Attendance

[room112]

At UBS, we drew a lot of younger, non-student fans, way more than the few who are active on redmen.com. They forked over $65-85 per ticket, bought $14 soft drinks, paid $35 to park, and appeared to know our team pretty well. Thanks to electronic purchases, we can identify and focus on those fans.

Absolutely, and hallelujah. Three million people live in Nassau and Suffolk, and close to another two and a half million in Queens. And there are a ton of basketball fans within that area.  

A quick personal story. Two years ago we got new neighbors across the street, they have two grade level children who are constantly in the driveway playing hoops. One of the SJU home games this year they gave away ski hats and my wife gave them to the kids the next day.  The Dad said to me "that's right they play games out here" and I told him yes and the tickets at Carnesecca are very reasonable. He has now brought the boys to four games on campus. He's not a grad.

The SJU campus is surrounded by families that want things to do with the kids that does not involve a trip into Manhattan. I'm not knocking Manhattan myself, but that is a reality of the suburbs and an advantage SJU has and needs to leverage. 



 

Nice story about your neighbors.
Glad to see a younger generation of potential SJU supporters developing. Having said that, CA has always drawn it's fair share of old folk and families. Old folk and families do not create the same kind of atmosphere as college students and 20 somethings. You can half full CA with students and young people, and they'd create a better atmosphere than a sold out CA with old folk and families. The atmosphere would be even better if there was a place like the Sly Foxx to meet up at before and after the games. Oh yeah,
let me add the lack of bars and restaurants around the school as yet another reason that our games are not a popular destination. I can even get drunk before and after the games to help alleviate my pain. 

You make some interesting points. It's interesting when you think of younger people's attention spans, they aren't the same type of sports fans as their parents. Just look at what's happening in stadiums and arenas around the US. They are creating social spaces for people to gather during games. It seems younger people are looking at sporting events as a social opportunity, which just so happens to have a game going on in the background. Many of us can't fathom this, but that's what it's become. So on that note, drinking (for those 21+ of course) definitely has to be brought into the equation somehow, pre game, during game, etc.

 

[ohiofan]

At UBS, we drew a lot of younger, non-student fans, way more than the few who are active on redmen.com. They forked over $65-85 per ticket, bought $14 soft drinks, paid $35 to park, and appeared to know our team pretty well. Thanks to electronic purchases, we can identify and focus on those fans.

Absolutely, and hallelujah. Three million people live in Nassau and Suffolk, and close to another two and a half million in Queens. And there are a ton of basketball fans within that area.  

A quick personal story. Two years ago we got new neighbors across the street, they have two grade level children who are constantly in the driveway playing hoops. One of the SJU home games this year they gave away ski hats and my wife gave them to the kids the next day.  The Dad said to me "that's right they play games out here" and I told him yes and the tickets at Carnesecca are very reasonable. He has now brought the boys to four games on campus. He's not a grad.

The SJU campus is surrounded by families that want things to do with the kids that does not involve a trip into Manhattan. I'm not knocking Manhattan myself, but that is a reality of the suburbs and an advantage SJU has and needs to leverage. 




 

Nice story about your neighbors.
Glad to see a younger generation of potential SJU supporters developing. Having said that, CA has always drawn it's fair share of old folk and families. Old folk and families do not create the same kind of atmosphere as college students and 20 somethings. You can half full CA with students and young people, and they'd create a better atmosphere than a sold out CA with old folk and families. The atmosphere would be even better if there was a place like the Sly Foxx to meet up at before and after the games. Oh yeah,
let me add the lack of bars and restaurants around the school as yet another reason that our games are not a popular destination. I can even get drunk before and after the games to help alleviate my pain. 

You make some interesting points. It's interesting when you think of younger people's attention spans, they aren't the same type of sports fans as their parents. Just look at what's happening in stadiums and arenas around the US. They are creating social spaces for people to gather during games. It seems younger people are looking at sporting events as a social opportunity, which just so happens to have a game going on in the background. Many of us can't fathom this, but that's what it's become. So on that note, drinking (for those 21+ of course) definitely has to be brought into the equation somehow, pre game, during game, etc.

Saluti!

 

[jackfro]

They never should have closed the Brooklyn "campus"

 

[GardenCity62]

The fact that tonight’s game will not fill CA made me realize how silly it is to consider adding seats to CA. There won’t be 100 fans attending who came by public transportation. Too difficult to get to.
Lets really think big even though we have no money and if the SJU master plan includes more buildings on campus, dorms or research center, blow up CA , build the center or dorms there and purchase land a few miles away building an arena near a subway station. SJU can bus students to the games and high school students can get there without a car.
The cost is probably prohibitive but expanding CA which probably has sold out less than ten per cent of the games in its existance seems too illogical. 

