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Message: [QUOTE="BRG 1, post: 2569440, member: 8490"] The trend recently in college athletics is on campus arenas with adjacent access to large number of students = full arenas. UConn is different in that many diehards are 40+ alumni/fans who live 1+ hour away who might drive to Hartford but not the extra 1/2 hour to Storrs, especially on a Wednesday when one might leave for work the next day to fight traffic at 7AM. Students, who might check out a game after dinner in the past might not leave the apartment smoking weed, studying etc. UConn, and for that matter Central in 20 years have gotten hard to get into. The smart kids, who used to go private but can't afford it or they are being prudent now study to to keep their scholarship. Supposed they grew up hearing their parents or attending games with them against Gtown, BC, PC, Syracuse and Pitt aren't going to get fired up about East Carolina and USF. When I went to PC 20 years ago about 800 or so PC students would attend hockey games at Schneider on Friday and Saturday nights, then go out drinking afterwards, all in walking distance. This is in an aging arena with mediocre teams, yet in an elite conference. Now with a recent Narional Championship, refurbished arena, current National ranking, still attendance by students is wanting. Another thing to consider: the Patriots were pretty awful in the 70's and 80's with an occasional playoff appearance. (Rod Rust 1-15, anyone?) My grandmother, who is 92, only remembers anyone talking about the Yankees in Western Massachusetts growing up, now it is all Red Sox and Patriots, even in Connecticut. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach