Pantagraph.com | U.Sports | Kindred: No more excuses for a half-empty Redbird Arena

Reader comments on this story - 95 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

who cares? wrote on Feb 28, 2008 11:12 PM:

" Why take a negative tact? Look at it this way - the arena is half full. And all to see an overrated team in a mediocre conference.
"

I love dicky v wrote on Feb 28, 2008 9:53 PM:

" I think that alot of people go to big time schools to see a game with the hope of being on Sportscenter. People who go to ISU game know thats not likely. Some people think its cool to be a duke fan and to have ESPN be your flagship station. "

Face it... wrote on Feb 28, 2008 3:06 PM:

" This is Bloomington Normal. People here would rather make excuses than make an effort and its apparent in the majority of blogs that are posted. The fact of the matter is that when you have a college in a town, they are as much of a part of the community as you are. Its our job as citizens to support the community and its activities, not look for excuses on why not which we have gotten very good at. And to "Common Sense". Your posting clearly defines your lack there of. I guess in your perfect world there is no such as sports and games because whats the point.....Teamwork, dedication, persistance, and competitiveness don't teach anything... "

Gabriel wrote on Feb 28, 2008 2:54 PM:

" Still trying to figure out why I'm "pathetic" and "should be ashamed" for not going to a basketball game on a Wed. night? Since when is going to a basketball game a moral imperative? weird. "

to got beer wrote on Feb 28, 2008 10:56 AM:

" oh ya thats what we need more drunks driving home "

Assembly Hall wrote on Feb 27, 2008 10:31 PM:

" The Illini are TENTH in the Big Ten this year.....there is no more Chief.....and the place still sells out EVERY GAME. This town is PATHETIC and should be completely ashamed. I bet if they opened a Chili's inside Redbird the place would sell out! "

got beer! wrote on Feb 27, 2008 8:53 PM:

" If you could sell beer at redbird they would sell 2000 more tickets. That is why Bradley and Creighton sell out most games. Illinois laws are dumb. "

who cares wrote on Feb 27, 2008 6:17 PM:

" Let's cut men's BB and bring back wrestling. Can't fill the seats anyway, why not. "

ISU alum wrote on Feb 27, 2008 1:41 PM:

" I'd be happy to attend a few games a year, and willing to pay, if I could get a decent seat. I went to one game this year and was amazed to find that the lower bowl was barely half full but I couldn't buy a ticket down there if I wanted to. Somebody needs to re-think the business model here. "

ISU alum wrote on Feb 27, 2008 1:34 PM:

ISU fan wrote on Feb 27, 2008 1:23 PM:

" It is about time the students as well as the community step up and support the GREAT job that all the ISU basketball athletes (both men and women) have been doing this year! They are all a great group of kids "

to: Candy wrote on Feb 27, 2008 8:22 AM:

" The first thing you should do is understand what the argument is really about. This article clearly is referring to Redbird Arena, not US Cellular Colliseum. I'm pretty sure Judy had nothing to do with R.A, so renaming it "Judy's eye sore" makes absolutely no sense. But nice try... "

al wrote on Feb 27, 2008 6:28 AM:

" its all about the parking. im not going to a game where i cant park anywhere near the stadium.when my company had season tickets and legends room passes we parked of course front row. now its some out lot at best in the middle of winter. "

Get better teams wrote on Feb 26, 2008 10:13 PM:

" Alot of people who go to the game go to see the other team. Thats why Bradley and Southern Ill sell better then Evensville or Chicago State. So if you get better teams to come to the arena maybe they will have better crowds. Now, I understand that alot of big time school are cowards for not play games at ISU. But, If Michigan St will play at Bradley they will come here too.
"

Candy wrote on Feb 26, 2008 8:34 PM:

" Just tear it down and make another wal-mart, at least the city would get tax money from it and I am sure that would be more then they make on it now. They should rename it Judy's eye sore and make her make payments on it. "

to Too big from MRD wrote on Feb 26, 2008 3:06 PM:

