How to make the SWAC Tournament better


For the record: The first year TSU had two teams in the finals and the tournament was in Houston, the turnout was decent. I had a conflict this year, so I couldn't be there in person either, but from tv and pics, this year has the worst I have ever seen it. But the following is also true:

1. The men's game was meaningless. Average fan: "Why spend money to see a game that doesn't matter"?
2. TSU students were already out for spring break (I am sure the same can be said for other SWAC schools, so how can we make the tournament a spring break destination?)
3. Texas Boys UIL State Championship Games (Yes it is in Austin, but with a few Houston area schools playing, that takes out the average basketball fan who might have attended the SWAC tournament).
4. SXSW, Rodeo, as an alternative for black folks in general and younger alums

Now I went to the tournament when it was in Mesquite (DFW Area), Shreveport, and Houston. I like Houston, but I actually enjoyed it better in Shreveport. Smaller arena obviously, but I remember when we played UAPB in the finals, the atmosphere and crowds were pretty good. And I met a lot of SWAC alums at the casinos and in the hotel lobby that year. Find a city that is big enough, yet intimate enough to recreate that. Houston won't give you that, but maybe moving up our season to play the weekend before like a few other conferences do, so we don't have to compete with everything else going on in Houston and huge events within a few hours drive that take the students and young alums attention. Every one isn't as die hard as those of us on this board.

I am sure the student-athletes appreciate being able to play their games at NBA arena, but while that model has worked for football, unless the other things I mention change, it won't be a sustainable model for bball. Just my two cents.....
 
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The football to basketball thing is whats killing the SWAC. It's the same reason the SEC kept moving their tournament. Hell they have now settled on Nashville but the SEC knows if UK ain't in it their attendance sucks too.

I feel Biloxi would be the draw. Cater the tournament within a weekend of activites for the alumni and the students. Make it SWAC weekend at the beach. Give it a two year trail run to see what happens. Biloxi has blown up a little since the last time it was there.

If the SWAC can't fill an NBA arena why spend that type of cash to use it. Scale back get a smaller arena and have a full SWAC blowout with seminars and other events featuring the schools to get the area kids there as well.
 
The Founder said:
Both teams for Texas Southern were in the finals in their home town and could not draw more. Hell the entire Texas Southern campus should have been in attendance.
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That's been like that for most of their home gmaes. Their men's coach refuse to schedule non conference home games.

TSUGIRL07 said:
For the record: The first year TSU had two teams in the finals and the tournament was in Houston, the turnout was decent.

....
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That's because PV had their teams in the finals and their fans showed up.....LOL

lilrj1919 said:
Spring Break yeah that is the killer.
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The week before wouldn't get the students there because they would be studying for mid-terms.
 
Some of y'all are crazy to believe that the Swac B
Fiyah said:
That's what I say....



They really don't care to a point where it is played. They just glad to make it that far.



That's a brand new facility. I think it would be a nice intimate place to play.



Logistics would be a big problem especially if you don't know who would be the top seed until the last day of the season. It would be a higher coast for some schools to plan their travel to some sites. Also the conference would have to try to reserve rooms for all the teams and bands later. Not sure if many places could get that many rooms placed on hold either.



They have cut the entertainment at the tournament these last 2 years and it seems that that decision has also seen a decline in attendance. Friday night was also Black Heritage Night at the rodeo and they had Alicia Keys there.



I'm not gonna say anything about stu but when PV was in the games there was fans in the seats.
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Man Please !! Pv ain't never lead the conference in attendance with losing and winning seasons. If they ain't putting numbers up like Southern and j state they ain't putting no butts in the seats. Even alcorn lead the conference in attendance one year. Please !! Pv? LOL putting butts in the seats! Now Thats funny!
 



dezjaguar said:
Consistency! Wow!! One year! Consistently Txsu and Pv ain't putting no butts in no stadium or arena. Hell like you said at " one time" yea one time ain't gone cut it. SMH
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That is NOT what I said at all but spin it any way you like to make you feel better.
 
Herbert77060 said:
That is NOT what I said at all but spin it any way you like to make you feel better.
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The only reason your SU's and JSUs do have great attendance I see because y'all don't have anything else to do! That's why someone said have it in a smaller venue in a smaller town...pretty much where people don't hve anything better to do!
 
TSUGIRL07 said:
For the record: The first year TSU had two teams in the finals and the tournament was in Houston, the turnout was decent. I had a conflict this year, so I couldn't be there in person either, but from tv and pics, this year has the worst I have ever seen it. But the following is also true:

1. The men's game was meaningless. Average fan: "Why spend money to see a game that doesn't matter"?
2. TSU students were already out for spring break (I am sure the same can be said for other SWAC schools, so how can we make the tournament a spring break destination?)
3. Texas Boys UIL State Championship Games (Yes it is in San Antonio, but with a few Houston area schools playing, that takes out the average basketball fan who might have attended the SWAC tournament).
4. SXSW, Rodeo, as an alternative for black folks in general and younger alums

Now I went to the tournament when it was in Mesquite (DFW Area), Shreveport, and Houston. I like Houston, but I actually enjoyed it better in Shreveport. Smaller arena obviously, but I remember when we played UAPB in the finals, the atmosphere and crowds were pretty good. And I met a lot of SWAC alums at the casinos and in the hotel lobby that year. Find a city that is big enough, yet intimate enough to recreate that. Houston won't give you that, but maybe moving up our season to play the weekend before like a few other conferences do, so we don't have to compete with everything else going on in Houston and huge events within a few hours drive that take the students and young alums attention. Every one isn't as die hard as those of us on this board.

I am sure the student-athletes appreciate being able to play their games at NBA arena, but while that model has worked for football, unless the other things I mention change, it won't be a sustainable model for bball. Just my two cents.....
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Just for accuracy.... :)
 
dezjaguar said:
Man think about it? Who in they right mind would have a SWAC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT IN HOUSTON? How would you market that? All these different activities going on in Houston. Ain't nobody paying no attention to no SWAC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT IN HOUSTON. If you have in Biloxi with a smaller area but things to do you could market it better. People would flock to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Im just saying if I go to HOUSTON I'm not thinking about no SWAC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT especially at no major city like Houston. That's like having it in LA , Vegas, or New Orleans, and Miami. SMH
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Now why when we say this when talking about TSUs attendance it's an excuse lol but this very same reason is why the championship is struggling lol it can be marketed...but it has to be aggressively
 
Well, I remember way back in the day. And I do mean waaayyyyy back in the day, like back when I was in school. The SWAC would have the quarterfinals on Friday, the semifinals were on Saturday and the finals were held Sunday.

Maybe the conference could consider that option. Not sure how that would impact the final game being on TV (ESPN), just a thought.
 
bluedog said:
Anybody remember the years the tournament was played in Birmingham ?
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Yup, I do. I went many times then. Why?

I didn't watch the game on tv, but if the attendance was 3K, then what are you people bellyaching about? If anything, it has to be the size of the venue. Not the attendance.


btw, Bham says hello. LOL
 
mighty hornet said:
Yup, I do. I went many times then. Why?

I didn't watch the game on tv, but if the attendance was 3K, then what are you people bellyaching about? If anything, it has to be the size of the venue. Not the attendance.


btw, Bham says hello. LOL
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Okay so what were the years please?
 
For me I think the attendance is fine. My concern is does it makes cent$ to spend money for an 18k arena when our schools have the facilities .

The fact of the matter is the best we're ever going to do is 7-8k. We need to go back to having the top seeded schools hosting and give the games a more personal touch while promoting our campuses
 
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