By Harry Minium
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, you are likely holed up at home working remotely, taking care of your kids or perhaps somewhere else practicing social distancing.
Regardless of your circumstance, you're probably bored to tears, worried about the future and feeling a bit stressed out.
If so, and you're an Old Dominion University men's basketball fan, I have some news that may cheer up your day just a little.
Once again, you are a member of the finest fan base in Conference USA. ODU led the conference in attendance this past season with an average of 5,944 per game.
It's nothing new for ODU to league C-USA in attendance – that's happened three of the last four seasons. What's different this year is that ODU did so in spite of a 13-19 record and a home schedule that while pretty good, wasn't the most scintillating the Monarchs have ever played.
Basketball coach Jeff Jones said Chartway Arena is not only the envy of Conference USA, but also of many other mid-major schools.
"Our fans are into our games, no matter whether it's a sellout or not, and that's not the case at a lot of places we play," he said.
"We have the best home court advantage in Conference USA."
Athletic director Wood Selig said it's significant that the Monarchs led the conference in attendance given ODU's record.
"The real test of your fan base is when you have a down season, will your fans continue to show up? Our fans did. Are they still loyal? Our fans were," he said.
"They provided our basketball team with great support throughout the season. We appreciate all of our fans so much."
Aaron Carver, the only senior starter this season, says ODU's adherents don't realize how important they are to the players.
"We have a personal relationship with them," Carver said. "When we hear them cheering or calling our names, that's such a thrill. We talk to so many of them after games and at ODU functions.
"I've met and become friend with so many of our fans. I'm really going to miss that.
"Our arena has always been such a great place to play. The energy we feel has been amazing. I don't think our fans know how much they mean to us. They are so important to us"
ODU's sports promotional staff, headed by associate athletic director Jason Chandler and assistant athletic director Carolyn Crutchfield, remain second to none in Conference USA as well.
January's home game against Florida Atlantic drew a crowd of 7,618 that nearly blew the roof off Chartway Arena when the Monarchs won, 65-55. That was youth basketball night and Todd McKeating, who heads group sales for Chartway Arena, and his staff sold more than 2,000 tickets.
"A lot of those people probably hadn't been in the building before and they really got into the game," Chandler said. "That's what we try to do with group sales, attract people who haven't been to a game or at least haven't been to a game in a while."
ODU fans also responded to fundraisers, including one for the American Cancer Society in which a crowd of 6,820 gave more than $7,500 to cheerleaders and dynasty dance members circling the arena. The money went to a charity founded by Danielle Jones, Jeff Jones' wife.
ODU leads Conference USA with more than 3,500 season ticket holders, and that's far and away the most in the league, Chandler said.
I expect attendance to increase next season. The team will have better talent. Carver was the only senior starter and Jason Wade, the team's best player before he sustained a knee injury, is expected to return. Jones has three scholarships to give and is looking to improve ODU's size, scoring ability and depth.
And the schedule will be better. Former CAA foes VCU, William & Mary and Northeastern all come to Norfolk and more games will be played on Saturday nights, which almost always draw larger crowds than weekend games.
ODU will again be promoting its family plans again, which get you four tickets in good seats at a reduced price. We're working on other ways to improve the fan experience and to make our games even more affordable.
It will be many months before Monarch Nation is able to come together again. Spring practice and the spring football game have been put on hold. We don't know when the next time that ODU will be able to welcome you on campus.
But until then, Selig asked me say something on his behalf to all of you.
"Thank you."
Contact Minium: hminium@odu.edu
Minium: Once Again, ODU Basketball Fans Showed That They Are By Far the Best in Conference USA
