stephenrjking

December 8th, 2012 at 7:19 PM ^

EMU has no indigenous fanbase, as far as I can tell. Seriously, many UM fans have lived around A2-Ypsi at least some of the time (I grew up there, only really left the area when I was 25). Does anyone know ANY serious EMU football fans? Like, fans that care about the team, would attend the game even if they had the option to go to a Michigan game, etc? I know there must be a few, but "few" is kind of the key word here.

I honestly don't see how EMU can ever be competitive. Perhaps a good coach can get some players and build something, but EMU is at a serious competitive disadvantage even in the MAC, where most schools at least have some space between them and the "Big Boys" in state to carve out a niche. EMU's stadium is scarcely a shorter drive from campus than Michigan's. 

When you draw less than 4,000 fans per game, there's a problem. People have suggested dropping to 1-AA, and I'm beginning to think that may be the way to go. Yeah, it's nice rubbing shoulders with Michigan and MSU, but I think a 1-AA team that's moderately competitive (they'd be, at best, mid-pack right now) would be a lot more interesting than what they are right now.  A lot of locals could adopt them as their local 1-AA team, instead of basically ignoring them as a lousy alternative to good football played in the same neighborhood.

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20144146

snarling wolverine

December 8th, 2012 at 7:54 PM ^

I definitely agree about the proximity to Ann Arbor being a problem here.  What they may want to is just accept that U-M football is king and do whatever possible to avoid having home games on at the same time.  If the U-M game is at noon, schedule the Eastern game at like, 5:00 or 6:00 (to allow fans a buffer to make a possible "doubleheader").  Maybe even give a discount to people who bring in their U-M ticket.  Also, schedule more Thursday/Friday games.

 

Joined: 12/14/2011

MGoPoints: 98768

YakAttack

December 8th, 2012 at 7:36 PM ^

by way of transfer in January. I plan on providing a lot of insight on relevant EMU athletic content( assuming it seems relevant/wanted) since it is somewhat related.

Joined: 01/20/2009

MGoPoints: 54909

Ypsi Arbor

December 8th, 2012 at 8:26 PM ^

Someone mentioned this above, but today's win does not compare to EMU's home game against Wisconsin in late December, 1994.  Wisconsin was ranked in the top 15 and had a future NBA all-star/champion in Michael Finley.  Then a freshman Earl Boykins went crazy on both offense and defense, allowing EMU to jump to a 50-17 halftime lead.  50-17, yeah, it was  pretty great.  EMU took it easy in the 2nd half, but still won by 20.  There are only two EMU games I've attended where people rushed the court after, today and in 1994, and nothing can compare to latter.

Joined: 08/25/2011

MGoPoints: 9

tbeindit

December 9th, 2012 at 12:56 AM ^

I had some high hopes for Purdue this year.  They had a decent base returning and brought in one of the best recruiting classes in the country.  Ultimately, they just don't have the chemistry and leadership to carry them.  Eastern isn't a horrible team, but Purdue should not be losing to them.  I definitely thought they would be better, but I don't think anybody thought they would be this bad

Joined: 01/27/2011

MGoPoints: 2039

thedeezy

December 9th, 2012 at 8:15 AM ^

Used to go to every game with my Dad growing up, had seats @ Bowen right behind the Eastern bench during the Boykins era. Bowen was a really cool place to see a game, some good players came through the MAC at that time, Antonio Gates, Wally Szczerbiak, Bonzi Wells and a few others. I know the convo is a nice building but for a commuter school like EMU, having the games on campus is a huge plus.

Joined: 02/03/2011

MGoPoints: 112