tashoya
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Post by tashoya on May 16, 2016 20:59:04 GMT -5
Minus the product getting better I think you have to focus your efforts on the incremental 5K fans. That would exclude anyone on this board and most people in DC. You need to play into the alumni base and the DMV locals with some interest in basketball/Georgetown. I don't see Georgetown focusing on that incremental fan base. More alumni outreach and hype would be a start. I agree pumping more money into local clubs that are close to DC is a good idea. I'm in California and would love more attention but understand why that's not going to happen. As for local fan base, I think you need to target schools. A college basketball game is significantly cheaper activity than taking kids to a professional sporting event. That also means you need to change the in game atmosphere to make it more of a family based event. At games I would want to see the Georgetown brand being pumped into the face of every attendee instead of the feeling like Georgetown is a guest in the arena. Focus on getting a few extra hundred and build off of that. This is not a short term solution but will pay dividends in the long run when you have grown the number of local kids who follow Georgetown. I had mentioned something similar about the local kids a couple of years back. I don't know the logistics of such things but I would love to see local kids/families offered significantly discounted tickets (or free tix if that's possible) as the place isn't selling out anyway. The incentive of some extra concession money has to be at least moderately attractive. Get local kids in the building and try to build a group of lifelong fans. The family aspect is a huge bonus. If it's affordable for a parent or both parents to take their child/children or an older sibling take a younger one, it benefits not only the team but the community. Taking it a step further (though it's a pipe dream), imagine a designated section for local kids/families such that the team/staff knows where they are. Aim that t-shirt gun there a little more frequently to get shirts into the hands of some locals that may wear them around the city and suburbs.
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Post by gambo on May 17, 2016 11:13:49 GMT -5
Also, it would actually help if the basketball program (starts from the coach down) actually cared about the fans, even just a little, instead of thinking that they are an annoyance. The Hoya Hoop club tries their best, but there is so little info coming officially from the program towards the fans that it's hard to get super excited. Sadly, it has been more or less like this for the 40 years I've been following Georgetown, and it was obviously passed down from father to son. What is the coach's responsibility to the fans, getting them excited about the team? I'm not sure, but it certainly is more than what the current regime is doing.
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kghoya
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Post by kghoya on May 17, 2016 22:45:40 GMT -5
Also, it would actually help if the basketball program (starts from the coach down) actually cared about the fans, even just a little, instead of thinking that they are an annoyance. The Hoya Hoop club tries their best, but there is so little info coming officially from the program towards the fans that it's hard to get super excited. Sadly, it has been more or less like this for the 40 years I've been following Georgetown, and it was obviously passed down from father to son. What is the coach's responsibility to the fans, getting them excited about the team? I'm not sure, but it certainly is more than what the current regime is doing. This is a great post.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2016 8:22:06 GMT -5
Also, it would actually help if the basketball program (starts from the coach down) actually cared about the fans, even just a little, instead of thinking that they are an annoyance. The Hoya Hoop club tries their best, but there is so little info coming officially from the program towards the fans that it's hard to get super excited. Sadly, it has been more or less like this for the 40 years I've been following Georgetown, and it was obviously passed down from father to son. What is the coach's responsibility to the fans, getting them excited about the team? I'm not sure, but it certainly is more than what the current regime is doing. Small sample size (and I have no idea if this is a regular thing for them): a few years ago, my father (a Villanova alum) was coming to our game against Nova at Verizon. He decided to go to the Villanova pre-game event in the arena (the equivalent of the Hoya Hoop Club event at a road game). Jay Wright was there - spoke to the fans for 5-10 minutes, thanked them for being there, applauded them for their support of the program, and went back to the locker room to prep for the game. So easy to do, and if he's doing that at every road game, he's connecting face-to-face with thousands of his fans across the country every year. That's the kind of thing that sticks with people and gets them excited about the program. Honest question (I'm based in DC, and I don't get to many road games): has JTIII ever done this?
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Post by hoyasaxa2003 on May 18, 2016 12:30:22 GMT -5
Cam, that type of outreach does sound as if it would be useful. I don't know JT3 and have never met him, but my impression is that those are not the type of things he enjoys doing, though I could be wrong. Either way, I do think having some events like that would help to build a greater connection between the fan base and the school. The fact is that fans like "access" even if it really is nothing more than the coach meeting some fans and saying a few generic things (my guess is Wright isn't spilling team secrets when he's doing these meet and greets!).
I do think that Georgetown could probably benefit from a more modern approach to its public image. Granted, I don't see any reason to go overboard in the other direction, but a little more at certain times might be beneficial - even if it happened at off-the-record fan events or smaller gatherings (for example, each Georgetown metropolitan or state club likely has a group of alumni, at least some of whom like basketball, and would be elated to have JT3 come in for a talk).
I have absolutely no idea if these types of events have occurred in the past (though I don't recall any in my area), but I think smaller things like that would go a long way to assuaging the fan base, especially after a season like this last one. The problem with silence and no commenting is that in this day and age of social media, fans speculate a lot and make things up (just read HoyaTalk during the season) that would easily be handled with a few appropriate comments.
