What disturbs me about Mike's comments in this show, is that he's inferring that fans aren't attending games because of not enough white players on the team originally came from a member of the UConn Basketball family. IMHO not a player, but from the coaches or athletic department staff. The others on the panel agreed with him that it was not his original idea. I remember that column and haven't reread it, but from what I recall, it was written as if it was his opinion, not one expressed to him by others in the UConn family. If it not, your original opinion then report on where the opinion originally came from and then opine on whether you agree with it or not. Obviously Mike agrees with the opinion.
If UConn's staff do believe that, then what are they doing to overcome that belief. I don't live in CT, but follow everything I can and I don't see UConn's Marketing Department expending great efforts in publicizing the team and the players using the various social media outlets that many other schools use. I'm not impressed with the timeliness of news reporting or quality of UConnhuskies.com When was the last time you read something about the accomplishments of the former players that are currently playing overseas that was initiated by UConn. Instead they rely of the horde to do their job for them.
Other then a release written on Feb 20th, there's nothing about the accomplishments of Bria and Stef that would encourage fans to attend Senior day on UConnhuskies.com.
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/022014aaa.html. Release doesn't say Bria and Stef are going up on the Wall of Honor during the ceremony.
There is a drop in attendance because of ticket prices, availability of games on TV and IMHO UConn does a poor job publicizing the players/team by having marketing campaigns that would encourage the casual sports fan to attend a game. Also, have to take into consideration that many of the fans that attended the game when the program first became great were older and now may not be able to attend the games. UConn needs to market the team to attract younger fans. IMHO race does not enter in the equation, Marketing and Price does.
Another thing that bothered me, was when Mike was making the issue about him when he stated he would wear a Green Tie if UConn were to play ND. Don't know if he was serious, but knowing Mike he probably was, just to get the publicity and throw darts at UConn fans in particular Boneyard posters. As I've expressed on this board, I don't think he was far off when he wrote the column on ND meeting UConn. With Morgan's injury and Kaleena's illness the game could be much closer then many would have predicted in the beginning of the year. UConn is weaker today then at the beginning of the year, and ND's play indicates they are stronger then many believed at the beginning of the year.
(Mike, the glasses are to maintain my anonymity)
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