We need some real creativity and focus on building a student fan base. Need to get some type of competition among the clubs and sororities. It would be great to have a couple of thousand at every game.

Hey, I would like to bring those grade school kids back for every home game and let them and their parents in for free. They make lots of noise on que from the upper part of the stands.

The Texas game had 698 students in attendance. They announced that it was the 2nd largest student attendance ever. It would be nice to break that record a few times but I don't see it breaking 2k any time soon. But I will be very happy to be wrong!

It would be fabulous if the FC became a premier venue for quality basketball (already is, really) with a devastating home court advantage. Maybe something like the Phog on a smaller scale.

Students come for free food, shirts, prizes, stuff like that, right? Maybe weekly contests for stuff like best spirit hat, best homemade spirit shirt, best spirit group costumes…..But what do I know? Ask the student leaders what would entice them to show up.

The students were loud & boisterous Friday. In fact, I think they were better than the Texas students Sunday! WBB was offering hoodies for that one I think there are similar promotional for this Saturday. MBB is hosting Texas.

I have to say it's odd that it would be difficult to get the students to come watch ranked basketball teams play in Waco for free. I mean, that majority of us fans love the team because we too went to Baylor. Maybe a huge percentage only became interested in basketball after graduating, but that would surprise me if true. So what gives?

Texas is still primarily a football state. My guess that is the main reason for limited turnout. Also, students often are reluctant to come out on a weeknight. Then there are those who work (Baylor is an expensive private school) or are laser focused on grades. There are plenty of reasons.

Maybe some of the students have to come enough that the game starts to make sense while with others it's purely social, and who cares why they come if they come. It needs to become the cool thing to do. Somebody younger than I am should find out from student leaders what it would take to help make this happen.

I agree wholeheartedly. I just don't know what will work repeatedly. It would be great if it became a habit for a bunch of them.

Someone suggested somewhere that the university should hold a contest between Greek organizations (I'd say all) to get them to compete for school spirit. I like the idea.

historian said:

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The students were loud & boisterous Friday. In fact, I think they were better than the Texas students Sunday! WBB was offering hoodies for that one I think there are similar promotional for this Saturday. MBB is hosting Texas.

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students got a bucket hat, not a hoodie. But they did offer free shirts to students last night and turn out was really low.

It's a simple issue, culture. Baylor students aren't on average basketball fans. And Texas isn't a basketball state. Pro teams struggle to get fans in Texas. Students don't care to come watch as much here as at bigger state schools, especially those in bball oriented states.

The other issue is wbb is just not very exciting to watch given the terrible officiating and sadly, sloppy play that often takes place compared to mbb. And even then, we have historically struggled to fill student seats for mbb games. It has gotten better but not good enough consistently. Nicki has been working to interact with students and that is helping.

The culture has to change. Keep winning & showing that games are fun then it will happen for mbb and wbb. Although mid week will always be lower and u can factor in smaller student base expounds the issue cuz less likely to find a dedicated fan, but it will get better. Just have to convince them to get up for the games.

But regardless of students, the real issue lays with all the other 90% of empty seats. Season ticket holders not showing up & locals not buying up remaining seats. This issue is way bigger than student attendance

True. But students often make a huge difference because they tend to be the loudest & most enthusiastic. They also get lots of TV attention, which some seem to crave greatly (that & the Jumbotron).

Need to make it fun and a tradition for the student section. Maybe even a competition against other colleges like Duke and Kansas student sections. Heck, where Scott Drew's brother is coaching (Grand Canyon University) even has one of the better student sections in the game but, it was something they (administration and AD) made a priority for the events.

Would like to know what the administration plans are for the student section in the new arena/fieldhouse.

Could even challenge those that run the Baylor Line to get involved at the games.

Dr. J said:

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Need to make it fun and a tradition for the student section. Maybe even a competition against other colleges like Duke and Kansas student sections. Heck, where Scott Drew's brother is coaching (Grand Canyon University) even has one of the better student sections in the game but, it was something they (administration and AD) made a priority for the events.

Would like to know what the administration plans are for the student section in the new arena/fieldhouse.

Could even challenge those that run the Baylor Line to get involved at the games.

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Thanks for posting - Thats an amazing video - 18,000 + student enrollment
I do not see why BU would have any difficulty duplicating something like this -
I can see the students going for something like this.

