Basketball Tailgates

[BusbySuites]

?

That may have been phrased in the wrong sense. Seems like the students are much less invested in the program than before, which isn't unreasonable with winning comes more devotion and attention to the sport.

 

[8893]

That may have been phrased in the wrong sense. Seems like the students are much less invested in the program than before, which isn't unreasonable with winning comes more devotion and attention to the sport.

I was a freshman in 1984, which means I joined a losing culture of a program.

Winning changes everything.

 

[BusbySuites]

I was a freshman in 1984, which means I joined a losing culture of a program.

Winning changes everything.

Thats a fact.
My point is, not trying to count my chickens, but winning looks like its coming sooner than later. Might as well build of that with something like tailgates so kids already feel invested going into winning, the bigger the culture the better the brand typically.
Also the most involved alumni tend to be the ones who had the best times (f%^king obviously), and those who graduate remembering basketball as their favorite time will be more likely to invest into the program (whether it be time or money) down the line.

 

[UConNick]

That may have been phrased in the wrong sense. Seems like the students are much less invested in the program than before, which isn't unreasonable with winning comes more devotion and attention to the sport.

I think that’s definitely true. My freshman year (13-14) was great in terms of atmosphere. After that, it slowly went down hill. In 14-15, over 50 people camped out before the Texas game. In 15-16, only about 15 of us did before Ohio State. Then came 16-17, pure apathy. Haven’t seen any sort of improvement in my post-grad years, either. Before the Villanova game in Jan. 2018, my crew and I got there around 7:30 for a noon game with no one in sight. Nova was ranked number one then, too. First students finally showed around 9:30; doors opened at XL at 11. Hopefully with Hurley and the Big East the fire will return.

 

[BusbySuites]

I think that’s definitely true. My freshman year (13-14) was great in terms of atmosphere. After that, it slowly went down hill. In 14-15, over 50 people camped out before the Texas game. In 15-16, only about 15 of us did before Ohio State. Then came 16-17, pure apathy. Haven’t seen any sort of improvement in my post-grad years, either. Before the Villanova game in Jan. 2018, my crew and I got there around 7:30 for a noon game with no one in sight. Nova was ranked number one then, too. First students finally showed around 9:30; doors opened at XL at 11. Hopefully with Hurley and the Big East the fire will return.

My freshman year the soccer team had a tailgate. I thought it was a joke at first, the only one of its kind a good amount of people showed up, including Jalen Adams and his friends who played pong with us.
Point being kids will go to a tailgate as long as its mandated by the school(like the soccer tailgate) they just need to be told theres a place to drink without getting in trouble and theyll go.

 

[Dooooooomed]

If you cold that means you haven't been drinking enough.

 

[DSquiz]

Tailgating is a culture in and of itself, separate from a winning basketball culture. The point is to create a more fun environment, make it a community event etc.

I think it’s a good idea.

I'm not against it. I have friends who go to football games just for the tailgate. I'm was just saying it's not a UConn thing that we don't tailgate, it's basketball in general. That said, I'd love more pageantry and some outside fun before bball. Make it happen!

 

[PopcornHatKid]

When I was in school ('10-'14), we used to set up a little tailgate in the back corner of the lot behind McMahon and rotate out one person standing in line to get the front row. No one bothered us.

When we were seniors, we setup a grill in the grassy area behind hilltop apartments and tailgated back there. It was only a handful of us, but we did it.

 

[Guapo]

When I was in school, we used to set up a little tailgate in the back corner of the lot behind McMahon and rotate out one person standing in line to get the front row. No one bothered us.

When we were seniors, we setup a grill in the grassy area behind hilltop apartments and tailgated back there. It was only a handful of us, but we did it.

Yes, this is the type of stuff I remember

 

[Guapo]

I'm not against it. I have friends who go to football games just for the tailgate. I'm was just saying it's not a UConn thing that we don't tailgate, it's basketball in general. That said, I'd love more pageantry and some outside fun before bball. Make it happen!

If NC State can tailgate basketball games; so can we!

