Student Section is a Joke

[ConnHuskBask]

A kid this day kids these days-ing

I think that sentence short circuited my brain.

 

[John]

He is right but this will not go over well coming from a football player.


Saban rips the bama student section constantly and they have implemented this point system. UConn needs to tie it to BB tix.

Alabama has tried to entice students into staying longer by using a phone application that tracks location and rewards Tide Loyalty Points: 100 per game for attending a home football game and 250 per game for staying all four quarters. The points can be used toward priority access to student football tickets.

they don't go to basketball games either.

 

[Guapo]

they don't go to basketball games either.

Again, since this is the football board I don’t want to get too far into the weeds on this issue, but is that true?

I thought, for the most part, student turn out was ~ok~ last year considering the team and conference was still nothing to really write home about (and I thought it was substantially better than the nadir of the Ollie years).

I suspect we’ll see continued improvement as Hurley continues to build a competitive program and the move to the Big East won’t hurt either.

 

[John]

Again, since this is the football board I don’t want to get too far into the weeds on this issue, but is that true?

I thought, for the most part, student turn out was ~ok~ last year considering the team and conference was still nothing to really write home about (and I thought it was substantially better than the nadir of the Ollie years).

I suspect we’ll see continued improvement as Hurley continues to build a competitive program and the move to the Big East won’t hurt either.

I was only saying that because I don't think you could leverage football by promising basketball seats like bonehead mentioned with the Bama case. I go to all the XL games and they do not do a very good job at all at attending there. Maybe Gampel is different, but for the games I've attended on occasion, even that is sparse.

 

[Husky25]

It’s a more macro argument than that.

The stadium being built that far off campus made it that much harder to build a student following.

It was going to be hard enough to microwave a football tradition at UConn. It became damn near impossible when you took the microwave out of the kitchen

This is a recent phenomenon. In Edsall's 1st tenure, the student section was pretty full, basically until game results were no longer in doubt. By the end of former "Coach" Pasqualoni's final full season, the PA announcer had to stop the already joke of a refrain of "The Best Student Section in the Country," as he was only referring to aluminum benches.

Cost/Benefit
A significant issue is, as always, price paid for entertainment value received. Game tickets and transportation can cost -0- but how about time? What if a student cannot get a seat on the final bus? The tailgate is entertaining and worth it. The game is not. It's that simple. Semantics or not, on-campus facility wouldn't change that and it's going to take more than two games to get it back, particularly with the University about embark on the Independence path.

Instant Gratification
It's been growing since the dawn of cable TV really. Not entertained by what you're watching? You don't even have to get up off the couch to turn the dial. Just a few click on the Silent Shifter of Wonder to see if something else can hold your attention.

Cost of being a Student
I went to UConn as an out of state student. Disregard the notion that my scores may have not been high enough to get in now (I.e the educational is set higher), I paid somewhere in the neighborhood of $17k ('96) as freshman and $24K as a senior ('99). In-state estimates now eclipse $30 grand (OoS > $50k). If a student can't afford tuition in the first place, they certainly can't afford to flunk out.

 

[whaler11]

UConn experienced the opposite of what you’d expect when their programs peaked.

Basketball attendance started falling after the 04 title. Football attendance as going to fall in 2011 even if Edsall stayed.

On the football side in retrospect it looks like - oh you make the Fiesta Bowl... and that’s it? That’s the payoff? It was like the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze.

On the basketball side once they got over the hump, people stayed interested in the events - but the boring 18 games against 150+ ranked teams just weren’t worth investing in because they are both boring and once you’ve been to the top a few times the front end of the build just isn’t as interesting.

Just look at this coming season - the home games are pointless unless you are a junkie. If they win who cares, if they lose it’s a disaster.

 

[Guapo]

This is a recent phenomenon. In Edsall's 1st tenure, the student section was pretty full, basically until game results were no longer in doubt. By the end of former "Coach" Pasqualoni's final full season, the PA announcer had to stop the already joke of a refrain of "The Best Student Section in the Country," as he was only referring to aluminum benches.

