Kruger on the Thunders' impact on OU fan support

[Boomah]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/blogs/sportspost.aspx?/A_KISS_from_Kruger/12-11707

A KISS from Kruger

The word from Joe Castiglione on the NCAA investigation into Oklahoma basketball: "moving toward resolution."

Good news for Lon Kruger, who is much better served with the case closed.

Which reminds me to update the latest stop on Kruger's Goodwill Tour. He went on with Jack & Ron, a radio crew on KISS-FM in Oklahoma City. That's a station apparently named after the glam rock gods, but that wouldn't play anything by them except "Beth," seeing as how they carry John Tesh at night.

Anyway, I liked Kruger's response to a question about the NBA Thunder having an impact on OU's fan support:

"The Thunder has done a great job, not only with their team on the court but also the fan experience. I think what they've done is raised the bar a little bit, and we've got to respond. We've got to create an experience the fans can enjoy."

It is an issue that has been sidestepped or downplayed by both OU and OSU for a few years. But it is absolutely a problem, especially considering the on-court lull in both college programs.

If I'm an OU follower, I'm encouraged by Kruger's we-need-to-act response.

 

[Written]

Very insightful of Kruger. OU needs to go to places it has never been before, in terms of fan experience, to even get back to what attendance it used to have.
Something truly unique is required to get us over the hump.

 

[campbest]

Basketball attendance is down across the nation, this isn't just an OU/OSU thing. Sure, having the Thunder doesn't help but this goes beyond that. Quality of teams and single game ticket prices are the biggest concern causes.

 

[BoomerCase]

He's right on the money. This goes back to the Kelvin Sampson days and even before the Thunder arrived. The atmosphere at OU gameday needs to improve. That means making it a better place for the students. It needs to be loud and exciting. I've been out of school since the mid-90's, and it seems like each year it became more geared towards the donor. I understand the donor and am one, but college basketball needs to be about the students. I really believe Coach Kruger is the first person since Billy Tubbs that truly understands it's the administrations responsibility as much as the fans to make OU that place it was in the 80's again.

 

[BoulderSooner]

the single biggest factor is that now every game is on TV