Meet the Players: Mike Mosby

[Strong Island Sound]

Local Product to Suit Up for Sound

Patchogue, NY- To add youth to a team deep with veterans is always a plus. Especially when you also factor in that one of those younger players is a popular local. One of the participants at the Strong Island Sound’s recent Rookie Tryout Camp was 6’6” forward Mike Mosby, who was a four-year player at Adelphi University.

When your hometown is a stone’s throw from where you will be playing professionally, the ticket requests for friends and family will be plenty. Mosby resides in Lake Ronkonkoma, which is only a town or two away from the Suffolk County Community College Selden Campus, where the Sound play their home games.

At Adelphi, Mosby’s numbers improved each season and in 2006-07, he played in 31 games and averaged nearly a double-double with 14.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, earning a spot on the All-East Coast Conference (ECC) 1st Team. In four years, he averaged 7.2 and 5.6 boards per game at the Long Island school.

Mosby will be joining a front court that already includes returnees Raphael Edwards, Raheim Lowery and Shawn ‘Murder’ Simpson. This should be an area of strength and depth for Strong Island, who will begin their third season in the ABA on November 4 when they take on the expansion Phantoms in Westchester.

[WHAFAN]

Ticket requests? Are you joking? All these players will be averaging exactly 0.0 pts and 0.0 rebounds when the visiting team doesn't show because no one had change for the toll booth.I would imagine if your a player on an ABA team, you'd want to be as far from home as possble so no one you know can see this train wreck. If 7 players have 4 relatives each at a game, your assured of a crowd of 28. Not bad by ABA standards. At least the ABA headquarters doesn't pad attendance figures.......they ignore them completely.

[Strong Island Sound]

Ticket requests? Are you joking? All these players will be averaging exactly 0.0 pts and 0.0 rebounds when the visiting team doesn't show because no one had change for the toll booth.I would imagine if your a player on an ABA team, you'd want to be as far from home as possble so no one you know can see this train wreck. If 7 players have 4 relatives each at a game, your assured of a crowd of 28. Not bad by ABA standards. At least the ABA headquarters doesn't pad attendance figures.......they ignore them completely.

WHA- Attendance is an issue, no question. Not many teams can say that they draw well. With the proper promoting and having local players, each club can make the effort to bring the people out. Having no-show teams is an issue that shouldn't even need to be brought up. Due to it occuring in the past, it should be one of the main points spoken about about what not to do if the teams and league have any chance of being successful.

I feel that I am objective enough and do not always see things through rose-colored glasses. To spend time, effort and money on promoting your home schedule is only good if the opponents are there. That is what needs to be done before the season even starts. If a team cannot make all their home and road games, then they should not be in the league. Period. There are no excuses, except for weather conditions that will not allow for safe travel. And a thunderstorm does not qualify.

As far as not wanting your friends and family present to see what you described as a 'train wreck,' (and for many reasons, you do have a point) I'm sure that if you were a stand-up comic performing in a small dive, you would still want people that you knew there for support and encouragement. If teams are playing in a rec-center with mismatching uniforms, then your point may be valid. But for teams that are going that extra mile by having their home games in an acceptable facility (such as a local college) and have purchased professional uniforms and shooting shirts, even a small crowd should not be an issue for guests of the players.

[one way]

don't kid yourself. local players just mean more compted tickets for mama, auntie, and the girlfriend of the week. If it does not mean dollars, then it does not make cents.

[nksports]

don't kid yourself. local players just mean more compted tickets for mama, auntie, and the girlfriend of the week. If it does not mean dollars, then it does not make cents.

Don't forget the players' agents and their entourages need comps.

Reminds me of a funny story. A few years ago (actually about a decade ago), our fair town hosted a pre-season game for the Wichita Outlaws of the late, not-so-great GBA. There was this guy who showed up court-side in a bright, canary-yellow outfit (even the hat). In our fair city, something like that really sticks out. I commented to someone next to me that guy was either a pimp or an agent. I found out later, it was one of the player's agent.

[bomp]

I commented to someone next to me that guy was either a pimp or an agent.

There's a difference?? :D

[Fells]

This is what I just don't get. Strong Island is doing everything right. They are getting out into the community, they are selling tickets well ahead of most teams, and trying to generate interest in the team and all many do is rip on them for doing something the right way.

There are so many teams that don't do jack when it comes to publicity. They don't advertise, they don't send out press releases, and they don't reach out to their fans. Guys, they are doing things the way they should be done. Strong Island is one of the model franchises in the league. Instead of criticizing them, we should be giving them credit for a job well done.

