Ryan Attendance

[McRam]

Just wondering what everyone thinks about the attendance so far this year? Anyone have ideas on helping the team and Hurley by working to build attendance momentum? I believe that this is a big deal, recruits want to see enthusiasm and excitement, coaches want that excitement and the help in
wins and recognition-- etc

do the students still get free admission?

[Obadiah]

I checked the records and compared to the first four games of last year, attendance is up about 5,100 this season. But then again, last season was the pits for attendance.

[McRam]

Sorry guys, i completely missed "the mob" thread, which is probably where my subject belongs.

i still think that our collective experiences can offer suggestions that can help.

Let's get real world suggestions together and get to Thorr and see if WE can help!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ATPTourFan]

So far, many of the season tix aren't being utilized by those fans (very unfortunately).

I think the atmosphere would be much better if we could get the season tix holders to actually show up to some games. I give students credit for coming out in good numbers, all things considered.

Hopefully with another win or two in December, we can have a strong A10 season with some real excitement in the Ryan Center.

[twisted3829]

week day games the students have shown up thus far, all other are okay attendance

[EasyEdBrown]

The student attendance looked pretty poor on Saturday, which is why the place felt a little deader than the George Mason game.

So in terms of atmosphere, there have been 3 clunkers (Coast Guard obvisously, Loyola, and Vermont) and 2 decent games (Norfolk St and George Mason).

The next weekday game with the student's in session is George Washington, since I don't expect many students to show up vs. SMU in a couple weeks unless they beat PC.

Hopefully the team will have a nicer looking record by then, especially since GW is an extremely winnable game.

[twisted3829]

for some reason students don't show up on weekends, and the Loyola game was over Thanksgiving break (all students leave campus) so that shouldn't really count

[Rhody74]

As a renewed season ticket holder after an absence of 3-4 years, I've been a bit disappointed with the attendance so far. I missed the Vermont game but made sure I gave my tix to someone who would go. I thought the students were awesome at the George Mason game but was upset to see so many empty seats in the 200s. I don't know of any easy answers other than the obvious: win. We die hards see the obvious improvement and effort, but until the Ws start mounting, the casual fans won't pay as much attention.

[Blue Man]

The next weekday game with the student's in session is George Washington, since I don't expect many students to show up vs. SMU in a couple weeks unless they beat PC.

Hopefully the team will have a nicer looking record by then, especially since GW is an extremely winnable game.

I expect a pretty solid crowd for SMU regardless of what happens at PC...I think Larry Brown coming into Kingston will create a lot of buzz.

There's an opportunity for a lot of big things to happen between now and then: PC - you never know, but there are a few winnable games in between now and then. A lot can change in a month. The nice thing is there are a couple BIG opportunities to shock people and bring fans back - PC, SMU, @St Marys, @SLU. Plus there'll be 3 conference games before GW to make an impact.

The nice thing about having a guy like Hurley, is that I'm not looking at games as losses, but as opportunities to make a statement.

[section(105)]

Question, what, if anything, is done on campus to promote the games. Campus radio, Cigar features??

[Iggy1979]

I checked the records and compared to the first four games of last year, attendance is up about 5,100 this season. But then again, last season was the pits for attendance.

It could be better, but plus 5,100 is decent. Remember, while last year was a train wreck, we didn't know that it was going to be so attendance shouldn't have been affected four games in. Attendance dropped way off as the season went on. If that doesn't happen this year, then there will be a decent increase year over year.
Hurley's a smart guy. He knew the place wouldn't be full this year with this team.

[RF1]

Winning is the remedy to low attendance. I was able to get the attendance numbers from the URI web site for every season but the first since the Ryan Center opened. The far and away worst attendance average was last year at 3,829. It was certainly impacted by the team's win/loss record of 7-24. This season is not expected to yield a great record so I would not expect relatively high attendance numbers. My expectation is however that it will exceed last year's numbers and in my view this will be attributable to excitement from the Hurley hiring.

Winning is without a doubt the biggest single factor for attendance. I would then say that opponents and game days (weekends vs weeknights) also are contributors. Seasons with a PC home game always help the numbers since the game is always a near sellout.

Code: Select all

SEASON	  AVG 	GAMES	RECORD	COMMENT
2012-13	 4,210 	4	2-6	
2011-12	 3,829 	15	7-24	
2010-11	 4,537 	16	20-14	A10 H(1) CBI H(1)
2009-10	 5,227 	17	26-10	A10 H(1) NIT H(2)
2008-09	 5,300 	14	23-11	
2007-08	 5,915 	15	21-12	
2006-07	 4,486 	15	19-14	
2005-06	 4,760 	16	14-14	
2004-05	 4,659 	14	6-22	
2003-04	 5,751 	17	20-14	NIT H(1)
2002-03    5,658    17   19-12   A10 H(1) NIT H(2)

Added 02-03 Season Data - ATP

[Billyboy78]

Question, what, if anything, is done on campus to promote the games. Campus radio, Cigar features??

