Student section/Attendance

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PurpleOut
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10:38a, 2/10/17
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This has obviously been a very discussed topic over the years, but there's not a thread here now. But also because there was a lot going on last night on twitter. It seems there were/are several students upset and wanting a better student section and better overall energy. Obviously you don't get the full story from watching on tv, but I didn't even see Purple Haze in any of the first rows. Nobody was standing, just blended in with the rest of the fans sitting on their hands.

Wanted to bring it up again because it seems there are now some actual students that actually want to make a change. That's been the biggest problem in the past, we discuss it here and know how to change it, but there's only 2-3 students at the game that actually tried. Too many kids that are "too cool" to dress up and get crazy. I brought up the Hecklers, who were a legitimate student organization back in the 2000s. We need to bring them back. If you find the LumberjackFans account you can see all of the conversation(s).



Not a lot of time this year with only 3 home games left, but very happy to see there's actually some students being vocal and wanting to discuss changes for the basketball environment. I had a meeting with PHA over the summer about this topic, and will continue to help them and provide suggestions. I'm also going to propose an event next year the night before a game where we get everyone out to talk about this subject and how to be a "real" student section. A basketball version of "Holler at Homer" sort of, along with members of the old Hecklers. I'd be willing to come in and pay for anything necessary since I know these events the PHA put on have to be paid for.
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nacluth
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10:56a, 2/10/17
Yeah, the student section has been growing throughout this year, but definitely nowhere near what we would want. The giant flag was awesome, but at the end of the UNO game, the students wouldn't let them unfurl it again over their heads. From the other side, it was kind of embarrassing that they couldn't get the students behind it. I wish the PHA could get their own roped off section outside of (or in front of) the student section. I think this would help build it up.

Honestly the student support level was better at the Sam game than any home game so far.
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PurpleOut
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11:06a, 2/10/17
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Yeah turnout has been better than the past, but again, for the most part they just blend in with the rest of the crowd. PHA can't seem to figure out where they want sit, moving back and forth from the assigned student section to behind the basket. The flag was great, but that can't be a thing you do on every FT attempt, doesn't make sense. But at least they're trying.

We also need more help from the AD on this.
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INiedrauer
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1:20p, 2/10/17
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I agree although I have to admit its so much better than it was three years ago. The fact that students are coming now is a step in the right direction. Big % of the crowd last night and on most of the weekday games.
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Txjack
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1:29p, 2/10/17
Students need to catch up with the seniors...did you see the video they posted on facebook of the lady in a pants suit dancing in the stands...everyone around her looked to be of similar age; even they were sitting as a group.
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sfa17
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1:45p, 2/10/17
One thing might be that the student section seats are on the corners of both side. Maybe if we could get one of the Current GA section (middle seats ) on one side. The game will always look empty on TV on weekdays bc Ga seats only go to residents.

The heckler idea is great. I remember a few year the student who does the 1077 q commentary was kicked out of the game for heckling.
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PurpleOut
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In reply to sfa17 • 2:08p, 2/10/17
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sfa17 said:
One thing might be that the student section seats are on the corners of both side. Maybe if we could get one of the Current GA section (middle seats ) on one side. The game will always look empty on TV on weekdays bc Ga seats only go to residents.

The heckler idea is great. I remember a few year the student who does the 1077 q commentary was kicked out of the game for heckling.
Definitely think the AD and PHA need to meet on this again. While everyone thinks sitting behind the basket sucks and is a "bad view," the majority of college basketball student sections are behind the baskets. Secondly, I'd also be interested to see how many season ticket holders we have. Perhaps they could be put together on one side, and have the students on the other side. I understand they want it to look better for TV, this might help. Either/any way, I think we need to do a better job of getting ALL students sitting together in one section. Not 50% in one section, 25% behind the basket, and the other 25% randomly scattered in GA seats.

As a Heckler in the early/mid 2000s, we sat right behind the visiting bench. AD probably wouldn't go for that now, but we had a police officer in front of us at all times. Even had a few police escorts at away games.