" well.. we could call it a shrine to terrible acoustics LOL "

Too big wrote on Feb 26, 2008 2:08 PM:

" Redbird Arena is too big. Obviously. Has the place every been packed consistently for any significant length of time? As long as they were spending a bunch of money on a big, fancy arena, trying to keep up with the Joneses, they might as well have demolished Horton Fieldhouse and built a big parking garage in its place. I know, I know, people are emotionally attached to Horton. It's a shrine to...to...uh, well, I don't know what it's a shrine to. Every time I've been to Redbird Arena, the biggest turn-off about going has been the logistics of getting in and out of the place, and the parking is the worst part. Oh, and Memphis is not a mid-major any more. They're about as "major" as a program can get. "

middle of the road dude wrote on Feb 26, 2008 10:13 AM:

" SORRY! lol i am not sure how my post ended up on this thread as I had just scrolled down to post on the other thread.
but since i know i am posting on this thread this time. Do you think its possible that it is not a lack of interest keeping people away. But a lack of disposable income? just a question. Its not even my opinion, as i don't care about sports enough to bother founding an opinion "

middle of the road dude wrote on Feb 26, 2008 7:14 AM:

" while it is true that the Bible is clear about gays. It is made more clear about judging others. that is not our place, its Gods job to do
I also believe that a preemptive war is not gods will either "

Me to lol 2 wrote on Feb 15, 2008 11:48 PM:

" Do you realize that the #1 team in the nation right now is also a mid-major? Yes, Memphis plays in conference USA and is mid-major. "

To lol 2 wrote on Feb 15, 2008 11:45 PM:

" There are 2 good Big Ten teams? LOL to you too! Go ACC and kicking the Big Ten's rear again next year! "

Common Sense wrote on Feb 15, 2008 11:12 PM:

" It's a stupid game where people bounce a ball- why do I want to pay to watch it? One game looks like every other. I can sit with a bunch of people who act like jerks as they yell at officials- boy, I want my kids to see that! A bunch of non home-grown players who are here for the basketball more than the education. Why do I want to cheer for them? How about ripping people for not spending more time helpign their kids with homework, or volunteering at a nursing home- you know, things that actually are important in the scheme of things... "

TO BOBBY wrote on Feb 15, 2008 10:07 PM:

" You got it right. We are still season ticket holders, but we've been banished to the 11th row of the upper bowl because of the redbird club. They moved the staff out of the lower bowl and into the upper bowl where we used to sit. Eliminated the matching for SF, and stiffed us on the redbird club passes two years in a row.
We still go to the games because we like college basketball, but the administration has ran a LOT of people off. GO BIRDS!!

"

IWU? wrote on Feb 15, 2008 6:40 PM:

" IWU has a cozy place for basketball but frankly it is a dingy, poorly lighted facility with uncomfortable seats. A great home court for the team, though. Notice they had only 1,300 at their last game. The ISU women get nearly three times that many. "

Apples and oranges wrote on Feb 15, 2008 6:27 PM:

" the Cubs are a giant outdoor beer bash played in pleasant weather attended by the issue of north shore yuppies with a cell phone in one hand, a beer in the other, an oversized unbuttoned cubs jersey and the incessant chant of "hey batta batta." The game is completely incidental. You can't compare any college basketball program to that. You can't even compare most MLB teams to that. "

To Example wrote on Feb 15, 2008 4:45 PM:

" are you kidding? that was the most ridiculous thing I've ever read. The Cubs have been "dishing out bad meals" for 100 years, and they draw 39,000+ each and every game. You know what a fan is? It is someone who sticks with their team through thick and thin. You are an absolute moron "

Jon wrote on Feb 15, 2008 4:37 PM:

" GREAT ARTICLE, RANDY!!!! Its about time someone stood up and said something about the fickle Redbird fans "

Porter Moser says: wrote on Feb 15, 2008 3:44 PM:

" I agree about Osirus.......how in the world was I able to recruit him to ISU? He's way better than ANY player that Bruce Weber has ever recruited........ Go Big "O"!!!! "

