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Bored with Pre Game Activities

O

Out of Bounce

New member
Not much to talk about BU's team and players so lets talk about the pre game activities again. I'm talking before tip off. I for one, am bored with things before the game starts. It just seems like to me that most fans don't come alive until half way through the first half. The "Welcome to the Court, Your Bradley Team/Braves (what ever) is OK and the anouncment of the starting 5 with the kids on the court getting high 5's is a good thing. Not sure I care for the team coming out of the stands thing. It seems like it takes way to long and I just keep thinking that one of the players is going to miss a step and get hurt. As for the video on the scoreboard its good but the music played sucks. It sounded like it should be played at a funeral and we were on a death march. I thought the video of the trip from the Fieldhouse to Carver was great(Something like the Bulls had). The few Brave Club's pep rallie's are so boring, if it wasn't for the free beer no one would come. Theres just not much action going on. Maybe a band, a speaker (past player/coach) or two to get the fans up for the game. The cheerleaders are good. The food sucks! Also they have split the season ticket holds so some now can not go to the new Brave Club room.
I just think things need to change to get the fans into it before the game.
 
OoB - you make some good points.

And this seems to bark up the Marketing tree. I am not a believer in Marketing. I believe in the product. Product sells.

So in this case, I believe a good product (a good team) with good results (winning) gets you good crowds. From that - the whole atmosphere becomes elevated/electric. Pre-game activities get better from all the excitement coming out of the product.

I don't believe it comes from Marketing telling you to get excited and showing how to feel excitement and joy. (creating excitement/creating a "perceived reality", "perception = reality")

That's just me - and I might be in the minority with my views.
 
MacabreMob said:
OoB - you make some good points.

And this seems to bark up the Marketing tree. I am not a believer in Marketing. I believe in the product. Product sells.

So in this case, I believe a good product (a good team) with good results (winning) gets you good crowds. From that - the whole atmosphere becomes elevated/electric. Pre-game activities get better from all the excitement coming out of the product.

I don't believe it comes from Marketing telling you to get excited and showing how to feel excitement and joy. (creating excitement/creating a "perceived reality", "perception = reality")

That's just me - and I might be in the minority with my views.
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I'm inclined to agree with you MM. However, one can hardly ignor the comercials on t.v. radio, print media, bilboards. Marketing is taught at every major University including Bradley, one might contend that it is part in parcel to the corner stone of our capitalist society way of life.
 
MacabreMob said:
OoB - you make some good points.

And this seems to bark up the Marketing tree. I am not a believer in Marketing. I believe in the product. Product sells.

So in this case, I believe a good product (a good team) with good results (winning) gets you good crowds. From that - the whole atmosphere becomes elevated/electric. Pre-game activities get better from all the excitement coming out of the product.

I don't believe it comes from Marketing telling you to get excited and showing how to feel excitement and joy. (creating excitement/creating a "perceived reality", "perception = reality")

That's just me - and I might be in the minority with my views.
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I agree with all you have said. Who wouldn't agree that winning teams will put fans in the stands and create a atmosphere of excitement and joy. I am not talking Marketing BU's Team. We have won and the fans are there. The fans just don't come to BU games to see the Scoreboard Video, the Cheerleaders, the Band, and all the other activities, they are there to root ,cheer and see BU play. But all these activities are a big part of what leads up to the main act (game). Take it all away and what will you have.
This isn't Marketing in the way the CUBS have had to do things to bring entertainment to the fans because they didn't have a winning team. All I am saying is there can be some changes to the pre game things that will boost the atmosphere to its highest level with these activities. As for the Team and Game, it will sell itself.
 
Pre game isn't that important to me, unless you're talking about just before the game. A lot of fans don't get there much before the game and most of the ones that get there early, like myself, prefer to socialize and let the teams warm up. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I think you can go overboard on the pre game introductions. IMO, I would like the the lights to go down, the band play the fight song and the players get introduced to a loud standing ovation. It worked just fine for years.
 
Chico said:
Pre game isn't that important to me, unless you're talking about just before the game. A lot of fans don't get there much before the game and most of the ones that get there early, like myself, prefer to socialize and let the teams warm up. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I think you can go overboard on the pre game introductions. IMO, I would like the the lights to go down, the band play the fight song and the players get introduced to a loud standing ovation. It worked just fine for years.
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I know I am going to irritate some but it seems to me for a lot of the season ticket holders BU bb is a social event. I am sorry but it takes a long time for the fans to get into a game. It was fun a year ago when they asked people tostand for the 1st 4 minutes and last 4 minutes of each half. This seemed to get people into the game a lot more. Go to a UI, MSU, NC, Duke, KU, UK, (I could go on) game and the crowd is going nuts 30-45 minutes before the game. Does this help the team? Of course it does in many ways as the opposing team has to face the noise of the crown and it helps the home team become more fired up. I am sure some will not agree here but that is the way I see it and I seen some games at some of these other schools.
 
I think BU should go back to 8pm starts no pregame at all other then the band playing and during time outs its either the BU fight song or the Cheerleaders doing pyramids.

