The unofficial online home for fans of the Kent State University Golden Flashes. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Toledo and Ohio U draw better and there are reasons why they both do that we can't do much about. Other than that, we have better attendance than every other team in the MAC. Look at Akron--best overall record in the conference all season long and we still draw more fans than they do. Part of it is relevance outside the conference and region. There is just a certain level of fans who would attend regularly if the team had some national cache, but will never be interested in a team that is just "local." That's Akron's biggest problem--can't win the big games on national TV. They've been more successful than anyone in the MAC in recent years, but that's the end of it. They'd be better off with a win or two in the NCAA and a lot fewer MAC championship games.

I think it's a national problem--attendance is an issue almost everywhere as there has been a slow decline. Columbus this year is a great example--lots of empty seats and hand-wringing down there.

The availability of games that can be streamed to hi-def TVs is probably one factor as is the increasing number of entertainment options.

I think the answer is tough: have a top 30 team; beat teams that the casual fan recognizes. Beyond that, I think we continue to draw MAC-like crowds no matter how much promotion, how many giveaways.

(02-21-2016 10:53 AM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote:  

(02-20-2016 08:11 PM)burden Wrote:  Crowds help but we just don't get them. Both Toledo and Akron brought plenty of their own fans which is why those crowds were the biggest of the year. Unless we remodel the arena significantly were not getting anymore people. Even then we might not. All we might accomplish is creating a sterile atmosphere. At least now the noise level is pretty high with the lower bowl full. <snip>

The only way we'd get signifantly larger crowds would be if we'd move the school to a more populated region. Akron and Toledo get students mostly from their Metro area, and it's easier to stay connected to a local college. Our students come from 20-50_miles away, and once they graduate, they won't go to games.

I would like to see Kent State close down the upper deck when they expect small crowds, to keep the energy level up. Or better, bulldoze the place and build a new arena

That last idea is a good one. I know the people that pay full price will get mad but they might go along with it as long as it's not the ultra expensive chair backs. Your right about students after they graduate. Few of them our driving 20-50 miles to attend. I do think they can get more current students to attend if they give them better seats though. That would make the atmosphere more lively. You would need to know the economics of doing that but it might work.

(02-21-2016 12:13 PM)Kentgirl Wrote:  The other problem with attendance is the lack of parking. Often if you try to park in the pay lot it is full. If you park across the street there are no sidewalks and you often have to climb over snow or wade in water.

I highly doubt parking has anything to do with attendance. I've parked in the lot across the street for every game. There actually is a sidewalk that was plowed (for the few games there was actually snow on the ground) and a cross walk. I've never had wet feet when I got to my seats. I believe they have shuttles running from that lot as well. I never try to catch it though because it's a pretty short walk.

Sooo.... how bout that game?

(02-21-2016 03:32 PM)anti-zip Wrote:  

(02-21-2016 12:13 PM)Kentgirl Wrote:  The other problem with attendance is the lack of parking. Often if you try to park in the pay lot it is full. If you park across the street there are no sidewalks and you often have to climb over snow or wade in water.

I highly doubt parking has anything to do with attendance. I've parked in the lot across the street for every game. There actually is a sidewalk that was plowed (for the few games there was actually snow on the ground) and a cross walk. I've never had wet feet when I got to my seats. I believe they have shuttles running from that lot as well. I never try to catch it though because it's a pretty short walk.

Amazingly I have heard the parking complaint quite a bit. It seems strange to me to but as they say perception is more important than the truth at times.

Final Thoughts:
It was a tremendous effort and game plan Friday night.
A well deserved triumph over a 20-win team.
Thats the fewest number of UA students I can remember.
People in yellow seats simply do not get into the games.
Khaliq Spicer was magnificent.
Free throw shooting was great down the stretch.

I thought after the game we might still be able to make a run at a tournament title. If we find a way to go to Buffalo and win, all bets (and excuses) are off.

I still believe that when healthy, it's the best team in the league.

axeme. I think that is a reasonable. But to be fair I have to say the same about (at least) one other team. To me that team is Akron. I remember Dambrot once saying about Tyree Evans/Chris Singletary and company..."when those guys are right, they are really tough to beat."

I think the same is true of the Zips this season and had Forsythe been available on Saturday the Zips may have been able to overcome the foul trouble. Of course, if Pollard would have played for Kent State.....

Anyway, big one Tuesday. The game is on TWC Sports. I watched Buffalo vs. BG yesterday and Beardon is not 100%.

(02-21-2016 05:25 PM)fallsdog Wrote:  Beardon is not 100%.

Is he hurt? Perhaps some medical marijuana would help?

Keith Dambrot was on the Cavs post game coverage today and he said something that actually gave me a headache... when asked about LeBron's poor shooting from three this year he said, "If you analyse the statistics he has not shot as many outside shots this year as he has in the past and the fewer you shoot the less percentage you're going to shoot a lot of times because the outside shot is taken late in the shot clock a lot of times..."

Ok, let's try to ignore the fact that he believes a higher volume of three point attempts equates to a higher percentage made and let's actually look at the numbers. For his career LeBron averages 4.0 3PA per game. This year he's at 3.8. For his career he 3.7 3PA per 36 minutes. This year he is averaging 3.8 per 36. For his career he shoots 33.9% from three. This year he's shooting 27.4%.

After tonights loss to Miami, maybe now Akron fans can talk about running the table.