2015-16 Home Attendance Prediction Summary

[NYGFan_Section208]

Let's be honest about this...student support so far THIS YEAR has been practically non-existent (yes, 'non-existent'). "Judging them" for not coming is pointless...after all the RC might be a long way away for some (insert 'eye-roll' here) and it would definitely help to have a nearby pub or two for congregating before/after games. No one wants a long commute, which is why we moved from CT to WK.

In any event, win Saturday, get off to a good start in conference play, GET RANKED....and they will come.
Call them fair weather if you want - I'm sure they don't care and neither do I - but put a "#" in front of "URI"...and they will come.

[RF1]

Attendance for Holy Cross was a disappointing 3,442. Average to date is now 4,291. Assuming a sellout on Saturday for PC, the average will rise to 4,852 through the first six home games. This would actually be lower (by 233) than last season at the six game mark as the average was 5,085. Using six games for analysis makes more sense as it would include the PC sellout whereas last year had the game 3 sellout vs Nebraska. This year's opponents through the first six games (with Valpo and PC) actually look better than their counterparts last season (which had non D1 Pace). With the the high expectations for the year and talk of increased advance ticket sales, it surprisingly has not really manifested itself at the gate yet.


RHODE ISLAND HOME ATTENDANCE 2015-16
OPPONENT | ATTENDANCE | TO DATE | AVERAGE
American | 5,089 | 5,089 | 5,089
Valparaiso | 4,881 | 9,970 | 4,985
Cleveland State | 4,721 | 14,691 | 4,897
Rider | 3,320 | 18,011 | 4,503
Holy Cross | 3,442 | 21,453 | 4,291
Providence | 7,657 | 29,110 | 4,852 * assuming sellout




RHODE ISLAND HOME ATTENDANCE 2014-15
OPPONENT | ATTENDANCE | TO DATE | AVERAGE
Pace | 4,210 | 4,210 | 4,210
UMass-Lowell | 4,320 | 8,530 | 4,265
Nebraska | 7,657 | 16,187 | 5,396
Delaware St | 4,613 | 20,800 | 5,200
Detroit | 4,694 | 25,494 | 5,099
Brown | 5,015 | 30,509 | 5,085

[NYGFan_Section208]

Get ranked...they will come...

[RF1]

Average attendance for URI home games is 4,855 through the first six games. This is 230 below last year's average (5,085) at this point. While I had hopes we might break the 6k average mark for the season before play started, I no longer have such illusions. Attendance is very much tied to winning and momentum. I unfortunately do not see this team gaining enough traction to get the needed casual fans to show. It may be a struggle to just match last year's average of 5,404 (which included the Iona NIT game).

RHODE ISLAND HOME ATTENDANCE 2015-16
OPPONENT | ATTENDANCE | TO DATE | AVERAGE
American | 5,089 | 5,089 | 5,089
Valparaiso | 4,881 | 9,970 | 4,985
Cleveland State | 4,721 | 14,691 | 4,897
Rider | 3,320 | 18,011 | 4,503
Holy Cross | 3,442 | 21,453 | 4,291
Providence | 7,678 | 29,131 | 4,855

RHODE ISLAND HOME ATTENDANCE 2014-15
OPPONENT | ATTENDANCE | TO DATE | AVERAGE
Pace | 4,210 | 4,210 | 4,210
UMass-Lowell | 4,320 | 8,530 | 4,265
Nebraska | 7,657 | 16,187 | 5,396
Delaware St | 4,613 | 20,800 | 5,200
Detroit | 4,694 | 25,494 | 5,099
Brown | 5,015 | 30,509 | 5,085
Fordham | 4,810 | 35,319 | 5,046
VCU | 6,011 | 41,330 | 5,166
LaSalle | 4,481 | 45,811 | 5,090
St Bonaventure | 5,312 | 51,123 | 5,112
GW | 7,097 | 58,220 | 5,293
St Louis | 5,314 | 63,534 | 5,295
UMass-Amherst | 7,118 | 70,652 | 5,435
Davidson | 6,050 | 76,702 | 5,479
St Joe's | 7,121 | 83,823 | 5,588
Iona (NIT) | 2,638 | 86,461 | 5,404

[Obadiah]

If attendance doesn't pick up significantly in the A-10 part of schedule, the winner of this contest may be the person who ranked # 95 with the lowest average game attendance prediction. Amazing!!

