Fan Support

[Soonerman]

You guys act like OU is the only school to have this problem. I think it's just a trend in sports in general, and not just limited to the college level.

And please, blame the attendance problem on the greek population?? Sounds like a bitter GDI to me...

 

[SoonerNima]

it all starts and ends with the students. LNC is 10 minutes from any spot around campus, they hand out free pizza and t-shirts, and there is at least 2 students a game that walk away with some sort of $100 gift card or prize.

there are more high school students at a norman/norman north high school game on a monday than OU students at an OU home game.

no disrespect to the 100 or so students that attend most of the games, but the rest of the school are bunch of lazy f*cks. pretty selfish if you ask me.
i guess the college experience has nothing to do with supporting your athletic teams.

if Blake griffin can't get students to the LNC, i'm not sure anything can.

24,000 ON CAMPUS students. OU is not a commuter school. if only 25% show up, that's 6000 fans in the stands. Kruger gets it. he understands that the typical fan can't drive from OKC/EDMOND every night. hell i spend more time in traffic to and from the LNC than i actually do watching the game.

i'm beating a dead horse, but you have 9000 every night if the students would give a sh*t...problem solved.

 

[campbest]

there are more high school students at a norman/norman north high school game on a monday than OU students at an OU home game.

no disrespect to the 100 or so students that attend most of the games, but the rest of the school are bunch of lazy f*cks. pretty selfish if you ask me.
i guess the college experience has nothing to do with supporting your athletic teams.

if Blake griffin can't get students to the LNC, i'm not sure anything can.

24,000 ON CAMPUS students. OU is not a commuter school. if only 25% show up, that's 6000 fans in the stands. Kruger gets it. he understands that the typical fan can't drive from OKC/EDMOND every night. hell i spend more time in traffic to and from the LNC than i actually do watching the game.

i'm beating a dead horse, but you have 9000 every night if the students would give a sh*t...problem solved.

Just going to assume you were drunk when you wrote this.

Never heard the term "selfish" to describe someone who chooses to not go to an athletic event. People can have any reason not to go, and you know what, that is their decision. Seriously, OU has been God awful the past few years and to the uninformed basketball fan (which is 90% of OU fans), this team hasn't done anything to change that. Until there are marks in the win column, things will stay the same. Sorry, but going to a crappy arena and not being entertained is not going to attract many students when there are a hundred other things to fill their time...whether they are legitimate or not is not up to you, even though it sounds like you think it is.

I agree the attendance is embarrassing but for people to sit on their high horse and talk down to donors, students, whomever about getting their ass to the LNC is pretty comical when this program has floundered in obscurity since 2009. The program hasn't done their part, why should the fanbase be held to a higher standard? That doesn't mean people like Sooner_in_MI shouldn't get out the good word and rejuvenate support, but results need to be taken in the proper context.

 

[quick release]

Just going to assume you were drunk when you wrote this.

Never heard the term "selfish" to describe someone who chooses to not go to an athletic event. People can have any reason not to go, and you know what, that is their decision. Seriously, OU has been God awful the past few years and to the uninformed basketball fan (which is 90% of OU fans), this team hasn't done anything to change that. Until there are marks in the win column, things will stay the same. Sorry, but going to a crappy arena and not being entertained is not going to attract many students when there are a hundred other things to fill their time...whether they are legitimate or not is not up to you, even though it sounds like you think it is.

I agree the attendance is embarrassing but for people to sit on their high horse and talk down to donors, students, whomever about getting their ass to the LNC is pretty comical when this program has floundered in obscurity since 2009. The program hasn't done their part, why should the fanbase be held to a higher standard? That doesn't mean people like Sooner_in_MI shouldn't get out the good word and rejuvenate support, but results need to be taken in the proper context.

I can certainly agree with all these points. However anyone who doesn't attend regularly because we aren't good just isn't a real fan. People like that are t-shirt fans in every sense.

