Time to start selling the student tickets

[SHOCKvalue]

I'd be interested to know which school this was. I don't think I heard it described as "good" but just that it was a MWC school. There's a few stinkers in that league that we probably can do better H&H's with.

But I generally agree with your premise. I would hope that we are going for games like those. But as you know, it's a two-way street. We assume it's as easy as a phone call. I too would be ok with bouncing a game or two out of the home schedule to get games/series like these on the schedule. No problem from me and probably no problem from a lot of season ticket holders since most seem to be not coming to these games anyway. However, I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Athletic Department is stepping in and forcing a minimum number of home game$$$$$$ every year so they get their need of $$$$ from advertisers and justification for continual season ticket price increases.

I don't know... the WSU AD is giving money away to get these 250+ plus stinkers in the house.

And season ticket prices don't seem to have much to do with number of games - evidence the outsourcing of the best home game each year to IBA. CKA is like 99% season tickets and student tickets, so GA ticket income variations ain't much of a thing. They have essentially fixed revenues when it comes to the butts in the seats.

I'm honestly not sure how much demand the AD has for in-game ad content these days. The timeout promos are way down in numbers from a couple of years ago, and there are very few ads being played on the scoreboard (and those that are are being played over... and over... and over again, like the two Fidelity ads). My personal opinion is that the AD is has inadvertently found itself going down the wrong side of the price-demand curve with respect to season ticket and advertising prices, and might be reaching a point of diminishing returns.

Not like they're asking me though, so...

[SHOCKvalue]

I think there is a correlation between the lack of student attendance and the contribution of the band. Which Is little or none. There are so many promotions during time outs that it kills the spirit. You don't go to war Shockers gone shock em again they never get played and the few times they try it's after a long promotion and they never get far into the song. It's boring and kills the vibe. The kids can watch the games on tv or their computers. There are no incentives to show up at this he game because it's not fun. There is no chance to get into student shanigans led by the band.
When I was in St. Louis for the mvc tourney the band played during every time out. And it was exciting and kept us pumped and engaged.

The games have become VERY boring to attend, when it comes to factors outside of the actual 40 minutes of game play. Nothing at all to get the crowd going. The band is RIP, and pump up music isn't a thing outside of the freaking dance cam. The rest of the experience feels like an actuary convention. It's a long ways from a the party-like atmosphere it should be, and has been in years past.

[Shocker1976]

I won't be able to quote you the post, as it was a random context comment from what I remember, but it was posted on here by a regular poster in the last three weeks or so.

I remember reading this comment as well but I can not remember who posted it; but the post was made by a poster IMO who has credibility on Shockernet

[RoyalShock]

Absolutely. I'm sure those needs are being met.

But if during an actual game, a coach or player begins noticing gaping holes in typically filled sections from the biggest and closest representatives of the school, I'd wonder wtf is up. I'm sure players like McDuffie were told they'd be playing in front of 10,500 screaming fans every night and that was part of the deal when recruiting him and others.

If you don't wanna try to understand the players/coaches psyche in all of this, then it's probably not even worth arguing over.

I don't think understanding the players/coach's psyche has much to do with getting complacent students to show up. The psyche of the players/coaches obviously aren't on the minds of those students or they would be there. We need to be trying to understand the psyche of the absent students, then deciding if it's worth trying to entice them to go to a game before the spring semester.

[RoyalShock]

I think there is a correlation between the lack of student attendance and the contribution of the band. Which Is little or none. There are so many promotions during time outs that it kills the spirit. You don't go to war Shockers gone shock em again they never get played and the few times they try it's after a long promotion and they never get far into the song. It's boring and kills the vibe. The kids can watch the games on tv or their computers. There are no incentives to show up at this he game because it's not fun. There is no chance to get into student shanigans led by the band.
When I was in St. Louis for the mvc tourney the band played during every time out. And it was exciting and kept us pumped and engaged.

The band was not good Tuesday night.

1. Only two trombones, so the foundation is lacking. I know of one recent former member (trombone) who would probably be willing to play on a game-by-game basis if asked.

2. Were there no lead trumpets? That section, with 5-6 players were barely audible in several songs.

I know some strong players graduated over the past two years, and the scare with funding probably kept several from even auditioning, but they need to keep looking. Sorry sax/woodwind players (I'm one, so I don't say this lightly), but a few of you should take one for the team and recruit a lead trumpet or trombone player to take your spot.

[WheatShock]

Shockwaves has ideas

[ShockdaWorld]

I'm sure that shitting on the millenials will encourage them to come to games! Shouldn't you say something about a participation trophy or something?

Actually, most students are Generation Z, as millenials have moved onto the work force, but you could be onto something. Maybe a medal for everyone so they can all wear them with pride. Have a Snickers man.

[Ol skool]

The band was not good Tuesday night.

1. Only two trombones, so the foundation is lacking. I know of one recent former member (trombone) who would probably be willing to play on a game-by-game basis if asked.

2. Were there no lead trumpets? That section, with 5-6 players were barely audible in several songs.

I know some strong players graduated over the past two years, and the scare with funding probably kept several from even auditioning, but they need to keep looking. Sorry sax/woodwind players (I'm one, so I don't say this lightly), but a few of you should take one for the team and recruit a lead trumpet or trombone player to take your spot.