I also still believe if we had a solid student turnout sitting in the bottom of the current section now, all around the baseline like I proposed last year...that it would make for an amazing environment. Section 121 was where the Hecklers sat, definitely made an impact.

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MasterAxe
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2:21p, 2/10/17
"The heckler idea is great. I remember a few year the student who does the 1077 q commentary was kicked out of the game for heckling."

I can verify this...he's my fraternity brother. I was there. Did nothing to stop him.

Was hilarious.
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sfa17
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In reply to MasterAxe • 2:28p, 2/10/17
Yeah. That is true dedication.
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sfa17
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In reply to PurpleOut • 2:54p, 2/10/17
I think some students say that behind the basket seats suck is bc it so far way from the court bc of the wall. Most Cbb courts behind the basket is much closer to the court like the sides. I have be against the wall for a while. It takes away from the environment.

example : Cameron field house

or Middle Tennessee
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SFASawmillGuy
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3:37p, 2/10/17
Ever since I first went to SFA I've always wanted to see our fans be rowdy enough they get kicked out of games.
I actually liked in football when there was a stretch that the other teams roster was passed around and their players were called out.
The "Hecklers" idea sounds perfect. If we could only get the students to actually do it.
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INiedrauer
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4:36p, 2/10/17
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It is possible to make it happen. There definitely are students who "heckle" during games and some are pretty good at it. It just isn't nearly organized enough. It's just not something I can see the athletic department really being able to control though - it's got to be students. PHA is a platform by which it could happen, maybe. Maybe a large student organization like a sorority could get the ball rolling and others would follow.

A younger version of me would've jumped at the chance to head that up. It just needs to be someone who has the time to commit to it that I never did though.
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PurpleOut
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In reply to sfa17 • 6:28p, 2/10/17
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sfa17 said:
I think some students say that behind the basket seats suck is bc it so far way from the court bc of the wall. Most Cbb courts behind the basket is much closer to the court like the sides. I have be against the wall for a while. It takes away from the environment.

example : Cameron field house

or Middle Tennessee
I don't think that's really true at all. Most of the best places that I've been to are just as far back. Kansas has the most intimidating field house in the country and their students are further back than ours. Kentucky may have been a little closer but a very flat section with worse site lines. Even with MT there there's just as much space between the basket and the stands, some of which are just media (like a lot of places). Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor...all the same. Not trying to argue with you, just saying I'm not buying that excuse. We actually have an advantage over some places being raised up a little, it's still very close to the action.

Also for the record, I'm for not having the wall as well, you could take it out and have another 3-4 rows of temp bleachers put in. But, that of course requires the students to actually show up and sit there.
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PurpleOut
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6:37p, 2/10/17
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Maryland has in my opinion the best overall designed student section. 10 rows all around with the biggest section behind the basket.



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SFA Jack Fanatic
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10:29p, 2/10/17
That flash mob is one of the neatest things I've ever seen in a college sporting event! Their students really get into it. Are you watching, SFA students?? (Probably not...)
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PurpleOut
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11:26p, 2/15/17
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Here's the flyer/chant sheet that's being posted and passed out. Obviously this is based on and for the students, but of course highly encourage anyone that's into the game to join in with the noise. Especially on defense. It can make a huge difference.

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SFASawmillGuy
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12:36a, 2/16/17
The problem isn't promoting it to the students. SFA promotes more than pretty much anyone in the country.
It's a matter of the students not caring. I've had several tell me they don't want to go to a game where we're playing Lamar or Incarnate Word. They keep telling me they want to go to games where we're all playing Texas A&M and other big name schools.
It's the problem with being in a conference only people who have direct contact with know exists.
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SFA Jack Fanatic
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In reply to SFASawmillGuy • 7:31a, 2/16/17
SFA_03 said:
The problem isn't promoting it to the students. SFA promotes more than pretty much anyone in the country.
It's a matter of the students not caring. I've had several tell me they don't want to go to a game where we're playing Lamar or Incarnate Word. They keep telling me they want to go to games where we're all playing Texas A&M and other big name schools.
It's the problem with being in a conference only people who have direct contact with know exists.
True. Most kids in Texas only hear about the big schools when growing up -- UT, A&M, Baylor, Tech. That's something that we will probably never overcome, even with those coming out of high schools and enrolling at SFA.

