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Message: [QUOTE="AZHuskiePop, post: 2292601, member: 1609"] The economics and demographics of the state play a larger roll in attendance than most of you believe. Extraordinary success or the occasional big name mask that decline which really mirrors the decline of the states economy. That's the most disturbing thing about the future of UConn basketball. It was a rabid fan base and broad state support that enabled us to go from a regional to national player. Dave Gavitt saw the possibility. The population decrease if examined closely is much worse for sports entertainment than first appears The exodus is somewhat offset by foreign immigrants who historically only have sports attachments to their old country if any at all. The people who leave are retirees with multitude generaration ties to the state and young professionals both of whom are more likely to attend games . I would love to see stats on the % of UConn grads or any grads for that matter , leaving the state for employment now vs 1980. Retirees are important because they continue going to games with there kids and grandkids making future fans . Establishing a tradition. Business Relocation out of the state caused my son to move He had been going to UConn games since the 1970's with me., and now his sons would be going with him. Those that write off last year as an anomaly are Just plain wrong . In the 1980's an undermanned team fighting for a NCAA birth would have sold out the Cinncy game . A half full Crowd for that game is indiciative of real problems. Worse yet if they pulled off that upset I suspect the game against SMU would not have sold out. That's just plain inexcusable. I looked up real estate in my old neighborhood and houses were listing at $100,000 less than 10-15 years ago. That loss of wealth in much of CT is mind boggling. Western Fairfield County is an exception ,the one area with minimal loyalty to UConn's men programs. Like the old Bill Clinton campaign mantra of 1992 " Its the economy stupid" [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach

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