Home attendance / atmosphere

[The Mad Hatter]

This year at least I think that the number of blowout wins has affected the crowd intensity. In the first place, the crowd isn't into it very much when you are up 20+ points, but I think it also sets an expectation level that games are going to be blowouts that makes getting raucous more difficult because everyone is subconsiously used to all the games fairly quickly turning into double digit Shocker leads and even when the game is close people sort of assume the team will go on a run with or without the crowd.

I also think that the last two home games show that a certain percentage of the fanbase doesn't really pay too close attention to the Valley standings. SIU brought out a packed house with a crowd that had good energy (although the blowout slowed that eventually) whereas Evansville brought a smaller less enthusiastic crowd (granted the SIU game had the Hall of Fame inductions). Anyone paying attention to this season and the last several would know that Evansville has been a better program than SIU and a tougher out, but the name recognition of SIU still seems to draw a set of the fanbase that isn't drawn by Evansville.

[WstateU]

I was shocked to see empty seats last night on TV. Its sad when we get all of this attention about being one of the greatest places to watch college basketball in the country and that every game has 10,500 people and then see all those empty seats. If you don't want you season tickets give them up and let someone else Rock the Roundhouse!

Just take a look around the country at other televised games... it's like that at most of the venues… you'll see an abundance of empty premium seats. Additionally, people just don't get excited to see the majority of Missouri Valley teams with the exception of Creighton and maybe Missouri State. I don’t recall there being a lot of empty seats at the UNLV game? Lets face it, big name teams aren't going to step foot in Koch Arena. Considering the local economy and a multitude of televised games 7 nights per week, I’m pleased that we get as many butts in the seats as we do. It’s even tempting at times for me to stay home and watch from the lazy boy.

[ShockTalk]

Just take a look around the country at other televised games... it's like that at most of the venues… you'll see an abundance of empty premium seats. Additionally, people just don't get excited to see the majority of Missouri Valley teams with the exception of Creighton and maybe Missouri State. I don’t recall there being a lot of empty seats at the UNLV game? Lets face it, big name teams aren't going to step foot in Koch Arena. Considering the local economy and a multitude of televised games 7 nights per week, I’m pleased that we get as many butts in the seats as we do. It’s even tempting at times for me to stay home and watch from the lazy boy.

Glad you said "tempting" as such action is unacceptable. :friendly_wink:

[Shocker85]

I am shocked, appalled and annoyed by the atmosphere at Shocker basketball games this year.

1) The students (mostly) have become spectators instead of being involved in the games.

2) MANY corporate-purchased seats go unused. There are many prime mid-court seats empty every game that could be filled with crazed Shocker fans.

3) Game production is awful. The combination of video, contests and poor selection of recorded music do not enhance the experience.

Solutions?

1) Someone needs to get the students organized and involved. My Lord, people, it is YOUR university and YOUR team - embarrass yourselves.

2) It is time to re-seat the arena. IMO, there needs to be Priority Points awarded for games attended. Just because someone donates a big chunk of money and has been buying tickets forever doesn't make them a worthy Shocker fan. C'mon man, if you have tickets make sure they get used.

3) Game production is obviously in the hands of complete dopes. I'm sure someone in marketing is being slapped on the back for finding a sponsor for every timeout and every significant game event, but what is going on doesn't enhance the experience. The long video prior to the team intros is cool, but it is too long and sucks the energy out of the moment. The endless crowd shots don't get the fans involved - instead everyone either watches for themselves doing a dance on the scoreboard or watches those on the screen make fools of themselves. Too much of the game has people staring at the big video board and that has killed the excitement inside the arena. If anything with dialog is played on the video board, you can't understand what is being said because the arena sound system is HORRIBLE. The Mickey Mouse contests - well, UGH! I'm not in marketing and don't have a comprehensive plan for improvement, but I can tell you the games are not as fun as they used to be. For my money, lots more pep band and Shockettes are needed.

--'85.

[shockar25]

I have been a season ticket holder since 1978 and have watched the crowds evolve at Levitt/Koch. As the SASO donation requirement continued to rise the number of rabid stand up and scream you quts out fans has continued to dwindle. Four close friends who were/are no longer season ticket holders were loud, intense and diehard fans. They are still the same way when we get together to watch a road game and we are all screaming at the TV and jumping up for high fives. That use to be a typical Levitt arena fan. They have been replaced by more calm groups of younger fans and familes that spend as much time texting as watching the game. Add to that large number of older folks who are satisfied to sit calmly and watch the game and the atmosphere takes a big hit. Like it or not that also tends to infulence more people around them to act the same. I actually had a lady sitting in front of me ask me to quit whisteling so loud because it was annoying her. She was with an elderly lady and a young girl who appeared to be 4-5 years of age. They were there to sit quietly and enjoy the game while the little girl played with mom's phone. I am sure that the Athletic department is grateful to every fan that passes through the door and wants a wholesome family atmosphere. It's just not going to be as electric as it has been in the past and I don't see that changing. Next time you are at a game watch how many people really get into the clapping for defense to start the game. Ya they all stand up but many don't even clap and alot just clap like they are at the theater. It just a chore that Don Hall forces them to participate in. I am not complaining about the people that are passively watching the game, I commend them for being there to support WSU. I just lament the fact that Koch is not the same place as Henry Levitt used to be. Unfortunately I am not sure it will ever be again.

