Why Your Lack of Interest

[n.ogdencat]

Why are you losing interest in Weber State Basketball?

For me, I might be growing up finally. I'm realizing there are more important things than college sports. Going to the Dee use to be special. It was home away from home, but now, I just don't want to go. Something changed about 5 years ago and I haven't been a huge fan since. Some might like the pseudo professional sports glitz being attempted, but from the look of the thousands of empty seats, I have a feeling I am not alone.

1. The gameday environment is really bad

2. This is a college sports team, but there are no students. The band has been seen once, the student section is empty and we have late middle age man boys yelling during timeouts.

3. Randy and Duft. I'm sorry...but they have been here for 16 years and just doesn't change. I watched the Idaho game with a neighbor (he is a recent supporter of Wildcat Athletics, because of football) and he kept telling me not to lose faith. That the Cats could come back. There was still 5 mins left in the game. I told him exactly what would happen. Down 5, there isn't a plan. Up 5 there isn't a plan. Jack 3's or ISO. No sets, no plays, no adjustments. What drives me the most nuts is watching the team get back into a game when he does make a change, and then see coach go back to the original "game plan" that worked so well that we were down big, to lose. Sooooooo frustrating.

4. What is the purpose of regular season basketball? You saw it on Saturday. There is no urgency, because the games really don't count. Boise is not a reward. All that matters is playing well enough to get a seed. Every team gets a participation ribbon!!! Predetermined postseason tournaments are killing NCAA Mid-major basketball. The Big Sky is a one team league. Leagues that get more than 1 into the Dance can afford a post-season tournament. The Sky can't. Besides, you can't tell me that the tournament is a success. I went to Montana in 13' and that was an amazing atmosphere for a Final. Weber in 03' incredible final game. YOU WILL NEVER SEE that in Boise. It shouldn't be a neutral court, because you've played an entire freaking season to determine the best team in the league. That team should host an biased in their favor tournament. IF YOU HAVE TO HAVE A TOURNAMENT.

5. Intercollegiate Athletics is not about the coaches. They should be the absolutely last individuals that are listened to when deciding on post-season tournaments or scheduling; yet they are the ones that get their way. What a waste of money Randy's salary is, but that along with the power to decide everything. TOO much. Admins need to cut the power and reestablish scheduling control.

 

[pccatfan]

My interest has faded a lot the last little while for many of the same reasons as yours. A small family and other things going on has been a part of it, I admit that, but honestly, it is blatantly obviously that Weber is okay with mediocrity. Rahe could not make the NCAA tournament with Damion Lillard. I repeat, RAHE COULDN'T WIN THE BIG SKY WITH DAMIAN FREAKING LILLARD. We extended him despite that. 2010 still stings, in part because nothing has changed. The way you beat a Randy Rahe team was showcased in 2010, and it has not changed, still. We all know it, and so seeing the same crap over and over again sucks.

The lack of care of winning in-state games also really sucks. Weber used to routinely beat the other in-state teams, but now we're a whipping boy that Aggie fans just mock. It's no fun, and we need someone who actually care about the program being excellent.

Weber also refuses to truly try and recruit their students, (or faculty and staff at that). Students are the future donors, and it we are getting less and less coming. Even with a great football team, we don't get a huge student crowd because no one knows about the team. No band is ridiculous as well. Isn't that partly why they are on scholarship, to come to the games?

I also hate the Big Sky tournament format. I have no interest in going to Boise whatsoever, but even a place like Vegas would not attract me to this tournament. It sucks. It isn't fun, the crowds suck, and it means that the team with the best chance to actually win a game in the actual tournament might not make it. We all know it's dumb. If you can't win the regular season, you don't deserve anything.

The disappointment of hoping it will change and Weber can do more is becoming too much.

 

[Wildcat_Fan]

Lets get this out of the way. FIrst and foremosts, covid didnt help anything. Especially with our fanbase being older. BUT you can only go so far with that excuse. Many teams are still drawing decent crowds as covid becomes more of the norm. I watched part of the USU game against Nevada and they had a decent vocal crowd. So what gives?

Athletics as a whole is dead at WSU. When everyone at the top is just collecting a paycheck and doesnt actually care what goes on the field/court, no one else will. There are good people who work in the AD but it seems everyone has gotten complacent doing the same things day in and day out. Anyone actually seen the weber state brand out in the community besides a few billboards? Someone who actually cares about weber needs to have a hand in decisions.

Agreed Tal, the basketball season does not matter. Plan and simple. I understand logistics and cost-savings with having a set tourament location with everyone going. I understand we at Weber have been spoiled. Playing for the chance to host the tourament where you'd tune into road games on your laptop or listen to Carl on 1430 because they were must win games. Late season games at the Dee against Montana to determine who hosts. That was worth coming out for. Now... we play for a seeding in a tourament with no fans.

Rahe has done so much for WSU. No one can deny that. He brought us D-Lill, countless exciting moments and hope to win every single season. But you either leave a hero or live to become the villan. I personally think that is the direction we are headed. Randy still wins games. He wins how he always has and he loses in the same fashion. I honestly think people are ready for a change. Will that happen before his contract is up? No. Will they give him an extension? Maybe. I know Lillard gives a ton of money to the program with his love for Rahe. Hard to want to jeopardize that. But I think its time to find the next Jay Hill.

Last, ESPN+. Its too easy to watch games right now. As now a very casual fan, its much to east to turn on the tv. While I do think having more exposure in your own market is never a bad thing, we dont have the excitement to draw people (including myself) up to the Dee. The enviroment is flat, the program is flat, and weber state as a whole has gone flat.