The energy inside the Kress Center used to rise with every basket. Now, it’s often quiet enough to hear sneakers squeak and coaches shout across the floor. At the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, student turnout at athletic events has been a challenge for years, and athletic staff say it’s something they’re actively trying to fix.
“Student attendance definitely needs some work,” said Sean Daniels, the senior associate AD for external operations at UWGB. “It’s something we’ve struggled with, especially for sports like soccer and volleyball. Basketball always draws the most, but even then, there’s still room to grow.”
For context, men’s basketball drew 36,586 total fans in 2023-24 and 29,820 in 2024-25, averaging roughly 2,439 and 2,130 per home game. Women’s basketball pulled in 29,471 total in 2023-24 and 32,423 in 2024-25, averaging about 1,965 and 2,026 per game (greenbayphoenix.com). While those numbers show solid turnout, it’s important to consider the difference in venue capacity. The Resch Center, where men’s basketball previously played, can hold 9,729 people, whereas the Kress Center seats only 4,000.
While basketball remains the university’s biggest draw, staff admit that weekend games for other sports tend to see much smaller crowds. “Weekday basketball games usually get more students because they’re already on campus,” said Danilynn Schell, a graduate assistant for Marketing and Fan Engagement at UWGB. “But with so many commuters, weekend games can be tough. People just don’t want to drive back for them.”
Some students agree. One attendee said, “I go to UWGB games because I love sports. Not everyone is into sports, so attendance can be low. But when there’s a giveaway or the team’s doing well, it’s better. I just wish more students would come out. Even when we show up, the student section is usually quiet. We don’t get on our feet and cheer enough.”
Efforts to Boost Engagement
To tackle the issue, UWGB Athletics has partnered with the campus student engagement team to find new ways to reach students. “We’ve learned that to get students here, you have to feed them and give them something to take home,” Daniels said. “Giveaways and free food always help.”
Themed games and T-shirt tosses have all been used to boost attendance. The department has also made an effort to close what staff describe as a gap between athletes and the rest of the student body. “There’s kind of this stigma that athletics are separate from the rest of campus,” Daniels explained. “So we’ve been encouraging our players to interact more in classes, at lunch, and in the Union by inviting people to games.”
Some athletes have started doing exactly that. Schell shared that a volleyball player recently handed out schedule cards to her classmates and even convinced her professor to attend a game. “Just that small level of engagement helps,” she said. “It’s been great to see athletes taking ownership of that.”
UWGB’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has also helped by connecting with students on campus. “They’ll set up tables in the Union, hand out candy or donuts, and just talk with people,” Schell said. “It gives students a face to put with the athletic programs. Sometimes that’s all it takes for someone to decide to check out a game.”
Beyond giveaways and meet-and-greets, the department has leaned more into social media to connect with the student body. Many promotions are shared through Instagram stories and posts, which Schell says helps remind students about upcoming games in a way that fits their daily routine. “You can hang up flyers all day, but if students don’t see it online, a lot of them won’t even know a game is happening,” she said.
Challenges with Promotion and Facilities
Even with those efforts, the move away from the Resch Center has been one of the biggest changes this year. Previously, students had to drive off-campus to attend men’s basketball games, something that created several barriers.
“There were a lot of challenges at the Resch,” Daniels said. “You had to drive, find parking, and the student section wasn’t in a great spot. At the Kress, you’re right behind the hoop and can mess with opponents’ free throws. You get a front-row seat to Division I athletics for free.”
That convenience could help turn things around. “We think having more men’s basketball games here will bring more people out,” he said. “If you don’t have a car, you can still come to games now, and you don’t have to pay for a subscription just to watch on ESPN.”
One student reflected on the atmosphere: “What I enjoy most about being at games is seeing the players and being part of the crowd, even if it’s small. It feels like everyone is connected. I think school spirit is there, but it could be stronger if more students came and really got into it.”
Facilities also play a role. The Kress Center’s smaller size makes for a more intimate setting but also limits capacity. When attendance spikes, it can fill quickly, which staff say is a good problem to have. However, Daniels mentioned that the athletic department wants to make sure
the smaller venue still feels lively and worth attending. “We’d rather have a packed 4,000-seat arena than a half-empty 10,000-seat one,” he said. “It’s about creating that home-court feel.”
Why It Matters
For UWGB Athletics, it’s not just about filling seats. The department believes a strong student section impacts everything from the players’ performance to recruiting. “When you have a packed student section, it’s a real home-court advantage,” Daniels said. “It changes the whole atmosphere. When sponsors or recruits see that, it makes a difference.”
The energy also builds a stronger sense of community on campus. “Attending games is another way to engage with other students and build friendships outside of class,” Schell said. “It helps people connect and feel like they’re part of something bigger.”
Chancellor Michael Alexander has made that connection a priority. “He pushes everyone: housing, engagement, and athletics, to get students out to games,” Daniels said. “Athletics are the front porch of the university. When people see our teams and our fans, that’s how they get to know UW-Green Bay.”
The department is also encouraging athletes to get more involved in campus life beyond sports. “Now that we’ve got a few student-athletes on the student government, we’re seeing more positive momentum,” Schell said. “We want them to be visible, not just at games, but at other events too, like concerts, student activities, whatever’s happening on campus.”
Looking Ahead
The push to make athletic events more accessible and exciting continues. With free admission, better seating, and more games on campus, the hope is that students will see UWGB sports as a central part of their college experience.
“It’s really about community,” Daniels said. “When students feel like they’re part of something, they’ll show up. We just have to keep finding ways to make that happen.”
Athletics staff also plan to increase promotions and giveaways, use social media more strategically to alert students about events, and continue building connections between athletes and campus life. Attendance numbers and promotional schedules for this year will provide insight into what works best, with future strategies likely focusing on even more creative engagement opportunities, like themed game nights and student-only events.
As the athletic department moves forward, the goal is simple: to turn the Kress Center into a place where students want to be, not just for the game itself, but for the experience. “We want it to feel like the place to be on a Friday night,” Daniels said. “If we can build that kind of culture, the rest will follow.”
For now, the department remains optimistic. With a new home-court setup, student-led outreach, and a growing sense of pride across campus, there’s hope that the roar inside the Kress Center will once again match the passion of the teams on the floor.