@NMSU
That's the ticket - coach roughs it to increase game sales
Despite Mother Nature conspiring against him, NMSU women's basketball coach Darin Spence turned into a wilderness warrior in October, in an effort to garner support for his Aggie players.
Spence committed to living in a tent in front of NMSU's Pan American Center beginning on Oct. 26 and remaining there until Oct. 30, or until 100 season tickets for the 2009-2010 women's basketball season were sold.
"I just want to get our program out there more, a lot more exposure. I really believe in our kids," said Spence on his inspiration for the campout. "We've got a good program. We're going to have an exciting year. I don't want anyone in the community to miss out."
The coach benefitted from an early release from the tent when the threshold for ticket sales was reached Oct. 29. Given the odd weather for the time of year, hitting the sales goal early was a double bonus. The Las Cruces area was hit with some chilly autumn weather for much of the week, with nighttime temperatures bottoming out in the mid-20s at midweek.
"It's been wonderful," Spence said of the promotion. "The community of Las Cruces and all the Aggie fans has been great. The season tickets have been selling. It's been a lot of fun."
In all nearly 200 season ticket packages have been sold so far for this season, well more than twice the amount sold last year. The coach noted that the increased attendance is invaluable from a team perspective.
"It always helps. Just look back at the two years we had the WAC Tournament here, and we had those great crowds and we rode that emotion all the way to the championship game both years," Spence said. "When you have great fans, it helps elevate your play. Anytime there are people in the stands, the kids love it and they feel more comfortable and it does help. It's a proven fact across the country."
Written by Mark Cramer and Tiffany Franklin.