Having played in the Sweet 16, I'd prefer 4 games over 4/5 days.

Sunday afternoon High School basketball final games should be reserved for AAU or Elementary School tournaments and even then I have reservations. This is just me, but I like basketball finals of a night. Just wish they would start a day early,have the semis Friday night at 7:00 and 9:00,finals Saturday night at 8:00. Am sure this has been a thread numerous times, was there a reason given for Sunday afternoons? The early sessions are obviously struggling attendance wise with the afternoon games, any way of having everything of a night, except for Friday afternoon?

EXACTLY what they SHOULD do! The reason you'll get that they won't is it's another day out of school, 1 more day, big deal!!!!

I used to leave after the semis on Saturday. Now I leave Saturday morning and don't get to see the semis. Long week when you get there Tuesday night and stay the week. Expenses pile up

Attendance today is 11,435

 

We are heading in the wrong direction.

 

2013 Championship on Sunday - attendance was 17,315.

 

http://bluegrasspreps.com/ky-boys-basketball/2013-khsaa-boys-251800.html

 

2014 Championship on Sunday - attendance was 14,165.

 

COVINGTON CATHOLIC vs SCOTT COUNTY (03/23/14 at Rupp Arena-Lexington, KY)

The teams participating make a HUGE difference. Had Montgomery County beat Ballard in 2013 I'd bet the championship attendance would have been north of 20,000.

 

Two Western KY teams didn't really create much local interest I don't think. Combine that with one of the teams bringing a very poor crowd and you get what you had this year. Also, no real "star" power from either team. No Bolden or Justice or the like to draw the attention of the more casual fan.

Part of the issue is cost. The tickets have gone up over the last couple of years and moving the finals to Sunday results in most people needing to get another room. This week I spent $500 on a hotel room for 4 nights, i spent $500 on 4 sets of tickets for me and my kids. I spent $1000 before ever buying food, ice cream, or paying for parking. It is getting to be to expensive for the common fan to come and enjoy themselves. They have to figure out a way to cut the cost for fans.

2013- 17,300

2014- 14,100

2015- 11,400

 

Some will say it is because of who is in the finals. Some will say it is because of the change to Sunday finals. Some will say it is because of the way society has changed. Some will also say we are losing some of our older patrons and the younger generation just doesn't care.

 

I personally think they are all a part of it. I would say in 2 years we will have to see a change made. Now I don't know what that change will be, but if things continue like the pattern we are seeing, a change is coming.

Attendance today is 11,435

 

That is a small number. The '92 final consisting of two privates was small but not sure of the number. UK vs Duke in the Elite ,8 took presidence.

That is a small number. The '92 final consisting of two privates was small but not sure of the number. UK vs Duke in the Elite ,8 took presidence.

 

1992 was also played at Freedom Hall. Rupp Arena was hosting the NCAA Southeast Reguonal that weekend.(Fri-Sun regional)

I love the old format, you could go up on Friday and see 4 good games and spend one night in a hotel, see two good games Saturday Morning and then the championship game Saturday night and drive home and not be out all that expense.

 

Make no bones about this the championship games being moved to Sunday was done for money. Did something catastriphic suddenly happen years later to one of the 100's of athletes that played in a morning and night game on the Saturday of the Sweet 16? Does anybody remember the championship final between Clay and Ballard in 88' It didnt look like it hurt Farmer and Houston to have played earlier that day

For those saying we get a better championship game because it's played on its own day is crazy. History seems to show there were an awful lot of great championship games on Saturday night, after playing the semis Saturday morning.

 

Also keep in mind that schools didn't pay for coaches tickets this year. Another reason for low attendance.

I don't understand why people would be against a team getting rest and being at their best with all the marbles on the line. I'll take the Sunday final every time.

Playing the semi's and finals on the same day may be more fan friendly, but it's not more player friendly. Just because they play double and triple headers at lower levels, doesn't mean it makes sense for higher levels.

2013- 17,300

2014- 14,100

2015- 11,400

 

Some will say it is because of who is in the finals. Some will say it is because of the change to Sunday finals. Some will say it is because of the way society has changed. Some will also say we are losing some of our older patrons and the younger generation just doesn't care.

 

I personally think they are all a part of it. I would say in 2 years we will have to see a change made. Now I don't know what that change will be, but if things continue like the pattern we are seeing, a change is coming.

 

Wow - that is staggering!!! Any idea what the attendance totals looks like for the entire tournament for these same years??

Wow - that is staggering!!! Any idea what the attendance totals looks like for the entire tournament for these same years??

 

To put things in perspective, it would be interesting to know how attendance is for all sports. I'd be curious if this is a "sports in general" thing, or just a basketball thing.