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Post by Yotes on Nov 28, 2016 23:14:01 GMT -6
Clearly the volleyball opener was enough to satisfy the new venue interests of the public. We have only had two days where we hosted D1 opponents in BBall so far, but neither have matched that opening volleyball crowd.
The lack of attendance doesn't surprise me, our fanbase is what it is, but I'm dying to know who the hundreds of people who bought season tickets in front of me are. Naturally most have not shown up to a game yet, but I'm told that these people donated more than me and bought season tickets, only to never use them apparently.
I don't get it.
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Post by Coyote Fan on Nov 28, 2016 23:47:50 GMT -6
I wonder the same thing. It's not just a few empty seats either, it appears to be many seats that are purchased but not accounted for on game day. The same thing goes for the club area as well. I don't think we can measure the fan base on the SDSU games, but for me the real test will be the first saturday afternoon double header against IUPUI on January 7th. Conference games at a good time with both teams playing. It would be nice to have 2,000 actual bodies in the arena for that one but I wouldn't bet on it. That double header will include competitive games for both men and women and will be the first conference double header in the SCSC. I would imagine a few may come to check out the Yote Women vs Illinois on Dec 7th followed by the men against Montana State but that is on a Wednesday so not a good night for out of towners.
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Post by Yote 53 on Nov 29, 2016 9:16:51 GMT -6
I take one look at the schedule and see the problem. Is there a single Friday night or late Saturday afternoon/early evening game on the schedule? I see Jan 28 3:15 pm game against Denver, Feb 18 3:15 PM game against ORU and that is about it. Why is a marquee game like SDSU at 1 PM? A bulk of the schedule is on Wednesday nights at 7PM, a lot of Sunday afternoon games, and the few Saturday ones are early afternoon.
There is nothing about these dates and times that screams THIS IS AN EVENT. The casual fan likes a Friday night or Saturday night event to plan their weekend around, not a middle of the afternoon game that is a big block in the middle of their day. If you have kids, or any sort of a busy life, that is difficult to do on a regular basis. Seriously, think about this, football games are Saturday events with only a few weekends a year and the travel weather is better, still USD gets like what 8-9K? Yet you expect to fill up a 6,000 seat arena with about twice as many events, some against subpar teams, on off-prime dates and times? Forget about it. Maybe if we have about 5 straight years of NCAA appearances with a Sweet 16 run in there would you be able to drum up the kind of interest to put 5,000+ butts in the seats.
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Post by kiyoat on Nov 29, 2016 9:17:25 GMT -6
.... I'm dying to know who the hundreds of people who bought season tickets in front of me are. Naturally most have not shown up to a game yet ... Just curious, but couldn't you just go and sit in their seats (if they are not going to show up anyway). That way there wouldn't be a big gap, and those of you who do show up can get better seats. I also wonder that at the Summit League Tourney. The Jacks fans and Bison fans (and a few Coyote fans) buy those all-tourney tickets and then only go to some of the games. When I buy a ticket on the day of the game, I'm in the nosebleeds with lots of empty seats below. I guess my question is, what would it hurt to go sit there, and if the owner shows up, just move? I think we are all just a little too polite, and it makes the crowd look bad when there is a big gap in the seating.
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Post by yote14 on Nov 29, 2016 9:23:49 GMT -6
Non conference games always have smaller crowds. Plus I think it will take time to get fans used to having basketball games in November. We are so used to the turf being down in November and our first home games schedule in June.
I watched some of the SDSU/Milwaukee game on Sunday. The Sanford Pentagon only holds 3200 people and it was probably only 60% full. Even in SF pulling more than 2,000 or 2,500 is tough in November for non conference games. There is just so much going on.
It will pick up during conference play as it does for every team. Especially if we are as good as we appear to be in the early showing of the season.
I picture the games with Fort Wayne and NDSU as big games with a conference title on the line potentially.
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Post by Yotes on Nov 29, 2016 14:53:56 GMT -6
.... I'm dying to know who the hundreds of people who bought season tickets in front of me are. Naturally most have not shown up to a game yet ... Just curious, but couldn't you just go and sit in their seats (if they are not going to show up anyway). That way there wouldn't be a big gap, and those of you who do show up can get better seats. I also wonder that at the Summit League Tourney. The Jacks fans and Bison fans (and a few Coyote fans) buy those all-tourney tickets and then only go to some of the games. When I buy a ticket on the day of the game, I'm in the nosebleeds with lots of empty seats below. I guess my question is, what would it hurt to go sit there, and if the owner shows up, just move? I think we are all just a little too polite, and it makes the crowd look bad when there is a big gap in the seating. Of course I could go move into their seats, if I had bad seats I probably would (there really aren't bad seats though). I just can't figure out why there are so many vacant seats that belong to season ticket holders. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say there are hundreds of vacant seats that have been sold for the season.