 

[garyeb2]

I can certainly agree with all these points. However anyone who doesn't attend regularly because we aren't good just isn't a real fan. People like that are t-shirt fans in every sense.

Well, not every sense. What about the fans that have endowed a scholarship and would rather just watch on TV. Or just support the program in some other way like seson ticket purchases or some other donation.

Students,non students, former students, and no one for that matter is obligated to go to games. Game attendence is not a test for team or school loyalty.

Like it or not, OU is a football school. I prefer basketball. But, I'm in the minority. I personally know alot of people that have been lifelong supporters of the basketball program. Many of those people were so soured by the Capel experience, that their response when engaged, is if they want me back, they need to go beat somebody. That is a fair and reaonable responce from those that feel ailienated from the program. Joe C went against the wishes of many of the tip in club types when he hired Capel. And paybacks are hell.

All of that coupled with the fact that the OU program went off the rails about the same time the Thunder was starting to get good tells the tale. Kruger will get the job done. The program will be good again next year or the next or the next. Attendence will get better. But, the good old days of sold out rowdy LNC are probably not coming back.

 

[quick release]

Well, not every sense. What about the fans that have endowed a scholarship and would rather just watch on TV. Or just support the program in some other way like seson ticket purchases or some other donation.

Students,non students, former students, and no one for that matter is obligated to go to games. Game attendence is not a test for team or school loyalty.

Like it or not, OU is a football school. I prefer basketball. But, I'm in the minority. I personally know alot of people that have been lifelong supporters of the basketball program. Many of those people were so soured by the Capel experience, that their response when engaged, is if they want me back, they need to go beat somebody. That is a fair and reaonable responce from those that feel ailienated from the program. Joe C went against the wishes of many of the tip in club types when he hired Capel. And paybacks are hell.

All of that coupled with the fact that the OU program went off the rails about the same time the Thunder was starting to get good tells the tale. Kruger will get the job done. The program will be good again next year or the next or the next. Attendence will get better. But, the good old days of sold out rowdy LNC are probably not coming back.

I guess what i was going for is if you have the means to attend and you don't solely because they aren't good, than you aren't a true fan. the best way to support the team is to attend, and sitting at home watching the game on TV doesn't help out the program near as much. I guess your definition of a true fan is different than mine.

 

[campbest]

I can certainly agree with all these points. However anyone who doesn't attend regularly because we aren't good just isn't a real fan. People like that are t-shirt fans in every sense.

Which includes basically every sporting institution ever created.

 

[campbest]

Will add this...losing those games to Iowa State and Mizzou was HUGE for the momentum of this program and gaining back fan support. If you can't protect your home court and pick up a notable win that will have highlights played on every major sports channel, you are running an uphill battle. Have to capitalize.

 

[Smash Williams]

Back in the 70's, you had ABC, NBC and CBS...that was pretty much it! Now, you have hundreds of TV channels, internet, mobile media, etc, etc, etc to gather someone else's attention over an average (by OU standards) basketball team. OU

Good point. Too many people fail to recognize how much times have changed. If there were no smart phones, internet, cheap big-screen LED and plasma TVs, or digital cable, I'm sure more students would come to games instead of watching them on a grainy 13-inch TV. There are a lot more entertainment options now than there were when Billy Tubbs had the LNC rocking. The home viewing experience is light years better than it was 25 years ago.

College basketball has a lot more competition now, and quite frankly, it's an inferior product, on and off the court. Even when the Thunder were 3-29 and Blake Griffin was destroying college defenses, Thunder games were a far better all-around experience. The NBA's quality of play is obviously superior, but they also go out of their way to provide a quality entertainment experience for people who aren't basketball junkies. No matter the sport, the only way you fill up a venue is by attracting casual fans.

I've been to every OU home game this season, and for the most part, it's been a dull experience. I even saw a 20- or 30-something year-old woman sleeping at the Tech game. If OU had a better team, it would improve the live experience some, but it's more of a college basketball problem. Regular season college basketball lacks the type of drama that allows college football to compensate for its inferior quality of play (relative to the NFL).