It doesn't help student attendance given a good chunk of students are tied down with sorority/fraternity rush, initiation, and SING practice from late DEC thru late FEB.

blueeyedbear said:

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Dr. J said:

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Need to make it fun and a tradition for the student section. Maybe even a competition against other colleges like Duke and Kansas student sections. Heck, where Scott Drew's brother is coaching (Grand Canyon University) even has one of the better student sections in the game but, it was something they (administration and AD) made a priority for the events.

Would like to know what the administration plans are for the student section in the new arena/fieldhouse.

Could even challenge those that run the Baylor Line to get involved at the games.

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Thanks for posting - Thats an amazing video - 18,000 + student enrollment
I do not see why BU would have any difficulty duplicating something like this -
I can see the students going for something like this.

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That is incredible. I wonder how much RedBull it took to pull that off??

GCU does a great job with their web and YouTube presence. All of their games are posted on YouTube along with lots of promotional content. Network contracts may prevent us from doing the same, but it is impressive nonetheless.

Thankfully, we have SIC'EM365 for everything Bears.

I wish all of our games were available on YouTube, Vimeo, or Rumble.

I don't know of any of this season's Baylor WBB games available anywhere besides ESPN+.

I saw on Twitter that the team was visiting classes and bringing cookies, thanking students for coming to the games. Looks like CNC has something going with ATO, they tweet at each other, and have posted pics of them at games, and even ATO attending tennis matches. Not sure of the frat has "adopted" either/both programs to support.

They are certainly making some effort.

Lynnp550 said:

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Students come for free food, shirts, prizes, stuff like that, right? Maybe weekly contests for stuff like best spirit hat, best homemade spirit shirt, best spirit group costumes…..But what do I know? Ask the student leaders what would entice them to show up.

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This is 100% on point.
Pass out ample free pizza in the stands (4th quarter of course), t-shirts and a bunch of other free stuff and you'd have no problem having a couple Gr students at the women's game. Fun games for $100 bookstore GCs. Free stuff every game.

You've got it make it an entertainment event. The game on the court is not enough. Baylor can afford it....but ADMR won't do it.

For CNC? SURE he will!

All it takes is a little imagination:

1. Have different student organizations compete to see who can bring the must people & be the loudest.
2. Get corporate sponsors to incentivize students or general fans with giveaways or an NIL deal: "Fill the Ferrell for bucks" if we have 9k + the athletes will each get $100 or for every 100 people above 9k. Something like that.
3. Once we have 9k people inside, every 100th person gets a coupon for a free meal at a local restaurant.
4. Students: we need 1,000 of you to show up. If you do, you'll get this gift. Maybe extra gifts for every person after 1,000.
5. Competition among students for cool prizes, but only if the student allotment sells out.
6. Other games & contests for the students to make the overall experience more fun. At least 1 per quarter. Preferably, 1 for every commercial break.

Just requires some brainstorming & creativity.

My suggestion........ every home game, between the 3rd and 4th quarters,, which allows for a big build-up,
have a $ 25,000 or $ 50,000 mid court shot for some randomly selected student. Those insurance policies are not very expensive.

https://www.grandprizepromotions.com/basketball-promotions

Considering how expensive Baylor is, how about a scholarship, tuition waiver, or some such?

ScottS said:

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That is incredible. I wonder how much RedBull it took to pull that off??

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This happens EVERY game for them. No gimmicks. Maybe Mack needs to reach out to the AD at GCU to see what it take to get this done.

Also, you need to commit one side (2 sections) of the floor seats to the students and, the other side of the new fieldhouse to the season ticket holders. Offer seating preference to season tickets in which you buy BOTH Men's and Womens basketball games as this will create competition for those that want men's tickets at a slightly higher premium.

If there is a contest between clubs/Greeks/etc. maybe make it last the whole season, and not game by game. That might cause the hoops schedule to be put on their calendars. Just my $0.02.
This may be way off base...I'm definitely not one of the young uns!

IMO, making comparisons between schools, especially so far apart is futile. A particular promotion, or even needing one, may work in one area but be a complete fail in another. Too many variables........what other things draw attention towards or away from the game, the availability of other school sports and activities, the background of the students, the isolation or not of the school, and the list can just go on and on. It probably could be argued that you could switch the Baylor students with the GCU students and you wouldn't see a change at either location.