I would have flyers in all the dorms, in the dining halls, in the Union, etc. I would have several cheerleaders or members of the Mob, the Ram,or any students for that matter, walking the campus with electric megaphones announcing the game (make it known that it is free), 2 or 3 hours before gametime. A lot of the students don't know the players. Have a meet and greet type affair with the players encouraging students to come to games. There are a lot of things that could be done.

[RF1]

Attendance for college games in the notheast seems very much on the decline and this includes BCS conference teams as well. This region is a pro sports dominated area. Some other schools in the New England/NYC area:

Providence
5 games thus far for an average of 5,530 (DDC Cap: 12,400)
Lows: 4,307 Byrant, 4,596 Holy Cross

Boston College
3 games thus far for an average of 2,265 (Conte cap: 8,606)
Lows: FIU 2,811, Bryant 2,265, 3,102 Auburn

UConn
3 games this far for an average of 8,380 (Gampel cap: 10,167, XL Center cap: 16,294)
Low: 7,962 UVM (Gampel), 8,705 UNH (XL Center)

St. John's
5 games this far for an average of 4,151 (Carneseca cap: 5,602)
Lows: 3,506 Detroit, 4,003 FCGU, 4,030 Holy Cross, 4,314 NJIT, 4,902 South Carolina

UMass
2 games thus far for an average of 5,439 (Mullins cap: 9,493)
Low: 3,874 Harvard

[Billyboy78]

I agree that it is a pro sports dominated area. But, it has always been that way. The economy, I imagine, would have a lot to do with it. A lot of people, myself included, just don't have the money to go to a lot of games anymore. I'm only going to 3 games this year. That's why we really need to get the students there. It's free and it creates a great atmosphere. Getting the students to go to the games is a big part in rebuilding this program.

[ATPTourFan]

Here's the attendance for the Ryan Center's Opening Season, where seemingly everything went right for Rhody.

Code: Select all

Date            Team            Attendance      % Capacity  SRO
26-Nov-2002     USC             5785            76%	
4-Dec-2002      Kent State      3972            52%	
9-Dec-2002      Brown           4286            57%	
14-Dec-2002     Maine           4086            54%	
21-Dec-2002     Pittsburgh #4   8121            107%        550
31-Dec-2002     Central Conn St 3738            49%	
11-Jan-2003     Fordham         6087            80%	
19-Jan-2003     St. Joseph's    5916            78%	
22-Jan-2003     Temple          6461            85%	
5-Feb-2003      St. Bonaventure 5278            70%	
8-Feb-2003      Geo Washington  7076            93%	
12-Feb-2003     La Salle        4783            63%	
26-Feb-2003     Dayton #25      5903            78%	
2-Mar-2003      Massachusetts   7747            102%        176
10-Mar-2003     Duquesne (A10T) 3746            49%
19-Mar-2003     Seton Hall (NIT)5995            79%
24-Mar-2003     Temple (NIT)    7214            95%
                        Summary 96,194          75%	
               Per Game Average 5,658		

Note Ryan Center Capacity was 7571

[RF1]

ATP - there were two NIT games at the Ryan Center in 2002-03. the first was the big comeback with Dawan three against Seton Hall. The 2nd was the loss to Chaney's Temple.

[Billyboy78]

Here's the attendance for the Ryan Center's Opening Season, where seemingly everything went right for Rhody.

Code: Select all

Date            Team            Attendance      % Capacity  SRO
26-Nov-2002     USC             5785            76%	
4-Dec-2002      Kent State      3972            52%	
9-Dec-2002      Brown           4286            57%	
14-Dec-2002     Maine           4086            54%	
21-Dec-2002     Pittsburgh #4   8121            107%        550
31-Dec-2002     Central Conn St 3738            49%	
11-Jan-2003     Fordham         6087            80%	
19-Jan-2003     St. Joseph's    5916            78%	
22-Jan-2003     Temple          6461            85%	
5-Feb-2003      St. Bonaventure 5278            70%	
8-Feb-2003      Geo Washington  7076            93%	
12-Feb-2003     La Salle        4783            63%	
26-Feb-2003     Dayton #25      5903            78%	
2-Mar-2003      Massachusetts   7747            102%        176
10-Mar-2003     Duquesne (A10T) 3746            49%
19-Mar-2003     Seton Hall (NIT)5995            79%
24-Mar-2003     Temple (NIT)    7214            95%
                        Summary 96,194          75%	
               Per Game Average 5,658		

Note Ryan Center Capacity was 7571

Wow, over 6000 for the Fordham game, and that is during Christmas break with the students not on campus.

