Editor's Note: This story is the second in a three-day, five-part series that will look at men's basketball attendance at Ohio, in the Mid-American Conference and at the national level.
The Ohio men's basketball team has already exceeded expectations for the 2004-2005 season. Part of the reason for the team's success thus far has been the home-court advantage the Bobcats enjoy in Athens.
Ohio has posted a record of 10-1 at home and an announced 47,431 fans have entered The Convo to see Ohio play.
When our kids go out there
they're just like anybody else; they see 1 000 2
000 students waving and cheering them on
no question you're going to get a better performance and more energy
Ohio coach Tim O'Shea said.
Ohio's average attendance after 11 games this year is 4,312 per game, an average that includes four December home games for which Ohio drew an average of 1,944 fans.
O'Shea said that despite those small crowds, The Convo still has a good atmosphere in December games, and he credited local residents for that.
Obviously
it's great when the students are here
he said. But honestly
in December
our atmosphere for college basketball is still pretty good compared to a lot of places. People really do come out and support the team.
In the seven home games since Winter Quarter, the average attendance is 5,665 per game.
Assistant Director of Athletics Derek Scott said one of the ways the athletics department is trying to get the word out is by sending an e-mail to all students.
Our biggest challenge in terms of the feedback we get from students is that we hear from more of them than I'm happy about (is) that they don't know when the games are
Scott said. (Our problem) is just making them aware.