[RF1]

If attendance doesn't pick up significantly in the A-10 part of schedule, the winner of this contest may be the person who ranked # 95 with the lowest average game attendance prediction. Amazing!!

I think attendance is headed for a fall this season. We are likely looking at near 5k (+/-) which would be in the neighborhood of Jay's 5,048 prediction, the lowest estimated number for your contest. As I wrote elsewhere, I didn't see this coming a month ago. I actually had thought we could have the best year ever in the Ryan Center topping 6k. Based on the trend, that will certainly not be the case.

[SGreenwell]

Attendance is usually effected most by winning, but also, winning consistently and against quality programs. URI is 5-3, and while their losses are understandable given the injury to EC and the quality of the teams they've lost to (they don't have a "bad" loss), I don't think the eight-game sample so far this year has been conducive to ticket sales. If they can beat Nebraska, I think that gives them a good shot at a five-game win streak heading into conference play, which would also help when it comes to consumer interest.

I don't know. It's tough for me to get really riled up about the attendance, which I realize makes me a member of the minority on that aspect on this board. The team looks to be headed for the NCAA bubble, like last year's team was, and the attendance as a result projects to be at or slightly below last year's level. I think once the team does make an NCAA tournament, or is off the bubble and in the tournament, you'll see a good bump in attendance, but the effect might not be strong until the following season. (i.e. If Rhody goes from "last 8 out" to obviously in this year, you'll see a good boost to single game sales at the end of this year, but probably a nicer bump for the 2016-17 season.)

[RF1]

Attendance through the first seven home games:

RHODE ISLAND HOME ATTENDANCE 2015-16
OPPONENT | ATTENDANCE | TO DATE | AVERAGE
American | 5,089 | 5,089 | 5,089
Valparaiso | 4,881 | 9,970 | 4,985
Cleveland State | 4,721 | 14,691 | 4,897
Rider | 3,320 | 18,011 | 4,503
Holy Cross | 3,442 | 21,453 | 4,291
Providence | 7,678 | 29,131 | 4,855
Houston | 3,633 | 32,764 | 4,681


RHODE ISLAND HOME ATTENDANCE 2014-15
OPPONENT | ATTENDANCE | TO DATE | AVERAGE
Pace | 4,210 | 4,210 | 4,210
UMass-Lowell | 4,320 | 8,530 | 4,265
Nebraska | 7,657 | 16,187 | 5,396
Delaware St | 4,613 | 20,800 | 5,200
Detroit | 4,694 | 25,494 | 5,099
Brown | 5,015 | 30,509 | 5,085
Fordham | 4,810 | 35,319 | 5,046
VCU | 6,011 | 41,330 | 5,166
LaSalle | 4,481 | 45,811 | 5,090
St Bonaventure | 5,312 | 51,123 | 5,112
GW | 7,097 | 58,220 | 5,293
St Louis | 5,314 | 63,534 | 5,295
UMass-Amherst | 7,118 | 70,652 | 5,435
Davidson | 6,050 | 76,702 | 5,479
St Joe's | 7,121 | 83,823 | 5,588
Iona (NIT) | 2,638 | 86,461 | 5,404

[adam914]

I don't know. It's tough for me to get really riled up about the attendance, which I realize makes me a member of the minority on that aspect on this board. The team looks to be headed for the NCAA bubble, like last year's team was, and the attendance as a result projects to be at or slightly below last year's level. I think once the team does make an NCAA tournament, or is off the bubble and in the tournament, you'll see a good bump in attendance, but the effect might not be strong until the following season. (i.e. If Rhody goes from "last 8 out" to obviously in this year, you'll see a good boost to single game sales at the end of this year, but probably a nicer bump for the 2016-17 season.)

Put me in this camp as well. Honestly it drives me crazy that after every game nobody even talks about the game itself and instead its just pages of breaking down attendance figures. I also feel like people ignore the fact that this is not a URI problem alone. Attendance is down in many places, and in many sports.