 

[GHSWolverines]

l would love the idea of tailgating. If anyone knows Hurley's address in Glastonbury that would be the place to go. Hurley might like it.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

Football has the space. I’m not sure how you can set up a tent and folding tables in the concrete lots that are shared with on campus students and commuters. Many basketball games on weekdays too.

 

[storrsroars]

They literally had thousands in the streets of Toronto for the Raptors playoff games. And that is in Canada!!

Those don't happen until Spring. And Toronto isn't Edmonton, climate-wise.

 

[BusbySuites]

I think it would have to be weekend games, and the lot next to the soccer field and softball field would probably be where you'd have to have them. Those lots typically stay empty during the weekends.

 

[Zissou]

This may be irrelevant and or stupid.
But personally there's nothing like school spirit to be the extra edge in the recruiting process, athletes like to go to places where their sport is appreciated and or worshiped.
There doesn't seem like a lot of truly dedicated fans to the basketball team as they've all joined a losing culture of a program.
However this culture is seeming to make the turn towards winning with Hurley and with that I think they should add tailgates at the soccer lot with possibly a way of watching the basketball home and away games outside. Fingers crossed Gampel fills up for the games and it would make sense to have a means of having fans watch the games together on campus in another way.
TLDR: Basketball tailgates would attract the average college kid who wants a place to drink, and with going they'd find a way to transition into becoming a more avid fan.

At Nova we generally play the weeknight games on campus and the weekend games at Wells Fargo Center, home of the Sixers.

The WFC games are tailgate games. Even when there were weekend games on campus tailgating wasn’t allowed by school enforcement. The atmosphere is much more relaxed in the South Philly sports complex where the pro teams play.

If we have an early game at WFC, it’s breakfast tailgates. Coffee, hot Chocolate, flavored rum, whiskies, etc. bloody Mary’s and mimosas. Egg casseroles, bagels, lox, etc.

Later games have more standard fare.

Students come to the tailgates in buses. These may be unofficial, run by frats and student organizations. Alumni tailgates are also well attended.

There is a huge bar complex in the parking lot, situated between the three sports venues (Phillies, Eagles, Flyers/Sixers) with a Central TV wall that is like a 60 foot TV, and multiple beer halls off of the central hall. If the temps are forecasted much below freezing the crowds opt for the beer hall instead of tailgating.

Even though we have a winter season, we generally end up with a handful of great weather (45 and sunny) weekend tailgates.

We host UConn this year at WFC. Come on down and tailgate. We’ll show you how it’s done. Spend the night in Philly, it’s a great city.

 

[BusbySuites]

At Nova we generally play the weeknight games on campus and the weekend games at Wells Fargo Center, home of the Sixers.

The WFC games are tailgate games. Even when there were weekend games on campus tailgating wasn’t allowed by school enforcement. The atmosphere is much more relaxed in the South Philly sports complex where the pro teams play.

If we have an early game at WFC, it’s breakfast tailgates. Coffee, hot Chocolate, flavored rum, whiskies, etc. bloody Mary’s and mimosas. Egg casseroles, bagels, lox, etc.

Later games have more standard fare.

Students come to the tailgates in buses. These may be unofficial, run by frats and student organizations. Alumni tailgates are also well attended.

There is a huge bar complex in the parking lot, situated between the three sports venues (Phillies, Eagles, Flyers/Sixers) with a Central TV wall that is like a 60 foot TV, and multiple beer halls off of the central hall. If the temps are forecasted much below freezing the crowds opt for the beer hall instead of tailgating.

Even though we have a winter season, we generally end up with a handful of great weather (45 and sunny) weekend tailgates.

We host UConn this year at WFC. Come on down and tailgate. We’ll show you how it’s done. Spend the night in Philly, it’s a great city.

Ya thats practically our football tailgates at Rentschler, except ours are probably better

 

[Zissou]

Ya thats practically our football tailgates at Rentschler, except ours are probably better

Our tailgates are followed by a win, so we have that going for us.

 

[Zissou]

One of the benefits to this basketball-first conference is a renewed culture of basketball fans.

The Georgetown culture is damaged by poor seasons and coaching fatigue, but Patrick seems to have them back on track.

DePaul is still a weakling. They do have a new arena though, and young talent. They are the best worst conference team in the power conferences.

