The Dome was empty...again. Where are the fans?

[hoopsupstate]

Our poor foul shooting has already cost us two games. At this rate, two out of every ten games will cost us at least six games. It will probably be more than that.

 

[Dcuse]

Glad you brought this up because not only are the numbers dwindling but the crowd that was there yesterday SUCKED. I’m in the bleachers across from the visitors bench. While I was up screaming at bad calls and cheering when we had a highlight, I looked around me and wondered if Ihad strolled onto the set of “ A Quiet Place.” There were 4 young boys,like 11 or 12 years old,in the row in front of me and STO who were playing with toys and staring back at us whenever we made a peep. Their Dads were background extras from the movie mentioned above. Then when we went down by 10 and took a timeout, the boys jumped up and danced perfectly to YMCA blasting over the building while me and STO were spewing venom. Then on the next timeout when Hofstra had gone on another mini run, it was freakin t-shirt time. this time the fathers joined in on the great fun by calling out and reaching for this great treasure. Guess I’ve become the old crotch who cares about the game and looks like an idiot when he reacts to a play while the clock is running. I guess those days are done.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Our poor foul shooting has already cost us two games. At this rate, two out of every ten games will cost us at least six games. It will probably be more than that.

Shouldn’t need foul shots when you’re an 11 point favorite.

 

[letsgorange]

This isnt a serious post is it?

You don't think the downward trend of attendance is an issue? There's no juice in the place with the small crowds. Dome isn't an intimidating environment with less than 20k and we lose some of our national prestige. I'm sure the Athletic department would rather have the excitement and the $ is nice too

 

[tptcuse]

It is very tough to watch but there were exciting moments as well. Like our ten point comeback. But what is really clear is that we are not going to win games unless we make free throws. Has anyone ever asked Red during press conferences how he is helping players improve on free throws?

He gave a lukewarm answer about that two games ago.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

Tickets were cheap. Less than $10.

Seems like Autry has lost the fan base. Or people just don't want to attend live sporting events anymore. I think it's a bit of both but mostly the former.

Miss the buzz in the building!

The losing the fan base started well before Red.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

We haven’t been relevant during the regular season since 2013-14. That was the last time we played a game ranked past December 15th. That makes a dozen seasons of crap.

 

[nocohalo]

Someone in another thread made a great point about losing a generation of fans. I remember when I was just a little lad going to my first Cuse game which was Georgia Tech at the Dome against Melo. That crowd certainly raised the bar for my expectations as to what it was like to attend a Cuse game. That brand carried as much weight as a Yankee hat. Even 2 and half hours north in the north country we were always getting in trouble during March Madness at lunch time turning on tv's in the cafeteria to watch the games if Cuse was playing in the afternoon. A full generation has been lost as a result of this nonsense. And the bottom line is going to look atrocious at the end of year.

I had to look it up, I went to Cuse-Rutgers in January 2013 during winter break. Know what the crowd was for that one? 17k. The weather was horrible that day too. Even against Rutgers when students were gone they were able to pull 17k in a blizzard. And this was during the week, wasn't even a weekend game. 12k fewer fans at games for multiple games and that ticket revenue adds up really quick.

 

[hoopsupstate]

Two great home venues have become ghost towns this year. Pittsburgh has very small attendance. Gone are their students. I watched the game they played against Hofstra and there was maybe 3,000 in the building.

 

[sdhall01]

Saturday at 4pm. No bad weather, critically important game for the season and the place was empty.

Been going to games for 30 plus years and never seen home games so lightly attended.

Sad.

I don’t live in the area, but even if I did, I wouldn’t want to spend money to watch us embarrass ourselves against Hofstra.

If I wanted to do that, I’d simply save my money and remember the time I forgot my lines in the school play in 4th grade.

 

[DilemaCuse]

Look, they made an internal hire to appease the legend who was forced out and some BOT members who have no clue on college athletics. The hire was not made to bring the fans back or get them excited. I had a feeling it could go this way. Red showed some competency in recruiting because he at least makes an effort unlike JB at the end who wanted nothing to do with recruiting but I can't say I'm not surprised by the results. This is what happens when you hire a guy who was not in demand from schools in conferences on Hofstra's level.

 

[ar inj]

Long time STH.

The Dome is a morgue; the product on the floor is blah and not entertaining for all the reasons stated in most every other post on this board (as my wife says to me, "If I know its not working, what are the coaches doing, and why do they do the same thing that does not work every time down the floor?); we sit in the 300's and used to be surrounded by fans and friends; barely anyone there any more -- some refused to renew when they added the plastic seats, others did not renew after last year; by the way the seats are grossly uncomfortable, give me back my bench; the food is horrible and way over priced (The AD's response, that is not my responsibility. My response: It is if you want me to pay for a ticket); too many 9:00 p.m. games; too many games I do not care about (Who are they playing next?); getting out of the west lots gets worse and worse (although not all the blame is on SU); who are those players on the court and how much are they getting paid to miss all those free throws (although I really like Kyle).

