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Bradley completes schedule

squirrelgotdead said:
I am less than thrilled about the move and don't really want to see games at the on-campus arena. . .but frankly, the numbers support the move.

BU is not going broke, you are right. But they are conservative in spending right now and they aren't going to spend more in buying basketball games unless the funding comes from the source.

These games would be in addition to the season ticket package. The goal here is to play perhaps as many as 18 home games. Without looking it up, I imagine you have to go back to the 1960's to see that. Actual attendance numbers at games similar to the games we would play at the new arena would shock you...because those numbers are PATHETIC.

So I'm willing to give it a shot because I would take more home games, especially if it allows BU to go out and buy better opponents for games at Carver.

Adding these extra games to Carver, knowing that attendance would stink, BU would potentially lose money on them.

I don't see why some fans refuse to acknowledge the numbers and the long-term benefits to the move.

Ideally, the circumstances could be better surrounding the move. . .a larger on-campus arena would've been nice. A better team year in, year out would be nice because demand for the product and games at Carver would make this unnecessary. But I also understand why the University wants to make the move.

But I can agree to disagree.
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Squirrel,

Out of curiosity, what is the approximate break even attendance number? (i.e., what does attendance have to be for BU to not experience a financial loss? I understand that one can't be exact because you never know the amount of concessions consumed from one game to the next, but I assume there is an approximate number.)

Also, does Bradley provide free transportation to students to get to the arena? Do any surrounding bars provide free shuttles?

As a fan of a school who plays its games in an off-campus arena as well, these issues are of interest to me....Thanks in advance....
 
JJ Alum-

I have no knowledge of the financial numbers. However, I do know rental of PCC is likely not cheap and I do know that the estimated actual attendances last year for the following games:

Idaho State 6200 (Home opener)
Presbyterian 4800 (walkup of 185, weeknight, first non-Sunday regular season game)

If that's what you get for a home opener-that number doesn't even likely match the number of season tickets sold. And I can't imagine BU gets any revenue on those kinds of numbers.

I've said it numerous times, most of the season tickets go unused for the games that would likely be played at the new arena.

The bottom line is many season tickets are held in blocks by businesses or companies and go unused, many are held by snowbirds who are in town maybe 1-2 weeks of the season, and many more are held and are used only casually or for "name" teams.

I reiterate that I get why people are concerned but again here are the numbers:

c. 4200 seating
c. 5000 w/ SRO

Less than 1/3 are reserved for pre-sold tickets in the new arena. The season ticket holders who actually go out of their way to get to games have very little risk of being left out for the games that are likely to be played in the arena.
 
that is how I view it -- it is far less desirable for me to park where they make us park now than before...and I heard many other people say the same thing...
Many who don't like waiting 15 minutes in line to catch an elevator to where they parked when the masses all head to the deck at the same time.

but my point is that I am not on the board whining and griping non-stop about every little thing that I find undesirable...
I still view Bradley basketball as a vastly positive thing and don't let little changes tear me to pieces or ruin the heck out of my golf game...:roll:
 
that is info that's not made known -- but suspected to be at or a little above 7000 seats are sold as season tickets and several hundred more as smaller partial season packages...
 
[B said:
Out of Balance[/B];191600] So as a bonus to SOME, NOT ALL, unless you can show me a way BU will get all 7,200+ season ticket holders in that 4,200 gym, there will be many who will not be able to attend:!:

[B said:
tornado[/B];191606]again...sorry to have to correct...
there are NOT 7200 season ticket holders....nowhere close....

tornado said:
that is info that's not made known -- but suspected to be at or a little above 7000 seats are sold as season tickets and several hundred more as smaller partial season packages...
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:?, Oh:-o, I all most forgot your logic here T, each season ticket seat sold, has NO Season Ticket holder:mrgreen: Come On Man:lol:
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tornado said:
more difficult = now kids have to negotiate a busy 4-lane street w/ impatient motorists, in the dark, twice
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I would be willing to bet you there have been MORE BU students hit crossing/on Main and University Streets, both day and night than pedestrians/fans (from all events held at the CC) then hit coming and going to and from the parking deck to the CC:!: I know of none crossing Jefferson but sadly can't say the same around BU. I am not saying your statement does not justify concern because it does. But I am more concern that more students will be hit on the S curve on University St. just south of the Campus Town Intersection, where they cross to their housing to the main campus:!: Hope No one gets hit/hurt at either:|
 
DoubleJayAlum said:
Squirrel,

Out of curiosity, what is the approximate break even attendance number? (i.e., what does attendance have to be for BU to not experience a financial loss? I understand that one can't be exact because you never know the amount of concessions consumed from one game to the next, but I assume there is an approximate number.)

Also, does Bradley provide free transportation to students to get to the arena? Do any surrounding bars provide free shuttles?

As a fan of a school who plays its games in an off-campus arena as well, these issues are of interest to me....Thanks in advance....
Click to expand...

Great questions...I sugggest add one more. How do you put a price on or should I say how much revenue will BU lose ticking of a fraction of their loyal season ticket holders and general fans that get shut out watching their beloved Braves when there is an alternative that would avoid this from happening?

My answer.....its immeasurable..you CAN'T put a price or a number on a fans loyalty or love of BU and how it could suffer if they feel like the University only worries about the bottom line.

I'm all for making money but NOT at the expense of a SINGLE fan.
 
