What's Happening?
The University of Colorado has introduced a new promotion aimed at increasing attendance at its men's and women's basketball games. Undergraduate students who attend all remaining home games for both teams in the 2025-26 season will be allowed to skip the queue for purchasing a sports pass for the next academic year. Additionally, 100 students who attend all eight games will receive the sports pass free of charge. This initiative follows the recent appointment of Fernando Lovo as the new athletic director, succeeding Rick George. The promotion is designed to address concerns about inconsistent attendance at basketball games, an issue highlighted by men's basketball coach Tad Boyle and women's basketball coach JR Payne. Both coaches have expressed
frustration over attendance fluctuations, often linked to the quality of opponents. The promotion is seen as a win-win, providing students with an incentive to attend games while potentially boosting attendance figures.
Why It's Important?
This initiative is significant as it addresses a long-standing issue of fluctuating attendance at University of Colorado basketball games. By incentivizing students to attend games, the university aims to create a more consistent and supportive home game environment, which can enhance team performance and morale. For students, the opportunity to bypass the lengthy and stressful process of securing a sports pass is a valuable incentive. This move also reflects a proactive approach by the new athletic director, Fernando Lovo, to engage the student body and improve the overall sports culture at the university. If successful, this promotion could set a precedent for similar initiatives in other university sports programs, potentially leading to increased student engagement and support across various athletic events.
What's Next?
The first game that students need to attend as part of this promotion is scheduled for Saturday evening, where the Colorado Buffaloes will face Arizona State. The success of this initiative will likely be evaluated based on attendance figures and student feedback. If the promotion proves effective, it could lead to the implementation of additional strategies to enhance student involvement in university sports. The athletic department, under Lovo's leadership, may explore further innovative approaches to boost attendance and engagement, potentially expanding similar promotions to other sports or events. The outcome of this initiative could influence future decisions regarding student incentives and sports marketing strategies at the university.
