Summit League Attendance

[TheBisonator]

I was interested in seeing how the other teams in our conference are doing as far as attendance goes, and it's very peculiar, if you ask me. We're a solid 2nd place in attendance in the whole conference. Here are the averages thru tonight's games:

Oral Roberts - 5,025
North Dakota State - 2,728
Southern Utah - 2,326
IPFW - 1,840
South Dakota State - 1,655
Oakland - 1,618
Missouri-Kansas City - 1,537
Centenary - 975
IUPUI - 856
Western Illinois - 693

It seems to me like they don't care about their basketball team in Macomb, Illinois. And they're too fixated on the Pacers in Indy to notice what the Jaguars are doing.

[devin45k]

I can see Oral Roberts being first. I honestly didn't think NDSU would be second or Western Illinois being last!

[fargocyclone]

With the exception of ORU, I think those all need to be a little higher.

[TheBisonator]

With the exception of ORU, I think those all need to be a little higher.

IMO, not counting ORU, everyone should be between at least 2,000 (last place) to 3,500 (2nd place).

[lakesbison]

embarassing numbers.... lets get them higher at NDSU!!

[TheBisonator]

Update (as of tonight's games):

Oral Roberts -5,025
North Dakota State - 2,848
Southern Utah - 2,279
South Dakota State - 1,692
IPFW - 1,600
Missouri-Kansas City -1,593
Oakland - 1,588 (Not counting a "22,076" crowd against Oregon at The Palace. There were a lot of empty seats. I saw the photos.)
Centenary - 913
IUPUI - 794
Western Illinois - 532

I can understand Centenary at less than 1,000. The school only has 1,100 students. But Western Illinois and IUPUI really need to get their act together in bringing out the fans.

[IndyBison]

Update (as of tonight's games):
IUPUI - 794

I can understand Centenary at less than 1,000. The school only has 1,100 students. But Western Illinois and IUPUI really need to get their act together in bringing out the fans.
As I mentioned yesterday, IUPUI is largely a commuter campus with a lot of part-time students. They also have a large medical school, law school, and graduate business school (all associated with IU) which make up a large number of students. The traditional, on-campus student body is relatively small (probably less than NDSU). Until recently there also wasn't much of a student life. Also until 1996 or so, they were an NAIA school.

Add on top of that they are in a major metropolitan area with lots of other sports options including 7 other Division I programs within 2 hours (IU, Purdue, Ball State, Butler, Notre Dame, Indiana State, and Valparaiso). Their gym only holds 1200 (although it was nicer than I expected) so averaging 800 is actually nearly 2/3 full.

As they continue to have more success and possibly build a new arena, I can see their attendance growing. Unlike NDSU though, they are a very small fish in a very large pond. Western Illinois was a surprise but I bet that is due to the lack of success. There is nothing else to do in or near Macomb so there team must be bad if they can't draw any students or locals.

[roadwarrior]

At the game at IUPUI last night, the student section stood throughout the entire game. During one of the timeouts, I actually did a head count and came up with a total of 47.

[MHDBisonfan]

At the game at IUPUI last night, the student section stood throughout the entire game. During one of the timeouts, I actually did a head count and came up with a total of 47.

Ugh, thats pretty pathetic. I saw the hi-lites on tv and it looked like a high school gym. thats the conference we're in?:uhyeah:

[BlueBisonRock]

Ugh, thats pretty pathetic. I saw the hi-lites on tv and it looked like a high school gym. thats the conference we're in?:uhyeah:

Ummmn!? The faciliies may be less than stellar, but they kicked our collective @$$. Pretty places don't necessarily equate to the best team.

Yes, we are in one tough BB conference.

[TheBisonator]

Attendances for tonight:

2,505 at Oakland
1,696 at Missouri-Kansas City
1,490 at IPFW
974 at IUPUI
575 at Western Illinois (Scott Miller called this a "moderate" crowd, yet he bashed the crowd of 883 at IUPUI)

Looks like NDSU may end up being #2 in attendance in the conference for a while...

[Jdubs21]

wow 575....and i thought our attendances were pathetic

[sambini]

Attendances for tonight:

2,505 at Oakland
1,696 at Missouri-Kansas City
1,490 at IPFW
974 at IUPUI
575 at Western Illinois (Scott Miller called this a "moderate" crowd, yet he bashed the crowd of 883 at IUPUI)

Looks like NDSU may end up being #2 in attendance in the conference for a while...
Thanks for the info. All I can say is support the Bison . Lets show them how its done.++++++

[missingnumber7]

I'm comin all the way from Iraq for a game or two in the next couple weeks.


Ok...so maybe I'm coming home to see my wife and kids and new baby, but I'm goin to a game as well. And if the Army can get me home fast enough, maybe even the SDSU game.

[WarBison]

I'm comin all the way from Iraq for a game or two in the next couple weeks.


Ok...so maybe I'm coming home to see my wife and kids and new baby, but I'm goin to a game as well. And if the Army can get me home fast enough, maybe even the SDSU game.

Good Luck....I hope you make it for the SDSU game.

[TheBisonator]

Attendances for 1/17/08:

6,977 at Oral Roberts
2,365 at North Dakota State
2,184 at South Dakota State
827 at Centenary

A lot better than Saturday.

[d3boys]

Attendances for 1/17/08:

6,977 at Oral Roberts
2,365 at North Dakota State
2,184 at South Dakota State
827 at Centenary

A lot better than Saturday.

it looks like ndsu, sdsu and oru need to be home every game for the league to do anything attendance wise

[devin45k]

How do they even get our attendance numbers? When they let us students come in without swiping their ID's. They dont have any way of knowing how much students are there.

[TheDoctor]

How do they even get our attendance numbers? When they let us students come in without swiping their ID's. They dont have any way of knowing how much students are there.

