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Redbird82

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Quite an indictment a lot of it is also true for ISU. I’m an old fuddy duddy, I loved back in the day during timeouts, especially an opponent called one because we were on a run the band would get the crowd really going. Now we have all these pre planned stupid promos…
 

SlackBooDom

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Quite an indictment a lot of it is also true for ISU. I’m an old fuddy duddy, I loved back in the day during timeouts, especially an opponent called one because we were on a run the band would get the crowd really going. Now we have all these pre planned stupid promos…
This got me curious, so I looked at our attendance the last ten years. Nationally, I know the average is down - but this feels damning.

6541 - 4842 - 5483 - 5200 - 5943 - 5142 - 5424 - 4596

2901
3389

In the eight years leading up to COVID, we averaged 4660. In the last two years, we have been at 3145. A 32% decrease Is well below the national average. What do we think the cause is? We know we haven't been winning, so that has to be a factor. Was it COVID? An aging fan base? Easier to stream games?

A few things I have heard from the people who sit around me - what happened to the halftime acts? It just feels so stale and boring to be at a game from start to finish now. Our atmosphere is no different than what the MSU writer pointed out. How can the department make games fun again? Or do they have an interest in that versus just changing the fundraising and raising prices?
 

Cindy00

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280
Quite an indictment a lot of it is also true for ISU. I’m an old fuddy duddy, I loved back in the day during timeouts, especially an opponent called one because we were on a run the band would get the crowd really going. Now we have all these pre planned stupid promos…
I felt like the band was getting in to the game more on Sunday than they have been this year. Reminded me a little bit of the past. I miss the boink, boink, boink, pass. I know why we need the promos and that the DJ and piped in music is what everyone is doing now but I also miss the band playing most of the timeouts and even before the game.
 

BirdGrad2011

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Jul 16, 2017
Messages
2,225
This got me curious, so I looked at our attendance the last ten years. Nationally, I know the average is down - but this feels damning.

6541 - 4842 - 5483 - 5200 - 5943 - 5142 - 5424 - 4596

2901
3389

In the eight years leading up to COVID, we averaged 4660. In the last two years, we have been at 3145. A 32% decrease Is well below the national average. What do we think the cause is? We know we haven't been winning, so that has to be a factor. Was it COVID? An aging fan base? Easier to stream games?

A few things I have heard from the people who sit around me - what happened to the halftime acts? It just feels so stale and boring to be at a game from start to finish now. Our atmosphere is no different than what the MSU writer pointed out. How can the department make games fun again? Or do they have an interest in that versus just changing the fundraising and raising prices?
Number 1 thing in my eyes is the lack of success. A fan base that grew tired of Muller. Pedon comes in a promptly loses to Western. While not an indictment on what will come it did probably kill some interest from casuals for this season.

Next year would be when they should buckle down and focus on higher energy plus bringing back some halftime entertainment. Let the local kids play their little halftime games over break, but get some actual entertainment while students are around.
 

Redbird60451

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Messages
437
Speaking of Wyatt....he doesn't hold back here!



That is a very on point article. I like how he didn't just point to the students, but the season ticket holders who would be better suited to watch the game on TV at home because they brought nothing to the game either. They should be showing the tradition, not the students who are just coming out of HS who don't know anything yet.

I don't think its as big a deal now. I just think the last generation and this generation of students, don't see sports the same. Maybe it's because they all played soccer, maybe because they all got a trophy and pizza party after each game. Maybe its the instant gratification of having likes and what nots on Tik Tok or Instagram. Everyone wants to be in touch with their feelings now or some crap.
 

BirdGrad2011

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That is a very on point article. I like how he didn't just point to the students, but the season ticket holders who would be better suited to watch the game on TV at home because they brought nothing to the game either. They should be showing the tradition, not the students who are just coming out of HS who don't know anything yet.
Disagree to an extent. Yes, season ticket holders can bring energy and impact the environment, but teaching incoming students should be on Red Alert leadership. The solid student sections of late 00s are 100% thanks to Phantom and his crew. As a freshman in 2007 they showed us what the student section could be. It went from the 1 section in D + Band to that entire section of the Arena (D + behind the basket). The season ticket holders and casuals fed off that energy.

