https://twitter.com/SIU_Basketball/status/1494724910765256706
I guess gone are the days of 14,000 in Omaha, 11,000 in Wichita, 10,000 in Peoria and 8,000 in Carbondale.
I think things will change. If covid finally settles down and with Murray State coming in and if other teams can sustain success along with SIU building its program back then I think you will see 6,7,8000 people again, but it may be another year or two.
I think things will change. If covid finally settles down and with Murray State coming in and if other teams can sustain success along with SIU building its program back then I think you will see 6,7,8000 people again, but it may be another year or two.
There are a lot of headwinds for attendance, some specific to SIU, some more general trends:
- Lingering COVID concerns (general trend)
- Competing with devices/fragmented attention spans (general trend)
- Shrinking student body over the past 20-plus years (SIU-specific)
- Downturn in success/no postseason in 14 years (SIU-specific)
All of the above considered, attendance this year has been pretty decent for Southern. I won't go much further than that, as many of the crowds have been pretty weak when considering actual butts in the seat. Thank goodness for the revitalized Dawg Pound, which has added some needed energy around the program.
Now, what would attendance look like in this modern landscape if Southern was a legit MVC contender? Sure hope we find out ...
Not good for the Valley but I think SIU can improve on attendance by winning. 14 years with no postseason tournament and still selling 4k tickets a night is impressive.
I do have to admit, though, I do remember a time (maybe 2003-09) where I would drive the 100 miles from my house to Carbondale on a school night to watch the Salukis play. Nowadays, it is so much easier to sit in my recliner, drink my (diet) Mountain Dew and watch the game on my 50-inch TV on ESPN+ rather than worrying about getting more than 4 or 5 hours of sleep before I had to go to work.
I do have to admit, though, I do remember a time (maybe 2003-09) where I would drive the 100 miles from my house to Carbondale on a school night to watch the Salukis play. Nowadays, it is so much easier to sit in my recliner, drink my (diet) Mountain Dew and watch the game on my 50-inch TV on ESPN+ rather than worrying about getting more than 4 or 5 hours of sleep before I had to go to work.
Doubt you're getting that much more sleep anyways if you're drinking Mountain Dew at nighttime. 😛
ESPN Plus. Every game is on TV now for a cheap subscription. While that is awesome for fans, I bet even season ticket holders stay home from time to time and watch on TV.
And casual fans, forget about it. I’m thrilled that we get to see all the road games that years ago, we could only listen to.
https://twitter.com/SIU_Basketball/status/1494724910765256706
I guess gone are the days of 14,000 in Omaha, 11,000 in Wichita, 10,000 in Peoria and 8,000 in Carbondale.
Or 10100 in the Arena for #2 Louisville vs #2 SIU
Missouri State, in the midst of their best season in a decade, just drew 3,522 and 3,522 for their last two home games against Valpo and Indiana State.
I know those aren't big draws, but I have to think if Southern was in the midst of a 20+ win season and in the hunt for a regular season championship they'd be bringing in 5-6,000 regularly.
The fanbase is really to rock. Let's hope Mullins can bring in some dogs and get us back in the hunt.
To be fair the last time the arena sold out. The coach blamed the big crowd for the loss.
just sayin 😁
To be fair the last time the arena sold out. The coach blamed the big crowd for the loss.
just sayin 😁
The former coach was a douche.
To be fair the last time the arena sold out. The coach blamed the big crowd for the loss.
just sayin 😁
Was that the 40 point ass kicking we received from Wichita State? If so, I was there. Haha