I said the same thing to my dad the other day and he said, "Come on, I just delivered more counters there the other day". Then it dawned on me, the Kiwanis guys (whether it is accurate or not can be debated) have a clicker (counter) in their hand and when they see an ID or tear a ticket, the "click" it. Then I assume Josh Hemmingway or someone collects all the clickers and totals them up for the games attendance. ;)

[aces1180]

I said the same thing to my dad the other day and he said, "Come on, I just delivered more counters there the other day". Then it dawned on me, the Kiwanis guys (whether it is accurate or not can be debated) have a clicker (counter) in their hand and when they see an ID or tear a ticket, the "click" it. Then I assume Josh Hemmingway or someone collects all the clickers and totals them up for the games attendance. ;)

This is 100% correct.

[Rabbitlivinginverm]

Attendances for 1/19/08

@ ORU 6610
@ SDSU 3733
@ NDSU 3341
@ IPFW 2240
@ Cent 792

#'s much better on Saturday.

I'm looking forward to the game on Friday. I thought our local HS team was on the road but they're at home so I'll be working that instead. May get to catch the 1st hour of it though.

[TheBisonator]

Attendances for Thursday and Friday:

4,545 at North Dakota State
2,405 at Southern Utah
1,503 at Missouri-Kansas City
1,059 at IUPUI
612 at Western Illinois

Average attendances so far:

Oral Roberts - 5,530 (Awesome fan support)
North Dakota State 3,038 (Doing pretty good)
Southern Utah - 2,295 (OK number)
South Dakota State - 1,946 (Number's rising)
Oakland - 1,689 (Could do better)
IPFW - 1,659 (Needs work)
Missouri-Kansas City - 1,594 (Room for improvement)
Centenary - 902 (Tiny school)
IUPUI - 843 (Tiny arena)
Western Illinois - 545 (No excuse)

[devin45k]

Attendances for Thursday and Friday:

4,545 at North Dakota State
2,405 at Southern Utah
1,503 at Missouri-Kansas City
1,059 at IUPUI
612 at Western Illinois

Average attendances so far:

Oral Roberts - 5,530 (Awesome fan support)
North Dakota State 3,038 (Doing pretty good)
Southern Utah - 2,295 (OK number)
South Dakota State - 1,946 (Number's rising)
Oakland - 1,689 (Could do better)
IPFW - 1,659 (Needs work)
Missouri-Kansas City - 1,594 (Room for improvement)
Centenary - 902 (Tiny school)
IUPUI - 843 (Tiny arena)
Western Illinois - 545 (No excuse)

For being the smallest school (1,017 including grad students) in DI, centenary has great attendance.

Western Illinois attendance is pathetic (not trying to be too harsh). They have about 1,300 more students than NDSU but have about 6 times less fans.

I heard on the radio that the NDSU coach was being interviewed in. That UMKC would have a hard time getting fan support. He said they play at different locations sometimes. I forgot why he said they did but he said it was really confusing.

[TheBisonator]

For being the smallest school (1,017 including grad students) in DI, centenary has great attendance.

Western Illinois attendance is pathetic (not trying to be too harsh). They have about 1,300 more students than NDSU but have about 6 times less fans.

I heard on the radio that the NDSU coach was being interviewed in. That UMKC would have a hard time getting fan support. He said they play at different locations sometimes. I forgot why he said they did but he said it was really confusing.

I think it's because Wal-Mart has their annual convention at UMKC's arena every winter, and they sometimes have to move their games to some tiny gym for a week or so. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

And yes, there is no excuse for a 14,000-student public university in a true college town to average 500 fans per game.

[devin45k]

I think it's because Wal-Mart has their annual convention at UMKC's arena every winter, and they sometimes have to move their games to some tiny gym for a week or so. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

And yes, there is no excuse for a 14,000-student public university in a true college town to average 500 fans per game.

They would probably win more if they had more fans come. Basketball fans can play big head games with opposing teams. Once the crowd usually gets into a game, the home team seems to always go on a roll.

[TheBisonator]

They would probably win more if they had more fans come. Basketball fans can play big head games with opposing teams. Once the crowd usually gets into a game, the home team seems to always go on a roll.

I think it's the other way around. They actually have to establish a consistently winning program before the fans come. Apparently, WIU has been the Summit's cellar rat for the past 20 years or so.

[O-Rizzle 4-Shizzle]

I think it's because Wal-Mart has their annual convention at UMKC's arena every winter, and they sometimes have to move their games to some tiny gym for a week or so. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

And yes, there is no excuse for a 14,000-student public university in a true college town to average 500 fans per game.


you are right about everything except for one small part, it is not tiny, it is huge, makes the games seem empty and dull no matter what is going on or how many of their 7 fans show up

[TheBisonator]

Tonight's numbers:

3,816 at Southern Utah (Nice crowd!!)
1,739 at Missouri-Kansas City (Meh)
1,215 at IUPUI (A sellout!!)
962 at Western Illinois (They can't find 1,000 people in that town and campus??)

Team averages (It looks better when I align the numbers):

5,530 - Oral Roberts
3,038 - North Dakota State
2,464 - Southern Utah
1,946 - South Dakota State
1,680 - Oakland
1,659 - IPFW
1,607 - Missouri-Kansas City
902 - Centenary
881 - IUPUI
587 - Western Illinois

[devin45k]

Tonight's numbers:

3,816 at Southern Utah (Nice crowd!!)
1,739 at Missouri-Kansas City (Meh)
1,215 at IUPUI (A sellout!!)
962 at Western Illinois (They can't find 1,000 people in that town and campus??)

Team averages (It looks better when I align the numbers):

5,530 - Oral Roberts
3,038 - North Dakota State
2,464 - Southern Utah
1,946 - South Dakota State
1,680 - Oakland
1,659 - IPFW
1,607 - Missouri-Kansas City
902 - Centenary
881 - IUPUI
587 - Western Illinois

Wow....never knew IUPUI's average was that low either. Wiki says they have about 29,000 students....

[TheBisonator]

Wow....never knew IUPUI's average was that low either. Wiki says they have about 29,000 students....

Their "arena" is smaller than most high school gyms. IUPUI sold out tonight with 1,215 fans.

[devin45k]

Their "arena" is smaller than most high school gyms. IUPUI sold out tonight with 1,215 fans.

haha....they dont have a FB or baseball team. One would think that they would have a bigger arena for that matter.

[Germane]

Oakland fan here. I wanted to weigh in with a couple of points about attendance from OU's perspective.

