Mark Schlemer's comments about WSU
Jan 5, 2011 18:28:42 GMT -5
Post by mrose on Jan 5, 2011 18:28:42 GMT -5
RaiderNutt, your post (which I agree with) raises some questions.
As a loyal fan it is sort of embarrassing to see so few at the Nutter Center. The question has been asked many times, why doesn't WSU have higher attendance numbers? I know the reasons everyone throws out (i.e., schedule, parking, time of day, wrong day, Bombers Hockey, etc.), but those are excuses.
15 years ago, or so, Raider basketball had momentum with the community--it was growing. It doesn't have that anymore. Now, the actual product--practice facilities, caliber of recruits and players--has regained its forward progress over the past several years and I think we're in very good hands with Donlon.
But the question remains, why did the program lose support of the Miami Valley? I can't believe all the momentum was lost with the firing of an iconic coach and the subsequent off-years. Maybe that's the simple answer, but I have a hard time believing that...
It seems to me the fan base has shrunk significantly over the years--probably due to attrition of the casual fan. Why? If you go over to the other board and read past comments it was due to the DDN's bias. Now, I'm certainly no fan of the DDN and there are many instances where they could've done a much better job covering Raider basketball, but that isn't the root cause for lower attendance....
Certainly winning has a lot to do with putting more butts in seats. But 4 seasons of 20+ wins has done little to bring the casual fan back to the Nutter Center. Why? Does it take 10 years? 15 years? Butler had been a successfully rising program for 15+ years and even last year their attendace was lacking for a top 10 or top 20 team. After a run to the title game they have finally seen their attendance numbers increase for games against other "mid-major" programs. Will those levels be sustained, or will it take another deep run in the NCAA??
I know people will disagree with me, but part of the issue with the Nutter Center being a "dud" during games is the lack of students. If my memory serves me right, back in the 90's there were a heck of a lot more students attending games than now. Again, why? The schedule wasn't as good then as it is now (based on RPI). Parking was just as bad. Commuter School? There's more student housing now than back then. A couple of years ago I taught some seniors, in business, and they followed UD by either going to the games (one student had season tix via his parents) or watching them on channel 7. None of them had EVER gone to a Wright State game at the Nutter Center. I didn't say anything, but did wonder, Where's the school pride? How 'bout a sense of community and going to the game then out to the Pub afterwards? Unfortunately, that seems to be non existent with today's kids...they're more into themselves via their blackberry.
Is media coverage a problem? Well, possibly. In certain parts of the Miami Valley WONE is hard to receive, depending on the time of day. Perhaps a switch to its sister station 107.7 FM should be looked at. Area coverage would improve immensely. I remember back in the 80's WPDT, channel 16, actually broadcast a few games. When's the last time a local TV station broadcast a game? Don't count WWRD as a station broadcasting games. That's simply the Horizon League Network that is available to a small segment of the Miami Valley. Is "broadcasting" games on the HLN keeping folks away? I doubt it and what few do choose to stay at home to watch on the internet is probably miniscule. I agree with Big D and the model needs to change. I understand the logic of free access as it's chalked up to marketing the product. But, seriously, this needs to be looked at as a source of revenue and not as a marketing tool.
Somehow we need to get the support of more alumni and by having access to "better" media outlets would help. Maybe a partnership (WSU would help offset the costs) with WDTN sports broadcasting games on channel 26 WBTD would be something to look at. Those stations already have an agreement for news so a few select games would be doable. Also, Valpo and the Chicago schools have select games broadcast on Lake Shore Sports. That's the regional PBS stations in and around Chicagoland. I'm not sure if Jack Pohl could be the equal of Mike Hartsock, but certainly sharing LSS resources and spliting costs 3 or more ways is something to explore. In addition, Milwaukee has Time Warner Cable air several of their games too...So the game at UW-M could possibly be shown back here.
That's it...I'm off my soap box.
As a loyal fan it is sort of embarrassing to see so few at the Nutter Center. The question has been asked many times, why doesn't WSU have higher attendance numbers? I know the reasons everyone throws out (i.e., schedule, parking, time of day, wrong day, Bombers Hockey, etc.), but those are excuses.
15 years ago, or so, Raider basketball had momentum with the community--it was growing. It doesn't have that anymore. Now, the actual product--practice facilities, caliber of recruits and players--has regained its forward progress over the past several years and I think we're in very good hands with Donlon.
But the question remains, why did the program lose support of the Miami Valley? I can't believe all the momentum was lost with the firing of an iconic coach and the subsequent off-years. Maybe that's the simple answer, but I have a hard time believing that...
It seems to me the fan base has shrunk significantly over the years--probably due to attrition of the casual fan. Why? If you go over to the other board and read past comments it was due to the DDN's bias. Now, I'm certainly no fan of the DDN and there are many instances where they could've done a much better job covering Raider basketball, but that isn't the root cause for lower attendance....
Certainly winning has a lot to do with putting more butts in seats. But 4 seasons of 20+ wins has done little to bring the casual fan back to the Nutter Center. Why? Does it take 10 years? 15 years? Butler had been a successfully rising program for 15+ years and even last year their attendace was lacking for a top 10 or top 20 team. After a run to the title game they have finally seen their attendance numbers increase for games against other "mid-major" programs. Will those levels be sustained, or will it take another deep run in the NCAA??
I know people will disagree with me, but part of the issue with the Nutter Center being a "dud" during games is the lack of students. If my memory serves me right, back in the 90's there were a heck of a lot more students attending games than now. Again, why? The schedule wasn't as good then as it is now (based on RPI). Parking was just as bad. Commuter School? There's more student housing now than back then. A couple of years ago I taught some seniors, in business, and they followed UD by either going to the games (one student had season tix via his parents) or watching them on channel 7. None of them had EVER gone to a Wright State game at the Nutter Center. I didn't say anything, but did wonder, Where's the school pride? How 'bout a sense of community and going to the game then out to the Pub afterwards? Unfortunately, that seems to be non existent with today's kids...they're more into themselves via their blackberry.
Is media coverage a problem? Well, possibly. In certain parts of the Miami Valley WONE is hard to receive, depending on the time of day. Perhaps a switch to its sister station 107.7 FM should be looked at. Area coverage would improve immensely. I remember back in the 80's WPDT, channel 16, actually broadcast a few games. When's the last time a local TV station broadcast a game? Don't count WWRD as a station broadcasting games. That's simply the Horizon League Network that is available to a small segment of the Miami Valley. Is "broadcasting" games on the HLN keeping folks away? I doubt it and what few do choose to stay at home to watch on the internet is probably miniscule. I agree with Big D and the model needs to change. I understand the logic of free access as it's chalked up to marketing the product. But, seriously, this needs to be looked at as a source of revenue and not as a marketing tool.
Somehow we need to get the support of more alumni and by having access to "better" media outlets would help. Maybe a partnership (WSU would help offset the costs) with WDTN sports broadcasting games on channel 26 WBTD would be something to look at. Those stations already have an agreement for news so a few select games would be doable. Also, Valpo and the Chicago schools have select games broadcast on Lake Shore Sports. That's the regional PBS stations in and around Chicagoland. I'm not sure if Jack Pohl could be the equal of Mike Hartsock, but certainly sharing LSS resources and spliting costs 3 or more ways is something to explore. In addition, Milwaukee has Time Warner Cable air several of their games too...So the game at UW-M could possibly be shown back here.
That's it...I'm off my soap box.