Wessler: Bradley to play SEMO on campus - risky?

[MVCfans]

Nice article by Kirk on Bradley's decision to try and re-engage students into BU hoops by playing a game in the 4200 seat on campus arena.

Realistically, though, student apathy toward the basketball program can’t be cured with one game on campus against a ho-hum opponent, Southeast Missouri State, a.k.a. SEMO.

So I wonder whether this is worth the risk.

Bradley moved its home games off campus 29 years ago because Robertson Field House was antiquated and, with 7,300 seats, too small to handle the demand for tickets. Through ups and downs on the court, the season-ticket base has remained over 7,000. Tickets sold have averaged more than 9,000 per game for most of the past 20 years.

Why then would you play a game in a gym that seats only 4,200? After you set aside 1,200 seats for the students you hope to attract, you have only 3,000 left. In other words, you can’t even fit half your season-ticket holders through the doors.

http://www.pjstar.com/bradleyhoops/x100 ... going-cozy

[panther-state]

I think being above .500 in conference play would be a better way to "re-engage" the students in the hoops team...but hey, thats just my opinion.

[Aargh]

4,300 might be a realistic attendance for game against SEMO. Putting it in the on-campus facility eliminates paying rent for an off-campus facility.

For a game that's not going to sell many tickets and may have spotty attendance from season ticket holders, it might make economic sense to play it in a smaller, but rent-free venue. The "encourgae student participation" line sounds like a smoke screen to avoid sying "we're trying to save some money on a bad home game we scheduled".

[panther-state]

For a game that's not going to sell many tickets and may have spotty attendance from season ticket holders, it might make economic sense to play it in a smaller, but rent-free venue. The "encourgae student participation" line sounds like a smoke screen to avoid sying "we're trying to save some money on a bad home game we scheduled".

Completely agree

[DoubleJayAlum]

For a game that's not going to sell many tickets and may have spotty attendance from season ticket holders, it might make economic sense to play it in a smaller, but rent-free venue. The "encourgae student participation" line sounds like a smoke screen to avoid sying "we're trying to save some money on a bad home game we scheduled".

Completely agree

I agree as well.

Which brings me to another question: Is Bradley broke?

First they won't pay their new coaches bailout from his contract with KSU, something which has become almost automatic with hiring schools nowadays.

Then, the insist on fighting with Les over every nickle and dime regarding how much is due on the remainder of his contract.

Now, they are moving games to an on campus women's arena to save rent on a regular season game?

It almost sounds like Bradley has cash flow issues.