Cost/Benefit
A significant issue is, as always, price paid for entertainment value received. Game tickets and transportation can cost -0- but how about time? What if a student cannot get a seat on the final bus? The tailgate is entertaining and worth it. The game is not. It's that simple. Semantics or not, on-campus facility wouldn't change that and it's going to take more than two games to get it back, particularly with the University about embark on the Independence path.

Instant Gratification
It's been growing since the dawn of cable TV really. Not entertained by what you're watching? You don't even have to get up off the couch to turn the dial. Just a few click on the Silent Shifter of Wonder to see if something else can hold your attention.

Cost of being a Student
I went to UConn as an out of state student. Disregard the notion that my scores may have not been high enough to get in now (I.e the educational is set higher), I paid somewhere in the neighborhood of $17k ('96) as freshman and $24K as a senior ('99). In-state estimates now eclipse $30 grand (OoS > $50k). If a student can't afford tuition in the first place, they certainly can't afford to flunk out.

Sure, all those things could definitely be factors but the most implant factors you’re leaving out are the following:

The team (and stadium) was shiny, new and GOOD (and playing in a BCS conference).

Traditions and fandom are not built overnight; so, of course, when the program and conference fell apart; people didn’t really have the same feeling of loyalty towards the football program because there was really not much loyalty to begin with.

I don’t like to play this card often here (since this is a UConn football message board) but I am a Georgia football season ticket holder. You’re just going to have to trust me when I tell you I might no a little something about how fanbases and traditions are built in college sports.

 

[Exit 4]

Basketball attendance started falling after the 04 title. Football attendance as going to fall in 2011 even if Edsall stayed.

On the football side in retrospect it looks like - oh you make the Fiesta Bowl... and that’s it? That’s the payoff? It was like the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze.

On the basketball side once they got over the hump, people stayed interested in the events - but the boring 18 games against 150+ ranked teams just weren’t worth investing in because they are both boring and once you’ve been to the top a few times the front end of the build just isn’t as interesting.

Kinda of the modern New England box checker mentality. Do something once, then move on. This is a global phenomena but we seem to be in the lead and have far more of them - those that try everything once. Not faulting anyone, just saying.

 

[Guapo]

UConn experienced the opposite of what you’d expect when their programs peaked.

Basketball attendance started falling after the 04 title. Football attendance as going to fall in 2011 even if Edsall stayed.

On the football side in retrospect it looks like - oh you make the Fiesta Bowl... and that’s it? That’s the payoff? It was like the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze.

On the basketball side once they got over the hump, people stayed interested in the events - but the boring 18 games against 150+ ranked teams just weren’t worth investing in because they are both boring and once you’ve been to the top a few times the front end of the build just isn’t as interesting.

Just look at this coming season - the home games are pointless unless you are a junkie. If they win who cares, if they lose it’s a disaster.

I think on the basketball side I get the feeling that, with everything the program has been through, there’s a lot of pent up passion to be unleashed there if/when the team gets good again.

 

[gampelcrazies]

UConn experienced the opposite of what you’d expect when their programs peaked.

Basketball attendance started falling after the 04 title. Football attendance as going to fall in 2011 even if Edsall stayed.

On the football side in retrospect it looks like - oh you make the Fiesta Bowl... and that’s it? That’s the payoff? It was like the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze.

On the basketball side once they got over the hump, people stayed interested in the events - but the boring 18 games against 150+ ranked teams just weren’t worth investing in because they are both boring and once you’ve been to the top a few times the front end of the build just isn’t as interesting.

Just look at this coming season - the home games are pointless unless you are a junkie. If they win who cares, if they lose it’s a disaster.

Thats why I question if the masses will come back if either basketball or football starting winning again. I'd like to believe so but the numbers started dropping before we got bad.

 

[whaler11]

Thats why I question if the masses will come back if either basketball or football starting winning again. I'd like to believe so but the numbers started dropping before we got bad.

Basketball to a certain degree - Football outside the P5 never.

Basketball will always draw for the events - i.e. Arizona at XL recently.

 

[Guapo]

Thats why I question if the masses will come back if either basketball or football starting winning again. I'd like to believe so but the numbers started dropping before we got bad.