* The toughest thing for us has been attendance on weeknights, and this is something we definitely need to fix. Too many of our students work on weeknights, including the few thousand who live in the dorms. We've done a bit better with the Saturday games at the O'Rena, averaging around 2100 for those (and those numbers would have been higher if the Bowling Green and Oral Roberts games hadn't been televised).

* I agree that the 22,000 figure for our game against Oregon at the Palace is seriously inflated. The Palace, which is virtually on OU's campus, was probably a little more than half full (maybe 11,000) for our game. Having said that, if this thread is trying to get an accurate idea of conference attendance, it seems a bit off to throw the entire game out. That game was a huge deal around here -- great exposure for the Summit League -- especially given the fact that we won. OU has an official partnership with the Palace (which owns the Detroit Pistons) and one of the big advantages is that we get to book the Palace for several more home games over the next few years. Again, that's great for Summit League exposure in our area, and I don't think it should be discounted.

* So there's no question that OU's "official" 3700+ home attendance average is inflated because of the Palace game. But if we peg that game's attendance at 11,000, that would make OU's home average a little more than 2600 (rather than around 1700 if the entire game is thrown out).

By the way, we're all looking forward to the NDSU game this Thursday. Big game for both teams, to say the least. Good luck in advance.

[IndyBison]

haha....they dont have a FB or baseball team. One would think that they would have a bigger arena for that matter.
As I posted earlier:


IUPUI is largely a commuter campus with a lot of part-time students. They also have a large medical school, law school, and graduate business school (all associated with IU) which make up a large number of students. The traditional, on-campus student body is relatively small (probably less than NDSU). Until recently there also wasn't much of a student life. Until 1996 or so, they were an NAIA school.

Add on top of that they are in a major metropolitan area with lots of other sports options including 7 other Division I programs within 2 hours (IU, Purdue, Ball State, Butler, Notre Dame, Indiana State, and Valparaiso). Their gym only holds 1200 so averaging 800 is actually nearly 2/3 full.

As they continue to have more success and possibly build a new arena, I can see their attendance growing. Unlike NDSU though, they are a very small fish in a very large pond.


Also, if you attend IUPUI, you get a degree from either IU or Purdue. Because of that, your athletic loyalty tends to be to your home school. With a very short athletic history, there are no alumni who have been loyal to the program for decades like most schools. I'm not sure if they will ever be a big-time program with fan support but because of their location and current coach, they will be very competitive for the near future.

[TheBisonator]

Attendances for 1/31:

2,125 at Oakland
1,839 at IPFW
823 at IUPUI
539 at Western Illinois (If there's a Leatherneck fan lurking around, could you please tell us what the freaking deal is??)

Team Averages:

(I decided to include Oakland's game vs Oregon at The Palace in the numbers, even though it was obviously inflated.)

5,530 - Oral Roberts
3,582 - Oakland
3,038 - North Dakota State
2,464 - Southern Utah
1,946 - South Dakota State
1,679 - IPFW
1,607 - Missouri-Kansas City
902 - Centenary
875 - IUPUI
583 - Western Illinois

[TheBisonator]

Attendances for 2/9:

THESE are the kind of crowds we should be seeing every week!!!

8,139 at Oral Roberts
3,980 at South Dakota State
3,322 at North Dakota State
2,158 at Southern Utah
508 at Centenary

Team Averages:

5,789 - Oral Roberts
3,474 - Oakland
2,988 - North Dakota State
2,433 - Southern Utah
2,077 - South Dakota State
1,786 - IPFW
1,607 - Missouri-Kansas City
904 - IUPUI
804 - Centenary
610 - Western Illinois

[IzzyFlexion]

No one should be proud of these attendance figures for NDSU basketball! Does anyone remember the mid-80's when there were 6,7,and even 8,000 people in the BSA for nearly all of the home games? It amazes me that people complain that a Fargodome addition would only accomadate 6,000 for basketball. The place is still only going to be half full. PATHETIC!

[d3boys]

when we used to get over 5000 for every home conference game we played men and women doubleheaders and I believe that would happen again if the schedule alllowed it
I know women want their own gate but still

[TheBisonator]

No one should be proud of these attendance figures for NDSU basketball! Does anyone remember the mid-80's when there were 6,7,and even 8,000 people in the BSA for nearly all of the home games? It amazes me that people complain that a Fargodome addition would only accomadate 6,000 for basketball. The place is still only going to be half full. PATHETIC!

We never EVER averaged 6-8,000 per game in a season. Don't give in to those old wives tales that we overstuffed the BSA for every game in the 80's. Back in the 80's when we supposedly averaged over 5,000 per game for a couple of seasons, even those numbers were inflated. And in those years, you would see many crowds of less than 1,000 for games against DAC schools in the preseason.

If you go back 15 years or so, our attendance is better than it was at any time from the early 90's to the present. Our attendance hasn't been this good in probably almost 20 years.

[TheBisonator]

I did a little sleuthing around the NCAA website, and it looks like I was partially wrong. We had better averages through most of the 90's, but this year, we're seeing our best averages this decade. I'm pretty sure once we're more entrenched in the Summit, we'll see the same or better averages than we saw in the NCC.

1993: 3,465
1994: 3,356
1995: 4,153
1996: 3,265
1997: 3,235
1998: 2,820
1999: 3,180
2000: 2,606
2001: 2,365
2002: 2,538
2003: 2,868
2004: 2,440
2005: 1,653 <-----Transition limbo year
2006: 2,488
2007: 2,625
2008: 2,988

Seeing the old lists of the top DII attendance leaders in the 90's, it suprised me to see most of the top teams in the NCC. I guess it was because people in this area really had no other choice for what kind of basketball to see. Your only DI option back in thiose days was to go to the Cities to see a Gophers game. There were no DI mid-majors around here, so I guess the NCC filled that void.

[Hammersmith]

Also remember that the old NCC had the absolute best setup for attendance: Fri/Sat doubleheaders. Our men's attendance during the 90's was a result of our women's team. Just like UND today, every person to show up for the women's game was counted in the men's attendance, whether they stuck around for the second game or not.

