It's more noticeable in person than in a photo, but I'm always surprised at the amount of real estate this area takes up compared to the number of people sitting here.Yeah, I also think it was a really unfortunate decision to leave this "tweener" section of seats between the Orange Krush and the luxury suites (i.e., the navy seats in front of the suites in the picture below).
I'm not saying there is no logical reason they did that, before someone comes at me and reminds me that the DIA gets revenue from those seats, lol. However, if we aren't willing to give the Krush more courtside seats, this area (or at least several more rows into it than we got) made too much sense for a chance to get some more students near the action.
This has got me thinking that if I had the chance to design an arena specifically for college basketball, it almost seems like the ideal setup is to have some sort of "pit" around the court entirely made up of students, with their stands at a very steep angle. Then, you can have your high-dollar seats above that area, with no obstructions to their view.
State Farm Center
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One of the shown Mackey student sections is actually the band. 4800 in a smaller arena 32%. It shows.
And Sections 9 and 13 (behind each bench) don't have any students in them, further reducing their presence.
On TV, last night felt like no energy coming from anywhere. I feel like human nature sets in when the pace of the game is so choppy, and you are fairly certain you are going to win - you simply don't get up and rowdy.
During the game last night, coming out of a timeout in the second half, as Washington inbounded the ball and the tv moved to the half court view of their basket, I heard what seemed to be grumbling yells as if someone got T'd or something. Was waiting for the announcers to mention something, but turned out, it was the fans yelling/cheering for Defense. That's how non-raucous it seemed on the broadcast.
.......can we bring back Jake and Elwood?blackdog
- Champaign
That supports the idea that our fanbase is incapable of being self starters in terms of energy/excitement despite the fact that we have a TERRIFIC product in front of us.
Yeah, the chart for state farm center is missing the non-Krush student section.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Might be a chicken and the egg thing. The "NBA-ization" of PA systems and overall song/sound/style choices for in-game "entertainment" is frickin' awful, and it's an utterly depressing shadow of a traditional college hoops environment, which I think would involve minimal and understated PA activity and prioritization of the marching band over piped in songs. However, our home atmosphere has been slipping since at least 2022 (when I think it finally got back closer to where it was before our decade of mediocrity) and it's entirely possible that the DIA has noticed and has made an effort to rile fans up ... even if that effort is arguably making it worse, lol.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
While I personally prefer the band 100% over the piped in music, I recognize that I’m not the target audience in making Illinois a “cool” place to play. If that appeals to the 15-18 year olds who could soon become the next Keaton Wagler, so be it. It’s their world now and I’m out of the desired demographic.
The MC has tried to start this chant. It occasionally lasts 1 possession
.... or less.
LouHenson
- Naples Florida
I started going to games in 1966 (2 years after it opened), it was always built to be a "multipurpose" building that in and of itself makes it a tough place to get crazy loud. Still, having seen the Wake game, Andy Kaufman Iowa game, really the entire 1984 and 1989 games in person the place can really get cooking. It is sad that on TV now it seems really worse than many NBA games. They probably should get one of those organs and play the "let's go" stuff they do for Bulls and Blackhawk games. It looks bad on TV?
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I'm not even sure they think it's cool, though ... I feel like I see kids in these 1990s-era retro college apparel more than anything now, and our PA approach comes across like Mike Thomas thinking the 1LL1NO1S font would be cool to younger generations because it's sleek and minimalist and the I looks like a 1 for NUMBER ONE!
I also bet very few Illini students would put up a fight if a Purdue student claimed Mackey was a way cooler experience than SFC ... they'd just shrug and be like, "Yeah, you got us there."I am once again asking for Creed to not be a singalong choice.
The PA cutting sound for play vs the constant at NBA games probably has some influence. The Krush was noticeably lackluster last night. No speculation why or thoughts on how to change.
I always enjoy the persistent comments that too many "rich old" people get close seats and that's bad...and also the persistent comments that our student section stinks. So, I guess we need more of that?
I really don't like the PA guy(or the guy walking around last night with a mic) having to start cheers and manufacture excitement. I think when that happens it eliminates the 'spontaneous' stuff. The PA guy saying I-L-L in a call and response is actually a little embarrassing. Maybe its just how people are now, and I know I see it at pro games as well. The Pacers have a DJ and usually people on a mic trying to stimulate crowd response. I think it all just makes for a manufactured product and less actual fan engagement. Which is the opposite of its intention obviously. Not sure of the right answer. Is there a "leader" of the Crush? Can they organize it at that level? If after a play the orange crush all yelled I-L-L I think you'd see the upper crowd respond and would naturally be more exciting. I think the intensity has to start with the students and the rest will follow.
