MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[HopeConvert]

I have been baffled all year by the weak'ish crowds and numb atmosphere at DeVos this year.  Even last night only 2,400 for an NCAA tournament game against WashU. 

Maybe now the Hope community will finally get behind this team.

I have as well.  The single biggest problem has been student support. Even last night the student section wasn't half full. Both the past weekends the Dew Crew has been a disappointment in terms of turnout, even if those who show up are spirited enough.

I suspect the overall turnout numbers are down this year, but I guess we will find out soon enough. In any case, Sac is right that the atmosphere just hasn't been the same. I don't know exactly what this can be attributed to. One hypothesis: I see a lot more people spending a lot more time with their noses in their cell phones - a regrettable cultural trend in general, and one that may be affecting crowd attention and participation. If the cell phone is not the worst invention ever, it's certainly on the short list. I can't prove that's the reason, of course, but I'd be surprised if it's not a contributing factor.

When you can no longer bash on Hope's team, its time to move on to an easier target and start bashing millennials.

Not only millennials. Gen X'ers and even Boomers are hardly any better. But it's not bashing, it's a hypothesis to an observation that Sac made. The proper response is to disprove the hypothesis. Your response is an ad hominem.

[pointlem]

I am a Calvin fan and will never root for hope, no matter what.  I have always rooted for my team over my conference.  I love DIII hoops, I love the MIAA, I can't root for hope.  I don't ever want them to get a DIII Championship banner, honestly, how would this make a Calvin fan proud?

That is a terrible attitude! As a Christian, I feel we should be supporting each other, not hating each other. Calvin is my (Hope's) eternal rival. But that does NOT mean I wish them ill will! That is neither sportsmanship, nor a Christian attitude.

What a funny conversation... Root for your rival... not a chance...

Dutchfan, appreciate your valuing of mutual respect and sportsmanship (I grimace when students chant derisive comments to distract a free throw shooter--while the other part of me is glad they're there and into it).

Even so, I sympathize with MaroonKnighty and Dutch_Man. Part of the fun of a sports rivalry (be it Hope/Calvin or Cubs/White Sox or Red Sox/Yankees) is being partisan. Thus Hope and Calvin fans can experience schadenfreude over the rival team's losses while still having complete respect for the people associated with both schools. I've never met OldKnight, but as a Hope fan I can admire his seeming values and love his wit and wisdom . . . even while not rooting for his team.

I have been baffled all year by the weak'ish crowds and numb atmosphere at DeVos this year.  Even last night only 2,400 for an NCAA tournament game against WashU. 

Maybe now the Hope community will finally get behind this team.

I wonder . . .

• Is DIII attendance down somewhat at most schools, perhaps partly due to online broadcast?
• Does Hope market BB tickets as would an entrepreneurial business--by, say, setting up ticket tables outside the campus dining hall rather than making students find their way to the ticket office? (Of course, that wouldn't explain the drop off in other games where one only needs a student ID.)

[realist]

Glad to see Hope is hosting again next weekend.  That means good quality video, and hopefully, most of the seats will be filled.  I was surprised how poor the attendance was at some of the hosting sites.  I know gym size is one of the criteria, but also attendance when a team is awarded a pod should be tracked. 

[AlwaysHope]

Especially since it was a spectacular performance two games in a row.  Still haven't been at a D3 game (or maybe any game) that had an atmosphere that matched that IWU game.
[/quote]

I was at that IWU game.  Never experienced anything like it.  Here are 90 seconds of what it was like.  As I recall, it was also a double overtime.  The 80 year old lady next to me was dancing with the rest of the crowd:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEuAYQ3q7kw

[HupHolland]

Hope College is having their annual 24 hour Dance Marathon event this weekend, from 5pm Friday to 5pm Saturday. Will be interesting to see if this effects student attendance for Friday's game.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Regarding attendance at yesterday's games, the average attendance was 1183 (not including the one location that reported an attendance of zero). Hope was highest with 2402. Hardin Simmons was next with 1945, and then Marietta with 1560. All the rest are under 1500, with 5 locations under 600 - the lowest being 450 at St John Fisher.

[Gregory Sager]

Dutchfan, appreciate your valuing of mutual respect and sportsmanship (I grimace when students chant derisive comments to distract a free throw shooter--while the other part of me is glad they're there and into it).

Even so, I sympathize with MaroonKnighty and Dutch_Man. Part of the fun of a sports rivalry (be it Hope/Calvin or Cubs/White Sox Cubs/Cardinals or Red Sox/Yankees) is being partisan. Thus Hope and Calvin fans can experience schadenfreude over the rival team's losses while still having complete respect for the people associated with both schools. I've never met OldKnight, but as a Hope fan I can admire his seeming values and love his wit and wisdom . . . even while not rooting for his team.

