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It's been a few years (decades) since Larry Hunter was fired as our basketball coach. And it's been mentioned here and elsewhere since that this turned a lot of local fans off and that their support of Bobcat basketball turned sour. So, the question is, will these fans begin to return to the Convo? Any insight from our local BA posters? Back to Top Obc2 General User Member Since: 11/8/2007 Location: Cincinnati, OH Post Count: 597 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/19/2019 6:23:45 PM  i would have thought the Sweet 16 club would have brought them back. no substitute for a winner. Back to Top colobobcat66 General User Member Since: 9/1/2006 Location: Watching the bobcats run outside my window., CO Post Count: 4,547 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/19/2019 6:41:32 PM  bobcatsquared wrote: . . . return to the Convo? It's been a few years (decades) since Larry Hunter was fired as our basketball coach. And it's been mentioned here and elsewhere since that this turned a lot of local fans off and that their support of Bobcat basketball turned sour. So, the question is, will these fans begin to return to the Convo? Any insight from our local BA posters? Can you imagine what they would be thinking nowadays since Larry went to the NCAA tourney 1 time in 12 years (only one of the years he had Trent). Would that be acceptable now? Things have changed since the 90’s I guess. As the salaries have gone up, expectations have too. Back to Top Recovering Journalist General User Member Since: 8/17/2010 Location: Cleveland, OH Post Count: 1,852 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/19/2019 6:45:10 PM  If any locals are still harboring a nearly 20-year-old grudge, I think it's safe to say they're a lost cause. Back to Top OU_Country General User Member Since: 12/6/2005 Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County Post Count: 8,370 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/19/2019 9:11:18 PM  colobobcat66 wrote: bobcatsquared wrote: . . . return to the Convo? It's been a few years (decades) since Larry Hunter was fired as our basketball coach. And it's been mentioned here and elsewhere since that this turned a lot of local fans off and that their support of Bobcat basketball turned sour. So, the question is, will these fans begin to return to the Convo? Any insight from our local BA posters? Can you imagine what they would be thinking nowadays since Larry went to the NCAA tourney 1 time in 12 years (only one of the years he had Trent). Would that be acceptable now? Things have changed since the 90’s I guess. As the salaries have gone up, expectations have too. No kidding. As much as some like to remember the Trent years, they forget about some of the other years that didn't result in going to the tournament. According to the standard of "Must have one NCAA appearance every 5 years" or the program isn't a success...Larry would have gotten canned sooner if it were up to some of this crowd. Last Edited: 3/19/2019 9:12:43 PM by OU_Country Back to Top BillyTheCat General User Member Since: 10/6/2012 Post Count: 10,392 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/19/2019 10:49:10 PM  Locals are not the attendance problem. Back to Top RSBobcat General User Member Since: 8/22/2010 Location: Columbus, OH Post Count: 4,437 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/19/2019 11:22:52 PM  BillyTheCat wrote: Locals are not the attendance problem. Well - The students are pretty "local"...... RS Bobcat Back to Top OhioCatFan General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Location: Athens, OH Post Count: 14,745 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/20/2019 12:07:12 AM  bobcatsquared wrote: . . . return to the Convo? It's been a few years (decades) since Larry Hunter was fired as our basketball coach. And it's been mentioned here and elsewhere since that this turned a lot of local fans off and that their support of Bobcat basketball turned sour. So, the question is, will these fans begin to return to the Convo? Any insight from our local BA posters? This is a good question. Right after Larry was canned, there was a noticeable dip in attendance, especially for the weeknight games. I've sometimes joked that Larry's 2,000 closest relatives stopped coming. Though that's hyperbole, there was a kernel of truth in the remark. I would think that Jeff Boals, being one of Larry's former players, who obviously respects Larry in a very emotional and deep way, might soften the hearts of some of these wayward Bobcat fans. I know that's fairly vague, but I do sense this is a positive step for some of those former Larry Loyalists. Just my two cents worth. The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA "It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right." Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org Back to Top boydhallbobcat General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Post Count: 279 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/20/2019 7:11:13 AM  You might see a FEW come back, but seriously...It's been 24-25 years. Most of the adult fans from the Larry Hunter era are not interested anymore. It's not going to make a significant difference. That's why I posted on another thread that I hope Jeff Boals is the right man for the job for the RIGHT reasons. I certainly hope they didn't do it for the sentimental reason I think some Bobcat fans feel. I loved the Trent years, but they're over. I wish Coach Boals the best. He has a big task at hand. Starts with recruiting. Let's get it done! Back to Top Andrew Ruck General User Member Since: 12/22/2004 Location: Columbus, OH Post Count: 5,211 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/20/2019 8:22:36 AM  boydhallbobcat wrote: but seriously...It's been 24-25 years. Slow down, it has only been 18 years since Larry was controversially canned. Andrew Ruck B.B.A. 2003 Back to Top OUcats82 General User Member Since: 1/9/2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Post Count: 1,880 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/20/2019 9:06:46 AM  Andrew Ruck wrote: boydhallbobcat wrote: but seriously...It's been 24-25 years. Slow down, it has only been 18 years since Larry was controversially canned. That, makes me feel old = P as I was a student when it happened. That Jason "Turncoat" Grunkenmeyer 3 at the end of the MAC Semi-Final game was doubly-damaging as it was Larry's last game. Back then there was just the dance and the NIT IIRC. Bobcats would have likely gone to (or at least be invited) to some of the mid-major tournaments that now exist back in that era. The stakes were a little higher at the mid-major level. Maybe all the locals who are still staying at home are too busy on their smartphones and playing Fortnite? Ohio-The State University Back to Top OU_Country General User Member Since: 12/6/2005 Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County Post Count: 8,370 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/20/2019 9:24:40 AM  BillyTheCat wrote: Locals are not the attendance problem. I am assuming you're local, though I don't know for certain. I feel like "locals" or people within a 30-40 minute drive of Athens are fewer in numbers in the seats at The Convo as compared to the mid 90's. I started at Ohio in fall of 1995, so that's my point of reference, but I feel like there are fewer locals, and of course obviously fewer students. Back to Top 100%Cat General User Member Since: 1/17/2013 Post Count: 2,625 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/20/2019 10:08:18 AM  OU_Country wrote: BillyTheCat wrote: Locals are not the attendance problem. I am assuming you're local, though I don't know for certain. I feel like "locals" or people within a 30-40 minute drive of Athens are fewer in numbers in the seats at The Convo as compared to the mid 90's. I started at Ohio in fall of 1995, so that's my point of reference, but I feel like there are fewer locals, and of course obviously fewer students. How much do you guys think that the ease of watching a game online has to do with this? I mean, if you have a 30-40 minute drive...or you can pull up ESPN+ or ESPN3 and watch from your recliner? I think it's different for the Athens crowd, if you're literally minutes away, but 30-40 minutes away with as many games as we have NOT on weekends, I think that has to have some effect. I have family in Marietta that loves coming to games, but that's about an hour away and they simply can't come on weeknight games with two young kids. My parents come to games from the Belpre area and they tend to leave early on 7PM games because they don't want to be getting home so late. As for those holding a grudge about Larry Hunter, I hate to say it, but most of the folks I knew who were bitter about that situation have passed away. Back to Top OU_Country General User Member Since: 12/6/2005 Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County Post Count: 8,370 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/20/2019 10:29:46 AM  100%Cat wrote: OU_Country wrote: BillyTheCat wrote: Locals are not the attendance problem. I am assuming you're local, though I don't know for certain. I feel like "locals" or people within a 30-40 minute drive of Athens are fewer in numbers in the seats at The Convo as compared to the mid 90's. I started at Ohio in fall of 1995, so that's my point of reference, but I feel like there are fewer locals, and of course obviously fewer students. How much do you guys think that the ease of watching a game online has to do with this? I mean, if you have a 30-40 minute drive...or you can pull up ESPN+ or ESPN3 and watch from your recliner? I think it's different for the Athens crowd, if you're literally minutes away, but 30-40 minutes away with as many games as we have NOT on weekends, I think that has to have some effect. I have family in Marietta that loves coming to games, but that's about an hour away and they simply can't come on weeknight games with two young kids. My parents come to games from the Belpre area and they tend to leave early on 7PM games because they don't want to be getting home so late. As for those holding a grudge about Larry Hunter, I hate to say it, but most of the folks I knew who were bitter