I guess my point is that I completely understand why people don't go to games. It's not a great experience for myself, so I can only imagine what it's like for someone who is a casual fan.

 

[SoonerSpock]

I can certainly agree with all these points. However anyone who doesn't attend regularly because we aren't good just isn't a real fan. People like that are t-shirt fans in every sense.

As a 25 year season ticket holder the highlighted portion aptly describes OU's typical basketball fan. Nothing is going to significantly increase attendance other than wins.

Lon is taking the right approach to focus on incenting student attendance. It is the activity off the student body that is involved in the game that makes the game an event for all in attendance. They are the vehicle that motivates the crowd to get loud and truly enjoy the contest.

Combine wins with an involved student body and total attendance will increase 50-75%. Unfortunately one begets the other. Televised games and the Thunder probably prohibit having anything approaching full houses on any consistent basis for the foreseeable future.

 

[p230]

I and my family will be going to this weekends game. We just live too far away to make the many home games. Shoot with the kids playing ball we have missed all of them this year but we try to make the Tech game. Here is hoping we crush them this weekend!! It will be a long day of basketball for us with two kids games and one practice a Sooner win would just cap it all off.

 

[SoonerNima]

Just going to assume you were drunk when you wrote this.

Never heard the term "selfish" to describe someone who chooses to not go to an athletic event. People can have any reason not to go, and you know what, that is their decision. Seriously, OU has been God awful the past few years and to the uninformed basketball fan (which is 90% of OU fans), this team hasn't done anything to change that. Until there are marks in the win column, things will stay the same. Sorry, but going to a crappy arena and not being entertained is not going to attract many students when there are a hundred other things to fill their time...whether they are legitimate or not is not up to you, even though it sounds like you think it is.

I agree the attendance is embarrassing but for people to sit on their high horse and talk down to donors, students, whomever about getting their ass to the LNC is pretty comical when this program has floundered in obscurity since 2009. The program hasn't done their part, why should the fanbase be held to a higher standard? That doesn't mean people like Sooner_in_MI shouldn't get out the good word and rejuvenate support, but results need to be taken in the proper context.

not drunk...just making an observation based on MY definition of SELFISH...which to me means doing something for one's own personal interest over the group or someone else.

which pretty much defines your entire reply.

all I see is execuses for choosing one's own personal agenda over supporting the team.

it's one or the other. doesn't make anyone bad person, just IMO a crappy, and selfish fan.

support the team, get your butt in the seats...pretty simple.
why even wear an OU shirt...just get your degree and get out.
sorry if the truth hurts but our students feel like they deserve a product to show up...it should be the other way around.

 

[SoonerNima]

Will add this...losing those games to Iowa State and Mizzou was HUGE for the momentum of this program and gaining back fan support. If you can't protect your home court and pick up a notable win that will have highlights played on every major sports channel, you are running an uphill battle. Have to capitalize.

if they would have won...how many more students show up? 10, 20?

maybe if students show up to support those close losses become a victory.
ever heard of home court advantage.

OU is not a professional team. it shouldn't have to entertain...it shouldn't have to cater to the whim of the student body. the student body should have enough pride in their school to show up.


God Bless Coach on trying to get the students to the game. i just feel bad for him, the players, and my school, that individuals choose not to show up to the game.

by the way Campbest...my intention is not to call you out or create some message board fight with you. it's not personal with you, but i just feel that the beginning and end of fan support should reside with the students. unfortunately, for all of us on here that love OU basketball, it's horrendous. boomer sooner!

 

[Sooner_In_MI]

if they would have won...how many more students show up? 10, 20?

maybe if students show up to support those close losses become a victory.
ever heard of home court advantage.

OU is not a professional team. it shouldn't have to entertain...it shouldn't have to cater to the whim of the student body. the student body should have enough pride in their school to show up.

