I'm guessing that the survey will show that more students are more likely to go to the games on campus. However, I doubt that after coaching at Georgetown and Princeton that SJ wants to play any games in Alumni Hall no matter even if more students would go, especially with it's peeling paint and "not up to Division 1 standards". IMO a combination of games at the WBA and in a renovated AH still would be the best option.
why would you think that the non-caring administration would spring for AH restoration dollars that would run into the millions?? Also, it has been demonstrated by the student body over the decades that they will not attend games ANYWHERE, including AH, to support a losing program. If you recall the 1980's when things were not going well, the student section behind the basket would be empty.......empty. I remember being at games with my brother and we would count the number of students there.....10-20 would be the over/under "bet". So IMHO the program needs to be on a darn good footing, as in, winning a lot of games, before we involve the students in the discussion. The only constant in fan attendance over the past 20-30 years has been the (now dwindling)group of greybeards from the 1960-1970's eras. Reality is a dose that needs to be administered frequently, lest we fall further into the abyss.
There was 7000 in the building just a few years ago when the program had some "juice" and excitement. Now we have nothing. The air has been taken out of the program. We need someone to create that excitement again...
The ten minutes up the road is not stopping students from going to games...it's the losing and the lack of tradition (recently, anyway). Ask the Seagrape to partner up for postgame receptions, have a bus running from the beach. It's pretty important that we have upperclassmen that take the lead, instead of ones searching for excuses about on or off campus.
Nobody wants to go see Fairfield play St Peters or Marist. Its just not entertaining or relevant basketball. They will show up for 1st place games and playoffs. Other than that, there is no incentive.
The Dolan School of Business, especially the Marketing people and students have a great opportunity for teaching and research right on campus with a case study of really why today's college students are not going to Stag Basketball games and what needs to be done or can be done to change that. All of us "experts" here seem to believe that we know but the reality is that there are many different answers and various reasons as to why that is.
Hopefully Roy Brown's vacant position as Associate AD for Marketing & Promotion will be filled with another professional too? However, there still needs to be a coordinated plan and full cooperation between Athletics, University Activities, the Levee, Communications, Development and Alumni Relations in the goal of supporting, funding and promoting Stag Athletics on campus and off campus because done successfully it will only benefit Fairfield University. Somebody needs to be in charge with the responsibility but all need accountability. Business as usual on North Benson Road is simply not working and needs to change.
Stop scheduling games that compete with the NFL, it's a battle that you are never going to win. Friday night 7PM with a special at the Grape afterwards would be a great idea.
I have said this before, the University needs to embrace and support the beach community. It is a major selling point for everything FU. They constantly try to hide it to protect town relations.
Nobody wants to go see Fairfield play St Peters or Marist. Its just not entertaining or relevant basketball. They will show up for 1st place games and playoffs. Other than that, there is no incentive.
Its been proven time and time again, that fans will come out if the team is winning, playing for 1st place, playoffs or meaningfull games (SHU, Senior Night). And this year proved it again, as we lost, and the fans did not come out.
A winning Fairfield team playing St Peters or Marist, will out draw a losing Fairfield team, despite who we play. I am glad the students are showing some interest by taking a poll. The students requested some on-campus games a few years ago, and we did play some games at AH for a few years. I thought it was good idea, and still do. But the Students surely did not Back-up their claim that they would support their team. Action talks, and there are some students that show for games at WBA or AH and they should be applauded, and targeted
Action talks, and there are some students that show for games at WBA or AH and they should be applauded, and targeted.
Every September an entire new freshman class arrives on campus (963 in 2013 with 374 guys and 589 females) and they are the ones that need to be targeted every year because in four years they will join us as alumni. If the University can't get them interested in Stag athletics in their four years on campus then why would anyone especially Alumni Relations think that they will become interested after they graduate? IMO, the students and their support with the Stags in The Stands program is not only very important but vital. Virtually all the Stag fans, especially the die-hard Stag fans on this Stag Message Board started their love affair (albeit sometimes unrequited) with Stag Basketball and other Stag teams while as students and not years later after they graduated. Getting students, especially the new strudents involved and creating traditions while as students is what keeps them (and eventually their donations) supporting the University as connected alumni after their four years on campus. Kudos to the Stags in the Stands for this survey and those students that do go to the WBA, AH and the other on campus games. Whatever it takes from the coaches working the BCC to creating continual interest and new traditions because the students are that necessary.
Stop scheduling games that compete with the NFL, it's a battle that you are never going to win. Friday night 7PM with a special at the Grape afterwards would be a great idea.
I have said this before, the University needs to embrace and support the beach community. It is a major selling point for everything FU. They constantly try to hide it to protect town relations.
Most teams play on either Thurs-Sat or Friday-Sun basis leading into the weekend, with another game during the week.
So if you are going to play Friday night @ 7PM (which MAAC teams do and is a good night for hoops), you are left play the 2nd weekend game on Sunday vs the NFL.
Action talks, and there are some students that show for games at WBA or AH and they should be applauded, and targeted.
Every September an entire new freshman class arrives on campus (963 in 2013 with 374 guys and 589 females) and they are the ones that need to be targeted every year because in four years they will join us as alumni. If the University can't get them interested in Stag athletics in their four years on campus then why would anyone especially Alumni Relations think that they will become interested after they graduate? IMO, the students and their support with the Stags in The Stands program is not only very important but vital. Virtually all the Stag fans, especially the die-hard Stag fans on this Stag Message Board started their love affair (albeit sometimes unrequited) with Stag Basketball and other Stag teams while as students and not years later after they graduated. Getting students, especially the new strudents involved and creating traditions while as students is what keeps them (and eventually their donations) supporting the University as connected alumni after their four years on campus. Kudos to the Stags in the Stands for this survey and those students that do go to the WBA, AH and the other on campus games. Whatever it takes from the coaches working the BCC to creating continual interest and new traditions because the students are that necessary.
Years ago I spoke to administrators at my kid's high school about the way they were shortchanging their student athletes. Once upon a time I would have kept my mouth shut, but looking at the astronomical tuition I was paying I thought I would have my say. Rather than respond to my arguments they told me how well the school was doing academically etc. and suggested that I concentrate on the education my children were getting. I somewhat politely (or not)told them that I couldn't watch my kids take a test. I feel the same way about my alma mater. The administrators tell us about how diverse they want us to be, and what award or grant Prof x received etc. and think that should keep me happy. Jeez, these things are not mutually exclusive. I can't watch diversity or academic acheivment. Basketball (at least for me) is a way to stay connected.