I think Red Alert has great leadership in Trevor, but these students largely haven’t had anything to cheer about. Covid + bad teams make it hard to build. Winning solves all and Trevor’s energy has gotten the few students into games. As success comes that will be infectious. Hell, look at the student crowds football was drawing. It can and will be done.
 

Adunk33

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Jul 21, 2017
Messages
9,989
I sit in the section right across from the home bench. One thing I constantly notice is (I assume) Pedon's relatives who sit court side are trying to pump up the crowd during big runs. One guy, in particular, is seemingly in aw that fans won't stand up and make noise unless the game is on the line with under 2 minutes to play. Hell, fans generally are on their asses right after intros and only get up to head to the bathroom. I sit near a lot of the players families as well and have noticed they are wanting to get up and be in the game and they look around to no avail.

It's been talked about before time, and time again "the team needs to give them something to cheer about." Energy is a two-way street provide it, and more times than not, it'll be reciprocated. See the Horton game as the perfect example. Fans brought energy the whole game and knew when to bring that little extra. I'm glad SIU traveled as well as they did on Sunday. It made fans get a little more into it....down the stretch in the second half, anyway.

Honestly, I don't think it would be a bad idea to have a printed "how to be a Redbird fan" brochure on every seat letting people know when they should stand, when to make noise, when to be quiet (we're already pro's at this), a common "chant/cheer" list, a reference to not giving dirty looks to those trying to be involved in the game by staring and cheering...Just something to try to get fans more engaged.

Pedon was asked about the crowd being a part of the win on Sunday and said, "No question. When our fans....and we're a big part of that...can we inspire them with our play, can we give them reason to get on their feet? When that arena gets going...and I know I haven't even seen close to what it can become and what it will become her in a very short time, but the edge and the momentum our arena gives to us, it's second to none."

But to the point of the title of this thread...I don't recommend going to the Pantagraph for your Redbird hoops coverage. Randy does a nice job on the football side, the basketball stuff doesn't deserve your clicks. You can get info first hand by listening to the radio postgame/pregame via the Varsity App, the weekly MVC Coaches teleconference (posted Monday afternoons on MVC-Sports.com MVC Men's Basketball Coaches Zoom (Jan. 30, 2023)) as well as the post game stuff Redbird222 post from Twitter on the thread. Just a general recommendation to not reward bad behavior.;)
 
Last edited:

Redbird60451

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Mar 14, 2018
Messages
437
Disagree to an extent. Yes, season ticket holders can bring energy and impact the environment, but teaching incoming students should be on Red Alert leadership. The solid student sections of late 00s are 100% thanks to Phantom and his crew. As a freshman in 2007 they showed us what the student section could be. It went from the 1 section in D + Band to that entire section of the Arena (D + behind the basket). The season ticket holders and casuals fed off that energy.

I think Red Alert has great leadership in Trevor, but these students largely haven’t had anything to cheer about. Covid + bad teams make it hard to build. Winning solves all and Trevor’s energy has gotten the few students into games. As success comes that will be infectious. Hell, look at the student crowds football was drawing. It can and will be done.

I sit in the section right across from the home bench. One thing I constantly notice is (I assume) Pedon's relatives who sit court side are trying to pump up the crowd during big runs. One guy, in particular, is seemingly in aw that fans won't stand up and make noise unless the game is on the line with under 2 minutes to play. Hell, fans generally are on their asses right after intros and only get up to head to the bathroom. I sit near a lot of the players families as well and have noticed they are wanting to get up and be in the game and they look around to no avail.

It's been talked about before time, and time again "the team needs to give them something to cheer about." Energy is a two-way street provide it, and more times than not, it'll be reciprocated. See the Horton game as the perfect example. Fans brought energy the whole game and knew when to bring that little extra. I'm glad SIU traveled as well as they did on Sunday. It made fans get a little more into it....down the stretch in the second half, anyway.