[Billyboy78]

But why was it reported that there was a significant increase in season ticket sales? Where are those people?

[TruePoint]

I don't know. It's tough for me to get really riled up about the attendance, which I realize makes me a member of the minority on that aspect on this board. The team looks to be headed for the NCAA bubble, like last year's team was, and the attendance as a result projects to be at or slightly below last year's level. I think once the team does make an NCAA tournament, or is off the bubble and in the tournament, you'll see a good bump in attendance, but the effect might not be strong until the following season. (i.e. If Rhody goes from "last 8 out" to obviously in this year, you'll see a good boost to single game sales at the end of this year, but probably a nicer bump for the 2016-17 season.)

Put me in this camp as well. Honestly it drives me crazy that after every game nobody even talks about the game itself and instead its just pages of breaking down attendance figures. I also feel like people ignore the fact that this is not a URI problem alone. Attendance is down in many places, and in many sports.

I am with you guys also, but the reason why it is a topic is because the coach is almost as interested in it as some people on this board are. So because our fans really like and value our coach and fear him leaving town out of frustration over this issue, they are hyperfocused on it as a potential looming problem. My opinion is that I want fans to go to the game and show support for the coach, players and program overall - an engaged fan base is a healthy thing for a program to have. But I also think there are two things to keep in mind, which SG and Adam hit on: (1) attendance is not good across all of college basketball - there are exceptions and I'd like to become one of them, but we aren't an outlier right now; and (2) while the structure and talent level of the program has been drastically improved by Hurley, we still haven't really won anything on the level that would dramatically increase demand for tickets; the silver lining to that is that we also haven't won anything that would dramatically increase the demand for our coach yet, either. If we do become hugely successful on the court, I believe the dynamics here will shift quickly so that if Hurley then gets offers to leave URI, attendance at that point won't be the reason why he goes - by that time it will have improved. Just my sense.

[ramster]

TP, attendance has always been a frequently discussed subject even in the Barren years. Look even for this game posters were guessing over 5000, one guessed in the mid 3000 and was right.
Attendance is what it is.
And it is disappointing just as Donaldson said today
Freebies, two for ones. Good opponent,
Bottom line attendance is not good - no excuses, plain and simple disappointing and not good

[NYGFan_Section208]

I don't know. It's tough for me to get really riled up about the attendance, which I realize makes me a member of the minority on that aspect on this board. The team looks to be headed for the NCAA bubble, like last year's team was, and the attendance as a result projects to be at or slightly below last year's level. I think once the team does make an NCAA tournament, or is off the bubble and in the tournament, you'll see a good bump in attendance, but the effect might not be strong until the following season. (i.e. If Rhody goes from "last 8 out" to obviously in this year, you'll see a good boost to single game sales at the end of this year, but probably a nicer bump for the 2016-17 season.)

Put me in this camp as well. Honestly it drives me crazy that after every game nobody even talks about the game itself and instead its just pages of breaking down attendance figures. I also feel like people ignore the fact that this is not a URI problem alone. Attendance is down in many places, and in many sports.

I am with you guys also, but the reason why it is a topic is because the coach is almost as interested in it as some people on this board are. So because our fans really like and value our coach and fear him leaving town out of frustration over this issue, they are hyperfocused on it as a potential looming problem. My opinion is that I want fans to go to the game and show support for the coach, players and program overall - an engaged fan base is a healthy thing for a program to have. But I also think there are two things to keep in mind, which SG and Adam hit on: (1) attendance is not good across all of college basketball - there are exceptions and I'd like to become one of them, but we aren't an outlier right now; and (2) while the structure and talent level of the program has been drastically improved by Hurley, we still haven't really won anything on the level that would dramatically increase demand for tickets; the silver lining to that is that we also haven't won anything that would dramatically increase the demand for our coach yet, either. If we do become hugely successful on the court, I believe the dynamics here will shift quickly so that if Hurley then gets offers to leave URI, attendance at that point won't be the reason why he goes - by that time it will have improved. Just my sense.

