I have all the respect in the world for Kenny Shields, one of the greatest people I have met in my life. He still attends a number of NKU basketball games and is the King of N. Ky. Sports as far as I am concerned. Coach was talking with us last week about the NKU attendance and had two great points to consider.

 

A gentleman named Joe Wind who is NKU's lobbyist in Frankfort helped land the arena funding with the promise to politicians NKU would declare for Division I when the facility was built. Kenny said they were about to, but the NCAA placed a hold on any teams reclassifying to Division I around 2007 and President Votruba could not follow through. Meanwhile, the state decided to give NKU the funds to build a 9,000 seat arena when NKU had only been trying to get 4,000 or so. Kenny said no one from NKU ever wanted a 9,000 seat building, but they gave them to money so how do you turn it down? I agree. The NKU people knew they could never consistently draw more than 2,000 or thereabouts, but they could not refuse the money Frankfort gave them to build the arena.

 

Kenny also told us NKU would prefer to play their women's games in Regents Hall except for the fear of their old-time women's basketball-only boosters who would pitch a fit if that happened. I did not know this, but he explained their are some NKU faculty and staff that only root for women's basketball and consider men's basketball a secondary sport. That is absurd thinking, but he said it's true and the men vs. the women battles have gone on since they started women's sports in the 1970s.

 

All that said, Coach thinks playing in Regents Hall would be better for the girls because instead of having 9,000 empty seats they would have a loud advantage in Regents Hall with 800-900 fans. I agree with this logic. The other night vs. Stetson, the NKU women had their best crowd of the season with an ACTUAL count of 814 (I do not know what they put down for public consumption, but 814 is how many people actually attended the game). That crowd would have been great in Regents Hall. Kenny says UK plays their women games in Memorial Coliseum. Why can't NKU do the same for their girls in Regents Hall?

I have nothing but respect for Kenney Shields as I played for him many years ago and consider him a total class act. If he said these things, I am sure they are true. I do have a question. How many fans does the NKU men's team draw on average. Obviously the women should probably not be playing in an arena that is only 10% filled on a good night. Do the men ever come close to filling it or even 50% of filling it?

I have nothing but respect for Kenney Shields as I played for him many years ago and consider him a total class act. If he said these things, I am sure they are true. I do have a question. How many fans does the NKU men's team draw on average. Obviously the women should probably not be playing in an arena that is only 10% filled on a good night. Do the men ever come close to filling it or even 50% of filling it?

 

The NKU men drew over 8,000 fans to see Louisville in 2008 and that's their largest crowd. Their second largest crowd is a little over 6,000 against Jacksonville two years ago. Most of the men's crowds are around 1,400 or thereabouts, with a few (West Virginia at a little over 4,000 a example) doing better than that. There were a couple of games with Bellarmine when they were in Division II that drew over 5,000, but Bellarmine brought 1,000 fans both times. None of the visiting teams, even Morehead State last year, have brought many fans. West Virginia had the best amount, but even that fizzled because they played on a Sunday while NFL football was on.

I think everyone on BGP has the world's up most respect for Mr. Shields. The man is Icon is this area of the country. He teaches about life before basketball. His kindness is second to none.

 

I know you intentions are good and probably in right place, also know you are new to BGP, so welcome aboard. I just do not thinks its cool starting a thread on what a man with impeccable reputation probably told you in confidence.

 

It will be hard to find a bigger Ken Shields fan me, so while I might be in the minority, I do not think this is the arena for you to be his spokesperson.

I think everyone on BGP has the world's up most respect for Mr. Shields. The man is Icon is this area of the country. He teaches about life before basketball. His kindness is second to none.

 

I know you intentions are good and probably in right place, also know you are new to BGP, so welcome aboard. I just do not thinks its cool starting a thread on what a man with impeccable reputation probably told you in confidence.

 

It will be hard to find a bigger Ken Shields fan me, so while I might be in the minority, I do not think this is the arena for you to be his spokesperson.

 

Well, he said it in front of about twenty people in The Vault, so if that is in confidence, so be it. Given your limitations on speech, this chat room would not exist long.

