Now that the season is over

[zipsbandman]

Having attended the tournament last weekend, something I am noticing is that the MAC tournament seems to be losing its appeal and I don't know why given the brand of basketball that is played there year in and year out. How come Akron/Can't draw 9k fans in the MAC championship game for the dance? Not to mention you practically get those tickets for a buck if you take advantage of the promotion. Maybe its just me but I always though the basketball games were the most exciting athletic events to go to when I was a student just because of how close you are to the action. Our football team can get 15k to attend a meaningless bowl game in Detroit and we can get 1000 or so students to freeze at a soccer game but we can't get people to a game against our archrival for a dance ticket? If I were a Can't fan I would really be perplexed given their recent success in hoops starting with the elite 8. We have the best coach in the MAC. Maybe it's just me but it seems like our support in Cleveland is getting weaker and weaker.

[Quickzips]

Couple of things played into the poor attendance this year.

For one thing, the MAC had probably its worst season ever as a conference. By every statistical measure we were a very bad conference this year. You can throw a fancy wig and a cocktail dress and some lipstick onto a pig, but it is still a pig.

Second, the MAC did a horrible job of promoting this event. Three years ago when Akron and Can't faced off in the finals the game was pretty heavily promoted despite the fact that we didn't know the matchup until late Friday evening. This year, there was very little fanfare heading into Saturday night.

Finally, you can't underestimate the impact of the NCAA's being in Cleveland this year. Particularly with everyone pretty much knowing that the team from down south was going to be playing up here this weekend. To the casual basketball fan in Cleveland, in any other year, they may come out to the MAC tournament because it is the only tournament basketball in a convenient location. But chances are that same casual basketball fan is also a Columbus State homer, and once he knew "his team" was coming to Cleveland only a week later, well he would rather save his money. Sad, but that's how things are in this ridiculous state.

[scottditzen]

I'm not as down on the MAC tournament. I thought it was a nice experience overall.

Yes I agree the MAC needs to do a better job promoting.

I think they should give the schools more incentives to get their fans to make the road trip. Maybe get the entire conference at the Q. This way, every school's fans can make plans to attend far in advance.

Parties are contagious....make the long weekend a huge pseudo campus event. Then local businesses would get even more on board.