I don't know about anyone else, but this is as low of a point I can remember being a fan of NIU sports. Not only are football and basketball horrible, there is really no hope of things improving especially on the basketball front. What can we do as alums and fans right now to help foster growth in the future? I just do not know how NIU digs out of this given the financial limitations and an overall apathetic fan base. I do not think we have the right athletic director for an athletic program in this state. STF to me is a better AD when things are going good and not when you have to build things. I guess there is no point to this rant other than I fear for the sustainability of the NIU athletic dept in Div 1 sports. 1,000 fans for a Saturday opening basketball game against a good opponent, seriously? Something has to change but how does it begin and who does it start with?

(11-13-2019 05:33 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  I don't know about anyone else, but this is as low of a point I can remember being a fan of NIU sports. Not only are football and basketball horrible, there is really no hope of things improving especially on the basketball front. What can we do as alums and fans right now to help foster growth in the future? I just do not know how NIU digs out of this given the financial limitations and an overall apathetic fan base. I do not think we have the right athletic director for an athletic program in this state. STF to me is a better AD when things are going good and not when you have to build things. I guess there is no point to this rant other than I fear for the sustainability of the NIU athletic dept in Div 1 sports. 1,000 fans for a Saturday opening basketball game against a good opponent, seriously? Something has to change but how does it begin and who does it start with?

I feel that it has really taken shape in the last 5-10 years, specifically on the football side. There used to be a "buzz" albeit small, but students/alumni would be interested in NIU football. Now when I turn on a game and see the stands, I cannot believe how few people attend the game. I understand that it can be tough, as I only go to one game a year, but it looks shameful. I really began to notice this last year when I attended the Utah game, and we had covers over the top of the east side stands. I couldn't believe it. I remember attending a game of 05 for Tennessee Tech and the place had 25,000 fans in attendance.

How you fix it? You need to stop the enrollment bleed. Once that is stopped focus on instilling pride into students/campus. Make NIU a destination and not an afterthought. Find a way to make it affordable for ALL students wanting to attend. With the rising cost of tuition (which is a WHOLE different topic) I don't blame students who choose to go out of state for college if NIU cost the same or more. Try to graduate with as little debt as possible.

We don't know enough about the basketball team yet. Saint Mary's, Iowa State, and Northern Iowa should be the top 3 teams we play all year and we're already done with 2 of them. Won 2 of 4 halves.

Just contend for the MAC and it's a good season.

Wasn't men's hoops chosen to finish second or third in the West? They should be pretty good when all is said and done.

I'm giving football a mulligan. It's been a weird season with a new staff, an evolving offensive scheme and tons of injuries. Let's see what next year brings. And heck, maybe they can rally and win these last three games. You never know.

I guess what concerns me right now is not just the quality of the teams, but right now I feel like either the basketball team or the football team could be great teams and STILL have no one show up. That is what has me really concerned. When you get to that point, something has to be done to figure out what is going on.

Basketball will not change (except for getting worse next year) until we have a new coach who knows what the hell he is doing. It is as simple as that. In the meantime, we’ll see crowds dwindle to a few hundred. How can an AD stand for and accept this?

I will still go to the games because I love basketball much better than football and I love sitting in the Convo (plus, I may catch a tossed hot dog!). To sit indoors in comfort means a lot to me. These games are hard to watch, but I expect losses before the games even start, so my disappointment is tempered.

It’s a slim hope that Monty’s contract will not be extended, but I sure hope we see a new coach in June 2021.

(11-13-2019 10:02 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  Basketball will not change (except for getting worse next year) until we have a new coach who knows what the hell he is doing. It is as simple as that. In the meantime, we’ll see crowds dwindle to a few hundred. How can an AD stand for and accept this?

I will still go to the games because I love basketball much better than football and I love sitting in the Convo (plus, I may catch a tossed hot dog!). To sit indoors in comfort means a lot to me. These games are hard to watch, but I expect losses before the games even start, so my disappointment is tempered.

It’s a slim hope that Monty’s contract will not be extended, but I sure hope we see a new coach in June 2021.

What makes you think Monty has a good chance of being extended? I just can't see it, he's not winning or building a program that can win. I know Frazier hasn't made any big hires or changes in personnel, but I can't imagine Freeman, the BoD and the basketball donors/faithful will find an extension acceptable unless somehow we win the MAC or make the NIT/NCAA tourneys.

(11-13-2019 11:17 AM)UnknownScout Wrote:  

(11-13-2019 10:02 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  Basketball will not change (except for getting worse next year) until we have a new coach who knows what the hell he is doing. It is as simple as that. In the meantime, we’ll see crowds dwindle to a few hundred. How can an AD stand for and accept this?

I will still go to the games because I love basketball much better than football and I love sitting in the Convo (plus, I may catch a tossed hot dog!). To sit indoors in comfort means a lot to me. These games are hard to watch, but I expect losses before the games even start, so my disappointment is tempered.

It’s a slim hope that Monty’s contract will not be extended, but I sure hope we see a new coach in June 2021.

What makes you think Monty has a good chance of being extended? I just can't see it, he's not winning or building a program that can win. I know Frazier hasn't made any big hires or changes in personnel, but I can't imagine Freeman, the BoD and the basketball donors/faithful will find an extension acceptable unless somehow we win the MAC or make the NIT/NCAA tourneys.

One of those you mentioned is a big reason why Monty is still here. Extensions seem to be an easy way for NIU to sweep things under the rug. I certainly hope Monty is not extended, but it would not surprise me in the least if he is.

Says the debbie downer of the message board...

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[quote='MaddDawgz02' pid='16450008' dateline='1573656964']
I guess what concerns me right now is not just the quality of the teams, but right now I feel like either the basketball team or the football team could be great teams and STILL have no one show up. That is what has me really concerned. When you get to that point, something has to be done to figure out what is going on.
[/quote

Nothing like a win over Toledo to revive the football fan base.

Huskies will be just fine in the hands of this staff, huge win that checks many boxes for all of us last night. Give staff time, recruit, we'll all be smiling in years to come. Boy what a win!

(11-14-2019 12:38 PM)MileHighHuskie Wrote:  Huskies will be just fine in the hands of this staff, huge win that checks many boxes for all of us last night. Give staff time, recruit, we'll all be smiling in years to come. Boy what a win!

Agreed. Impressive win.

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(11-14-2019 12:26 PM)Huskiepower2003 Wrote:  [quote='MaddDawgz02' pid='16450008' dateline='1573656964']
I guess what concerns me right now is not just the quality of the teams, but right now I feel like either the basketball team or the football team could be great teams and STILL have no one show up. That is what has me really concerned. When you get to that point, something has to be done to figure out what is going on.
[/quote

Nothing like a win over Toledo to revive the football fan base.

Midweek games in 15 degree weather doesn't help.