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

I remember a year when I saw Princeton, Temple and Valpo at the MAC Center. I may be wrong on one but I do have a martini in my hand. Add those to Ohio, Akron and Buffalo home games....that was nice basketball at a great value.

The problem with attendance is not the coach. We have a good coach and some pretty good players. The problem is that the program has not been sold to the community. The Blue Gold Club used to be a club of supporters who were involved with not only giving money, but with raising money and promoting attendance. At some point, the athletic department wanted to bring in fund raisers and decommission the Blue Gold as a participation organization and just promote giving of money. Times have changed and promotions that are community oriented do not seem to exist. Now the B/G Club is how much money can you give us this year?

(02-05-2018 03:38 PM)burden Wrote:  Actually it’s easy to understand. There are not enough true Kent fans we need some general basketball fans too. I know I’m not there to support the coaches, etc. I’m there to watch basketball. I am fanatical enough I’ll watch Alabama A&M but I’m sure a lot of fans won’t. They are more sensitive to the schedule.

I don't see what's so unattractive. Not glamorous, sure, but it is very attractive. The games are really quite exciting. Is there a huge show? Not really, but if you like watching basketball, the price is spectacular. I think the challenge is communicating that to the masses.

Totally agree with the ticket prices being a bargain. I was going to go to the St. Joe's vs. Penn game at the Palestra, but the cheapest ticket was $21. Not worth it. Maction has a great ROI.

(02-05-2018 10:41 PM)Albert Flasher Wrote:  Totally agree with the ticket prices being a bargain. I was going to go to the St. Joe's vs. Penn game at the Palestra, but the cheapest ticket was $21. Not worth it. Maction has a great ROI.

Not worth $21 to go to the Palestra for that game? Seems like a bargain to me.

(02-06-2018 04:46 AM)dannyb73 Wrote:  

(02-05-2018 10:41 PM)Albert Flasher Wrote:  Totally agree with the ticket prices being a bargain. I was going to go to the St. Joe's vs. Penn game at the Palestra, but the cheapest ticket was $21. Not worth it. Maction has a great ROI.

Not worth $21 to go to the Palestra for that game? Seems like a bargain to me.

I'm not sure how the efforts this year compare to the past - but for the first time ever we've had robo calls from Sendy or others in AD for most home games offering up $6 tickets - I can only make the 3 hour drive each way once or twice a season - I have at times bought tickets just to support the team. I end up watching games on TV - too many games on TV may in my opinion hurts attendance. I also notice how many people come to games on a nationwide basis just to play on their smart phones or be seen in selfies!

While we are in the mix for a first round bye and coming off a championship, we drew 2300 tonight against EMU for one of the worst turnouts in a league game I can remember in a while.

OU came into tonight's game as the worst team in the league and drew 6100.

(02-06-2018 09:57 PM)JimJoyce Wrote:  While we are in the mix for a first round bye and coming off a championship, we drew 2300 tonight against EMU for one of the worst turnouts in a league game I can remember in a while.

OU came into tonight's game as the worst team in the league and drew 6100.

OU has always had better attendance. I agree with above it is about selling he Flagship program, not to the diehards but to Kent and surrounding communities.

(02-07-2018 10:41 AM)luckyflash Wrote:  

(02-06-2018 09:57 PM)JimJoyce Wrote:  While we are in the mix for a first round bye and coming off a championship, we drew 2300 tonight against EMU for one of the worst turnouts in a league game I can remember in a while.

OU came into tonight's game as the worst team in the league and drew 6100.

OU has always had better attendance. I agree with above it is about selling he Flagship program, not to the diehards but to Kent and surrounding communities.

Yes not so many entertainment options in Athens and I am sure at least some people wanted to see them get even or make Groce's return anything but fun

(02-06-2018 09:57 PM)JimJoyce Wrote:  While we are in the mix for a first round bye and coming off a championship, we drew 2300 tonight against EMU for one of the worst turnouts in a league game I can remember in a while.

OU came into tonight's game as the worst team in the league and drew 6100.

It’s not because of a lack of students either. The former yellow seats (now blue) are half full at best. A lot of fans I recognize aren’t there any more. Some are only at a handful of games. The bleachers are so empty that students set up their laptops and do school work during the game. I’m curious to see how the Akron games draws on Saturday afternoon 2/17.

I don't have a problem what people do at the game: homework, cell phones, etc. It is the way things are now. People will reengage when the time is right. Again, the question is how do we sell the product?
I'm sorry to say it, but a new venue sells it. Investing in the program sells it. OU does that. Akron has done that with football. We have done good things with the gym to enhance the atmosphere, but we are reaching our max potential with that place.

(02-07-2018 01:48 PM)AlphaFlash Wrote:  I don't have a problem what people do at the game: homework, cell phones, etc. It is the way things are now. People will reengage when the time is right. Again, the question is how do we sell the product?
I'm sorry to say it, but a new venue sells it. Investing in the program sells it. OU does that. Akron has done that with football. We have done good things with the gym to enhance the atmosphere, but we are reaching our max potential with that place.

I agree. My point wasn’t that they were doing school work it was there was enough room to do it. They basically had everything spread out over 5 or so seats. Other than the Center sections the upper bleachers are pretty empty.

Heard a KSU men’s basketball ad on WKNR this morning. It was promoting the February 17 game versus Akron. Can’t remember the last time I heard an ad for any of our sporting events but was glad to hear this one!

(02-03-2018 04:00 PM)ilovegymnast Wrote:  I do agree with the lack of advertising. It annoys me that the only billboard I have drove past is the one by bob evans on 43. They really need to ramp it up for all sports. They should have radio ads on 92.3 throughout the day and during Browns games. Also on 100.7 during the Cavs games. Then sprinkled throughout other stations. I should also see billboards in a 30 mile radius of the campus.

Another idea I have had over the last week or two is to have an all seasons ticket. Instead of buying season tickets to each sport just have one price for all sports. I think it would sway more people to attend more events.

Sorry while I get the premise I can’t support that idea. Why? Because our D4 punter will take the money and use it on football. I can only support programs that honor our university athletically and academically

Am I the only one getting targeted ads for basketball games? They also sell discounted tickets.

(02-14-2018 08:34 PM)AlphaFlash Wrote:  Am I the only one getting targeted ads for basketball games? They also sell discounted tickets.

We've had robo calls - often Sendy offering discount tickets to home games

I live in Canton. I've been to 4 home men's B.B. games this year (Cleveland St., Ball St., Oregon State, and Central (I'm 4-0). I don't mind paying $10 or $12 (forget which) at the door for upper G.A.

Tomorrow's game is $20 at the door.

I think I'll stay home and watch it on T.V.

Kent State University Men's Basketball should be ashamed to charge $20 for this game. With tickets starting at $6 for the majority of the MAC Season this is nothing short of exploitation of the fan base...albeit a dwindling fan base.

I hope that fans turn out, I really do. And I hope that this game is the catalyst for a long winning streak that extends all the way to Cleveland.

But I also hope that a lesson is learned tomorrow if attendance is poor for this game featuring two teams with losing conference records.

The Cincinnati Reds were one of the first teams to start upcharging for "premium" games when the Cardinals and Cubs would come to down. It's simply a smart business decision.

Look at it this way: the place is practically giving tickets away all season long save for one game. In the grand scheme, it all balances out.

If tomorrow doesn't sell out, it will be because these two teams are tanking. Not because of the slightly higher cost.

Not to mention, we're 10th in the league in attendance coming off a conference championship and NCAA appearance. Along with offering the cheapest tickets in the league. You guys aren't coming to the games anyway, so what's the point in complaining?