[justafan]

From here in rural Arkansas, being able to attend games in person seems like such a luxury.  I do try to see the team play live once per season, but I'm grateful for the streaming and broadcasts otherwise.  I was listening to the Oregon State vs Missouri State game this past week.  During halftime the Oregon State Assistant Director of Athletics was interviewed for the Missouri State broadcast.  She is a Missouri State graduate and stated she was trying to build attendance there by modeling after Missouri State years ago under Mary Jo Wynn.  I remember those days and they use to pack the house.  I can't report all the specifics but I do remember happily getting my free admission ticket just by showing my graduate student ID.  I think they basically did anything they could to fill seats.  Later, of course, they stopped because they no longer needed to provide incentives.  It is worth noting, however, that attendance has dropped off significantly over the past decade or more.  Here in Arkansas, Mike Neighbors is trying to build support for the women's team.  Recently they hosted Elementary School Day with a 10:00 am tipoff.  It wasn't a full house but with several thousand screaming kids, it might as well have been.  Hopefully, they had a good time and will be future season ticket holders!  I do think having a good crowd makes the game experience better for both fans and players.  I also agree that it could impact recruiting.  I hope those of you who are closer to campus can maybe come up with creative ideas.  Is there some way to repurpose those empty season-ticket seats so they get donated to students or community groups?

[justafan]

From here in rural Arkansas, being able to attend games in person seems like such a luxury.  I do try to see the team play live once per season, but I'm grateful for the streaming and broadcasts otherwise.  I was listening to the Oregon State vs Missouri State game this past week.  During halftime the Oregon State Assistant Director of Athletics was interviewed for the Missouri State broadcast.  She is a Missouri State graduate and stated she was trying to build attendance there by modeling after Missouri State years ago under Mary Jo Wynn.  I remember those days and they use to pack the house.  I can't report all the specifics but I do remember happily getting my free admission ticket just by showing my graduate student ID.  I think they basically did anything they could to fill seats.  Later, of course, they stopped because they no longer needed to provide incentives.  It is worth noting, however, that attendance has dropped off significantly over the past decade or more.  Here in Arkansas, Mike Neighbors is trying to build support for the women's team.  Recently they hosted Elementary School Day with a 10:00 am tipoff.  It wasn't a full house but with several thousand screaming kids, it might as well have been.  Hopefully, they had a good time and will be future season ticket holders!  I do think having a good crowd makes the game experience better for both fans and players.  I also agree that it could impact recruiting.  I hope those of you who are closer to campus can maybe come up with creative ideas.  Is there some way to repurpose those empty season-ticket seats so they get donated to students or community groups?