 

[ohiofan]

The fact that tonight’s game will not fill CA made me realize how silly it is to consider adding seats to CA. There won’t be 100 fans attending who came by public transportation. Too difficult to get to.
Lets really think big even though we have no money and if the SJU master plan includes more buildings on campus, dorms or research center, blow up CA , build the center or dorms there and purchase land a few miles away building an arena near a subway station. SJU can bus students to the games and high school students can get there without a car.
The cost is probably prohibitive but expanding CA which probably has sold out less than ten per cent of the games in its existance seems too illogical. 

Your estimated sellout percent is probably low, unless you are only counting the last 20 years.

Since the 169th subway stop, and the Jamaica LIRR stop are both only about 20 minutes from St. John's, it doesn't make sense that spending a "billion" dollars to build a new arena would bring more attendance. We need a truly top team. If you build it, they will come, in this instance means winning not a structure. I think the plan developing by the admin of SJU will do so. Have patience.

Would you rather have Norm back?  

 

[ras]

The fact that tonight’s game will not fill CA made me realize how silly it is to consider adding seats to CA. There won’t be 100 fans attending who came by public transportation. Too difficult to get to.
Lets really think big even though we have no money and if the SJU master plan includes more buildings on campus, dorms or research center, blow up CA , build the center or dorms there and purchase land a few miles away building an arena near a subway station. SJU can bus students to the games and high school students can get there without a car.
The cost is probably prohibitive but expanding CA which probably has sold out less than ten per cent of the games in its existance seems too illogical. 
—-
It would be a lot cheaper for St. John’s to offer free shuttle service from public transportation..
 

 

[monte]

The crowd did their part tonight. Kudos to everyone who attended.

 

[Section3]

At the start of the Duke-Notre Dame game at ND, I was surprise to hear the announcers mention that it's the first time in either 3 or 4 years that ND has played in front of a packed house. Last year doesn't count, but that's still a long time for them to not sell out an on campus arena at a sports crazy school. Even if BB plays 2nd fiddle to FB.  Granted the arena seats 9K+ so it's a lot bigger then CA, but the reality is that when ND wasn't winning, fans were not showing up nearly as much. Sound familiar??? Another thing; the fans at most of these on campus arenas seem to be predominantly comprised of students and other younger fans(alums?). Why is it that at CA our students make up such a small percentage of the attendance? I mean, younger fans tend to be a lot more vocal and give the home team much more of a home court advantage. When I was a student there was no on-campus housing, so I understood there not being as many students at the games, but that's no excuse now. All I can say is that it seems to be that if the students made up anywhere near the same % of fans as at most other on campus arenas, then we'd have no problem selling out and we'd have a lot more of a home court advantage. IMO that's the demographic that the marketing campaign needs to focus on, not on us old, lazy ass, apathetic fans who've been jaded by the last 20+ years. I suspect that the school is aware of this, it seems like they are taking steps to address it, time will tell it they are successful, 





 

Students have a million things they can do socially, and at most school unless going to games becomes a thing, they stay away.

Lots in going on to try to engage students in all ways. It's just one component of marketing our basketball team.

At UBS, we drew a lot of younger, non-student fans, way more than the few who are active on redmen.com. They forked over $65-85 per ticket, bought $14 soft drinks, paid $35 to park, and appeared to know our team pretty well. Thanks to electronic purchases, we can identify and focus on those fans.

Pretty much you nailed it. The older fans who passionately follow the games on TV, but don't buy tickets are basically a lost cause in growing the program. They may or may not buy tickets or support the program when the team wins, and if so, are not a large enough number to reclaim as season ticket holders.

It's pretty hard to find on line, but I think Notre Dame basketball still averages a decent number for home games. The big difference is that SJU has 170,000 alumni, and many live in the NYC metro area. I'm certain Notre Dame has more alums living in NYC Metro than within 50 miles of the school.

I would think recruits look at these things when they consider a school. How visible is the program, how much do they win, do they play in the NCAAs on a big stage, attendance at games and how well funded the program is to provide superior athletic facilities and housing. On the last note, we are 11th in the Big East in those things.

