It's basketball season, and Ball State University kicked it off right with the first basketball "Fan Jam," a meet-and-greet event that should become annual. The Tuesday-night event in Worthen Arena gave players and coaches the opportunity to start the season off on the right foot by bonding with fans and garnishing positive publicity.
The women's team is facing what could be one of Ball State women's basketball's best seasons ever. The team has four returning starters and two members who were named to the preseason All-Mid-American Conference Team.
In preseason polls, the women are predicted to win the MAC, and the players showed their confidence at "Fan Jam" as they met excited fans. Between the optimistic season and positive publicity coach Tracy Roller created with her billboard campaign, women's basketball games should be filled with fans all season long.
The men's basketball season isn't looking as strong as the women's, especially because it has few returning players, a new coach and a tough schedule. The team is recovering from one of the worst off-seasons in Ball State athletics' history. Ronny Thompson quit, claiming the university had a racist atmosphere, possible NCAA violations are being investigated and two players were arrested during Fall Semester.
Despite everything, the players and coach Billy Taylor are connecting with their fans through events like the "Fan Jam." These positive interactions are what the team really needs this season.
Next year, "Fan Jam" needs to return, but in the meantime, both the men's and women's basketball teams need to plan and attend more events that bring them together with the fans. Regardless of what types of seasons Ball State has, Indiana is basketball country, and the teams deserve fans that stick with them.
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