I firmly believe they will in basketball. Hell, attendance started clicking upwards with Hurley last year and I think it’ll only accelerate with the Big East and Hurley’s track record of turning around programs.

You could feel it trying to start with the Syracuse game and then the crowd at the Arizona game.

Unlike football, UConn has an organic and deep basketball history and tradition. For football I guess it depends on your definition of “good.” If “good” means 7-5 or 8-4 every year than probably not.

 

[gampelcrazies]

Basketball to a certain degree - Football outside the P5 never.

Basketball will always draw for the events - i.e. Arizona at XL recently.

I firmly believe they will in basketball. Hell, attendance started clicking upwards with Hurley last year and I think it’ll only accelerate with the Big East and Hurley’s track record of turning around programs.

You could feel it trying to start with the Syracuse game and then the crowd at the Arizona game.

Unlike football, UConn has an organic and deep basketball history and tradition. For football I guess it depends on your definition of “good.” If “good” means 7-5 or 8-4 every year than probably not.

You guys are probably probably right but thats for a "marquee" game. Will fans show up for tier 2/3 games.

 

[Guapo]

Basketball to a certain degree - Football outside the P5 never.

Basketball will always draw for the events - i.e. Arizona at XL recently.

One thing that I never hear talked about is the affect of the scandals on basketball attendance.

UConn basketball in the 90’s through the early 2000’s was giddy and pure and good.

I know that the laptops and the academics and the recruiting violations took the shine off for some people.

But, I think everyone is just about over it now or have forgotten.

 

[Guapo]

You guys are probably probably right but thats for a "marquee" game. Will fans show up for tier 2/3 games.

Look, they’re never getting a sold out Civic Center for an exhibition against Marathon Oil again; but, a ranked UConn team against a Butler or Creighton? Absolutely.

 

[gampelcrazies]

One thing that I never hear talked about is the affect of the scandals on basketball attendance.

UConn basketball in the 90’s through the early 2000’s was giddy and pure and good.

I know that the laptops and the academics and the recruiting violations took the shine off for some people.

But, I think everyone is just about over it now or have forgotten.

You think the laptop and academic stuff made people stop going?

 

[Guapo]

You think the laptop and academic stuff made people stop going?

Probably not directly, but it definitely contributed to the general feeling I remember of “UConn mattering less”

 

[whaler11]

One thing that I never hear talked about is the affect of the scandals on basketball attendance.

UConn basketball in the 90’s through the early 2000’s was giddy and pure and good.

I know that the laptops and the academics and the recruiting violations took the shine off for some people.

But, I think everyone is just about over it now or have forgotten.

i dont think it had any. i think its just they did it a few times and the fanbase got spoiled and only cares when it’s a big event.

but that isn’t different than most places - it’s just the local fanbase is small and gampel is remote and the xl center is a turnoff

plus the grads leave and the locals are getting old fast. and its expensive at face value.

casual fans dont think in terms of grabbing extras from fat steve at the xl center and sitting anywhere - they connect box office price to seats.

 

[Guapo]

i dont think it had any. i think its just they did it a few times and the fanbase got spoiled and only cares when it’s a big event.

but that isn’t different than most places - it’s just the local fanbase is small and gampel is remote and the xl center is a turnoff

plus the grads leave and the locals are getting old fast. and its expensive at face value.

casual fans dont think in terms of grabbing extras from fat steve at the xl center and sitting anywhere - they connect box office price to seats.

Since leaving Connecticut (yes yes I know, part of the problem), my appreciation for the UConn basketball fanbase has actually grown.

I really think we are second to none outside of the always mentioned big-state basketball schools in terms of passion and basketball IQ.

It was really eye opening, especially living in DC, just how little a lot of alumni bases cared about basketball - even schools that I thought cared a little about basketball.

 

[Guapo]

Since leaving Connecticut (yes yes I know, part of the problem), my appreciation for the UConn basketball fanbase has actually grown.

I really think we are second to none outside of the always mentioned big-state basketball schools in terms of passion and basketball IQ.

It was really eye opening, especially living in DC, just how little a lot of alumni bases cared about basketball - even schools that I thought cared a little about basketball.

