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Pitiful crowd tonight. After the game, I told one of the ushers that when I was a student, we showed up in big numbers and packed Johnston Gym every home game, even though the team put up terrible records every year I was there (1974-1978).

Next season, I am giving up my season tickets and will do like i77 does. The athletic department needs to improve the arener's atmosphere in every aspect. I have been to two of High Point University's home games this season, and it is a spectacle of over-the-top showmanship, much like a mini-NBA arena. It seats only 4200 but is usually standing room only, with a great band and drum line, plus a lovely and talented dancing team. The only thing it lacks is Nido Qubein being shot out of a cannon. I could do without all the distracting folderol, but at least the graphics on the jumbo screen are up-to-the-second, stats-wise. And the student sections are insanely enthusiastic.

It isn't impossible. We won't do it.

bagelcat wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 13, 2024 7:01 pm

The student "turnout" begs the question of whether this schools deserves to have a D1 team, never mind a winning team.

Fortunately the coaches and players won't be deterred, except possibly in the recruiting process.

At the start of the game, the pep "band" consisted of a director, a drummer (who is quite good), a flute, an alto sax (who was out of tune), a bass clarinet, a keyboard, and a tambourine. No brass. Their corner of the arena is maybe 50 feet from my seats, and WP and I could barely hear them. After halftime they added a trumpet, a trombone, and either a cowbell or a wood block. I'm not being critical of those kids. They were there, and they were trying. It was just a glaring example of the lack of student support.

Before the game, a tall athletic young guy walked in through the lower exit and went to the Will Call window. I thought he was a former LaSalle player. My wife thought he was a former Davidson player.

During the game, we spotted him sitting in one of the first rows facing the Davidson bench. Seeing his profile, he looked like Frank Ben-Eze to me.

Did anyone else see him at the game tonight?

MrMac wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 13, 2024 8:33 pm

Reed with a double-double. Several rebounds were his own misses.

Reed was a warrior and should have scored 30 tonight. He missed at least 6 shots within 2 feet of the hoop.

citycat wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 12:04 am

Before the game, a tall athletic young guy walked in through the lower exit and went to the Will Call window. I thought he was a former LaSalle player. My wife thought he was a former Davidson player.

During the game, we spotted him sitting in one of the first rows facing the Davidson bench. Seeing his profile, he looked like Frank Ben-Eze to me.

Did anyone else see him at the game tonight?

Nathan Ekwu.

I didn’t see him.

Gerdy was there. Mike Mann and Floyd and Barbara Strand were still here.

stevelee wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 1:26 am

I didn’t see him.

Gerdy was there. Mike Mann and Floyd and Barbara Strand were still here.

Maybe we should hire Gerdy as a shooting coach. I do not remember him missing much and I think his era was pre 3 point shot.

raptorcat wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 13, 2024 11:03 pm

a lovely and talented dancing team.

JAM1 agrees.

85Wildcatsky wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 1:43 am

Maybe we should hire Gerdy as a shooting coach. I do not remember him missing much and I think his era was pre 3 point shot.

We have Jack Gibbs on the staff.

stevelee wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 1:50 pm

85Wildcatsky wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 1:43 am

Maybe we should hire Gerdy as a shooting coach. I do not remember him missing much and I think his era was pre 3 point shot.

We have Jack Gibbs on the staff.

There are a handful of shots I witnessed that made vivid memories. Jack Gibbs' three-pointer at the end of our inaugural A-10 season game at Rhode Island was one of them. Grit, guts, and a little bit of luck, and he stunned their arena into silence. It was fantastic.

Look, I know y'all feel like you're a little bit in the wilderness (happy Lent, by the way), but remember you WON THE GAME.

The magic--and the joy--will come back.

[/quote]

There are a handful of shots I witnessed that made vivid memories. Jack Gibbs' three-pointer at the end of our inaugural A-10 season game at Rhode Island was one of them.
[/quote]

I think you and I might have been shoulder to shoulder in the stands for that one. What a moment.

stevelee wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 1:50 pm

85Wildcatsky wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 1:43 am

Maybe we should hire Gerdy as a shooting coach. I do not remember him missing much and I think his era was pre 3 point shot.

We have Jack Gibbs on the staff.

#7 on the all-time 3 point %age list at Davidson, right behind Hyunjung Lee and only a couple of points behind Steph Curry: Matt McKillop.

Because of the victory, Davidson is offering me two free tickets to the game against Fordham, since I bought a ticket for my wife to attend the games over the holidays when students were out.

So I paid $10 for tickets to two games, and now they want to give me two free tickets for the Fordham game. Really glad that I gave up my second season ticket this year.

85Wildcatsky wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 1:43 am

Maybe we should hire Gerdy as a shooting coach. I do not remember him missing much and I think his era was pre 3 point shot.

Yes, the Gerd played before the three-point era. If he'd had the benefit of the three-point line, he would still be the all-time leading scorer. Most of his shots were from 'way out there. I know it's been over 40 years and my memories are sepia-toned with nostalgia, but many of his shots were from beyond the NBA line.