The struggle to recruit the student population at St. Thomas University sporting events has been a problem in the past couple years, but the STU Athletics Department is ready to combat the decrease in student sports attendance.
Director of Athletics Mike Eagles said the challenge is to engage student population.
The Athletic Department encouraged student athletes to help with Welcome Week; in particular, moving day, to expose themselves to the student community in hopes to gain fans.
“We also encourage student athletes to stay in with student population.”
STU athletes are also asked to participate in community events on and off campus when possible
Recently the Athletics Department created a sponsorship partnership with NewCap Radio; 92.3 and 93.1 to promote radio ads about STU’s sporting events.
“(We’ve started) consulting with a marketing firm on how to better brand our teams,” said Eagles.
The Athletics Department is currently awaiting the results from the marketing firm on how to promote their product and brand.
For Men’s Hockey Head Coach Kyle McAl-lister, “winning always created loyal STU fans.”
Wins always brought people back into the rink by enhancing their experience.
He is working with the Student Union in hopes of creating a communication link between fans and sporting events.
For McAllister, he would like to see not only students but alumni and locals from Fredericton to come out to the games.
“At the end of the day we got to win…There’s all these little things we can do, but we got to win,” said McAllister.