Honestly, I don't think it would be a bad idea to have a printed "how to be a Redbird fan" brochure on every seat letting people know when they should stand, when to make noise, when to be quiet (we're already pro's at this), a common "chant/cheer" list, a reference to not giving dirty looks to those trying to be involved in the game by staring and cheering...Just something to try to get fans more engaged.

Pedon was asked about the crowd being a part of the win on Sunday and said, "No question. When our fans....and we're a big part of that...can we inspire them with our play, can we give them reason to get on their feet? When that arena gets going...and I know I haven't even seen close to what it can become and what it will become her in a very short time, but the edge and the momentum our arena gives to us, it's second to none."
You should be upgraded to behind the bench for free and the empty seats should be off camera. The empty seats behind the bench and scorer's table are terrible if your trying to display a product. And that's what basketball is, it's a product that ultimately should be earning revenue so that Student's fees don't have to support it.
 

Redbird222

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Joined
Jul 18, 2017
Messages
5,277
This got me curious, so I looked at our attendance the last ten years. Nationally, I know the average is down - but this feels damning.

6541 - 4842 - 5483 - 5200 - 5943 - 5142 - 5424 - 4596

2901
3389

In the eight years leading up to COVID, we averaged 4660. In the last two years, we have been at 3145. A 32% decrease Is well below the national average. What do we think the cause is? We know we haven't been winning, so that has to be a factor. Was it COVID? An aging fan base? Easier to stream games?

A few things I have heard from the people who sit around me - what happened to the halftime acts? It just feels so stale and boring to be at a game from start to finish now. Our atmosphere is no different than what the MSU writer pointed out. How can the department make games fun again? Or do they have an interest in that versus just changing the fundraising and raising prices?
It's worse - nased on the figures you provided, the average attendance the preceeding 8 years is 5,396 so 41.7% drop

Lots of reasons for dropping attendance

1. Poor performance
2. Streaming of games (chicago based and more distance fans more likely to stay at home.
It saves time, money (especially if you already paid for away games), and you get more replays and camera angles
3. There is a COVID effect especially when including last years attendance. People have gotten use to spending more time at home whether for work, shopping, and social. There are lots of industries trying buck this trend
4. We can call it an aging fan base but its an inability to attract a younger fan base. The athletic department has tried different things recently but with limited success. How do you make the sporting events interactive with the student .... before and during games? The games need to become events ... before, during and after games.
5. Competing options for entertainment. Students have so many options, families' children are in so many activities versus 25 years ago, adults can watch professional sports and other activities every day and every night.
6. Players come and go. It's easier to get attached to players that are present for 4 or 5 years. The constant turnover or rosters doesn't create the same engagement with the fan base
7. The disparity in $$ between programs.
A. This limits what experiences less funded schools can create and market.
B. Hurts to attract potential fans because the perception is the league and FCS is irrelevant
C. Hurts recruiting big name players because the difference in facilities. Fans are drawn to big name players
C. Potential impact of NIL

Sustained winning and creating engagement with the students are the only way I see out of this downward trend.
 

Phantom

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Everything 222 said. It's a lot harder than it used to be - but not impossible by any means. Sustained winning, and, dare I say it, making the Dance will help to the Nth degree. Right now it's an uphill battle. New students arrive on campus, tour the arena and think it's awesome (it is), and then attend a game with a quiet 3K there and fellow students sitting & putzing around on their phones, nothing like the rowdy & engaged student sections they see on TV. Then they learn we haven't made the dance since long before they were born. Add all that up and good perception takes a nosedive and suddenly even homework sounds like a better alternative. It's no easy task.

Priorities 1-3 we need to win. Then 4-5 we need to make games events and the thing to do on campus. It wasn't too long ago that was the case.

BirdGrad...thanks for the props! We had a blast in those years for sure and the arena was rockin.
 
Last edited:

gobirds85

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Joined
Jul 17, 2017
Messages
3,245
This got me curious, so I looked at our attendance the last ten years. Nationally, I know the average is down - but this feels damning.

6541 - 4842 - 5483 - 5200 - 5943 - 5142 - 5424 - 4596

2901
3389

In the eight years leading up to COVID, we averaged 4660. In the last two years, we have been at 3145. A 32% decrease Is well below the national average. What do we think the cause is? We know we haven't been winning, so that has to be a factor. Was it COVID? An aging fan base? Easier to stream games?