[Jdubs21]

yeah i think a 6000 seat arena would be more than big enough, i hate to say it but i doubt we will ever average 6K a game...and thats mainly because football is king around here

[NDSUstudent]

I'd say a new arena and a decent product on the floor equals attendance of 5-6k a night. Honestly, I don't know what football has to do with basketball. The sports barely overlap and rarely play on the same day. The base is there and I know basketball is popular in ND, all the program needs are the tools to reach that base.

[99Bison]

We never EVER averaged 6-8,000 per game in a season. Don't give in to those old wives tales that we overstuffed the BSA for every game in the 80's. Back in the 80's when we supposedly averaged over 5,000 per game for a couple of seasons, even those numbers were inflated. And in those years, you would see many crowds of less than 1,000 for games against DAC schools in the preseason.

If you go back 15 years or so, our attendance is better than it was at any time from the early 90's to the present. Our attendance hasn't been this good in probably almost 20 years.

I was there in the early 80's and yeah, it was pretty packed many times. No idea about accuracy of reporting, but it was indeed pretty packed... All that with what, half the metro population that exists today...

[99Bison]

I'd say a new arena and a decent product on the floor equals attendance of 5-6k a night. Honestly, I don't know what football has to do with basketball. The sports barely overlap and rarely play on the same day. The base is there and I know basketball is popular in ND, all the program needs are the tools to reach that base.

Agreed.

Decent product with new arena is a golden combination... Throw in a season or two of making it to the big dance, and wala 5-6 is nearly a lock for the following 10 years.

[BigBison]

I also agree to 99Bison and NDSUstudent.
A new area would bring in alot more students, alot of students go to football games because its nice place with a big time feel, not like their high school gyms. I also think with a new arena we'd get more big time games, like K-State last year.

[d3boys]

have to do something to attract more students, that is where we can really increase our average

[90BISON]

I was there in the 80's, other than the K-State game last year, I haven't been to a game in recent history that had higher attendance than most of the games on a regular basis back then. Speaking of students, where were they this last Saturday? There couldn't have been 1,000 - 1,500 students there, for a Saturday night game, what gives?:confused:

[BigBison]

Caution Rant Warning.
The student section was pretty bad last saturday. I was sssooo pissed off most of the game because there was a BSA nazi checking tickets into the student section, my girlfriend who goes to MSU came with me as she does to all Bison games in full yellow and rally beads and we show up about 45 minutes before tip off. Well this event staff girl(theres a better word to use, rimes with which) was checking tickets and wouldnt lets us in because she didnt have a student ID. She said we would have to wait untill after tip off. Well that pissed us off because we get there early to get good seats, and they have never said anything to us before. So then I needed a drink and went over to the concession stand to by a pop, which was 2.50 for a 20oz bottle that didnt bother me to much, kinda ticked me off more but I was already pissed off. Then I we walk back over to wait near the student section, I started drinking my pop and heres it warm as heck, plus the bottle is all sticky like they spilled something all over it. Well that really got me going. Then I see the BSA nazi letting in familys with small kids into the student section. So that almost got me to the point where I going to blow up, I wanted to go to the ticket counter get my money back for my girlfriends ticket, e-mail Gene, etc... Well my girlfriend and I decided to on top of the balcony area and wait till the game starts, we moved the the north end and was of the way. We see that the event staff guy on the other end of the student section isnt checking anyone, so my girlfriend and I were pretty happy we got seats about 5 minutes before tip off.
So the game starts and there seems to be a pretty good student turn out. I'm thinkin great were gunna be buck wild tonight. After we score frist, all the students sit down and are so quite that I could hear Woody breathing on the court. Now I'm pissed again because I am the only one standing and I have to hear the students behind me saying, "Oh my god is he ever going to sit. I guess we'll just have to watch the screen." Plus most girls that go to the game seem to think its a fashion show, seriously, would it kill you to wear something bison, anything, heck even one of those pink shirts, which would still suck. So I was so mad that I just sat down and didnt get up all game untill half way through the second half. We made some good shots, the old people were making more noise than the students, were ahead. Finally I said screw it and I starting standing and yelling, and then the student section started to come alive. I got a Lets Go Bison chant going all on my own. I started to put all my anger and frustration that I had before and during the game, into yelling as loud as I could. Heck even, the Spectum wrote about how the students came alive half way though the second half, most of that was due to me, and then other people that wanted to yell started followed my lead. I did some bird calls, dropped some f-bombs, bullshit to the refs, and I tried getting a "Hoosier Rejects" chant going but it didnt catch on. Well even though we lost I still felt pretty good after the game, because I got to let some anger out, LOL. ORU just better watch out! (sorry about the typos, I dont have time to proof read right now)

[TheBisonator]

Caution Rant Warning.
The student section was pretty bad last saturday. I was sssooo pissed off most of the game because there was a BSA nazi checking tickets into the student section, my girlfriend who goes to MSU came with me as she does to all Bison games in full yellow and rally beads and we show up about 45 minutes before tip off. Well this event staff girl(theres a better word to use, rimes with which) was checking tickets and wouldnt lets us in because she didnt have a student ID. She said we would have to wait untill after tip off. Well that pissed us off because we get there early to get good seats, and they have never said anything to us before. So then I needed a drink and went over to the concession stand to by a pop, which was 2.50 for a 20oz bottle that didnt bother me to much, kinda ticked me off more but I was already pissed off. Then I we walk back over to wait near the student section, I started drinking my pop and heres it warm as heck, plus the bottle is all sticky like they spilled something all over it. Well that really got me going. Then I see the BSA nazi letting in familys with small kids into the student section. So that almost got me to the point where I going to blow up, I wanted to go to the ticket counter get my money back for my girlfriends ticket, e-mail Gene, etc... Well my girlfriend and I decided to on top of the balcony area and wait till the game starts, we moved the the north end and was of the way. We see that the event staff guy on the other end of the student section isnt checking anyone, so my girlfriend and I were pretty happy we got seats about 5 minutes before tip off.
So the game starts and there seems to be a pretty good student turn out. I'm thinkin great were gunna be buck wild tonight. After we score frist, all the students sit down and are so quite that I could hear Woody breathing on the court. Now I'm pissed again because I am the only one standing and I have to hear the students behind me saying, "Oh my god is he ever going to sit. I guess we'll just have to watch the screen." Plus most girls that go to the game seem to think its a fashion show, seriously, would it kill you to wear something bison, anything, heck even one of those pink shirts, which would still suck. So I was so mad that I just sat down and didnt get up all game untill half way through the second half. We made some good shots, the old people were making more noise than the students, were ahead. Finally I said screw it and I starting standing and yelling, and then the student section started to come alive. I got a Lets Go Bison chant going all on my own. I started to put all my anger and frustration that I had before and during the game, into yelling as loud as I could. Heck even, the Spectum wrote about how the students came alive half way though the second half, most of that was due to me, and then other people that wanted to yell started followed my lead. I did some bird calls, dropped some f-bombs, bullshit to the refs, and I tried getting a "Hoosier Rejects" chant going but it didnt catch on. Well even though we lost I still felt pretty good after the game, because I got to let some anger out, LOL. ORU just better watch out! (sorry about the typos, I dont have time to proof read right now)

