TV markets by households:

Chicago: 3,493,000
Wichita: 451,000
Des Moines: 432,000
Springfield, MO: 422,000
Paducah KY (Carbondale): 393,000
Cedar Rapids: 346,000
Evansville: 292,000
Peoria/Bloomington: 248,000
Terre Haute: 145,000

Jus' sayin'... A mid single-digit percentage of Chicago's market is like getting 40-120% of the audience in other MVC markets.

I'm not sure it's small town vs big city mentality as much as it is superiority complex of an old conference having to stomach a new kid on the block. When Northern Iowa came into the MVC, much of the same crap was said about them. They proved themselves, and the critics shut up. We're also coming in at a time when a few schools like Bradley and SIU are at rock bottom vs contending for the NCAA and making sweet 16 runs less than 10 years ago. Now even the new kid that hasn't won much recently is beating them and they don't like it. Oh well.

This is mostly correct, although UNI still has critics because many feel that they can never really maintain a high level due to money and a smaller fan base. It's the same reason people still hate on Evansville and Drake would get more crap if they hadn't been in the conference longer than everyone else.

If Jacobson ever leaves, many feel UNI will struggle as they can't go out and buy a coach and with what they're able to pay, it'll be hard to retain most. I think that's why most Shocker fans have always looked to Bradley. They have a pretty good fan base, or did before they got historically bad, and have the potential to raise money and have success. They also don't have football sucking funds away from the basketball program. This is where there have been some wait and see types with you guys. And there are more than you think.

You guys play in a small gym and have smaller crowds than what many are used to. That at least gives a perception to some as small time. However, it's believed that there is money at Loyola that can and will be used to help the program move forward. That's definitely a positive. Moser isn't viewed as being a good coach by most in the Valley based off of what he didn't do at ISU. That hurt the perception some as well. You are located in Chicago which is a recruiting hotbed and a market that with some success, could really help grow the Loyola product. Another positive. But it's also so big that it would be easy for a school to get lost by the masses. Negative. And yes, the new kids on the block are going to take a beating from the masses. I'm not sure there was a school that was talked about that wouldn't have had plenty of naysayers outside of a Dayton which everyone knew wouldn't happen. Even the "more favorable" schools talked about in Murray State or ORU had plenty of detractors.

Personally, I know that my top three choices were Murray State, Belmont and Denver. MSU had a fair amount of sustained success and decent support. Could have received a boost from MVC membership. Belmont has had a fair amount of success, but is a private school in a big city with a lot going on. And there are questions of how they'd do when Byrd retires. Denver is a wealthy private school in a large city that has reportedly started investing in basketball. Not much different from Loyola in that regard, but to me, they put the MVC in a new area. Another reason I liked Belmont and would have loved Dayton if it were possible. I've always been a fan of the idea of growing the footprint and introducing Valley basketball to more people. I didn't feel that was really accomplished with your addition, but I have been able to see the potential you have as well after I did some research after you were added. I admit that I was a little disappointed when the news was first announced as it added yet another team in IL and did little to grow the Valley as there was already some press and a number of schools recruit the area.

Just a few of the things that I and others may have considered at one time or another. And I know some fans are totally hostile and without reason and will take years to accept you. Such is life.

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The Roundhouse

Here's another aspect regarding attendance.

In weekend conference games, Loyola averages 3202, and the lowest attendance was 2292 for Indiana State. In weeknight conference games the average is only 1720, and the highest was 2136 for SIU (lots of Chicago-area alumni). Second highest mid-week attendance was for a New Year's Eve day game (1888) against Bradley. The same pattern holds true for men's volleyball attendance. The top four men's volleyball attendance games last year prior to the NCAA tournament-- averaging 1186-- were all on Saturdays. This year's highest men's volleyball attendance game was 1762 on a Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, five of our eight home men's basketball conference games have been on Wednesdays. Obviously, something has to be done about those weeknight numbers. I don't know what-- making parking free for weeknight games along with a ticket? Moving weeknight start times to 8 p.m.? Having a more vigorous outreach and more affordable ticket prices for neighborhood area residents would almost certainly help.

