Just back from the event - the afternoon reception with the basketball coaches & AD - it went on almost 2 hours with Coach Wardle and Chris Reynolds talking about the program, the players, etc.....then an extended question & answer session
Exciting - fans were enthusiastic and anxious for the season.... it's a feeling I see everywhere and haven't seen it like this is years!
everyone on the same page - didn't seem like there were any doubters at all that we were fully on the same page and we are going the right direction with the right people in charge.
-the team just finished their 14th practice and they are allowed 6 weeks, and 5 practice days per week with 2 mandatory days off - 30 practice days leading up to the first game.
-season ticket sales are up substantially but moreso the new special packages are very popular - especially the family packs
-games will look different - there's going be a big presence of an atmosphere that will be kid-friendly..
-Coach Stowell, and every other past Bradley player and coach will be heartily welcomed and many will also have a big presence at all future games
-the new walk-on player D'Angelo McBride, although he is a sophomore academically, is a
freshman in athletic eligibility since this is his first year. So now we have TEN freshmen.
-Some news on Mike Shaw - not good - struggling with injuries cannot redshirt - used his RS with the transfer
-talked a little about recruiting - hinted that we are targeting 2 or 3 remaining recruits with our final 2016 scholarship - but will not use it unless we find the right fit - no desperation to use it quick
-here is the Bradley video coordinator - Zach Larson
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/zachary-larson/2b/b08/7aa
-Coach Wardle and staff have visited every high school - especially during open gyms and practices - for a 50 mile radius - some multiple times.
The single thing they heard said almost every day was..
"nobody from Bradley has set foot in this gym in years. In fact nobody ever even called us"
-excited with who we have committed for 2016 but cannot comment on them specifically until they sign
-perhaps someone who is currently a freshman might transfer after 1 or 2 years - and that transferring is a near-epidemic in DI - so it could happen, but Coach Wardle is not counting on it and has no particular thought on who might.
-gotta get more young people and younger fans - marketing will be aimed at bringing in new season ticket buyers...
..more when I have time - gonna go pull for the Cubs
