Northern Illinois at Ball State - Saturday January 27 | OverThePylon Ball State Fan Boards

universityjim
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Northern Illinois at Ball State - Saturday January 27 Jan 30, 2024 10:47:37 GMT -6 cardfan and CallingBS like this

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Post by universityjim on Jan 30, 2024 10:47:37 GMT -6

The argument is that the "fan base" is shrinking and that is why we can't have attendance like we did in the 1990's.

"But, you're the one suggesting we can greatly expand a fan base headed the other way."

That's a bogus argument. I agree with The General on this one.

The fan base is not shrinking regardless of the population of Muncie, Delaware County, ECI, the average income of the area, or the number of BSU students on campus.

Television may keep some people from attending in person but it gives them a way still follow the team even if they are far away, old, sick, or just don't want to go out in bad weather. We didn't have that in 1990. It gives more people a way to stay fans. To stay in the fan base.

If we do something to excite them our "life long fans" will come out of the wood work just like they did in 1989 and 2008 and just like they are doing for ISU right now.

A large chunk, maybe even a majority of our fans don't become active fans until we kick them in the head and wake them up.

Last Edit: Jan 30, 2024 11:05:35 GMT -6 by universityjim

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00hmh
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Northern Illinois at Ball State - Saturday January 27 Jan 30, 2024 10:57:09 GMT -6

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Post by 00hmh on Jan 30, 2024 10:57:09 GMT -6

Jan 30, 2024 10:46:56 GMT -6 williamtsherman said:

Jan 30, 2024 9:43:27 GMT -6 00hmh said:

Of course not. But, you're the one suggesting we can greatly expand a fan base headed the other way.

I grant that a good team will help, but you seem to think demographics is just not an important factor

Maybe instead of creating a ridiculous, exaggerated straw man versions of peoples' points and then trying to bury them underneath a dreary pile of conventional wisdom and truisms, you could engage what people actually say.

For example, what level of attendance have I ever mentioned that is unrealistic? You have an example....right?

OK. What is that number? How much weight do you give to the reality of the changed demographics.

What claim that you made have I "exaggerated" in any way? Where have I argued we shouldn't try to win championships?

I'm really happy if we agree on some things. That you aren't making specific claims, but generally promoting a belief that winning is important, hardly means you are a victim of a straw man argument.

universityjim
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Northern Illinois at Ball State - Saturday January 27 Jan 30, 2024 12:08:43 GMT -6 cardfan and CallingBS like this

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Post by universityjim on Jan 30, 2024 12:08:43 GMT -6

Jan 30, 2024 10:46:27 GMT -6 00hmh said:

Jan 30, 2024 10:34:47 GMT -6 comet said:

But the two are very different things, Jim.
Fan base can stretch anywhere.
Attendees, not so much.

My understanding is that the General thinks a fan base will fuel change in the BB program in some way?

Actually I think what he is trying to say isn't that a change in the fan base will fuel change in the BB program, it's that change in the BB program will fuel the fans. It will. However, an exciting home court environment can be a recruiting tool.

Last Edit: Jan 30, 2024 12:13:15 GMT -6 by universityjim

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