The average number of students who attended University of Hawaii women's volleyball matches in 2011 was 162. The number increased to 276 in 2012. In comparison, the average number of students who attended women's basketball last year was 26. This year so far, the number is 27.
Laura Beeman, once again, expressed her disappointment at the lack of people, in general, attending women's basketball games. "Maybe it's because we're not football, we're not volleyball, we're not men's basketball," she said, then added "Maybe it's because the games are on (live) television."
Dear Laura Beeman: Volleyball matches are on live television, as are men's basketball games. It's not the live television. It's that interest in women's basketball in Hawaii has traditionally been low, and it doesn't help that women's basketball hasn't really been successful in a while. The program is doing great this year, but it's the first year. Build it first, then they will come.
Use the live television to build interest in your program. It also wouldn't hurt to build more good will. We are not USC. We are Hawaii. Our coaches wear leis (as ugly as they are), even if it is just for the introductions because someone took the time to make them. Our fans appreciate good games and good plays to the point where we will clap for a good play even if it is the opposing team who executes it. We notice the little things as well as the big thing, although the big thing --- winning --- is very, very important.
Rather than being so concerned about the number of people attending games (she gets paid $1,000 every time attendance reaches 2,000 and $1,500 every time attendance reaches 3,000, by the way), win. Crush the rest of your competition. Maybe win the Big West tournament, get to the NCAA tournament, and then promote the shit out of your program next year. If people still don't show up next year, then you can complain. Until then, give it a rest a little bit.
Laura Beeman, once again, expressed her disappointment at the lack of people, in general, attending women's basketball games. "Maybe it's because we're not football, we're not volleyball, we're not men's basketball," she said, then added "Maybe it's because the games are on (live) television."
Dear Laura Beeman: Volleyball matches are on live television, as are men's basketball games. It's not the live television. It's that interest in women's basketball in Hawaii has traditionally been low, and it doesn't help that women's basketball hasn't really been successful in a while. The program is doing great this year, but it's the first year. Build it first, then they will come.
Use the live television to build interest in your program. It also wouldn't hurt to build more good will. We are not USC. We are Hawaii. Our coaches wear leis (as ugly as they are), even if it is just for the introductions because someone took the time to make them. Our fans appreciate good games and good plays to the point where we will clap for a good play even if it is the opposing team who executes it. We notice the little things as well as the big thing, although the big thing --- winning --- is very, very important.
Rather than being so concerned about the number of people attending games (she gets paid $1,000 every time attendance reaches 2,000 and $1,500 every time attendance reaches 3,000, by the way), win. Crush the rest of your competition. Maybe win the Big West tournament, get to the NCAA tournament, and then promote the shit out of your program next year. If people still don't show up next year, then you can complain. Until then, give it a rest a little bit.
And, from someone who does regularly show up to your games, you're welcome.
They should have someone like the men's basketball team that comes up with all these promotions every game and gets the players and coaches involved too. It's actually pretty awesome. I know we're not big on women's basketball here but every bit helps.
ReplyDeleteSee, I don't think women's basketball will ever get the type of crowd that men's basketball attracts (loud, a little bit hostile, and willing to dress up). They should shoot for the crowd that women's volleyball attracts --- polite, loyal, and will show up not just for the love of the team but also for the love of the game.
DeleteEven when the wahine were winning back in the day the crowds werent that big. Id stick to promoting the hell out getting kids and families to come. Young girls and boys basketball teams too.
DeleteTakahara-Dias did a good job with inviting basketball teams over. They also did a lot of community work. One of the best games last year was when the Ewa Elementary kids was in the stands; think Dias subsidized their fee.
Deleteisn't hawaii first in the big west in attendance?
ReplyDeletethink i heard that in one of the broadcasts
DeleteBeeman needs to recruit girls that are exciting to watch and can shoot the damn ball. NO ONE on this team is consistent shooting the ball from anywhere!
ReplyDeleteAlso make sure your team doesn't average over 16 turnovers a game , and have a pathetic assist to turnover ratio.
Kalei Adolpho is like the 6th maybe 7th most athletic player on the volleyball team, and on the basketball team she instantly became the most athletic player when she joined . that's how un-athletic they are.
Sorry for being harsh but it's the truth.
You forget most of these girls are Dana's players not hers
DeleteIncluding Mia Martin.
DeleteI disagree that Kalei Adolpho is the most athletic. Ashleigh Karaitiana is pretty darn good. King and Tagalicod need to hit the gym and get in better shape.
ReplyDeleteKalei jumps the highest easily, EASILY. jumping and speed are the biggest sign of athletism.
ReplyDeleteMia and Ashleigh are much slower and don't jump as high , thus they are not as athletic as Kalei.
kalei sucks, for her size you think she would dominate. stats don't lie-mia beats her by a mile. ashleigh, vicky and shawna looks more athletic. kalei very awkward. i thought she would be much better, maybe when she is a senior.
Deletemaybe when she finally gives up volleyball to concentrate on basketball.
