Atlantic 10 Conference Basketball Marketing: What We Can Learn from #1 Dayton

There's something (or things) that every program does a fantastic job of that we can learn from. In anything you do, if you can find the good in what someone does and do more of that and then avoid what you find to be less effective, you'll end up in a better place.

Thus far our journey through the Atlantic 10 has shown us #14 St Joseph's, #13 La Salle, #12 Saint Louis, #11 Fordham, #10 U Mass, and #9 Temple, #8 Duquesne, #7 St Bonaventure, #6 Richmond, #5 Rhode Island, #4 George Washington, #3 Charlotte, and #2 Xavier.

Let's keep moving.

#1 Dayton

What the program is known for? Dayton made a splash last year, winning 27 games and advancing to the 2nd round of the tourney. They have made a total of 14 tourney appearances, including 4 in the past 10 years.

Why are they 1st? As you'll see in the links below, when we hit GW, we hit a new level of content in the A-10. They distance themselves from the pack beneath them by making it easy to get what you want and by getting very crisp in some key areas. Where could they improve? Access. Get us closer to the team and coaches now. And don't shy away from the history you have!

What inspired me about Dayton? (link here)

1. There is no doubt which sport is king here.

Wow. I've never come across a site where you see it broken apart as follows: Men's Basketball, Men's Sports, or Women's Sports. Note the emphasis this places on the site. And as you see in the home page image for Go Dayton Hoops (below or linked here), there's a LOT of inspiration coming in the site. So it's not just about elevating the sport. It's about elevating it and making it amazing.

2. Flickr for the hoops team!

As I hope you know, I think photography is really powerful. It's simple, but there's a lot of truth to that phrase of a picture being worth a thousand words. (Shouts out to Vince & Clark) - 2 great guys... Now what's that same picture worth if anyone can take it, share it, and make it their own?

You'll see the Flickr icon at the bottom of the Go Dayton Hoops site. (Or just click in here)... This is really great. I love this for so many reasons: You can subscribe. You can take and use the images. You can see them organized by player or by game. And, you can add comments much like you would on your own, personal photo gallery. Why more teams don't do this is just crazy. But for now, enjoy this one!

3. Branding of the Blog: Experience Flight Game Day and Off the Court.

This is a great example of taking the idea of a blog, tailoring it for great access and inside information and then blowing it out with an aspirational name. So you can literally experience a day in the life of the Flyers. And, though the image above doesn't do justice to this, the background is alive - you feel as if you're sitting in the crowd watching the team. I had a little nervous energy, to tell you the truth!

We all have that ability. Give fans (and recruits) a chance to see a game day routine. A practice day routine. The offseason. Let them in on your "secrets", or more importantly in that dynamic.

Where could Dayton improve this? Well for one, make it easier to subscribe. To raise your hand to get updates or posts on what interests you. And by doing that, they'll get a sense for how to evolve the content!

That's a wrap.

I hope you've enjoyed the trek through the A-10 as much as I have. I love going through and sharing inspiration, and there is a lot of it in this conference.

Now time to focus in on March Madness!!!

Andy