Personal story: Just after graduating from SFA, I was a public school teacher and coach for a couple of years. Each year, kids would ask me if I was a Longhorn or an Aggie. When I said I was neither, I was a Lumberjack, they looked at me with a confused look. "What's a Lumberjack??" But by the end of the first semester, I had them realizing there were more than 2 or 3 great universities in Texas.
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sfa17
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In reply to SFA Jack Fanatic • 9:04a, 2/16/17
I think we can overcome that with winnings look at Wichita state , vcu and gonzaga. Winning titles and ncaa tournament games. If we win they will show up. Gcu has one the best environments in college basketball and they have never been to a ncaa game and play in WAC.so anything is possible.
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PurpleOut
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10:53a, 2/16/17
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I agree with all of that, and I think it's getting better. But that's also what a lot of the focus is on now from myself and these students leading this movement. Winning helps, but we need an overhaul of really everything. The atmosphere is much better than when I was a student, but we still need things like an organized student section, better music, kids not afraid to stand up and act crazy. If what we have planned starts working...it can really catch on. But we need help from everyone...students, alums, faculty, the athletic department.....everyone.

#PartyInTheColiseum will hopefully show that these games are fun. And that it doesn't matter how cool you think you look. It's all for the basketball team that DOES help influence winning.

GCU is an amazing example but also a one-off. They started from absolutely nothing and are backed by the university. Have a much bigger student population and have tons of resources ($) from the school. But it's pretty clear on most of the things that they do...things that we can take note of and strive to be like. We shouldn't worry about being original or whatever, just get loud and crazy and it will catch on.
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BigJack85
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11:52a, 2/16/17
Imho we outperform our peers in this regard. The only one that's close is Sammie on a good day. I do think conference affiliation is a part of the issue. I would certainly like to see us in a CUSA or a revamped version of the old American South Conference. I believe that UIW , HBU and some of the weaker products muddle the conference.
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Txjack
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In reply to SFA Jack Fanatic • 11:53a, 2/16/17
edstile said:
SFA_03 said:
The problem isn't promoting it to the students. SFA promotes more than pretty much anyone in the country.
It's a matter of the students not caring. I've had several tell me they don't want to go to a game where we're playing Lamar or Incarnate Word. They keep telling me they want to go to games where we're all playing Texas A&M and other big name schools.
It's the problem with being in a conference only people who have direct contact with know exists.
True. Most kids in Texas only hear about the big schools when growing up -- UT, A&M, Baylor, Tech. That's something that we will probably never overcome, even with those coming out of high schools and enrolling at SFA.

Personal story: Just after graduating from SFA, I was a public school teacher and coach for a couple of years. Each year, kids would ask me if I was a Longhorn or an Aggie. When I said I was neither, I was a Lumberjack, they looked at me with a confused look. "What's a Lumberjack??" But by the end of the first semester, I had them realizing there were more than 2 or 3 great universities in Texas.
When I coached Upwards Basketball a few years ago (kids church league), I would always insist on my team being named the Lumberjacks while everyone else were the popular names, I would get the same reaction...just doing my small part in getting our brand out there.
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BigJack85
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6:30p, 2/17/17
Good job Txjack. I always promote the brand. I've been out 32 years!
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cboothe09
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8:17p, 11/10/17
Watching Grand Canyon play Florida A&M right now. Their broadcast quality on ESPN3 is outstanding. If I was tuning in as an opposing fan, I would despise their announcers. No attempt to be unbiased at all. Actually pretty annoying.

As for fan experience. It looks really cool, but I don't think we are in a place to compare ourselves to them right now. Enrollments are very different. I still like Johnson better than their place...
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TallTexan
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In reply to cboothe09 • 8:37a, 11/11/17
Grand Canyon student engagement was pretty impressive. It's obvious they've made a schoolwide effort to support the sports teams.

