CONSULTANTS

PUBLIC RELATIONS STRATEGY
In order to increase attendance at university football and basketball events, focus
needs to placed on public relation strategies. Throughout our research we found reasons
people don’t attend games are because they aren’t aware of when games are, they wish
there was more promotion before games, and they didn’t like the attitude the players
tend to give out. A simple way to address these issues is to promote the game times
and players personalities through public relations. Throughout this section we will aim to
increase awareness for fall athletic events, which will lead to an attendance increase.
One of the best ways to promote game times through the use of social media
sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Throughout our research, this is one place we found
very confusing to navigate because there are a variety of different athletic pages. One
solution to this problem is to create a page where students can go to get information
just regarding game time and place. Another way to gain student attendance through
public relation strategies is to promote the game in the MUC on the days leading up to
the event. We want more than posting the game time and location to the white board.
This can be achieved in a variety of ways.
Students from our research group had suggested that we have a pep rally before
our games, much like they did at high school athletic events. These rallies will get our
rallies will create school and community unity. Also, it will prepare and inform the crowd
about the big game. Finally, the pep rally should include everyone, teachers, students,
staff, and player’s, by doing this it creates unity throughout the University. These pep
rallies will happen before football games on Fridays and on select days for basketball
games. By increasing student involvement at these rallies it will help bring students
to the games. It would also allow for students to have another way of learning about
game and not giving students the option of saying they did not know there was a game.
Also, doing promotions during the game are a way to keep students active and into the
athletic events.
Once we get students to games, we need to keep the students in the stands. To do
this, games need to include more music, jumbotron activities, and entertainment during
during media breaks. Also, during half-time breaks, entertainment such as a threelegged
races or football throw contest for randomly selected students will encourage
students to stay longer by adding more entertainment value. These tactics will help keep
students in the stands longer.
the students information on game time and place throughout campus, will increase the
chances of reaching our goal. These ways will also allow students to have a chance to
get to know the athletes in a better light. We also will maintain students in the stands
longer by having better entertainment, other than the game itself. Research helped
determine these tactics to increase attendance at athletic events.
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