Great post. I agree 100%. I've not been a season ticket holder for very long (about 5 years) but I've even noticed a change in the few years since I became one.

I also think the economy doesn't help, but what I like about ShockerKahn's post is what he's saying about the fans that actually do show up. I still can't believe there are hundreds of people who sit down after we score our first basket. We've been doing the 'stand for defense' thing for many years now and they still haven't figured it out? I still can't believe more students don't take advantage of the free tickets. Students are the loudest people at most great college basketball arenas.

Koch is still one of the best places for college basketball, but it could be better.

[Anthroshock]

Just take a look around the country at other televised games... it's like that at most of the venues… you'll see an abundance of empty premium seats... ...I don’t recall there being a lot of empty seats at the UNLV game?

UNLV just had their first sellout of the season at 18,5K for New Mexico and has RARELY had more than two sellouts in a season since the early 1990s. I was in the house for that one and everyone was stoked about how loud the crowd was. It never reached the roaring jet-engine level that Koch does.

[AndShock]

Here's an idea: Don't only play the low brass cheer at the under 4:00 timeout. It's supposed to have a purpose but it's used as just another song.

[ShockerPhi]

I don't know if any of you guys saw it last night, but BatWu did it again... During the part where he says "This is our house" and blasts a graphic of the opposing team, they still had the SIU logo instead of Evansville. And obviously that drew some jeers and some laughter from the crowd. I was completely embarassed. Mainly because some K-State student behind me (I don't know who let this guy in, but he was more arrogant than your typical Jayhawk...) started talking about how low grade we are as a University, we don't even know who we were playing. He of course continued to bash every little thing about our team and atmosphere throughout the rest of the game.

Nonetheless, YES, we need to improve our in-game production GREATLY!

[TheYeti]

My Take

All I can speak to is my own case. We hold 4 season tickets, pay our SASO, but the fact that we live 240 miles from Wichita makes it difficult to attend them all, particularly the mid-week games as I have two children in high school. Having said that, I do try to sell the tickets we don't use but this year, not many takers with the exception of the Creighton game, the two extras I had sold inside of two minutes of listing them.

[ABC]

The ticket prices for Creighton and WSU might be similar, but I would bet that a much higher % of WSU tickets require SASO contributions.

I agree that the attendance issue is one that is common across the country. I've seen many empty seats in Allen Field House too. There are fewer Duke students attending games: http://www.nj.com/college-basketball...port_says.html

At Oklahoma State last night, there were less than 9,500 fans to watch the #2 team in the country.

[rearviewmirror]

As a student who goes to most every game, I am ashamed that our students are so crappy, but I'm more ashamed that the 8500 season ticket holder can even be bothered to clap while we are on defense. It is really sad when the only time Koch Arena is loud is when they put that stupid "noise meter" up on the screen. Who gives a flying $hit if you make noise during a timeout if you are silent as a a cat about to pounce on a mouse. Who cares what they do during timeouts and that they have a sponsor for every single one and that people dance around like complete idiots. Make noise DURING THE ACTUAL PLAY OF THE GAME! Clap, yell, whistle, do the football "ohhhhhhhh" thing. Whatever. I hate it when we are on defense and you can hear the coaches yelling out instructions, or the players calling out a play. PISSES ME OFF.

[Anthroshock]

Good post. Welcome to the board.

[DwShock]

We are not other programs. We don't have things going for us on the same level as the "major" programs (so we are told) but our attendance and fan support have been for a long time better than most.

[_kai_]

I don't know if any of you guys saw it last night, but BatWu did it again... During the part where he says "This is our house" and blasts a graphic of the opposing team, they still had the SIU logo instead of Evansville. And obviously that drew some jeers and some laughter from the crowd. I was completely embarassed. Mainly because some K-State student behind me (I don't know who let this guy in, but he was more arrogant than your typical Jayhawk...) started talking about how low grade we are as a University, we don't even know who we were playing. He of course continued to bash every little thing about our team and atmosphere throughout the rest of the game.

Nonetheless, YES, we need to improve our in-game production GREATLY!

And why wasn't this person nut checked at the 2nd outburst of diarrhea mouth?

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

As a father, you are supposed to attend your children's out of town football and basketball games. You are supposed to send your wife to out of town soccer and cheer events.

What is this "soccer" you speak of? Im actually excited though. My little girl is just ad competitive as the boys