I was standing at halfcourt in the 2nd row, and I was trying to get the crowd going a few times as well. It was weird, because the contingent of 6 or 7 student fans who were decked out in the Bison construction hats and cowboy hats (the usual fans who are rowdy as hell who dress up for the more important games) were even sitting down and staying quiet. I couldn't understand why all the students were sitting down after our first bucket. I couldn't figure out why the construction hat guys were sitting down. We weren't even really into it when the game was close at the end.

I swear, for some reason, the student fans this year are more tame than I have ever witnessed in my 5 years at NDSU. Even in our limbo season of 2005 when we were playing Si-Tanka Huron and Mayville State in front of 1,000 fans, we were usually more rowdy. I don't understand why this year of all years the students seem to have a rod up their collective asses. I kept standing up and cheering after our first basket when everyone else was sitting down, and even one of the decked-out hardcores to my left was motioning to me to sit down!!! When I was cheering on our defense and yelling at the ref late in the 1st half, a student sitting behind me told me to shut the f**k up!! Naturally I told him it wasn't his business, and we could take it outside if he wanted. Then he shut up. I don't understand it. A vast majority of the students are just sitting on their ass with their hands in their lap!!! This isn't your physics lecture, dumbasses. This is a Summit League basketball game. STAND UP AND MAKE SOME EFFING NOISE!!!

[UTH]

Caution Rant Warning.
The student section was pretty bad last saturday....

Breathe in... Breathe out... Count to ten... Now back to one. I hope you feel better now. Getting other fans has been http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/indio_rojas/Smilies/BeatDeadHorsesmiley.gif in another thread. Resurrect that issue at your own risk. However, I agree that the policy for the student looks pretty bad - especially the way you describe what the nazis did before the game. I would argue that students from Concordia and Moorhead State should be allowed into the section under the auspices of the Tri-College University (an argument for free admission would likely fail because they don't pay NDSU activity fees, etc.). Many students from those other two institutions attend many classes at NDSU. Why shouldn't they be allowed to participate with their other classmates?

*proudly earned 16 credits at concordia college

[56BISON73]

I was standing at halfcourt in the 2nd row, and I was trying to get the crowd going a few times as well. It was weird, because the contingent of 6 or 7 student fans who were decked out in the Bison construction hats and cowboy hats (the usual fans who are rowdy as hell who dress up for the more important games) were even sitting down and staying quiet. I couldn't understand why all the students were sitting down after our first bucket. I couldn't figure out why the construction hat guys were sitting down. We weren't even really into it when the game was close at the end.

I swear, for some reason, the student fans this year are more tame than I have ever witnessed in my 5 years at NDSU. Even in our limbo season of 2005 when we were playing Si-Tanka Huron and Mayville State in front of 1,000 fans, we were usually more rowdy. I don't understand why this year of all years the students seem to have a rod up their collective asses. I kept standing up and cheering after our first basket when everyone else was sitting down, and even one of the decked-out hardcores to my left was motioning to me to sit down!!! When I was cheering on our defense and yelling at the ref late in the 1st half, a student sitting behind me told me to shut the f**k up!! Naturally I told him it wasn't his business, and we could take it outside if he wanted. Then he shut up. I don't understand it. A vast majority of the students are just sitting on their ass with their hands in their lap!!! This isn't your physics lecture, dumbasses. This is a Summit League basketball game. STAND UP AND MAKE SOME EFFING NOISE!!!

May be they were there to watch a basketball game and the Summit league tag means nothing to them???? Just a thought----may be some students dont feel the need to make a bunch of noise when they go to an event????:D PL

[bisoneer]

With the exception of ORU, I think those all need to be a little higher.


Amen, the summit bball directors need to get busy and promote this very good conference with a lot of diamond in the rough players!!

[90BISON]

Breathe in... Breathe out... Count to ten... Now back to one. I hope you feel better now. Getting other fans has been http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/indio_rojas/Smilies/BeatDeadHorsesmiley.gif in another thread. Resurrect that issue at your own risk. However, I agree that the policy for the student looks pretty bad - especially the way you describe what the nazis did before the game. I would argue that students from Concordia and Moorhead State should be allowed into the section under the auspices of the Tri-College University (an argument for free admission would likely fail because they don't pay NDSU activity fees, etc.). Many students from those other two institutions attend many classes at NDSU. Why shouldn't they be allowed to participate with their other classmates?

*proudly earned 16 credits at concordia college


OK, I can see the argument if the student section is packed and overflowing, but you could have thrown another 500 people in that section and still had room left over, so then what's the point of keeping obvious student age people out of there. I don't care if they go to Bum F**k Tech, as long as they somehow paid to get in.