All that being said, I think it's important to remember that these are college students, and privacy concerns are there that don't affect professional teams and the large amount of access they give both media and fans. Thus, in some cases where injuries are involved (for example, Campbell's injury last year), there's likely no good option: if you stay silent, people make assumptions, and if you say something generic people think you're hiding things.
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DanMcQ
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Post by DanMcQ on May 20, 2016 5:48:52 GMT -5
MODERATOR NOTE: 5 way off-topic random sniping posts moved to the Blue & Gray board.
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tgo
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Post by tgo on May 20, 2016 10:42:36 GMT -5
Also, it would actually help if the basketball program (starts from the coach down) actually cared about the fans, even just a little, instead of thinking that they are an annoyance. The Hoya Hoop club tries their best, but there is so little info coming officially from the program towards the fans that it's hard to get super excited. Sadly, it has been more or less like this for the 40 years I've been following Georgetown, and it was obviously passed down from father to son. What is the coach's responsibility to the fans, getting them excited about the team? I'm not sure, but it certainly is more than what the current regime is doing. Small sample size (and I have no idea if this is a regular thing for them): a few years ago, my father (a Villanova alum) was coming to our game against Nova at Verizon. He decided to go to the Villanova pre-game event in the arena (the equivalent of the Hoya Hoop Club event at a road game). Jay Wright was there - spoke to the fans for 5-10 minutes, thanked them for being there, applauded them for their support of the program, and went back to the locker room to prep for the game. So easy to do, and if he's doing that at every road game, he's connecting face-to-face with thousands of his fans across the country every year. That's the kind of thing that sticks with people and gets them excited about the program. Honest question (I'm based in DC, and I don't get to many road games): has JTIII ever done this? A couple of related anecdotes in response to Cam's post. (See you at reunion in a few weeks @cam? I am getting in that Thursday morning, hope we can catch up.) I live in So-Cal and Eshrick came out to a summer alumni event when he was coach but that was to an event at Bob McDonough's house where we regularly got people like DeGoia to come out due to the pull of a multi million dollar donor who was a huge hoops fan so our events were unique so I wouldnt be surprised if that was the only appearance of its kind that Esh made. Since Bob passed away the caliber of guests at our events has changed significantly. I also got to meet JT3 at an event in downtown LA in 2007. Athletic Director Muir was there as well but that was a small event with fewer than 15 people, it was only for big donors and was not publicized and I think he was recruiting Hollis at the time so not like he came out just to talk to alums. At my meager donation level I would never have heard about it if not for hbhoya who brought me along.
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sleepy
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Post by sleepy on May 20, 2016 19:02:52 GMT -5
Back in the mid to late seventies and into the 81-82 season JT regularly had the team visit postgame events on the road. Most time it was for just a few minutes on their way to a team dinner but on occasion the team would mingle at length with alumni, friends and family. The practice pretty much ended late in 82 with the emergence of Patrick and the circus that was created surrounding him. I also recall Thompson in his first couple of years spending a great amount of time speaking with students in informal sessions with a question and answer period while seeking to promote and drive up interest on campus. Maybe its old style but the personal touch today may be even more appreciated.
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SSHoya
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Post by SSHoya on May 20, 2016 19:11:41 GMT -5
Back in the mid to late seventies and into the 81-82 season JT regularly had the team visit postgame events on the road. Most time it was for just a few minutes on their way to a team dinner but on occasion the team would mingle at length with alumni, friends and family. The practice pretty much ended late in 82 with the emergence of Patrick and the circus that was created surrounding him. I also recall Thompson in his first couple of years spending a great amount of time speaking with students in informal sessions with a question and answer period while seeking to promote and drive up interest on campus. Maybe its old style but the personal touch today may be even more appreciated. This is true. I was in the pep band and we would usually play at a reception for fans and alums at away games at the hotel where the team, band and cheerleaders were staying. Cash bar and sometimes snacks in conjunction with the local alumni club.
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kchoya
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Post by kchoya on May 21, 2016 11:30:32 GMT -5
Back in the mid to late seventies and into the 81-82 season JT regularly had the team visit postgame events on the road. Most time it was for just a few minutes on their way to a team dinner but on occasion the team would mingle at length with alumni, friends and family. The practice pretty much ended late in 82 with the emergence of Patrick and the circus that was created surrounding him. I also recall Thompson in his first couple of years spending a great amount of time speaking with students in informal sessions with a question and answer period while seeking to promote and drive up interest on campus. Maybe its old style but the personal touch today may be even more appreciated. This is true. I was in the pep band and we would usually play at a reception for fans and alums at away games at the hotel where the team, band and cheerleaders were staying. Cash bar and sometimes snacks in conjunction with the local alumni club. Too bad the band doesn't go to away games anymore.
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boxout05
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Post by boxout05 on May 21, 2016 13:47:20 GMT -5
This is true. I was in the pep band and we would usually play at a reception for fans and alums at away games at the hotel where the team, band and cheerleaders were staying. Cash bar and sometimes snacks in conjunction with the local alumni club. Too bad the band doesn't go to away games anymore. Or most home games...
