Post by nmscorpions on Jun 5, 2009 12:49:37 GMT -5
Heading into the last 4 games of the season, I'm having my doubts that the Wildcats will be back next year. As far as I can tell, the only thing ownership cares about is the cheerleaders. They got sexy new uniforms and boots this year. Makes one wonder if they use a "casting couch" approach to selecting them. Sorry, that was a cheap shot, no disrespect meant to the cheerleaders who, frankly, have been the only good thing about going to a game this year.
Attendance looks like it is about half of what we had last season. They don't publish that number as far as I can tell, so it is difficult to know for sure but, attendance is definitely way down.
As a returning season ticket holder, I haven't seen ownership do anything to encourage the fans to show up. Hell, I even had to make a special trip to the arena (it takes me 45 minutes to an hour to get there in the first place) to renew my season ticket because they wouldn't let me do it on-line or over the phone.
And forget about knowing anything about who the players are. Last year we at least could get a program and roster to know who these guys are. Forget about it this year, there is no such thing. Though they did finally put the player names on the jerseys for the first time at the 3rd home game. Don't they understand that one way to get fans involved and to support the team is to let them get to know the players?
Not to mention that the on-field performance sucks. After (just barely) winning their first game on the road, we've lost 9 straight and have the worst record in the league. And it seems to be getting worse. Last week we lost to Wyoming 85-6, our only TD on a lucky interception return. I think that set AIFA records for most points scored by one team and biggest margin of victory. Of course, we only had 15 players suit up for that game and were missing our #1 QB and receiver. Our only win is against the 2-8 Ogden Knights whose only wins have been here against us. In the 1st game we had a 54-30 lead going into the 4th quarter and lost 58-54. In the other game we had a 42-29 lead going into the 4th quarter and lost 51-49.
Then, the one place one would hope to get news and info on the team, the team's website, is next to useless. The last "news" item is from almost a month ago:
"NFL star, Lorenzo Neal, who was recently traded from the Balitmore Ravens to the Oakland Raiders, will be in attendance at the Wildcats' home game this Friday night (May 15, 2009) against the Utah Valley Thunder at the Santa Ana Star Center. "
I never did see or hear anything about him at the game.
Also on the website is the division standings (it's about the only thing up-to-date there) which somehow doesn't include the Wildcats, I guess because we're off the bottom that pane. The countdown for "Next Home Game" has been showing 0 days, 0 hours,0 minutes for quite some time and the "Event Calendar" has been blank all year. There is very little else useful on the site, though their are some nice pics of the Lady Wildcats!
Oh well, I'll be there for tonight's game. It may well be our last chance for a home win since we are playing the only team we have beaten, Ogden.
Attendance looks like it is about half of what we had last season. They don't publish that number as far as I can tell, so it is difficult to know for sure but, attendance is definitely way down.
As a returning season ticket holder, I haven't seen ownership do anything to encourage the fans to show up. Hell, I even had to make a special trip to the arena (it takes me 45 minutes to an hour to get there in the first place) to renew my season ticket because they wouldn't let me do it on-line or over the phone.
And forget about knowing anything about who the players are. Last year we at least could get a program and roster to know who these guys are. Forget about it this year, there is no such thing. Though they did finally put the player names on the jerseys for the first time at the 3rd home game. Don't they understand that one way to get fans involved and to support the team is to let them get to know the players?
Not to mention that the on-field performance sucks. After (just barely) winning their first game on the road, we've lost 9 straight and have the worst record in the league. And it seems to be getting worse. Last week we lost to Wyoming 85-6, our only TD on a lucky interception return. I think that set AIFA records for most points scored by one team and biggest margin of victory. Of course, we only had 15 players suit up for that game and were missing our #1 QB and receiver. Our only win is against the 2-8 Ogden Knights whose only wins have been here against us. In the 1st game we had a 54-30 lead going into the 4th quarter and lost 58-54. In the other game we had a 42-29 lead going into the 4th quarter and lost 51-49.
Then, the one place one would hope to get news and info on the team, the team's website, is next to useless. The last "news" item is from almost a month ago:
"NFL star, Lorenzo Neal, who was recently traded from the Balitmore Ravens to the Oakland Raiders, will be in attendance at the Wildcats' home game this Friday night (May 15, 2009) against the Utah Valley Thunder at the Santa Ana Star Center. "
I never did see or hear anything about him at the game.
Also on the website is the division standings (it's about the only thing up-to-date there) which somehow doesn't include the Wildcats, I guess because we're off the bottom that pane. The countdown for "Next Home Game" has been showing 0 days, 0 hours,0 minutes for quite some time and the "Event Calendar" has been blank all year. There is very little else useful on the site, though their are some nice pics of the Lady Wildcats!
Oh well, I'll be there for tonight's game. It may well be our last chance for a home win since we are playing the only team we have beaten, Ogden.
but atleast we are not the ones spending all this money to own a franchise and run it down the toilet. 
Over on the "Official" AIFA board, someone posted "I overheard the coach tell some of the people at the game, they might not even finish out the season. They are having all kinds of issues paying rent, also making money." 
the team isnt going down the tubes. they like most have felt the affects of the economy. Injurys to top players over the previous weeks are catching up to guys who dont take care of there selves. QB Bj Hall is heading to the CFL or UFLwith private work outs over next few weeks. And Coach has no help for anything hes organizing everything and even helping with throwing thing in to stands for fans. I saw that last nite at the game, when have you ever seen a coach run around and try to get people motivated like that. Hes doing it all and with no finacial backing for some things, heard from some of the guys playing that he bought the athletic tape for last 2 games, cause they had nothing to bye it with. A stats guy was standing by coach they were talking while i over heard the stat guy say he needs the owner to pay him and his staff up front to finish the season. As a fan and hearig players talk 1st hand and they say coach is doing a great job wish we had an owner who cared we could win. thats rough. i'll be at the last 2 home games and rooting them on. 
(best logo in the AIFA) 
:smileythunder: 
(man when they said they were going dark they weren't kidding) 
Name one franchise in any league that has done extreemly well in their first year in the league. Much less the AIFA. Every team will go through tough times and fortunately Mr. Affleck understands that and is in it for the long run. Of course there are issues, but nothing in that article came as a surprise to me. Now, if in the next couple years the financial crisis doesn't subside a bit, and our fan base doesn't grow, then it can be seen as a failure, but for any good business or organization, nothing comes easy or quick. Rule #1 when you start up a business is not to expect a revenue by at least year 3. 