Pep Rally?

[Skiing Golf Guy]

How was the pep rally for Patsos? Anyone go that can report? Good turnout of students? How did THEY react to Jimmy?

[bmc]

It was good. Some Students but a lot of alumni and fans. They loved Jimmy especially when he said they would beat Albany. Interesting to see him value the Siena/Albany Series.

[indian82]

Apr 3, 2013 19:53:02 GMT -5 bmc said:

It was good. Some Students but a lot of alumni and fans. They loved Jimmy especially when he said they would beat Albany. Interesting to see him value the Siena/Albany Series.

He ain't no dummy!

[SienaHCT14]

not horribly surprised at the student turnout after the last three seasons. Most games, besides the UAlbany games, you would be lucky to have 25 kids in the student section. After this year, virtually none of the student fan base will have seen a MAAC Conference title or a trip to the dance. It'll be difficult to rally the students back to the numbers that we saw in the Fran era, but I think that is a big factor that needs to be there at every game this next season. The noise, energy and excitement that can come out of a full student section is pretty wild and will be needed, especially when you look at the age of the fans in the stands (no offense to any of you guys and gals)

[greenblood]

You should tell Jimmy that....he would appreciate it and come up with a plan that he will get Fr. Kevin and D'arg to buy into. Trust me.

[SIENA1971]

My niece at Loyola told me Jimmy trolled the campus and dorms getting students excited to come out for games ... His energy level is contagious

[siena77]

I betcha Jimmy will get the students to the games pretty quickly next year. He's a natural for the students to rally around. If he can do it at Loyola, he'll do it with us. Plus, some early wins and a .500+ record--both of which I expect immediately--will get him "mo" with the students.

[indian82]

Apr 4, 2013 10:37:54 GMT -5 SIENA1971 said:

My niece at Loyola told me Jimmy trolled the campus and dorms getting students excited to come out for games ... His energy level is contagious

That would be my hope. I always wanted some kind of First practice celebration (Midnight Madness or some variation thereof). Probably not realistic this year, but maybe down the road....

[greengold4ever]

Apr 4, 2013 11:16:56 GMT -5 indian82 said:

Apr 4, 2013 10:37:54 GMT -5 SIENA1971 said:

My niece at Loyola told me Jimmy trolled the campus and dorms getting students excited to come out for games ... His energy level is contagious

That would be my hope. I always wanted some kind of First practice celebration (Midnight Madness or some variation thereof). Probably not realistic this year, but maybe down the road....

good idea, and no reason not to start it up, no waiting............midnight madness can re-energize the students for sure and get the team excited about the new season!!!!!!!!

[greenblood]

I can tell you I remember Prosper's games at Reitz arena where often the Siena fans were equal to the number of Loyola fans. Jimmy did troll the campus when he got there. I recall one of the then students telling me that he would go through the dorms passing out Tshirts and introducing himself- telling the students that the BBALL team needed their support. He then somehow connected with a step band in B'more who really got that place jumping. When that drum and horn section stomped in and played during the game, the entire wall we were sitting on behind the benches felt like a massive earthquake. I have no doubt he can re-energize the entire fan base here and put students in the seats on the floor (never an option at Loyola, they are in the bleachers behind the radio broadcasters).

[$cott]

I would think some easy first steps would be to make it easier for the kids to get to the games and to stop excluding the games where they are on break from the student season ticket package (or if you do then provide an alternate way for them to get free tickets if they want to go over break).

[diamonddog]

If Jimmy does to do a dorm to dorm campaign, I think that will be successful with the students.

In my time, I've seen discount cards and other incentives to get students to come to the games, which has not worked.

I think the coach actually talking and walking around with the student body is important because let's face it- Jimmy is the face of the program now. I think the normal person appreciates it when the head coach of division one basketball spends the time to get to know the students.

Envision this...
I think the new student will be surprised and pleased when a head coach goes in Ryan Hall and recruits student to the games.

I think the senior student at the townhouse will feel the same way if he went to each townhouse and knocked door to door.

I hope the professors at Siena won't mind if Jimmy steps into class and see how Siena does classes.

In the past, I feel the coaches we have had were not social enough (The program wrecker) or had to deal with family (Fran/Hewitt), and they couldn't do this campaign. Jimmy is married but doesn't have any kids, and since of his infectious energy, he's the perfect spokesman of this school.

I like the idea of his campaign. The only problem I worry about is the student body in the past has had problems with the buses to the TUC.

[gorvy]

After that is settled, the next thing to do is get the damn tarps off. We keep saying we play in a 17,500 seat arena, but we really only play in a 8,500 seat one, with the seats in not very well thought out places. The federation tournament had it set up correctly -- the entire lower bowl was open, with the upper bowl closed. For Siena, all you would have to do is lift up the curtains in the center sections, and keep lifting them up as the fans come back. Nobody should be turned away to see Siena basketball ever again, that was a disgrace and at the very least not very Franciscan. Fill the seats up Jimmy!!!

[macdog]

Jimmy used to go through door to door (literally) in the dorms and apartments at Loyola with pizzas and invite students to come to the games.

[Deleted]

He will do well here as his enthusiasm is kind of infectious. I heard him described as a used car salesman. Perfect, sell the school, the program, the arena, and the A10!

It's perfect, pizza for all!