Couldn't agree more with this statement: If we do become hugely successful on the court, I believe the dynamics here will shift quickly so that if Hurley then gets offers to leave URI, attendance at that point won't be the reason why he goes - by that time it will have improved.

Seems pretty simple...Be good enough to win the games that get the team "ranked", so people KNOW (not just think or hope) they are watching an NCAA tourney team...and they will come.

[RF1]

But why was it reported that there was a significant increase in season ticket sales? Where are those people?

As I wrote elsewhere, I think the increase in ticket sales was more for the mini plans than for the full season. The PC game was likely the first game for most mini plan subscribers so that will help some in later games. However as noted before, there are fewer attractive conference games this season and team is probably not as likely to get on a roll as it did last year. These factors will deter the causal fans from coming. They are the swing crowd that make or break attendance.

[adam914]

Seems pretty simple...Be good enough to win the games that get the team "ranked", so people KNOW (not just think or hope) they are watching an NCAA tourney team...and they will come.

Exactly, I totally agree with this part as well. It's not enough for the casual fan out there at this point. Rack up the W's and everything changes.

[Billyboy78]

But why was it reported that there was a significant increase in season ticket sales? Where are those people?

As I wrote elsewhere, I think the increase in ticket sales was more for the mini plans than for the full season. The PC game was likely the first game for most mini plan subscribers so that will help some in later games. However as noted before, there are fewer attractive conference games this season and team is probably not as likely to get on a roll as it did last year. These factors will deter the causal fans from coming. They are the swing crowd that make or break attendance.

I thought it was reported that the significant increase was for both minis and seasons.

[RhowdyRam02]

Like some others said, the marketing seems worse this year. The buy one get one was only advertised at the PC game and on their website. So it was a very passive promotional advertisement that was strictly targeted to the base, not people on the fence who might look to check out the team at a lower price.

Speaking of lower prices, it certainly seems time to lower the prices throughout the arena. We've detailed the areas that need to improve for attendance to improve. But when you're consistently only at the arena being half full all the time, your prices clearly are above market.

[NYGFan_Section208]

Like some others said, the marketing seems worse this year. The buy one get one was only advertised at the PC game and on their website. So it was a very passive promotional advertisement that was strictly targeted to the base, not people on the fence who might look to check out the team at a lower price.

Speaking of lower prices, it certainly seems time to lower the prices throughout the arena. We've detailed the areas that need to improve for attendance to improve. But when you're consistently only at the arena being half full all the time, your prices clearly are above market.

Wait...what? There's 'marketing'?

[SGreenwell]

Like some others said, the marketing seems worse this year. The buy one get one was only advertised at the PC game and on their website. So it was a very passive promotional advertisement that was strictly targeted to the base, not people on the fence who might look to check out the team at a lower price.

Speaking of lower prices, it certainly seems time to lower the prices throughout the arena. We've detailed the areas that need to improve for attendance to improve. But when you're consistently only at the arena being half full all the time, your prices clearly are above market.

I imagine they might not have laid out as much for marketing because they probably figured the team was going to be better. You don't have to spend as much on giveaways or discounted tickets when the team is good.

Likewise, I'm not really in favor of changing ticket prices midseason, since the most likely outcome is that you trade a couple hundred in ticket sales for upsetting fans who have already paid. Tickets for Iona are $14 to $21 at the two cheapest levels, and that's doesn't really strike me as cost prohibitive. Lowering ticket prices also sends a message that your product isn't worth as much, which I think it's still too early to do, since the team is 5-3 and not 0-8.

[RF1]

I don't think the ticket pricing is the problem. Lowering the ticket price is not going to get a lot more fans in the seats in my opinion. Raising prices further would likely reduce sales. The issue is the product and more importantly the excitement level. When the team is winning and building momentum, fans will show up. It becomes an event that people want to be at.

[Billyboy78]

Like some others said, the marketing seems worse this year. The buy one get one was only advertised at the PC game and on their website. So it was a very passive promotional advertisement that was strictly targeted to the base, not people on the fence who might look to check out the team at a lower price.

