The Bradley Women’s Basketball team is off to a 2-1 start. The Braves defeated Omaha in the home opener, and rolled DII Lincoln (MO) a few days later to complete a perfect home stand. The Braves then took Illinois to the wire before falling to the Fighting Illini in Champaign.

The Braves appear to have the tools to be a competitive team in the Missouri Valley Conference. Yet, the Bradley student body has not taken notice.

Through two games, the average attendance at the Renaissance Coliseum has been a measly 645 people.

Bradley head coach Andrea Gorski hopes to see a lively atmosphere at the Renaissance Coliseum.

“I feel we have the best women’s basketball facility in the Missouri Valley,” Gorski said. “We want to improve our attendance, and especially get the campus involved more.”

Bradley’s student attendance has been criticized over recent years. For some students, there simply isn’t enough time to attend campus sporting events.

Michael Kuzma is a sophomore at Bradley. His education takes up a lot of his day.

“As an engineering major, a lot of my focuses are on circuits,” Kuzma said. “My priorities are not I need to go to a game.”

Indeed, the university places a priority on academics. However, other universities place priority academics, and still have a robust attendance.

So, perhaps there is another issue. As Kuzma suggests, maybe there are not enough giveaways.

“I know at soccer games, the Red Sea would giveaway scarves,” Kuzma said. “I have one hanging on my wall.”

While giveaways could be a solution, Matthew Barber suggests there is another underlying issue.

Barber is a junior mathematics major here at Bradley.

He says that he is a regular attendee at the men’s games, but he does not go to women’s games. He says the men’s games are more of a social outing.

“My friend group is more interested in men’s basketball games,” Barber said. “My roommate is a manager, and my friend writes for the Scout, so I’m able to see them there.”

Kuzma agrees with Barber.

“In high school Friday night was football night,” Kuzma said. “You didn’t want to miss the game because everyone was there.”

While Barber and Kuzma gave feedback, they are not sure what the next step is.

When asked if Bradley is doing enough to improve student attendance, Kuzma answered honestly.

“I don’t know,” Kuzma said. “I’m not sure how to best answer that.”

Barber, meanwhile, believes that student attendance is an issue, but he also does not know how to fix it.

“ I just think we need more school spirit overall,” Barber said.

Student attendance is a complicated issue. It may linger into the future.

Kuzma, however, thinks a winning season could turn the trend.

“I think winning one big championship could help,” Kuzma said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo0aiHicMaw