Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="ConnHuskBask, post: 2093659, member: 632"] Oddly enough - I went to the Syracuse/UConn game at MSG this year and I have to admit I was shocked that we outnumbered them. In my opinion it was at least 60/40 in favor of UConn. I agree with Whaler that by and large the fanbase has become front running, but I also think there are a lot of people who are UConn fans first and foremost but along with that, part of the identity and passion was from being in the Big East. I'm 30 now and from growing up and then going to Storrs, being a UConn fan was always first and foremost in my fandom, but being a Big East member was a big deal and I took a lot of pride (or as much as someone can as a fan) being in that league. So, while I think the fanbase has dropped off a bit, even for lower level OOC games and the Big East dredges back in even 2009, whenever the top teams came out, the fans did too. I think that while being a UConn fan is important to a lot of us (or why else would be here) getting downgraded in perception because of our league has taken a ton of wind out of my sails at least. If there was the notion that you could play you're way back up into a top league, I'd still be game, but I'd be lying if I wasn't questioning the investment in time/money I've made to date and will continue to try and do so in the future, knowing that as a whole our programs could be relegated to second tier status forever. Now look, I can admit I'm not the fan I once was when living in CT and not missing XL/Gampel/Rentschler games for years, but I do think if we were still playing in the Big East for football/basketball I'd go regardless of record - like we did in years past. At some point it just seems kinda hopeless. I know that's a pretty big excuse and may not apply to everyone, but it's sorta my take on it. I know now more than ever the program needs us, so I'm going to try and get to some more games this year, but I think we'd be ignoring reality by not acknowleding the above. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach