The Great Success at Renaissance Arena

Bradley held their first Division I game on campus in 30 years last night and it was a tremendous success. In fact it was a TREMENDOU SUCCESS. Ticket sales were slow at first and a few people grumbled - none more prominently than one local newspaper sports editor who proclaimed repeatedly this was a bad idea.

BUT - it turned out to be wildly successful, much to the chagrin of those who have dissed on the whole idea since it was first proposed more than a year ago - and was announced as planned several months ago.

Here's just a little sampling of how successful it was..

-the players and coaches all unanimously agreed it was wildly successful and was a great idea. NOT one negative comment from anyone who was there at the game except one (see below).

-1400 Bradley students bought tickets and attended the game -- 1400 -- that's probably MORE Bradley students in one building that has occurred in many decades.

-1400 Bradley students may even be MORE than there are attending classes on some nice days in the spring!

-everyone who bought a ticket and attended - even season ticket holders, sat in a seat that was NEW to them - a new experience, with many new or different people sitting nearby from what they were used to. This was great as it gave a chance to see and meet new Bradley fans...and enjoy a NEW experience.

-the place was, of course, packed and tremendously loud. Loud enough so that you couldn't even stand face to face and talk to someone - you had to lean over and shout directly into their ear.

-the fans were wild, too -- standing and cheering - not just the students..very few blue hairs staying in chairs.

-the message boards are filled this morning with numerous threads discussing the success of this event - at least half a dozen different discussion threads - all noting what a great time everyone had and what a success this was right from the very idea.

-you practically can't find a single person with anything negative to say...practically - except for that very same local newspaper sports editor who has been dissing on this whole idea for months -- somehow he saw this game very differently from the thousands who were all there enjoying it...and his column had at least a dozen rips on this game, the students, and the whole idea.
Somehow he seemed to have a bad hair day with this game while over 4300 were having one of the best times of their lives.
Does this maybe say something about his perspective and how negatively biased this writer must be? What's the basis for his negativity and grudge against the school he claims to be a 3-generation devotee of?

Why comments like this about the surprisingly HUGE mass of 1400 students in attendance..
"a couple or three hundred students left at halftime and did not
return. Must have had to get to their 8:30 night classes. Or something."

And instead of a compliment to the BU administration for all the hard work in making this a success, he never mentions that and instead says..
"..it wasn't the mighty roar that drove generations of Peorians to
premature hearing loss from time spent at Braves games in old Robertson
Field House.
..they need the administration to care about the students again. The sad
fact for too long on the Bradley campus has been that the basketball program
is invisible."
"One game played in Renaissance, a campus arena much too small for the
season-ticket base, won't fix that."

I don't get it --- does this writer go to a restaurant and ask to be served - then when he gets a great meal JUST AS HE ASKED -- he responds..
"..This won't cut it -- this is only one great meal - I need something like this many more times before I am satisfied.."

Oh well......the people that Bradley did this for sure appreciated it...the students and the rest of the fans.......
I got a laugh seeing a 4-page thread on one message board about this game -
gotta see -
BUT -- the first three pages of posts are from BEFORE the game was played, and are gripes and complaints about this being a bad idea and even predictions that it'll be a flop!

Then one guy who I talked to at the game and who was having a GREAT time with front row seats....posts how everyone was wrong and they missed a great game - then the whole thread goes silent - nothing -- only 2 posts were made from after the game and neither actually discussed how great the whole game and event was!!!
I guess the certain negative aspect of the fan base there is stunned by the facts and doesn't have any more defense for their gripes.



Getting to the game itself......

We still lack a consistent outside shooter but Shayok Shayok nailed a couple outside shots and made the defenses pay.
Jordan Prosser filled the middle and nearly had a second double double with 15 pts, 8 rebounds.
Walt Lemon kept his fouls and turnovers down and contributed significantly to the offense.
The lack of depth at the post forces Prosser to avoid tight defense - giving opponents some pretty good looks down low...
I think using AT or even DH early in the game to lay some hard fouls on their post players might send the right message and keep them out of the paint.
Dyricus keeps having leg cramps -- I need to tip him off to a little traditional cure...

Even the cheerleaders came well prepared in older throwback uniforms.

Hot dogs were 50 cents...and there's plenty of concessions and restrooms so even a packed house had little to complain about.

All in all it was a 100% POSITIVE experience - so I am simply stunned that there are still a handful who find things to gripe about.
Some of the gripers say they do not read this blog but they always seem to know what I am saying - so I expect they will read this and know who I am talking about.
Misery loves company and bitterness destroys the vessel that holds it...
give up the griping and be a fan.....4300 people will tell you it was a truly great experience - sorry you missed it.