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kchoya
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Post by kchoya on May 21, 2016 14:39:41 GMT -5
Too bad the band doesn't go to away games anymore. Or most home games... That's not true. Why make such a claim?
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boxout05
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Post by boxout05 on May 21, 2016 14:41:41 GMT -5
That's not true. Why make such a claim? Because I saw Chops playing trumpet half a dozen times this year?
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Nevada Hoya
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Post by Nevada Hoya on May 21, 2016 15:02:35 GMT -5
In the early 80's the Hoyas played UNLV on a semi-regular basis, because of JT's love of Las Vegas. My first or second year in Las Vegas, they played UNLV at the old convention center rotunda, before they moved into the Thomas and Mack arena. I went over to the "closed" practice with my son in arms, and since I hadn't seen the Hoyas in person in about 10 years, I worked my way into that closed practice (via Frank Rienzo). Georgetown beat UNLV that time and "closed the rotunda." In 2006 when we hosted the Carroll awards weekend, both JTII and JTIII were present at an event for basketball alumni and friends. Jimmy Brown took me and my had a thrill shaking JTII's hand. He was having trouble with his knees and he graciously excused himself from getting up.
And tgo I should be going to my 50th reunion in a couple of weeks, but unfortunately I will miss it (it was either that or the Olympic Trials). If you run into Jimmy Brown, Jake Gibbons, Gen. Jim Jones, tell then I said hi!
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Nevada Hoya
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Post by Nevada Hoya on May 21, 2016 17:30:51 GMT -5
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eagle54
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Post by eagle54 on May 21, 2016 20:45:56 GMT -5
That's not true. Why make such a claim? Because I saw Chops playing trumpet half a dozen times this year? We are worried about the band, really? They aren't going to help anything my friends. Let's get some urgency, a coach, a system, players that can fit that system and win some games. Things will resolve themselves.
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SSHoya
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Post by SSHoya on May 21, 2016 21:44:01 GMT -5
Too bad the band doesn't go to away games anymore. Or most home games... The pep band is at all home games except over Christmas break. In the old days, we use to get band alums in the DC area to try to cobble together a pep band over Christmas break with students who were in the area.
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tgo
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Post by tgo on May 22, 2016 10:23:38 GMT -5
And tgo I should be going to my 50th reunion in a couple of weeks, but unfortunately I will miss it (it was either that or the Olympic Trials). If you run into Jimmy Brown, Jake Gibbons, Gen. Jim Jones, tell then I said hi! Tough choice between the Trials or your reunion - I would go reunion myself but understand your choice. I worked at the Marathon Trials in February which was an amazing event. My son is playing in a big AAU tournament July 22-24 in Vegas, you should come down and scout some talent and say hi. Hopefully there will be some Hoya prospects we can check out when my son isn't playing. Back to the topic here, at reunion there is a session involving some former players but no sign of JT3. I think it would be a good connection to alumni to have a tour of the Phone Booth as part of the weekend which would either start or end with a meet and greet with the coach, give hoop club members first shot to sign up or extra time with JT3. If you are an out of town alum seeing where they play would be interesting, provides a way to connect with the team and promote hoop club membership and donations. here is the description of the panel they do have. Georgetown's rich athletic history paved the way for many Hoyas to develop impressive careers in the world of athletics. Come hear from Othella Harrington (C'96), former Georgetown athlete, coach, and professional NBA player, Chris Kelly (C'91), co-owner of the Sacramento Kings, Dikembe Mutombo (I'91, H'10), former Georgetown athlete and NBA player, and Perry Rogers (B'91), president of PRP Agency, and agent for sports celebrities such as Shaquille O'Neal, Kyrie Irving, and Dwight Howard. Moderated by Lee Reed, director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Georgetown, this panel provides a broad view of the business of sports, showcasing the players' perspectives and examining team and talent management.
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boxout05
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Post by boxout05 on May 22, 2016 14:05:15 GMT -5
The pep band is at all home games except over Christmas break. In the old days, we use to get band alums in the DC area to try to cobble together a pep band over Christmas break with students who were in the area. Yeah... I wasn't even counting the games over break when the local high schools played instead of the pep band. I actually think that's a great idea. More local engagement! I was just making a snide comment about the number of games where the conductor had to pick up a trumpet because there weren't enough students to make it through 'Hey Baby'
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Post by RockawayHoya on May 23, 2016 10:46:57 GMT -5
The pep band is at all home games except over Christmas break. In the old days, we use to get band alums in the DC area to try to cobble together a pep band over Christmas break with students who were in the area. Yeah... I wasn't even counting the games over break when the local high schools played instead of the pep band. I actually think that's a great idea. More local engagement! I was just making a snide comment about the number of games where the conductor had to pick up a trumpet because there weren't enough students to make it through 'Hey Baby' Chops played more than half the games this year, which is pretty sad. Either find some kids to play the instruments that are needed for the same 3-4 tired songs we play every year or don't bother. The local HS bands bring way more energy anyways. I agree that on the list of things to improve, the band isn't near the top of the list. But IMO, the band can be a great asset to game atmosphere if properly coordinated. Anyone who was at the VCU debacle in Chicago can attest to this.
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