SJUDave
Well-known member
the bare minimum should be what we saw at Michigan, that's the "high mark" this season, that's not unreasonable to ask is it not?
Attendance
- Thread starter Eric
- Start date
It's funny because I just realized I actually have very personal context to this game. Last year, I organized about 12-14 family/in-laws to go to the game. Some of them are alum of Providence, most are St. John's. It was a Saturday afternoon, had a great time, went to Stout afterwards. Most live outside of NYC, mixed ages from mid-20s to late 60s.
People were looking forward to doing the same this year. But by mid-November and seeing the game being on a Wednesday night, people opted out of it.
Who was I to argue with any of these people, after seeing how disappointing the season started? It really sucks that this is where the program is, but it is.
People were looking forward to doing the same this year. But by mid-November and seeing the game being on a Wednesday night, people opted out of it.
Who was I to argue with any of these people, after seeing how disappointing the season started? It really sucks that this is where the program is, but it is.
Redenbacher
Well-known member
It is when you consider that the Michigan game was a highly special event for many.
Michigan was a game with completely different context
SJUDave
Well-known member
the context has changed from HOF coach's first game there to HOF coach is back in the building for the 3rd time this season except now he has coached his team to 11-4 record, and 3-1 in the Big East. Again I get it was an event and everyone was amped up for it - but how can you not be excited for the team as they are CLEARLY on an upswing now? It doesn't make any sense to me to try and downplay the momentum and justify not going to games.
I'm done with this, as I'm apparently the bad guy and so wrong for wanting fans at games for a team that's winning.
You're arguing with people who are excited and agree with you on a personal level. That's why none of what you're saying is reasonating.
Make these arguments with people who've created the habit of tuning into St. John's games a few times a year to see how they're doing, and stop following by February. I guarantee you, those people went to the Michigan game, and was like "nothing at this program has changed."
Do you think those people, who are box score watching and maybe watching a couple of minutes against a Villanova team, are amped up for a Wednesday night Providence game and are ready to dish out Knicks prices? Like come on dude.
The good news is we are arguing over the attendance and not wins.
I would much rather this.
I would much rather this.
I think that was the classic 1999 game that Duke beat SJU in OT.
Similar to what DK just iterated... think everyone speaking here is AMPed for Wednesday... you are preaching to the choir... think only 1 poster admitted to not wanting to go Wednesday....
its the casuals that need more convincing...
Michigan also has a large alumni base here- teams like them and MSU draw well. Wouldn't expect many PC fans to come here on a weeknight and they're one of the weakest MSG draws on our schedule. Have to keep everything in perspective, and wait until the actual numbers come in.
One more example of things starting to turn around - I mentioned earlier in this thread (to Dave's reply quote to me about "excuses") that I got 5 tickets for my family and uncle this morning for the UConn game. My uncle is a great example of this - he's a casual fan but hasn't been to a game in years. He heard my parents were flying into NYC that weekend and we'd be going to a Johnnies game, so he texted me about going. He's not going to the PC game, but the UConn game will be his first in many years. Maybe he has a great time vs. UConn and starts going more often.
Rebuilding doesn't happen overnight, especially after beating an unranked team. People just need to be patient and know that we're all on the same team- especially here where there's some of the biggest fans.
Another example is we did go to a STJ/Prov game three years ago at Carnesseca and 8:30 PM start.
Team lost, was an obviously disappointing game. And, literally, of the 6 people who went, my dad and I (two diehards) were the only ones who left who said they'd go to a 8:30 pm Carnesseca game again. Wife and her cousins hated the benches, and the uncle thought 8:30 was too late to get home.
This stuff matters for casual fans. It's not excuses, it's reality.
Honestly the lag is usually several months to an off-season from on court/on field results manifesting to an attendance spike.
classof2010
Well-known member
My folks are hitting me up to go to the Uconn game with their friends. I was in the building for Michigan. There were a lot casuals in the building, good buzz for a Monday night early tip in November. It was a big game for both collectives I saw Vin at half, who was praying for a comeback . I feel a lot folks who came out said same ol’ Johnnies after the result. The BC loss didn’t help either. Barclays doesn’t draw as we discussed. And this is NYC where you are going to compete for everything. Win this Wednesday and split the next two on the road and I think you’ll see a big pick up in ticket sales for Marquette / Nova.