As fans, other than ranting on here, the only real things fans can do is to buy tickets and support the program's initiatives to make us more competitive. If we simply buy tickets when we win, we are simply consumers of a good product, which any winning sports team has in abundance,

Its not nearly  as simplistic as you would like to make it, no matter how many times you repeat it. I had season tickets on and off since Louie, and not just when we were winning. Even those years when I didn't have tickets, I purchased tickets and attended many individual games. I drew the line when the prices were raised based on the notion of us having made a "home run hire". That took some real balls on the school's part, I gotta tell ya. Maybe that makes be a fair weather fan in your eyes and that of others, but I'm at the age now where I don't personally give a flying F what anyone thinks. You will not see me buying season tickets ever again unless I feel that the school has made a commitment to sustained success, not with words and promises, with actions and with results. 

I think I concisely articulated where you are at.   You will opt to purchase tickets when we start winning.   It's a discretionary purchase for sure.    I don't know any winning professional or big conference sports teams in major markets that have trouble selling tickets when the team wins.   So you are in the majority.   I have no opinion on your decisions, so there is nothing to "give a flying F" about.   My post agreed with yours.

agreed. everyone has their own decision criteria. some are supporters of the school/program no matter the results and some are only interested in the results. its all personal. no one right or wrong

 

[paultzman]

Well done Mike Cragg & staff!

 

[gregbodkin]

I was a season's ticket holder for around 25 years. Before that I used to buy tix for individual games. I so enjoyed going to the individual games that I was buying more and more games to the point that it just made sense to become a season's ticket holder. I used most of my tickets and only rarely gave them away when necessary. I have so many great memories from going to these games. I believe I told you guys that my wife and I got engaged center court at half time during a SJU vs Duke game at the Garden. I met a lot of great fans. Had a few beers. Talked sports with a lot of great people. In general, I had a lot of fun and made a lot of great memories. 
Our culture has changed, especially in New York City. The general attitude from the students today, especially in a metropolitan city such as New York, is that there are better things to do. However, they don't know what they are missing. They could be making memories and having fun but they choose to be engaged otherwise with other societal distractions. 
Maybe we could engage the student body by featuring individual student achievements at each game. Not just sports achievements but also other achievements. That way their friends would attend the games to see them honored and maybe enjoy the games.
I'm not saying that I have an answer. I'm just throwing this out there. All I know is that I have a great part of my life that contains some of the best memories that I will cherish forever thanks to St. John's basketball.

 

[beast of the east]

Last night as I walked to the entrance of CA, there was a sight I had never witnessed.   Waiting outside, in an incredibly long line that snaked up the hill towards D'Angelo Hall, were  1200students, many dressed in pajamas for one of the many promotions of the night.   I would imagine that most had never been to one of our games.    There was a palpable buzz.

Mike Cragg and his staff certainly did an incredible job in about to week to string together a bunch of promotions.   Our most ardent fans showed up in force, and the place was loud and engaged from the opening tip to the final buzzer.   While fans were disappointed at the hard fought loss, there was little griping by them on the way out.   Yes, we all want a better, winning team, but last night was not a huge disappointment.   Perhaps it was the rebirth of our existing fan base, and the birth of a new one in students.

I brought 3 friends with me, two who were former long term season ticket holders.    All had a great time.

Coach Anderson and Julian both sent thank yous via youtube.  

CORRECTION.  1200 students, not 200


 

 

[IDRAFT]

Last night as I walked to the entrance of CA, there was a sight I had never witnessed.   Waiting outside, in an incredibly long line that snaked up the hill towards D'Angelo Hall, were 200 students, many dressed in pajamas for one of the many promotions of the night.   I would imagine that most had never been to one of our games.    There was a palpable buzz.

Mike Cragg and his staff certainly did an incredible job in about to week to string together a bunch of promotions.   Our most ardent fans showed up in force, and the place was loud and engaged from the opening tip to the final buzzer.   While fans were disappointed at the hard fought loss, there was little griping by them on the way out.   Yes, we all want a better, winning team, but last night was not a huge disappointment.   Perhaps it was the rebirth of our existing fan base, and the birth of a new one in students.

I brought 3 friends with me, two who were former long term season ticket holders.    All had a great time.

Coach Anderson and Julian both sent thank yous via youtube.  



 

There were a LOT of students at the game. I had given my extra tickets to my cousin who has a daughter attending SJU. He is a 1991 grad. He texted me this morning to tell me what a great time he had and thanked me for the tickets, and of course there was a line or two about the unfortunate, if not surprising, outcome.

Wins are even better but last night was a tremendous value for my ticket cost. Beats sitting around at home any time.

