I like to divide the modern era into this time line: B.C. (before computers) and A.D. (after digital.)
Two completely different worlds. And critical to understanding basketball attendance.
We keep pining for the old days at Dahlberg. Sorry: That was B.C.
In the A.D. world, brick-and-mortar is getting killed. I know: B.C., I built my wholesale business on brick and mortar customers. Today, those customers are dwindling fast. My big customers now are all e-tail. And no business--not big box, not gyms, not even restaurants (which must make damned sure they have on-line delivery service)--are safe from the digital onslaught.
But remember: Dahlberg is brick-and-mortar. No need to make the effort to get to a game A.D. because there are hundreds of cheaper options at home. Even I am prey to this: I used to drive to every Griz game I possibly could in my area, but now, if the game is on the Pac12 network, I'd almost prefer to watch it on a big screen TV, where I can hear commentary, see replays, and be ten feet from a beer. That option simply was not available B.C. And if I were in Montana during the winter, facing icy roads, sub-freezing temperature and stuff falling from the heavens, I might be well-inclined to stay a home as well.
The antidote?
Of course, a winning team is critical. Star attractions too.
But beyond that, there is something that many brick-and-mortar businesses are talking about and trying to provide: Experiental Retail. Whatever the business, making it an experience that people love, and want to experience again, whatever the details, is the key.
Of course college football, our program included, whether conscious of it or not, has done just that. I don't know how many would show up just to watch a football game. It's the experience that's critical. The tailgating pre-game, the sky divers, the fly-overs, the team coming onto the field, the cannon going off, the marching bands, the incredible crowd noise in the stadium--in short, all the pageantry of the college football experience.
Basketball? It's just impossible to duplicate that football experience. If basketball could figure it out, that would be great. If we could, that would be even better.
My ideas would include: A fabulous player introduction, a la what the pro basketball franchises do. A super-colorful announcer.(We had one back in the day, though I've forgotten his name.) Most of all, star entertainment at halftime. If bands can march on a football field, can't they also on a court? How about local bands, or up-and-coming talent from the music program at Montana. Halftimes are snoozers. Always. Everywhere. The NFL understood that when they created the halftime show for the Super Bowl. On a lesser scale, why can't college basketball programs?
You couldn't do this every game, but every year, for one game, during halftime, I would bring back star players from the past. I've already stated how I think Krysko and Micheal Ray should have their numbers retired. Do it! At halftime! Bring back other star players, let them speak and tell the crowd what it meant to play for Montana. Not only would it strengthen the basketball tradition, you'd put butts in seats. Mine anyway.
C'mon! We've got a lot of talent on this board. Let's come up with some ideas. If ideas can change the world, they can put butts in seats at Dahlberg.
Two completely different worlds. And critical to understanding basketball attendance.
We keep pining for the old days at Dahlberg. Sorry: That was B.C.
In the A.D. world, brick-and-mortar is getting killed. I know: B.C., I built my wholesale business on brick and mortar customers. Today, those customers are dwindling fast. My big customers now are all e-tail. And no business--not big box, not gyms, not even restaurants (which must make damned sure they have on-line delivery service)--are safe from the digital onslaught.
But remember: Dahlberg is brick-and-mortar. No need to make the effort to get to a game A.D. because there are hundreds of cheaper options at home. Even I am prey to this: I used to drive to every Griz game I possibly could in my area, but now, if the game is on the Pac12 network, I'd almost prefer to watch it on a big screen TV, where I can hear commentary, see replays, and be ten feet from a beer. That option simply was not available B.C. And if I were in Montana during the winter, facing icy roads, sub-freezing temperature and stuff falling from the heavens, I might be well-inclined to stay a home as well.
The antidote?
Of course, a winning team is critical. Star attractions too.
But beyond that, there is something that many brick-and-mortar businesses are talking about and trying to provide: Experiental Retail. Whatever the business, making it an experience that people love, and want to experience again, whatever the details, is the key.
Of course college football, our program included, whether conscious of it or not, has done just that. I don't know how many would show up just to watch a football game. It's the experience that's critical. The tailgating pre-game, the sky divers, the fly-overs, the team coming onto the field, the cannon going off, the marching bands, the incredible crowd noise in the stadium--in short, all the pageantry of the college football experience.
Basketball? It's just impossible to duplicate that football experience. If basketball could figure it out, that would be great. If we could, that would be even better.
My ideas would include: A fabulous player introduction, a la what the pro basketball franchises do. A super-colorful announcer.(We had one back in the day, though I've forgotten his name.) Most of all, star entertainment at halftime. If bands can march on a football field, can't they also on a court? How about local bands, or up-and-coming talent from the music program at Montana. Halftimes are snoozers. Always. Everywhere. The NFL understood that when they created the halftime show for the Super Bowl. On a lesser scale, why can't college basketball programs?
You couldn't do this every game, but every year, for one game, during halftime, I would bring back star players from the past. I've already stated how I think Krysko and Micheal Ray should have their numbers retired. Do it! At halftime! Bring back other star players, let them speak and tell the crowd what it meant to play for Montana. Not only would it strengthen the basketball tradition, you'd put butts in seats. Mine anyway.
C'mon! We've got a lot of talent on this board. Let's come up with some ideas. If ideas can change the world, they can put butts in seats at Dahlberg.