I’ll say this about UBS. While the attendance sucked I did see a good amount of families and stuff like that hopefully builds younger fans. Also my buddies kid is going to St. John’s next year and the school gave him a couple tix for a different UBS game. That’s a smart move
Providence is the smallest College in the BE and while they get a handful of kids from the NY area as students , they don’t have the Alumni base that we do or , the high flyers like UCONN , NOVA , ND when they were in the BE . G”town has been bad for several years and their Alums don’t come out like they use to .
It wasn’t mentioned but , a lot of St John’s hard core fans have , either moved away as I have or , because of Age can’t get to games at MSG very easily .
CA attendance usually tips out around 5800-5900 doesn’t it ? That’s the devoted Fan Group and is a far distance short of 10-15,000 wanted for a MSG game .
And , the harshest of reality is that the Penn Station area is heavily occupied by homeless , etc . It doesn’t make for the most enticing Area to bring family or young kids . At night time especially .
Just my opinion .
It wasn’t mentioned but , a lot of St John’s hard core fans have , either moved away as I have or , because of Age can’t get to games at MSG very easily .
CA attendance usually tips out around 5800-5900 doesn’t it ? That’s the devoted Fan Group and is a far distance short of 10-15,000 wanted for a MSG game .
And , the harshest of reality is that the Penn Station area is heavily occupied by homeless , etc . It doesn’t make for the most enticing Area to bring family or young kids . At night time especially .
Just my opinion .
if we continue on our current trajectory- the Nova home game should be a good barometer... Nova fans typically show out well. Should be 15k plus that game.
If we have a number by our name for UConn... 18k... granted there will be a lot of UConn fans... but we should be 70/30 hopefully. Speaking of- school needs to make some 45$ tickets avail for that game... already have a crew of 8 lined up to go.
If we have a number by our name for UConn... 18k... granted there will be a lot of UConn fans... but we should be 70/30 hopefully. Speaking of- school needs to make some 45$ tickets avail for that game... already have a crew of 8 lined up to go.
I think under $50 is a great price point for those tickets in the 200s. Even with this 25% discount they're offering, all of them are $50+
That is a big attraction . But , commuting in on the LIRR and accessing MSG minimizes some of the Homeless interaction , doesn’t it ?
People who have to take the Subway and Drive in , have to walk on the Streets or , through the Tunnels to access MSG . Not pretty .
Regardless, I hope there is a big turnout on Wednesday . Beast wants 10-12,000 or more . Maybe it will .
redmen4life
Well-known member
last thing i'll say about attendance.
Most of you all know i work in marketing/advertising. been doing so for 20+ years.
this applies to all things, but even more so in NYC: cultural relevance drives engagement.
people in nyc want to be part of things that are culturally significant. things that are cool. stuff they can post onto social media:
- people who have no idea about tennis will go to the US Open and pretend they're a fan
- they'll do whatever they can to get into the hottest restaurant and pretend they're some foodie
- same thing for Broadway and shows like Hamilton. People who'd never been to a show are all of a sudden theatre geeks
we are just not relevant.
we've had blips of relevance. ie, Pitino's first game at the Garden. ie, when we play duke.
but we need sustained relevance. cultural significance where the media is consistently talking about us. where the social media influencers are talking about us. when national media come to the garden. when stephen a smith is talking about us. but it needs to be consistent and ongoing.
winning 3 games in a row is nice for us hardcore fans - bc we know how big of a deal that is - but not for the casual.
it's going to take time (if ever) for us to become NYC's hot ticket
Most of you all know i work in marketing/advertising. been doing so for 20+ years.
this applies to all things, but even more so in NYC: cultural relevance drives engagement.
people in nyc want to be part of things that are culturally significant. things that are cool. stuff they can post onto social media:
- people who have no idea about tennis will go to the US Open and pretend they're a fan
- they'll do whatever they can to get into the hottest restaurant and pretend they're some foodie
- same thing for Broadway and shows like Hamilton. People who'd never been to a show are all of a sudden theatre geeks
we are just not relevant.
we've had blips of relevance. ie, Pitino's first game at the Garden. ie, when we play duke.
but we need sustained relevance. cultural significance where the media is consistently talking about us. where the social media influencers are talking about us. when national media come to the garden. when stephen a smith is talking about us. but it needs to be consistent and ongoing.
winning 3 games in a row is nice for us hardcore fans - bc we know how big of a deal that is - but not for the casual.
it's going to take time (if ever) for us to become NYC's hot ticket
Idea: Pitino selfie station after every home game, even better do it at mid-court.
No better cultural experience than sitting in section 114.
I think the SJU marketing department should have all first time Garden attendees soak in the musings of the erudite and sophistication of 114.