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Game Times Empty Game Times

Post  Ironman Wed Feb 12, 2014 1:40 am

Why do weekday games have to start so early??? 4:30 for JV and 6:00 for varsity at most venues. When I played (ancient history I guess) the varsity games started at 7:30 or 8:00. When did this change, and why? Seems to me the crowds would be larger if people had a chance to get there after work...

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Post  JAF Wed Feb 12, 2014 9:07 am


Down in the southern tier it's been a 5 and 630, which I actually like especially on a Friday! Means I'm done by 615 or so :-)

I have to imagine the earlier start time for northern teams has a lot to do with travel times. If it takes an hour+ to get to a school from some other school, then a 7P (or later start) means busses are rolling back into the away school sometimes after 10PM. This is followed by an early morning wakeup for the next day of school (mid week games).

That's my guess - I suggest you ask your AD why start times moved earlier and then report back here!

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Post  Ironman Wed Feb 12, 2014 9:32 pm

Our AD is brand-new and hasn't been in NH very long. So I thought I'd throw it out here hoping someone might know some history behind it. Perhaps an NHIAA edict?

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Post  mmartineaunhti2015 Thu Feb 13, 2014 9:29 am

What school are you from Ironman?

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Post  Tuesday and Friday Thu Feb 13, 2014 1:57 pm

5 years ago it seemed like some divisions were JV 5:30 and V 7:00 and others were 5:00 and 6:30. Majority of the games were played on:

TUESDAY AND FRIDAY

^^^^^^^^^^ Love the above words  Wink 

Now, it's anything goes with regards to schedule. There are some programs that don't have JV teams. This makes a difference. There are some schools, like West, where the boys and girls are in different divisions. This makes a difference. There's so many more factors for scheduling now. It does seem like a lot more games tap off at 6:30 and sometimes even 6:00 pm.

I don't think the ADs give an extreme amount of weight for parent's attendance. Attendance at HS basketball games, very prime games excluded, has decreased significantly in the last few years. Lack of interest, kids working and the internet/social media are the culprits for decreased attendance at HS basketball games.

I just think ADs want to get these games done and done earlier. Remember, ADs have already worked since 7-am-ish on the morning of a game. I don't think they want to be waiting until 9:00 to 9:30 for a home game or 10:00 to 10:30 for an away game for their work day to be completed.

You could schedule all these Varsity games to start at 7, 7:30 or 8:00 pm. I don't think this would get an extra 25, 50 or 100 people to attend. I've been aghast at the sparse crowds I've seen at some pretty good games this season. If those games had a later start I don't think it would've made a difference in attendance.

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Post  nhhssports Thu Feb 13, 2014 6:25 pm

As someone who has to deal with deadlines, the earlier the better. As much as I'd like to think the changes were to accommodate the earlier deadlines at the papers, most of the schools in D2 switched the varsity start times to 6:30 a few years ago so that visiting teams weren't getting back too late on a school night. Some schools, like Hollis Brookline, still start at 7 on Fridays.

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Post  Ironman Thu Feb 13, 2014 7:46 pm

My son plays for a Div. III school in the Lakes Region. I can understand not wanting the kids to get home from away games at 10:00 or 11:00 at night. Most of our opponents are within a 20-30 minute drive, so that's not really an issue here, but I can see that it would be for the Berlins and Hinsdales. However, that should not be an issue on Fridays. If my son didn't have a game, I'd be interested in going to a Div. I or II game somewhere, or to scout a future Div. III opponent, but the games start so early that it's difficult if not impossible to get there on time. And forget about seeing JV games if you work a traditional-hours job. I definitely think the earlier start times have a negative impact on attendance, maybe not for parents, who will do anything if they really want to see their kids play (I sure hope so), but for casual fans who'd just like to see a good game. When the games were at 7:00 or 7:30, there were more people in the stands, and they weren't all players' parents.

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