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Post by kiyoat on Nov 29, 2016 15:34:06 GMT -6
Just curious, but couldn't you just go and sit in their seats (if they are not going to show up anyway). That way there wouldn't be a big gap, and those of you who do show up can get better seats. I also wonder that at the Summit League Tourney. The Jacks fans and Bison fans (and a few Coyote fans) buy those all-tourney tickets and then only go to some of the games. When I buy a ticket on the day of the game, I'm in the nosebleeds with lots of empty seats below. I guess my question is, what would it hurt to go sit there, and if the owner shows up, just move? I think we are all just a little too polite, and it makes the crowd look bad when there is a big gap in the seating. Of course I could go move into their seats, if I had bad seats I probably would (there really aren't bad seats though). I just can't figure out why there are so many vacant seats that belong to season ticket holders. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say there are hundreds of vacant seats that have been sold for the season. Yeah, that IS wierd. My guess is that loads of season tickets were purchased by corporate sponsors to distribute to employees. (as another way to support the athletic department and artificially boost the official attendance numbers) Not a bad strategy, other than the bad perception from the empty seats. Seems like the Athletic Department, or their business partners, should focus more on getting actual butts in seats instead of sales numbers. Promotional stuff to SF alumni would be a good start.
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Post by yoteforever on Nov 29, 2016 16:44:39 GMT -6
I live 2+ hours from the Dome/SCSC and make an effort to try and be at every game. Honestly, not to be a weenie or anything,but it truly breaks my heart so see such little enthusiasm period. I don't care of its butts in the seats, or the roar of the crowd. Attendance sucks. And honestlay, the vast majority that are there act like wet noodles during the game. For crying out loud, when your head basketball coach has to turn to the crowd and lift his arms up in the it to try and incite the crowd into being noisy, I give up. This new arena is noisy. I stand corrected. It can be noisy. We now have a huge home court advantage, and it sickens me to know there will probably be only 2 games we will hear what it's capable of.
If I was the AD, I would simply forget about Sioux Falls and trying to kiss their a$$ to come down to games. There are the dedicated ones from there that do show up for most, if not all games, and I applaud you. You know who you are. But the SF alumni base is less than 1 hour to the arena, and they don't come. I would focus my marketing efforts on 3 areas. Yankton, Sioux City, and NW Iowa. I have come to the conclusion that SF is a high school sports town. Many moons ago, the Sioux City area was a strong presence at athletic events at USD. I guess people don't see the value in supporting USD athletics.
My biggest fear has come to fruition, and that deep down, most alumni don't give a crap. You see it on football Saturday. The tailgate lot is half empty or more for most games. I guess the bottom line is the only time that matters to our potential fan base is if we are playing SDSU or making a run in the WNIT. I was hopeful that the new arena would be a great start to a new era of sports on our campus, but it's not going to happen. What a shame as our facilities are A#1.
Season tickets rare;y are sold to corporations at USD. Certainly not in large numbers, so those of you complaining about those tickets not being used are 100% spot on. I don't know what's ever going to change it, but the alumni are just as bad as the students. The real shame is if we would average even 3000 people at games, the home court advantage ( or potential one if people could be trained to yell and cheer ) would be off the charts. I'm bummed out over this big time.
It really makes me wonder if we should even think about renovating the Dome. Might be a huge waist of money and effort.
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Post by sdyotefan on Nov 29, 2016 16:58:48 GMT -6
I love the fact that the games are broadcast on Midco or free online since I live 350 miles away in Rapid City but that has to hurt attendance some even for ticket holders if it's bad weather, etc. I would certainly be there if closer so don't really understand what some are thinking. As students in the old days (New Armory) in the late 60s the games were packed and LOUD. Don't understand students now days I guess?
