Coach Smith Pushing for Attendance

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ncbears
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8:12a, 8/31/24
I like the tag #bringafreakinfriend
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CalWSportsFan
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10:08a, 8/31/24
Obviously it's important for the coach to push for increased attendance and winning helps, but I also point to the media promotions folks in the AD as having responsibility for that as well. I remember when Boyle came in has head coach and the Cal program took a leap forward, I saw the promotions folks doing a great job. In 2007 10,525 were on hand as Cal lost a close one to Stanford under Boyle. I remember that game well. There really seemed to be a concerted effort to get students and families with kids to the games....

Attracting students to attend women's basketball games here has always been an issue, but perhaps with wbb becoming a higher profile sport of late (thanks CC and WNBA) student disinterest will be remedied somewhat. However, that said, I think selling the team to families with kids is the largest untapped source of fans, at least for Cal WBB.

Prior to the Pac-12 screwing around with schedules there would be lots of kids in attendance during the weekend (Thursday night games were obviously difficult). Unfortunately our first four home games are not weekend games and the 5th one (Auburn) is on a Friday....waiting to see what the ACC schedule looks like but hopefully one weekend day game per week?

Interesting to look at NCAA stats for attendance. Here's a link but only goes to 2022: https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2013/11/27/women-s-basketball-attendance.aspx

In 2007-08 average home attendance across all D1 teams was 1,629. Tennessee average 15,796 that season btw. Stanford 4,139 (and South Carolina not in top 50!) Post-covid things dropped at least out west, Stanford was down to 2,545 in 21-22 but South Carolina was on top with 12,268 to home games. I found elsewhere that in 2022-23 and S. Carolina averaged 12,942 for home games. They seem to be the leaders overall these days in attendance and no secret as to why. The NCAA tourney this year broke all attendance records

At any rate Cal's team IS fun to watch. It's just a matter of getting the word out, leveraging the new interest in wcbb to entice students and the general public into seats. Hopefully, with the Valkyries coming to town we'll see more cross-promotional opportunities there. We've already had a Zoom meeting that feature the president, Jess Smith. I am hoping for good things....
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HoopDreams
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10:27a, 8/31/24
One of the great things about going to a Cal WBB is you can sit very close to the court…. Almost court side

Such an exciting way to watch a game
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wvitbear
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10:35a, 8/31/24
I've never understood with all the feminist programs at Cal , why they can't get these same women to attend some games. The writer of title IX has never gone to a women's bball game at Cal. Comon, you can't depend on grumpy old men like to come and not show up your selves.
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CalWSportsFan
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In reply to wvitbear • 11:17a, 8/31/24
Being a sports fan and being a feminist are somewhat different....There are numerous ways to support girls and women so it's not surprising that every female interested in working toward equality shouldn't be expected to attend women's basketball games. Not everyone is a sports fan eh?

I'm also not sure what you meant by Title IX. All I know is that without it, it would be a very different world. It changed my life as a teenager in the 1970s, and millions more since then.
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calbear80
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12:12p, 8/31/24
The problem is all the losing.

When a team loses around 80% of its conference games over five years, it is hard to expect students or alumni show up for the game (or even care).

It is time to dump Knowlton and his hires.

Go Bears!
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calbear80
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In reply to wvitbear • 12:17p, 8/31/24
wvitbear said:
I've never understood with all the feminist programs at Cal , why they can't get these same women to attend some games. The writer of title IX has never gone to a women's bball game at Cal. Comon, you can't depend on grumpy old men like to come and not show up your selves.

Do you think the WBB attendance would be higher if the they had won 50 or 60% of their conference games over the last five years (as opposed to losing 80% of their conference games over the last five years)?

Go Bears!
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wvitbear
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12:40p, 8/31/24
Title IX says there is an equal interest in sports and women should receive the same chance as men to play those sports. But equal interest doesn't mean just getting a scholarship to play a sport to me. It means you have an equal interest in attending and supporting those women who play. My mother was all time all state Kentucky girls basketball. I have her jersey in my living room. But I think those women who say they have equal interest could attend at least a few games.

And Cal Bear 80, even when we got to final four, we didn't have the attendance that other programs in the Pac 12 had.