After yesterday, we are now asking why do we even go any more? Will I stop? Can I stop? Cold turkey? Maybe.

Maybe, after all these years, I will start following the school that gave me a post-grad degree, another ACC program.

 

[Cusefan0307]

As a 20 plus year STH the attendance really started to crater last season. The only way it changes is if we win. It’s been a chore for me to get there the past 3-4 years and I went at least a decade without missing a home game at one point.

 

[powdersmack]

Not only has the product on the court been in steady decline for over a decade, but Covid really affected it too. The crowds in the season preceding the year off vs the season following were starkly different. I know several around us gave up their tickets after Covid as it gave them a year to realize that they just might as well watch from home, not spend all that money, and when the game sucked yet again they could simply turn it off.

 

[Eric15]

Two great home venues have become ghost towns this year. Pittsburgh has very small attendance. Gone are their students. I watched the game they played against Hofstra and there was maybe 3,000 in the building.

The Pete was one of the best home court venues in college basketball in the 2000s. That place was crazy. Such a shame all around.

 

[DaCuse]

Saturday at 4pm. No bad weather, critically important game for the season and the place was empty.

Been going to games for 30 plus years and never seen home games so lightly attended.

Sad.

there is nothing to see inside of the dome. Remember when we had a well-coached basketball team with players who wanted to compete?

 

[sufan59]

As a 20 plus year STH the attendance really started to crater last season. The only way it changes is if we win. It’s been a chore for me to get there the past 3-4 years and I went at least a decade without missing a home game at one point.

I know programs don’t do this in December and especially Syracuse hasn’t historically, but they really need to make the move now. The re energizing of the program needs to begin now. See Virginia Tech football as an example even with the losses, the fan base re energized right away.

 

[phil77]

As a 20 plus year STH the attendance really started to crater last season. The only way it changes is if we win. It’s been a chore for me to get there the past 3-4 years and I went at least a decade without missing a home game at one point.

This is exactly correct, only wins will change it around to get it back. During last offseason, some of us said keeping Red would have a direct impact on ticket sales, and it did. Fans will not show up for a program/coach they don't believe in. The fans have made it clear they don't believe in the coach.

Next hire for basketball will be the most important one in our history. If we get it wrong again, we could see our once proud basketball program fall like our football program has.

 

[Red Holzman]

Someone in another thread made a great point about losing a generation of fans. I remember when I was just a little lad going to my first Cuse game which was Georgia Tech at the Dome against Melo. That crowd certainly raised the bar for my expectations as to what it was like to attend a Cuse game. That brand carried as much weight as a Yankee hat. Even 2 and half hours north in the north country we were always getting in trouble during March Madness at lunch time turning on tv's in the cafeteria to watch the games if Cuse was playing in the afternoon.

Got 10 good seats for extended family in the student section for that game vs GT and Chris Bosh/Jarret Jack.
Thought it would be a close game.
Nope! Dome was rocking as SU destroyed GT 92-65.
Agree -very memorable game!
Also agree -that was the brand that sadly has been lost.

 

[dwilmont44]

When the fans are on the floor makings 3s and free throws let me know, then I’ll believe that fans would’ve made a difference in this game

Both games I've been to the fans doing the layup, free throw, 3 pointer, half court shot made everything but the half courter.

 

[nocohalo]

Got 10 good seats for extended family in the student section for that game vs GT and Chris Bosh/Jarret Jack.
Thought it would be a close game.
Nope! Dome was rocking as SU destroyed GT 92-65.
Agree -very memorable game!
Also agree -that was the brand that sadly has been lost.

I remember my dad telling me that we had to stand until Cuse scored. It was like 4 minutes before they scored a field goal and I thought it was my luck. But that game flipped quick.

 

[Briancuse]

You don't think the downward trend of attendance is an issue? There's no juice in the place with the small crowds. Dome isn't an intimidating environment with less than 20k and we lose some of our national prestige. I'm sure the Athletic department would rather have the excitement and the $ is nice too

Of course, the bigger problem is the product on the court. Who is going to invest time and money in this program right now?

 

[JaySU22]

Hopefully the administration starts getting a clue. The product has been pretty bad for 5 years and mediocre for 7 years prior to that. They have brought this on themselves.

 

[Millhouse]

Saturday at 4pm. No bad weather, critically important game for the season and the place was empty.

Been going to games for 30 plus years and never seen home games so lightly attended.

Sad.

The same people have been going for forty years, they stink, and people are taking a break

 

[Lukeyloo]

We haven’t been relevant during the regular season since 2013-14. That was the last time we played a game ranked past December 15th. That makes a dozen seasons of crap.

I don’t think enough of this board acknowledges this. Everyone references the last 5 years as not being to our standard. No, it’s been over a decade at this point since we’ve been truly relevant and mentioned on a national scale.

Since then our best seasons have consisted of 20 wins and being nowhere near ranked. We are has-beens.