 

[beast of the east]

Last night as I walked to the entrance of CA, there was a sight I had never witnessed.   Waiting outside, in an incredibly long line that snaked up the hill towards D'Angelo Hall, were 200 students, many dressed in pajamas for one of the many promotions of the night.   I would imagine that most had never been to one of our games.    There was a palpable buzz.

Mike Cragg and his staff certainly did an incredible job in about to week to string together a bunch of promotions.   Our most ardent fans showed up in force, and the place was loud and engaged from the opening tip to the final buzzer.   While fans were disappointed at the hard fought loss, there was little griping by them on the way out.   Yes, we all want a better, winning team, but last night was not a huge disappointment.   Perhaps it was the rebirth of our existing fan base, and the birth of a new one in students.

I brought 3 friends with me, two who were former long term season ticket holders.    All had a great time.

Coach Anderson and Julian both sent thank yous via youtube.  





 

There were a LOT of students at the game. I had given my extra tickets to my cousin who has a daughter attending SJU. He is a 1991 grad. He texted me this morning to tell me what a great time he had and thanked me for the tickets, and of course there was a line or two about the unfortunate, if not surprising, outcome.

Wins are even better but last night was a tremendous value for my ticket cost. Beats sitting around at home any time.

Correction: typo.  1200 students at game, and made the noise of 3000

 

[RedStormNC]

Unsurprisingly, we missed the cut

Butler & Villanova seem low to me

https://twitter.com/BigGameBoomer/status/1488955337570930691?s=20&t=II7FCWTKlFbHwlZxVXERGg

 

[beast of the east]

Unsurprisingly, we missed the cut

Butler & Villanova seem low to me

https://twitter.com/BigGameBoomer/status/1488955337570930691?s=20&t=II7FCWTKlFbHwlZxVXERGg

This is what makes the athletic department's initiatives so compelling.    Engaging students successfully is not an easy thing to do, and the athletic department did it on Tuesday.    Organically, winning helps immensely, but to create a great, fun, atmosphere, along with the competitive basketball our team has been playing is terrific.   

I don't know if St. John's keeps this data, but I would venture to guess that this was the largest student crowd at CA in 30 years or more.   

I would suggest to our fans who write to Cragg, to also ask, "How can I help?"   I know the buzz among students was free Chick FIl A.    If alums and fans going or not going to games would join the initiative to finance these promotions, so long as we can continue to provide these attractions, students will show up.   After a while, it becomes habitual, and "THE thing to do on game night."   This week was a giant first step towards that.  

 

[mm52]

DePaul's student section outranking St. John's is a joke.  I don't think DePaul even has any notable student presence.  Ours may be relatively small but it is there and spirited.

 

[MainMan]

Flag boy was very fun. 
Lavinwood was pretty cool. 

But it's been few and far between. 

 

[beast of the east]

You may have missed both Julian and CMA doing thank you videos to fans who came out on Tuesday.

1200 students is a huge number at CA.   

Promotions will continue the rest of the season at CA.

300 student tickets were given away for Villaniva game as part of pajama promotion.     

1000 additional student tickets purchased for Villanova game.

I'm really hoping that our followers on Redmen.com who are in the NYC area come out for these next two games at MSG vs. UCONN and Villanova.    Any chance of winning is increased if we can have a real home court advantage there. 

 

[Section3]

You may have missed both Julian and CMA doing thank you videos to fans who came out on Tuesday.

1200 students is a huge number at CA.   

Promotions will continue the rest of the season at CA.

300 student tickets were given away for Villaniva game as part of pajama promotion.     

1000 additional student tickets purchased for Villanova game.

Now that’s terrific news!

I was ticked off back in 90s when they booted us from Section 3 to create a student section which never materialized. This is a case of AD actions speaking louder than words. Good news is that although a very generous and anonymous donor ponied up $10k to support the Providence promo, it looks like we got an additional $10k+, on short notice, which is great. Anything that gets more fannies, especially student and young fans, in the arena will get my support.

 

[room112]

You may have missed both Julian and CMA doing thank you videos to fans who came out on Tuesday.

1200 students is a huge number at CA.   

Promotions will continue the rest of the season at CA.

300 student tickets were given away for Villaniva game as part of pajama promotion.     

1000 additional student tickets purchased for Villanova game.

I'm really hoping that our followers on Redmen.com who are in the NYC area come out for these next two games at MSG vs. UCONN and Villanova.    Any chance of winning is increased if we can have a real home court advantage there. 

This will be UConn's first game back at the Garden as part of the Big East. I'm getting that dreaded feeling that their fans will come in hoards on the metro north and totally outnumber our fans. Hope I'm wrong.