UNDTH - is the "*" above meant to be some really sick sarcasm?:D

[Leobrn12]

Caution Rant Warning.
The student section was pretty bad last saturday. I was sssooo pissed off most of the game because there was a BSA nazi checking tickets into the student section, my girlfriend who goes to MSU came with me as she does to all Bison games in full yellow and rally beads and we show up about 45 minutes before tip off. Well this event staff girl(theres a better word to use, rimes with which) was checking tickets and wouldnt lets us in because she didnt have a student ID. She said we would have to wait untill after tip off. Well that pissed us off because we get there early to get good seats, and they have never said anything to us before. So then I needed a drink and went over to the concession stand to by a pop, which was 2.50 for a 20oz bottle that didnt bother me to much, kinda ticked me off more but I was already pissed off. Then I we walk back over to wait near the student section, I started drinking my pop and heres it warm as heck, plus the bottle is all sticky like they spilled something all over it. Well that really got me going. Then I see the BSA nazi letting in familys with small kids into the student section. So that almost got me to the point where I going to blow up, I wanted to go to the ticket counter get my money back for my girlfriends ticket, e-mail Gene, etc... Well my girlfriend and I decided to on top of the balcony area and wait till the game starts, we moved the the north end and was of the way. We see that the event staff guy on the other end of the student section isnt checking anyone, so my girlfriend and I were pretty happy we got seats about 5 minutes before tip off.
So the game starts and there seems to be a pretty good student turn out. I'm thinkin great were gunna be buck wild tonight. After we score frist, all the students sit down and are so quite that I could hear Woody breathing on the court. Now I'm pissed again because I am the only one standing and I have to hear the students behind me saying, "Oh my god is he ever going to sit. I guess we'll just have to watch the screen." Plus most girls that go to the game seem to think its a fashion show, seriously, would it kill you to wear something bison, anything, heck even one of those pink shirts, which would still suck. So I was so mad that I just sat down and didnt get up all game untill half way through the second half. We made some good shots, the old people were making more noise than the students, were ahead. Finally I said screw it and I starting standing and yelling, and then the student section started to come alive. I got a Lets Go Bison chant going all on my own. I started to put all my anger and frustration that I had before and during the game, into yelling as loud as I could. Heck even, the Spectum wrote about how the students came alive half way though the second half, most of that was due to me, and then other people that wanted to yell started followed my lead. I did some bird calls, dropped some f-bombs, bullshit to the refs, and I tried getting a "Hoosier Rejects" chant going but it didnt catch on. Well even though we lost I still felt pretty good after the game, because I got to let some anger out, LOL. ORU just better watch out! (sorry about the typos, I dont have time to proof read right now)

I feel your pain there. As an Oakland student, it pisses me off when I sit, I mean stand in the student section, while other students are sitting. It is called a student section for a reason. If you want to sit, go sit somewhere else not the student section. I love your passion I'm the same way at Oakland games, I yell and scream at refs all the time. But nothing bugs me more when students are sitting down in our student section and not into the game.

[56BISON73]

I feel your pain there. As an Oakland student, it pisses me off when I sit, I mean stand in the student section, while other students are sitting. It is called a student section for a reason. If you want to sit, go sit somewhere else not the student section. I love your passion I'm the same way at Oakland games, I yell and scream at refs all the time. But nothing bugs me more when students are sitting down in our student section and not into the game.

So by sitting down they arent into the game????? Hmmmm Yelling and sceaming at the refs is the litmus test???????
PL

[TheBisonator]

So by sitting down they arent into the game????? Hmmmm Yelling and sceaming at the refs is the litmus test???????
PL

As a student, if you're sitting down, it means you're not into the game. Period. End of sentence. By standing up and making noise, you're making youself a part of the game. By sitting down and being quiet, you are detaching yourself from the game. Simple as that.

[Leobrn12]

So by sitting down they arent into the game????? Hmmmm Yelling and sceaming at the refs is the litmus test???????
PL
I student section is not meant to be sitting, do you see students at DUKE, UNC, UCLA sit down during a game? NO. If we want to have a big time rivalry in the conference the students has to play a big role in it. And I do believe Oakland and you guys will be battling for the title next year.

[aces1180]

As a student, if you're sitting down, it means you're not into the game. Period. End of sentence. By standing up and making noise, you're making youself a part of the game. By sitting down and being quiet, you are detaching yourself from the game. Simple as that.

A fan can make just as much noise while he/she is sitting down...This reminds me of a thread last fall during football season.

[NDSUstudent]

A fan can make just as much noise while he/she is sitting down...This reminds me of a thread last fall during football season.

Well, when it comes to students, the difference between standing and sitting is dramatic. Whenever students sit they go into a passive mode, just taking the game in and not actively doing much of anything.

[aces1180]

Well, when it comes to students, the difference between standing and sitting is dramatic. Whenever students sit they go into a passive mode, just taking the game in and not actively doing much of anything.

But that is their right as a fan...They pay the student activity fees to stand or sit if they like...If they can' t see, however, that is there own problem. ;) I just don't see the problem with sitting.

[NDSUstudent]

But that is their right as a fan...They pay the student activity fees to stand or sit if they like...If they can' t see, however, that is there own problem. ;) I just don't see the problem with sitting.

I know it is their right, I'm just frustrated. It is turning into an alarming trend.

[UTH]

UNDTH - is the "*" above meant to be some really sick sarcasm?:D

Concordia College's foreign language programs are top notch. http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/indio_rojas/Smilies/SmiliesThumbsupa.gif For any NDSU students looking to study another language, getting into class at Concordia is an absolute steal. The professors are among the best I've had and the amount of institutional support they get is surprising. The only problematic requirement for this is that the class you want at Concordia can't be one that's offered at MSU or NDSU. I'm not going to knock on NDSU's foreign languages department (as I haven't attended any there), but Concordia gets my absolute endorsement.

Back to the original side of this part of the thread...
I never thought that the 'crowd participation / standing' issue would spill over from the FFD. It'll be interesting to see how this debate pans out...http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/indio_rojas/Smilies/popc1bp3.gifhttp://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/indio_rojas/Smilies/popc1bp3.gifhttp://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/indio_rojas/Smilies/popc1bp3.gifhttp://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/indio_rojas/Smilies/popc1bp3.gifhttp://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/indio_rojas/Smilies/popc1bp3.gifhttp://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/indio_rojas/Smilies/popc1bp3.gif

[90BISON]

Concordia College's foreign language programs are top notch. http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/indio_rojas/Smilies/SmiliesThumbsupa.gif For any NDSU students looking to study another language, getting into class at Concordia is an absolute steal. The professors are among the best I've had and the amount of institutional support they get is surprising. The only problematic requirement for this is that the class you want at Concordia can't be one that's offered at MSU or NDSU. I'm not going to knock on NDSU's foreign languages department (as I haven't attended any there), but Concordia gets my absolute endorsement.