The band was terrible Tuesday! My guess was some members didn't show up. Maybe due to the combination of cold weather and the fact that the bacnd is allowed little involvement. Why show up if you ain't gont get to play

[CBB_Fan]

The band was not good Tuesday night.

1. Only two trombones, so the foundation is lacking. I know of one recent former member (trombone) who would probably be willing to play on a game-by-game basis if asked.

2. Were there no lead trumpets? That section, with 5-6 players were barely audible in several songs.

I know some strong players graduated over the past two years, and the scare with funding probably kept several from even auditioning, but they need to keep looking. Sorry sax/woodwind players (I'm one, so I don't say this lightly), but a few of you should take one for the team and recruit a lead trumpet or trombone player to take your spot.

From what I understood, the trombone section had been mostly the same players since 2013 or earlier and the vast majority left last year either to graduation or for other reasons (pay). I only know of two that stayed with the program (probably the two at the game). As far as trumpets go, they have had several players stay on and help out in their 6th, 7th, 8th+ year and thus were really strong last few years. As far as I know these players finally left and previous lead trumpet probably went on work a "real job" (I believe he was a CS or EE major).

Basically it was a very senior led group and many of those that didn't graduate won't play for a 25% pay cut, so you don't even really have a complete band. This was probably foreseen by some back when the band's funding was cut.

[CBB_Fan]

Isn't the band pretty much all volunteers at this point due to cutting funds or did I just make that up?

Band still receives a paycheck, but it is significantly lower. 75% maybe of what it used to be.

[ShockTalk]

Absolutely. I'm sure those needs are being met.

But if during an actual game, a coach or player begins noticing gaping holes in typically filled sections from the biggest and closest representatives of the school, I'd wonder wtf is up. I'm sure players like McDuffie were told they'd be playing in front of 10,500 screaming fans every night and that was part of the deal when recruiting him and others.

If you don't wanna try to understand the players/coaches psyche in all of this, then it's probably not even worth arguing over.

First, you said: "Why would I wanna bust my ass with hours of practice each week and laid it all out on the line each game if no one cares?" Well, maybe you wouldn't want to, so I'll have to agree with that. However, what is this "if no one cares" s**t? Not only did I not realize I must have been by my self at the last game (where were you), but in your reality, you're telling me I wasn't there either.

In our worst days of the 90's, we had better crowds and fans than most. During the last game, everyone around where I was continued to stand and clap, so let's not take this to the extreme. I understand Marshall trying to rally the fans more than they were doing. Many on this board are just like him, but we are rabid fans. Most fans are not as extreme as us and most of those fans had been clapping before the game started, before the players even came out of the tunnel and continued to do that for 9 minutes of the game. Spoiled fans? Maybe, but a little more offense without going 2:20, 2:00, and 1:20 without ourselves scoring during that 9 minutes might of helped keep things juiced.

[ShockerFever]

First, you said: "Why would I wanna bust my ass with hours of practice each week and laid it all out on the line each game if no one cares?" Well, maybe you wouldn't want to, so I'll have to agree with that. However, what is this "if no one cares" s**t? Not only did I not realize I must have been by my self at the last game (where were you), but in your reality, you're telling me I wasn't there either.

In our worst days of the 90's, we had better crowds and fans than most. During the last game, everyone around where I was continued to stand and clap, so let's not take this to the extreme. I understand Marshall trying to rally the fans more than they were doing. Many on this board are just like him, but we are rabid fans. Most fans are not as extreme as us and most of those fans had been clapping before the game started, before the players even came out of the tunnel and continued to do that for 9 minutes of the game. Spoiled fans? Maybe, but a little more offense without going 2:20, 2:00, and 1:20 without ourselves scoring during that 9 minutes might of helped keep things juiced.

The "no one cares" comment was a general statement that I was implying would be in the psyche of a player's head. Yes, everyone that attends games (like you and me) care. People that don't attend games that follow WSU care. But there are students and fans who don't care by the way they act. I'm sorry, but the way the atmosphere has been lately and the shitty attendance turnout implies that people only care if WSU plays certain teams or if games go certain ways. Not everyone claps like they used to. Hell, people don't ride the officials like they used to. I guess I'm just comparing the recent years in the place to what is happening now and I guess things just get taken for granted now. I'm not sure if "lack of care" was the right choice of words or "taking things for granted" was the better choice.

[BOBB]

I don't recall this. Could you refresh my memory? Not saying you're wrong...just that I don't remember this.

It was me. Talked with the coach personally at a work function. He could have been blowing smoke. Not a great program, but consistently upper half MW finisher.

Of course, the MWC is terrible this year, which gives credence to those noting that SLU and Tulsa are, historically, good games. You get what you get RPI-wise, but a visit from UNLV, Nevada, SDSU, Boise State, Wyoming, etc...is going to attract fans more than Maryland Eastern Shore. Is the average RPI boost and 1/2 a home game annually worth it? Seems like it from the fan's experience, but I am not counting pennies in the Athletic Department to pay Coaches' salaries.

Edit: as I think about it, might have been a 1 downtown, 1 Koch so not a true 2:1, but immaterial to the travel team.

[pinstripers]

From now on, I will only attend games where I think we will lose or win by the smallest of margins.

[WheatShock]

Perhaps we could borrow some ideas from these guys to get the student section going again.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/02/grand-canyon-university-antelopes-basketball-best-student-section-havocs-dan-majerle