What's the fan support like at the Pav?
Sept 9, 2005 20:18:12 GMT -6
Post by Jason T on Sept 9, 2005 20:18:12 GMT -6
Someone in this thread pointed out "We need to see lots of fan support for ALL of our programs." Well, I'm sure BOTH of the basketball teams at UIC could use a lot of on-campus publicity. I notice everyone is focused on increasing the fan base for the men's team. A lot similar to nearly 10 years ago when UIC started taking their men's basketball program seriously by dumping a hockey program in order to hire Jimmy Collins. Despite a lot of coach changes for the women's basketball program over the years, I haven't heard or seen anything that indicates UIC is serious about both of their basketball teams.
Those students in the dorms need to come out for those occassional Pav doubleheaders where both of the basketball teams play their home games in one day. I remember a doubleheader at the Pav in '98. The Pav was packed (of course) for the men's basketball game. But when that game ended, lots of fans left the Pav-including the actual students. And by the time the women's game started, there were enough "fans" in there to fill up a Lecture Hall.
Granted, the women's basketball program at UIC basically sucks. After all, they're the only program at UIC that has never been to the NCAA's. Correct me if I'm wrong though. I know the baseball team has been there, as well as the women's tennis team (actually, both tennis teams I think).
My point is simple. If the women's team got more fan support, UIC Athletics would get more money for that program, and maybe they would be able to invest that money in slowly building a better women's basketball program.
Of course, losing games doesn't help in building a fan base for any college sports team. And not too many people (myself included) are actually interested in women's sports. The only other athletic team I saw was a Flames softball game years ago when the softball team was a Top 25 team. I was surprised there weren't too many fans out there to see a softball team in the nation's Top 25!
If anyone ever wants to see the women's basketball team get better, building the fan base for that Pav team would help. A bigger fan base can even help them recruit better players. Becuase I think players take note of the fan support when picking a college. And by recruiting better players, that can help the women's basketball program become a winning program, and they can stop being treated like (in baseball terms) the Cubs of UIC.
One can't deny Jimmy Collins' team is receiving "White Sox treatment" by everyone at UIC and everyone on this board. Everyone wants to see the men's basketball team crack the Top 25, and he11, everyone (especially myself) would like to see the men Flames actually WIN a Big Dance game! But it seems like the other athletic Flame teams don't receive this much attention on the campus, the women's team included. The only time you hear about the soccer team (for example) is when soccer season is in session.
One winning basketball program is nice, but two winning programs would be better.
Those students in the dorms need to come out for those occassional Pav doubleheaders where both of the basketball teams play their home games in one day. I remember a doubleheader at the Pav in '98. The Pav was packed (of course) for the men's basketball game. But when that game ended, lots of fans left the Pav-including the actual students. And by the time the women's game started, there were enough "fans" in there to fill up a Lecture Hall.
Granted, the women's basketball program at UIC basically sucks. After all, they're the only program at UIC that has never been to the NCAA's. Correct me if I'm wrong though. I know the baseball team has been there, as well as the women's tennis team (actually, both tennis teams I think).
My point is simple. If the women's team got more fan support, UIC Athletics would get more money for that program, and maybe they would be able to invest that money in slowly building a better women's basketball program.
Of course, losing games doesn't help in building a fan base for any college sports team. And not too many people (myself included) are actually interested in women's sports. The only other athletic team I saw was a Flames softball game years ago when the softball team was a Top 25 team. I was surprised there weren't too many fans out there to see a softball team in the nation's Top 25!
If anyone ever wants to see the women's basketball team get better, building the fan base for that Pav team would help. A bigger fan base can even help them recruit better players. Becuase I think players take note of the fan support when picking a college. And by recruiting better players, that can help the women's basketball program become a winning program, and they can stop being treated like (in baseball terms) the Cubs of UIC.
One can't deny Jimmy Collins' team is receiving "White Sox treatment" by everyone at UIC and everyone on this board. Everyone wants to see the men's basketball team crack the Top 25, and he11, everyone (especially myself) would like to see the men Flames actually WIN a Big Dance game! But it seems like the other athletic Flame teams don't receive this much attention on the campus, the women's team included. The only time you hear about the soccer team (for example) is when soccer season is in session.
One winning basketball program is nice, but two winning programs would be better.