I used to live within walking distance of campus and sometimes had trouble making 7 p.m. weeknight start times when leaving work at 5:30, especially when CTA was too crowded or backed up. I imagine that a lot of people who want to drive home from work first before attending games have to leave work at 4 p.m. or earlier. Ending mid-week games at 10 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. with a later start time would be a concern, but my guess is it would be a net plus. Getting home after a game is a lot easier than getting there during the later stages of the rush hour and/or leaving work early.

Good post, sub. Thanks

JCT, I know I have to hustle to get to 7 pm games from downtown, and I live about 1.5 miles from campus.

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MBB Scholarship Chart

We're not in Illinois, we're in Chicago.

Thanks for your level-headed and welcoming posts. One observation, I'd make. I don't doubt that Loyola sold itself partly on the basis of its promise to put more money into athletics, but I think you may be putting too much stock in that. The university has come back over the last 12 years from a dire financial situation and it is now healthy. But it is not wealthy. It was spending down a pretty good endowment at a time when the market was doing very well. There's a lot of debt associated with all the nice new buildings you see around campus, even if it's at very favorable interest rates. Like everywhere else, there are competing priorities and the unfavorable economic realities of higher education. Barring a major disaster, there won't be any backing away from whatever commitments were made to upgrade athletics, but it won't be eye-popping. Eventually, there has to be more revenue.

Folks,
I hate to say this, but it is true. The Chicago market (students , neighborhood folks, etc.) do not really care about Loyola opponents like Northern Iowa and even Wichita State. No matter what the rankings are. To us urban folks, these are not exciting foes. They are like ---blah---who cares --you bunch of hicks.... I wish them well, I guess, but they are certainly not a big draw in any way.

Former resident of the neighborhood - walked to games for many years. Only two games attended this year were Wichita and Northern Iowa to see high quality teams. Also, both those games were half price after LU home wins.

FYI - from the 48th Ward Alderman's weekly e-mail report:

"48th Ward Neighbors Day at Loyola Basketball

"On Saturday, Feb. 28 at 3:00pm, the Loyola University Men's Basketball Team will host the Missouri State Bears at the Gentile Arena, located at 6511 N. Winthrop. Loyola University has offered the 48th Ward community an opportunity to enjoy the Loyola NCAA Men's basketball experience for only $5 per ticket! Please click here and use the online promotion code Ward48 in the "Group Sales" box at the bottom of the page to take full advantage of this offer. This is a great opportunity to enjoy time with your neighbors and enjoy the exciting action of Loyola Rambler basketball. Any questions or if you need any assistance, please reach out to Brian Day, Ticket Manager at the Loyola Ticket Office at 773/ 508-9653."

1. 48th Ward Day.......Nice idea. Building new fan bases and new traditions. We had a tradition in the 60's......Saturday Double Headers were a huge draw...and Valley members Witchita State and Bradley were often part of the double bill. But those traditions are gone and once they are gone you have to start all over again and that is where we are. However 85,000 Alums in the Chicago Area. 6,000 students on Campus......Upgrading neighborhoods, Rogers Park as well as Edgewater and Andersonville. With the El Stop. This is doable to fill a 4000 seat arena. Just have to get the right guy with the right ideas and the commitment of the University.

2. Agree weekday nights in the winter are tough. R the start times dictated by the media?

3. I am guessing a factor in the Valley decision was the number of MVC alums in the Chicago area. It seems that visiting schools have been well represented at the games. Maybe the only time they see their team play for the year. Could also turn into an annual trip to Chicago.

4. Can we stop referring to anyone else in the MVC as hicks? Just makes us seem like hicks. There are a lot of great towns and areas in the Valley