Marketing 101

I hear that's a pretty good class for Wharton kids, but I'm in the College, so I wouldn't know. Maybe the class should be required for the people who work in Penn's athletic department that are responsible putting together basketball schedules and promotions. Because you'd have to think that in a Wharton marketing class, they'd teach you not to hold "Fan Appreciation Day" or "Senior Night" on days when fans can't come to the games.

Nonetheless, the athletic department, in its infinite wisdom, has decided that the Red and Blue Crew should be "appreciated" when they're on SPRING BREAK. Better yet, Brian Grandieri -- who has given his heart and soul to Penn basketball and its fans over the past four years -- will play his final game at the Palestra in front of an absolutely empty student section. What a great way to honor the seniors!

I understand that attendance hasn't been good at all this year. But between ordering a ban on the "Hey Song" and scheduling these games during Spring Break, the athletic department is completely failing to ameliorate the situation. In fact, the situation is just getting worse. It is absolutely unconscionable that students have to miss out on the last home games of the season, and even more ridiculous that they'd have to miss out on a promotion designed almost exclusively for them. How could the athletic department be unaware of the fact that the campus clears out after Thursday? Kids that have to travel to get home or go to Spring Break destinations have flights to catch and aren't going to hang around a few extra days at Penn -- it would be unreasonable for anyone to expect as much.

Obviously, when you're not a league title contender for the first time in a while, it's not easy to keep attendance and fan support up. The whole process can get a little frustrating. And I'm sure that the athletic department is trying its best to improve the attendance issues -- it reflects poorly on an institution that prides itself on school spirit to not have the gym packed. But honestly, this is beyond absurd. Shame on Penn's athletic department for this tremendous oversight.