But that is just me, since it seemed there was plenty of enthusiasm when I was a kid in the fieldhouse and that is how it was then.

Basketball is the product and the rest is just for those with ADD and seem to think there has to be something going on at all times to entertain themselves or their children.
 
I thought I said the socializing went on before the game. Once the game starts is where it ends with 99% of the fans. Why does somene have to be seated, or standing, to watch the teams shoot layups. You can't compare BU crowds to Duke, North Carolina, etc. They have many more students attend their games. It's good the BU fans stand to start each half and help the team play defense, but you don't have to stand the whole game to be a fan. If you want to, fine. I'm first row upper bowl so you won't bother me. You don't irritate me. Been going to BU games since the Armory days and you won't find a fan in the Civic Center who cheers the team on more than me, but I only stand when I'm given a reason to. Love seeing the students stand the whole game though.
 
What's wrong with Bradley Basketball being a social event? I love seeing my friends at Carver Arena and on the trips to Redbird Arena and the ScottTrade Center.
 
it's boogie time said:
What's wrong with Bradley Basketball being a social event? I love seeing my friends at Carver Arena and on the trips to Redbird Arena and the ScottTrade Center.
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Nothng wrong with that at all... I have to slightly disagree with a previous post... I think the socializing happens before, during and after the game with some fans... just as there are people who go to games that are die-hard fans as well---- again nothing wrong with that it happens everywhere...imo
 
it's boogie time said:
What's wrong with Bradley Basketball being a social event? I love seeing my friends at Carver Arena and on the trips to Redbird Arena and the ScottTrade Center.
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Beninator said:
Nothng wrong with that at all... I have to slightly disagree with a previous post... I think the socializing happens before, during and after the game with some fans... just as there are people who go to games that are die-hard fans as well---- again nothing wrong with that it happens everywhere...imo
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Agreed - nothing wrong with it at all.

But Bradley basketball shouldn't be considered a social event first, IMO. I think that is an arrogant approach... it's like saying, "yea - why would I go to see Bradley play basketball. If I want to watch college basketball, I'd go to UIUC or watch ESPN."

But, IMO, this also explains why 5500 at the Ohio U game were louder than the 9500 at most regular season games. The CBI games really brought out the "true fan". (I know, that rips some of you guys up when fans get described as "true fans" versus just regular fans, or maybe semi-fans) But anyway - those CBI games didn't have the semi-true fan sitting in the company provided seats. Some semi-fans wouldn't buy a ticket to a game - but they will go free and think of it as a social event. And they are also hoping to be entertained outside of the action on the court.

I think about the Illini fans I know and saw at the Providence NIT game.... they never cheered and they left early with their hands in their pockets. So why would they go to the Cincinnati, Ohio, or Tulsa game in the CBI? Not much time for promotions. Tickets cost more. No special 1/2 time shows. And they don't want to see Bradley win. [Oh, and they definitely don't want to go and socialize with a real fan when their team isn't even in the post-season]
 
Where I sit the only socializing during the game is fans talking about the game. I don't consider that socializing, do you? IMO it's kind of ridiculous to think with 10,000 fans in a building, they shouldn't be socializing.
 
MacabreMob said:
Agreed - nothing wrong with it at all.

But Bradley basketball shouldn't be considered a social event first, IMO. I think that is an arrogant approach... it's like saying, "yea - why would I go to see Bradley play basketball. If I want to watch college basketball, I'd go to UIUC or watch ESPN."

But, IMO, this also explains why 5500 at the Ohio U game were louder than the 9500 at most regular season games. The CBI games really brought out the "true fan". (I know, that rips some of you guys up when fans get described as "true fans" versus just regular fans, or maybe semi-fans) But anyway - those CBI games didn't have the semi-true fan sitting in the company provided seats. Some semi-fans wouldn't buy a ticket to a game - but they will go free and think of it as a social event. And they are also hoping to be entertained outside of the action on the court.

I think about the Illini fans I know and saw at the Providence NIT game.... they never cheered and they left early with their hands in their pockets. So why would they go to the Cincinnati, Ohio, or Tulsa game in the CBI? Not much time for promotions. Tickets cost more. No special 1/2 time shows. And they don't want to see Bradley win. [Oh, and they definitely don't want to go and socialize with a real fan when their team isn't even in the post-season]
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Very good points Mob. I was at the BU-Providence game. How anyone who considers themself a basketball fan could leave early is beyond me?
Then again, I probably answered my own question.
 
Chico said:
Where I sit the only socializing during the game is fans talking about the game. I don't consider that socializing, do you? IMO it's kind of ridiculous to think with 10,000 fans in a building, they shouldn't be socializing.
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Disagree... From where I have watched BU games, I have heard people talking shop, news about the market etc etc... Heck last year there was a lady in front of me with her two teen-aged sons... The lady was keeping score while her sons were playing a video game! That is only a couple of examples...:(

And again this happens everywhere...
 
Since I was a student at BU I've always viewed alcohol as one of the reasons our pregames/pep-rallies aren't the same as other schools.

