What is good about all this discussion is the hint that with Bohn in charge the AD finally "gets it" regarding student participation at sporting events.
The complaint at CU has always been that students come from all over the country, spend a few year getting a degree, and return to wherever they came from with pleasant memories and closed pocketbooks. They don't build that intense loyalty that you see from so many other schools that translates into long term support of the school and the athletic program.
Part of this is innevitable because they do come from so many different places and haven't had that loyalty fostered since they were little but that doesn't mean that some of them can't be cultivated while they are here.
Having the students at athletic events, active and participating, has a lot of positive impacts. It makes the stadium or arena much more fun for the rest of the older, paying fans. The biggest complaint about the Broncos games is that the place is dead, full of blue hairs and walkers. The students can keep CU events alive and vibrant making it more fun for all. This means more ticket sales (full priced) and keeps the program in peoples awareness resulting in more donations for both athletics and the school in general.
The other, bigger, long-term impact is to bond those students to the school. It would be hard to quantify but I am guessing that the trip to New Mexico for the students who went with the AD and on their own will be one of the most memorable events of their college years. Many of these students will be bonded to the Buffs by this trip meaning that they are much more likely to be "supporters" of the school and program, not just "alums."
It will take time to show all the effects but the opportunity now exist to change the culture of athletics in Boulder and it seems that Bohn recognizes that and is working to take advantage. CU athletics needs to be a part of these kids lives when they return to California, Texas, Illinois, or Lakewood if the program is going to have the future we want to see.
The complaint at CU has always been that students come from all over the country, spend a few year getting a degree, and return to wherever they came from with pleasant memories and closed pocketbooks. They don't build that intense loyalty that you see from so many other schools that translates into long term support of the school and the athletic program.
Part of this is innevitable because they do come from so many different places and haven't had that loyalty fostered since they were little but that doesn't mean that some of them can't be cultivated while they are here.
Having the students at athletic events, active and participating, has a lot of positive impacts. It makes the stadium or arena much more fun for the rest of the older, paying fans. The biggest complaint about the Broncos games is that the place is dead, full of blue hairs and walkers. The students can keep CU events alive and vibrant making it more fun for all. This means more ticket sales (full priced) and keeps the program in peoples awareness resulting in more donations for both athletics and the school in general.
The other, bigger, long-term impact is to bond those students to the school. It would be hard to quantify but I am guessing that the trip to New Mexico for the students who went with the AD and on their own will be one of the most memorable events of their college years. Many of these students will be bonded to the Buffs by this trip meaning that they are much more likely to be "supporters" of the school and program, not just "alums."
It will take time to show all the effects but the opportunity now exist to change the culture of athletics in Boulder and it seems that Bohn recognizes that and is working to take advantage. CU athletics needs to be a part of these kids lives when they return to California, Texas, Illinois, or Lakewood if the program is going to have the future we want to see.