More to consider wrote on Feb 15, 2008 3:13 PM:

" When the Birds were packing Horton, it was a great atmosphere. But, you were also watching at least one (and sometimes 2) top 20 teams. Now, you pay to see an improved ISU team and maybe a top 50 team. My prediction for ISU this year - NCAA loss in the 1st round. They will be a 13 seed and get beat by a 4 seed. "

To Saluki wrote on Feb 15, 2008 2:51 PM:

" Yes and if we scheduled SIU every game we'd win every game by 20!!! and the other team would score 5 points in the first 12 minutes of the game....
Now THAT would be fun. "

To: Steve L wrote on Feb 15, 2008 2:49 PM:

" That's not exactly true. That law didn't pass. It was anticipated to pass and ISU preemptively became "self supporting" but not because of any state law.

Wedneday's game was a week night against a crappy team. I was there but I can understand why that game might have been a hard sell. "

EJ wrote on Feb 15, 2008 2:33 PM:

" The Shirk Center isn't looking too full these days. Horton Field House drew 7,700-8,000 EVERY GAME. When they had 8,000 in that place you could hardly move, but it was great. In the early 80's, you couldn't beat going to Horton on a Saturday afternoon and then over to Fred Young for a night game. That was also a great place to watch basketball. "

steve wrote on Feb 15, 2008 2:12 PM:

" To legit:
You must be rather young to think that Bryson is the second best player ever at ISU. I have been watching since 1972 and their have been several players better. Just guards you would have Rick Whitlow, Bubbles Hawkins and Derrick Mayes.[very underrated player]. Bryson was a great scorer but does not begin to compare to Eldridge as an all around player. If Eldridge improves at his current pace for the next two years he will easily be the second best guard in my years here. This kid has incredible athletic talent and lately has shone the ability to take games over toward the end. He is worth the price of admission by himself.
I talked to a couple sportswriters from Iowa after the Drake game and the couldn't stop raving about him and said he's the best player in the Valley, hands down. I'm not going to go that far yet but he probably will be the best the next two years. Like I said earlier, a couple more recruiting classes like the one coming next year and this program could be really special. "

Redbird Alum wrote on Feb 15, 2008 2:05 PM:

" To legit: I loved Tarise Bryson and he may have been a better overall shooter of the rock than Osiris is, but when it comes to all around game, Osiris has the size, quickness and the jumps to play at the next level. Tarise was too small to pull it off. "

hey Jimbo wrote on Feb 15, 2008 1:57 PM:

" whip up a few PBJ's before the game and go buy some Big K colas for your kids. I have had season tickets for ISU basketball for 11 years and I have probably eaten about two things a year from the concession stand...I eat before the game or after...if you take 5 kids and yourself to an ISU game its less than $40...I had to pay $60 to watch the Failing Illini lose to Michigan in football from a crappy seat. Not a bad seat in Redbird arena and parking is a MINOR issue...Jimbo, who u crappin? "

BN Hoops Fan wrote on Feb 15, 2008 1:56 PM:

" I go to both ISU and IWU games as a totall neutral hoops fan (didn't attend eitehr school). The IWU atmosphere is better in my opinion because the place feels full for all of the big CCIW home games (2000-2500 people really creates a great atmosphere at the Shirk Center). There is just something about a packed house that makes the atmosphere for any basketball game better than a 50%-70% full house, which ISU is dealing with. Is this as simple as Redbird Arena being too big (too many seats)? ISU didn't draw 9,000-10,000 back at Horton, did they? If ISU's homecourt held, say, 7000, would ISU actually be better off? "

Jimbo wrote on Feb 15, 2008 1:17 PM:

