Poor fan showing at Gampel | Page 7 | The Boneyard

Poor fan showing at Gampel

Combination of pricing for non-students and students getting lamer. Sprinkle in an 8pm Saturday valentines game in the middle of nowhere (have a feeling turnout in Hartford would’ve been better) for this specific game.

As a student from ‘08-12, I distinctly remember some form of chant happening EVERY offensive possession. Be it
Let’s go Huskies
U-C-O-N-N
Let’s go UC
etc.

And of course making noise EVERY defensive possession, including DE-FENCE.

That just doesn’t happen anymore. There was a student group Hardcore Huskies and they would be at every game starting these chants.
They had to print off “How to cheer for your team” pieces of paper a few years ago to get students involved. It went nowhere.

I mean give me a break. The student section has been garbage since COVID and we have people on here demanding to put these kids in courtside sections. Delusional.
 
Leading up to the December 16th game against Butler in Hartford, I got an email from UConn for tickets in the student section for $50 a piece because the students were going on winter break. I think this email may have also just circulated for our recent Hartford game.

I bought the tickets because it was my son’s birthday and couldn’t pass up the deal. After tipoff, as the entire crowd stands for that first shot, we scored within the first minute of the game. My 15 year old son and I continued to stand. An elderly guy behind my son, within no joke just 3 seconds after we scored, taps on my son and says “you’re not gonna stand the whole game right?”.

I get this guy is old and we might obstruct his view but I had words to say, that I didn’t, that this message board would censor anyways. My son was polite and said we wouldn’t.

You think in Allen Fieldhouse this conversation is being had 10 rows off the court? How about Mackey Arena, or Cameron Indoors?

I already responded as I believe that the costs of tickets play a large role in the crowd we draw. But I also think we just have a really old fanbase. Why are we in a position where our enrollment is 34,000~ with about 22,000~ that are Connecticut raised, we can’t fill the student sections WITH STUDENTS. On December 16th. None of those kids wanted to see the game?
 
I 100% agree they should be cheap, not free. But I agree on no transferring allowed. No doubt that would create a new “business”.

I agree with everything stated about the costs etc., but also it should be noted that as far as I could tell (was there) there wasn’t one GT fan in the arena - not one.

Make it easy. No reselling student tickets but if a student goes two games without using their ticket, they lose it and it opens up to other students to get it and use it.
 
Agreed. Every time it seems we get some momentum Hurley wants fans to stand up. We do and the place is rocking but then they give up a 3 pointer or easy bucket. Has happened all year long. Get some stops in a row that would help.

Also, it seems the lower bowl has become rich people who have tickets not "real" fans who have been going for years or decades. They stand but don't cheer or yell. My take is they need rich people to pay for the high-priced tickets now. We used to have 4 tickets but had to cut back to 2. Its a lot of money especially for season tickets.
Once the fans stand up its the kiss on death. My son and I have been saying this all year.
 
I came into this late and maybe I missed it in my review of the previous 8 pages...but I'd love to understand how hundreds - if not thousands - of "fans" continued to walk out of Gampel after the announcement requesting fans remain in their seats for a special announcement. The special announcement was AK becoming the winningest player in UConn MBB history. I get that it was a Valentine's Day Saturday night game against an unranked opponent with high ticket prices...but for the people who were there, I don't get it. Paul Wettemann basically begging fans to get on their feet and so few obliging. The people in front of me talking about God knows what the entire game because it has clearly become a social event and status symbol. Fans leaving before it was over, which is typical. I agree some of this has been caused by the University but what is going on here? Way too many casuals. Several historic occurrences Saturday with Hasheem, JC and Jordan Hawkins in the house. Colben Landrew was there with his family...hopefully he wasn't as disappointed by the fans as I am. You can talk about why butts aren't in the seats all you want. And yes, it seemed like every time people started to get loud, G'Town would do something to shut us up. But come on. If you're going to go can you at least act like a real fan for a couple hours?
 
Combination of pricing for non-students and students getting lamer. Sprinkle in an 8pm Saturday valentines game in the middle of nowhere (have a feeling turnout in Hartford would’ve been better) for this specific game.

As a student from ‘08-12, I distinctly remember some form of chant happening EVERY offensive possession. Be it
Let’s go Huskies
U-C-O-N-N
Let’s go UC
etc.

And of course making noise EVERY defensive possession, including DE-FENCE.

That just doesn’t happen anymore. There was a student group Hardcore Huskies and they would be at every game starting these chants.

They had to print off “How to cheer for your team” pieces of paper a few years ago to get students involved. It went nowhere.