FTFY, pointlem.

Say what you will about us Cubs fans, at least we understand that our true rival is the one with whom we share a league, a division, 130 years' worth of bad blood, and 19 games per season of infiltrating each other's ballparks to heckle, jeer, demean, and curse each other (and each other's cities, cuisines, cultures, lifestyles, etc.) in true and honest blue vs. red fashion.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Dutchfan, appreciate your valuing of mutual respect and sportsmanship (I grimace when students chant derisive comments to distract a free throw shooter--while the other part of me is glad they're there and into it).

Even so, I sympathize with MaroonKnighty and Dutch_Man. Part of the fun of a sports rivalry (be it Hope/Calvin or Cubs/White Sox Cubs/Cardinals or Red Sox/Yankees) is being partisan. Thus Hope and Calvin fans can experience schadenfreude over the rival team's losses while still having complete respect for the people associated with both schools. I've never met OldKnight, but as a Hope fan I can admire his seeming values and love his wit and wisdom . . . even while not rooting for his team.

FTFY, pointlem.

Say what you will about us Cubs fans, at least we understand that our true rival is the one with whom we share a league, a division, 130 years' worth of bad blood, and 19 games per season of infiltrating each other's ballparks to heckle, jeer, demean, and curse each other (and each other's cities, cuisines, cultures, lifestyles, etc.) in true and honest blue vs. red fashion.

Thank you, Sager. I barely even notice the White Sox exist. This ain't New York where they take shortcuts with their rivals. LOL

[HopeConvert]

Even so, I sympathize with MaroonKnighty and Dutch_Man. Part of the fun of a sports rivalry (be it Hope/Calvin or Cubs/White Sox or Red Sox/Yankees) is being partisan. Thus Hope and Calvin fans can experience schadenfreude over the rival team's losses while still having complete respect for the people associated with both schools. I've never met OldKnight, but as a Hope fan I can admire his seeming values and love his wit and wisdom . . . even while not rooting for his team.

"Seeming." 

[MaroonKnighty]

Hope is the host.

GO HANOVER!!!!!

[oldknight]

only 2,400

#FirstWorldD3Problems

Well said, yet I think we have been seeing numbers go down in recent years with people having such a wide menu of things to do on a Friday night. Also, offering a video feed unquestionably bleeds off a few viewers. While I seriously considered trekking over to DeVos, the ability to access a good quality video of the game was the difference maker for me last night.

[oldknight]

Joel Holstege's 39 in the title game against Rowan in 96 is probably still the best given the circumstances and competition.

I didn't see that one, but I've heard about it. I was just going with the ones I've witnessed.

Stuive's was better for one reason - twinburger!!!!

Thinking I may wait a while to get my payoff, just to enjoy this for a bit.

Legal counsel advises there is a very short statute of limitations on this promise so don't wait long. I might make it over to DeVos Friday night and would be willing to handle the payoff. For a modest fee of course.

[oldknight]

Even so, I sympathize with MaroonKnighty and Dutch_Man. Part of the fun of a sports rivalry (be it Hope/Calvin or Cubs/White Sox or Red Sox/Yankees) is being partisan. Thus Hope and Calvin fans can experience schadenfreude over the rival team's losses while still having complete respect for the people associated with both schools. I've never met OldKnight, but as a Hope fan I can admire his seeming values and love his wit and wisdom . . . even while not rooting for his team.

"Seeming." 

"Seeming indeed" just said the inestimable Mrs. OldKnight.

[arena]

Dutchfan, appreciate your valuing of mutual respect and sportsmanship (I grimace when students chant derisive comments to distract a free throw shooter--while the other part of me is glad they're there and into it).

Even so, I sympathize with MaroonKnighty and Dutch_Man. Part of the fun of a sports rivalry (be it Hope/Calvin or Cubs/White Sox Cubs/Cardinals or Red Sox/Yankees) is being partisan. Thus Hope and Calvin fans can experience schadenfreude over the rival team's losses while still having complete respect for the people associated with both schools. I've never met OldKnight, but as a Hope fan I can admire his seeming values and love his wit and wisdom . . . even while not rooting for his team.

FTFY, pointlem.

Say what you will about us Cubs fans, at least we understand that our true rival is the one with whom we share a league, a division, 130 years' worth of bad blood, and 19 games per season of infiltrating each other's ballparks to heckle, jeer, demean, and curse each other (and each other's cities, cuisines, cultures, lifestyles, etc.) in true and honest blue vs. red fashion.

you mean that team that has its own way?  (Which includes drinking and driving)

[hope1]

I think hope starts spring break fri too so less fans


It would be nice of all the. Mia fans where rooting for hope