In response to conflicts with the game Wednesday night (UnionBoard Kenell Night, and Intramural Championships), I wrote a letter to Jim Oakes, Bobby Dowling, The Director of the Intramural Center, The President of UnionBoard and their person in charge of "Special Events", Ronnie Walker, The Alumni President, and The Tech Talk. I also put this in the thread in Basketball about the game, but I think it got buried in the second page of the thread, so I thought I would make a thread regarding the letter. Here's the Letter:
To Whom it May Concern,
I am under the understanding that Intramural Championships were Wednesday night. Out of curiosity, I would like to know why the Intramural Center would schedule an event the same night as a Men's Basketball game? As I am sure you are aware, our attendance at home games leaves much to be desired and we could use all the help we can get getting fans in the seats. An event being scheduled the same night as an athletic event does not encourage student involvement in athletic events.
I am also under the understanding that Union Board scheduled Kennel Night for Wednesday night. As for the Intramural Center, I would like to know why Union Board would schedule an event the same night as a Basketball Game. I understand that the reason might have been to give students another activity for Wednesday night. But, with Union Board being a student led organization, it appears as if Union Board does not support athletics when scheduling such events the same night as a basketball game. When such an organization is student led, they should be all about supporting their peers. Many of our peers do not even know who Paul Milsap is, this is sad, considering he is on his way to being the only person in NCAA history to be the three time NCAA rebounding champion.
All this being said, I would like to recommend better communications between organizations from here on out. As a leader in an athletic support organization on campus known as "The Blue", I want to see as many students in the seats of the TAC. Such events as what we saw Wednesday night prevent maximizing the number of students in the seats of the TAC. Along with better communications between organizations, many students are totally unaware of athletic events. Their is nearly zero promotions on campus for athletic events being held. How do we expect to see students at games, unless they know about them?
Sincerely,
Jonathan Ford
JFord