I understand the attendance issue. However, doesn't that particular size of an arena bring in good money to NKU because of the other types of events that can be held there? I thought many concerts and shows have been moved there because that arena is a more natural fit than places like U.S. Bank Arena.

I think everyone on BGP has the world's up most respect for Mr. Shields. The man is Icon is this area of the country. He teaches about life before basketball. His kindness is second to none.

 

I know you intentions are good and probably in right place, also know you are new to BGP, so welcome aboard. I just do not thinks its cool starting a thread on what a man with impeccable reputation probably told you in confidence.

 

It will be hard to find a bigger Ken Shields fan me, so while I might be in the minority, I do not think this is the arena for you to be his spokesperson.

 

Kenny Shields doesn't need a spokesperson, if you know him. His word is golden and he commands respect.

I understand the attendance issue. However, doesn't that particular size of an arena bring in good money to NKU because of the other types of events that can be held there? I thought many concerts and shows have been moved there because that arena is a more natural fit than places like U.S. Bank Arena.

 

You are correct. The problem for SMG is NKU gets to pick out dates for basketball games and handcuffs the BOKC people from brining in revenue generating acts. Tonight is a great example: SMG could have had a fairly big concert and had to turn it down because of the NKU women playing Florida Coast. I have worked part time in events and operations since the BOKC opened in 2008 and this happens all the time. The SMG brass has tried in vain to get NKU to move more women's games to Regents Hall with no success. NKU did move a game next month to Regents Hall so SMG could bring in a money maker that weekend, but that's just one time. Yes, the arena can make money with events, but not NKU women's basketball

I am not saying this to be confrontational - just trying to understand. Why do you keep saying the NKU women's team? It sounds like the men's team should be playing most of its games at Regents Hall based on your logic. 1,400 people in a 9,000 seat arena is not much different than 800 - the place still must look like a ghost town.

I am not saying this to be confrontational - just trying to understand. Why do you keep saying the NKU women's team? It sounds like the men's team should be playing most of its games at Regents Hall based on your logic. 1,400 people in a 9,000 seat arena is not much different than 800 - the place still must look like a ghost town.

 

No problem, I agree with you. SMG runs the BOKC with the intent to make money, and the only way to do so is bring in acts that people will pay to see. If I were King, both NKU teams would play in Regents Hall UNLESS there was a special game (West Virginia, Louisville, Bellarmine) that the BOKC seating would be required. Your comment about ghost town i right on. It is very discouraging for both the SMG brass and NKU administrators to look into the 9,400 seats and see only 900 people in attendance. The other problem is the lack of student support, it is horrible! On Thursday night the end zone bleachers were basically empty against Stetson. SMG would much rather deal with the high schools and their stomping and bring in money than have those empty end zone bleachers. The NKU women are not the target here, because the NKU men do not come close to filling the arena either. But if you come to a NKU women's game and they play at 7:00 p.m. tonight, it is very sad to see the empty seats when SMG could have had an act that would have brought a huge crowd in. NKU, meanwhile, could have played in Regents Hall and had a great atmosphere tonight while we in the BOKC would have had a great concert, great crowd and everyone is happy.

I've got a great idea for people complaining about attendance, go to the games and watch great college basketball.

I typically attend a good amount of the Men's game each year and I think that number would dwindle for me if the game were back in Regents, where they were when I was in school.

 

What's the expected attendance for Saturday? I'd think Homecoming usually brings in the largest crowd of the year (besides a bigger opponent like Louisville or West Virginia).

I've made it to 2 games this season, hoping to hit up one more before the end of the season.

 

As of right now, the plan for next season is for the wife and I to get season tickets. We love going, always have a blast, regardless of how many (or few) people are there.

I've made it to 2 games this season, hoping to hit up one more before the end of the season.

 

As of right now, the plan for next season is for the wife and I to get season tickets. We love going, always have a blast, regardless of how many (or few) people are there.

 

I'd have a difficult time justifying season tickets when they're readily available. What does it cost for a season ticket package? Any perks?

I'd have a difficult time justifying season tickets when they're readily available. What does it cost for a season ticket package? Any perks?

 

It's like $175 a piece and you get all men's and women's games, free parking, and pre-sale access to tickets and what not for other events (concerts, shows) at the BOKC I believe.