Curious what people think, does the location of WRJ at the edge of campus negatively affect student attendance, versus say if WRJ was located where Shelton is?
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PurpleOut
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10:45a, 11/11/17
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It shouldn't. It's not that much further, and still closer to a good amount of dorms. As well as the majority of apartments on University. Plus now that we have Uber, maybe it will help everyone get to games that don't have want to drive or walk. We should publicize that more actually.

There was a lot of talk last year from some of the students about making some better changes, I wonder if anything came from that. Or are we just going to keep moving the student section every year?
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SFA Jack Fanatic
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In reply to TallTexan • 12:35p, 11/11/17
TallTexan said:
Grand Canyon student engagement was pretty impressive. It's obvious they've made a schoolwide effort to support the sports teams.

Curious what people think, does the location of WRJ at the edge of campus negatively affect student attendance, versus say if WRJ was located where Shelton is?
Does the university provide bus transportation across the campus (usually for commuters) like many schools do? (Sorry. I don't make it back to the campus very often so I don't know.) If they do, why not add a regular bus route to/from the Coliseum on game days?
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PurpleOut
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1:41p, 11/11/17
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Can't answer that, but they should. At least test it out and see how popular it would be, one bus around the UC that left 30 minutes (or more) before tipoff. Comes back 15 minutes after game is over.
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BigJack85
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8:42a, 11/12/17
The hecklers... student section is also a big deal for me. In the early 80's we had a similar section that would bring copies of the pine log and act like we they were reading until we scored our first points. That was fun.
Axe 'Em Jacks - Class of 85'
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PurpleOut
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10:19a, 11/12/17
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Edited the thread title so it can be for overall attendance discussion as well.

I want to us to plan a White Out for one of the conference games. I brought it up last year but there wasn't any time.
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TallTexan
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In reply to PurpleOut • 12:54p, 11/12/17
PurpleOut said:
Edited the thread title so it can be for overall attendance discussion as well.

I want to us to plan a White Out for one of the conference games. I brought it up last year but there wasn't any time.
That would be awesome Purple.


What was our average home basketball attendance last year?
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SFA88
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In reply to cboothe09 • 5:37p, 11/13/17
cboothe09 said:
Watching Grand Canyon play Florida A&M right now. Their broadcast quality on ESPN3 is outstanding. If I was tuning in as an opposing fan, I would despise their announcers. No attempt to be unbiased at all. Actually pretty annoying.

As for fan experience. It looks really cool, but I don't think we are in a place to compare ourselves to them right now. Enrollments are very different. I still like Johnson better than their place...
I haven't been in WRJ since the 80s but I have been in the GCU arena for non GCU events and it is pretty nice. It didn't have an upper level when they first built it but they quickly realized they were going to need more seats and added one. Nothing but individual seats with cup holders and plenty of leg room. Bathrooms and concessions close by on both levels and escalators, in addition to stairs, that take you to the second level. It is much better than Arizona State's Wells Fargo Arena but that's not saying much (they need to take every third row out of Wells Fargo).

Ugh, Scott Williams (former NBA player for those that might remember him) and Barry Buetel are about as homer as they come.
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TheRevSFA
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10:44p, 11/13/17
This made me miss running the hecklers after PO left. Hell, the cones are still in my garage. They survived Harvey
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SFA88
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In reply to BigJack85 • 6:13p, 11/14/17
BigJack85 said:
The hecklers... student section is also a big deal for me. In the early 80's we had a similar section that would bring copies of the pine log and act like we they were reading until we scored our first points. That was fun.
I remember that! It was very fun. We used to sit behind the opposing bench and yell at their coach and players, nothing profane, mostly silly stuff actually.
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PurpleOut
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10:28p, 11/15/17
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Put attendance at 3,127 tonight. Maybe, looked pretty sparse on tv. But props to Purple Haze, had the fullest section in the arena. Couldn't hear them, but that's a different problem.
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