One Sour Note About The 90th Win...

[pacific 44]

100-1 says Ozzie was joking with you and your reasoning is understandable.I too have an excuse.I left California several days before the game and lo and behold a blizzard slowed me down.It took me an hour just to shovel of out the car what snow had blown in through the key hole and suddenly i lose half a day.Then in the midwest people protesting the keystone pipeline blocked the road and there goes another half a day.Then i'm making pretty good time and suddenly in West Virginia a low flying egret flew into my left front tire and i opened up the trunk to find a one inch wide tire with the diameter of a golf cart tire.With my car leaning to the left and much to my surprise,i was once again in the northern plains heading west and once again the protesters were blocking the road and they asked me if i lean left.Of course i told them i did so they asked me to join them.At this point the game is in 2 hours away and i am at least a day away.Am i excused? Seriously,if i was anywhere near Storrs i would try my darndest to attend every game in person.There is nothing like seeing things live.Then i could go home and see the recorded version at my leisure.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

People have jobs.

Was it an afternoon game?

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

This post is tailor-made for my long-time rant, so here goes:

I have this conviction that being the absolute best team in WCBB means you have to do things a certain way. One of those things is to ensure that when your games are televised (which is...umm....always), it does not look like a third of the fans forgot to show up.

So I agree that there should have been more people at that game. But who?

A lot of us live far away, so forget about those folks for a moment. Some of us who now live far away used to live close enough to at least get to a few games each year. Others are on fixed income and are priced out of more than a game or two each year. Still others are getting too old to want to be out at night in the winter. It's a shame, but age catches us with all of us. But these facts seem to be something the UConn Athletic Department, and their marketing geniuses, have forgotten. UConn WCBB has relied on a population on fans that is, to put it bluntly, moving out or aging out. It is also a victim of its own success at televising games.

The problem is, it appears that the UConn folks have not come up with a way -- any way -- to attract people to replace their declining audience. As a result, you look in the stands and see...a declining audience.

Until they start aggressively trying to attract kids from girls' basketball leagues and using marketing techniques -- including innovative pricing schemes -- that seem to work for other teams in other cities, they won't see many sellouts. And I know I'm dreaming about this one, but until they make it clear that being allowed to purchase lower-level seats is a privilege, and with that privilege comes the responsibility to ensure that someone's butt is in that seat, every game, the place will look less-than-full, even when it is at or near sellout levels.

Okay. I'll stop now.

Your WBB tickets are relatively expensive. I don't know the financial state of UCONN's athletics department, but with relatively weak football attendance and the lack of a P5 football/MBB TV package, I can't blame them for wanting to earn as much as possible from WBB. IMO, though, having bigger crowds gets fan buy-in/loyalty that is priceless and increases merchandise and concessions sales to make up the difference in lower ticket prices.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

I'm sorry..was that sarcastic? I do support the team, and I am a donor as well. Is there more I should be doing? I go to every day game I can, I just can't drive there at night.

I meant exactly what I said. I just admired your post.

 

[FairView]

I went to almost every Storrs and Hartford game the last few years.
The games at the casino and Bridgeport ... my wife, son and I were there.
Made Albany regionals and the Florida tourney a couple of Thanksgivings ago.
Heath problems have kept me away from every game this year and I couldn't be sadder.
There is nothing like a live game.
Hoping to be recovered for next year.
Today, I am at John Dempsey Hospital and, ironically, there is no way to catch he UConn game.

 

[Intpseeker]

Today, I am at John Dempsey Hospital and, ironically, there is no way to catch he UConn game.

Positive energy and vibes for your recovery. I'll shout out a cheer for you during the game. Don't forget to watch the replay of this historic (oops! Sorry mojo goddess), possibly historic game.

 

[Intpseeker]

How about 'their getting ready to throw dirt on me".

Do I get a pass?

They, in fact, are not getting ready to throw dirt on me. I was practicing my Philly wise-assery, but I do appreciate the concern demonstrated.

 

[GoUconn7961]

I meant exactly what I said. I just admired your post.

Thanks..it is hard to interpret tone n social media.