GrizLA said:
UMGriz75 said:
griznative24 said:
Good post and this is true, but I would like to add the the UofM does absolutely nothing to promote its hoops squad. I go to school here, and there is an absence of knowledge across campus that the school even has basketball teams. There is no promotion for home games. Their social media accounts are lacking in posts and highlights. No tailgating/festivities. And a soundtrack that's made up mostly of Jock Jams from 1993. Because of all this the student section looks like a lifeless mob (xanax could be a problem here, too). Put a little effort here and there and I bet that attendance would go up.
I've mentioned this several times, according to some, "innumerable" times. At OSU, Tinks got out on campus and did promotion himself; attendance up 45-50%.
At UM, varsity does little campus promotion. Football kind of takes care of itself by sheer presence and history, but on campus, Stitt has very little interaction. He's not made himself a part of the campus community for whatever reasons. Travis, I would have thought, would do things somewhat differently, but then Haslam cut his promotional budget in half this year. Very little "campus presence." And yes, the games are presented the same as 40 years ago.
And no beer.
Are you even capable of posting on egriz without some sort of negative remark directed toward the football coach? Winning games, as many college administrators will admit, will increase attendance. UCLA is now selling out when just a mere three years ago they could not, even in a smaller Pavilion. Let it, go, 75, Stitt is in your head night and day. He seemingly owns you. I used to admire your writing and quick analysis, but no more. Just one more to skip over.
\He hardly owns me. I feel sorry for the guy. A lot of people set him up with a lot of hot air for a long fall down. Like Engstrom, he must feel way over his head. I know for a fact what the "firestorm" was like after the Griz-Cat Game from parents donors fans and players, and it was not pretty. If he already knew what to do, he would've done it. He couldn't. Stitt is in something of an impossible position. As I have said, I think he is a "sunk" cost, and I suspect he may realize as much.
It's simply a fact. It ties in with my broader criticisms of how the Athletic Department [doesn't] promote the sports on campus. You'd think football, the biggest, would be a good exemplar given that it actually has been popular with the students in the recent past; a made-for-success model for campus interaction and promotion, and one that the other "lesser" sports might be able to tie their wagons to.
But, unlike Delaney, Stitt just isn't part of it. I don't really care that you think I'm "on Stitt." It's the biggest sport program and, especially given Basketball's budget cut for promotion, the Elephant. I like to see sports "engage" the campus community, in turn because that generates supportive alumni when the kids graduate.
Like Engstrom, it's absurd to say "let go" of a major influence on campus or on sports. It's absurd. I brought it up because 1) it's germane to the presence of varsity sports in the student community and 2) it's true.
You object because you don't like criticism of "Stitt." Like Engstrom, who was a super-nice guy, people legitimately committed to the success of this institution needed to separate petty loyalties from institutional needs. Engstrom stayed far too long -- in large part because of people like you who didn't "want to hear about it."
People like you don't support programs, you help destroy them by inane appeals to loyalty and "shut up" about serious problems. I didn't have to merely predict, to a barrage of hatemail, where I thought football was headed this year. It happened. And you hate that and you hate the fact that someone called it, and it wasn't you. I am sure your good judgment will continue to guide you: don't pay any attention to anyone who actually got it right, with Engstrom or with Stitt or, for that matter, about JJ and that fiasco.
I think Travis is a great coach, but BB is missing something with the students. Stitt doesn't care because he doesn't need it. But it isn't because Bob Stitt lifts a finger. He doesn't "seem interested" and while some players have offered suggestions as to "why," -- and they are interesting reasons -- it doesn't do any good to discuss them on egriz; all it does is inflame the sniffer crowd.
But, if there were a more active campus/student presence, I also think it would have at least a spillover effect for BB. In part because FB got the promotional budget for it, and BB lost half of its budget to the FB budget. So, yes, the "attitude" is part of what is frustrating because of that indirect effect on BB (and the other varsity sports as well). If Stitt's not interested, the concern is that it closes budget doors to on-campus promotional efforts for BB and everyone else.
I have a different perspective than you, or most, egrizzers. And I have specific reasons for those perspectives and it's based on a long experience here. Campus varsity sports can have a synergistic effect on student participation and enthusiasm. Although students are pretty down on FB after this past season, I was also disheartened to see the Kaimin commenting that most students didn't care; they didn't care about the Griz-Cat game. That's part of that campus "social networking" I have referred to. And it also relates to "tipping points" in program development, and the feeling that one is coming for football, represented in some part by student attitudes which are dramatically changing according to the Kaimin.
It's ahead of non-student opinion, and its a better resource than you (generically). I'd like to see BB benefiting from the synergy, but unfortunately and in large part because FB got more of the budget for it this year, FB is also paying no attention to developing student interest. Stitt's just not interested, and the students are beginning to respond to that. So, how to promote BB against that tide and with FB getting the budget support for that kind of development but refusing to do it on campus?
Well, you represent the know-it-alls that predicted a great past FB season: playoffs for sure! If students are beginning to fall away from the varsity sports, but you don't want Stitt even mentioned, aren't you part of the problem here? How does BB, then, "go it alone?"
UM has the makings of a "great" program here for Basketball. I am talking since Heathcote days, including when beating Gonzaga and Adrian Buonchristiani was a special season privilege. And seeing the students as a big part of that isn't just because "it's nice," its because it puts UM a whole level ahead of BSC if the students participate as they used to, and can, and for recruiting as well.
Contrary to the football threads, where lugubrious and ridiculous people are arguing that "success" isn't a recruiting tool, it is the very best recruiting tool, and team success and strong student support are hand-in-hand to the appearance and the achievement of success.
Done well, "Our House" can mean Dahlberg Arena.