One Fan's View on Improving the Experience
UNCW doesn't need to break the bank to give fans a better product
Unless another pandemic pops up in the next several months, UNCW’s athletic venues will allow full capacity for the 2021-22 school year.
But will they be at full capacity?
It feels like that’s always a question in Wilmington, even when teams are playing well.
I think back to 2006, when Hofstra visited UNCW for a weeknight basketball game when both were Top-25 caliber teams. It was an awesome game, but Trask Coliseum wasn’t at its best that night. We had several games during my time at UNCW (2004-08) that the crowd nearly took the roof off and clearly affected the opponent.
(Clearly, I haven’t let it go over the past 15 years.)
Last Saturday, that same disappointment hit when the Hawks took the field with a chance to win the CAA baseball championship, with plenty of available real estate in the bleachers.
The Friday night crowd vs. Northeastern was actually bigger — 2,094 — than the 1,396 attendance number reported for Saturday’s game, which began just after 5 p.m.
So, what can we add at Brooks to bring more fans out, or keep the ones that we have coming back? What can we improve at Trask that makes fans want to invite their friends to a game?
Fans come to a game for a memory or an experience. How can we create those?
First, let’s establish a few facts.
Wilmington has a population of about 125,000.
UNCW has about 14,000 undergrads.
Brooks holds 3,500; Trask holds 5,200.
The majority of UNCW students and Wilmington residents that are interested in college sports, grow up as fans of ACC schools.
UNCW has only been a four-year university since 1963, and thus, lacks the “old money” donors of those schools.
There’s no getting around the funding challenges that UNCW’s athletic department faces.
UNCW doesn’t have a football program and likely never will. This is a challenge in bringing alumni back to campus, attracting donors and creating a “big-time” feeling in athletics.
All that’s to say: UNCW is an incredibly unique case study in college athletics, as a program that has seen some sustained success with basketball, baseball, golf, soccer and tennis.
Here are a few stream-of-consciousness ideas for how we can improve things without breaking the bank with massive renovations or new venues.
Brooks Field Videoboard
Far and away, the item on top of most wish lists, and probably the most expensive.
Coach Randy Hood mentioned it in our podcast chat earlier this season, and several times during the tournament, I caught myself looking up hoping to see a close play.
At one point on Saturday, the scoreboard was barely functional in getting runs up there.
Aside from replays, having a big board adds so much credibility. For the hardcore fans, you’ve got stats, lineups and all of the details they need.
For the casual fans, the videoboard allows you to toss up entertainment for kids, share information on UNCW or explain the concession stand options. Toss up Instagram and Twitter posts from a certain hashtag.
For the athletic department, it opens another revenue stream that will eventually pay for itself.
Song Traditions
This one came in from Cole Weiss, who you might remember for being an All-CAA third baseman for the Seahawks.
He suggested we have a traditional home run song or maybe another seventh-inning stretch song. How about running with something similar in basketball?
“Every Time We Touch” has become so synonymous with Duke basketball that it was played at Mike Krzyzewski’s retirement press conference. UNC has “Jump Around” and NC State has (hilariously) started using Swag Surfin.
Alabama fans have their own lyrics for Dixieland Delight, LSU fans have “Neck,” and few things in sports are as electric as “Enter Sandman” at Lane Stadium.
It doesn’t really matter if the song has any ties or significance to Wilmington. Pick something people will get into every time those first seconds hit. Eventually, they’ll immediately associate it with the Seahawks.
You can always create some energy with a social media vote for the playlist during games, too.
Oh, and set a particular time for the Harlem Shake. Not that we’d ever suggest children follow the example of our good friend Michael Barnes, but there are definitely some who get into it and do little Harlem shaking of their own.
We’ll think on a few options.
Minor League Baseball
Who doesn’t love Minor League Baseball?
Hundreds of teams across America bring thousands to the ballpark every night, and they do it in communities where fans have zero ties to the players on the field.
I’m fortunate enough to be minutes from the DBAP, where the Durham Bulls do it as well as anyone.
The Bulls have an iconic brand and the selling point of AAA prospects in an organization that has done a phenomenal job developing players, but on any given night, probably 25 percent of fans in attendance have any idea that Wander Franco is the best prospect in baseball.
They’re there for Bull Durham tribute night, the chance to bring their dog to the ballpark or the massive selection of food and beer being offered.
Baseball is one of the last things that Minor League Baseball is selling, and in a town that doesn’t have an MiLB team, could UNCW replicate it?
A local beer night? let all of the local breweries set up tents, offering beer-fest style tastings of their products. In addition to the ticket price, add $15 for a wristband. It’s happening throughout sports, so how about partnering with a local brewery for an “official” beer. Hawk Hefewizen. Sammy’s Lager.
You could do the same with Wilmington’s robust food scene. Allow local restaurants to set up. At the very least, bring in a number of food trucks for every game.
Lean into what we’ve got in Wilmington with promo nights.
