RI Independent: Empty Seats at Ryan Center Spoke Volumes

[ATPTourFan]

If you build it...

Posted: Thursday, October 25, 2012 11:00 am | Updated: 12:59 pm, Thu Oct 25, 2012.

By Bill Koch, Staff Writer

KINGSTON — Empty seats at an athletic venue have a certain way of speaking volumes.

The University of Rhode Island athletic department heard the message loud and clear at the Ryan Center during the 2011-12 men’s basketball season. Anger and frustration over several near postseason misses under head coach Jim Baron had officially degenerated into apathy.

It seemed like a lifetime had passed since the Rams opened their on-campus facility with a thrilling 73-71 overtime victory against USC on Nov. 26, 2002, the sort of night that became far too infrequent by the time Baron was fired in March.

Read more at...

http://www.independentri.com/sports/art ... 10b00.html

[TruePoint]

How much do you think URI would have to pay Canisius to get Baron to bring his team to Kingston next fall? I will gladly chip into that fund.

Also, did anyone see that Billy was named a captain of the Griffs? Oi.

[reef]

No way he would ever play URI

[Ramblinrose]

It would never happen. One, Baron is suing URI. Two, it's no advantage to either party. Baron would be reminded of how he failed. And URI would get a game against a team it's expected to beat. If URI won, it would be expected. If URI lost, it would be considered embarrassing.
I agree with the story to a point, that the empty seats made a difference.
But the main factor was Baron was nearing the end of an extension to the level where URI could fire him and buy him out (which is now in litigation).

[TruePoint]

I was kidding to make a point. Thanks for the clarification, though.

[Rhody72]

I remember several here opining that giving up season tickets was not an appropriate way to express disappointment with the direction of the basketball program. The lesson here is do not accept mediocrity. I'll eat crow over my support for the Hurley hiring before I'll accept mediocrity.

[Ramblinrose]

Bottom line: If Baron still had five years on his contract, there would be no Hurley right now.

[ATPTourFan]

Timing was good for the fans, bad for Baron. Thankfully, Thorr found the resources to make a coaching change and Dan Hurley's services became available.

[TruePoint]

Rosie, we can always count on you for a befuddling non sequitur masquerading as wisdom.

[RAM67]

I thought that was 72's job?

[reef]

I dont even want to think if CFL had more yrs tacked on, good riddance he is Canisius problem now

[seanmc94]

72,

No crow to be eaten on the Hurley hire. On the remote chance he doesn't work out; NO ONE thinks this was anything less than a home run for URI

[reef]

Hopefully when we have sucsess in the Big Dance in a couple of yrs it will be a grand slam hr hire