A few things I have heard from the people who sit around me - what happened to the halftime acts? It just feels so stale and boring to be at a game from start to finish now. Our atmosphere is no different than what the MSU writer pointed out. How can the department make games fun again? Or do they have an interest in that versus just changing the fundraising and raising prices?

Winning. Cures. All.
 

Rollbirds5

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Jul 17, 2017
Messages
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Like most have said winning is the most important factor to attendance. I think other things are continuity with the team so fans and students feel more connected with who they are going to watch. For students it does take much more effort than it used to, I’m not a student anymore so not sure what goes on but having the coaches talk to fraternities/sororities or other student groups helped when I was there. Also if there’s a big game coming up maybe ask different school departments to give a little extra credit if students go to the game. Happy I was in school when we had some good teams and really good student attendance for the most part
 

Redbird222

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Jul 18, 2017
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Like most have said winning is the most important factor to attendance. I think other things are continuity with the team so fans and students feel more connected with who they are going to watch. For students it does take much more effort than it used to, I’m not a student anymore so not sure what goes on but having the coaches talk to fraternities/sororities or other student groups helped when I was there. Also if there’s a big game coming up maybe ask different school departments to give a little extra credit if students go to the game. Happy I was in school when we had some good teams and really good student attendance for the most part
They use to have the fraternities and sororities have greek night each year. They use to hang banners and everything. I wonder if they will do that again this year
 

Aggie

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289
ISU needs to go back to the future. Want a DJ and piped in music, go to a professional sports team. Want a true honest college experience, fire up the band and bring back the tubas. Not going to see that at the bulls game. Fill halftime with student and possibly alumni introductions. People will show just to see their friends family etc. Go watch a 1980s game and bring it all back. Not just a retro night but a retro season. Definitely be something the students have not experienced before. Have a game “reserved for every college and or departments on campus. Invite students and alumni to go to the game. Try a few games with just the band and no piped in DJ music, advertise that and see how it draws. Try something!!!
 

RedbirdSoxFan

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Jul 19, 2017
Messages
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ISU needs to go back to the future. Want a DJ and piped in music, go to a professional sports team. Want a true honest college experience, fire up the band and bring back the tubas. Not going to see that at the bulls game. Fill halftime with student and possibly alumni introductions. People will show just to see their friends family etc. Go watch a 1980s game and bring it all back. Not just a retro night but a retro season. Definitely be something the students have not experienced before. Have a game “reserved for every college and or departments on campus. Invite students and alumni to go to the game. Try a few games with just the band and no piped in DJ music, advertise that and see how it draws. Try something!!!
I remember the awesome drummer the pep band had back years ago. He could really get the crowd going.
 

SlackBooDom

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Oct 23, 2022
Messages
324
ISU needs to go back to the future. Want a DJ and piped in music, go to a professional sports team. Want a true honest college experience, fire up the band and bring back the tubas. Not going to see that at the bulls game. Fill halftime with student and possibly alumni introductions. People will show just to see their friends family etc. Go watch a 1980s game and bring it all back. Not just a retro night but a retro season. Definitely be something the students have not experienced before. Have a game “reserved for every college and or departments on campus. Invite students and alumni to go to the game. Try a few games with just the band and no piped in DJ music, advertise that and see how it draws. Try something!!!
I just don’t have the confidence in our department right now. Halftimes have been boring. Every ticket promotion they just post on social media with a code for any and everyone. Twice this season someone has had their tickets printed and were exactly the same as mine. I tried to meet with the fundraising people in athletics and didn’t get a reply. Marketing the same thing. It feels harder and harder to connect with anyone at the university at a time when there was momentum again.
 

gobirds85

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I remember the awesome drummer the pep band had back years ago. He could really get the crowd going.

Freebies! Tee shirts, pizza, back in the '80s, when we kicked ass, there were competitions like arm wrestling, tug of wars, etc. Get the student body to enjoy the experience, get them to invest into the experience. And yes, let the band play and play and play.
 
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