Maybe the student section will finally fill up for a women’s basketball game on campus.
The women’s basketball team is looking to set an attendance record on Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. against Niagara at Alumni Hall.
As part of the NCAA sponsored “Pack the House” Challenge , Fairfield, along with nine of its fellow members in the MAAC conference, will try to set their single-game women’s basketball attendance record.
“Having a vocal and supportive home crowd is one of the best things about Fairfield,” said Head Coach Joe Frager in a press release. “Our players are energized every time they step on the court in front of their home fans, and we are especially excited about the prospects of a record-setting crowd for that evening.”
Judging by the team’s attendance this season, the Stags haven’t been energized that often. The last two games played on campus at Alumni Hall have averaged 345.5 fans, only a handful of whom were students. A Friday night game on campus drew only 185 people, along with a surprising lack of drunk or buzzed students.
To attract students on Sunday, Fairfield is offering $1 tickets to anyone wearing red. The first 500 fans at the game will receive a Stags sling bag.
The Athletics Department has also reached out to local elementary schools, and the school with the best turnout will receive a thank you visit from the Stags. Even if the students on campus don’t want to see a winning basketball team, some local residents will.
Assistant Athletic Director Roy Brown said he is optimistic for a big turnout.
“Our women’s basketball fans have always shown great support for our program and we consider them among the best anywhere,” he said in a recent press release.
Having the game on campus will hopefully attract some students besides the volleyball team and Hutch Williams ’08, but so far Alumni Hall games haven’t been well-attended. Maybe $1 tickets and the lure of a free sling bag will attract them.
The women’s basketball team will also participate in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s “Think Pink” initiative to raise breast cancer awareness on campuses and in communities.
MAAC schools will be provided with pink shooting shirts for warm-ups and all coaches are being asked to wear pink for their specific game. Fairfield’s game will be on Feb. 16 against Siena at noon. Here’s a chance to see how good Frager looks in pink while catching a good basketball game as well.
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