"When we started at Florida State, we had very limited fan support," Enfield said. "By the time I left, the place was packed. When I got to FGCU, we had 75 students at our games. Now we have 1,000 every game. When I got to FGCU, we played a women's and men's double header. Fans would come for the women's game and leave in the middle of the men's game. Now we pack the house.
"Look, basketball's entertainment. You have to entertain the fans and make them want to come. You play a slow-down style and you don't win, they're not going to show up."
How many years have I been saying exactly the same thing, but nobody listens. I might make a copy of this and send to Chris.
(04-04-2013 03:08 PM)outsideualr Wrote: [ -> ]How many years have I been saying exactly the same thing, but nobody listens. I might make a copy of this and send to Chris.
And after all these years of not listening to anyone, nor doing anything to increase attendance or excitement in our program, what makes you think he will be interested in anything you have to say or show him on this subject?
(04-04-2013 02:27 PM)LR Alum Wrote: [ -> ]"When we started at Florida State, we had very limited fan support," Enfield said. "By the time I left, the place was packed. When I got to FGCU, we had 75 students at our games. Now we have 1,000 every game. When I got to FGCU, we played a women's and men's double header. Fans would come for the women's game and leave in the middle of the men's game. Now we pack the house.
"Look, basketball's entertainment. You have to entertain the fans and make them want to come. You play a slow-down style and you don't win, they're not going to show up."
Well Enfield definitely has a little Newell in him. I checked their attendance against 3
instate conference rivals this year- Jacksonville, North Florida, and Stetson-
Average attendance 2312 in a 4600 seat arena. Not exactly a packed house and that's assuming they report their attendance accurately.
(04-04-2013 03:43 PM)mjs Wrote: [ -> ] (04-04-2013 02:27 PM)LR Alum Wrote: [ -> ]"When we started at Florida State, we had very limited fan support," Enfield said. "By the time I left, the place was packed. When I got to FGCU, we had 75 students at our games. Now we have 1,000 every game. When I got to FGCU, we played a women's and men's double header. Fans would come for the women's game and leave in the middle of the men's game. Now we pack the house.
"Look, basketball's entertainment. You have to entertain the fans and make them want to come. You play a slow-down style and you don't win, they're not going to show up."
Well Enfield definitely has a little Newell in him. I checked their attendance against 3 instate conference rivals this year- Jacksonville, North Florida, and Stetson- Average attendance 2312 in a 4600 seat arena. Not exactly a packed house and that's assuming they report their attendance accurately.
You never miss a chance to take a swipe at Mike Newell. I assume this time that you're referring to Newell and his attendance figures. I don't doubt that he fudged some. I don't suppose that you'd ever admit that our attendance numbers since the Jack opened have ever been inflated. Evidently most schools fudge the attendance numbers some, but I have no doubt that our crowds at Barton were bigger than most any game Shields has drawn since he's been the coach.
I never thought that the crowds were embarassing at Barton, but most of the crowds we've had since we've moved to the Jack have been more empty than full. I've been to a lot of games the past few years that I was really embarassed with the attendance. And not only were there larger crowds at Barton, they were much more enthusiastic crowds. Name me one player since Shields has been the coach that has had the fan appeal that a Johnnie Bell, Jeff Cummings, and other of Newell's players have had. Everyone knows that Newell had his faults, but
you can't build Shields up by running Newell down. I'll have to give you credit though, you damn sure keep trying.
(04-04-2013 03:43 PM)mjs Wrote: [ -> ] (04-04-2013 02:27 PM)LR Alum Wrote: [ -> ]"When we started at Florida State, we had very limited fan support," Enfield said. "By the time I left, the place was packed. When I got to FGCU, we had 75 students at our games. Now we have 1,000 every game. When I got to FGCU, we played a women's and men's double header. Fans would come for the women's game and leave in the middle of the men's game. Now we pack the house.
"Look, basketball's entertainment. You have to entertain the fans and make them want to come. You play a slow-down style and you don't win, they're not going to show up."
Well Enfield definitely has a little Newell in him. I checked their attendance against 3 instate conference rivals this year- Jacksonville, North Florida, and Stetson- Average attendance 2312 in a 4600 seat arena. Not exactly a packed house and that's assuming they report their attendance accurately.
They had 4552 for the Miami game. And it looks like attendance jump from in the 1000s to in the mid to low 3000s after January. I'm assuming he exagerated a little about the numbers, but he does have a point that basically the attendance tripled in the 2nd half of the season, which I assume it was due to their winning and people seeing their style of play.
(04-04-2013 05:07 PM)LR Alum Wrote: [ -> ] (04-04-2013 03:43 PM)mjs Wrote: [ -> ] (04-04-2013 02:27 PM)LR Alum Wrote: [ -> ]"When we started at Florida State, we had very limited fan support," Enfield said. "By the time I left, the place was packed. When I got to FGCU, we had 75 students at our games. Now we have 1,000 every game. When I got to FGCU, we played a women's and men's double header. Fans would come for the women's game and leave in the middle of the men's game. Now we pack the house.
"Look, basketball's entertainment. You have to entertain the fans and make them want to come. You play a slow-down style and you don't win, they're not going to show up."
Well Enfield definitely has a little Newell in him. I checked their attendance against 3 instate conference rivals this year- Jacksonville, North Florida, and Stetson- Average attendance 2312 in a 4600 seat arena. Not exactly a packed house and that's assuming they report their attendance accurately.
They had 4552 for the Miami game. And it looks like attendance jump from in the 1000s to in the mid to low 3000s after January. I'm assuming he exagerated a little about the numbers, but he does have a point that basically the attendance tripled in the 2nd half of the season, which I assume it was due to their winning and people seeing their style of play.
I'd say that the jump from 75 a game to 1,000 is a pretty good jump. When you win, and have exciting teams, your attendance will pick up. They may have outdrawn FIU and FAU, and they are the newest of the three schools.