One Tree Hill Night is a no-brainer. Play songs, clips and have trivia. Come up with a one-off jersey that can be auctioned. Have a supporting cast member come sign autographs.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods recently had a “Karen” Night.
Freshman Night. Sophomore Night. Military Night. Beach Night. Pay tribute to the old Port City Roosters. It goes on and on with all kinds of ridiculous theme nights.
Singles night? Those looking for love can wear teal shirt in a certain area.
Petting zoo night? Bring in a petting zoo and let folks get up close with some neat animals right there at Brooks.
We love the “Randy Hoodie” Night giveaways. Keep those rolling and expand.
The Tailgate Scene
Tailgating has become a part of the UNCW baseball experience since the introduction of the lot out beyond the berm, and grew significantly when it moved over to right field.
With the university adding more dorm space every year, how about embracing students/younger alumni in the tailgate scene?
As of now, it’s heavily dominated by player families, older alumni and others with direct ties to the baseball program. Parking in the dedicated tailgate lot also requires a special parking pass.
Instead, how about either cutting the cost for tailgate parking, or allowing tailgating in several locations around the stadium?
Set up a few communal grills, provide some food and beverages to the students. Ensure that the campus police aren’t going out of their way to bother folks who just want to have a few beers before checking out a baseball game.
The Photobooth
This one is simple, inexpensive and works literally anywhere.
Find a spot at Brooks or maybe a classroom in Trask, set up a UNCW-themed backdrop, add some props and let fans go wild in a photobooth. Maybe they’re taking selfies or maybe a photographer is shooting them and posting to a public album, but who doesn’t love hopping in a photo booth?
Bonus points for one of those trendy flower/ivy walls with a neon sign.
Fans get a neat, memorable experience at a game, and not only that — they’re going to share that photo with the world on Instagram.
The Seahawk Perch
Some fans want great seats while others don’t want to sit at all.
Instead, they’d rather have a standing-room area where they can stand around high-top tables with a few buddies, a rail to lean on a bar where they can catch up with friends with the game in the background.
If you haven’t experienced the Golden Hawk Room at Trask before a game, it’s a phenomenal spot. Great food, free drinks and mingling among a who’s who of UNCW folks.
Why not do it during the game, too?
Finding a location inside Trask could be difficult. Maybe the corners or a baseline? Maybe it’s out in the lobby, with a few in-house TVs and an audio feed out there.
At Brooks, the left field deck already exists, but what about building a similar deck out in right field? We’ll even let them call it The Seahawk Perch for free.
Create an open space for younger fans to hang out with easy access to concessions and a chance to mingle with their peers. Heck, even throw a DJ out there for some between-innings entertainment to keep the kids involved.
Fan Gear
We have an awesome, distinctive brand and a unique color palette.
Unfortunately, there aren’t always great options available at games for fans who want to bring home a Seahawks t-shirt or an authentic Adidas baseball cap.
We need more options available on gamedays to ensure that every fan that wants to wear our logo or rock the teal and navy, can find a place in Brooks or Trask to buy something great.
Bonus points for adding more Adidas gear, as they’re our uniform supplier.
Inside the Programs
A great way for building goodwill, especially with students, is hosting them for a practice or another intimate event where they can see the inner-workings of a program.
Host a Q&A with the coaches and a player or two, right there on the field or the court. Let them shoot around with a few players, or pick a few to take a few hacks in BP. Go through the schedule and talk about the program’s history.
Again — create a memorable experience where students or others can make some emotional connection with the programs and the people involved in them.
Most students who arrive at UNCW didn’t grow up as fans of the Seahawks and have very little knowledge of the success our programs are capable of. I’d be willing to bet there’s a significant amount of casual fans (students or otherwise in Wilmington) who don’t realize that our athletic program is at the same level in Division I as that of ACC schools.
FloSports Failure
Just because I have the opportunity to again mention this: the FloSports partnership is hurting UNCW athletics and there’s nothing our administration can do about it, given it’s a conference-wide deal.
We know for certain that fans and parents aren’t watching games because of the platform. What does that mean for recruiting, when parents find out they can’t easily watch their kids play from hundreds (or thousands) of miles away?
Shuttling In
Given the off-campus population of students in Wilmington, we have to ensure that everyone who wants to come to a game has a way of getting there.
Run a small shuttle bus or van on a route that hits several of the bigger apartment complexes around campus, or perhaps a few central bars or restaurants.
This could probably go on for pages and pages, but you’ve probably stopped reading at this point.
We’ve got a fantastic university in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, with an athletic program that has long performed well in spite of its financial challenges.
Right now, UNCW athletics are for UNCW families, friends and fans.
To take another step, we need to make sure that UNCW games are also attracting those casual fans who just want to get out of the house on a Saturday night. We’ve got to bring in people who want to try some neat food event at Brooks.
The bottom line is that a UNCW game has to become an experience instead of something totally focused on the final score.