" Hey Randy...where do you park at and how much does your ticket cost.
The student body should be filling the arena, not us town folk who have to park miles away and wait for a shuttle bus in the freezing cold or walk.
Also what about if I take my kids to the game, we sit in the upper bowl while there are empty seats in the lower, pay outrages prices for stale popcorn that was poped days before, ( yes I have volunteered in a concession stand and know what goes on ) get ripped off on soda to wash down the stale popcorn. I mean hey, its not a cheap night.
By the way, do the ushers get trained to be rude or is that one of the requirments for the job?
Ill just wait till I win the lottery so I can join the Redbird club and get all the fancey perks that go with being a corprate sponser and or season ticket holder.
Money talks. "

to: Get Out There wrote on Feb 15, 2008 12:58 PM:

" No one wants to go watch a hockey team that...well have they even won a game since they started up? I want to watch a sport native to the USA with players whose names I can pronounce...Hockey is lame and besides...isn't this a basketball article? "

to: Alum wrote on Feb 15, 2008 12:55 PM:

" "well back in my day...I used to have to walk 25 miles in the snow to get to Horton to watch my man crush Dougie Collins"... give me a break...I think if u flipped that score for the 70's team vs. now you would have it right...I mean those were great teams but those guys are in their mid 50's by now...but all sarcasm aside, you clearly have not WATCHED a game this year. You may go and LOOK at the court, but your understanding of basketball is probably in the same place as your love for ISU...back in the 70's...

"

to: legit wrote on Feb 15, 2008 12:49 PM:

" DUH! Osiris is a completely different player than Tyrese. Bryson was a SCORER...PERIOD...and a great one, and he got shafted with a lost year of eligibility...with that being said, Osiris does EVERYTHING and he is only a sophomore...he will end up better than Tyrese who, if I am not mistaken, had a workout scheduled with the 76ers a while back and he never showed...if "O" continues to improve at a rate anywhere near where he has progressed these past two years, he can play at the next level "

Saluki wrote on Feb 15, 2008 12:25 PM:

" If only they could schedule SIU every game, they'd sell out! "

legit wrote on Feb 15, 2008 12:08 PM:

" Hey Kindred~
Osirus is nice...but he is no Tarise Bryson....besides D.Collins Resse was the best
that ever played at State. "

80's alum wrote on Feb 15, 2008 12:06 PM:

" food prices way too high, food not even good, ushers could not be meaner, empty seats all over in lower section but you still have to sit up top. Just to name a few. Entertainment is pitiful. Papa Johns bike race has to end!! Cheerleaders could act like they want to be there. Why couldn't the rule be that if after first half , lower bowl not filled, you could move down there. If the season ticket holder comes in you simply move. Seems pretty simple. "

to Taxes part 2 wrote on Feb 15, 2008 12:02 PM:

" from foundations and trust funds... trust us, not one cent of your money is supporting any state university athletic program... do some research. "

Get out there wrote on Feb 15, 2008 12:00 PM:

" It is pathetic that the place will only be half full for the next game. Get out and support the team. Of course I'm talking about the Prairie Thunder - our home town team. We should be ashamed that there will only be about 3,500 in attendance tonight. It's a fast paced game with lots of excitement and athleticism. While a little expensive, the food and drink are pretty good. It is pathetic that people won't fill the place. Where are they spending their money? On college basketball? What a waste. "

Taxes part 2 wrote on Feb 15, 2008 11:47 AM:

" And who do you think pays for these scholarships that these athletes get to play basketball, and where does that money come from?? "

Taxes part 2 wrote on Feb 15, 2008 11:42 AM:

" And who do you think pays for these scholarships that these athletes get to play basketball, and where does that money come from?? "

to Alum wrote on Feb 15, 2008 11:16 AM:

" Have you seen this year's team? They have plenty of talent and I am sure Osiris Eldridge will be drafted to the NBA after he graduates. Not saying they are better than the Doug Collins era, but give them some credit. "

Alum wrote on Feb 15, 2008 11:07 AM:

" I remember getting up at 2:00 AM to wait in line for tickets in the late 70's. Of course they had much, much more talent than today....Collins, Whitlow, Hawkins, Bonz,etc. No comparison to excitement level at that time. Today's teams are hard to watch. I've support them, but it's not a fun game to watch. Skill and offense are weak, weak, weak. Not a criticism at all, just much lower level of offensive skill with today's teams. 70's team would beat today's team 94 - 50. "

STEVE L. wrote on Feb 15, 2008 10:56 AM:

" I must point out to "taxes" that ISU and no other state universities athletic programs get any of your or mine state income tax money. State university athletic programs by law must be self supporting. In fact if you have never attended a game or bought any ISU merchandize you have contributed absolutely nothing to ISU athletics. Your choice of course but get your facts straight before feeling sorry for yourself. "

Ty Webb wrote on Feb 15, 2008 10:46 AM:

" To: Pathetic??

