i 1000% agree. Football I can understand the need to pay for student tickets but with where I go to school, we get in free to any athletics event and I see no reason why events in Haas cant be the same way.
No wealthy C-suite/Private Equity/Tech bros are going to give back to programs if they didn't form a connection while they were in school. Putting the squeeze on students is penny wise and pound foolish.
Harmon is absolutely right, and while they are contemplating this, tell them to lower the ticket prices for Cal Football as well. The last time I checked, alumni seating was over $100 a ticket. Throw in hotel, airfare, etc., and going to Cal Sporting Events (especially if you live out of town) can get expensive in a hurry.
Maybe attract families with limited time but differential interests a package of games across the fall and winter sports? Pick a football, MBB, WBB, Volleyball, Rugby 7s, MGym, WGym game type of package deal with sodas that gets then coming back to campus once a month Sept to February?
The hard part is performing well during the window of interest. It's tough to market a bad team. I think Madsen has the potential to lead a turnaround. Fingers crossed.
May 30, 2023·edited May 30, 2023Liked by Alex Khalifa
While I loved the three TOC tournaments I attended at the Coliseum Arena, I've heard many say the atmosphere was nothing like how it was from when the tournament took place at Harmon. The YouTube link (taken from filmmaker Doug Harris' TOC series) is of the 1966 championship game between McClymonds and Arroyo, the final year in which Harmon Gym was the hosting venue. Years before becoming the Bear's golf coach, Steve Desimone plays a leading role.
Nothing like Harmon. I was there during the Kevin Johnson days in the 80’s. When it got going, it seemed like the roof was about to pop off. The energy/noise seems to dissipate just a bit more in the airier confines of the Haas Pavilion
This article is correct. Cal would be the only team left in town along with the California Golden Tigers Professional Basketball team of the AMERICAN BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION.
Ironic that a Haas resurgence in men’s basketball could be led by a Stanford grad! I wish we could go back to the old 6600+ seating capacity days. Maybe we could tarp off the upper level seats! 😀
Our AD knows nothing of such things and doesn't seem inclined to learn or try to wake the bear. I don't blame him, he has not incentive to do anything well anymore as he has tenure.
Playing the trumpet at Haas for men's and women's hoops was one of the greatest joys of my life. I can't wait to see a raucous atmosphere there again.
The energy starts with the students. Start by making student tickets free and have the students line the sideline again and Haas will be formidable.
i 1000% agree. Football I can understand the need to pay for student tickets but with where I go to school, we get in free to any athletics event and I see no reason why events in Haas cant be the same way.
No wealthy C-suite/Private Equity/Tech bros are going to give back to programs if they didn't form a connection while they were in school. Putting the squeeze on students is penny wise and pound foolish.
Harmon is absolutely right, and while they are contemplating this, tell them to lower the ticket prices for Cal Football as well. The last time I checked, alumni seating was over $100 a ticket. Throw in hotel, airfare, etc., and going to Cal Sporting Events (especially if you live out of town) can get expensive in a hurry.
Maybe attract families with limited time but differential interests a package of games across the fall and winter sports? Pick a football, MBB, WBB, Volleyball, Rugby 7s, MGym, WGym game type of package deal with sodas that gets then coming back to campus once a month Sept to February?
The hard part is performing well during the window of interest. It's tough to market a bad team. I think Madsen has the potential to lead a turnaround. Fingers crossed.
and I think said turnaround can be an inflection point that gets people to attend
While I loved the three TOC tournaments I attended at the Coliseum Arena, I've heard many say the atmosphere was nothing like how it was from when the tournament took place at Harmon. The YouTube link (taken from filmmaker Doug Harris' TOC series) is of the 1966 championship game between McClymonds and Arroyo, the final year in which Harmon Gym was the hosting venue. Years before becoming the Bear's golf coach, Steve Desimone plays a leading role.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MlIuIE9QUk
"...and Haas Pavilion during the Dick Kuchen and Lou Campanelli eras"
I think you mean Harmon Gym :-D
You're so right. This is what happens when I write at 1am
Obviously I had to chime in
Nothing like Harmon. I was there during the Kevin Johnson days in the 80’s. When it got going, it seemed like the roof was about to pop off. The energy/noise seems to dissipate just a bit more in the airier confines of the Haas Pavilion
Not many folks were coming to Harmon during the Kuchen era, but those that did let their presence be known to the opposing team.
The opportunity is there for sure. Just need to give people a reason to show up.
I think everything surrounding the first few months of the Madsen era does give some reason
Looks promising, but they will need to produce some wins.
This article is correct. Cal would be the only team left in town along with the California Golden Tigers Professional Basketball team of the AMERICAN BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION.
Ironic that a Haas resurgence in men’s basketball could be led by a Stanford grad! I wish we could go back to the old 6600+ seating capacity days. Maybe we could tarp off the upper level seats! 😀
An inspired and great article. What joy would it be to have a perfect storm of better Cal results and growing Cal fanbases. Go Bears!
Our AD knows nothing of such things and doesn't seem inclined to learn or try to wake the bear. I don't blame him, he has not incentive to do anything well anymore as he has tenure.
I'm not sure I have the exact numbers but for example heres a picture from earlier this season:
https://twitter.com/jocelynxhuang/status/1627077250528194563?t=UvIBZANoiVJQmhmvkPjHNA&s=19