God Bless Coach on trying to get the students to the game. i just feel bad for him, the players, and my school, that individuals choose not to show up to the game.

This is one of the best posts I've ever seen on this forum.

 

[campbest]

if they would have won...how many more students show up? 10, 20?

That's the point right? There isn't going to be a drastic change overnight, but notoriety from solid wins at home carries weight and gets the ball rolling.

maybe if students show up to support those close losses become a victory. ever heard of home court advantage.

It might have had a difference, however, just like almost every other school in the United States, there has to be success to draw the casual fan in. It is not realistic to expect the LNC to be packed when the team has a 12-8 record.

OU is not a professional team. it shouldn't have to entertain...it shouldn't have to cater to the whim of the student body. the student body should have enough pride in their school to show up.

False, sports are entertainment in general. If it was just about the institution, why are there not 500 students at baseball, gymnastics, soccer, volleyball, softball, etc? Because it's not entertaining.

God Bless Coach on trying to get the students to the game. i just feel bad for him, the players, and my school, that individuals choose not to show up to the game.

Agree with you on this one, it sucks, but it's also reality. The effort is being made to pull people back, but until the team strings together some wins (which hopefully they will) results will be tough to come by. However, as I said previously, to those who follow the program closely it appears that the program is headed in the right direction.

 

[campbest]

not drunk...just making an observation based on MY definition of SELFISH...which to me means doing something for one's own personal interest over the group or someone else.

which pretty much defines your entire reply.

all I see is execuses for choosing one's own personal agenda over supporting the team.

it's one or the other. doesn't make anyone bad person, just IMO a crappy, and selfish fan.

support the team, get your butt in the seats...pretty simple.
why even wear an OU shirt...just get your degree and get out.
sorry if the truth hurts but our students feel like they deserve a product to show up...it should be the other way around.

All I have to say to the "crappy and selfish" remark is what about the students who work, study, and/or have other clubs they are members of? Would they be selfish if they neglected those obligations in favor of an OU basketball game? If the main campus has approx. 24,000 students it is illogical to put them all in the same bucket...it's not a vaccum.

As Smash said previously, this is not an OU problem...it's a societal change from 10 years ago. People do not attend sporting events like they used to due to the viewing possibilities, whether they are in town or traveling a couple hours.

 

[tycat947]

False, sports are entertainment in general. If it was just about the institution, why are there not 500 students at baseball, gymnastics, soccer, volleyball, softball, etc? Because it's not entertaining.

Have you been to any of these sporting events lately? Just because you don't think it's entertaining doesn't make it so.

 

[campbest]

Have you been to any of these sporting events lately? Just because you don't think it's entertaining doesn't make it so.

Precisely my point...it's an individual preference.

P.S. huge soccer fan.

 

[highjumper]

Pretty much a cultural thing in my opinion. The year following Kelvin's final 4 season, I think we only had 1 or 2 sellouts. Conversely, Duke, UNC, KU seldom sell out in football. Maybe we need to look at what Syracuse, tOSU, etc are doing differently.

 

[Smash Williams]

OU is not a professional team. it shouldn't have to entertain...it shouldn't have to cater to the whim of the student body. the student body should have enough pride in their school to show up.

"You're not going to be entertained, but you need to show pride in your school"--I hope that pitch goes over well.

So any student who doesn't go to men's basketball games doesn't have pride in the school? Is attendance of every on-campus sporting event mandatory for school pride? What about non-athletic competitions, such as debate? Where do you draw the line?

Most OU students aren't big college basketball fans. If choosing not to attend an event because you derive little enjoyment from it makes someone selfish, then I would like to know who among us isn't selfish. How many on-campus quiz bowl matches did you miss when you were a student? If the answer is greater than zero, you're selfish.

We all wish that more students were OU basketball fans and attended games, but not everyone thinks like the fans on this board. As Marlo Stanfield said, "You want it to be one way...but it's the other way."