If you had been to any games this year you would know that the ISU students have filled all 4 of their lower bowl sections for pretty much every game, except those over break when they were gone, and the other night vs. MSU. Many games there has been hundreds of students in the upper bowl because they couldnt fit any more into their lower bowl sections. There hasnt been this good of student support in 10 years or more. If you want to compare ISU's student section with Bradley's this year, thats simple: ISU's student turnout has been better than BU's. "

EJ wrote on Feb 15, 2008 10:29 AM:

" A couple of things here...1.) Redbird Arena was never full in the 90's, unless Bradley was in town 2.) ISU's football team hasn't gone far in the playoffs in 10 years and that was a one-year wonder. 3.) The quotes about Horton Field House always being full are correct, so I think 7,700 on a consistent basis would be a good crowd. The thing with the arena is the upper bowl has never been full, but the lower bowl used to be full with people from the community no matter what. That was the thing with Horton, it was a community event to go to a game. The university sold out to the corporates in the late 90's and drove mostly all of the season ticket holders out of the lower bowl. Now, there is a bunch of people just sitting on their hands down there with absolutely no energy. "

Time for Change wrote on Feb 15, 2008 10:24 AM:

" I've been going to games for the last decade at ISU and there is one thing that needs to change.Game atmosphere. I swear, every game is scripted, every down to the songs that the band plays at certain time outs. The concessions are overpriced and not very good, half time entertainment is non existent. Also, what happened to promotions like the Reggie Bobbleheads a few years back? 50/50 raffles? I tell you what has happened, poor coaches that the university had to pay off and lack of winning. We essentially lost our fanbase and now have the McDonalds version of home games. I'm sorry, but you can't recover from that overnight. It's going to take time and a consistent product. "

Pathetic ??? wrote on Feb 15, 2008 10:00 AM:

" I'll tell you what is pathetic... a student body of 20,000 and very few students at the game. On most game nights, there are more students in Pub II than the Arena. For heaven's sake, it is a COLLEGE basketball game. Why is it the responsibility of the adult public to put butts in seats? I would be interested to compare ISU to Bradley's student/non-student attendance. I'll bet it would be an eye opener. "

B-N Fan wrote on Feb 15, 2008 8:55 AM:

" I have been to nine games this year and have had a blast at all of them. I will goto the last 2 games at home for sure. I think it is hilarous that people say there is nothing to do in this town, yet they have options. In the past week I have been to the Gaelic Storm concert BCPA and 3 ISU games, so I have had plenty to do. The people who say all we can do in this town is go out to eat are obviously not educated enough find out what we have in this area. With the Colesium, the BCPA, two unitversities and many other smaller venues and events, we have plenty of arts & sporting events. We are so lucky to have all of these great options. Thoses of us who go to them are having a fun, I kinda feel bad for all the people waiting 45min for a seat at Applebee's claiming there is nothing to do in this town. "

lol 2 wrote on Feb 15, 2008 8:33 AM:

" " who cares about ISU, they are a mid-major that no one in the country cares about........... not that entertaining i would rather watch 2 good Big Ten teams play each other. "

Fans wrote on Feb 15, 2008 8:30 AM:

" IWU takes typically over 2,000 fanswhen they play, the Colesium takes 3,000-4,000 fans with their events, etc..............there are just too many other options that people prefer in this town. "

Alum in NC wrote on Feb 15, 2008 8:23 AM:

" The arena was rocking and mostly full in the 90s. I agree that some fans have gone away after years of horrible play, and I can't blame them. However, it's apparent that this team is turning things around. Hopefully they end this year on a great note. This should translate into better crowds next year and so on. I also agree that a redesigned student section would get more students to the game, the problem is you offend the older season ticket holders who are busy sleeping. Let them finish this year up on a high note and we'll see what happens next year. IWU ... are you serious. I'd rather watch high school basketball. "

isu84 wrote on Feb 15, 2008 8:22 AM:

" I'm Tired of Randy being the Carnival Barker for ISU sports. Is he getting a cut of these tickets sales...?