Speaking of lower prices, it certainly seems time to lower the prices throughout the arena. We've detailed the areas that need to improve for attendance to improve. But when you're consistently only at the arena being half full all the time, your prices clearly are above market.

I imagine they might not have laid out as much for marketing because they probably figured the team was going to be better. You don't have to spend as much on giveaways or discounted tickets when the team is good.

Likewise, I'm not really in favor of changing ticket prices midseason, since the most likely outcome is that you trade a couple hundred in ticket sales for upsetting fans who have already paid. Tickets for Iona are $14 to $21 at the two cheapest levels, and that's doesn't really strike me as cost prohibitive. Lowering ticket prices also sends a message that your product isn't worth as much, which I think it's still too early to do, since the team is 5-3 and not 0-8.

They already did. Last night was BOGO. So, essentially half price tickets. How do the people feel that paid full price for that game?

[NYGFan_Section208]

Like some others said, the marketing seems worse this year. The buy one get one was only advertised at the PC game and on their website. So it was a very passive promotional advertisement that was strictly targeted to the base, not people on the fence who might look to check out the team at a lower price.

Speaking of lower prices, it certainly seems time to lower the prices throughout the arena. We've detailed the areas that need to improve for attendance to improve. But when you're consistently only at the arena being half full all the time, your prices clearly are above market.

I imagine they might not have laid out as much for marketing because they probably figured the team was going to be better. You don't have to spend as much on giveaways or discounted tickets when the team is good.

Likewise, I'm not really in favor of changing ticket prices midseason, since the most likely outcome is that you trade a couple hundred in ticket sales for upsetting fans who have already paid. Tickets for Iona are $14 to $21 at the two cheapest levels, and that's doesn't really strike me as cost prohibitive. Lowering ticket prices also sends a message that your product isn't worth as much, which I think it's still too early to do, since the team is 5-3 and not 0-8.

They already did. Last night was BOGO. So, essentially half price tickets. How do the people feel that paid full price for that game?

Well...this is how THIS full-price payor (for two season tix) feels about the BOGO/half price tickets... I wish they had been able to sell a couple thousand more that way. Frankly, if they had given away another 2000, and those folks had shown up, that would have been awesome. I weighed the value, paid for my seats, get to sit where I chose, and find it a good value. And, whenever there's a good crowd there, the whole atmosphere is just better...I really don't care how they get there...

Run this promotion for the next game..."Free tickets to the first 2000 walkups"

[bressler3south]

American | 5,089 | 5,089 | 5,089
Valparaiso | 4,881 | 9,970 | 4,985

Opening night -- with Matthews in the lineup -- 66% capacity

Nationally televised, Let's Win One for the Gipper Game -- 63% capacity

Three years ago when the Athletic Department started jacking up the ticket prices, etc., most trumpeted how great it was, the progression and overall improvements would be there, the program would prosper, the team wins, fans will come.
Onward and Upward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hurley has delivered 8 wins to 14 wins to 23 wins.

How much more fucking rationalizing can you technocrats bleed from a computer?

As I wrote before, you might sell out the Ryan Center every game if and when URI wins a fucking NCAA Men's Basketball Championship.

The reason: Something won't be good enough, Dave from Davisville had too much chili for lunch, farted too much on his way to the game, had to turn around and listen to Steve and Don in the car;
Joe from Johnston lost his Smartphone yesterday, couldn't find his way to Kingston without GPS;
Walt from Westerly thought the fog was going to roll in around 9 p.m., he didn't want to risk traveling on 110 at night;
Chuck from Coventry had a date scheduled with Nancy from Narragansett, trying to relive their "Down the Line Days," and they got busted trying to smoke dope in the Mews' bathroom;
Oh, yeah, Steve from South Kingstown hates going to URI games, because he'd have to take his 6 kids and spend $900 for tickets, shirts, and four Del's, one hot dog and 3 slices of soggy pizza. Nah, he won't even tell them about the game, plus, he figures, why travel on 138 and get stuck in traffic for 15 minutes?
Greg from Greenwood won't go and have fun and relax and unwind at the game, because he's got to cook dinner, give two kids a bath -- at once (!) -- and he's just content to be tired.
The only place URI folks will attend is their own funerals.
Then again, Rick from Richmond will probably wait for the BOGO.