Correct me if I'm wrong but we're one of only a few colleges that sell booze at our event. At other schools (atleast for the younger crowds) the hours before game time usually revolve around getting as loaded as possible as quickly as possible before going into the main event.

At BU you can grab a cold one downtown. Folks get a nice buzz late in the first half instead of coming into the game all hopped up.

I'm not saying you have to get lit to get loud for the home team...it just seems to help ;).

Just my opinion.
 
Just a few opnions. I root for Bradley first and Illinois second, but I don't expect Illinois fans to get all excited over a Bradley game.
Sounds like a couple of teenagers who just didn't want to be there in the first place and Mom shouldn't have had them there. We have several kids in my row who have grown up going to Bradley games with their Dads and have changed 100% in the last several years and really get into the games. Guess I should have been more clear and said adult fans.
LG281, even though I'm glad BU moved their games to the Civic Center, I have to disagree with you about having to have a few brews to get into the game. I love a cool one as much as anyone, but evidently you were never at a BU game at the Fieldhouse.
 
Have to agree 100% with LG here. Since alcohol is at the game, most students don't really get together until just before game time (there is no "pre-game" drinking). A group of us tried getting together regularly before games down on Farmington Rd., but we were literally the only students out early. I think if booze wasn't served at Carver we would probably have atleast 50 people packing in a bar drinking as fast as we could before we got a lift to Carver. And we would be going nuts when we got there. If students did meet up and drink together and socialize before games I think that attendance would start to go way up as it would be one of the things to do during the week, especially when it gets cold and people are sick of their little dorm or run-down off-campus house.

Also, I think that an 8pm start time would work a lot better for students. College kids are on whacked out schedules that really make no sense at all. Making a 7pm tip-off for us would be like an adult in the "real world" making it to a 4pm tip-off. It can be done, but it's not really the ideal situation. Most kids can barely get out of class, get dinner, get ready and make it to Carver on time as is. With the extra hour, the students who easily made the 7pm time would have ample time to get sloshed before games and the kids who couldn't now have a chance. Tuesday and Wednesday are nights for evening classes as well that end at 8 or 9. I missed 2 whole years of weekday bball games because of night classes. With an 8pm start, at most I would have missed the first half. Then for the youngest kids who don't have a ride to Carver and rely on bussing would have a couple more chances to get down there. My freshman year we missed the last bus a few times and ended up walking. I'd be willing to bet that you would see a gradual increase in student attendance over one year and then really noticable differences from year to year as people started to hype the games on campus.

Finally, I think the pregame stuff is important to a point. It sort of sets the tone for the game. Additionally, a visiting recruit wants to see how amped these crowds get that they might one day play infront of. We want to have a pregame intro where it sends chills down the recruits spine and they immediately fall in love with the atmosphere. For anyone that hasn't been to game it sort of gets them a sense of what its going to be like all night.
 
Evidently you were never at a game in the Fieldouse either, where no "booze" was served. Most adults, who make up the majority of the crowd, don't have to have a few beers in them to see a ball game, that's why they can easily make the 7:00 game. Plenty of time afterwards and most of them have to get up earlier than most students But to the students who do make the games, keep up the good work.
 
BUBrave28 said:
Have to agree 100% with LG here. Since alcohol is at the game, most students don't really get together until just before game time (there is no "pre-game" drinking). A group of us tried getting together regularly before games down on Farmington Rd., but we were literally the only students out early. I think if booze wasn't served at Carver we would probably have atleast 50 people packing in a bar drinking as fast as we could before we got a lift to Carver. And we would be going nuts when we got there. If students did meet up and drink together and socialize before games I think that attendance would start to go way up as it would be one of the things to do during the week, especially when it gets cold and people are sick of their little dorm or run-down off-campus house.

Also, I think that an 8pm start time would work a lot better for students. College kids are on whacked out schedules that really make no sense at all. Making a 7pm tip-off for us would be like an adult in the "real world" making it to a 4pm tip-off. It can be done, but it's not really the ideal situation. Most kids can barely get out of class, get dinner, get ready and make it to Carver on time as is. With the extra hour, the students who easily made the 7pm time would have ample time to get sloshed before games and the kids who couldn't now have a chance. Tuesday and Wednesday are nights for evening classes as well that end at 8 or 9. I missed 2 whole years of weekday bball games because of night classes. With an 8pm start, at most I would have missed the first half. Then for the youngest kids who don't have a ride to Carver and rely on bussing would have a couple more chances to get down there. My freshman year we missed the last bus a few times and ended up walking. I'd be willing to bet that you would see a gradual increase in student attendance over one year and then really noticable differences from year to year as people started to hype the games on campus.

Finally, I think the pregame stuff is important to a point. It sort of sets the tone for the game. Additionally, a visiting recruit wants to see how amped these crowds get that they might one day play infront of. We want to have a pregame intro where it sends chills down the recruits spine and they immediately fall in love with the atmosphere. For anyone that hasn't been to game it sort of gets them a sense of what its going to be like all night.
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You just created a catch-22. You want more games at 8 p.m. so more students could be out of class, but you want them to also go out earlier and drink?
 
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