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Student fan attendance is a nationwide problem

Posted on 2/18/14 at 10:00 am
Posted by IAmReality
Member since Oct 2012
12229 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 10:00 am
So it turns out it isn't just grumpy old man talk pointing out that student fan interest and attendance seems to be falling.

Students don't show up, or they show up and leave early, or they show up and barely cheer or pay attention, etc.

You've probably noticed it at your school already.

Well it's not just your school. It's everybody. Big schools, small schools. Power programs, mid-majors, winning programs, losing programs, doesn't seem to matter.

https://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/10458047/next-generation-ticket-holder-concern-students-show-college-football-games

All the possible reasons they mention are things discussed before. Kids are addicted to cell phones and can't get coverage, they have grown up in the era of the high def flat screen tv and find that a better experience, etc.
Posted by flyAU
Scottsdale
Member since Dec 2010
24850 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 10:02 am to
But we should expand the stadiums ASAP
Posted by Mizz-SEC
Inbred Huntin' In The SEC
Member since Jun 2013
19245 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 10:08 am to

Easy solution... Offer less to the students.
Posted by LSUdm21
Member since Nov 2008
17486 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 10:08 am to
quote:

But we should expand the stadiums ASAP


They aren't expanding them for the students Broseph. LSU's addition, for example, is 90% new suites.
Posted by KSGamecock
The Woodlands, TX
Member since May 2012
22982 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 10:09 am to
quote:

Sam Eichenblatt, Georgia Tech: "I want to be able to flip over to other football games while watching my team. I don't want to miss the entire LSU-Alabama game because my team is playing at the same time."


That made me smile. How many SEC students say "I skipped our game to watch GT-Wake"?
Posted by NorthGwinnettTiger
Member since Jun 2006
51827 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 10:10 am to
quote:

"One thing Clemson, Vanderbilt and Auburn all had in common was a crazy stadium atmosphere," Wolk said. "At Georgia? Traditional music and a PA announcer barely yelling 'Let's make some noise 'on third down."


Vandy is known for having a crazy atmosphere? Clemson was awesome....AU almost always is. Just weird seeing Vandy and crazy atmosphere. But I agree that Sanford Stadium sucks inside. UGA fans can tailgate with the best of them, but stadium experience is underwhelming.
Posted by Phat Phil
Krispy Kreme
Member since May 2010
7373 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 10:19 am to
No it's not. When I went to UT from 98-04 I went to maybe 2-3 home games per year. Ticket was FREE and I didn't even have to deal with parking. I could just walk to the stadium in 5 minutes.

I still loved college football but at age 18-24 I was more focused on getting laid and getting drunk. Now that I'm in my 30's, I watch every frickin snap.

Posted by Tiger n Miami AU83
Miami
Member since Oct 2007
45656 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 10:37 am to
I missed exactly 0.00 home games in six years at au and do not remember ever leaving a game early though I may have on a couple of blowouts.
Posted by flyAU
Scottsdale
Member since Dec 2010
24850 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 10:37 am to
quote:

90% new suites.


I know that is where the money is, but I personally hate the look of suites consuming much of the real estate. I would rather have more "commoner" seats added at a lower ticket point to get people in the seats. Louder and better atmosphere.

I like that the endzone is getting bowled in at LSU but I don't think it looks good. If you want to go to extremes, look at Levi stadium in Cali.

I know it goes back to money, but it doesnt mean I have to like it.

Posted by Cooter Davenport
Austin, TX
Member since Apr 2012
9006 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 10:59 am to
A&M isn't having this problem.
Posted by twk
Wichita Falls, Texas
Member since Jul 2011
2131 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 11:03 am to
quote:

Easy solution... Offer less to the students.
That's a short term solution that creates long term problems. Those are your future season ticket buyers, or at least you hope that they are. If you don't expose students to the fun of live attendance while they are at school, it's hard to imagine them suddenly acquiring in interest in purchasing season tickets when they are in their 40s and have the disposable income and time to do so.
Posted by bird35
Georgia
Member since Sep 2012
12183 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 11:24 am to
I never missed a home game as a student. But it was fun to gather for a away game and watch with friends. Having unfettered access to beer during the game was a plus.

When I was a student they actually frisked you for booze. Now that I am 40 they just let me walk in with it.
Posted by DawgsLife
Member since Jun 2013
58915 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 11:26 am to
quote:

Sam Eichenblatt, Georgia Tech: "I want to be able to flip over to other football games while watching my team. I don't want to miss the entire LSU-Alabama game because my team is playing at the same time."



That made me smile. How many SEC students say "I skipped our game to watch GT-Wake"?



Absolutely. I can't blame him for wanting to change the channel from a Georgia Tech game!
Posted by Cheese Grits
Wherever I lay my hat is my home
Member since Apr 2012
54719 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 11:28 am to
quote:

I know that is where the money is, but I personally hate the look of suites consuming much of the real estate. I would rather have more "commoner" seats added at a lower ticket point to get people in the seats. Louder and better atmosphere.


This is the correct answer, but that cow is already out of the barn. The other thing would be for cell phones not to work during live time and be limited to say halftime and TV timeouts.
Posted by DawgsLife
Member since Jun 2013
58915 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 11:29 am to
quote:

Those are your future season ticket buyers, or at least you hope that they are


On the surface I would agree with you....but there are plenty of people that were never students waiting in line to buy season tickets. besides..who would NOT go to a game when it is essentially free, then want to pay thousands to get season tickets as adults?
Posted by Kentucker
Cincinnati, KY
Member since Apr 2013
19351 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 11:32 am to
Wow, UK is actually out front in something regarding SEC football. We're downsizing our stadium. Whodathunkit?
Posted by cardboardboxer
Member since Apr 2012
34330 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 11:33 am to
quote:

You've probably noticed it at your school already.



Uh no, Our student section is crazy dedicated.

Maybe everyone else should get their students to come practice at midnight the day before a game....
Posted by wmr
North of Dickson, South of Herman's
Member since Mar 2009
32518 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 11:37 am to
We are expanding ours shortly, but I hope they will lower some of the ticket prices.

I would have never seen a game live before college if there hadn't been cheap tickets available in the end zone.

Our metro continues to boom, so any expansion will probably be absorbed over time.
Posted by Phat Phil
Krispy Kreme
Member since May 2010
7373 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 12:08 pm to
quote:

If you don't expose students to the fun of live attendance while they are at school, it's hard to imagine them suddenly acquiring in interest in purchasing season tickets when they are in their 40s and have the disposable income and time to do so.


Oh they will come back. Every year when I visit Neyland I see people in their 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's in the stands filling up 100k+ stadium.

I spent the best time of my life (late teens~early 20's) in Knoxville and have fond memories from it. I imagine other UT grads feel the same way and that's why they come back. It just feels awesome to be back. Besides, there's not much to do when you're 40+ years old anyways.

Visiting Smoky mountains/Gatlinburg is a bonus.
This post was edited on 2/18/14 at 12:09 pm
Posted by CBandits82
Lurker since May 2008
Member since May 2012
54099 posts
Posted on 2/18/14 at 12:21 pm to
A lot of has to do with the tailgating.

The partying outside has become bigger than the game itself.

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