It's like that in most of the huge arenas that I've seen when they aren't playing on the weekend or a marquee matchup. I also don't necessarily agree that we would have issues selling tickets in a larger venue. It would also help the atmosphere, there is no question the atmosphere was better prior to renovation and seat reductions. IMO, we have priced out too many people and have too many season ticket holders from out of the Gainesville area. I don't have an answer for baseball, that's just something that has never caught on with students here.
The population of NWA is roughly double the population of Alachua County (nevermind that it's half the size). Then throw in what percentage of season ticket holders actually live in NWA vs. Alachua County, and it's pretty clear to see why the numbers might be different even before you get to the amount of fun people have at the games. We need a flexible stadium design. 3,000 max for pre-conference non-premier games. 5,000 for any night game against a non-top 10 opponent. 10,000 for SEC weekend games. Things like that. Somehow get students to represent at least 2,000 in each of the configurations. Go GATORS! ,WESGATORS
There are different aspects of fan support. My primary concern is home atmosphere (even more than ticket sales)...just my preference as a fan, and it has a direct impact on how badly I want to attend a game. To me, neutral site games, postseason, and away games are a lesser concern and can/will only be addressed when the home atmosphere is something to write home about (financial support is obviously another concern, and less fun to talk about). The home atmosphere is most directly impacted by the level an existing team is at. The 2014 atmosphere were outstanding and easily the best since the mid-2000's. The place was frequently packed for SEC games. It was a stark contrast from the previous season in both attendance (real) and enthusiasm. To that extent, fan support is absolutely related to winning. Tickets were substantially cheaper in 2014 (we're not talking inflation, either). The student section was substantially larger and more energetic. And the cameras showed more people in the stands Remove prime seats from the O'DOME, make fans more comfortable, charge more for tickets, reduce student capacity, and play a lower quality of basketball and what should we expect from the fan support at home games? Go GATORS! ,WESGATORS
We need someone to force a Napier-esque culture change IN THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT to get the focus the program needs. We will not be successful at finding the best coaches, recruiting the best players or creating a compelling gameday atmosphere if we don't do something drastic. Look at what Coach Napier has done already to change the culture in football. You think he wouldn't get the camera's flipped if he thought it was important? Until the administration shows that they care about the basketball program, we will be playing from behind, no matter who our coach is. Make the changes and spend the money necessary and we have an opportunity to be consistently among the top 10-15 programs in the country.
Exactly. I really wish at a minimum we would tear out the chairbacks for the student section and put bleachers back in so we can fit more students down there and increase the energy level. It's not the same, and it never will be given the current design.
No doubt Ole Miss has a great baseball and to a lesser extent football culture. Baseball games and The Grove are pretty cool, certainly not typical. They have amazing support for a little town the size of Oxford. Having attended games there, I'd say it's a lot more about local support tho than the students. Of course, nothing else to do in the area. However, they also don't support basketball or the minor sports which they typically suck at. It's hard to find any schools that have consistently great fan support for more than one or two sports.
Biggest reason is when UF/UAA stopped allowing students to campout. There was a lot of bonding that took place in the campouts, and the game was such a huge payout relative to the "work" put in. Billy would frequently come by and deliver food. Students would get creative and develop their camping skills (thinking gaming consoles and other comfortable setups). I can only imagine now how it would involve TVs being set up to watch other basketball games...better yet, how about the UAA provide temporary outdoor TVs FOR The students. There are a million ways you could go with this, but the amount of impact getting rid of camping out had on the student section simply cannot be understated. If it's a UAA vs. UF issue, then the UAA should set up a system within the football stadium; maybe let the kids play on the field like back in some of the mid-90's campouts. To me, it is ridiculously hard to get this wrong. They flattened the student section; moved them further back from the court; installed chairbacks; reduced capacity...at what point do we question whether or not anybody affiliated with basketball actually cares about how much impact the student section has on the game? They are the single most important aspect of generating an awesome atmosphere (outside of, you know, the five guys on the court...but that's the thing, a great crowd feeds the team, and a great team feeds the crowd...in my view, our basketball program completely misses this concept or are otherwise unwilling to see it grow). Give me 1,500 students going nuts in the lower level, and I guarantee you that the entire atmosphere is one that folks will remember when they leave the game. How this isn't recognized and acted on is one of life's greatest mysteries. Forgot to mention @tupacbiff when he left, the remaining students were hopeless. Go GATORS! ,WESGATORS
Great post Brent. Seriously great post. Not many coaches who follow legends make it 7 years. I am fine with whatever happens. I like Mike enough that I will be fine if he returns, but I love the program enough that I will be thrilled if a new fresh voice elevates it. Regardless he has earned our forever respect.
Good point. The one that stung for me was when they stopped letting students bring in newspapers to "read" when the other teams was being introduced. That was good times. Yes, I am old.
I supported CMW for 7 years. Only after the Texas Southern game that I stopped caring about UF MBB. I never disrespected CMW. Well, scratch that. I did say I was done with this year's gators BB team because they suck. Does it make me a bad fan? Maybe. I think changes sometimes bring something good. Look at women's BB team. CMW has done some good things with the program. Like someone mentioned here. Not one reported bad news off the field issues. However, most gators like me want to see success on the field. I'm not even talking about winning NCs or SEC titles. Just want to be in contention with a week left in the regular season.
Thanks for a mature, accurate, yet sobering post that captures where Coach White and the program is at this point. He surely had some bad luck that he battled through with dignity and little bellyaching. He well knows every coach/program has streaks of injuries and all sorts of bad timing and events. I believe he would agree it may be best for him and the school to part ways. I think he gave it his best and, while disappointing, he need not look back. He can hold his head high and know he did the best he could do with what he had. Despite the vitriol against him, I would think most Gator fans would wish him well in his next journey. I would gladly shake his hand and wish him best of luck at his next stop. He certainly gets it and has to be so disappointed it didn’t work out. Often, job changes, while seemingly bewildering, end up better for both parties.
On topic but really mostly off topic ....I had a great time at that Kansas game in Vegas. You are correct in posts I’ve seen that UF fans were greatly out numbered. I was surprised since we were Coming off a national title. But I had fun regardless. I will admit the Kansas game was the only game of the tourney attended even though I had tickets to every day. And I even left early while down late and had to watch the overtime’s at the bar in the casino on the way out. I would go to Vegas for any sport UF plays there.
agreed, most of the sentiments expressed here have been fairly respectful imo. Coach White has been here seven years and the program has shown a clear trend of regression over the last five of those, with nothing we can point to as a real sign for potential improvement. it sucks that this is the way it's turning out because we all hoped for better, but the fact that more and more Gator fans are starting to call for a change in direction isn't unfair or mean, it's just the eventual and unavoidable consequence of the consistent inconsistency of UF hoops under the current leadership.
it was a damn good performance today right when we needed it most. I can't say I share your optimism, but I admire your tenacity, murph
Congrats to Coach White and the boys on a tremendous win today. I would love be proven wrong about him. Go Gators!