Most other programs have a very good culture. The 3 newbies each have a rabid following. Marquette is solid and they fill an NBA arena walking distance from campus. Johnnies are looking to play their conference games at MSG.

I plan on getting to all of the road venues over the next few years.

 

[McLovin]

They literally had thousands in the streets of Toronto for the Raptors playoff games. And that is in Canada!!

It's a great idea to have a Storrs Central party area for the students to pregame before basketball games.

NBA playoffs are late April - June...

 

[McLovin]

I don't disagree with the idea, BUT I think recruits care more about playing in front a a full stadium / crowd rather than what the fans are doing pregame... Let's focus on getting people into the stadiums first before we worry about pregame activities

 

[Guapo]

One of the benefits to this basketball-first conference is a renewed culture of basketball fans.

The Georgetown culture is damaged by poor seasons and coaching fatigue, but Patrick seems to have them back on track.

DePaul is still a weakling. They do have a new arena though, and young talent. They are the best worst conference team in the power conferences.

Most other programs have a very good culture. The 3 newbies each have a rabid following. Marquette is solid and they fill an NBA arena walking distance from campus. Johnnies are looking to play their conference games at MSG.

I plan on getting to all of the road venues over the next few years.

If St Johns actually wanted to play near it’s fanbase, they’d play at Nassau Coliseum rather than MSG

 

[Zissou]

If St Johns actually wanted to play near it’s fanbase, they’d play at Nassau Coliseum rather than MSG

NC is no MSG. Playing at The Mecca is the right move. There are plenty of Johnnies in Manhattan.

If your are going to claim NYC, play at MSG.

 

[Guapo]

NC is no MSG. Playing at The Mecca is the right move. There are plenty of Johnnies in Manhattan.

If your are going to claim NYC, play at MSG.

I know.

This was a joke aimed at St John’s.

They’re not as much “NYC’s Team” as they are “Western Long Island’s team”

 

[Zissou]

I know.

This was a joke aimed at St John’s.

They’re not as much “NYC’s Team” as they are “Western Long Island’s team”

oops. I hate missing sarcasm.

Side note. There is much more comradery in this era of the conference than in previous times, and not the level of hate we embraced in the past. Maybe teams like Cuse and Pitt (and Ville and WVU) are just natural villains, but we don't really have that currently. It's strange to support the conference brothers. Maybe it is the survival mentality of CR and it's "us against them", but there is a brewing Big East culture that is very positive.

Maybe some of the Boneyard Boneheads will bring back some conference animosity, but it will also take some in-your-face winning to create some burn in the rivalries.

 

[Guapo]

oops. I hate missing sarcasm.

Side note. There is much more comradery in this era of the conference than in previous times, and not the level of hate we embraced in the past. Maybe teams like Cuse and Pitt (and Ville and WVU) are just natural villains, but we don't really have that currently. It's strange to support the conference brothers. Maybe it is the survival mentality of CR and it's "us against them", but there is a brewing Big East culture that is very positive.

Maybe some of the Boneyard Boneheads will bring back some conference animosity, but it will also take some in-your-face winning to create some burn in the rivalries.

Nova and Georgetown were always (relatively) good natured rivalries.

Marquette fans seem to be nice Midwesterners for the most part and the Xavier fans are a huge step up from Cincy fans (on social media anyways).

Providence and St Johns were not rivals, but those fans still hate us.

Like the annoying little brothers they’ve always been and always will be. They don’t wear their jealousy well.

 

[MU in MKE]

I don't disagree with the idea, BUT I think recruits care more about playing in front a a full stadium / crowd rather than what the fans are doing pregame... Let's focus on getting people into the stadiums first before we worry about pregame activities

These can be interrelated though. For example, here in Milwaukee, the Brewers are a historically mediocre MLB team, yet they regularly draw among the biggest average attendance in the league. Besides Milwaukee being a great sports town, the tailgating culture has a huge impact on attendance.

If you can get people to come out for one reason and it ends up filling seats because of it, I think it goes hand-in-hand with your goal of filling the stadium/arena/whatever. Get them there for the tailgate and you'll have an opportunity to get them to return because of the game experience.