Back to the original side of this part of the thread...
I never thought that the 'crowd participation / standing' issue would spill over from the FFD. It'll be interesting to see how this debate pans out...http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/indio_rojas/Smilies/popc1bp3.gifhttp://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/indio_rojas/Smilies/popc1bp3.gifhttp://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/indio_rojas/Smilies/popc1bp3.gifhttp://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/indio_rojas/Smilies/popc1bp3.gifhttp://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/indio_rojas/Smilies/popc1bp3.gifhttp://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/indio_rojas/Smilies/popc1bp3.gif

Sorry, just some harmless Cobber ribbing.;) I thought the old argument for football revolved more around the non-students and this one is leaning pretty hard on the student involvement or lack thereof.:confused: Almost hate to keep commenting about it. Kind of like playing catch with a hand grenade with a very loose pin.

[UTH]

Sorry, just some harmless Cobber ribbing.;)



Aside from my praises above,
I agree that they've earned it.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/indio_rojas/Smilies/bananacheerleadersmilies.gifhttp://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/indio_rojas/Smilies/bananacheerleadersmilies.gifhttp://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/indio_rojas/Smilies/bananacheerleadersmilies.gif

[56BISON73]

As a student, if you're sitting down, it means you're not into the game. Period. End of sentence. By standing up and making noise, you're making youself a part of the game. By sitting down and being quiet, you are detaching yourself from the game. Simple as that.

That is only your misguided perspective of what YOU think a student should do. PL

[BigBison]

Hey I didnt want to go down the road of people not making enough noise.

With that said, I think that we the students should do everything we can to show that we support our fellow students; out on the field or court. They got our backs by working hard, training, playing through the pain, represting our university and somehow being a full time student, well I think we should show that we got their backs to. A good way of doing that is showing up to games, wearing the school colors and making it as hard as we can for the other team to be sucessful because we want our team, our unverisity to be sucessful. Thats why I go to basketball games, I know next to nothing about basketball, I've never been to a game before I went to a Bison game. But I still go because Bison games are a good way to get away from studying and student life. But also go to show support to our players and school, thats what I think of when I think of Bison Pride, I'm proud of my school. Thats my "misguided perspective" and if I'm misguided then please dont guide me. I dont force my ideas on other people, they can think how/do what they want. I'd like it if you could SHOW your support too but if you really dont want to then dont.

Another thing isn't the words of "We Are the Pride'' and "On Bison" have lines such as, "Cheer for our dear Ol' Alma Mater, Proud and loyal we are, Cheer for the BISON--Hit'em Again Hit'em Again" and "fight them right back to their goal, a victory for our name, FIGHT YOU BISON.'' The words are not "Lets sit down and enjoy this game" or "Its fine if we dont cheer for our team." But once again I maybe "misguided."

One more thing about tickets, I could totally understand them checking tickets if the students section was sold out every game. However that doesnt happen very much. Also I think that if your a student of NDSU you should be able to bring a friend with you into the student section, that paid for a ticket, that is not a student of NDSU. The only time it should only be NDSU students is if the studnet section was packed.

[90BISON]

Hey I didnt want to go down the road of people not making enough noise.

With that said, I think that we the students should do everything we can to show that we support our fellow students; out on the field or court. They got our backs by working hard, training, playing through the pain, represting our university and somehow being a full time student, well I think we should show that we got their backs to. A good way of doing that is showing up to games, wearing the school colors and making it as hard as we can for the other team to be sucessful because we want our team, our unverisity to be sucessful. Thats why I go to basketball games, I know next to nothing about basketball, I've never been to a game before I went to a Bison game. But I still go because Bison games are a good way to get away from studying and student life. But also go to show support to our players and school, thats what I think of when I think of Bison Pride, I'm proud of my school. Thats my "misguided perspective" and if I'm misguided then please dont guide me. I dont force my ideas on other people, they can think how/do what they want. I'd like it if you could SHOW your support too but if you really dont want to then dont.

Another thing isn't the words of "We Are the Pride'' and "On Bison" have lines such as, "Cheer for our dear Ol' Alma Mater, Proud and loyal we are, Cheer for the BISON--Hit'em Again Hit'em Again" and "fight them right back to their goal, a victory for our name, FIGHT YOU BISON.'' The words are not "Lets sit down and enjoy this game" or "Its fine if we dont cheer for our team." But once again I maybe "misguided."

One more thing about tickets, I could totally understand them checking tickets if the students section was sold out every game. However that doesnt happen very much. Also I think that if your a student of NDSU you should be able to bring a friend with you into the student section, that paid for a ticket, that is not a student of NDSU. The only time it should only be NDSU students is if the studnet section was packed.

Dear Misguided,

I agree with 90% of the things you've said in your post. Some things you need to keep in mind though:

1. Some if not all of the people on this board, especially some of those addressing you directly, have "been there, done that", and some of these same people have not only done it in the stands (that sounds dirty for some reason) but have also done their part on the field, something you may want to keep in mind.

2. Don't assume because someone isn't standing and screaming at the top of their lungs the entire game that they don't support the team or institution, some of them maybe don't, they may just be there for something to do / for sheer entertainment value. What you have to realize it that some of it is just differences in personality. I'm personally one of those volcano type of people, I sit fairly quietly mumbling to myself or those around me about the refs, but all of the sudden a bad call or a no call where one of our players just got screwed, you will definitely know that I'm there then.

3. I'm assuming you are still a student, so at this point in your life going to the games and cheering for your team is about the best you can do right now. Just keep in mind that some of those people sitting around you "not supporting the team" are some if not most of the people paying the freight for those guys on the floor that you are there to cheer on, they are just at a different point in their life and in the support of their team.

