By Jeff Trousdale
Tonight's men's basketball game against the 18th ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs appears to be the first Chiles Center sellout of the season. Does this sound familiar? Last year, the only two games in which the Chiles Center drew more than 4,500 fans were against Oregon and Gonzaga.
Two years ago Gonzaga was the only game that exceeded an attendance of 4,500, and three years ago saw the exact same story. In each of these years the average home attendance was always less than 2,200 per game. This year's average home attendance - so far - is a measly 1,716 fans.
Why is this, Portland?
UP now sports a 10-1 record at home, a 6-1 record in conference, and a 15-7 record overall, all better results than the school has seen in years. So why can't the team draw any fans?
Portland is a basketball city, our only major pro sports franchise is the Portland Trailblazers, and it's also clear that the community is willing to support the Pilots' athletics programs, as evidenced by the women's soccer team. Men's basketball head coach Eric Reveno has a few theories about why his team gets no love from the Rose City.
"I think that comes next, but it's the student support that comes first. It's fun support a team that's winning and playing well," Reveno said. "The first couple years when we weren't playing well I was very forgiving of the students, but when the students come, the atmosphere is going good and you finally get that community support."
Community support is something the visiting Bulldogs do not lack. Every Gonzaga home game has been a sellout so far this year, typical of most seasons there. Go to a Gonzaga game and you'll find screaming students and entertained fans. "The New Kennel" is definitely the place to be on a Thursday or Saturday night.
While some of the support for the Bulldogs can be attributed to Spokane itself (I lived there for a year; there is nothing better to do), there are other factors involved as well.
First, and most obvious, is the long-tenured success of the program. The Zags have gone to nine straight NCAA tournaments and will probably make it 10 this year. This is an obvious reason for fans to come, but even though the Pilots don't have the history of success of the Bulldogs, they're doing well this season, and should be getting more than just a handful of community supporters at games.
So what else is it that makes the Bulldogs such a success?
Take a look at Gonzaga's roster and you will notice one obvious thing. Out of 14 total players, six come from Washington. Now look at the Pilots' roster, none are from Oregon and only Nik Raivio comes from nearby Vancouver. Gonzaga's past stars -- John Stockton and Adam Morrison -- are Spokane natives, and the worship given these two players is obvious when you talk to any sports fan in the city.
UP needs some local, Portland talent if it too is going to take the next step and become a community-based, basketball power in the WCC. We've had players in the past from around Portland, places like Beaverton and Salem. But before community members rally around, they need someone who they know. Coach Reveno should focus on local basketball factories like Lincoln, Grant, and Jefferson, something that he acknowledged but said is difficult at best.
According to Reveno, part of the problem is simply exposure.
UP doesn't get that much of it locally, and certainly not nationally. Tonight's game against the Zags is one major step toward getting that exposure. It will be nationally televised and is undoubtedly the biggest game of the year. For many students, this will probably be their first game of the season.
Don't make it your last.
Come out tonight and let it be known that this is our home court. Don't let the Gonzaga fans -- and there will undoubtedly be many -- be heard from at all, no matter what happens in the game. But do the same thing for the next game, and the game after that and even the game after that, and keep on doing it for seasons to come.
Let the people of Portland know that we will be a school to be reckoned with and that we are a school that should be supported. We have a coach who is a genuinely good guy, a team defined by hustle and grit, and a season that will be remembered by victories rather than losses.
The only thing missing is the fans.
Jeff Trousdale is a sports ?reporter of the Beacon. He can be contacted at trousdal10@up.edu