[a1sports]

sorry fells...they should get ripped on even more, the owner is the CFO of the ABA and part of the Joe group. He should be one of the first ones to demand and try to fix the league, instead he takes his check and doesnt do a damn thing. If he isnt part of the solution than he is part of the problem. SO lets say he had 5,000 fans come to a game because of great marketing and NO team shows or a buch of ymca replacements...whos fault is that? its his and only his fault. Common lets get real here and think clearly.

[notfunny]

sorry fells...they should get ripped on even more, the owner is the CFO of the ABA and part of the Joe group. He should be one of the first ones to demand and try to fix the league, instead he takes his check and doesnt do a damn thing. If he isnt part of the solution than he is part of the problem. SO lets say he had 5,000 fans come to a game because of great marketing and NO team shows or a buch of ymca replacements...whos fault is that? its his and only his fault. Common lets get real here and think clearly.

A1, you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about there. Trust me. You've just proved that nothing you say should be taken seriously.

[bomp]

What was attendance like last season for Strong Island?

[Strong Island Sound]

Our home attendance averaged in the 150 area. We had 2 dates where we did much better. One was vs. Maryland when Ming was present. We had 1,000 in the building that night. Newsday had a very big story in the Sunday paper the week before the game, which helped reach some people that may not have known about it. We also heavily promoted his being there, which was done throughout the league when the Nighthawks were visiting.

We also had an attendance of 750 on Youth Services Night, which was also promoted through the communities and local youth programs.

An average of 150 is nothing to brag about. And that is not a computed average counting the two aforementioned dates. That is just a number that was the normal crowd during the other home games.

We are aware that the average needs to improve.That is why we put so much time and effort into our offseason promotions and appearances.

We grew from year one to year two and look forward to keep that trend moving upward. The people on Long Island have much more awareness of the team now compared to any time in our brief history.

[misenern]

Our home attendance averaged in the 150 area. We had 2 dates where we did much better. One was vs. Maryland when Ming was present. We had 1,000 in the building that night. Newsday had a very big story in the Sunday paper the week before the game, which helped reach some people that may not have known about it. We also heavily promoted his being there, which was done throughout the league when the Nighthawks were visiting.

We also had an attendance of 750 on Youth Services Night, which was also promoted through the communities and local youth programs.

An average of 150 is nothing to brag about. And that is not a computed average counting the two aforementioned dates. That is just a number that was the normal crowd during the other home games.

We are aware that the average needs to improve.That is why we put so much time and effort into our offseason promotions and appearances.

We grew from year one to year two and look forward to keep that trend moving upward. The people on Long Island have much more awareness of the team now compared to any time in our brief history.

Wow, the Rainmen drew that for an intrasquad in Bridgewater (middle of nowhere). How is that even possible for a "model franchise"?

[psbf]

agree with Fells. Strong Island is doing things right in a league that has other franchises that are far from perfect. So what if their average turnout is 150, I think their better crowds should be part of their promotions. Their fans will see that and come out to wonder what the attraction is.
The opponents that don't show up is out of the Sounds hands, so why concentrate so heavy on the negative? Give the man some credit he deserves it! I would not dare to say that about the league, which is a joke in the way it's run. But the Sound are doing the right things.
I also agree with Not Funny, I have never taken anything that A1 says seriously.
But back to the Sounds, I would hope they build enough of a fan base to eventually find a better facility to play in.
I'm a critic of the league myself, when warranted. But I'm also one to give credit when it's due and that applies in this case.

[tbayz1]

The Sound have been really active all summer throughout the community, I expect to see their attendence increase this season!

[bomp]

Our home attendance averaged in the 150 area. We had 2 dates where we did much better. One was vs. Maryland when Ming was present. We had 1,000 in the building that night. Newsday had a very big story in the Sunday paper the week before the game, which helped reach some people that may not have known about it. We also heavily promoted his being there, which was done throughout the league when the Nighthawks were visiting.

We also had an attendance of 750 on Youth Services Night, which was also promoted through the communities and local youth programs.

An average of 150 is nothing to brag about. And that is not a computed average counting the two aforementioned dates. That is just a number that was the normal crowd during the other home games.

We are aware that the average needs to improve.That is why we put so much time and effort into our offseason promotions and appearances.

We grew from year one to year two and look forward to keep that trend moving upward. The people on Long Island have much more awareness of the team now compared to any time in our brief history.

Thank you for your honest response. Hopefully that attitude will spread.

I hope you have a good season.

[Strong Island Sound]

Thank you. Believe me, we are not in any way content with that average attendance number from last year. You learn as you go along and that is what we did from year 1 to year 2. It is not easy to get people to your games in these type of leagues, especially when you are playing in someone else's facility. But you do what you can and take it from there.

[psbf]

another question. You said that you are playing in the facility of someone else. Do they help to promote you, or are you on your own? If you do it solo, that would make it harder.