You really think media access in March is going to affect attendance in September?
The people that are 12 years and counting invested in tailgating and football games at Rentschler are the people that are going to come in September, and they aren't going to be affected by the lack of media now, and UCONN athletic department should consider itself blessed to have over 20k for Villanova after the last season coming on the heels of the Pasqualoni debacle of 2013. Army and Navy will draw because they are Army and Navy. Come November and December? We saw it last year. No reason it's going to change, until the wins start coming.
and you know what? I can't speak for anyone else but for me it's a relief, because I would pay attention otherwise to extensive media coverage, and it would just annoy me based on the results of the last season.
You know what will generate interest and start selling tickets beyond the hardcore fan base? Winning the damn games.
When do season tickets go on sale? DOn't you think a little press before that happens would be a good idea?
And I'm not talking about the diehards like you, me, whaler, Biz, Jimmy, and the dozens of posters here who are at every game sun, snow or rain. I'm talking about the casual scoreboard crowd that double fists Bud Lights and chats with their buddies during the games while packing on a steep buzz. I'm talking about the +1s, +2s, +3s that us season ticket holders
used to be able to bring with us to games. I'm talking about Pops Greater Hartford who wants to take his son(s)/daughter(s) to some live sporting events on fall weekends. I'm talking about Mr and Mrs Gold Coast who are looking for entertainment options to spend money until basketball season starts. I'm talking to the scores of basketball posters over on the hoops board complaining about how AAC affiliation is crushing our program and how we should beg another mid-major conference for entry to improve things.
Yes, winning cures all. But we're not winning right now and we still need to sell tickets. UConn doesn't stop putting tickets up for sale when we lose. And no, it's not the media's job to sell the tickets. But a few pump up pieces here and there throughout spring practice certainly couldn't hurt.
"Hey down-in-your-dumps hoops fan, still upset about UConn losing to SMU? Well take a look at some of these giants the football program has signed and sealed for next year. Think they could help out on the glass? Get a sneak peak at a few of them on April 11th. The entire day can be free for you and all of your friends and family."
"Hey Johnny NFL Connecticut fan, did you see Byron Jones jump out of the gym? Hot holy moly is that draft stock soaring. Will your Giants/Patriots/Jets/Cowboys/Raiders (BNich that is for you) draft him? Wanna know who the next athletic beasts on the team are for future NFL drafts?"
"Hey Women's Hoops fan, everyone loves a winner, eh? Speaking of winning, did you hear about our newest transfer? Comes from Florida State. Read why he chose to come to UConn over these other behemoth programs and how it could accelerate the rebuild process here."
"Hey Bobby Beerdrinker, how's would you like an extra hour to slug down a few extra CL Smooths this fall? Read all about that here."
Point is: you need to generate interest to try to move tickets now and after we start winning. The worst thing in the world would be winning 9 games and only the diehards in the stadium to see it. It's not as easy as sounding off a horn in the state when we win again and all of the casual +1s will come running back. The program needs to keep the fanbase, diehard and casual, engaged and connected as possible. So that when we do win again, the "Welcome Back" mats can be put back ASAP.