Please keep your enthusiasm, and never spurn guidance from some people that have already been there, done that, got the t-shirt (a lot of them in my case). I would encourage you to get some more of your fellow students at the BB games. I'm bringin' 9 people with me to the ORU BB game (from 4 hours away), how many will you bring? :D

[TransAmBison]

I guess the best you can do is cheer to the best of your ability and hope the fever catches on with the rest around you. If not, so be it, you did your part.

I haven't been to a basketball game this year, hopefully we can get babysitters and go to the games next year. Haven't sat in the student section in many years, but it was always a source of great pride to see all the students all rowdy and cheering. Kind of surprising that could change for some games.

[BigBison]

Dear Misguided,

I agree with 90% of the things you've said in your post. Some things you need to keep in mind though:

1. Some if not all of the people on this board, especially some of those addressing you directly, have "been there, done that", and some of these same people have not only done it in the stands (that sounds dirty for some reason) but have also done their part on the field, something you may want to keep in mind.

2. Don't assume because someone isn't standing and screaming at the top of their lungs the entire game that they don't support the team or institution, some of them maybe don't, they may just be there for something to do / for sheer entertainment value. What you have to realize it that some of it is just differences in personality. I'm personally one of those volcano type of people, I sit fairly quietly mumbling to myself or those around me about the refs, but all of the sudden a bad call or a no call where one of our players just got screwed, you will definitely know that I'm there then.

3. I'm assuming you are still a student, so at this point in your life going to the games and cheering for your team is about the best you can do right now. Just keep in mind that some of those people sitting around you "not supporting the team" are some if not most of the people paying the freight for those guys on the floor that you are there to cheer on, they are just at a different point in their life and in the support of their team.

Please keep your enthusiasm, and never spurn guidance from some people that have already been there, done that, got the t-shirt (a lot of them in my case). I would encourage you to get some more of your fellow students at the BB games. I'm bringin' 9 people with me to the ORU BB game (from 4 hours away), how many will you bring? :D


I was refering more to students not everyone else. I was trying to make my point on why I didnt not have a misguided point of view when I came to cheering in the student section. Everyone else is fine in the BSA, heck the crowd at IUPUI was just at loud if not louder then the students.

[BigBison]

I guess the best you can do is cheer to the best of your ability and hope the fever catches on with the rest around you. If not, so be it, you did your part.

I haven't been to a basketball game this year, hopefully we can get babysitters and go to the games next year. Haven't sat in the student section in many years, but it was always a source of great pride to see all the students all rowdy and cheering. Kind of surprising that could change for some games.

Thank you, this is what I'm talking about. Your totally right, the best thing I can do is cheer and hope it catches on and it did to some extent last game halfway through the second half. If it dosent catch on, so be it I cant force people and wouldnt want to force things on poeple. But I like the idea of having a loud student section, gets the people fired up and it makes the games alot more fun for and I think everyone else.

[90BISON]

Thank you, this is what I'm talking about. Your totally right, the best thing I can do is cheer and hope it catches on and it did to some extent last game halfway through the second half. If it dosent catch on, so be it I cant force people and wouldnt want to force things on poeple. But I like the idea of having a loud student section, gets the people fired up and it makes the games alot more fun for and I think everyone else.

Exactly.:nod: By the way, beings you are a student, and I was at the game, where were all the students? Was there something else going on? Was it the weather? Most of them went home for the weekend? Team only has an average record, so loss of interest? Maybe you have no idea, but who better to ask than a student!:) I appreciate a loud and obnoxious student section also, kinda gets everyone else amped up a bit.

[BigBison]

Exactly.:nod: By the way, beings you are a student, and I was at the game, where were all the students? Was there something else going on? Was it the weather? Most of them went home for the weekend? Team only has an average record, so loss of interest? Maybe you have no idea, but who better to ask than a student!:) I appreciate a loud and obnoxious student section also, kinda gets everyone else amped up a bit.

Well actually I thought the student section was about average attendance that night. However if it was low it my guesses would be the:
1. cold weather, students didnt want to walk to the game.
2. The Little I was going on last week and weekend, I think that could of taken some or alot of students away from the game. I dont really know because I dont know alot about the Little I event.
3. We're playing IUPUI, I think students still dont know who they are or what the letters stand for.
4. the 500 record might have something to do with it also.

[TheBisonator]

Attendances for 2/14 (yuck):

2,051 at Southern Utah
1,453 at Missouri-Kansas City
774 at IUPUI
587 at Western Illinois

Team Averages:

5,789 - Oral Roberts
3,474 - Oakland
2,988 - North Dakota State
2,399 - Southern Utah
2,077 - South Dakota State
1,786 - IPFW
1,595 - Missouri-Kansas City
894 - IUPUI
804 - Centenary
608 - Western Illinois

[roadwarrior]

Lots of elbow room in Kemper Arena with 1453!

[TheBisonator]

Lots of elbow room in Kemper Arena with 1453!

I thought the game was at Municipal Auditorium...

[filbert]

Attendances for 2/14 (yuck):

2,051 at Southern Utah
1,453 at Missouri-Kansas City
774 at IUPUI
587 at Western Illinois

Team Averages:

5,789 - Oral Roberts
3,474 - Oakland
2,988 - North Dakota State
2,399 - Southern Utah
2,077 - South Dakota State
1,786 - IPFW
1,595 - Missouri-Kansas City
894 - IUPUI
804 - Centenary
608 - Western Illinois
There's absolutely no way on God's green Earth that there were 2,000 people in the Centrum in Cedar City tonight.

I was there. 1,200, maybe. MAYBE.

I think SDSU and NDSU need to do a better job of padding our attendance statistics. Doesn't the BSA hold 8,500, for instance? :-)

[roadwarrior]

I thought the game was at Municipal Auditorium...

Nope, Kemper.

[TheBisonator]

Attendances for 2/16:

3,342 at Missouri-Kansas City
3,125 at Oakland
1,708 at Southern Utah
1,215 at IUPUI
904 at Western Illinois

Team Averages:

5,789 - Oral Roberts
3,447 - Oakland
2,988 - North Dakota State
2,341 - Southern Utah
2,077 - South Dakota State
1,786 - IPFW
1,720 - Missouri-Kansas City
917 - IUPUI
804 - Centenary
629 - Western Illinois