Out of Balance said:
I would be willing to bet you there have been MORE BU students hit crossing/on Main and University Streets, both day and night than pedestrians/fans (from all events held at the CC) then hit coming and going to and from the parking deck to the CC:!: I know of none crossing Jefferson but sadly can't say the same around BU. I am not saying your statement does not justify concern because it does. But I am more concern that more students will be hit on the S curve on University St. just south of the Campus Town Intersection, where they cross to their housing to the main campus:!: Hope No one gets hit/hurt at either:|
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Quit being logical....you're killing me.
 
squirrelgotdead said:
JJ Alum-

I have no knowledge of the financial numbers. However, I do know rental of PCC is likely not cheap and I do know that the estimated actual attendances last year for the following games:

Idaho State 6200 (Home opener)
Presbyterian 4800 (walkup of 185, weeknight, first non-Sunday regular season game)

If that's what you get for a home opener-that number doesn't even likely match the number of season tickets sold. And I can't imagine BU gets any revenue on those kinds of numbers.

I've said it numerous times, most of the season tickets go unused for the games that would likely be played at the new arena.

The bottom line is many season tickets are held in blocks by businesses or companies and go unused, many are held by snowbirds who are in town maybe 1-2 weeks of the season, and many more are held and are used only casually or for "name" teams.

I reiterate that I get why people are concerned but again here are the numbers:

c. 4200 seating
c. 5000 w/ SRO

Less than 1/3 are reserved for pre-sold tickets in the new arena. The season ticket holders who actually go out of their way to get to games have very little risk of being left out for the games that are likely to be played in the arena.
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They are still paid for, used or not. As for snow birds only being there 1 or 2 weeks, I am a proud snow bird and I can assure you someone is sitting in my seat while I'm golfing.
 
Out of Balance said:
[B said:
Out of Balance[/B];191600] So as a bonus to SOME, NOT ALL, unless you can show me a way BU will get all 7,200+ season ticket holders in that 4,200 gym, there will be many who will not be able to attend:!:

[B said:
tornado[/B];191606]again...sorry to have to correct...
there are NOT 7200 season ticket holders....nowhere close....



:?, Oh:-o, I all most forgot your logic here T, each season ticket seat sold, has NO Season Ticket holder:mrgreen: Come On Man:lol:
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Funny isn't it OOB. He changes numbers when it suits his argument.
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tornado said:
more difficult = now kids have to negotiate a busy 4-lane street w/ impatient motorists, in the dark, twice
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Maybe mommie and daddie could take them by the hand, or better yet have them use the stop and go lights on the corners after they have seen a Bradley game is a real Div 1 arena.
 
Chico said:
They are still paid for, used or not. As for snow birds only being there 1 or 2 weeks, I am a proud snow bird and I can assure you someone is sitting in my seat while I'm golfing.
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That's all well and good, but that is likely an exception, not the rule, sadly. And for the "paid for" comment. . .you missed the point. Not enough people are paying for those contests. It's adding more home games (a point you refuse to even acknowledge) and taking the games BU likely takes a hit on and making them profitable. So if BU decides to take these games on campus, no, they are not paid for.
 
squirrelgotdead said:
c. 5000 w/ SRO
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Are you guys going to the same Bradley basketball games I've been going to? You seriously think there is a SRO crowd out there. The students can't even stand the whole time. At the neutral court games where Bradley fans want to stand during the game, they immediately sit down when the media timeout starts or halftime. I think I could do it once a year, but I know I couldn't tell my wife or any of the others that I have season tickets with that I got them SRO tickets.
 
Good points, boogie.

The argument here though is there is room vs being shut out. You are right, though, a number of fans likely would not purchase SRO.

So you have the potential for people shutting themselves out. The bottom line is for people who really want to go to those potential games, there will be room.

And before shaunguth jumps in here. . .I'm talking regular season ONLY. I don't need you to re-post postseason attendance numbers when they have no relevance to what's being discussed here.
 
dogsrus said:
I'm all for making money but NOT at the expense of a SINGLE fan.
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Then don't go to work for a division I university. Money makes things happen. I think the university hopes its fan base would be understanding in its ways to utilize the new facilities and increase on-campus activities. If you cannot see things from perspectives other than your own personal situation, I would think the university would say "sorry you feel that way" and sell your season tickets to someone looking for an upgrade. I think they want people to be happy, and will bend over backwards to do so, but only if it is possible to make them happy.

I think in times of change, like the new facilities, I think a little flexibility should be granted until they figure out the best way to use the place. Patience, cooperation, understanding, flexibility, loyalty, trust, whatever you want to call it.

Just my opinion.
 
Buesch N Chips said:
Then don't go to work for a division I university. Money makes things happen. I think the university hopes its fan base would be understanding in its ways to utilize the new facilities and increase on-campus activities. If you cannot see things from perspectives other than your own personal situation, I would think the university would say "sorry you feel that way" and sell your season tickets to someone looking for an upgrade. I think they want people to be happy, and will bend over backwards to do so, but only if it is possible to make them happy.

I think in times of change, like the new facilities, I think a little flexibility should be granted until they figure out the best way to use the place. Patience, cooperation, understanding, flexibility, loyalty, trust, whatever you want to call it.

Just my opinion.
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Great points BnC. This is the way I feel. I want what is best for my university, and in this case, also the basketball program.

Just an FYI, it is expected Duke could sell well over 25,000 season tickets, but they allow less than 6,000... They'll never be a top tier program.
 
Excellent post BnC. . .

Exactly how I feel.

I do think Bradley traditionally is reluctant to change. So is a vast amount of its fan base; because when you've been around at the top level as long as we have, there's little reason to change.

In BU's past however, the product has DEMANDED larger facilities.

The Armory happened because they didn't want fans hanging on the rafters in the gym to watch games. The Fieldhouse happened because the Armory reached a point where it wasn't safe. When Carver happened, BU lost some of its autonomy, but in the process had an incredible facility that saw BU reach 2 NCAA Tourneys within 5 years of moving there.

It's unfortunate, but until the product gets consistently better, change is necessary to improve the product. This change is likely to take on several forms.
 
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