While many Ohio sports struggle to bring spectators to their events, the volleyball team, thanks to an 18-match home winning streak and a Mid-American Conference championship the past two years, has succeeded in drawing a sizeable crowd to every match it plays in The Convo.
In 2003, the Bobcats drew an average of 603 fans per match, third in the MAC. Western Michigan and Ball State finished ahead of Ohio, with an average of 734 and 628, respectively. Coach Geoff Carlston attributed the rise to a grass-roots effort to make the team better known, such as distributing flyers.
We wanted to meet a lot of people
he said. The players are good ambassadors.
Carlston said he wanted to create a feeling of excitement about the team, which upset then-No. 18 Pepperdine last weekend in the Colorado State Classic tournament. Currently, the Bobcats have a record of 8-2 going into conference play and are listed at No. 33 in the national rankings. They have not lost at home since Sept. 28, 2002 against Ball State.
People need to be talking about volleyball he said. You need word of mouth to spread.
Carlston said his goal is to average 1,000 fans per match, which would be far above the MAC average of 349 in 2003. Carlston said he has begun thinking about an O-Zone for volleyball matches, similar to the student section at basketball games.
We need more students to come he said. We want a crazy fan base.
Western Michigan, who has finished above .500 every year since 1999, has utilized a booster club since 1996 to increase awareness of volleyball.
The main goal is to enhance knowledge of volleyball and bring up attendance
Broncos coach Cathy George said. We have a pretty knowledgeable volleyball crowd in Kalamazoo.
George said some of Western Michigan's success is because of the strong high school programs in the area. Carlston will recognize youth volleyball in Athens as well this Saturday against Ball State, when young players will attend and be honored.
There's a groundswell of volleyball in this area
Carlston said. When people come to watch
they come back for more.
As another part of the squad's publicity effort, Hungry Howie's Pizza will give away pizzas at Friday night's conference opener against Ball State. Carlston said he hopes that it will attract more college students.
We want to make the game an event
he said. We like playing here
and a lot of that is because of the crowd.
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