[whmatthews]

How can LU make basketball attendance better? I know first of all, Mr. Barber has said it many times, put a winning team on the court, and it seems we're going in the right direction with the team we're putting out there this season. My freshman year it was insane to go to a game. You had to be at the Vines an hour and a half early to get the seats right down at the court. Last year I could walk in 10 minutes into the first half and get those seats. Besides the having a good team on the court, any ideas on how we can get turn outs like we had last thursday night at the football game. Here's one idea, and we talked about this at the very first SFC meeting if you'll remember SJ -- some colleges close down everything for basketball games, i.e. Wake Forest.

I was at spiritual emphasis week tonight and Vine's was packed... perhaps the most people I've seen at a Spiritual Emphasis Week in my four years here. And not that I'm comparing a basketball game to a church service, but it would be great to see as many students at a basketball game.

[El Scorcho]

It's a little early to be certain, but it looks like Basketball could probably ask Football for some advice on this topic.

[LU'sbestmanager]

LARRY BLAIR, DWIGHT BREWINGTON....... on the same team!!! and tell them we have a great big man in alex McLean... that's how you fill the seats.

[SuperJon]

Talk is cheap. They're gonna hafta prove it on the court.

[LU'sbestmanager]

that's the spirit! lol.... i do hear ya about the winning thing, but if we have 9,000 every night screaming their heads off it'll be crazy. i know a guy named Mr. Blair (:lol:....you might know him) who loves playing infront of alot of people

[TIMSCAR20]

You have to win and market the team 1st before you start packing the Vines with 9000 each game. I would love to see that big time college atmosphere return to the Vines though. I hope the team can pull together and get this thing turned around this season.

[SuperJon]

The thing with football is there was a new coach that brought excitement and all of that. Basketball doesn't have that advantage because they have the same coach who many in the student body do not like. The only thing to get more people into the stands is to win. You guys know my passion about LU sports and I somewhat feel the same as these students. Football was a new regime and a reason to hope. Basketball there isn't.

[PeterParker]

Without delving into slander, why don't the students care for him?

[thepostman]

i am a student, and I have never heard anybody say anything bad about coach D...except girls saying he is too mean, haha....i think he is a good coach, he had to deal with a lot of crap last season with some of the players...he is a solid coach and this year they will be a solid team....with the new athletic department i hope they can get Coach D out there more...as i think public speaking is not his fav thing to do, but i think that he sees how Rocco has done things and it will probably inspire him to try the same kind of thing....i don't know about 9,000 a night...but 5 to 6,000 a night would be a great start....i am excited for basketball season...i love football, but basketball is more my thing and because of my new wrork schedule i can go to more games this year!!!!

[SuperJon]

I've never really heard any certain reasons why, I just know I've heard a lot of kids say they didn't like him. A lot of kids were talking a lot about him at the end of last season. Not many people like a coach that only wins 7 games. That's mainly the reason behind people not liking him.

[thepostman]

maybe people that just came in last year, i don't know....but a lot of crap was going on behind the scenes and i don't think the best coach on the planet could've won many more games then that last year, this season will be different and the kids that don't like Coach D will see he can coach....i have seen it...the year we won the Big South they were coached so well, always perfectly spaced on the floor, and even last year you saw that....he is good at coaching spacing and defense...this year will be like day and night compared to last, i am not going to say we are going to win the Big South, but we will give it a good run that is for sure

[LUconn]

the people who say such things are stupid.

[El Scorcho]

I think that, in light of everything, the man did a heck of a job last year. I think that's been recognized by the people that needed to recognize it, too. I'm looking forward to this season.

[Stevev]

I too was very frustrated and embarrassed about last year's teams performance and even the previous years but I think Coach Dunton has done a pretty good job in cleaning up the mess left by his predecesor. It is just that the last 2 years have been filled with unfortunate circumstances such as players leaving or being asked to leave and others underperforming on the court. He seems to be laying a good foundation for the future with the calibre of players he is bringing in and his doing his best to bring in quality recruits for LU's future success. Can't wait till this year begins but right now I am preoccupied with football.

[LUconn]

and if Stevev is down with him, you know he's a good coach.

[jcmanson]

Any students that have a problem with Coach D have not been around the team and Coach long enough. He is a terrific coach, and can get LU to the next level we are all hoping for. My first year following the team was Coach's first as well, and I have been very pleased by what has gone on since he's been here. Besides last year, we have been very competitive in the Big South night in, night out. I fully expect this to continue this year.

[SuperJon]

You guys asked so I answered. You know how LU students are.

[thepostman]

You guys asked so I answered. You know how LU students are.

i guess, but i am an LU student myself and have heard very few negative remarks about Coach D, maybe you are just hanging out with the wrong people, find new friends...haha, jk

[TDDance234]

Coach Dunton and Rocco are two completely different coaches. Coach D, I think, is a little more reserved towards the student body than Coach Rocco is. I don't think we'll ever see Coach D do what Rocco has done for the football team in terms of getting the student body in order, it's just not his thing, IMO.

But the passion and fire are there. Last season he'd turn around to the 100 fans that were there and try his hardest to get some support behind his players.

It's just a different style of philosophies.

Go back to the Big South Championship game against HP a few years ago. I've NEVER heard the Vines as loud as it was. It's part of the reason that game was so lopsided.. the fans were excellent.

[jcmanson]

The fans will be there if the wins are there. That's simple. The year we won the championship, even the games before the championship game, were pretty good crowds.

[jmdickens]

Bring a new coach, and you'll get more fans at LU games

[Purple Haize]

Old timers back in the day remember when the Vines was packed!! Did it have to do with the coach or the team? That is up for debate. If the current regime can CONSISTENTLY put a winning team on the floor, the crowds will come. Same with football. Rocco has this first year of being "NEW" and then it will be what the team does on the field. RD had his "NEW" year and a tournament year, so what happens this year and next will be a good indicator of whether the fans will come back or not.

[bigsmooth]

haize is right on here. i talked to RD at the glenville game and he said he was very impressed with rocco and what he has done, but more impressed with jeff barber and his go get em attitude. he said the athletic dept. is stronger than ever and in turn keeps people excited. i think a good football season can carry over into basketball simply from the excitement of the SFC and the flames club.

[SuperJon]

The SFC meeting where Dunton spoke was the least attended of the year so far. Just throwing that out there to go with my statement earlier.

[Sly Fox]

Just take a look at the Old Firehouse thread to see how Coach D is with the fans. I'll leave it at that.

As for attendance at the Flames Club meeting, its football season for crying out loud.