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smh
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In reply to ncbears • 1:39p, 8/31/24
ncbears said:
I like the tag #bringafreakinfriend
..x.com/21charmin/status/1829891514253865315
our takeaways from the fine video, thanks coach..
o Charmin is coool
o her puppy's name is Ghost
o women's games are free to students
signed, many years m&w chairback ticket holders,
with spotty attendance record
muting more than 300 handles, turnaround is fair play
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wvitbear
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3:59p, 8/31/24
Charmin did a good job talking to the students. Last year at the opening practice she brought her doodle; i think it is a Bernie Doodle (Bernese Mountain Dog). Very friendly dog. You see the students gravitating to the dog.
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calbear80
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In reply to calbear80 • 9:57a, 9/1/24
calbear80 said:
wvitbear said:
I've never understood with all the feminist programs at Cal , why they can't get these same women to attend some games. The writer of title IX has never gone to a women's bball game at Cal. Comon, you can't depend on grumpy old men like to come and not show up your selves.

Thank you wvitbear.

Do you think the WBB attendance would be higher if they had won 50 or 60% of their conference games over the last five years (as opposed to losing around 80% of their conference games over the last five years)?

Go Bears!
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ClayK
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In reply to calbear80 • 11:41a, 9/1/24
calbear80 said:
wvitbear said:
I've never understood with all the feminist programs at Cal , why they can't get these same women to attend some games. The writer of title IX has never gone to a women's bball game at Cal. Comon, you can't depend on grumpy old men like to come and not show up your selves.

Do you think the WBB attendance would be higher if the they had won 50 or 60% of their conference games over the last five years (as opposed to losing 80% of their conference games over the last five years)?

Go Bears!
Of course. But there are a lot of systemic and infrastructure issues outside of Charmin Smith's control that make it hard for her, her staff and her players to win lots of games.

In short, the playing field is not level -- but that said, look for Stanford to struggle this year, and they have the support Cal doesn't.
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annarborbear
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12:00p, 9/1/24
Latest financial numbers are out for 2023 season in women's basketball. Expenses = $5 million. Revenue from all sources = $600,000. Total ticket revenue = $189,000. Total operating loss = $4.4 million. Total coaching salaries = $1.3 million.

I guess that it why I would like to see at least some measure of performance accountability in Year Six.
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calbear80
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In reply to annarborbear • 1:52p, 9/1/24
annarborbear said:
Latest financial numbers are out for 2023 season in women's basketball. Expenses = $5 million. Revenue from all sources = $600,000. Total ticket revenue = $189,000. Total operating loss = $4.4 million. Total coaching salaries = $1.3 million.

I guess that it why I would like to see at least some measure of performance accountability in Year Six.


Wow! Cal WBB team has lost around 80% of its conferences games in the last five years and now it is become public that it runs a 88% ($4.4m out of $5m) deficit.

Go Bears!
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ncbears
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3:02p, 9/1/24
Attendance would be better with wins - but even when Cal was winning, I don't think it was averaging 5k a game.
There is a massive marketing job to be done here.

And Calbear80, the annual deficit in the program has not been a secret ... ever. But, I'm fairly certain every sport other than Football (and maybe MBB) runs a deficit.
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HoopDreams
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5:13p, 9/1/24
The Bears need a breakout season and hopefully it's this one to catch some of the Caitlyn Clark/Angle Reece fire where they lit the women's basketball

I however still didn't see a huge increase in W gymnastics attendance after their great season two years in a row

There was an increase but not as much as I would have hoped

Still BB is more of a spectator sport than gymnastics (except for Olympics)
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wvitbear
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6:31p, 9/1/24
Bearo 80, how many wome's gymnastics meets did you go to. Came in secnd in the nation. That seems to be your criteria for success. T3ll me where you season tickets are next year when it starts.
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wifeisafurd
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In reply to calbear80 • 8:39a, 9/2/24
calbear80 said:
wvitbear said:
I've never understood with all the feminist programs at Cal , why they can't get these same women to attend some games. The writer of title IX has never gone to a women's bball game at Cal. Comon, you can't depend on grumpy old men like to come and not show up your selves.

Do you think the WBB attendance would be higher if the they had won 50 or 60% of their conference games over the last five years (as opposed to losing 80% of their conference games over the last five years)?

yes. Especially when the Pac was the dominant conference. Winning 60% of the conference games likely meant a top 25 team. When SC, which is much more of commuter school than Cal and never has had much basketball attendance for either gender, starting drawing 4,000 plus that should be a signal that winning matters.
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calbear80
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In reply to wifeisafurd • 12:36p, 9/2/24
wifeisafurd said:
calbear80 said:
wvitbear said:
I've never understood with all the feminist programs at Cal , why they can't get these same women to attend some games. The writer of title IX has never gone to a women's bball game at Cal. Comon, you can't depend on grumpy old men like to come and not show up your selves.

Do you think the WBB attendance would be higher if the they had won 50 or 60% of their conference games over the last five years (as opposed to losing 80% of their conference games over the last five years)?

yes. Especially when the Pac was the dominant conference. Winning 60% of the conference games likely meant a top 25 team. When SC, which is much more of commuter school than Cal and never has had much basketball attendance for either gender, starting drawing 4,000 plus that should be a signal that winning matters.


