11-17-2019, 07:05 PM
Two thoughts:
First, while I appreciate the point raised on the Northern Colorado thread that student attendance has never been a major factor at games, the athletic department could definitely be doing more in this regard. As a recent grad who frequently sat in the (mostly empty) student section during my undergrad and grad school years at Stanford, it was always startling to see what short shrift WBB was given in promotion compared to the (less successful) men's team. A recent year in which students attending the men's game were promised entry into a lottery to win an iPhone, iPad, and other goodies comes to mind as a particularly egregious example; I can't recall any such giveaway ever being run for the women. I sent Stanford Athletics a note about this that I'm sure disappeared into the void.
Second, a lack of player-fan interaction has been cited as a factor in the attendance drop-off. I don't dispute this but do believe it's worth thinking critically about how much we expect of players who are not only full-time students but also young women living in a world where social media and other exposure makes it easy for fans to assume a level of familiarity that isn't there (and may be uncomfortable). I should say that I've always experienced the crowd in Maples (and the posters on this board) to be respectful of the players. However, a quick look at comments on the players' instagram photos illustrates some line-crossing comments from folks who they might believe are also up in the stands. Comments from fans on players' physical appearance, speculation about their personal lives, etc. can feel... icky. It's incumbent upon all of us to behave in a way that builds trust and a willingness to engage.
First, while I appreciate the point raised on the Northern Colorado thread that student attendance has never been a major factor at games, the athletic department could definitely be doing more in this regard. As a recent grad who frequently sat in the (mostly empty) student section during my undergrad and grad school years at Stanford, it was always startling to see what short shrift WBB was given in promotion compared to the (less successful) men's team. A recent year in which students attending the men's game were promised entry into a lottery to win an iPhone, iPad, and other goodies comes to mind as a particularly egregious example; I can't recall any such giveaway ever being run for the women. I sent Stanford Athletics a note about this that I'm sure disappeared into the void.
Second, a lack of player-fan interaction has been cited as a factor in the attendance drop-off. I don't dispute this but do believe it's worth thinking critically about how much we expect of players who are not only full-time students but also young women living in a world where social media and other exposure makes it easy for fans to assume a level of familiarity that isn't there (and may be uncomfortable). I should say that I've always experienced the crowd in Maples (and the posters on this board) to be respectful of the players. However, a quick look at comments on the players' instagram photos illustrates some line-crossing comments from folks who they might believe are also up in the stands. Comments from fans on players' physical appearance, speculation about their personal lives, etc. can feel... icky. It's incumbent upon all of us to behave in a way that builds trust and a willingness to engage.