I get your point. I've been to nearly every game at CHA for the last 7 years. My point was that it is not so much on the students, but on the mindset of the fandom at Carver. Which is what I believe you are also referring to. 2 years ago when the Hawks played Michigan state at home (and lost in OT) the crowd was loud and stood nearly the entire game. Would be nice if every game was like that.
Dolph calls out students on pre game show!!
- Thread starter rwtsracefan
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MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
Well, yea to watch a game. We're talking about how to get the students more involved. It's the proverbial is it worth changing vs if you build it will they come argument.
If changes were made would it change the mindset of the students? That is the question. Wouldn't hurt to try though. Look at Hilton and how raucous that is. It should be able to be done at other places besides, NC, Duke, Mich St, Iowa St, etc..
You've made many of our points so I will use your own statement against you, correct, there isn't a bad seat in the house, so why not try moving the students & moving some of the donors up a bit. You are supporting what we are debating.
I was at the game yesterday and usually have gone to a couple each year the last 5-7 years or so. Just a few of my observations. I have been to KU and Hilton so try to compare to those environments some.
Overall I thought the regular crowd was pretty good and engaged in the game, the TV timeouts and stoppages always kill the crowd noise and momentum at the worst times. I hate the TV timeouts in bball, just makes the game too choppy and wish they'd change it.
The video boards are awful and don't work half the time, stats on the boards are poor and very limited to points and fouls. I can never get cell reception and the arena needs wifi badly. I don't understand why they can't figure out how to get a big square scoreboard/video in the center of the arena. I had perhaps the coldest 5 min walk of my life to the arena and after the game we sat in car without even moving for over 30 min. Took about an hour to get out of lot and to the highway.
Whatever the reason, we can argue all day about it, but IMHO our student section is one of the weakest around. I haven't been to a game where are students ever come close to those of the other arenas I mentioned. They sounded like they were doing a half-hearted weak moan most of the game while we were on D. No really creative chants, LOTS of empty seats, didn't see any creative signs really or coordination of any kind... they need some leadership or some of us old guys to show them a few things!
I would love to have them around the court and it needs to happen. BUT, and a big "BUT", they need to show up in force if given this opportunity ever or it should be taken away. I think the big donors would be fine with it and could still be accommodated if it adds to the environment.
Just my 2 cents. We need to turn Carver into a place that no one wants to come play in and have a crowd that "wills" the team to victory on nights they might not have their best game.
Overall I thought the regular crowd was pretty good and engaged in the game, the TV timeouts and stoppages always kill the crowd noise and momentum at the worst times. I hate the TV timeouts in bball, just makes the game too choppy and wish they'd change it.
The video boards are awful and don't work half the time, stats on the boards are poor and very limited to points and fouls. I can never get cell reception and the arena needs wifi badly. I don't understand why they can't figure out how to get a big square scoreboard/video in the center of the arena. I had perhaps the coldest 5 min walk of my life to the arena and after the game we sat in car without even moving for over 30 min. Took about an hour to get out of lot and to the highway.
Whatever the reason, we can argue all day about it, but IMHO our student section is one of the weakest around. I haven't been to a game where are students ever come close to those of the other arenas I mentioned. They sounded like they were doing a half-hearted weak moan most of the game while we were on D. No really creative chants, LOTS of empty seats, didn't see any creative signs really or coordination of any kind... they need some leadership or some of us old guys to show them a few things!
I would love to have them around the court and it needs to happen. BUT, and a big "BUT", they need to show up in force if given this opportunity ever or it should be taken away. I think the big donors would be fine with it and could still be accommodated if it adds to the environment.
Just my 2 cents. We need to turn Carver into a place that no one wants to come play in and have a crowd that "wills" the team to victory on nights they might not have their best game.
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
The current UofI policy is not to let signs in the arena.
If that is the case for the student section, they need to change the policy ASAP. Any big game on ESPN always shows the students going crazy with great signs etc.
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
Agree. For some odd reason ($$$), the UofI seems more loyal to their donors and have more concern of pizzing them off then any other institution I can think of. They have catered to the blue hairs as long as I can remember.
I think it's pretty normal for most institutions to cater to their bread and butter (big donors). And I have no problem with the donors and appreciate their contributions. I just think we can accommodate both to a point. Most likely those same donors were once in the student section back in the day so I think they understand it from a students perspective also.
But...Maybe I'm living in fantasy world
1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
Does Fran have a call in show? Can someone bring it up? I'm sure that Fran does not have any final say in this whatsoever, but it may be something he can really push for, but maybe he's tried already. No idea.
There's always a Gary Barta email campaign.
There's always a Gary Barta email campaign.
jjh4hawks01
Well-Known Member
Doesn't Duke and MSU have donors as well? Why doesn't it not matter to them?
It was discussed on here one time that the carver layout could be redone basically like the Pit in New Mexico, which I think would be awesome.
It was discussed on here one time that the carver layout could be redone basically like the Pit in New Mexico, which I think would be awesome.
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
I think it's pretty normal for most institutions to cater to their bread and butter (big donors). And I have no problem with the donors and appreciate their contributions. I just think we can accommodate both to a point. Most likely those same donors were once in the student section back in the day so I think they understand it from a students perspective also.
But...Maybe I'm living in fantasy world
That's my point, all others can seem to find the balance of taking care of the donors while creating a better atmosphere. Why does Iowa struggle with this?
I've never understood why schools have to oversell their student sections by so much. I think it is like 200% or 250%. And still the student sections are only full for the really big games (and sometimes not even them). Seems like a conference game every week would be pretty appealing, especially in a year like this. Good team. Beating top ranked teams. If you don't like that, what do you like?
Isn't a full student section like only 5% of the student body?
Isn't a full student section like only 5% of the student body?
Does Fran have a call in show? Can someone bring it up? I'm sure that Fran does not have any final say in this whatsoever, but it may be something he can really push for, but maybe he's tried already. No idea.
There's always a Gary Barta email campaign.
The more top ten rankings Fran has and as his contract gets renegotiated the more pull he'll have in things like this perhaps
Ultimately, he might be the only voice GB would listen to on this.
Yep, doesn't seem that complicated to me. Couldn't we make where the media currently sits into some sort of luxury seats with like in seat dining or something? Stick the media up in the corner or way up top!
He may have... I know he was very active when he first got here of trying to create the "Hawks Nest".
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
One of the first things he battled for when he started. I clearly remember him wanting to change the atmosphere in Carver, starting with the students.
1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I remember the Hawks Nest showing up early on, if not even in year 1 of Alf's era. But, apparently, his requests fell upon deaf ears if he tried to get the students moved to court side. I really don't know all what went on.
LivermoreHawk
Well-Known Member
I'm pretty sure Iowa does not oversell their student section. They probably should. I know Iowa State does, which is why they'll have a line outside of Hilton just to get into the building.
I just don't understand our students. Why buy the ticket if you're not going to go to the game. Hopefully its better starting next Sunday when school is back in session.
My sense is that almost every school that sells tickets to its student section oversells. Otherwise, they are welcoming tons of empty seats.
LivermoreHawk
Well-Known Member
Case in point. Tons of empty seats in the student section at Carver (unless they're let in for free).