The good: Ball State University women's basketball team was 11-3 when playing in Worthen Arena last season. The bad: it averaged 855 people per home game. The ugly: 855 average attendance was seventh out of 12 Mid-American Conference teams.
Averaging 855 fans isn't a negative in head coach Tracy Roller's opinion. Roller said attendance has increased in her time as coach. The Cardinals have set 18 of 20 highest attendance totals for a single game during Roller's tenure.
"We have won 74 percent of our home games since I have been coach," Roller said.
The home record is a big factor in Roller having the most wins in Ball State women's basketball history with 91. The Cardinals have won more than 60 percent of their games playing under Roller.
Roller believes Cardinal fans attending the games create one of the loudest atmospheres in the MAC. Roller said Some fans attend the games with their faces or chests painted, and Cardinal Court booster club brings many rowdy fans with signs to hold up. "Our fans are crazy, a lot of our home success is due to the crowd," senior co-captain Becca Bajorek said. "It makes us play harder. Looking up at the crowd gets us motivated, makes us want to win even more."
Bajorek said more people can and should come to the games. She believes if the team can start the season with a winning streak people around campus will recognize what they have done and attend the games.
The Cardinals have taken actions in an attempt to bring more people to the games.
"We tried to get out in the community as much as possible," Bajorek said. "We've been putting posters up all over, and have done a lot of community service."
Attendance is an area where the men's basketball team is strong. Despite being 10-18 last year, 6-8 at home, the men's team led the MAC in attendance averaging more than 5,000 fans per game.
The men's team has done its share of promoting as well. Charlie Cardinal, coach Ronnie Thompson, and members of the Ball State communication and marketing staff were in the Atrium on Wednesday to raise awareness for Saturday's home game, according to an article on ballstatesports.com.
Roller said she doesn't know why the men's team leads the MAC in attendance, but the women's team is seventh.
"Hopefully people will support both teams," Roller said. "If you come once I know you will be back."
Bajorek appreciates any increase in attendance.
"Getting a thousand fans would be awesome," Bajorek said. "Getting an extra 200 over last year shouldn't be too hard."
The home season for Ball State's women's basketball team begins Saturday, Nov. 18 against Wright State University.
The Ball State Federal Credit Union Thanksgiving Tournament, hosted by Ball State, is also in November. Ball State plays Howard University in the first round. The Cardinals will then play either IPFW or Coastal Carolina University depending on the results of the first round.
"If you come to a game bring someone along with you," Roller said.
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