[TruePoint]

^this is some misguided nonsense

[SGreenwell]

As I wrote before, you might sell out the Ryan Center every game if and when URI wins a fucking NCAA Men's Basketball Championship.

This is how it works everywhere. Programs like UConn and Syracuse don't sell out every game, and they *have* recently won national championships. There are students at URI who were 1 or 2-years-old the last time the school played in an NCAA game. I think it's a concern when URI is squarely in the tournament field, and there still aren't people going to games... But we don't know if that will happen until it happens. The last time URI was ranked, the attendance was pretty good, if I recall correctly.

[bressler3south]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

You two guys read YOUR POSTS and the posts of the like-minded from three years ago. According to "The Plan," attendance should be much, much better than it is -- NCAA appearance or not.
Hurley has delivered on his promise of a better Program, a better team, better players, yearly improvement, etc.,
The Rationalizers have not delivered their end of the bargain.

[TruePoint]

Quote me if you want me to defend something I said. I'm not going to attempt to argue a point that you said I made. The bottom line is that it is all about winning. Attendance follows accomplishment, not the other way around as Jim Donaldson suggests. This goes back a couple of days, but I still have no idea what you think everyone said three years ago that has you all bent out of shape.

[SGreenwell]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

You two guys read YOUR POSTS and the posts of the like-minded from three years ago. According to "The Plan," attendance should be much, much better than it is -- NCAA appearance or not.
Hurley has delivered on his promise of a better Program, a better team, better players, yearly improvement, etc.,
The Rationalizers have not delivered their end of the bargain.

http://keaneyblue.com/viewtopic.php?p=10207#p10207

I realize I say this for any attendance issue, but... You need to win, to attract both the general public and to attract a broader group of people to the Rhody Mob. When the group is popular enough to attract a larger pool of candidates, you can weed out the students who just sit on their hands during games. Demand creates competition for the tickets, and makes it easier to mold the crowd how you want to, since an interested crowd is easier to control.

[sf2010]

With all the attendance talk going on in all the different threads I wasn't sure where to post this, but here seems most appropriate.

I remember as a student in 2009-10 having to wait in the freezing cold the morning of game days beginning at 6:00am to make sure I was able to get tickets. While winning is of course necessary, I don't believe that it would take back-to-back NCAAs before the crowds get large. What does need to happen as others have mentioned is to actually win a few of the big games and create situations where the team is playing meaningful games late in the season. Those teams in the late 2000s hadn't been to a tournament (obviously), but the buzz around the team was real until the inevitable Barren collapse, and the crowds (especially the students) turned out to see a team that was having success and playing meaningful games.

[ATPTourFan]

Yep. Baronville was a real thing at least on two separate occasions. Students sleeping outside in tents. I remember waiting outside some cold windy morning and Coach Baron brought out dozens of Dunkin Donuts coffee and munchkins.

[ATPTourFan]

Last night, in Providence, the #15th ranked team in the country with the best player in the country hosted a local ACC team. Was it a sell out? Nope. Close? Nope.

The Dunk was 2/3 filled.

It's about the opponent as much as it's about your own team.

Of course, it's credit to PC that their bad nights for attendance are larger than the capacity of our building, but that's not my point. It's that even with a #15 ranking, consecutive Dance appearances (and another almost locked in this year), and the best player in college hoops, it's just another night at the Dunk attendance wise in the Non-Conf season.

[NYGFan_Section208]

Last night, in Providence, the #15th ranked team in the country with the best player in the country hosted a local ACC team. Was it a sell out? Nope. Close? Nope.

The Dunk was 2/3 filled.

It's about the opponent as much as it's about your own team.

Of course, it's credit to PC that their bad nights for attendance are larger than the capacity of our building, but that's not my point. It's that even with a #15 ranking, consecutive Dance appearances (and another almost locked in this year), and the best player in college hoops, it's just another night at the Dunk attendance wise in the Non-Conf season.

---> 5K at the Ry (2/3 full) as "just another night" would be a big (BIG) upgrade... and if this team ever got ranked, that would be a slam dunk...