I mean give me a break. The student section has been garbage since COVID and we have people on here demanding to put these kids in courtside sections. Delusional.
Make it easy. No reselling student tickets but if a student goes two games without using their ticket, they lose it and it opens up to other students to get it and use it.
There needs to be a student group or club organizing this. Members of the club get tickets to any game they want (if they are able to go). That ensures that the most hardcore student fans are at the games. Also, have a mechanism to turn in your ticket if you cant make it to the game. That ticket could then be distributed to another student.
 
.-.
That being said, if resale market had tix for last night for reasonable prices and not $ 100 and more, the place would be filled.
The biggest problem with resale is that the website up charges. In other words, if I sell a ticket for $50 (reasonable) it gets listed for 20% or so more, so $60. So keep in mind the reseller is not necessarily trying to price gouge, rather, make their money back.

However, I’ll never understand people who eat the ticket versus giving it away or selling at a loss. Wouldn’t you prefer pocketing 20-30 bucks instead of 0? For some I guess not.
 
Go back to having the students wait in line to get in prior to the game, rather than the early claim system... the first X students through the doors get the seats. No issue of reselling, you fill the seats with kids who want to be there and don't have the seat spoken for by someone who didn't have other plans two weeks earlier, but then heard about a party that should be a good time or where someone whom they may have a romantic interest could be.
 
One of my good friends has a work colleague who has access to courtside seats through his job, anywhere from five rows back to sitting on the hardwood, first row. He told my buddy that his company has trouble giving away the weekday Gampel tickets (they also have tickets in Hartford) because people don’t want to make the drive. Not that this explains the students’ behavior but it's an incredible anecdote.

I've been lucky enough to go a couple of times over the years and it's insane that people would pass up that opportunity for free, especially the seats right on the floor.
 
This team is just not fun to watch. That doesn’t mean they aren’t great and don’t win, but they don’t fast break, dunk or go on big runs. Every game they’re on the edge of breaking it open and they give up a three or an easy bucket and you can feel the crowd exhale.
This is a pretty fair point. I mentioned in a thread a few weeks ago that I can't remember being less enthusiastic to watch our league games in recent memory. Every game is a slog. It's just not attractive basketball. I blame the Big East really, it forces ugly basketball. We had good crowds at some non-conference games.
 
I came into this late and maybe I missed it in my review of the previous 8 pages...but I'd love to understand how hundreds - if not thousands - of "fans" continued to walk out of Gampel after the announcement requesting fans remain in their seats for a special announcement. The special announcement was AK becoming the winningest player in UConn MBB history. I get that it was a Valentine's Day Saturday night game against an unranked opponent with high ticket prices...but for the people who were there, I don't get it. Paul Wettemann basically begging fans to get on their feet and so few obliging. The people in front of me talking about God knows what the entire game because it has clearly become a social event and status symbol. Fans leaving before it was over, which is typical. I agree some of this has been caused by the University but what is going on here? Way too many casuals. Several historic occurrences Saturday with Hasheem, JC and Jordan Hawkins in the house. Colben Landrew was there with his family...hopefully he wasn't as disappointed by the fans as I am. You can talk about why butts aren't in the seats all you want. And yes, it seemed like every time people started to get loud, G'Town would do something to shut us up. But come on. If you're going to go can you at least act like a real fan for a couple hours?
That should have been a public service announcement after the final buzzer instead of waiting until the hand shake line was over everyone gathering on the court and Fanta running out with a gameday Connor's microphone "Waaaaittttttt"
 
One of my good friends has a work colleague who has access to courtside seats through his job, anywhere from five rows back to sitting on the hardwood, first row. He told my buddy that his company has trouble giving away the weekday Gampel tickets (they also have tickets in Hartford) because people don’t want to make the drive. Not that this explains the students’ behavior but it's an incredible anecdote.

I've been lucky enough to go a couple of times over the years and it's insane that people would pass up that opportunity for free, especially the seats right on the floor.
That’s crazy. A lot of companies will raffle those off before the season starts. Money for charity, etc.
 
.-.
That should have been a public service announcement after the final buzzer instead of waiting until the hand shake line was over everyone gathering on the court and Fanta running out with a gameday Connor's microphone "Waaaaittttttt"
I agree with you but for everyone to keep walking out of the arena and exiting their seats after that was a joke. I watched the crowd. MANY people could have remained where they were but they just kept walking. Just a very casual vibe.
 
One of my good friends has a work colleague who has access to courtside seats through his job, anywhere from five rows back to sitting on the hardwood, first row. He told my buddy that his company has trouble giving away the weekday Gampel tickets (they also have tickets in Hartford) because people don’t want to make the drive. Not that this explains the students’ behavior but it's an incredible anecdote.
I've been saying that for 20 years, even before Gampel parking got worse. It took a while but it's nice for the rest of Husky nation to finally admit I was right all along.
 