I do know from past observations that in Waco if you want the students to stay, you don't give them the benefit, whatever it us before the game starts. I remember one year as we drove toward the arena, we saw students with the free stuff heading away. They came, got, and left. I think you also would have to make a promotion that would bring them back without a promotion to require the attendance of several games to get the reward, not so many they say it is not worth it, but enough that you have a chance to capture their attention to the point where they want to come regardless of rewards. Otherwise, you are just throwing good money after bad.

Dr. J said:

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Need to make it fun and a tradition for the student section. Maybe even a competition against other colleges like Duke and Kansas student sections. Heck, where Scott Drew's brother is coaching (Grand Canyon University) even has one of the better student sections in the game but, it was something they (administration and AD) made a priority for the events.

Would like to know what the administration plans are for the student section in the new arena/fieldhouse.

Could even challenge those that run the Baylor Line to get involved at the games.

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That is incredible!!! There is NO reason Baylor can't have a similar environment. The student section at UT game was outstanding, but nothing like this! Students need to be front and center in the new arena! Engaged loud crowds make a huge difference. Players feed off the energy!

Iron Claw said:

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Looks like CNC has something going with ATO, they tweet at each other, and have posted pics of them at games, and even ATO attending tennis matches.
Not sure of the frat has "adopted" either/both programs to support.

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Feb 9, 2022

𝑶𝑹𝑮 𝑶𝑭 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑮𝑨𝑴𝑬.

the rumors are true. we’ll join @baylorwbb as tonight’s organization of the game.

rumor also has it that a few @baylormtennis players are joining us court-side, & the rumor is correct again.

we are about to yell go bears so loud. pic.twitter.com/q1Fy6BpYNx

— ATΩ at Baylor University (@BaylorATO) February 10, 2022

My son attends West Texas and I just got back from one of their games. It was club night….every club had a spot no they announced a winner…not sure if they got anything but they were loud.

Getting students to the game is helpful, but it's really tough in WBB. Very few schools have good student attendance--even UConn (one of the most supported women's programs) is mostly an older crowd.

As the schools have put more effort into making money from the seats -- and generally moved students to lesser seats as part of that -- it's become even harder. Back when the Techsters were big, there was significant student support at games. The lower section of the old gym was all bleachers, so all of it was taken up by students. When they built a new facility, they only reserved 1-2 lower sections for the students. Students quit coming.

It's look to me like one of the things that GCU is doing is giving the students really good seats. I remember Baylor used to have 1-2 lower sections for students. Do they still or do they sell those seats now? I'm not saying having more good seating would solve the problem, but it'd help.

The bigger problem is just a lack of interest in wbb.

A lot of you are so close with saying the emphasis should be on the Greeks .

It's simple...gotta get chicks there ..what do girls like?..Good dance music..

Get the chicks there and guys will follow.

Halftime DJ battles...Dance parties...up and coming local bands.. whatever it takes..

BleacherBum95 said:

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Lynnp550 said:

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Students come for free food, shirts, prizes, stuff like that, right? Maybe weekly contests for stuff like best spirit hat, best homemade spirit shirt, best spirit group costumes…..But what do I know? Ask the student leaders what would entice them to show up.

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This is 100% on point.
Pass out ample free pizza in the stands (4th quarter of course), t-shirts and a bunch of other free stuff and you'd have no problem having a couple Gr students at the women's game. Fun games for $100 bookstore GCs. Free stuff every game.

You've got it make it an entertainment event. The game on the court is not enough. Baylor can afford it....but ADMR won't do it.

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u do realize mack rhoades has absolutely zero to do with in game promotions, student activities, organization of the game, the bear pit in any way or anything else that would be considered marketing to get students and fans to games right? That is all siloed into other departments such as fan engament and student activities for example. The AD never handles those things nor plays a hand at all in those, especially at a power 5 school. If you have complaints about the level of freebies that we give out to fans and or students, then blame those who are in charge of those things.

Stefano DiMera said:

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A lot of you are so close with saying the emphasis should be on the Greeks .

It's simple...gotta get chicks there ..what do girls like?..Good dance music..

Get the chicks there and guys will follow.

Halftime DJ battles...Dance parties...up and coming local bands.. whatever it takes..

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majority of students in attendance at every single baylor basketball game men and women are females. i sit near the student section. way more females than males