Hope College led all NCAA Division III men's basketball teams in home attendance during the 2002-03 season according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Hope College led all NCAA Division III men's basketball teams in home attendance during the 2002-03 season according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The MIAA co-champion Flying Dutchmen averaged 2,383 fans over 11 home games played at the Holland Civic Center and the college's Dow Center. League rival Calvin ranked third in the national attendance figures, averaging 1,904 fans over 12 home games.
This marks the fifth time in school history that Hope has led the nation in average home attendance. Other years were 1984, 1991, 1996 and 1999.
Hope and Calvin helped the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) to top all Division III conferences in home attendance for the 12th consecutive year with an average of 1,050 fans a game.
Next season the Flying Dutchmen will be playing at the storied Holland Civic Center for the 50th year. With only two losing home seasons since 1954-55, the Flying Dutchmen have an impressive 439-110 record at the Civic Center. Hope was 9-1 at the Civic in 2002-03.
Hope's playing days at the Civic Center are numbered. The college is close to breaking ground for a new fieldhouse with a planned seating capacity of 3,500 compared to the 2,550 of the Civic Center. The goal is to play in the new facility during the 2004-05 season which would be Hope's 100th year of men's basketball.