I know, we "should" be supporting indoor footbal, minor league hockey, and next it will be minor league baseball at heartland...

BTW, Horton held 7700 for basketball, not 5500. B/N is a football town???? We have football here? ISU has a 1-AA (or whatever they want to rename it to try to convince fans it's not second-tier) team, that has pretty much been consistently 5-6 ot 6-5 for 20 years.... "

The Atmosphere wrote on Feb 15, 2008 8:22 AM:

" I've been to both and the atmosphere is so much better at IWU. If ISU eliminates about 5,000 seats, then we'll have something. "

Re: Realist wrote on Feb 15, 2008 8:21 AM:

" The First rule in business is no longer the customer is always right. The first rule of business is the Customer is always the Customer. Think about that one for awhile.
ISU has done a poor job marketing. Period. "

Big Man wrote on Feb 15, 2008 8:18 AM:

" I would like to see this article highlight the attendance figures for other schools in the Valley. Attendance of the other schools will give us a truer indication of the support (or lack thereof) Redbird basketball.

On another note, the halftime entertainment is SEVERELY lacking in entertainment; the promotions leave a lot to be desired; and the cheerleaders are not very cute. "

steve lemons wrote on Feb 15, 2008 8:09 AM:

" To "nothing has changed",
Get your facts straight before you comment. Horton had a capacity of over 8,000 and had a few crowds of 8500, those being DePaul with Mark Aquire and a couple of Bradley games when Versace was their coach. That being said it is a sad commentary on the community and the current students that there was only 5400 at the Missouri State game. I do think in the next few years this will change for the better as the Redbirds become a consistent winner under coach Jankovich. A couple more recruiting classes like the one coming next year should do the trick. "

No more excuses wrote on Feb 15, 2008 8:02 AM:

" For kindred's biased reporting. "

Give aways wrote on Feb 15, 2008 7:46 AM:

" They really do not ever give anything away at all.,...I have been to two bradley games this year against Michigan State and against ISU...Against Michigan state they declared the night a white out and on every single seat in the arena there were white bradley shirts...and against ISU they gave out coosies for you canned drinks...at ISU I can't even get a little extra cheese on my nacho's without getting charged for it "

Taxes wrote on Feb 15, 2008 7:45 AM:

" The people of B/N already support the ISU basketball team, and every other program at ISU. They pay taxes, this is a state school. If the townspeople choose to not pay even more money to attend an event that they already paid for, they should not be chastised by the local media. "

TV listings wrote on Feb 15, 2008 7:29 AM:

" Fine column Randy. I agree with everything you say. But, look at the front page of the sports section, top left...where it says BEST BETS ON TV...I see golf at 2pm?? Isn't the women's team on TV tonight at 730?? Cmon, if you're gonna back the home team, back them all the way Pantagraph!!! "

Janko wrote on Feb 15, 2008 7:14 AM:

" Bloomington-Normal is pathetic. Don't blame the product. You shouldn't need some fancy promotion to come out and watch a college basketball game. Very sad that these college kids work their butts off and give you a winner and all B-N can do is slap them in the face with a bunch of excuses. "

B/N Enigma wrote on Feb 15, 2008 7:13 AM:

" Marketing is the key here and we've proven as a University that we struggle with it - talk to someone like John McDonough from the Chicago BlackHawks and get an idea how to market this program.
As long as Jank is here we'll be competitive and fun so let's get on with it. "

