Originally posted by Bengal E
Mr. Average Fan speaking here again,
I said this once a couple of years ago about how to improve the SWAC tournament and I ain't rehashing all that. MH, is right the problem ain't all with Birmingham but Lewis has a point to.
Honestly the same thing (to me) that is wrong with the tournament is the same thing that is wrong with the SCG and it ain't B'ham. These things are not EVENTS. Average folks are only going to EVENTS. Hardcore fans (like most of you) will go watch the SWAC play tiddlywinks on a North Dakota farm because that what you guys love. Me, I don't have the money to waste on that.
The CIAA tournament has tradition but also it is very centrally located. Raliegh is about a 2 hr drive or less for most of the schools, so it's very easy to keep fan support. A person can work all day and then drive up for a bball game. They don't have to take a week (or 3 days) off of work to attend. It may have tradition and be in a bball hotbed, but move it to Maryland and see how long it stays big.
As for us, this is what we need:
1. Alumni support (this has to be a school thing first, if you don't come watch them play at home you won't watch them on the road)
2. Get some of this "creative marketing". We need EVENTS! Autograph signings, stepshows, banquets, concerts, BOTB's etc. This will bring out the local crowd.
3. Upgrade our bball programs. We are on a parity level since 2-7 all have the same conference records. (that's parity to me) but it's poor quality. This will bring out the locals as well, those who just want to see some good bball.
4. Get corporate sponsors. Why are the majority of our SWAC sponsors in B'ham? We should be stretching through out the SWAC region. Houston, Jxn, Memphis, NO, BR, we need these people as well.
5. TV coverage, good TV coverage (and other media). Ain't nothing gonna draw folks like the chance of being on TV or being seen. When people see, hear or read about the fun and excitement going on, then they will come.
If you can build a foundation or use this as a blueprint, both the SCG and the Tournaments (spring included) will be a big success. But as long as we continue to feel that people will come just because, we're doomed.
Just a few words from an average fan, on why I don't make the yearly trek and invade B'ham like these yocals from UK, Ole Miss, MSU, and LSU come invade ATL and get on my nerves!:lmao: