Iup basketball

[Golden89]

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Anything particular that the athletic department did to boost attendance?

I got in to the topic in a little further detail a couple weeks back, but I think in large part they just really made it a goal over the past two years to get people in to the building -- meaning they focused on first-time fans to give it a try.

The product was good. The building is first-class. However, I think all D2 teams face that same issue -- they are still viewed as 'just D2' by many casual fans. If they could get people to come just once and see the quality of the games, the amenities, etc., ... they'd come back. To do this they started hosting every kind of night you can think of ... church night, Cub Scout Night, high school cheerleader night, etc. Slowly, the plan started to work. This is the first year ever that large numbers of high school kids are showing up on Saturday nights.

The KCAC game-day atmosphere also needed a total fresh start. They were playing to the old crowd way too much. This year they modernized the music and time-out entertainment. They moved the bar from basically a big closet out in to the entire concourse opposite the benches. Joe also will only play on Saturday night, which in itself is a big boost. The Hilton opening next door was a big factor, too. The restaurant and bar get packed before and after games. They've really made Saturday night an event more than a game. I think that's the single biggest item. This current stretch of 3,000+ for the past five games ... the atmosphere in there has been electric -- certainly better than many mid-major D1 programs. In fact, I'd go as far to say the crowd really played a big role in both the Slippery Rock blowout and Gannon win.

Lastly, and perhaps very important, is they really have a likable team this year. Those guys are the most popular kids on campus. Joe also has them all over town. They go to the elementary schools. They volunteer at church events. Not every team to come through here has been likable. A few in recent memory unfortunately come to mind. I don't know how long it will last but it's sure working right now. It's the polar opposite of the past couple years where they were just getting about 1,200 or so and a very lame crowd at that.

[Golden89]

IUP's average gate is now over 2,000 (2,031). That's up from 1,503 a year ago. That's a gigantic leap.

Joe's had 3,000+ for (5) straight home games. I'd venture to guess that may be a school record.


2019-20 - 2,031
2018-19 - 1,503
2017-18 - 1,133
2016-17 - 1,367
2015-16 - 1,364
2014-15 - 1,330
2013-14 - 2,090
2012-13 - 1,587
2011-12 - 1,435


Hard to say what this Edinboro game will get in the door on Wednesday night. It's a real big ladies' game. Joe's game not so much. The regular season finale next Saturday night with UPJ will get a huge crowd. The athletic department has done a great job getting more people inside the building this year.

Anything particular that the athletic department did to boost attendance?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP's average gate is now over 2,000 (2,031). That's up from 1,503 a year ago. That's a gigantic leap.

Joe's had 3,000+ for (5) straight home games. I'd venture to guess that may be a school record.


2019-20 - 2,031
2018-19 - 1,503
2017-18 - 1,133
2016-17 - 1,367
2015-16 - 1,364
2014-15 - 1,330
2013-14 - 2,090
2012-13 - 1,587
2011-12 - 1,435


Hard to say what this Edinboro game will get in the door on Wednesday night. It's a real big ladies' game. Joe's game not so much. The regular season finale next Saturday night with UPJ will get a huge crowd. The athletic department has done a great job getting more people inside the building this year.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Well, Joe should clearly have the top spot in tomorrow's first official Regional Rankings. Not so sure about Tom. Maybe.

Four games to go.

Edinboro
@ Seton Hill
@ Clarion
UPJ

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Three guys at 39 minutes tonight.


That's all.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

That was THE crew who you never want in a big game. Ever. Under any circumstances.

Those guys think the crowd is there to see them.

The late calls were just awful. All night. Both ways. One off them (the Italian) is just lost. He should be doing Jr. High girls games. The African American official on the crew is just a lost cause. And, the 'crew chief' wants his picture in the paper.

Across the board the officiating is so bad in the PSAC. This crew tonight, believe it or not, is actually one of the highest-graded. I get nobody in their right mind would actually want to officiate these games. Jefferson and Lombardi were as fired up tonight (at them) as I've ever seen. I just can't stand this new norm when the same crew lets one half play out like 1980s Saturday's Night Main Event and then the next half they call a foul every time somebody takes a breath.

[IUPTrackMan]

[IUPbigINDIANS]

They played well. Got a lot of calls and bounces. But, played well.

[Golden89]

How about Bravado Joe egging on the crowd tonight?


That was LOUD those last 10 minutes.

Malik's 2nd half ... ice.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I got the old heads around me standing and cheering the last 5 minutes!

Not easy to do.

[IUPalum]

I got the old heads around me standing and cheering the last 5 minutes!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

How about Bravado Joe egging on the crowd tonight?


That was LOUD those last 10 minutes.

Malik's 2nd half ... ice.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The suspects either left town or are in Carriage House.

If they are still here ... likely a matter of hours until they start turning on each other. Three's a crowd.

Armed robbery ... shot a kid in the neck. Hope that likely $50 was worth the next 30 years of their life. Morons.

[IUPalum]

The suspects either left town or are in Carriage House.