June 25, 2002
Store courtesy: UND Media Relations
Grand Forks, ND – The University of North Dakota women's basketball team led Division II in home attendance in 2001-02 it was announced on Monday by the NCAA. It marked the second year in a row that the Sioux led the country in attendance.
UND played in front of 39,797 fans for its 14 home games last season, an average of 2,843 per game. It marked an increase of 304 more fans per game than 2000-01, when North Dakota led the nation with an average of 2,539.
South Dakota State finished second behind the Sioux, with an average attendance of 2,575. North Dakota State (2,430) and Augustana (1,947) finished third and fourth, respectively, to give the North Central Conference a sweep of the top four spots. The NCC as a conference averaged 1,624 fans per game, well ahead of the second-place MIAA, which averaged 1,149. 2001-02 marked the 12th consecutive year the North Central Conference has led Division II conferences in average home attendance. The 1,624 mark set a new record, breaking the previous per-game mark of 1,548 the NCC set in 1994-95.
"It's all about the fans," women's coach Gene Roebuck said after hearing the news on Monday. "We've got great fans at home and they add to the attendance when we're on the road. To me, the fans help make up the total package. We work hard to put a good team on the floor and the fans appreciate that by showing their support. Then the large crowds just give us added incentive, so it's all related."
The UND men's basketball program finished second in the nation in home attendance during the 2001-02 season, averaging 3,857 fans per game. The Sioux, aided by the record crowd of 13,280 for the North Dakota/Kansas game at Engelstad Arena, played in front of 57,850 fans in 15 home games.
In 2000-01 UND finished fourth in the nation, with an average of 2,987 fans per game.
The North Central Conference took four of the top five spots in the nation, led by South Dakota State's average of 4,449 fans per game. South Dakota finished fourth (3,044), while St. Cloud State finished fifth (2,906).
2001-02 marked the 22nd consecutive season that the NCC has led the nation in men's attendance. The conference's average attendance of 2,551, an increase of 433 fans from the previous season, was the league's highest average since 1993-94, when the NCC averaged 2,627.
"We appreciate the great support we've had for our program, not only this past season, but over the years," UND men's coach Rich Glas said on Monday. "We've consistently been one of the top attendance-getters in the country and our entire program is thankful for the continued support."
2001-02 Women's Attendance Leaders
1. North Dakota...2,843 2. South Dakota State...2,575 3. North Dakota State...2,430 4. Augustana...1,947 5. Emporia State...1,674 6. Washburn...1,645 7. South Dakota...1,645 8. Nebraska-Kearney...1,536 9. Angelo State...1,497 10. Northern State...1,4682001-02 Men's Attendance Leaders
1. South Dakota State...4,449 2. North Dakota...3,857 3. Kentucky Wesleyan...3,850 4. South Dakota...3,044 5. St. Cloud State...2,906 6. Northern State...2,890 7. Washburn...2,867 8. Gardner-Webb...2,826 9. UC-Davis...2,794 10. Virginia State...2,632