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Post by UICJohn on Dec 5, 2004 17:57:25 GMT -6
I have to admit, I was kind of surprised by the turnout from the UWM game on Saturday. The student section was pretty full, but not capacity. Also, I have to say, I was quite disappointed with some of the students lack of enthusiasm. While I have to say that there were many who were into the game, alot were very crappy about the whole situation. The guy behind me was complaining that he didn't want to stand anymore!
Either way, I'm glad attendance is increasing, but I am pretty sure that it was an anomaly. Not every game is going to be like that. It was a night game, Saturday, against UWM. Just remember what our last home game was like (SDSU). But what can be done? UWM game actually got the word out! And there was the pre-game. I think that the little things do help. While I think that the opponent had some to do with it, I think the other things helped.
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Post by NewFoundGlory on Dec 5, 2004 18:33:13 GMT -6
It was the opponent, and that alone. This is just how UIC is. There needs to be more of a campus/social life and that's definately not happening for awhile with all the restrictions. The students that we do get at the games are a bunch of tools, embarrassment to UIC. So maybe, the fewer the better. Lol. I think it should be more focused on the adult fan base, since they seem more loyal. As for UWM fans, well, they've put together a few decent teams and they're jumping on board. And in Milwaukee there isn't s@#! to do, so they like leaving that s@#!hole whenever they have a chance.
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Post by Big D on Dec 5, 2004 18:41:53 GMT -6
UICJohn....I agree with everything you said....
While I hate UWM with a passion, I do respect that they are improving their program and that they are actually getting organized fan support.
We have extremely inconsistent fan support that only seems to show up at the big games. This is where the Fury is at fault. They need to get people to come out to every game....and also, an organized fan base is more likely to participate in organized cheering and what not...as opposed to just random students showing up.
This is why it is essential that a group of students is formed that wants to be at every game and that can organize cheers and stuff.
I really think flyers would be key....we need to get somebody to pass these around and get the word out....like I said before, I would help make them, but I live all the way the hell out in VA. I could possibly design them and email something to someone, but the printing and distributing would be up to other people.
UWM is way up on us in terms of fan support right now. I do disagree with some of their chants though....especially things like "rapist"....that's just not cool. But they have road busses for more than just the HL tourney. They pass out flyers, and Pearl talks with them about increasing fan support. All we have is a group which passes out t-shirts when they have them in stock. And you know what, we would have so much more of a home-court advantage if we could get some organzied fan support...
I will say that the bonfire idea was a great start....but it needs to be more than a once-a year thing....did anybody go to that by the way? And if so, how was the turnout?
Who's going to take the initiative?....I'll do my part.....
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Post by NewFoundGlory on Dec 5, 2004 21:18:33 GMT -6
Good point. Except nobody ever reads the flyers. Look at how things go these days, you go anywhere, the store, downtown, class, there's flyers everywhere, everyone is handing them out. You get bombarded with people handing out s@#!, so in the end you just disregard it and throw everything away. Similar to emails, you get so many damn junk emails, you just mass delete it.
Lol, I remember when there was only 1 guy on the exit ramps here in chicago, selling socks. Now look at it, every ramp there's at least three different guys selling socks, pinwheels, and everything else.
Basically, it's not unique any more. And im sure someone will say "it's a start", but it's not, it's been done, it hasn't worked.
Flyers, emails, etc won't work. It's just the UIC "atmosphere" as a whole that is lacking.
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Post by Big D on Dec 5, 2004 21:30:52 GMT -6
Good point. Except nobody ever reads the flyers. Look at how things go these days, you go anywhere, the store, downtown, class, there's flyers everywhere, everyone is handing them out. You get bombarded with people handing out s@#!, so in the end you just disregard it and throw everything away. Similar to emails, you get so many damn junk emails, you just mass delete it. Lol, I remember when there was only 1 guy on the exit ramps here in chicago, selling socks. Now look at it, every ramp there's at least three different guys selling socks, pinwheels, and everything else. Basically, it's not unique any more. And im sure someone will say "it's a start", but it's not, it's been done, it hasn't worked. Flyers, emails, etc won't work. It's just the UIC "atmosphere" as a whole that is lacking. I agree with you that the atmosphere is not the best but I think flyers would make a difference, even if it's small....I mean most of the flyers we get are received while we're trying to get somewhere and we don't want to be bothered. Plus, most of these flyers have something to do with religion or some dumb club or politics or something. Handing a basketball flyer to someone looking for something do may just go and check it out. Plus, if these could be given out in dorms, they would be received with more "open arms"....I just think it's a start....even a booth in the middle of campus, like we've mentioned will allow sport fans who don't pay attention to the games, a chance to get some info...better than the Fury just standing in the Pavilion getting signups there....I mean, you need to sign people up that don't know about the games....not just ones that already go.....
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Post by NewFoundGlory on Dec 5, 2004 21:38:50 GMT -6
better than the Fury just standing in the Pavilion getting signups there....I mean, you need to sign people up that don't know about the games....not just ones that already go..... Yea, the Fury is a joke, and yes a booth would be a decent idea. The thing with flyers in the dorms, is that when i went there we got so much crap under our doors it wasn't funny, so we just let it lay there for weeks on the floor. (christian bible studies, for a game 3 weeks ago, spanish club, etc etc).. UIC is a weird school, and after my years there I still don't fully understand it. UIC athletics has tried the "meet the team" type thing and the "free pizza" thing, and for some crazy reason, it always seems to get no interest. It's just a weird school set just outside downtown, with commuters going back and forth. You go to the game and you look at the UIC students and they look almost embarrased to cheer, like they're on their first date with some hot chick. But yes, a booth, some type of awareness, i'm not sure, but I definately agree with the partnership with the public schools and youth groups. And I strongly believe in some type of bar partnership (cheap drinks w/ticket stub, shuttle to/from game to the bar, etc).. these are college students, lol.
