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Post by ibleedpurple on Feb 27, 2020 20:19:41 GMT -6
Everyone thinks their team has the best fans, especially when they are winning.
But what about when their team is losing, losing big and can't seem to get over the hump?
I would like to make the argument that us BLEEDING PURPLE Aces fans may be the best around.
I mean who continues to draw fans like we have when we have lost all 17 conference games, lost our former NBA/Home Town Boy Head Coach, lost our best player for basically the entire conference season, had three head coaches and yet we are what #2 in attendance and continue to draw good crowds like the one last weekend vs Indiana State at 6,419 according to the box score? Who has fans sticking around to hug and high five the players after the game telling them "hang in there, we love you guys, we are there for you" and on and on as I have heard many, many times despite losing the game just minutes prior? Some fans may even have tears in their eyes from what I could see last weekend. How many fans would we have if we actually started winning like we did in the 80s and 90s ? Could we get back to 8,000-9,000 a game ? I would put my money on it.
I am proud to be an Aces fan. In this fast paced, I don't care, cut in line, buy it online, on my phone all the time world we live in where loyalty seems to simply be a thing of the past I think we set a great example of being true and loyal fans.
Find me a better example.
Go Aces !
Bleeding Purple
Get a W on Senior Day for KJ !
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Post by aceshigh on Feb 27, 2020 21:00:18 GMT -6
BUMP
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Post by 6thman on Feb 27, 2020 22:07:43 GMT -6
Everyone thinks their team has the best fans, especially when they are winning. But what about when their team is losing, losing big and can't seem to get over the hump? I would like to make the argument that us BLEEDING PURPLE Aces fans may be the best around. I mean who continues to draw fans like we have when we have lost all 17 conference games, lost our former NBA/Home Town Boy Head Coach, lost our best player for basically the entire conference season, had three head coaches and yet we are what #2 in attendance and continue to draw good crowds like the one last weekend vs Indiana State at 6,419 according to the box score? Who has fans sticking around to hug and high five the players after the game telling them "hang in there, we love you guys, we are there for you" and on and on as I have heard many, many times despite losing the game just minutes prior? Some fans may even have tears in their eyes from what I could see last weekend. How many fans would we have if we actually started winning like we did in the 80s and 90s ? Could we get back to 8,000-9,000 a game ? I would put my money on it. I am proud to be an Aces fan. In this fast paced, I don't care, cut in line, buy it online, on my phone all the time world we live in where loyalty seems to simply be a thing of the past I think we set a great example of being true and loyal fans. Find me a better example. Go Aces ! Bleeding Purple Get a W on Senior Day for KJ ! This is where UE Aces basketball is! GO ACES |
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Post by sect3purple on Feb 27, 2020 22:47:49 GMT -6
Everyone thinks their team has the best fans, especially when they are winning. But what about when their team is losing, losing big and can't seem to get over the hump? I would like to make the argument that us BLEEDING PURPLE Aces fans may be the best around. I mean who continues to draw fans like we have when we have lost all 17 conference games, lost our former NBA/Home Town Boy Head Coach, lost our best player for basically the entire conference season, had three head coaches and yet we are what #2 in attendance and continue to draw good crowds like the one last weekend vs Indiana State at 6,419 according to the box score? Who has fans sticking around to hug and high five the players after the game telling them "hang in there, we love you guys, we are there for you" and on and on as I have heard many, many times despite losing the game just minutes prior? Some fans may even have tears in their eyes from what I could see last weekend. How many fans would we have if we actually started winning like we did in the 80s and 90s ? Could we get back to 8,000-9,000 a game ? I would put my money on it. I am proud to be an Aces fan. In this fast paced, I don't care, cut in line, buy it online, on my phone all the time world we live in where loyalty seems to simply be a thing of the past I think we set a great example of being true and loyal fans. Find me a better example. Go Aces ! Bleeding Purple Get a W on Senior Day for KJ ! Thank you, Ibleedpurple, I have been very down over this season and had almost decided not to go to the game on Sat....just hurt too much to see the guys probably not win, again, and on Sr. night, but your post helped me to remember that I AM A Purple ACES FAN, have been since before the tragic plane crash...and these guys wearing the purple here in season 2019-2020 need me and thousands of other fans to be there cheering for them on Sat.
GO, ACES!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2020 7:39:25 GMT -6
Most college sports programs don't get new fans, they just reawaken the ones they already had. UE did a good job of reawakening its fan base when they hired McCarty, because the change signaled a reason to believe the program could enter the national stage.
Staying there was not an option. I was among those who believed the Aces could become a Midwestern version of Gonzaga or at worst, another success story like Wichita or Butler. I still think that's possible, though the setback has been painful. It's taught me the truth about humility in being a fan.
This ridiculous season is just a bump in the journey. Will UE become another Wichita? There is certainly plenty of opportunity to start the process. Going winless in the conference is frustrating and it makes me a little angry because of the way it came about. But I haven't stopped being a fan, a graduate and a person who has a UE license plate on his car, renewed for 2021.
Virtually every Valley program has had a tailender season in the last dozen years. What goes around, comes around. The Aces can make the turn now or they can let the reawakening die on the vine. I am on the optimism side of the line there, mainly because there's no alternative. I jumped on board. We're in too deep now to quit.