[TruePoint]

Last night, in Providence, the #15th ranked team in the country with the best player in the country hosted a local ACC team. Was it a sell out? Nope. Close? Nope.

The Dunk was 2/3 filled.

It's about the opponent as much as it's about your own team.

Of course, it's credit to PC that their bad nights for attendance are larger than the capacity of our building, but that's not my point. It's that even with a #15 ranking, consecutive Dance appearances (and another almost locked in this year), and the best player in college hoops, it's just another night at the Dunk attendance wise in the Non-Conf season.

---> 5K at the Ry (2/3 full) as "just another night" would be a big (BIG) upgrade... and if this team ever got ranked, that would be a slam dunk...

Right, but this was in no way their low-water mark for the year in terms of attendance.

[rodfromcranston]

I wonder about season tickets increasing.
I have pretty good seats and I have not had anyone
sit next to me all season and only one last year.
Maybe because Blue Man used to have my seats?
Yeah, yeah! THAT'S gotta be it!

[SGreenwell]

I wonder about season tickets increasing.
I have pretty good seats and I have not had anyone
sit next to me all season and only one last year.
Maybe because Blue Man used to have my seats?
Yeah, yeah! THAT'S gotta be it!

Like a lot of this stuff, it's tough, because you can't really verify until after the season is over. The university or someone involved in athletics can say they had an increase in season ticket sales, but it's not something that's really going to be on the radar of Bill Koch or William Geoghegan while the season is going on, or rise to the prominence of warranting a news side story.

[theblueram]

From the eyes of the peripheral fans, have we really changed? Not yet.

[rodfromcranston]

Sure, we know about the internal changes to the program.
However, the average casual fan, doesn't know or care about any of this.
They care about results on the court.
Winning cures all ills.

[TruePoint]

Sure, we know about the internal changes to the program.
However, the average casual fan, doesn't know or care about any of this.
They care about results on the court.
Winning cures all ills.

Yes! Exactly. The hope is that the internal changes eventually manifest in on-court success, which will bring in more fans. It isn't a magic bean. It takes some time. I know URI fans in particular are tired of hearing about "da prawcess" but there is some truth to it.

[Obadiah]

By accepting the process one continues to make excuses. You are either committed to excellence and being "better than the best" or not and those values always demand speed in all we do. Accepting the process is an acceptance of mediocrity.

[SGreenwell]

By accepting the process one continues to make excuses. You are either committed to excellence and being "better than the best" or not and those values always demand speed in all we do. Accepting the process is an acceptance of mediocrity.

I don't really like absolute statements like this, especially since lots of issues in the world are grey. I think it's important, in most aspects of life, to set incremental goals to hit. Whether we're talking the improvement of a basketball team, a municipal issue like reducing debt, or a personal goal like losing weight, success is easier to sustain when it is done incrementally. I don't think it's productive to say, "Better than best!", because what does that even mean? Should we be pissed that we're not Duke? That we're not a tournament team? That the building isn't 90+ percent full for every game?

To me, the URI basketball program is still making incremental gains. Even if they don't make the tournament this year, I think this year's team is better than last year's. If the attendance doesn't reflect that, so be it. If attendance craters, that's an issue, but if it's at, slightly above or slightly below last year's level, I don't think it matters much in the overall trajectory of the program. When it comes to attendance improvements, or personal player development, or program gains, the line is seldom linear. It's usually a bumpy up and down that averages out to "better" over time. We can't be afraid of a "process" because a previous coach used it as an excuse for a decade.

[Obadiah]

Sorry, but you are the one being an absolutist which is confirmed by your totally misinterpreting the meaning of better than the best and similar sentiments, all of which key to building to aspirational goals. You don't interpret my intent your way by making silly comment relative to Duke and then saying that is what I meant. The Ryan Center was built 11 years ago and maybe you're happy with the new floor and the ribbon board in those many years, but I think continuous improvement demands more and I'm not just talking about physical things. My thinking may differ from yours given I work in a large, world class corporation where global competition is an everyday focus. Incremental thinking lacks the important aspect of an overall perspective and using it rigidly leads to a comfort zone and being comfortable. That is never a prerequisite for excellence or building market share.

