JU Athletic Department Plans Special Announcement for 8/28

[pierre]

I figured they were finally going to finally try and expand Swisher Gym.

But I doubt it. Because on social media, they been teasing images of downtown Jacksonville and #bebold.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville University Athletic Department would like to invite all of its supporters to a Special Announcement set to be held at Swisher Gymnasium on Tuesday, Aug. 28 at 11:30 a.m. ET.

During this event, fans will have the opportunity to sit alongside student-athletes, coaches, University faculty and staff, University constituents and others as Senior Vice President and Athletic Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert makes an announcement that will have a lasting effect on Jacksonville University as well as the entire Jacksonville community for years to come. Ricker-Gilbert will be joined by Senior Vice President for Communications & Marketing, Scott Bacon. Each will speak to the importance of this Special Announcement and the impact it will have.

Following the announcement, all of those in attendance are invited to attend an event outside the Kinne Center where food, games, gear and other prizes will be available.

http://www.judolphins.com/general/2018-19/releases/20180814kqaa6c

[ProjectMaximus]

Today's release pretty much spells it out. Far less intriguing than the teaser you posted haha. Basically just unveiling a new brand with new logos.

http://www.judolphins.com/general/2018-19/releases/20180821ehkyop

[pierre]

Interesting, lol. Too bad. I like the jumping dolphin.

[Captain Zissou]

an announcement that will have a lasting effect on Jacksonville University as well as the entire Jacksonville community for years to come.

Whoever wrote this line should either be fired or promoted.  It really got people talking!

I was grilling my friend who works at JU yesterday and she said the only thing she knew of at that event was the new logo.  I was hoping she was wrong.

[Bill Hoff]

an announcement that will have a lasting effect on Jacksonville University as well as the entire Jacksonville community for years to come.

Whoever wrote this line should either be fired or promoted.  It really got people talking!

I was grilling my friend who works at JU yesterday and she said the only thing she knew of at that event was the new logo.  I was hoping she was wrong.

Change can be difficult, Cap.

But this logo is going to change all of us. Each in different ways.

Dare I say, it could be the catalyst we've been waiting for to take Jacksonville to the #nextlevel. Possibly change the world, who knows.

[vicupstate]

an announcement that will have a lasting effect on Jacksonville University as well as the entire Jacksonville community for years to come.

game changer, perhaps?

Whoever wrote this line should either be fired or promoted.  It really got people talking!

I was grilling my friend who works at JU yesterday and she said the only thing she knew of at that event was the new logo.  I was hoping she was wrong.

Change can be difficult, Cap.

But this logo is going to change all of us. Each in different ways.

Dare I say, it could be the catalyst we've been waiting for to take Jacksonville to the #nextlevel. Possibly change the world, who knows.

[KenFSU]

Rookie mistake.

Under-promise and over-deliver.

Never the other way around.

[BridgeTroll]

More Dolphin logo changes... 

[Steve]

Just saw another FB teaser. This HAS to be more than a logo change.

[copperfiend]

Just saw another FB teaser. This HAS to be more than a logo change.

I think so too. But could be wishful thinking.

[ProjectMaximus]

Just saw another FB teaser. This HAS to be more than a logo change.

I think so too. But could be wishful thinking.

Announcing a new partnership and rebranding to The Jaxson University perhaps. 

[fieldafm]

Wishful thinking- bringing Division 1 basketball back downtown where it belongs (instead of the worse-than-high-school gym they currently play within.. by far the worst facility in Division 1 basketball).

Fearful thinking - replacing the iconic dolphin mascot with some Jumbo Shrimp-inspired mascot/logo

[JBTripper]

Wishful thinking- bringing Division 1 basketball back downtown where it belongs (instead of the worse-than-high-school gym they currently play within.. by far the worst facility in Division 1 basketball).

Fearful thinking - replacing the iconic dolphin mascot with some Jumbo Shrimp-inspired mascot/logo

If Jacksonville would support JU basketball, I'm sure they would happily move their home games back downtown. The reality is that JU draws FAR better in their 1,300-seat gym on campus than they did at Memorial Arena. And a crowd of 800 people - mostly students and faculty - looks a LOT better in Swisher than it does in the cavernous facility downtown.

[fieldafm]

Wishful thinking- bringing Division 1 basketball back downtown where it belongs (instead of the worse-than-high-school gym they currently play within.. by far the worst facility in Division 1 basketball).

Fearful thinking - replacing the iconic dolphin mascot with some Jumbo Shrimp-inspired mascot/logo

If Jacksonville would support JU basketball, I'm sure they would happily move their home games back downtown. The reality is that JU draws FAR better in their 1,300-seat gym on campus than they did at Memorial Arena. And a crowd of 800 people - mostly students and faculty - looks a LOT better in Swisher than it does in the cavernous facility downtown.

Sorry, not true.
Until the last two years preceding the move (which happened to include two awful years of on court basketball)... JU basketball downtown averaged triple the crowds of Swisher. Season ticket count is down tremendously as well and except for the UNF game and the occasional promotional game... student attendance is not very impressive at Swisher either. I've personally counted less than a dozen students in the stands at ASun conference games. Bottom line, its cheaper to hold games at Swisher... and JU clearly is ok with fielding a cheap version of D1 basketball.  Swisher is an absolute joke of a facility.

Signed,
Guy that's been going to JU basketball games since 1986, former JU student athlete and (as of two years ago) former season ticket holder.

[Steve]

Yea, from my experience they don't draw stellar at either place. I think the right answer is an on-campus facility, but I'm not really sure.