Thanks wrote on Feb 15, 2008 7:05 AM:

" Thanks to all you people who think I (and many like me) are pathetic because we don't come to all the ISU games. My beef with the school and ticket situation is that I donate enough to get lower bowl tickets. However, my donation goes to the College of Business, not the Redbird Club, so I'm not eligible for lower bowl season tickets. Shame on me for donating to the educational part of ISU, not their sports program/club. Think about this too - there is competition in B/N for the entertainment dollar - IWU, Coliseum, BCPA, etc. ISU bball isn't the only game in town, "

To: Randy wrote on Feb 15, 2008 6:40 AM:

" Next Wednesday night game I will call you to pick up my kids from their practices and take them to CCD so I can make the game. Deal? "

Don't care wrote on Feb 15, 2008 6:37 AM:

" Two metal rings on either end of a court. Five guys trying to put a ball in the other guys ring. Wow. Exciting. "

Example wrote on Feb 15, 2008 6:05 AM:

" If you go to a restaurant and get a bad meal, you will not go back for a while, if ever again to that restuarant. So if you do go back and get yet another bad meal, you will most likely never come back. The ISU basketball team has been serving up bad meals for 10 years now. Some fans may be gone forever, and some might need more than a "flash in the pan" to convince them to come back. Too little, too late for this argument. "

Mac Daddy wrote on Feb 15, 2008 1:29 AM:

" It would be nice if parking was available close by, insytead of parking at the golf course or further to watch the game "

BOBBY wrote on Feb 15, 2008 12:15 AM:

" The red bird club and the greed for bigger donations took away peoples season seats and gave them to the highest bidder. My family had season seats when they could not fill Hortion Field House. When they went to division 1 and Donawald was coaching they took our season seats andsold them to the highest bidder. We settled for less predominate seats andlost those the next year. The arena promised to be better but after being ousted by higher bidders 3 years in a row we just quit going. I don't know what they do now, but you can't kick your fans in the face to many times before they loose interest. "

Realist wrote on Feb 14, 2008 11:33 PM:

" Randy, you can't shame B/N into going to the arena. College athletics is a business and the first rule of business is the customer is always right. If people aren't going to the games, ISU is doing something wrong, that's all there is to it. Reducing ticket prices is actually hurting the situation more than ISU realizes, because it's decreasing the perceived value of the product. Sure, the fieldhouse was rockin during the 70's and 80's, but the 80's are over. College athletics have changed since then and ISU did not change with them, that's why their fanbase has shrunk. "

ummm.. wrote on Feb 14, 2008 11:29 PM:

" I don't know what else they can do. For $16 dollars for a family of four, I don't know what else is possibly cheaper entertainment. I go to every single game I possibly can. You don't have to worry about missing TV. That's what DVR is for. The Illini are never on TV anymore so people aren't missing that. I do know that when I was a student in the mid 90s they use to walk around Bone student center and just hand out tickets for free....They would have big stacks of them and just ask you how many you wanted...Maybe they need to do that again....Give them to locals schools...What happened to giving tickets to honor roll students? I know that my kids are on the honor roll and to my knowledge have not been given any tickets. "

SAY wrote on Feb 14, 2008 11:25 PM:

" Easy to answer this! BN people think they are better than everyone else. This town is more like a suburb of chicago..... so they think. This is a lazy town when it comes to supporting ISU sports. Close the school down and move out! BN is pathetic and should be ashamed of themselves. I agree... its cheap to watch ISU sports. Try going to the illini games for 25-50.00 a ticket ok! Some things never change here!! Snobish community!!!!!!! "

Valley Fan wrote on Feb 14, 2008 11:23 PM:

" Other Valley games had 5700, 4600, 4100. "

redbird student wrote on Feb 14, 2008 11:13 PM:

" maybe the reason BU has a packed arena is because it sells alcohol. I would venture that if Redbird Arena sold alcohol, you would see higher numbers but by law it can't because it is owned by the school and not a private arena. I'm not saying that we need alcohol to bring in the fans but maybe they should make Carver Arena an alcohol free arena for one or two seasons and see if their attendance numbers are the same...just my two cents "

