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Let's face it... -- Raider Redhead, 14:16:26 06/18/04 Fri
Colgate has neither the student population nor the metropolitan locale to attract large attendances.
Hockey is about the only sport that draws a good crowd, and that's primarily owing to the loyalty of Hamilton residents and fans from nearby rural communities. Football, on its best days, might draw 7000-8000 if there is an intriguing game with a PL contender or Cornell, or if there are a large number of visiting team fans from out of town. And, late autumn weather in Hamilton isn't exactly conducive to sell-outs. Prior to PL formation, it's little wonder that Colgate's major sport schedules were road-biased.
At the risk of appearing chauvinistic, the fact that 50% of the student body is female doesn't exactly help local attendances at a school in a rural locale.
Raider basketball has its own unique set of attendance problems. First and foremost, weekend games at home frequently are scheduled at or near the same time as hockey games, and hockey will always win that attendance battle. Second, Cotterell Court is small and cannot accommodate many people...I would be very surprised if it can actually hold the official capacity of 3,000. Third, the program does not have a rich tradition like that of HC, and therefore does not draw non-partisan hoops fans who lack hard core devotion to Colgate or the opposing team. Fourth and last, the home schedule rarely includes a big-time opponent that can fill seats.
That's not to say that Colgate basketball hasn't enjoyed its moments in the sun. During the Foyle/Neale era, I suspect that average attendance figures rivaled those of present-day HC crowds. During my undergraduate years, when a team like Syracuse came to town, Cotterell would be packed to the rafters.
I think those of us who care about Colgate athletics understand and accept the attendance difficulties early in our college life and grudgingly accept the need for Colgate to compete at a level where large revenues are not required to support the various sports. The end result is that many Raider faithful enjoy the "David vs. Goliath" challenges posed by Colgate's competition with larger schools. We further realize that, apart from hockey, the likelihood of "moving up" to more competitive Division I-AA levels is improbable, if not impossible. In that respect, the PL is a good fit for Colgate.
For both football and basketball, I am quite satisfied with a schedule that includes the full complement of league games as well as two or three stretch games that enable the team to face the challenges of heightened competition.
Obviously, HC fans feel differently in this regard -- especially with respect to basketball.
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To: Zipp -- Rick, 23:51:58 06/19/04 Sat
I guess everyone else has lost their appreciation for humor....
Me LOL at this one by you !
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