Delete>>>maybe when she finally gives up volleyball to concentrate on basketball. <<<
DeleteWhen pigs fly.
kalei 2 fouls already--slow feet and can't stay with the person she is guarding! and missed badly on an easy close shot. not exactly athletic!~
DeletePeople forget that all of Dave's girls (except for the setters and liberos) are jumping over 10 feet, none of the basketball girls can do that...
ReplyDeleteMeant jump touching over 10 feet, so essentially these girls could dunk, if basketballs werent so big..
DeleteI support Laura. Part of her job is to increase attendance, in addition to winning games--both are important for building a program. And there is nothing wrong with being incented to increase attendance. If it is such a big issue, then bring your concerns to the athletic director to discourage such incentives in the future. If this is what UH wants out of the program, then it is not Laura's fault for doing what she can to build a home-court advantage. I'm glad she has the "Audacity of Hope" to think she can have a strong, involved crowd one day. That's what leaders do. Rather than complaining about Laura, the blogger could take a more proactive role in building the program by working with her directly--I'm sure she and the team would appreciate the support.
ReplyDeleteno one is saying that she shouldn't have hope. note that blogger gave her license to complain all she wants next year. just that she should stop expressing her disappointment so much this year.
Deletei go to watch all of the games too and i don't think i've heard her say once that she appreciates the people go who but i have heard her say at least three times already that she is disappointed in the crowd. sorry we're such a disappointment?
oh well. in the end, i go to support the girls, just as i have the past three coaches.
Laura doesn't need a license from anyone to express her views at any time. I did not suggest that anyone is saying she shouldn't have hope. If you read blogger's comment above, blogger doesn't think the women's BB crowd will rival the men's. The point is that at least Laura is aiming for such support, rather than settling for the status quo.
DeleteAnd clearly, when she says she is disappointed in the crowd, she is referring to the vast number of empty seats, not loyal attendees such as yourself. Should Laura praise what support she has? Yes--give her that feedback if you feel wronged in some way.
If you read her tweets, you'll see how passionate she is about the team and the program. It's clear she wants the same passion from the state. Nothing wrong with that.
I hate to break it to you but women's basketball is never going to get the same numbers as women's volleyball or men's basketball. Men's volleyball numbers maybe but not the other two. Beeman can complain all she wants about it and have all the audacity of hope she wants and dreams of my father even, but it won't happen.
DeleteI'm sure the same was said at UConn in 1985 when they had a loser women's team and a much more popular men's team. Lesson is you never say never.
Delete@3rd Anon
DeleteIf your comment refers to the crowd size of women’s BB rivaling men’s BB, I think you may have misread the blogger’s comment. The blogger said the “type of crowd,” so that doesn’t refer to number of seats being filled. The bloggers thinks appealing to the type of crowd the Wahine vball team attracts may lead to more success than appealing to the type of crowd the men’s BB crowd attracts. I see how passionate Beeman is about this team, too, and I know she has good intentions, but certain things take time. We understand and already heard about her disappointment in the lack of a crowd, but if she wants to go about attracting more people to come, expressing disappointment repeatedly is not the way to go. Men’s VB has not had the attendance numbers it once had, but you don’t see Charlie Wade expressing disappointment repeatedly. Instead, he’s thanking those who do attend and encouraging others to come in a more positive manner. In any case, I also attend women’s BB games and will continue to support the players no matter the crowd size.
Of course Wade isn't expressing disappointment. His lack of success with the team is a major reason for the fall off in attendance. It would look ridiculous for him to complain.
DeleteAnd I said that she should praise the support she has in a follow up post. But telling Laura to wait until next year to complain makes no sense either. Again, if youthinks there is a better way, then tell Laura and work with her to build the program.
HawaiiWBB would be lucky to get same crowd as HawaiiWVB
DeleteOr since you seem to be really familiar with her, you can pass on the message to “Laura” for me.
DeleteWhat are you so afraid of?
DeleteAttendance at USC women's basketball games haven't been that great either. 1,000 or fewer it says. UH gets about 700. That's not bad at all.
ReplyDeletehttp://dailytrojan.com/2012/01/23/usc-teams-face-an-alarming-lack-of-student-support/
box score attendance the last four home games. hawaii's numbers are nothing to sneeze at.
DeleteUSC attendance:
Colorado = 249
Utah = 442
Arizona = 3227
Arizona State 321
Hawaii attendance:
UC Santa Barbara = 1622
Cal Poly = 1317
Long Beach state = 1552
UC Irvine = 1362
so with these types of numbers what's her beef exactly? is it that the crowd is small? because they're not if you compare it to the big west teams and apparently usc. or is it that the crowd is small compared to women's volleyball and men's basketball?
DeleteI believe it is the latter.
DeleteMens basketball and womens volleyball arent boring laura maybe next year if u recruit better players.
ReplyDeleteAll I gotta say is patience is a virtue.
ReplyDeleteI guess Beeman never heard how Hawaii people are: I pick up the cup like this, but they pick up the cup like thiiiiiiiiiiis. Courtesy of Scott Caan. So, yes, patience is a virtue. ;)
Deletesome meth might also help
Delete