UtahPirate said:
SWWeatherCat said:
I can't believe how much I miss basketball in general and especially WSU of old and look forward to and can't wait for WSU Football to begin-- oh how the tables have turned.
For me it's the baseball season to start. The Jazz rule this state when it comes to basketball. I can't have a college basketball conversation with anybody I work with. They don't know, they don't care.
The Dance starts next week, so the office pool will happen and people will be excited for a week or two. But that's the mindshare college basketball gets from sports fans today. At least the 30-somethings I'm around. I'm not sure most Millennials know what a ball of any shape is ... they do know their video games though. Opps, sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings. If I did, I suggest you transfer to the U, they're more sensitive there.
Fire Rahe, fire Rose and fire Coach K campaigns well underway.
It really is weird. Growing up basketball was king. The Jazz were important, but so were the college teams. Now, well, basketball has lost its luster. There are a number of factors that have been out of the control of the sport and colleges, but also, they've shot themselves in the feet too.
1. University's have taken "college" out of college basketball. Post-season tournaments are in neutral, empty, locations, which kills excitement and enthusiasm. Hosting a post season tournament isn't just a reward for the athletes, coaches, and department, but also, for the school, students, alumni, and community. What once was something to be fought for, and ultimately savored, has been lost. Worst of all, the reward is a neutral court in the middle of nowhere where you only end up with a small percentage of your fan base being allowed to participate. I watched Northern Kentucky vs. Wright State play in an empty NBA stadium yesterday afternoon. It made them both look pathetic and the Horizon League very LOL. The Big Sky will look even worse on Saturday. Other issues, look at Weber, no band, little to none student participation, and a lame attempt at being "professional" in outlook and game atmosphere.
2. Too many other options to watch. Why go to a game when you can watch 50 other games and even, depending on the night watch "your" team on TV or the internet. Yes it is hard, but you've got to make the game the place to be. Right now, the Dee just isn't. Everything is bad about the game day experience. From Jake to the crap music played during timeouts. Against Eastern, we lost the crowd when the crew played some weird synthesizer number. Uh, know your crowd and keep the atmosphere pumping. You have to know your audience and keep them involved if you want to make the game the "place to be."
3. Lack of focus on student attendance and support, Weber isn't the only school that lacks support. But, if you go down to the U, not a fan, they at least get the MUSS (something associated with the school and mascot) to the games. It is a well oiled machine. Same as the HURD. Weber gets something going and then does nothing to keep it going. You have to do more than putting the random sigh up on campus to get students involved and frankly their involvement means everything to the stadium environment. Once they are there you need a little organization and initiative to get everyone involved.
4. Too many other sports. 20 years ago, Basketball was one of the main options. Now, there are sooo many other options and kids just don't get as stocked as they once did. BUT, that doesn't mean they arent supporting teams. Every high school, at the state games, had quite the cheering section and if you go to USU, BYU, or Utah...the students show up. Hell, when Weber played SUU their student section was full.
I could go on and on and on. At the end of the day, Weber hurts themselves more than anything else. THey just don't do anything to improve their situation.
