I love what Iowa has been doing with its basketball teams this fall. I know we don't generally cover basketball here, but Iowa has put together a few different marketing tactics for the upcoming season that have really impressed me. First, they threw a block party smack in the middle of downtown Iowa City and gave people a chance to meet the players, shoot some hoops, and win some prizes. Then, last night, for the first games of the year, they set up the schedule as a men's/women's doubleheader. One ticket, two games.
That's how you grow a fanbase. Both of these teams deserve your support this year and the Iowa Athletic Department is starting to get creative to work toward that goal. I hope they consider applying the same effort to some of the other Iowa Olympic sports, whether it's a visually exciting sport like volleyball or a sport where the Hawkeyes are one of the best teams in the country like field hockey. There are ways to build a fanbase, no matter the sport. Hopefully, we start to see the rest of the Olympic sports teams take advantage. Heck, I bet it'd make a great capstone for the Marketing majors. Get creative! There's only positive outcomes.
Hawkeye Whiparound:
- Iowa field hockey took part in the Big Ten Tournament last week and had a tough time against Michigan, falling 3-0. From the start, Michigan dominated every phase of the game. The Hawks were constantly defending in their own zone and, at least to an untrained field hockey eye, the Wolverines looked faster and stronger overall. It was another stinging defeat for a team that has suffered a bit of a late-season letdown here. Even in defeat, Anthe Nijziel still earned All-Tournament team honors. Luckily for the Hawks, they still qualified for the NCAA Tournament so they'll have a chance to end the season on a high note when it counts. They'll take on Virginia in the first round. The match is scheduled for 2:30 PM CT on Friday, November 11.
Congrats to senior Anthe Nijziel for being named to the B1G All-Tournament team. #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/CeqyC6VmJW
— Iowa Field Hockey (@iowafieldhockey) November 6, 2022
- Iowa volleyball traveled east to take on Rutgers and Maryland, but weren't able to come away with a win in either match. The Hawks looked sloppy for much of the match against Rutgers, digging themselves into holes off of passing and hitting errors. Against Maryland, Iowa battled, and even took a set, but wasn't able to put the full performance together to take the win. We're reaching the hardest part of the season here and it looks like the wear and tear of the long schedule is starting to catch up to the Hawkeyes. Newly minted starters are putting more points on their legs than they have in the past and transfers are realizing the toll it takes on you playing in one of the best conferences in America. The Hawkeyes continue to show flashes that have me excited about the future, but I'm still waiting to see them put it all together for a complete match. Maybe I'm naive, but I still think this group has a win or two left in them this year. The Hawks are back in action Friday against #4 Nebraska.
"On a silver platter" - good thing @ToyosiOnabanjo came to EAT !!! #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/MURsSaoiVc
— Iowa Volleyball (@IowaVolleyball) November 6, 2022
