One other thing that I wanted to mention about the Fordham game is how they packed the place.
We arrived about two hours before game time and after walking the campus were welcomed into the gym reception area.
There were at least ten events people planning the logistics for the game.
there was a Fordham will call table, a Loyola will call table and three separate tables for the three groups that were being brought in. They also had a customer service desk and a ticket purchase desk for the general public. All clearly marked and at least two ombudsmen people walking around to answer questions. They were also kind enough to let my wife and I wait in the student union which was really closed. So we got to sit on comfortable chairs with working tables while waiting for our tickets.
That said, then here came the groups. Each was dealt with separately and then each was escorted into the gym. It worked very well. There had to be approximately 400-500 kids with escorts. They got their "Go Rams" and "Fordham" pre printed signs. They got refreshment coupons for redemption and a program for the game. Again, the logistics were superb.
They also sat behind the visitors second half basket. I wonder if this might have affected our shooting since we had only 31 second half points at that basket. What impressed me most was, as the groups left each kid got a Fordham Christmas tree ornament in a box as a memento. All very well done.
Now consider this is the Bronx and not the best area in New York and think about how the Fordham admin team pulled this together to bring an extra 400-500 people to the game. How many of those kids will remember this experience and share it with their friends and neighbors?It was certainly an effective way to create a better home court advantage.
I have heard time and time again how Loyola is going to bring in student groups and yet I have not yet seen it happen. With the MVC season upon us, we will need all the fans we can get to offset how some of these teams will travel to the Joe. It would be a shame to be outnumbered in our own place. But I am afraid it is going to happen. I also hope this losing streak does not deter the students from filling their section. The admin has done a good job of getting the students to attend so far. Lets hope it holds hope.
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