The Durham Lords are giving fans a reason to show up beyond the final score by turning home games into themed events.
With themes ranging from Jersey Night to Retro Night, the Lords are intent on making game attendance more engaging for students and the community.
According to Zachery Ellis, sports information and marketing coordinator for the Lords, theme nights are about having fun above all else.
“We want every game to offer a different experience,” he said. “At baseball and softball [games], we do Bark at the Park, where fans bring their dogs. On Retro Night, players warm up in old DC jerseys. It’s very cool.”
Theme nights are promoted through digital signage and social media, among other methods, to draw crowds to the college’s gym, which seats roughly 700 spectators. Home basketball games usually fill about half the stands, with attendance averaging 350-400 people, according to Ellis.
Despite these efforts, some students, such as Chad Naraine, said schedules and a lack of visible promotion make it challenging to attend.
“I have not had the opportunity yet to attend, mostly with the busy schedule in the school year,” he said. “Engagement or ideas of when the games are would help with being able to attend.”
Others point to time constraints outside of class and the impact inclement weather has on commuting.
“It is a commuter school,” said student Robyn Legre. “A lot of people are coming from far away, so I think that is a main contributor to poor attendance during poor weather.”
She would like to attend games “but doesn’t have time with her academic schedule.”
Still, some students, such as Joseph Cass, say school spirit could be a deciding factor with attendance if logistics allow.
“I think I would go just to support my school. I really like coming here, so it would be nice to show some Durham College spirit.”
The Lords are set to debut a new set of alternate black jerseys during games on Feb. 11 and 13.