Ken, Steelheads fan
12-10-2003, 03:05 PM
I wonder if the CBA can survive in the state of Michigan. The press was very negative about pro basketball returning to Grand Rapids or surviving in Muskegon back when the Muskegon franchise was only a rumor.
The Great Lakes franchise is attracting crowds somewhere between those typically found in the NBDL and ABA. Something has to give. Great Lakes seems to be in need of a full-time, 365 days a year, General Manager. The additional salary expense should be worth the benefits.
...in the meantime, I would find a contact person in every middle school in the area--NOT THE PRINCIPAL (Principals tend to be too busy), but a coach-type, energetic-type person to plan trips for weekday CBA games. Kids in this age group are willing to pay $5 per ticket and on average will bring $10 each to blow on pop and junk food at the game. Some schools have funds set aside for buses for just such cultural events. Otherwise, have your sponsors chip-in to provide buses (yellow buses are the key ingredient--you must have buses). Discount the group tickets below $5 each so your contact person makes a slight profit. Now this weekday trip becomes a school fundraiser.
I did three trips like this with middle school kids last season. Thirty-six kids the first trip, thirty kids for the second trip, and twenty-two for the third trip. It made the arena seem a little more packed and it made the concession stand vendors grin from ear-to-ear. Each time, those kids got back on the bus broke. :)
The Great Lakes franchise is attracting crowds somewhere between those typically found in the NBDL and ABA. Something has to give. Great Lakes seems to be in need of a full-time, 365 days a year, General Manager. The additional salary expense should be worth the benefits.
...in the meantime, I would find a contact person in every middle school in the area--NOT THE PRINCIPAL (Principals tend to be too busy), but a coach-type, energetic-type person to plan trips for weekday CBA games. Kids in this age group are willing to pay $5 per ticket and on average will bring $10 each to blow on pop and junk food at the game. Some schools have funds set aside for buses for just such cultural events. Otherwise, have your sponsors chip-in to provide buses (yellow buses are the key ingredient--you must have buses). Discount the group tickets below $5 each so your contact person makes a slight profit. Now this weekday trip becomes a school fundraiser.
I did three trips like this with middle school kids last season. Thirty-six kids the first trip, thirty kids for the second trip, and twenty-two for the third trip. It made the arena seem a little more packed and it made the concession stand vendors grin from ear-to-ear. Each time, those kids got back on the bus broke. :)