I only mentioned DC because I was rubbing shoulders with alumni bases from all over.

Don’t even get me started on my experiences since moving to Atlanta. Most SEC fanbases take an almost bizarre pride in not caring about basketball.

At UGA - in all seriousness - the basketball program might be lower on the totem poll than the gymnastics and baseball programs.

 

[whaler11]

Since leaving Connecticut (yes yes I know, part of the problem), my appreciation for the UConn basketball fanbase has actually grown.

I really think we are second to none outside of the always mentioned big-state basketball schools in terms of passion and basketball IQ.

It was really eye opening, especially living in DC, just how little a lot of alumni bases cared about basketball - even schools that I thought cared a little about basketball.

just read the BY. So many aren’t local. The local people are old. The fanbase is old. The Northeast is old.

Fairfield cty to Htfd or Storrs on a weekday is a nightmare.

There just aren’t enough people in the Hartford suburbs to fill a 16k arena.

 

[Exit 4]

just read the BY. So many aren’t local. The local people are old. The fanbase is old. The Northeast is old.

Fairfield cty to Htfd or Storrs on a weekday is a nightmare.

There just aren’t enough people in the Hartford suburbs to fill a 16k arena.

To fill it again and again for MBB, WBB, UConn Hockey and AAA hockey.

 

[Guapo]

just read the BY. So many aren’t local. The local people are old. The fanbase is old. The Northeast is old.

Fairfield cty to Htfd or Storrs on a weekday is a nightmare.

There just aren’t enough people in the Hartford suburbs to fill a 16k arena.

Lol it’s not like I’m not connected to greater Hartford. I’m still up there multiple times per year visiting family and friends and going to UConn sporting events.

The area and fanbase are old, but its not exactly West Palm either.

 

[Husky25]

Traditions and fandom are not built overnight; so, of course, when the program and conference fell apart; people didn’t really have the same feeling of loyalty towards the football program because there was really not much loyalty to begin with.

Timing of the above didn't help. The country was just reemerging from the Great Recession and Connecticut's recovery was slower than most anywhere else around the country.

Many incurred major life events and reassessed their disposable spending. If and when they personally recovered, the team fell on hard times and they found they could do without certain social and/or entertainment functions that they previously engaged, spectator sports among them.

 

[Guapo]

just read the BY. So many aren’t local. The local people are old. The fanbase is old. The Northeast is old.

Fairfield cty to Htfd or Storrs on a weekday is a nightmare.

There just aren’t enough people in the Hartford suburbs to fill a 16k arena.

just read the BY. So many aren’t local. The local people are old. The fanbase is old. The Northeast is old.

Fairfield cty to Htfd or Storrs on a weekday is a nightmare.

There just aren’t enough people in the Hartford suburbs to fill a 16k arena.

But there are enough people to fill a Double A ballpark every night? It seems like the people going to that are younger and fun! The Yard Goats market and brand very well. UConn...not so much.

 

[Exit 4]

But there are enough people to fill a Double A ballpark every night? It seems like the people going to that are younger and fun! The Yard Goats market and brand very well. UConn...not so much.

Consider capacity at DD Park is just 6,121. 6k at XL or the Rent looks bad, but 6k at DD Park = sell out.

Dunkin' Donuts Park - Wikipedia

 

[Guapo]

Consider capacity at DD Park is just 6,121. 6k at XL or the Rent looks bad, but 6k at DD Park = sell out.

Dunkin' Donuts Park - Wikipedia

Absolutely, I get that. But it still says something that they’re able to draw every night of the week.

 

[Husky25]

But there are enough people to fill a Double A ballpark every night? It seems like the people going to that are younger and fun! The Yard Goats market and brand very well. UConn...not so much.

Dunkin Donuts Park seats < 6,200. It's not exactly Dodger Stadium.

 

[Guapo]

Dunkin Donuts Park seats < 6,200. It's not exactly Dodger Stadium.

Right but it still shows a level of fan commitment and engagement that they’re able to draw every night

 

[Stainmaster]

Our fanbase is full of spoiled frontrunners. Fairweather fans to the extreme. How is anyone arguing to the contrary?