newenglander
Joined: 1/13/14 Posts: 744
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Posted Sat, May 18 9:48 am
(Edited Sat, May 18 9:52 am)
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In response to Softball is a reflection of UCLA fans (cnet)
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has changed over the years. At one time it was more of a commuter university with a large portion coming from over the hill in the valley as well as other locations in the southland. In recent years it has become considered more prestigious and with that a large number attending due to the advantages of getting their degrees for the purpose of that advantage. Though the student population was much smaller back then, there was much more of a degree of loyalty to the school and the athletic program. I can still recall the card and light stunts and particularly the contest between the sc and UCLA sections during games at the coliseum. I seriously doubt that there would be enough students in the student section now to ever compare with that. The times they are a changin |
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Flat 4
Joined: 1/13/14 Posts: 3,903
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westwoodwon
Joined: 8/16/10 Posts: 6,901
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Posted Sat, May 18 12:42 pm
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In response to Softball is a reflection of UCLA fans (cnet)
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You know, there’s nothing else to do in any other city in the country - like doesn’t everyone go to the beach or the country club?
We’re just a different fan base now, sadly. |
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samohopar
Joined: 2/28/11 Posts: 2,305
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Posted Sat, May 18 2:25 pm
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In response to Softball is a reflection of UCLA fans (cnet)
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Getting to Westwood on a weekday from pretty much any part of SoCal is a nightmare. I cannot imagine anyone outside of the players close friends/family spending an hour or two driving to Westwood for a softball game. As for the 50,000 on campus...
Our student body has more first generation students than pretty much any other top-tier university in the nation. Especially Asians. Go ask your Asian friends how their culture feels about "games" like football and softball. Ask how many of them played in little league or youth football. Ask how many of them regularly watch football, let alone softball and you might start to get an idea why our sports teams don't have the same support as the Winsonsins of the world. |
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Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,123
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Posted Sat, May 18 4:34 pm
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In response to Softball is a reflection of UCLA fans (cnet)
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When has Easton Stadium ever been packed to the brim for an opening regional game?
According to the box score, the attendance was 985, while the capacity is around 1,300.
Want to know the attendance for the NCAA Regional opener in 2010 -- the year that UCLA last won the national championship? 486
This is nothing new.
Keep in mind that last night was also Spring Sing (which is always packed), and you had the final regular season series with a #1-ranked team beginning at the same time.
Doubt that the attendance will be much better today, since the UCLA Centennial Alumni Day event is going all day, and parking will be very tight campuswide.
To attract casual fans in LA, a team needs to have buzz and excitement surrounding it. Again, that's nothing new. If you build a program that transcends the hardcore sports fans, people will show up. Just look at women's gymnastics. Student section was packed for every home meet, and average home attendance topped 10k for the first time ever.
Softball has never been a sport that could rise above the crowded sports and entertainment scene in LA.
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