Sunday, January 15, 2012

Why don’t we attend Chester High basketball games?



In 1994, I moved to Denver and Chauncey Billups (LA Clippers) was a senior at George Washington High. 
One Saturday morning, GW was playing their cross town rival East High, and the gym was packed. 
In an all black gym, the only white guys were sitting behind me. It was a family visiting Denver who heard about the big game and found their way to the gym.
Near the end of the game, the 10 year old boy from the visiting family said that they were from Indiana and if this game was being played there, it would have to be held in Conseco Fieldhouse. 


I wonder what that kid would say if he came to the Clip Joint for a Chester home game against a league opponent and see how few people come out to see the best team in the state and 9th best team in the country?
The most common excuse I hear for not going to games is because you know Chester is going to whip up on all but Penn Wood and Glen Mills, who they are likely to whip up on too.
But if you won’t come out to support a winning team, what do you support?
Chester High home basketball games should be considered an affordable community event that the entire family can enjoy. CHS students should be working the event and showcasing their talents by showing their school spirit before and after the games for the fan’s enjoyment. 
At only $5 a ticket, you get to see two games and hang out with all your friends and neighbors at least once a week for an enjoyable evening in the city. 
We can get 500 people to rent a tux and pay $100 to party at Harrah’s, but we can’t get 200 people to slip on some jeans and pay $5 to watch the best basketball team in Pennsylvania.
C-Pride got it twisted. 

9 comments:

  1. IT WAS 200 PEOPLE THERE AGAINST INTERBORO.....IJS. I HERE WHAT YOUR SAYING,BUT THAT'S HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ACROSS DELCO. UNLESS IT'S A RIVAL STANDS ARE RARELY PACKED. FYI.....THE CLIP JOINT MAX CAPACITY IS 1800.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True. Folks aren't coming out to high school sports in many places besides Chester. The visiting team used to pack the bleachers at CHS football games, and now they bring a couple car loads.

      High school sports is hardly the hottest ticket in town accept in a few pockets around the country.

      Delete
  2. You hit the nail on the head with one word, "community". I think the meaning of the word has been lost. Many people think that just living near each other or knowing someones name makes you a community. We need to stop just living in the community and start contributing and supporting others in it.

    This kids are out there doing something other than roaming the streets and no one wants to show them that they are proud of it or even encourage it. Then again the Sixers can't get fans to come out either and so maybe it's the area.

    I'm glad you posted the schedule because I've been meaning to get to a game but with 40 miles (turnpike and blue route) between me and the city, it's hard to get there in time. Let it be known, I will be there for at least 1 game before the season is up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cool.

      Hey blkbam. Hit the ATOM link at the bottom of the blog page. I think it's their new attempt at RSS. Maybe you can copy the URL it provides. Let me know.

      Delete
  3. I figured out the one at the bottom of the home page will give you all of the posts and the one at the bottom of the actual post page (this one) gives you the link to all of the comments for all of the posts.

    ReplyDelete
  4. i ask that question all the time. you have students who can not tell when there is a game. not only is basketball is neglected by students,football, track ,tennis and baseball. i pray that our children start caring about winning. i am hoping and praying the basketball team bring the spark that our city need.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The basketball team is the defending state champion and nobody shows up.

      Highschool sports is no longer the spectator sport is used to be. I played before more fans in little league baseball in the 70s than our highschool team puts in the stands today.

      Our only hope is that the players enjoy the experience and the coaching and support staff do what's best for our kids.

      Delete
  5. I, for one, think that my clippers draw pretty nice crowds. And our clippers fans travel with the team. Now, as far as the home games not being fully packed? Well, there's one reason why I think alot of fans don't go..... Violence. The fear that a fight or worse might break out is enough to keep alot of potential fans at home. You also have to understand that our home gym is slightly bigger than most gyms in our area( holds well over 1000 fans) as compared to a gym like Penn wood that probably holds a couple of hundred

    ReplyDelete
  6. We will be at the game tonight...I moved to the area about 8 yrs ago and still havent been to see the 4th best team in the country...My 7 yr old and I were invited to join an Alum and his son for the game tonight...We are very excited..Hopefully, we will start supporting them more often..We will buy souvenirs and take in the game just like we were at a sixers game..Go Chester we are Proud of you

    ReplyDelete