Marketing director hopes to improve Crisler attendance

By Jeff Phillips

Daily Sports Writer

With an average attendance of 1,827, Michigan's new assistant marketing director, Christina Rende, doesn't think the women's basketball team has been done justice.

"There just haven't been enough people exposed to" women's basketball, Rende said.

Rende formerly worked with Iowa State's women's basketball program and helped it reach an average attendance of about 11,000. She believes that Michigan's program isn't very far away.

"We want to get the word out that they are a good team," Rende said.

Coach Sue Guevara believes that there is a strong core of players, but she still wants more.

"We might not have a lot of (fans), but they're loud," Guevara said. "Can't we just double that?"

The Wolverines are coming off three consecutive postseason appearances, including two NCAA Tournament showings. Iowa State was in a similar situation when Rende joined the program. Coming off a 17-12 season and a WNIT appearance, the Cyclones were also on the verge of basketball's upper echelon.

One option that has been introduced this year to fans is a season ticket package. While students still receive free admission, season tickets are available for $40 for adults and $20 for children and senior citizens.

"We hope that the season tickets will give fans a sense of ownership and value with the team," Rende said. "We want to get the community involved."

The season-ticket offer is part of a plan to get parents and children more excited about the program. Rende also wants to get the faculty of Michigan to feel like a part of the program.

Faculty and staff of the University are being offered a "Go Blue" pass, which is valid for free admission to various sporting events, including women's basketball.

As far as students are concerned, Rende will have some help in getting the word out from M-Hoopla - a student-run organization founded by women's practice squad member Matt Schettenhelm - which shares the same goals as Rende.

"It is a sport that hasn't gotten the support it deserves," Schettenhelm said. "It was embarrassing to see that there were no students."

When Schettenhelm came to this realization, he decided he wanted to do something about it. But before Schettenhelm joined the practice squad, he too was not a regular fan.

"Before I joined the practice team, I had never seen a women's basketball game," Schettenhelm said. "But once I actually went to the games, I realized how exciting they were."

For $10, the group gives students a T-shirt, discounts to local businesses and perhaps most importantly, premium seating reserved for M-Hoopla members.

Additionally, the group will offer special prize giveaways and in-game promotions.

The first promotion that M-Hoopla will offer is a chance to meet and shoot with the players on the Diag this Wendesday from noon to 4 p.m.

Both Schettenhelm and Rende believe that the key to more attendance is getting the word out.

"We want to make it fun so fans will want to come back," Rende said.

Good seating still available

Last year, the Wolverines played at home in front of a crowd that was much less than those of other Big Ten schools. Here is a breakdown of the attendance stats from last season:

Site Average Big Ten Finish

1. Purdue 9,428 3

2. Wisconsin 7,732 T-5

3. Ohio State 7,277 T-8

4. Illinois 5,484 4

5. Penn State 5,401 1

6. Iowa 3,214 7

7. Michigan 1,827 2

8. Michigan State 1,506 T-5

9. Minnesota 1,062 10

10. Northwestern 988 11

11. Indiana 717 T-8