That should have been a public service announcement after the final buzzer instead of waiting until the hand shake line was over everyone gathering on the court and Fanta running out with a gameday Connor's microphone "Waaaaittttttt"
We did not hear Fanta at all. Game over, exited. When we got home the people at home said, hey, did you see the Karaban thing? and we were like ...what???
 
There needs to be a student group or club organizing this. Members of the club get tickets to any game they want (if they are able to go). That ensures that the most hardcore student fans are at the games. Also, have a mechanism to turn in your ticket if you cant make it to the game. That ticket could then be distributed to another student.
Also are kids drinking enough these days? I know general drinking with kids now is going way down. I know that everyone was loaded for games when I was there. I wonder if too many kids are just hitting vape pens and going stoned

Breathalyzers at the gates; you only get in if you’re at least at a .15 lol
 
I've been saying that for 20 years, even before Gampel parking got worse. It took a while but it's nice for the rest of Husky nation to finally admit I was right all along.
It's the curse of Mansfield. If that town didn't suck so thoroughly, there would be offices, retail, apartments and homes all over the area around UConn. Then they'd have a core of people who support the team and live close.
 
Game wasn't worth enough to the suits to show it on actual TV, and with an 80m start no less. UConn has no right to chirp. They were beging people to find something else to do on a Valentine's Day Saturday night.

Do better.
 
.-.
It's the curse of Mansfield. If that town didn't suck so thoroughly, there would be offices, retail, apartments and homes all over the area around UConn. Then they'd have a core of people who support the team and live close.
Yeah, good schools and low crime sucks. And as far as the parking goes, never a problem. I park at Toscano and get some steps in. It's all part of the experience.
 
I came into this late and maybe I missed it in my review of the previous 8 pages...but I'd love to understand how hundreds - if not thousands - of "fans" continued to walk out of Gampel after the announcement requesting fans remain in their seats for a special announcement. The special announcement was AK becoming the winningest player in UConn MBB history. I get that it was a Valentine's Day Saturday night game against an unranked opponent with high ticket prices...but for the people who were there, I don't get it. Paul Wettemann basically begging fans to get on their feet and so few obliging. The people in front of me talking about God knows what the entire game because it has clearly become a social event and status symbol. Fans leaving before it was over, which is typical. I agree some of this has been caused by the University but what is going on here? Way too many casuals. Several historic occurrences Saturday with Hasheem, JC and Jordan Hawkins in the house. Colben Landrew was there with his family...hopefully he wasn't as disappointed by the fans as I am. You can talk about why butts aren't in the seats all you want. And yes, it seemed like every time people started to get loud, G'Town would do something to shut us up. But come on. If you're going to go can you at least act like a real fan for a couple hours?
Haven't been able to go in quite a while, but my Mother still uses my season tickets. We've had them going on 30 years now and guess what - there were jack wagons talking ish about the team and any other topic BUT the game in 1998 and 1999 too. The fanbase has not changed nearly as much as people claim.
 
They're reaping what they sewed.

The fans who were passionate about the team have been given the middle finger for far too long.
It really is a question of prioritization. If game day experience and the look of a game on television is important then change the pricing structure and put students along the sidelines. But what they actually are looking to maximize is revenue. So corporate Season ticket holders money is the priority, regardless of whether people show up or not.

I've long advocated for a school run sell back program where STHs can pledge back their tickets to the school for resale at a cost of 50% of whatever the school ultimately realizes. That way, the cost of season tickets is mitigated, the school gets to sell the same seats twice, game day experience gets maximized with more butts in the seat, and the UConn brand gets enhanced because television show shows a sold out arena.

Some people have suggested that having a "official reseller" in StubHub, or whomever they use is an adequate substitute for this. I would disagree. That relies on the Season ticket holders to be willing to invest the time to list and sell the tickets, and allows them to set the market price. Having the school do this allows the school to set a price point to fill the arena, and, offer the tickets first to students, if that's a priority. Literally, everyone wins.
 
It is my dream to win Powerball for 1 billion.

Then, I will buy out the first 10 rows at Gampel and Peeps. Only students and rabid fans will be allowed to sit in those seats (for free). It will be set up in my trust and will for perpetuity. I will have a carefully selected arbitor to ensure that appropriate loudness/rabid fan metrics are maintained in those seats.
Looking forward to joining you!
 
Should explain this to that congressman or senator that said we should stay in the BE instead of going to Big12. You’re telling me we wouldn’t get good crowds for Houston. BYU Kansas Arizona Texas Tech Iowa st and top 10 matchups. The crowd is a side effect of a blah BE currently. Being told that Providence is a rivalry is annoying after a while. Hopefully slick Rick stays around or it could get real boring.
 
