The RC

[donniesbu82]

Great win for the Bonnies. Was the RC loud with all the Alumni? How was attendence? Were the students out in full force?

[therc]

Attendance was great. Very few empty seats on homecoming, which was nice to see.

The student section was large and loud at times. Nothing close to the level of enthusiasm during the Mississippi State or Xavier games, but the kids were loud when the situation merited.

The highlight of the student section, for me, was the young man that brought along the massive cardboard cut-out of Andrew Nicholson's head. That was absolutely fantastic!

[Chuck]

Agree RC, the student section has been doing a great job, especially when you consider the team's record at home this season. Last night's win was the first home win since Christmas. Very appreciative of the enthusiasm the students bring to the game. It is wrong to make comparisons to the days when the Reilly Center was one the most difficult places to play. Unfortunately many students were driven away by Solomon. Slowly we are returning to those glory days.

I know Duquense would be thankful to have our student section at their home games and they are one of the better teams in the A-10. Could you imagine the Reilly Center if they had a team that defeated Xavier at home (like Duquense did last night) students would be going nuts and I'm concern of the bodily harm Superfan would inflict on students standing next to him.

[Jimmy Chitwood]

Actually, there were plenty of empty Reds. That was the only disappointing aspect of the night. Hopefully, it continues to improve.

[room109]

I too wish that there were more in attendene but, those in the Red Seats got into the game last night which was nice to hear!

We need more fannies in the seats....

[therc]

Chuck,

Agree with you 100 percent. For the level of basketball they've been seeing, the support from the student body has been great. I attended that Duquesne game, and I'm sure their program would love to have the kind of student participation that we receive here.

Also, official attendence was over 5,000 according to today's Times Herald, so Jimmy Chitwood's notion that there were plenty of reds empty might be a little flawed. It was one of the better crowds we've had all season.

[Jimmy Chitwood]

"Official Attendance" is not equivalent to actual attendance. It does not include no shows. My vision isn't flawed. I have 20-20 with my contacts Season ticket holders that sit around me were commenting on the number of empty reds on the bench side of the RC. We should be able to do better for a Saturday night on Alumni weekend. The student turnout was solid. All around attendance will improve as the team becomes more successful in A-10 play.

[therc]

Feb 8, 2009 13:41:14 GMT -5 Jimmy Chitwood said:

Season ticket holders that sit around me were commenting on the number of empty reds on the bench side of the RC.

I sit on the bench side, so this may be why we have a different outlook. Across from the benches (student side) the reds were very full, with only a few scattered seats in the upper corners.

Disappointing to hear about our side of the arena though. Guess I didn't really notice that.

[jpschmack]

I hope that the current students consider the comments of the old guys (like me) to be encouragement, rather than criticism.

Our team the past few years haven't hasn't been giving much to be proud of; Our fans have been much better than our record. We're proud of that. We want to be proud of our student section/crowd, just as much as we want to be proud of our team.

Keep it up, Reilly Rowdies.

[Sipowicz]

Since I am a "local" maybe I can tell you of my experience with fellow locals that may explain the empty seats. I work at an Olean area manufacturing facility that employs around 150 and unfortunetly with a vast majority of the people I speak to about the BONNIES their perception is still very negative. They ask me why I waste my time and money on attending the games. I try to explain to them the improvements Coach SCHMIDT has made with the team but many have not attended games since the scandal. Like the old adage goes "win and they will come" is true.

[mcspin]

Feb 9, 2009 3:38:17 GMT -5 Sipowicz said:

Like the old adage goes "win and they will come" is true.

I find it amazing that so many people around here require a winning team to find the games entertaining - like there's so much else to do around here in the middle of the winter in the early evening. I guess it's human nature and the fact that most aren't real fans.

[portpasses]

Feb 9, 2009 9:33:21 GMT -5 mcspin said:

Feb 9, 2009 3:38:17 GMT -5 Sipowicz said:

Like the old adage goes "win and they will come" is true.

I find it amazing that so many people around here require a winning team to find the games entertaining - like there's so much else to do around here in the middle of the winter in the early evening. I guess it's human nature and the fact that most aren't real fans.

I've been a season ticket holder for over 15 years and have been attending games since the early 80's.....and quite frankly, I haven't found the games entertaining for the past several years. If someone is a basketball fan, there is actually plenty to do in the local area. Olean High won the NY state title last year. Not too far away are other recent state champs in Maple Grove and St Marys, PA. I'm sure someone will make the argument that high school hoops is not the same as A-10 ball. But honesty, it's been years since we've seen A-10 level.

Yes, winning helps tremendously, but it will take some time for people to realize what Schmidt is putting together here. Nicholson by himself should start motivating people to put their fannies in the red seats. And I personally believe that a trip to AC this year will open some eyes and next season we will start seeing "true" sellouts again.

[room109]

Port - I know several families that would enjoy your tickets and would actully stand up cheer!!! Anytime your feel like you would want to do some good to help the attendence at the RC, I can pass the tickets along.

[portpasses]

Please send me a PM with their contact info. My tickets are usually used every game, but there have been times when I had a conflict and couldn't find a taker - and I would be happy to help provide that opportunity for others.

[njbona02]

Well I am making my 3rd 350 mile trek to the RC this coming weekend. Lets go Bonas.