It is not NKU's fault. They have nothing to do with this event. This is a joint venture between the BB&T management and the KHSAA. Any promoting or publicity had to come from one of those two. It amazes me that neither had to foresight to approach the newspapers and television stations months ago.

 

 

This sounds like NKU has a lot to do with it...

 

NKU is committed to keeping the Sweet Sixteen in Highland Heights. Matthew Merchant, director of booking and marketing for the arena, said the university was willing to pay for the tournament even before St. Elizabeth Healthcare came aboard as the title sponsor. “It was our goal to bring a state championship up to Northern Kentucky,” Merchant said. “ ... We just didn’t want to bring it up here to say we had a championship. We want to bring it up here for the long term.”

 

Read more here: Girls’ Sweet Sixteen notebook: NKU takes first crack at hosting tournament | Lexington Herald-Leader

Yes, if there was 6,000 in the place it was when one group arrived while the other was watching the end of the first game. There did not appear to be more than 4,000 at the first game, maybe 1,500 at the second. The 6,000 announced is maybe counting everyone one and a half times.

 

you all missed it, there was 9600 there tonight. :lol2:

This sounds like NKU has a lot to do with it...

 

NKU is committed to keeping the Sweet Sixteen in Highland Heights. Matthew Merchant, director of booking and marketing for the arena, said the university was willing to pay for the tournament even before St. Elizabeth Healthcare came aboard as the title sponsor. “It was our goal to bring a state championship up to Northern Kentucky,” Merchant said. “ ... We just didn’t want to bring it up here to say we had a championship. We want to bring it up here for the long term.”

 

Read more here: Girls’ Sweet Sixteen notebook: NKU takes first crack at hosting tournament | Lexington Herald-Leader

 

Matt Merchant works for the BB&T management group. He does not represent NKU in any fashion, just SMG. It would be like saying NKU is supposed to publicize or promote a concert or the circus. They are not involved in the promotions of BB&T events other than their own games.

you all missed it, there was 9600 there tonight. :lol2:

 

Yes, you could clearly see them in the video you posted minutes ago!! Many of the fans look just like the empty seats in the BB&T arena.

Matt Merchant works for the BB&T management group. He does not represent NKU in any fashion, just SMG. It would be like saying NKU is supposed to publicize or promote a concert or the circus. They are not involved in the promotions of BB&T events other than their own games.

 

So was he lying when he said the university was willing to pay for the tournament?

Yes, you could clearly see them in the video you posted minutes ago!! Many of the fans look just like the empty seats in the BB&T arena.

 

:lol:

OK, we all seem to disagree on who is at fault for the lack of publicity.

The bottom line is - It wasn't promoted, and there are no outward signs of the event even taking place in our city/region.

 

We've known for over a year now that the event was coming. Certainly some committee was formed to provide community awareness to the Cincy/No Kentucky area.

 

A very small thing, like placing a 12"x18" placard in the window of each Highland Heights/Cold Spring/Wilder eatery, would have brought instant awareness to our entire community.

 

I think the US27 corridor has the capabilities of hanging "theme" flags/banners from the utility poles lining the highway.

 

Certainly a picture on the front page of the Enquirer detailing the event, or a preview insert, would have been appropriate. The bottom line is that the event is being held like a private party in a capsule/vacuum, with little or no community awareness. It surprises me that James Weber, who works for the Recorder Newspapers would be reporting for the Enquirer. Maybe he does, but since I stopped getting newspapers when The Postwent down, I wouldn't know. I've also seen Rick Broering in the house covering the event for someone.

 

There have been several times while driving this week that I've started tp reach for the radio knob to listen to whatever game is in progress, only to realize that there is no radio coverage here in NoKy of the games. Unfortunately my flip-phone is not smart enough to get the internet broadcasts.

 

We all agree, somebody dropped the ball big-time. We still get one more whack at it in 2017 to get it right. Unfortunately, by then the decision on the future of the event will already have been made.

 

:thumb::thumb:

So was he lying when he said the university was willing to pay for the tournament?

 

No, he is correct about that. But sponsoring an event is different than publicizing and promoting the thing. That falls on SMG or the KHSAA.

Everyone from the KHSAA staff, out of town media, some of the coaches, & numerous teams fans that I've talked to, ABSOLUTELY love the venue.........especially the coaches and players.

 

I just hope it's enough to renew the contract.

In my opinion, the City of Highland Heights should have had welcome Sweet 16 signs as you exit at Nku off 275 and as you enter the city from 471. Teams and fans should know they're arriving at a big event! They should have banners or pennants or whatever you call them on the telephone polls along US27. Flags should be flying and restaurants should be offering specials to the fans. Nku should be involved as well.

 

Instead there's hand made parking signs and orange cones. That's it. I bet if you asked the Mayor of the city, or city council, they wouldn't even know the state tournament is in town. I hope they do those things next year and it's not too late for the tournament staying at NKU.

Do you guys realize how much title IX playes a part in this. All sports have to be equally advertised.

If NKU is making money of the Sweet 16 then it is their responsibility to promote the tournament.

 

If Highland Heights is getting tax revenue from people eating at the restaurants then it is the responsibility of the Chambers of Commerce to promote the tournament.

 

If KHSAA is making money off the tournament then it is their responsibility to promote the tournament.

I figured the move to NKU was to boost attendance. NKU would be pulling from a way larger population than WKU. If the area can't pull this off, that is sad.

There are multiple venues around the state suitable for hosting. EMBRACING the girls Sweet 16 is what needs to be the crux of where it is played. WKU certainly did that, but now NKU is getting its shot. The point is that is was not broken in Bowling Green and did not need a fix, but that is spilt milk. If NKU is not a significantly better, and they need a fair chance to prove it, the KHSAA has egg on is face and a screwed it up royally. Bottom line is the girls' Sweet 16 is a great event that is worthy of top-notch promotion. Again, community/region embracement is the key factor as to where it should be.

Edited March 12, 201610 yr by retropop
typos

I think the tix cost, parking, concessions all weigh in on attendance figures as well. Face it, it's expensive to go watch teams from out of region that you have no affiliation with play at those costs.

 

Were the tix $5/$6/$7 I believe that would help attendance. With the tix costs being what they are, maybe in looking at numbers, each fan should count as two.

 

Also, as seen in early round games, some of the better holiday tournaments provided better competition.