You may be pleased to know that there have been ticket deals in the Rogers Park/Edgewater coupon book mailers this year. Also, the band from Senn HS filled in earlier this month for the game that was just at the end of winter break.

I agree with you that drawing crowds will make the games more fun. In fact, I think the media timeouts have been better this year, as has the music volume and the overall production value. Halftime entertainment doesn't bother me that much. I can find better things to do for 10 minutes than sit in my seat staring at the court.

The student thing is funny. There was a good turnout for Bradley when they gave away priority housing slots for next year. But 90% of those students didn't make a peep the entire game.

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Thoughtful post, JCT. I agree that how to pay for a hot dog or getting more accomplished Star Spangled Banner singers is nonsensical trivia that doesn't address the big issue of attendance, but I'm not as sanguine as you seem to be that the drop in attendance can be reversed simply by better promotion.

I honestly think that the drop in attendance is part of a broad sociological phenomenon that was first brought to light in 2000 with the publication of Bowling Alone.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowling_Alone

This book discusses the reduction of all forms of in-person social intercourse in America, using the decline in the number bowling leagues as a metaphor. It proposes that this decline as largely the result of the internet and television that allows people to technologically "individualize" their leisure time. I think this phenomenon has only sped up since 2000 with the smart phone becoming ubiquitous.
The decline in college basketball is not limited to Loyola. If you read the other MVC message boards you see it's an issue with them too. (Even the Shocker board complains about low student attendance).

I don't know what the solution is, if there even is one. I am not optimistic that we will ever return to filling the stadium with fans. It might just be the same old diehards, with the rest living their individual virtual lives.

agree there are reasons that students and fans dont come to our games that are related to how people relate and how they have become used to being entertained. Also it strikes me that we have become used to creating our own specific environments. Also I am guessing that less and less people experience live entertainment of any sort...so it is not ingrained or familiar. So you have to start by understanding that the reasons people come to games has changed. I think it has to go beyond being a spectator experience...I can have a better one at home on the coach with whatever snacks I want etc....and do not have to worry about any of the amenities (food bathroom , cash/charge etc) So how do I make that live experience better than the other that I can get at home? I would say one is focus on fan participation over fan spectatorship. I can not be involved with other people at home so how do I maximize that? I think they are on the correct path with things like QUinlan Business School Day etc....I would keep targeting these smaller groups...class reunions ....team reunions ( I am attending one this Saturday) These people might enjoy the experience and come back with people from these groups...but the experience has to be a goodone...bit of a catch-22 Instead of us watching cheers ...have us involved somehow....cross side cheers....like ILL INI etc... INclude discounts at local restaurants with a ticket,,,win/win..... keep these ideas coming...why do you come to games and how do we build on that?

Hey RamblerMania- I am a frequent reader/rare poster. This one particularly stuck out to me as I am currently a junior and would love to see the LUC basketball atmosphere improve.

1. Marketing- Yes the athletics department has enhanced there marketing campaign outside of the campus (flyers, boards, neighborhood days) but around campus much improvement is needed. Lots of teams other classmates do not know if/when there is a gameday. Lack of knowledge can be fixed. Athletics started sending out a few emails but I would encourage weekly or gameday emails with all the sports happenings. Along with that the themed nights seemed to be attractive for students which could help bring in consistent attendance. It is a tough market when there are so many other enjoyable things to do in Chicago for a college student...winning would not be the only answer.

2a. Student Section- Every year Porter gives a little pep talk to students at Loyola Madness and I feel bad for the guy because rarely does that first student attendance come back. I have attended the majority of home games during my time and NO ONE STANDS! That whole side of Gentile could be drastically louder and more intimidating if cheering, taunting, STANDING were active. It honestly feels like a high school game when all of us students are seating. LU Wolf does a lame attempt of pumping up the student section and it never works.

2b. Fan Group- This was mentioned a little by JCT but a small group of loyola student fan build a community for these events. A few years ago they had a group named the Rambler Rowdies but that really fizzled out because they did not organize much. Pregame/postgame events could be hosted by students for students in Irelands or the Damen Den. Even away games could be watched and organized by such a group. This would be a start and would help build a network to spread the word about LUBBall.

3. Irelands- Athletics should partner with Loyola Limited (who runs Irelands) to start some sort of deal on gamedays..if you show your ticket you received half price Beer or something. Along with that they need to publicize away games too to be shown in Irelands.

4. Giveaways- Giveaways or free food do attract some students but rarely does it make them stay. Would work for new fans or new promo/marketing but somehow athletics needs to find a way to make students attend the whole game. Lately they have added the housing lottery which I like. The giveaway for the games at timeouts or half times are literal coupons for one cookie that is usually crumbled up.

5. Social Media/Twitter- Social media would be a great way to better engage students and other fans. We could create a hashtag (#LUBBall, #blers, #LUCBBall) and Pat Schultz could make an announce to use that or tweet pictures of the game there... best picture gets a price. Even mention RamblerMania quick once if possible- "Continue the action after the game on Ramblers fan forum Ramblermania.net".

6. Scarfs- Someone mentioned this in a previous post but those scarves could become a trend. Maybe make them slightly more fashionable for students to wear and give them away at orientation, move in day, Loyola Madness, etc. The student section and arena at large would look awesome with those scarves everywhere.

Just a couple thoughts from a student perspective but I have plenty more and would love to see this change. Let me know what the rest of RamblerMania thinks. Message me.

GO BLERS BEAT BEARS!

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I think that reducing prices to get people in the building will fix a lot. I took advantage of the offer for the Missouri State game and we will be there Saturday for SIU because of the reduced ticket prices.
I would expect attendance at the next few home games to be much improved because of the cheaper tickets.
To create a better experience I would like to see a better merchandise setup (maybe open store in student union on game days), promote Ireland's better as a pre/post game option, and definitely need to have concessions accept credit cards.
Certainly spicing up the in game experience would be great, but my experience has always been that a hearty Loyola crowd always can create its own excitement and entertainment!

Thanks for a great post, Ricer!

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I also think the tickets are too expensive for the casual fan. I would propose something like $25 for the lower sidelines and $15 for the upper sidelines and lower end zone (or $10 for the end zone). I think the GA section should always be $5.

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keep em coming . Im writing as fast as I can......I also like the idea of really cheap tickets for groups. They ahd the four pack this year.....but how bout 4 to 6 10 bucks......over 6 six bucks or something so that people come with other people and have some fun.