.edu/music/ensembles/extra-curricular-ensembles/

I'm not sure how much sponsoring the Music Department does at this point - the real question is how much is the budget and where does the budget come from? My guess is that the entire budget now comes from the Athletic Department.

The last time there was formal involvement of the Music Department was 1990-91, when there was an adjunct instructor hired to lead the Crusader Band and it still was considered an official minor ensemble of the Music Department. (BTW, is it now the Beacon Band?). The Music Department was openly hostile to the Crusader Band, made scheduling difficult, and took equipment purchased for the Crusader Band and assigned it to the Music Department. Of course, there were few resources for the Music Department back then, and I'm guessing even fewer resources now.

[crusadermoe]

The crowd atmosphere has been a drum (or dead horse) I have beaten since 2010 (apart from the NIT run.) 

Has anyone asked whether the type of student we are recruiting have any interest in sports, let alone college basketball?  I do think in fairness to a degree attendance is down across NCAA in general even pre-COVID.  But it seems really acute at VU.

That's all folks...on this subject.  It's all been said.  Where is the action?

[VALPO LI]

Just a quick attendance stat:

School, record and attendance from 2019-20 season and so far this season.

Loyola (21-11) (2,904). This yr. 14-2 with (2,897) in attendance.
Belmont (26-7) (2,320). This yr. 14-4 with (1,923) in attendance.
Valpo (19-16) (2,850). This yr. 8-10 with (1,775) in attendance.

*all 3 schools have a similar size arena (+/- 5,000)

[VUSWIM08-12]

David 81, I think you are exactly right, the pressure put on college kids from their parents and companies who will potentially higher them is tremendous. Plus VU is $55k+, students have to work and study and have little time to enjoy extracurriculars, although I am sure you will find Duffy's or Franklin House packed on a Friday night with a good chunk of VU kids.

After Valpo I was an Asst. College Swim Coach and then a  head college swim coach from 2013-2018 and kids just aren't interested in sports like they may have once been. It was awesome to see that student section rockin for the girls volleyball NIVC final so it can happen but VU has to put effort in. Attendance is down everywhere, when I was watching the Loyola game last week on CBSSN, gentile Arena looked maybe half full. COVID is also still a huge factor. Win some games, promote the team, incentivize kids to come. It's not magic. I came from a basketball rich small town in Connersville, IN where our student section in high school was rocking with Matt Howard and others playing where as the international and some suburban students now just simply aren't into sports...

[Just Sayin]

NCAA http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/2022/Attend.pdf

      Divison 1        Per Game
         Attendance    Average   
1976   15,059,892   4,759   — —
1977   16,469,250   5,021   Up 262
1978   17,669,080   5,124   Up 103
1979   18,649,383   5,271   Up 147
1980   19,052,743   5,217   Down 54
1981   19,355,690   5,131   Down 86
1982   19,789,706   5,191   Up 60
1983   20,488,437   5,212   Up 21
1984   20,715,426   5,243   Up 31
1985   21,394,261   5,258   Up 15
1986   21,244,519   5,175   Down 83
1987   21,756,709   5,205   Up 30
1988   22,463,476   5,443   Up 238
1989   23,059,429   5,565   Up 122
1990   23,581,823   5,721   Up 156
1991   23,777,437   5,735   Up 14
1992   23,893,993   5,643   Down 92
1993   23,321,655   5,635   Down 8
1994   23,275,158   5,571   Down 64
1995   23,560,495   5,641   Up 70
1996   23,542,652   5,588   Down 53
1997   23,190,856   5,485   Down 103
1998   23,282,774   5,459   Down 26
1999   23,587,824   5,451   Down 8
2000   24,281,774   5,386   Down 65
2001   24,100,555   5,311   Down 75
2002   24,499,611   5,287   Down 24
2003   25,001,678   5,372   Up 85
2004   25,548,468   5,443   Up 71
2005   25,366,317   5,334   Down 109
2006   25,808,346   5,426   Up 92
2007   27,705,912   5,548    Up 122
2008   28,135,901  5,524     Down 24
2009   27,767,111   5,378   Down 146
2010   27,539,459   5,245   Down 133
2011   27,626,165   5,237   Down 8
2012   27,691,051   5,190   Down 47
2013   27,876,649   5,129   Down 61
2014   27,519,856   5,014   Down 115
2015   27,422,615   4,939   Down 75
2016   27,234,610   4,914   Down 25
2017   26,983,888   4,799   Down 115
2018   26,858,281   4,607   Down 192
2019   27,001,383   4,593   Down 14
2020   25,925,284   4,689   Up 552
2021   N/A —      

[Just Sayin]

   All Divisions      
                         Attendance   
                              Per   
      Attendance     Game   
1977   23,324,040   2,710   — —
1978   23,590,952   2,678   Down 32
1979   24,482,516   2,757   Up 79
1980   24,861,722   2,765   Up 8
1981   25,159,358   2,737   Down 28
1982   25,416,017   2,727   Down 10
1983   26,122,785   2,706   Down 21
1984   26,271,613   2,728   Up 22
1985   26,584,426   2,712   Down 16
1986   26,368,815   2,654   Down 58
1987   26,797,644   2,698   Up 44
1988   27,452,948   2,777   Up 79
1989   28,270,260   2,814   Up 37
1990   28,740,819   2,860   Up 46
1991   29,249,583   2,796   Down 64
1992   29,378,161   2,747   Down 49
1993   28,527,348   2,703   Down 44
1994   28,390,491   2,604   Down 99
1995   28,548,158   2,581   Down 23
1996   28,225,352   2,563   Down 18
1997   27,738,284   2,508   Down 55
1998   28,031,879   2,445   Down 63
1999   28,505,428   2,401   Down 44
2000   29,024,876   2,410   Up 9
2001   28,949,093   2,392   Down 18
2002   29,395,240   2,373   Down 19
2003   30,124,304   2,339   Down 34
2004   30,760,510   2,355   Up 16
2005   30,568,645   2,327   Down 28
2006   30,939,715   2,351   Up 24
2007   32,835,863   2,449   Up 98
2008   33,396,316   2,393   Down 56
2009   33,111,020   2,365   Down 28
2010   32,820,701   2,302   Down 63
2011   32,631,817   2,301   Down 1
2012   32,781,399   2,292   Down 9
2013   32,869,227   2,278   Down 14
2014   32,510,167   2,240   Down 38
2015   32,510,647   2,195   Down 45
2016   32,382,283   2,168   Down 27
2017   31,859,477   2,107   Down 61
2018   31,277,480   2,021   Down 86
2019   31,401,424   2,036   Up 15
2020   30,267,725   2,002   Down 34
2021   N/A — —