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Post by phurther on Feb 25, 2009 18:47:38 GMT -5
I think to simply say the ROAR was simply a purveyor of cheap beer (and it's never been $5 for a party, but rather a membership rate for the entire season, as far as I knew) as a gimmick to get people to the games is rather off base. When I was at LMU (early days of ROAR) it seemed that the club cultivated a die-hard basketball following out of a group of people that weren't previously involved in that many LMU activities. And you know what? It worked and encouraged more and more people to go to the games, even those who weren't in ROAR.
CrazyCage, I think the Cage was a great idea at the beginning, but was limited in that it was literally confined within four rows of bleachers surrounded by chain link fencing. There was also a strange sentiment of a FEW (hardly all) Cage members who seemed to not want any other fans at the games other than themselves, supposedly on the grounds that "they were there first" or something like that.
Again, I just have a hard time seeing how ROAR bringing more students to the games (not sure, however, how they are for numbers in these dark days) was a bad thing. Yeah, they drink beer before the game. College kids like to drink beer before they do a lot of things...sorry to let the secret out.
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Post by crazycagegirl on Feb 25, 2009 20:19:55 GMT -5
Well....At first, it was frustrating for us because we took pride in our heckling, which was often drowned out by the new group. In the beginning, the newer fan group was mostly drunk students who just got back from getting trashed at a kegger before the game. It has evolved into a mostly tasteful group, but in those first few years, there were some things that were done that were rather embarrassing. Yelling at John Montgomery and telling him he sucked WHILE he was playing was extremely tasteless.
I think what I'm trying to get across is that we shouldn't have to use alcohol to get students to show up to the games. That is what started it in the beginning. I remember the Roar flyer (that's what I was trying to say, phurther--that it was $5 for the tshirt and keg combo AKA membership). It advertised a group t-shirt, as well as a keg before every game. If it were merely for a group of kids who wanted to just cheer on the team, those students would have joined the CAGE that year instead. If I recall correctly, it was also comprised of several fraternity guys. Nothing wrong there, but again, I just don't think it's something that we can pride ourselves on - using alcohol as an incentive - ESPECIALLY for a religious school.
Another thing that frustrated those of us in the older fan group was that we were knowledgeable about the rules and limits of how far one could go with heckling. The newer group would say things that would get us in trouble because they were most likely unaware of the unspoken agreement we had already made with Betty. The Cage was not allowed to advertise gatherings where alcohol was served. This is most likely what caused our demise while Roar rose to the top. As far as I recall, we would not kick people out of the Cage - it's just that no one was brave enough to sit with us because it was roped off by caution tape.
Again - main point I'm trying to get at: we shouldn't have to use alcohol as our incentive. Students should want to go to the game for good, clean enjoyment. This is why people get embarrassed for the school when Pepperdine chants "Alcoholics" and LMU cheers wildly (I admit. I was one of those cheerers). Giving out free things like wristbands and hats, t-shirts and bandannas, is a better idea than alcohol because it isn't encouraging 1) underage drinking; 2) alcoholism; 3)binge drinking. LMU has already had enough problems with alcohol. Anyone remember Charter Ball? I doubt you do, LMU08.
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Post by crazycagegirl on Feb 25, 2009 20:29:11 GMT -5
I say phenomenal because, despite our record in 2005-2006, we still went to the finals and gave Gonzaga a run for their money in that game (Ohhhh Ayer)...they were playing to sell out crowds too. THAT is quite a good indication that people were noticing the promise we had. All we need is for people to see us challenge the biggest teams in order for them to want to come. If all you do is look at how many W's we have, you will miss how many close games we had, too.
I believe I was incorrect on the years. I think it was 05-06 and 06-07, but they have all blurred together so I don't exactly recall when B-Dubb got hurt.
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Post by crazycagegirl on Feb 25, 2009 20:30:03 GMT -5
And maybe that's the larger problem here. We as LMU fans feel as if we're entitled a winner in Westchester, merely because of one magical run, during a time everyone was wearing hammer pants. We've had one winning season in 15 years. I think fans feel ENTITLED because they are proud of our school and it's history and expect greatness from a great institution. Or maybe we should just all suck out thumbs and feel like losers because you say so and skip to the apathy. This is sort of the typical trash we deal with when trying to actually improve sports here. The cynicism and apathy is suffocating. EVERYONE with any school pride wants to have a winning team. |
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Post by LIONS90045 on Feb 25, 2009 22:30:41 GMT -5
Lets turn this scene around - we will be the team to beat (along with Gonszaga) in the future and seats will come at a premium.
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Post by crazycagegirl on Feb 25, 2009 23:45:42 GMT -5
Let's hope!
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Post by stonewall on Feb 26, 2009 2:18:02 GMT -5
That is exactly why Mark Few, as quoted by Bill Bayno himself, said "LMU is a graveyard." Those words still ring painfully in my ears.
But it should be noted that two years ago, operating budgets were slashed university wide to reduce what was otherwise going to be a precipitous increase in tuition. I know for a fact that the Athletics budget was hit hard and their marketing efforts were dramatically curtailed as a result. This is the reason there are now printed media guides for only three sports (Men's and Women's Basketball and Baseball) whereas every program used to have one. Those TV spots and banners cost a lot of money.
So if you're a student you have to ask yourself the hypothetical: would you be willing to pay extra every semester so that Athletics could resurrect a comprehensive marketing strategy?
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Post by crazycagegirl on Feb 26, 2009 8:53:11 GMT -5
VERY good point you present. One would hope that the revenue made from attendance would cover that but I guess not? There's probably tons of money being put into the new Gersten, so I can't see asking for donors. Lionsfund just helps the athletes, as far as I know....and through all the irony, the B-Dubb flags were used the year he had to sit out the whole season due to injury....so sad.
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Post by dedicatedlionfan on Feb 26, 2009 17:02:14 GMT -5
Suprisingly enough, it was Coby Carl who did it! I was there on that fateful day!
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Post by ironlions on Feb 26, 2009 17:25:03 GMT -5
Coby had to go on fight cancer that year. I'm glad both them are well now.
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Post by lion99 on Feb 26, 2009 18:03:13 GMT -5
crazycagegirl- I've seen you mention "new Gersten" or a renovated Gersten a few times. I've always hoped they would work on a re-design or renovation of Gersten to improve the look (more arena style and less high school gym). Do you have any details on what LMU is looking to do with Gersten?
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Post by ironlions on Feb 26, 2009 18:49:19 GMT -5
I think it will be quite some time until we get a new Gersten. We need a least 5 winning season and the economy out of the dumps before we can even dream of a G2.
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Post by crazycagegirl on Feb 26, 2009 20:58:52 GMT -5
crazycagegirl- I've seen you mention "new Gersten" or a renovated Gersten a few times. I've always hoped they would work on a re-design or renovation of Gersten to improve the look (more arena style and less high school gym). Do you have any details on what LMU is looking to do with Gersten? I saw a model when I was working in University Relations. Mostly, they were planning to expand the seating to make it a full size stadium and add nice sized weight room on the back for training, as well as a full set of offices for all the staff. That was.....2005. I could be incorrect, as it was a while ago that I saw the model, and things could have changed, but that is what I remember. |
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