Should explain this to that congressman or senator that said we should stay in the BE instead of going to Big12. You’re telling me we wouldn’t get good crowds for Houston. BYU Kansas Arizona Texas Tech Iowa st and top 10 matchups. The crowd is a side effect of a blah BE currently. Being told that Providence is a rivalry is annoying after a while. Hopefully slick Rick stays around or it could get real boring.
The crowd for the Arizona game was by far the best Gampel crowd this season imo and the UConn fans at the BYU game in Boston were loud and plentiful. Great atmosphere at both games.
 
.-.
I came into this late and maybe I missed it in my review of the previous 8 pages...but I'd love to understand how hundreds - if not thousands - of "fans" continued to walk out of Gampel after the announcement requesting fans remain in their seats for a special announcement. The special announcement was AK becoming the winningest player in UConn MBB history. I get that it was a Valentine's Day Saturday night game against an unranked opponent with high ticket prices...but for the people who were there, I don't get it. Paul Wettemann basically begging fans to get on their feet and so few obliging. The people in front of me talking about God knows what the entire game because it has clearly become a social event and status symbol. Fans leaving before it was over, which is typical. I agree some of this has been caused by the University but what is going on here? Way too many casuals. Several historic occurrences Saturday with Hasheem, JC and Jordan Hawkins in the house. Colben Landrew was there with his family...hopefully he wasn't as disappointed by the fans as I am. You can talk about why butts aren't in the seats all you want. And yes, it seemed like every time people started to get loud, G'Town would do something to shut us up. But come on. If you're going to go can you at least act like a real fan for a couple hours?

People in the Northeast are grumps. The culture is far more "beat the traffic" than it is "support the program". I used to loathe Joe Rogan for hating CT. He said there is just so much despair there. Even the people that have everything, hate life. Of course, its a total generalization, but he's kind of right. Sometimes, I'll be dealing with a person in business that is just so negative, suspicious and generally unpleasant and sure enough, CT, MA or RI. They care about themselves more than the greater good.

Most of you on this board are not that way, you love the school and are committed to doing your part. Unfortunately, I think a lot of our fans are fair weather and are often clueless to the realities of the fragility of our program in its current situation. Most of those people running for the exits also probably hate the idea of moving to the ACC or B12. They are just a different kind of "fan" than those of us that genuinely care. They are, "What can UConn do for me?" fans.
 
Less than a year after the school blew up season ticket seating to auction seats to the deepest pockets, and the coach is already complaining about fan passion. Just wait until the program has a couple of consecutive down years with these fans they onboarded.
 
It really is a question of prioritization. If game day experience and the look of a game on television is important then change the pricing structure and put students along the sidelines.
That would be a disaster, then all the seating you see on TV would be empty.
 
People in the Northeast are grumps. The culture is far more "beat the traffic" than it is "support the program". I used to loathe Joe Rogan for hating CT. He said there is just so much despair there. Even the people that have everything, hate life. Of course, its a total generalization, but he's kind of right. Sometimes, I'll be dealing with a person in business that is just so negative, suspicious and generally unpleasant and sure enough, CT, MA or RI. They care about themselves more than the greater good.

Most of you on this board are not that way, you love the school and are committed to doing your part. Unfortunately, I think a lot of our fans are fair weather and are often clueless to the realities of the fragility of our program in its current situation. Most of those people running for the exits also probably hate the idea of moving to the ACC or B12. They are just a different kind of "fan" than those of us that genuinely care. They are, "What can UConn do for me?" fans.
I was talking to a newish friend and we were talking about where we're from. I told her CT and she said she has a lot of clients there and they are the most miserable and demanding jerks she's ever had to deal with. I just laughed and said it doesn't surprise me but we're not all like that.
 
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Some people have suggested that having a "official reseller" in StubHub, or whomever they use is an adequate substitute for this. I would disagree. That relies on the Season ticket holders to be willing to invest the time to list and sell the tickets, and allows them to set the market price. Having the school do this allows the school to set a price point to fill the arena, and, offer the tickets first to students, if that's a priority. Literally, everyone wins.
We already have an official reseller, Seat Geek. A couple of us have unpredictable work schedules. I've used it several times when I've had extra tickets. It's easy to use from my UConn ticket account. I am sure UConn gets a cut of Seat Geek's fees. UConn doesn't have to add staff to manage resale. I've basically broken even over the past couple of years, taking a bath on the scrub games and making a few bucks on the better games.
 
Less than a year after the school blew up season ticket seating to auction seats to the deepest pockets, and the coach is already complaining about fan passion. Just wait until the program has a couple of consecutive down years with these fans they onboarded.
So true. I know a few long time season ticket holders who had their seats changed to less desirable locations. I understand the need to generate more money but UConn screwed over passionate fans who would never get there late or leave a game early.
 
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