Wifeisafurd, you are making a good point that winning does matter.

. If WBB, MBB or FB teams WIN, students, alums and fans WILL ATTEND the games and WILL DONATE.

. If WBB, MBB or FB teams LOSE year after year after year (specially losing around 80% of the conference games over the last five years), students, alums and fans will not attend the games and will not donate.

The example you used is a good one.

LG at Cal had the same constraints (admission, administration, support, etc.) and was winning around 60% of her conference games.

Now LG is at USC and has turned that doormat program into a winner and attendance has increased substantially.

A good coach DOES make a difference. Winning DOES matter.

Go Bears!
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ncbears
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In reply to calbear80 • 3:40p, 9/2/24
calbear80 said:
wifeisafurd said:
calbear80 said:
wvitbear said:
I've never understood with all the feminist programs at Cal , why they can't get these same women to attend some games. The writer of title IX has never gone to a women's bball game at Cal. Comon, you can't depend on grumpy old men like to come and not show up your selves.

Do you think the WBB attendance would be higher if the they had won 50 or 60% of their conference games over the last five years (as opposed to losing 80% of their conference games over the last five years)?

yes. Especially when the Pac was the dominant conference. Winning 60% of the conference games likely meant a top 25 team. When SC, which is much more of commuter school than Cal and never has had much basketball attendance for either gender, starting drawing 4,000 plus that should be a signal that winning matters.


Wifeisafurd, you are making a good point that winning does matter.

. If WBB, MBB or FB teams WIN, students, alums and fans WILL ATTEND the games and WILL DONATE.

. If WBB, MBB or FB teams LOSE year after year after year (specially losing around 80% of the conference games over the last five years), students, alums and fans will not attend the games and will not donate.

The example you used is a good one.

LG at Cal had the same constraints (admission, administration, support, etc.) and was winning around 60% of her conference games.

Now LG is at USC and has turned that doormat program into a winner and attendance has increased substantially.

A good coach DOES make a difference. Winning DOES matter.

Go Bears!
could only go back to 2016/17 season

In 2016/17 - Cal averaged 2542 per game
In 2017/18 - Cal averaged 2330 per game
In 2018/19 - Cal averaged 2889 per game - and then Gottlieb left.


In 2019-2020- Cal averaged 2168 per game
skip 2020-2021
In 2021/22 - Cal averaged 1415 (Stanfurd averaged 2545; USC (Gottlieb)740)
In 2022/23 - Cal averaged 1232 (Stanfurd averaged 4106 USC (Gottlieb) 1037)
In 2023/24 - Cal averaged 1639 (Stanfurd averaged 4152 USC jumped to 4421 - the JuJu effect)


No editorial comment here.



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annarborbear
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8:18p, 9/2/24
I don't know. Maybe the free doughnuts will do the job.
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HoopDreams
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10:54p, 9/2/24
contributing to NIL would help
making donations to the program will help

she wants some improvements to the WBB locker room. I don't think she is thinking of a major upgrade like the FB team with the Rodgers donation

I just saw a video showing the Vanderbilt locker room, and yeah, there is a big gap

And the weight room for the athletes in Haas/RSF is small, old and worse than most high school weight rooms

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Ashfield63
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In reply to HoopDreams • 10:03a, 9/3/24
HoopDreams said:
One of the great things about going to a Cal WBB is you can sit very close to the court…. Almost court side

Such an exciting way to watch a game

Nothing like Haas to watch Basketball Games.....I sit in the bleachers, close to the action!
GGV
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CalWSportsFan
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In reply to HoopDreams • 12:28p, 9/3/24
I've donated to NIL and to the program in general. Trying my best. Give my seats away if I can't make a game....and when my kid was younger, bought extra tickets for her friends. As I've said before, I think families with kids should be a focus for weekend games and perhaps focus more on students for weekday evening games. There's so much going on in the Bay Area it's not easy to compete. Sure winning helps a lot and I want to see us win, but I also like to care about the players, the team, and the coaches....I and do with this group. I want to see them play to the best of their abilities and while they may not win every game, when they play their hearts out, I can feel good about that. I felt that way many times this past season.

I do hope marketing gets its act together though as I think there is definite room for improvement in that department. Cheers and GO BEARS!
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HoopDreams
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In reply to CalWSportsFan • 5:55p, 9/3/24
CalWSportsFan said:
I've donated to NIL and to the program in general. Trying my best. Give my seats away if I can't make a game....and when my kid was younger, bought extra tickets for her friends. As I've said before, I think families with kids should be a focus for weekend games and perhaps focus more on students for weekday evening games. There's so much going on in the Bay Area it's not easy to compete. Sure winning helps a lot and I want to see us win, but I also like to care about the players, the team, and the coaches....I and do with this group. I want to see them play to the best of their abilities and while they may not win every game, when they play their hearts out, I can feel good about that. I felt that way many times this past season.