[ATPTourFan]

ATP - there were two NIT games at the Ryan Center in 2002-03. the first was the big comeback with Dawan three against Seton Hall. The 2nd was the loss to Chaney's Temple.

Yeah, my bad. Got distracted and forgot to add Temple. Let me fix it...

[Rhody Guy]

Sell BEER!!!!!!!

[STC]

Sell BEER!!!!!!!

Bingo.

[jcru]

I'll tell you what, beer might be the only thing that might sell at the Ryan for the prices they charge. I passed by the concessions, it's nuts what they want. I miss the prices at Keaney, you could get a slice of Ronzio and a Pepsi for less than any one item on the menu these days.

In future years, attendence will go up, I'm sure of it, IF Hurley stays that is.

[Rhode_Island_Red]

It's simple: win and the world wins with you, lose and you lose alone.

[ATPTourFan]

It's simple: win and the world wins with you, lose and you lose alone.

Can I quote you on that, Red?

[EasyEdBrown]

for some reason students don't show up on weekends, and the Loyola game was over Thanksgiving break (all students leave campus) so that shouldn't really count

Why? 50% of the student body is from Rhode Island. More than 400 can't make the drive?

I used to come from Massachusetts during breaks.

[Billyboy78]

for some reason students don't show up on weekends, and the Loyola game was over Thanksgiving break (all students leave campus) so that shouldn't really count

Why? 50% of the student body is from Rhode Island. More than 400 can't make the drive?

I used to come from Massachusetts during breaks.

If kids aren't going to walk down to the RC from their dorms, they certainly aren't going to drive there from home.

[Billyboy78]

for some reason students don't show up on weekends, and the Loyola game was over Thanksgiving break (all students leave campus) so that shouldn't really count

Why? 50% of the student body is from Rhode Island. More than 400 can't make the drive?

I used to come from Massachusetts during breaks.

If kids aren't going to walk down to the RC from their dorms, they certainly aren't going to drive there from home.

This got me thinking....how many students currently live on campus?

[EasyEdBrown]

for some reason students don't show up on weekends, and the Loyola game was over Thanksgiving break (all students leave campus) so that shouldn't really count

Why? 50% of the student body is from Rhode Island. More than 400 can't make the drive?

I used to come from Massachusetts during breaks.

If kids aren't going to walk down to the RC from their dorms, they certainly aren't going to drive there from home.

That's what I'm saying. Why make excuses for the students?

Why shouldn't the Loyola game count as a point for poor atmosphere and student apathy?

[RF1]

This got me thinking....how many students currently live on campus?

I believe that I read somehwere that URI can now house about 50% of its undergraduate enrollment in campus housing. If I am not mistaken, that would equate to about 7,000.

Keep in mind that URI's total enrollment has risen quite a bit in the last 10-15 years and several new dorms have opened in the last five years (inlcuding one a few weeks ago on the site of the terrace).

[Obadiah]

Iggy, you would think that would be the case last year, but the fact is that the first four games last year showed poor attendance with two of the games producing crowds of less than 3,000 for a regular season game, a first in Ryan Center's history. The Loyola game as bad as it was on attendance was better than all first four of last season. Actually attendance improved as last season went along.

[rodfromcranston]

I recall, even when Harrick got here, the early attendence
wasn't capacity.
I think after the New Year, when there is less to do, as opposed to Thanksgiving thru Christmas,
people will show up.
Plus, the poor start hasn't helped.
If we win Thursday, fairweather fans will start to jump on the bandwagon.

[Rhody4324]

As a student, and a huge hoops fan, I can say that one of the biggest problems for students is that very few have any hoops knowledge. I mean...people have asked me if the team is division 1!!!

The players live together in one of the newer dorms on a floor that is all athletes. The team (players, coaches, etc.) need to find a way to assimilate more into the campus community so that the student body feels that they know the players. I live in the same building as the team and have a good relationship with a couple of the guys, but for most students they view the team as separate from the university. The school has to find a way to bridge that gap and allow the student body to feel like they have more of an ownership in the team.

Also I've heard winning helps quite a bit.

[rodfromcranston]

Imagine the gap at Kentucky, and yet the students manage to show up for decades.

[section(105)]

If that disconnect exists between the team and the rest of the campus, and probably the campus life, then changing that culture is also needed, and the Athletic Dept must come up with a strategy to address that; if there gonna get serious about creating a real home court advantage. How do other hoop programs address that disconnect, yes winning will hlep, some some of the mid-majors must have similar living arragements for its athletes?

