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Horned
Frogs hope more wins will score larger crowd
The
Frogs are looking for bigger crowds to support their improved
game.
By
Ryan Claunch
In
his second season as TCU’s men’s basketball
coach, Neil Dougherty has his players looking up to him
and believing they are capable of achieving great things.
After Monday’s victory over South Florida, this has
never been more apparent. The Frogs currently own their
first-ever winning record in Conference USA (9-11, 5-4
C-USA), and have a group of teams looking up to them in
the conference standings.
Everything about the program seems to be looking up in
2004, except for one thing: attendance.
This season, like most others, when a Frog looks up into
the stands of Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, he sees more vacant
seats than filled ones.
“The attendance at the games is something that definitely
needs improving,” head coach Neil Dougherty said.
This season, the average attendance per game is 4,514,
filling about 63 percent of all seats available inside
the coliseum.
“With attendance the way it is, we play primarily
on a neutral court, where the crowd doesn’t really
have an effect on how the game goes,” Dougherty said.
“If we had bigger crowds showing up to support us
during the games, it would definitely give us an edge.”
Although TCU has a winning conference record, non C-USA
games have attracted bigger crowds, averaging 4,561 fans
compared to 4,432 for conference games.
Athletics director Eric Hyman said he is determined to
get more fans in the seats to see the basketball program’s
improved product.
“The players are now beginning to truly represent
TCU both on and off the court,” Hyman said. “What
we’re looking at doing now is working with students
in developing new ways to promote sporting events and
draw bigger crowds that also reflect on TCU positively.”
Hyman said he believes an increase in morale and support
from the crowd will make TCU a force to be reckoned with.
“If we can get the crowds to equal what the players
are giving every game, that will make Daniel-Meyer very
tough on competitors and give us a better home advantage,”
he said.
Team members also stress the importance of large crowds.
“The crowd helps a lot,” junior guard Marcus
Shropshire said. “They give us lots of support and
the extra energy to help us during the games.”
Shropshire said the energy and cheers a crowd brings to
the court help the team prepare for the game. He said
increased fan support is wanted.
“I encourage people to come to the games,” Shropshire
said. “We really appreciate the support and the help
it provides the team.”
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Ty
Halasz/Staff Photographer
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| A
fan demonstrates one of the reasons he is attending
a men’s basketball game. |
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