"Calling the game a 'sellout' is very misleading as there were plenty of spaces available in the end bleachers."
Agree that there were hundreds of empty seats as once again the student turnout was very poor. Also, not much of a home court advantage when a couple of busloads of Siena fans make more noise than the other 1500 Stag fans.
Still have a chance to stay out of PIG, but need the next two at home badly.
Calling the game a 'sellout' is very misleading as there were plenty of spaces available in the end bleachers. Maybe students who had tickets didn't show, but I'm sure no one was turned away at the door.
nash, The "sellout" is on the University's social media sites and on the new and improved Stag website and box score so it must be true. Hopefully another "soldout" Alumni Hall home game for the Stags Friday against #6 Quinnipiac and then again on Sunday against #4 Rider.
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – This was a game that went back and forth for 40 minutes as the two teams knew that a result today would firm up position in the MAAC standings. Each team had opportunities but in the end Siena College came away with the win as the Saints edged the Stags by a 62-59 score in front of a sellout crowd at Alumni Hall.....
"Calling the game a 'sellout' is very misleading as there were plenty of spaces available in the end bleachers."
Agree that there were hundreds of empty seats as once again the student turnout was very poor. Also, not much of a home court advantage when a couple of busloads of Siena fans make more noise than the other 1500 Stag fans.
Still have a chance to stay out of PIG, but need the next two at home badly.
Sure you've got to give credit to the Siena fans for backing their team, something that makes sense considering the type of year they are having. But making more noise than the Stag fans? Obviously not, although I think I understand a point you're trying to make by suggesting the lack of student support, IE the 'loudest' type fans not being there in waves certainly hurt the Stags a bit. However, and being realistic with today's times, this type of situation is true all over the mid-low major type landscape. Even in Albany BTW where most of their 6,000 average attendance is made up of community and NOT students. And truthfully when it comes to fans who travel, in years when the Stags have been good, historically they have also had good fan support on the road, support that has made a difference sometimes. The big thing is to recreate that winning culture in the next 2-3 years, something that would probably serve as an impetus to the return of Stag support on the road, maybe similar to what was apparent from the Saints fans yesterday.
I guess a “ sell out” means they sold an equal number of tickets that meets the capacity of alumni hall not necessarily who actually passes they the entrance doors on game day. For example I have 3 season tickets and regularly only occupy two seats for each game. They count me as three , not the two that show up. There were very few students , the back bleachers were filled with community families.
According to the Siena board only one chartered bus came down from Albany but not "a couple of busloads":
We had a few last minute cancellations so I believe we ended up with 49. However, there were at least another 100 Siena fans who drive down in their own or lived fairly close. Siena seems to always draw fans at away game. Even if it’s just local alumni in that area. That’s what makes Siena so special, IMO.
Student support at the home games is not just a problem for Fairfield University but for all the MAAC and for mid-major teams. Fairfield, Connecticut is not Lawrence, Kansas. College Basketball is no longer "the" entertainment option on campus for the 18-21 crowd and it is not the same as the late 1960's and the 1970's. Despite Stag Men's Basketball having another losing record (11-16)(7-9) and being (5-6) at home, I'm pleased that AH was as full as it was yesterday, physically being a sellout or not. Still much better than being in a 9,000 seat hockey rink arena in downtown Bridgeport with 7,000 empty seats.
Calling the game a 'sellout' is very misleading as there were plenty of spaces available in the end bleachers. Maybe students who had tickets didn't show, but I'm sure no one was turned away at the door.
nash, The "sellout" is on the University's social media sites and on the new and improved Stag website and box score so it must be true. Hopefully another "soldout" Alumni Hall home game for the Stags Friday against #6 Quinnipiac and then again on Sunday against #4 Rider.
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – This was a game that went back and forth for 40 minutes as the two teams knew that a result today would firm up position in the MAAC standings. Each team had opportunities but in the end Siena College came away with the win as the Saints edged the Stags by a 62-59 score in front of a sellout crowd at Alumni Hall.....
Well if they said it was true it must have been true, right? Maybe my eyesight is getting poor and I don't know what I'm looking at. Anyway I sure would like to see REAL sellouts in the next two games, or at least for the final game ever in this historic building. Then when they say "sellout," it really would be a SELLOUT!
Last Edit: Feb 24, 2020 9:26:07 GMT -5 by nashvillestag
Absolutely true, and a good sign too. Now imagine if a few more shots went down, especially from Landon who depends on the pass for setting up his shot attempts. In that case the difference would have been much more stark in the positive direction.
"The big thing is to recreate that winning culture in the next 2-3 years, something that would probably serve as an impetus to the return of Stag support on the road, maybe similar to what was apparent from the Saints fans yesterday."
Hoping for the "perfect storm" in Stagland with better recruiting results from JY and staff over the next year, combined with the progress of current freshman and transfers dovetailing with the opening of the new convocation center, to be on our way to a renewed winning culture.
The biggest concern was when we had a 5 point lead with 7 minutes to go in the game...... the Siena Fans started the "Defense" Cheer. Well it worked, as Siena turned a 5 point deficit into a 4 point lead. During that same timeframe the Fairfield fans were sitting on their hands.
Great atmosphere for both games this past weekend! So happy we were able to get the win Friday night. The team played hard in both games and they don’t quit! JY is getting the most out of these guys. They seem like a great group of kids who are easy to route for. I have a good feeling that the basketball program is heading in the right direction. Hopefully sellouts will be a common occurrence once the new arena is built. GoStags!🦌