[bressler3south]

Wow, Obadiah, where did that come from? It's been nearly a week since an attendance post, and -- BOOM -- it's a pleasure to find someone else who is disgusted with excuses about excuses, which just deny the obvious: People love commitment, sorta.
P.S. Folks: There is no Lounge Conspiracy to talk about, well, to date....

[Billyboy78]

It should be an interesting crowd for Iona with the students gone for Christmas break.

[RhowdyRam02]

Sorry, but you are the one being an absolutist which is confirmed by your totally misinterpreting the meaning of better than the best and similar sentiments, all of which key to building to aspirational goals. You don't interpret my intent your way by making silly comment relative to Duke and then saying that is what I meant. The Ryan Center was built 11 years ago and maybe you're happy with the new floor and the ribbon board in those many years, but I think continuous improvement demands more and I'm not just talking about physical things. My thinking may differ from yours given I work in a large, world class corporation where global competition is an everyday focus. Incremental thinking lacks the important aspect of an overall perspective and using it rigidly leads to a comfort zone and being comfortable. That is never a prerequisite for excellence or building market share.

You're the one that said "better than the best". That sounds a whole lot like Duke and programs of that ilk. If that's not in reference to the Duke's of the college basketball world like sgreenwell said and I interpreted as well, then what is it in reference to?

[adam914]

It should be an interesting crowd for Iona with the students gone for Christmas break.

I'm sure there will be pages of posts dedicated to it in between the 10-15 posts about the actual game.

[Billyboy78]

It should be an interesting crowd for Iona with the students gone for Christmas break.

I'm sure there will be pages of posts dedicated to it in between the 10-15 posts about the actual game.

It's hugely important to our coach. That's why it's such an important topic.

[Obadiah]

Sorry, but I made a wrong assumption that people would understand my corporate lingo, my bad. By "better than the best", "continuous improvement", "zero defects", "stretch goals" and similar programs, the focus is challenging people to think out of the box, to develop a big picture view, etc. all based on the rationale that even if you don't reach your specific goal, you have achieved something much better than previous and you continue to build on that concept year after year. Forgot to mention benchmarking another key thought process in developing ideas as to where you are going. This is where you definitely look at the best models. Also, better than the best can be in reference to URI's peer level - public school, 16,000 students, playing in a high mid major conference.

Incrementalism looks at what you had the previous year and then decide what you can afford for the next year and if times are tough you even cut back. Incrementalism is the approach the State of Rhode Island has used in funding higher education and URI for the last 30 years. There is no conceptual thinking on what is the role of higher education, what do we want URI to become and what commitments are needed to get there. Incrementalism in Athletics gave us the NEC football move.

Also, did anyone read the Athletics Dept. Strategic plan issued sometime ago? It was one of the worst documents of its type that I have ever read - lots of motherhood, a focus on less important issues, no overall concept of where we are going, a confusion of strategy and tactics, no real concrete goals, no time line, etc. Other that that it was wonderful.

[CTRamfan]

"O", agreed on the "strategic plan".......My question, who was it intended for, and why?

Attendance is a problem this year........
I find it varies by year......the product......the marketing..........the apathetic fans.


This year I would blame the fans. I'll give them a few outs.
....The economy is still not the friend of middle America.
....The continued big game, squeaker losses" is disheartening. Just read the emotional responses on Keaney Blue.

[hrstrat57]

It should be an interesting crowd for Iona with the students gone for Christmas break.

There needs to be a massive ticket giveaway to local youth hoop leagues for this game.

Hopefully already underway ......

Good public relations and maybe sell a few snacks. I fear 2500 for this game otherwise!

[Billyboy78]

It should be an interesting crowd for Iona with the students gone for Christmas break.

There needs to be a massive ticket giveaway to local youth hoop leagues for this game.

Hopefully already underway ......

Good public relations and maybe sell a few snacks. I fear 2500 for this game otherwise!

They're selling the student seats for 10 bucks. They're also selling 4 packs of lower level seats for 60, which includes popcorn and some other item (can't remember that part).