about that situation have passed away. As one of those who drive from Columbus, I agree that sometimes the ESPN3/+ makes it easier to sometimes just stay at home. I will also say that this is where the 3-pronged combination of enjoyable to watch basketball, gameday atmosphere and experience, and the general vibe of how I feel treated comes into play. From 2011-12 to 2015-16, I probably made the 86-88 mile drive for 10-12 home games a year, plus a road game a year. The last couple years changed that. Each of those things became a little less in my mind than it was from maybe 2009 to 2015 or 2016. On court performance, GA tickets, barricades, and excessive security started to make it easier to stay at home and watch. And, it afforded me the chance to have more than two beers after work that day, and not drive 180 miles round-trip. I'd like to think that if I lived 40 minutes away, I'd probably go to every game, and some of the other things wouldn't make the decision easy to stay home for ESPN3/+. But that's just speculation because I don't live that close, and probably won't anytime soon. Another factor that affects my attendance is the change of game days to accommodate the TV cartel. I try to invite people to join us, and plan in advance. Most times, when the day of the game gets changed for TV, it's harder to come down because people have had plans made for the new date/time of the game. Probably a rambling aside of thread drift, but I wonder how much my listed factors translate to folks from Jackson, Marietta, McArthur, even Lancaster, Logan or Nelsonville? I like the thread, because I've been wondering the same thing about what affect this will have on older fans from the 90's that walked away for whatever reason. Back to Top OhioCatFan General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Location: Athens, OH Post Count: 14,745 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/20/2019 11:11:09 AM  The number of years since Larry was fired are not really the issue. Remember in these hills folks hold grudges for a long time. If the hiring of Jeff Boals is seen as an attempt to "bury the hatchet," it might help bring some fans back. I'm not sure if this will be the case, but I think it's possible, particularly if Jeff continues to talk about his affection for Larry. I'm not predicting anything, I'm just trying to add a little perspective. The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA "It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right." Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org Back to Top BillyTheCat General User Member Since: 10/6/2012 Post Count: 10,392 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/20/2019 11:19:06 AM  Some of you talk like Athens is in the deep Appalachian countryside of Western West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky and are still pi$$ed over Uncle Devil Anse Hatfield's pig. Back to Top OhioCatFan General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Location: Athens, OH Post Count: 14,745 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/20/2019 11:33:23 AM  BillyTheCat wrote: Some of you talk like Athens is in the deep Appalachian countryside of Western West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky and are still pi$$ed over Uncle Devil Anse Hatfield's pig. No, just the foothills of the Allegheny's as they used to say! ;-) The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA "It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right." Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org Back to Top 100%Cat General User Member Since: 1/17/2013 Post Count: 2,625 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/20/2019 11:33:48 AM  BillyTheCat wrote: Some of you talk like Athens is in the deep Appalachian countryside of Western West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky and are still pi$$ed over Uncle Devil Anse Hatfield's pig. I'm from this area. Born and raised. Don't make the mistake of thinking "Athens" is "Athens County." You do not have to travel far from Athens to be FAR removed from Athens. Back to Top Robert Fox General User Member Since: 11/16/2004 Location: Knoxville, TN Post Count: 2,039 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/20/2019 11:43:30 AM  Have to say, this is a two-edge sword. If this is--even partially--a ploy to bring back fans who were disgruntled about Hunter, then the university could have another big problem if Boals doesn't work out. Doesn't seem to me the university would be wise to take that tact. Let bygones be bygones. Back to Top BillyTheCat General User Member Since: 10/6/2012 Post Count: 10,392 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/20/2019 11:46:26 AM  100%Cat wrote: BillyTheCat wrote: Some of you talk like Athens is in the deep Appalachian countryside of Western West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky and are still pi$$ed over Uncle Devil Anse Hatfield's pig. I'm from this area. Born and raised. Don't make the mistake of thinking "Athens" is "Athens County." You do not have to travel far from Athens to be FAR removed from Athens. Athens County is very unlike the regions