That being said, a game like last night is not always going to lend itself to an insane crowd. I don't think many truly ever thought we were in danger of losing the game. But that comes back to college students needing to be the drivers of the atmosphere. Being able to sit in the Crush should be a motivator. What do students have to do to qualify for those seats? I believe there used to be Illini Pride and a points system to earn the right to be there. Is that still the case?
I really don't like the PA guy(or the guy walking around last night with a mic) having to start cheers and manufacture excitement. I think when that happens it eliminates the 'spontaneous' stuff. The PA guy saying I-L-L in a call and response is actually a little embarrassing. Maybe its just how people are now, and I know I see it at pro games as well. The Pacers have a DJ and usually people on a mic trying to stimulate crowd response. I think it all just makes for a manufactured product and less actual fan engagement. Which is the opposite of its intention obviously. Not sure of the right answer. Is there a "leader" of the Crush? Can they organize it at that level? If after a play the orange crush all yelled I-L-L I think you'd see the upper crowd respond and would naturally be more exciting. I think the intensity has to start with the students and the rest will follow.
That being said, a game like last night is not always going to lend itself to an insane crowd. I don't think many truly ever thought we were in danger of losing the game. But that comes back to college students needing to be the drivers of the atmosphere. Being able to sit in the Crush should be a motivator. What do students have to do to qualify for those seats? I believe there used to be Illini Pride and a points system to earn the right to be there. Is that still the case?
The band is way better than pumped-in music for any generation. Stadiums are notoriously bad at choosing music, akin to a wedding DJ.
TBH if they want to get the young kids going they'll play Mo Bamba. Mo Bamba always gets the kids going.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Honestly, let's be real here, too ... while I admit I am not speaking from a place of intricate knowledge of each venue and its management, at the end of the day the venue itself has to "want" to be rowdy. If you go to a Braggin' Rights game or the United Center game vs. Alabama earlier this year, there was just this incredibly obvious "vibe" that everyone there was there to have a great and rowdy time. Not that this determines everything by ANY means, but let's just say the beer sales are flowing every time I have been to either one of those places. The "high-dollar" fans who pay top dollar for great seats know what they're signing up for ... do those same fans at SFC expect a tame and "classy" atmosphere? Do they expect that because SFC staff assure them of that? That vibe is going to trickle down to everyone else, including the students.
You either want a good atmosphere, or it's just not that big of a deal to you. And a good atmosphere involves fans being loud, students being rowdy, the crowd standing many different times throughout the game ... and all of those things will compromise a more tame atmosphere. If fans who are paying good money for their tickets have been led to believe that a calmer (let's say more "family friendly") atmosphere is part of what they are paying for at SFC, that could be sort of a failure on SFC/DIA staff, too. And maybe they don't care!
You either want a good atmosphere, or it's just not that big of a deal to you. And a good atmosphere involves fans being loud, students being rowdy, the crowd standing many different times throughout the game ... and all of those things will compromise a more tame atmosphere. If fans who are paying good money for their tickets have been led to believe that a calmer (let's say more "family friendly") atmosphere is part of what they are paying for at SFC, that could be sort of a failure on SFC/DIA staff, too. And maybe they don't care!
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I think you made some good points, but the bolded has never resonated with me and I think it's part of a deeper problem we have to fight among Illinois fans. We are a fan base that (at least in Champaign) is utterly and totally reactive to the action ... like spectators at a spectacle rather than diehard Illini fans who would wear the fact that SFC had a reputation as an intimidating atmosphere as a badge of honor. I'm not saying you were saying this, but some comments in this thread have made it sound like there isn't a lot to cheer about or get loud about during a blowout win vs. the likes of Rutgers. Huh?? Illinois putting on an offensive show and easily picking up a win should get the crowd going, not put it to sleep because the outcome isn't in doubt!
blackdog
- Champaign
I think something got broken during Covid where we lost all sense of tradition as a fanbase. Stopped doing call and response ILL-INI within the stadium, stopped standing for running of the flags, a lot of people sit right after tipoff, dont stand/sing for Alma Mater, etc. Hell most people don't even clap/cheer for pregame player introductions! People say it was losing the Chief but the falloff didnt happen until much later. I dont know if its that people dont know or dont care but I dont know how to rebuild old traditions without coming off as cheesy.