I do hope marketing gets its act together though as I think there is definite room for improvement in that department. Cheers and GO BEARS!
Totally agree and matches my view

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Finnish Oski
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6:00p, 9/3/24
One of the problems that hinders the women's basketball program is the raging incompetence in Cal's ticketing, promotions, sales and marketing. I believe that only a new AD will be able to make the needed change and hopefully we'll get one someday soon. Meanwhile wins will draw crowds, especially exciting home upset victories.
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SFCALBear72
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In reply to Finnish Oski • 6:38p, 9/3/24
Finnish Oski said:
One of the problems that hinders the women's basketball program is the raging incompetence in Cal's ticketing, promotions, sales and marketing. I believe that only a new AD will be able to make the needed change and hopefully we'll get one someday soon. Meanwhile wins will draw crowds, especially exciting home upset victories.
I believe all Cal sports programs suffer with all of those items you mentioned. Just ask Cal Football about this past weekend.
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annarborbear
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7:17p, 9/3/24
If they don't deal with the constant over loud music, it will also continue to affect attendance, Why bring a friend to a game when you can't even talk to a friend during the proceedings.
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BearBint
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In reply to annarborbear • 7:54p, 9/3/24
annarborbear said:
If they don't deal with the constant over loud music, it will also continue to affect attendance, Why bring a friend to a game when you can't even talk to a friend during the proceedings.
Agreed! Is there any way to convey this to Haas? I'm not trying to censor the music; I just dislike its constant, over-loud presence, especially before the game--even interfering with speakers during chalk talk--and during half-time. (When BearBloke leaves his hearing aids off, he still complains about it.)
"Don't get distracted, myself. Don't get distracted." Self-talk from a young relative
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annarborbear
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In reply to BearBint • 8:36p, 9/3/24
BearBint said:
annarborbear said:
If they don't deal with the constant over loud music, it will also continue to affect attendance, Why bring a friend to a game when you can't even talk to a friend during the proceedings.
Agreed! Is there any way to convey this to Haas? I'm not trying to censor the music; I just dislike its constant, over-loud presence, especially before the game--even interfering with speakers during chalk talk--and during half-time. (When BearBloke leaves his hearing aids off, he still complains about it.)
I have talked to marketing before about it. I sensed that they think they know better than the fans. Which is one reason that our current marketing staff is unsuccessful.
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Finnish Oski
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6:23a, 9/4/24
Quote:
I believe all Cal sports programs suffer with all of those items you mentioned. Just ask Cal Football about this past weekend.
That's what I meant.
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SFCALBear72
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In reply to Finnish Oski • 6:33a, 9/4/24
Finnish Oski said:
Quote:
I believe all Cal sports programs suffer with all of those items you mentioned. Just ask Cal Football about this past weekend.
That's what I meant.
I know. I was just reiterating your sentiments. Maybe someone in the AD's office will finally hear us.
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CalWSportsFan
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In reply to annarborbear • 9:02a, 9/4/24
I've taken to wearing my Apple airpods during games. They muffle the loud music nicely but allow me to hear the game and crowd, etc. They also come in handy as the Cal marching band enters and walks by. ;-)

Just wait until you go to a WNBA game. I used to attend the Monarchs games back in the day and one reason I chose NOT to renew my tickets was due to the excessive noise and rah-rah during every single break in the game...it was awful. I've not been to a WNBA game since and I'm hoping that the new SF team doesn't ascribe to that approach but I have to believe it's a trend in sports these days. Bombard fans with noise and action every second. Believe it or not, some of us like the time outs to take a "time out."
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ClayK
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12:35p, 9/4/24
Since most owners and administrators are not stupid, the music and loud atmosphere must increase rather than decrease attendance.

If the music and entertainment were counter productive, then another tack would be tried.
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stu
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In reply to ClayK • 12:39p, 9/4/24
ClayK said:
Since most owners and administrators are not stupid, the music and loud atmosphere must increase rather than decrease attendance.

If the music and entertainment were counter productive, then another tack would be tried.
I honestly don't know who actually likes loud, nonstop "entertainment". I suspect at Cal some tolerate it and some dislike it. I deal with it by bringing industrial ear muffs.

Might be a good topic for a fan poll.

If I go to a WNBA game and I'm subjected to it I won't go back.

BTW I love our Straw Hat Band!
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