Extremely doubtful. It is not just a function of winning at a high level for a long period of time which we have never been able to sustain. There are many other factors ... conference is much weaker allowing Gonzaga to dominate year in and year out ... arena size and fan support much greater for Gonzaga ... no pro sports in Spokane so all media attention focused on Gonzaga and Washington State ...the athletics finances dwarf GW's when it comes to basketball and athletics donations ... they have a pipeline to international players from the pacific partly due to religious affiliation and great recruiting ...

Here is the 2018-19 financial report for Gonzaga (it's toward the back) ...

https://gozags.com/news/2019/7/22/gonzaga-athletics-2018-19-zags-annual-report.aspx

Simply put, we are not now nor will we ever likely be like Gonzaga.

That said, why not build our own brand? Instead of trying to be like Gonzaga and probably failing, we should strive for those things people outlined here as goals for a successful program such as ...

Win the A-10 or finish in top 4
Appear in the NCAA tournament at least every other year and challenge for Sweet 16. Perhaps catch lightning in a bottle and achieve more.
Regularly graduate our student athletes of high character
Avoid NCAA issues or sanctions

We do those 4 things and I, for one, will settle for not being Gonzaga.

 

22ndandF wrote:

GWRising wrote:

Extremely doubtful. It is not just a function of winning at a high level for a long period of time which we have never been able to sustain. There are many other factors ... conference is much weaker allowing Gonzaga to dominate year in and year out ... arena size and fan support much greater for Gonzaga ... no pro sports in Spokane so all media attention focused on Gonzaga and Washington State ...the athletics finances dwarf GW's when it comes to basketball and athletics donations ... they have a pipeline to international players from the pacific partly due to religious affiliation and great recruiting ...

Here is the 2018-19 financial report for Gonzaga (it's toward the back) ...

https://gozags.com/news/2019/7/22/gonzaga-athletics-2018-19-zags-annual-report.aspx

Simply put, we are not now nor will we ever likely be like Gonzaga.

That said, why not build our own brand? Instead of trying to be like Gonzaga and probably failing, we should strive for those things people outlined here as goals for a successful program such as ...

Win the A-10 or finish in top 4
Appear in the NCAA tournament at least every other year and challenge for Sweet 16. Perhaps catch lightning in a bottle and achieve more.
Regularly graduate our student athletes of high character
Avoid NCAA issues or sanctions

We do those 4 things and I, for one, will settle for not being Gonzaga.

 

GWRising, I love your idea about building our own brand and I understand why it is doubtful we could build a program like Gonzaga.  I also very much like the four items you list as the basis for GW's own brand, although I don't know why we should not try to graduate all student athletes.  I was thinking about it, and have four additional ideas for consideration.  Each could be incorporated into our brand, and I was wondering what you think about them.

Fill up the Smith Center for all games, or at least all conference games.
Every year, get at least one high-visibility OOC opponent to paly GW at the Smith Center, and make sure the game is nationally televised and streamed.
Work really hard to get more press, including broadcast and print.
In years we don't make the NCAA tournament, make a deep run in the NIT.

I know this is just for fun, and that my additional ideas might not be realistic (although I would be interested about what you think of them), but do you believe anyone at GW who can impact the basketball program reads this?  And, even if they do not, do you think any of them are thinking about ideas like yours.  I think it would be very useful to have a strategy like you outlined.

22nd and F - Those goals you listed are good as well. However, I think all of them would almost happen by definition if we achieve the ones I listed. That's why I tried to just narrow them down. If we are regularly competing for the top of the A-10 year-in and year-out and don't make the NCAA tournament we should be good for the NIT. Consistent winning attracts fans like honey attracts flies so attendance should go up. Likewise, media attention would grow. Finally, we would be able to attract better opponents to the Smith Center because we would have more revenues. All good thoughts.
 

Not a chance unless money and school spirit do a 180. I think Howard and their recruiting of 5 star recruits is In much better position. And of the 2 school spirit is the most important.
How many GW alums to you know who laugh or otherwise dismiss giving to GW.