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Post by evilleways on Feb 28, 2020 7:42:55 GMT -6
Season ticket sales for next year will tell the tale. If we hold steady, the program is in good shape. But there's a chance the bottom falls out. Athletic department needs to get creative this offseason.
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Post by Tom Servo on Feb 28, 2020 8:03:41 GMT -6
Season ticket sales for next year will tell the tale. If we hold steady, the program is in good shape. But there's a chance the bottom falls out. Athletic department needs to get creative this offseason. I agree - and I think there is a good chance they are going to really take a hit after this disaster of a season. They are going to have to do a whole lot more than they did this summer. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2020 9:10:35 GMT -6
Season ticket sales for next year will tell the tale. If we hold steady, the program is in good shape. But there's a chance the bottom falls out. Athletic department needs to get creative this offseason. I agree - and I think there is a good chance they are going to really take a hit after this disaster of a season. They are going to have to do a whole lot more than they did this summer. I honestly don't think athletic departments at universities are anything of a benchmark for creativity. They first of all don't have an advertising or promotional budget and don't really have anybody in place who is adroit at that, unless it's a student with a lot of ambition. So don't expect billboards and jingles on the radio. There's no budget for that. What athletics departments do is go to their sponsors and see if they can open the valve for a few thousands dollars worth of signage for the scoreboard or the pre-game rosters handouts. If the sponsors feel they can get a boost from being part of the conversation, they'll join in. The top people, like car dealers and the pizza joint and the Old National Bank are still in the fold, the coffers will be pretty consistent. Selling tickets is another monster and that's more about word of mouth. The Courier and Press can do more good there than the AD's office can. |
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Post by stennisrm72 on Feb 28, 2020 11:52:15 GMT -6
I agree - and I think there is a good chance they are going to really take a hit after this disaster of a season. They are going to have to do a whole lot more than they did this summer. I honestly don't think athletic departments at universities are anything of a benchmark for creativity. They first of all don't have an advertising or promotional budget and don't really have anybody in place who is adroit at that, unless it's a student with a lot of ambition. So don't expect billboards and jingles on the radio. There's no budget for that. What athletics departments do is go to their sponsors and see if they can open the valve for a few thousands dollars worth of signage for the scoreboard or the pre-game rosters handouts. If the sponsors feel they can get a boost from being part of the conversation, they'll join in. The top people, like car dealers and the pizza joint and the Old National Bank are still in the fold, the coffers will be pretty consistent. Selling tickets is another monster and that's more about word of mouth. The Courier and Press can do more good there than the AD's office can. The athletic department does have a director for marketing and fan engagement. His name is Scott Peace. While he is fairly young it is a full time position in the department. He does need to make a big effort this summer. There have been billboards around town in the past and I see no reason we can't have them again. Additionally there is a huge sign just west of the old armory owned by the university. It has all kinds of athletic department and university news. |
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Post by acescott on Feb 28, 2020 12:44:40 GMT -6
There needs to be a letter sent to all season ticket holders, almost an apology letter for what has transpired. Present a vision for the future, appreciation of support, etc. If the first correspondence I get from UE is just a generic renewal form, it might go in the trash. Season ticket holder since 1974.
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Post by purplestrong on Feb 28, 2020 13:51:26 GMT -6
An aggressive season ticket special price offers should be in the works if they wish to retain current season ticket holders. I know several that are very iffy about renewing right now.
Much will depend upon who stays and who is recruited and signed.
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Post by stennisrm72 on Feb 28, 2020 14:16:51 GMT -6
There needs to be a letter sent to all season ticket holders, almost an apology letter for what has transpired. Present a vision for the future, appreciation of support, etc. If the first correspondence I get from UE is just a generic renewal form, it might go in the trash. Season ticket holder since 1974. Did you need one apologizing for the three thieves Merfeld recruited to the program? WM's transgressions are in the past like these. It's your choice to renew. The other fan board shut down because the owner was pissed off enough. So be it if you are too. #ImOnBoard |
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Post by acescott on Feb 28, 2020 15:08:39 GMT -6
There needs to be a letter sent to all season ticket holders, almost an apology letter for what has transpired. Present a vision for the future, appreciation of support, etc. If the first correspondence I get from UE is just a generic renewal form, it might go in the trash. Season ticket holder since 1974. Did you need one apologizing for the three thieves Merfeld recruited to the program? WM's transgressions are in the past like these. It's your choice to renew. The other fan board shut down because the owner was pissed off enough. So be it if you are too. #ImOnBoard |
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Post by evilleways on Feb 28, 2020 15:34:44 GMT -6
An aggressive season ticket special price offers should be in the works if they wish to retain current season ticket holders. I know several that are very iffy about renewing right now. Much will depend upon who stays and who is recruited and signed. I agree that the season outlook and the price are the two biggest factors for next year's season ticket sales. But there are still things that the university can do to get more butts in seats. Some ideas off the top of my head: - Kids under 12 are free
- Anyone who plays for their high school varsity team gets in free
- Vouchers for free booze in the season ticket package
Anything they can do to make the fanbase younger and rowdier is a good idea.
I'll have a blog post on this subject when the season is over.
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Post by TN Ace on Feb 28, 2020 17:06:25 GMT -6
I will buy season tickets next year. It's a strain on my budget but I love the Aces. I believe it is illegal to offer free alcohol. That's why college bars have "Penny Beer Night". Basically free but can't advertise it.
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