that I mentioned. Again, locals are NOT the attendance problem, the ticket office and the Athletic Department can tell you where every ticket is purchased from. The local fan base is not the issue. Lack of students and fewer people traveling over 50 miles is the issue. Back to Top OhioCatFan General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Location: Athens, OH Post Count: 14,745 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/20/2019 11:50:49 AM  Robert Fox wrote: Have to say, this is a two-edge sword. If this is--even partially--a ploy to bring back fans who were disgruntled about Hunter, then the university could have another big problem if Boals doesn't work out. Doesn't seem to me the university would be wise to take that tact. Let bygones be bygones. I don't think that was part of their calculations at all. Not a ploy. Just a possible side benefit, and probably a relatively small one. The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA "It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right." Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org Back to Top Robert Fox General User Member Since: 11/16/2004 Location: Knoxville, TN Post Count: 2,039 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/20/2019 11:51:43 AM  OhioCatFan wrote: I don't think that was part of their calculations at all. Not a ploy. Just a possible side benefit, and probably a relatively small one. Possibly, that's true. Just wanted to point out the ramifications if things turned sour. Back to Top BillyTheCat General User Member Since: 10/6/2012 Post Count: 10,392 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/20/2019 11:56:01 AM  Robert Fox wrote: Have to say, this is a two-edge sword. If this is--even partially--a ploy to bring back fans who were disgruntled about Hunter, then the university could have another big problem if Boals doesn't work out. Doesn't seem to me the university would be wise to take that tact. Let bygones be bygones. Only in some peoples minds is this a factor. I agree the University is not making this hire for any reason other than he's the best candidate at the time for this job. Back to Top Shawn Sellers General User Member Since: 1/4/2005 Location: Columbus, OH Post Count: 221 Status: Offline     RE: The local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/20/2019 12:17:44 PM  colobobcat66 wrote: bobcatsquared wrote: . . . return to the Convo? It's been a few years (decades) since Larry Hunter was fired as our basketball coach. And it's been mentioned here and elsewhere since that this turned a lot of local fans off and that their support of Bobcat basketball turned sour. So, the question is, will these fans begin to return to the Convo? Any insight from our local BA posters? Can you imagine what they would be thinking nowadays since Larry went to the NCAA tourney 1 time in 12 years (only one of the years he had Trent). Would that be acceptable now? Things have changed since the 90’s I guess. As the salaries have gone up, expectations have too. I agree that the game has changed, but does everyone think the expectations have? Larry improved each of his first 5 years and made it to the NCAA in year 5. If Saul had done this, he would have been easily extended. After the NCAA year, Larry was competitive in the MAC, having a winning MAC record every single year except one. This, and his loyalty for Ohio, are what made his tenure 12 years. I think if Saul had mirrored those results, he would have been extended the same way. What ultimately hurt Larry were a few early exits in the MAC tournament, and not making it to the NCAA again. Back to Top GroverBall General User Member Since: 12/3/2012 Location: Athens, OH Post Count: 1,278 Status: Offline     RE: The true local Bobcat fans will . . .    Posted: 3/20/2019 12:25:51 PM  bobcatsquared wrote: . . . return to the Convo? . . . enjoy supporting our teams no matter the coaches, the players, the AD, the state of the program, the weather, the opponent, the hand dryers, the quality of the concessions, the number of barricades outside or inside, the parking, the outdoor lighting on game day, recruiting, caravan locations, individual player assist to turnover ratios, player injuries, the local media members, the security, the number of yellow jackets, the involvement of Drake, the quality of the Ozone/D-Lo Crew, the numbers of butts in seats, the volume of the sound system, the choice of music, the player introduction presentation, the number of banners/international flags hanging, the type of defense, twitter blocks, standing for defense or roaring until 1804, the time out activities, the years between NCAA appearances, the whining on BA. Sorry, but that's my honest personal answer, and I'm confident I can add a +5 to that. Back to Top Showing Replies:   1 - 25  of 28 Posts Jump to Page:   1 | 2    Next > View Other 'Ohio Basketball' Topics                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               WHO'S ONLINE There are 428 Active Visitors on BobcatAttack.com 428 Guests 0 Registered Users There are no other users looking at this page.

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