Will fans come back for Big 12 games?
Published: 1/9/2010 10:31 AM
Last Modified: 1/9/2010 10:31 AM
How many? That's the question a lot of people are asking before Oklahoma State's Big 12 opener Saturday against Texas Tech.
How many people will show up.
Crowds have dwindled at Gallagher-Iba Arena in recent seasons and attendance has especially been dismal at nonconference games.
Blame whatever you want. Three NIT seasons prior to an NCAA Tournament trip last season. A lack of marquee opponents. Bad weather. High ticket prices (although people who bought season tickets aren't using them). Maybe basketball games aren't viewed as "the place to be" by students and alums anymore.
OSU isn't the only school that is fighting a plague of empty chairs. It's a statewide epidemic.
Big crowds came back to GIA when conference play rolled around last season, especially when the Cowboys played high stakes games against Kansas State and Texas.
Will the same trend hold true this season, starting with tonight's game? The Cowboys drew 9,045 fans for a Big 12 home opener against Texas A&M last year.
During a recent postgame radio show, OSU coach Travis Ford was asked about facing Texas Tech in a Big 12 debut. He doled out necessary praise to the Red Raiders and then segued into the crowd issue.
Said Ford, "We’re going to have to play better than any game thus far. We’re going to need the help of the crowd. We’re going to need the help of our fans to support us. Seven o’clock is when Big 12 starts against a top 25 team that everybody knows. Everybody’s heard of Texas Tech, so we’re just going to need a lot of help.”
Stay tuned to see if the Cowboys get it.
--Jimmie Tramel.
Written by
Jimmie Tramel
Sports Writer