Bob "Lazer" Donewald wrote on Feb 14, 2008 10:56 PM:

" I blame George Bush for this mess. He lied about this town's ability to fill up a 10,000 seat arena. "

2000 alumni wrote on Feb 14, 2008 10:49 PM:

" Maybe though tickets are cheap for students. they always crammed then in a small little section. Other colleges make the students part of the court right down front. Lets move the students to make a difference and make them part of the game, they would probably would come out more. "

Me wrote on Feb 14, 2008 10:16 PM:

" The fact is that B/N is a football town while Peoria is a basketball town. "

Ty Webb wrote on Feb 14, 2008 9:59 PM:

" 5,446 wouldve been considered a decent crowd the last few years. Last night it seemed like a major slap in the face because the previous 4 home games all had big, noisy crowds including a sellout. Games have been well attended since early december (except the UNI game over Xmas break,) and the students have been out in force most of the season, but only filled 3 of their 4 sections last night. Just when we had gotten used to the attendance picking up, last night happens. While it's true half the campus and most of the town has been bitten by the flu bug, a lot more than 5500 still should've made it out. Oh well. Hopefully it was just a random thing and our final 2 home games vs. Wright State and Creighton will get big crowds. "

evidence wrote on Feb 14, 2008 9:55 PM:

" This is just further evidence that the tens and tens of ISU fans are some of the worst fans in sports. Basketball good this year? Doesn't matter, horrible attendance. Football team makes it far in the playoffs a couple years ago? Doesn't matter, horrible attendance. And you people think you can join the Big 12??? HAHAHAHA!! The Red will ALWAYS be dead. "

lol wrote on Feb 14, 2008 9:55 PM:

" who cares about IWU they are division 3.... not that entertaining i would rather watch 2 good high school teams play each other "

Nice to see... wrote on Feb 14, 2008 9:38 PM:

" Kindred actually acknowledge that IWU played basketball. The best team in town year after year is IWU and the Paragraph barely acknowledges their existence. "

Marketing Marketing Marketing wrote on Feb 14, 2008 9:02 PM:

" ISU needs to market it's product better! When was the last time they gave away anything? Halftime entertainment is BORING too. "

Maybe... wrote on Feb 14, 2008 8:31 PM:

" It's because of the historically crappy teams that have infested the Arena? Same way with The Coliseum. That place would be packed if they would start winning. "

Insight wrote on Feb 14, 2008 7:29 PM:

" State Farm is loaded with U of I graduates. Also, the transients don't relate to the MVC. They're used to Big 12, ACC, SEC, etc. It's very difficult for a mid-major to get any respect. Worse, it's very easy for a mid-major to lose respect once they start to gain it on a national level. "

ummmm wrote on Feb 14, 2008 7:13 PM:

" it was full in the late 90s. People just flat out dont care. And thats too bad, because this team is fun.

Like tpguy. Oh wait, he's not fun at all.

Come support your birds! "

redbirds1202 wrote on Feb 14, 2008 6:31 PM:

" They were stupid to justify building a 10,000 seat arena. 3 sellouts in 10 years doesn't justify that size of a stadium. A stadium that would seat about 6,500 would of been more reasonable. "

Nothing has changed wrote on Feb 14, 2008 6:28 PM:

" 5500 was a sell-out in Horton, you expect crowds to get larger just because the building does? That is the same kind of logic that gave us a coliseum that will be a burden for as long as it stands. "

1985 ISU Alumnus wrote on Feb 14, 2008 6:17 PM:

" I am at a loss with this article. For decades the Fieldhouse was packed no matter what team came to town. The heat, the noise, the excitement! It was an awesome place to watch a game. What gives Bloomington/Normal? I noticed a similar lack of support at the state high school football championships. It takes a village, folks! Get off your butts and support your teams! "

randy,randy,randy, wrote on Feb 14, 2008 6:16 PM:

" maybe it's half-full?! "

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