[SGreenwell]

Imagine the gap at Kentucky, and yet the students manage to show up for decades.

Crowds are amazingly savvy, at least when it comes to buying decisions. It's why even during the Baron years, with the superficially good winning records, you still didn't have the arena filled. In college hoops, you need sustained winning and NCAA appearances to get casual fans, and if you win long enough, the casual fans turn into diehards.

[SGreenwell]

If that disconnect exists between the team and the rest of the campus, and probably the campus life, then changing that culture is also needed, and the Athletic Dept must come up with a strategy to address that; if there gonna get serious about creating a real home court advantage. How do other hoop programs address that disconnect, yes winning will hlep, some some of the mid-majors must have similar living arragements for its athletes?

Pretty much every school that's a significant power at basketball has separate dorms or athletic dorms at this point, I believe. Although from a quick Google, you're not allowed to have any dorm be more than 50 percent athletes, it's probably easy enough to just put an entire team together in one dorm and not tip over that number.

[RIFan]

I was not a college basketball fan before I arrived at URI and had little interest in the team until one day I was reading a USA Today and came across the Sagarin Ratings, which had us in the 40's ahead of many big name teams that I did know of. That's when it dawned on me that we played at a high level and were successful. I also remember trying to drum up interest with my friends to start going to the games and I was often rebuffed. They would say even though we had a great record we didn't play anybody and we would get killed if we played a team from...(pick your big time conference).

When we start getting good again...they should start advertising our RPI (if we are not in the top 25), our opponents (if they are good but not a household name), and our conference's rank. Then people might start to understand how good we, our competition and league are.

[ace]

An ESPN game or two wouldn't hurt.

[adam914]

An ESPN game or two wouldn't hurt.

This is exactly what I was going to say. Students will come out if they know the game is on ESPN and/or think there is a chance they could get on TV.

Good way to at least get them in the door that first time.

[Obadiah]

The attendance problem at URI is not rocket science. Besides winning, it's the attractiveness of the home slate that counts. A-10 games involve known teams and long time rivals with the game outcomes having some consequences, so the average attendance is always higher for these games than the OOC. As for the OOC we are hamstrung with getting good nationally known opponents to come to Ryan, but when we do, the crowds are big. If you look at every single season since Ryan opened, the biggest OOC crowds correlate with the quality of the opponent. PC, of course, is a rivalry game so the game is a draw. Pittsburgh, BC, De Paul etc. all drew well. The newness of the arena helped in the early years, but given that URI has not been to the NCAA in 14 years, the longest drought in the modern era, it will take winning to significantly boost attendance. For the Maines, Quinnipiacs, etc. to draw big Ryan crowds in the early season, URI has to be a preseason favorite and a Top 25 team.

[EasyEdBrown]

Did DePaul draw well? I seem to remember the building being fairly empty that game.

[Obadiah]

EasyEd, DePaul did not draw that well, about 4400, but my point was that quality, national OOC teams draw better than the BU's of the world and that 4400 was the best crowd of any OOC team that year. Four of the eight A-10 games widely outdrew DePaul that year.

[EasyEdBrown]

Ok, I thought my mind was going.

I'm still trying to figure out why I saw a 6 win team play 14 games that year.

[Rhody Guy]

The gap between the school and our team and Kentucky and their team is not apples to apples. Half of their team will end up playing in the NBA and making Millions. We haven't had a single NBA player since the late 90's. That is why their fans still come out in droves despite not having any connection to the team itself.

[Rhody Guy]

And people would rather come out and watch a team lose if they can drown their sorrows in a beer. Selling alcohol would also make for a louder crowd and more significant home court advantage.

[URIGONZO]

Pittsburgh game the first year of RC will never be topped. They stopped allowing Standing Room Only after the station fire that winter.

[ATPTourFan]

Good ole' 8121 that night. 550 SRO tix sold. Just amazing. I had to park half way up Flagg Rd.

That was before they expanded the primary Ryan Center/Commuter lot. Looks like they're about to expand it again. Anyone know what they're up to with all that construction down there?

[twisted3829]

I'm assuming a larger parking lot since they are losing the Chaffee parking lot to the new chemistry building

[ATPTourFan]

Ah! I didn't get the connection to the Chafee lot. Makes perfect sense.

I hope they'll need all those extra spots for all the future sell-outs at the Ryan Center we anticipate.

[rodfromcranston]

No to beer!
If people need to get tuned up for a basketball game, stay home.
I don't feel like sitting near some obnoxious drunks. This isn't Shaeffer Stadium,
it's a campus arena.
Now, speaking of the Ryan,
the woman's game tomorrow is a free admission game.
It would be nice to come out and support the women's basketball program.
I'm taking the three females in my home. Hey, big spender, here!