Lancers Experience Attendance Growth in Year Two
5/20/2020 8:09:00 AM | Men's Basketball
RIVERSIDE --- The California Baptist University men's basketball fanbase experienced growth in the CBU Events Center in 2019-20, as the Lancers finished fourth out of 14 teams in home attendance among the Southern California NCAA Division I programs.
Lancer Nation was in full force throughout the season, as the Lancers averaged 3,181 fans per contest. This marks the third-straight season of growth for the Lancers, a staggering 291 percent increase in fans per game since the 2016-17 season.
In total, the Lancers welcomed 63,615 fans to the CBU Events Center throughout the season, as only San Diego St. (175,015), UCLA (113,998), and USC (65,755) recorded a higher number.
Lancer Nation, stand up! #LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Hc6a97rb8s
— CBU Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) April 3, 2020
"Lancer Nation is so special, and they have made the Events Center an absolutely electric atmosphere," said head coach Rick Croy. "It's an honor being the coach at CBU, and being on the same team with the best fans in California. I can't wait to compete with them again in year three."
The Lancers had another excellent year in DI men's hoops, as Croy's squad shattered the NCAA record for most wins in the first two seasons of the transition period into the NCAA DI ranks. The Lancers ended the season at 21-10 overall, which gave them a combined 37 wins in their first two years. The next closest program on that list is Grand Canyon, with 32.
As for the Western Athletic Conference, the Lancers jumped up one spot from fourth to third in total attendance on the year. Grand Canyon topped the list with 111,647, NM State finished in second at 91,041, and the Lancers edged CSU Bakersfield, who finished in fourth with 36,334 fans.
In April, the WAC Board of Directors voted to shorten the eligibility period for transitioning institutions to participate in the Hercules Tires WAC Basketball Tournaments presented by TicketSmarter to two years.
With the shortened adjustments for transitioning institutions, California Baptist University will enter the 2020-21 season eligible to compete in the 2021 tournaments at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Dixie State and Tarleton State will be eligible for the 2023 tournaments.
The Lancers will enter the 2020-21 season in their third year of the four-year NCAA DI transition period.