I dont have as long as history as some here but I have been going to games consistently since 2007 so I think I have a pretty good baseline for at least changes I've seen over the last 20ish years.
mattcoldagelli
- Script Illinois Enthusiast
Yes, this is it. For whatever reason, the bulk of people attending home games right now just....don't really prioritize trying to impact the game. And that has a dampening effect on the students; it's not realistic to expect a student section to carry an entire arena that isn't into it every game. You don't just need to look at Mackey. Iowa's fans are better right now, and they're pretty middling and in year one of a new coach. I hate typing this but it seems obviously true.
The "it's the NBA-ization" of the games argument makes no sense. Our best home crowd this year was at the United Center.
Here's a thought exercise - if we were having Indiana's football season this year, do you think our stadium/crowd would have looked and behaved like their stadium/crowd? I can't tell you why, but I'm near-certain it would not have.
One thing I’ve never been crazy about at SFC is how dark the seating area is. I know I see some arenas on tv that are dark, but I feel like most are well lit. I don’t know if there is a reason for this, but sometimes I wonder if that couldn’t somehow improve the atmosphere, especially higher up where people are farther from the action.
I think a lot of it - quieter crowds - is just timing and opponents.
Regarding timing, for our away conference games, 7 are on Saturday/Sunday, and only 3 are on weekdays. For our home conference games it's the opposite, only 3 are on Saturday/Sunday and 7 are on weekdays. (4 and 6 if you count the Friday night game against Michigan as a weekend game. I left is as a weekday game because most people are coming from work to make the game.)
I noticed the discrepancy early on when I was trying to find a game to bring my family too. On a weeknight, many fans are coming from work and/or have to wake up for work early the next day/kids have school the next morning. That is going to make a big difference in attitude at the game, as well as not having time to pre-game if that's your thing or enjoying drinks during the game/looking forward to a good time after the game.
You can't compare a 3 week away game stretch of conference leaders @ Purdue, @ Nebraska, and @ Michigan State on Saturdays/Sundays with all start times of 2pm and later, vs the home slate during that same 3 week period of Maryland, Washington, and Northwestern all on weeknights, and say why isn't our home crowd vs 8-12 (1-8) Maryland as loud as #4 Purdue who was 17-2 (7-1) at the time. Would I love a great crowd at ALL home games? Absolutely! But I've been at home games where the crowd has been awesome, we are definitely hit or miss and I think this is a big reason.
Regarding timing, for our away conference games, 7 are on Saturday/Sunday, and only 3 are on weekdays. For our home conference games it's the opposite, only 3 are on Saturday/Sunday and 7 are on weekdays. (4 and 6 if you count the Friday night game against Michigan as a weekend game. I left is as a weekday game because most people are coming from work to make the game.)
I noticed the discrepancy early on when I was trying to find a game to bring my family too. On a weeknight, many fans are coming from work and/or have to wake up for work early the next day/kids have school the next morning. That is going to make a big difference in attitude at the game, as well as not having time to pre-game if that's your thing or enjoying drinks during the game/looking forward to a good time after the game.
You can't compare a 3 week away game stretch of conference leaders @ Purdue, @ Nebraska, and @ Michigan State on Saturdays/Sundays with all start times of 2pm and later, vs the home slate during that same 3 week period of Maryland, Washington, and Northwestern all on weeknights, and say why isn't our home crowd vs 8-12 (1-8) Maryland as loud as #4 Purdue who was 17-2 (7-1) at the time. Would I love a great crowd at ALL home games? Absolutely! But I've been at home games where the crowd has been awesome, we are definitely hit or miss and I think this is a big reason.
I've always thought this was to emphasize the brightness of the Court, giving attention where it is due; similar to theater lighting.
I also think it doubles as hiding the empty seats at the top of the arena, when shown on TV.
I have wondered about this for years. I’ve been a diehard fan since the late 80s. I do not go to a ton of games but I have gone to my fair share and one thing I have noticed is how quiet our fans are like they are watching a certain orchestra concert or something. Even with a full arena, stadium. Is it the Champaign community or something? Is there not enough blue collar fans? Hey Champaign thi is your pro team so why not be rowdy and energized? The best game for noise that I have been to recently is the Kansas football game. Granted it was a close game but that is the only game that I felt the fans ‘showed’ up. It makes one embarrassed especially seeing other fan bases making noise on their own. The ILL …INI chant should start from the students not the PA guy. The rest of the fans will follow. Move the students to the east side and see if this can be fixed. Things could be so much better noise wise.
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