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Post by FlameFan on Dec 6, 2004 11:37:28 GMT -6
Like Big D, I am willing to help but it will be fairly limited since I live in TX. Getting students to the game and build that fan base over time is critical. I also wonder if more can't be done getting alumni to the games. Here are some interesting facts to consider:
Graduates 1 in 57 adult Chicagoans 1 in 10 college graduates in Chicago 1 in 6 Illinois physicians and more minority physicians than any other public university in the United States
Student Population 44% male, 56% female 16,012 undergrads in 2003-2004 6,825 graduate students 2391 professional students 982 resident students 26,210 Total Enrollment
With that large a base, there is a lot of potential here.
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Post by Chuck A on Dec 10, 2004 9:31:54 GMT -6
FlameFan, I agree with your assessment that building a fan base over time is critical. It makes it all the more important because of a more recent fact. You mentioned that there were 982 resident students.
During halftime of the UIC/Milwaukee game (I taped it eventhough I was there), Chancellor Sylvia Manning was extolling the virtues of UIC as a top 70 research institute, its expansion, including plans for building new dorms, etc. During the interview she mentioned that UIC has 3100 students living on campus and a very large amount that live within a 1 mile radius of campus.
So there is a goldmine that we could tap into. It's just a matter of exposure, both media (where not one, but WGN's Rich King, is a UIC grad) and word of mouth along with just winning.
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Post by uwmfan on Dec 27, 2004 16:25:41 GMT -6
As one of the "Urban 13" campuses (actually about 30+ universities nationwide now...) you guys face the exact same problems/issues we do here at UWM. Parking sucks. Small percentage of students living on/near campus. Life in the shadow of another "major" college team in the city/state. Lack of history/tradition/loyal fan base.
Just like UWM, UIC is building from the ground up and has been doing an admirable job. It's going to take a continuous effort by fans, coaches and perhaps most importantly, your administration to get to the next level. Right now UWM is on a good track to move forward; however, it wouldn't take much to displace the momentum that's been building over the last 4-8 years.
Believe it or not, the UWM student section grew not out of basketball, but a small group of former soccer players that would heckle the crap out of opponents first at soccer games, then at basketball games.
Someone in an earlier post said something about UWM fans only going to the UIC game because it's so lovely to get out of Milwaukee and into nirvana, aka, Chicago. Sorry, Chicago is a nice place, but doesn't offer me anything I don't already have. For some reason some (not all, but some) Chicago folks think Milwaukee wants to be like you. Milwaukee is a great city; doesn't need to be Chicago....much in the way UWM is finally becoming comfortable in its' own skin (no longer trying to be UW-Madison), Milwaukee has great merits just as Chicago does.
Someone else stated hating UWM with a passion. Personally I'm guessing this has something to do with fans acting stupid. Same reason why I'd guess some UWM fans come over here and post stupid stuff, because they can't stand UIC. I don't hate any of you folks...hell, you're just fans of your own school just like I am of my school. Yeah, there's a history with the coaches, and I'm sure that feeds into much of it. Good god people....it's just a game. If you met on the street would you really hate each other? Grow up.
Ok, enough of my soapbox. I wish you and the team luck for the season, and for continued growth of your fan base so our rivalry keeps going.
peace....
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Post by UWMFan22 on Feb 5, 2005 17:36:03 GMT -6
haha, not only do you not have any home attendance but no one even came to UWM today. you didnt even have a student section. oh well. it made it easier for us to enjoy our domination and by the way Jimmy Collins is a great coach but a real a$$hole for not shaking bruce pearl's hand. seriously, i know the history and he's basically saying bruce pearl is the reason hes a UIC and doesnt like it. i hope all you fans are real proud of a coach who is dissapointed to be at your school. sweet.
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Post by UICJohn on Feb 5, 2005 18:46:25 GMT -6
Come on. This happens all of the time. If UIC wins, then Jimmy Collins goes to shake his hand and Bruce Pearl is the bad guy. If UWM wins, Bruce Pearl goes to shake his hand and Jimmy Collins is the a$$hole. They both hate each other, period.
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Post by HackPanther on Feb 5, 2005 18:49:07 GMT -6
Don't recall Pearl flippin' off any fans though.
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Post by tHOM on Feb 6, 2005 14:27:22 GMT -6
Oh Please! When did Collins flip off any fans. If you're referring to yesterday's game, he didn't flip anyone off.
The fans started to boo cuz he wouldn't shake Pearl's hand and then as he was walking off the court he started (mockingly) waving at the fans and trying to get them to yell louder. He didn't flip anyone off.
And don't you see what Pearl is doing by trying to shake his hand after the game? All he's doing is trying to make himself look like the better man in the public eye. He's just trying to play everyone. If he really cared about how he tried to screw Collins' career, he would have apologized away from the spotlight a long time ago.
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Post by Nohopspanther on Feb 6, 2005 14:47:03 GMT -6
Collins flipped off the crowd immediately after passing Pearl in the handshake line.
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Post by Big D on Feb 6, 2005 15:03:07 GMT -6
Collins flipped off the crowd immediately after passing Pearl in the handshake line. I'm not going to believe this until I see an official report about it or a picture or something. The word of a bunch of angry UWM fans does not equate to proof in my eyes. Besides, I'm assuming you were at the game, because ESPN followed Jimmy before and after he and Pearl were face to face at the end....after he refused the handshake, he continued on to shake hands of some of the players.....there was no immediate flipoff
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