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Post by yoteforever on Nov 29, 2016 17:02:43 GMT -6
I love the fact that the games are broadcast on Midco or free online since I live 350 miles away in Rapid City but that has to hurt attendance some even for ticket holders if it's bad weather, etc. I would certainly be there if closer so don't really understand what some are thinking. As students in the old days (New Armory) in the late 60s the games were packed and LOUD. Don't understand students now days I guess? I understand completely why you like the streaming and truthfully I'm happy you get it. But from a business perspective, it makes ZERO sense to do that. Does anyone really know the true number of season tickets that were sold? One last thing. I do think there should be separate season tickets sold for men and women's games. Never understood that.
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Post by Yotes on Nov 29, 2016 18:04:01 GMT -6
Season tickets rare;y are sold to corporations at USD. Certainly not in large numbers, so those of you complaining about those tickets not being used are 100% spot on. I don't know what's ever going to change it, but the alumni are just as bad as the students. The real shame is if we would average even 3000 people at games, the home court advantage ( or potential one if people could be trained to yell and cheer ) would be off the charts. I'm bummed out over this big time. Our fanbase sucks. I'm not going to dispute that. But they have to have some interest if they were willing to pony up and buy all those season tickets, even if they currently sit empty. It's absolutely ridiculous but the athletic department has to find a way to get its season ticket holders to show up to some games. I also would like to point out that men's basketball, regardless of how successful the women may be, is what people care about and that program hasn't played a meaningful game in ages. The men have had one good season since leaving D2 and it was while in the piece of crap Great West conference. We've basically been crap since then and few are going to show up to watch a losing team. If a new arena doesn't generate interest then the only thing left is W's. Win the Summit this year and I bet a few more people show up next year. That's the reality here.
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Post by Coyote Fan on Nov 29, 2016 18:49:27 GMT -6
I live about an hour away from the dome and for me the new arena is a big part of an increased interest in attending live games and winning is an even more important aspect. For me having free streaming games will in no way make it less likely for me attending a game live. If anything having the free streaming only helps create interest in the program but in no way keeps me away from Vermillion. If some one takes the opportunity to watch a free game I believe that the net gain in getting those people to games is greater than the net loss of people that choose to remain home to watch on video whether on TV or on line. Maybe I am way off in that assessment. I believe people that want to be at live games are going to be there regardless if it is on TV. I love having the ability to watch most games now from home if I need to but there is nothing that replaces being live at a game especially if there is a big and loud crowd. In no way during the Women's WNIT games would I have missed an opportunity to be part of something big in favor of watching from home. I would rather have to deal with a few morons at games in exchange for having a loud and somewhat roudy crowd. I miss the old days of the State U games when the students and sometimes adults would really get into it and do some crazy things. I am not in favor of vulgar behavior but there is nothing better than being part of a raucous crowd as long as it is a tasteful crowd. I remember during Boot's hay day how the attendance at most home games was probably around 3 or 4 thousand. The wooden bleachers when they were taller and wider were pretty much full for the most part. I would say the crowds were double in the 90's compared to what they are now.
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Post by kiyoat on Nov 29, 2016 19:02:04 GMT -6
If anything having the free streaming only helps create interest in the program but in no way keeps me away from Vermillion. If some one takes the opportunity to watch a free game I believe that the net gain in getting those people to games is greater than the net loss I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. There are many things that can "spark" interest in a sport or a team. For many before midco started their broadcasts, it was just more difficult to try and follow the team. The easy access to streaming can take zero-interest fans and convert them into casual fans. Casual fans can be converted into interested fans, who can be converted into involved fans, etc. The TV and streaming options are a good thing, IMO. Of course, nothing grows a fanbase faster than winning. Look what the WNIT did practically overnight. USD fans do suck, though. We need a fire lit under our collective @sses.
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Post by Yotes on Nov 29, 2016 20:40:57 GMT -6
I live about an hour away from the dome and for me the new arena is a big part of an increased interest in attending live games and winning is an even more important aspect. For me having free streaming games will in no way make it less likely for me attending a game live. If anything having the free streaming only helps create interest in the program but in no way keeps me away from Vermillion. If some one takes the opportunity to watch a free game I believe that the net gain in getting those people to games is greater than the net loss of people that choose to remain home to watch on video whether on TV or on line. Maybe I am way off in that assessment. I believe people that want to be at live games are going to be there regardless if it is on TV. I love having the ability to watch most games now from home if I need to but there is nothing that replaces being live at a game especially if there is a big and loud crowd. In no way during the Women's WNIT games would I have missed an opportunity to be part of something big in favor of watching from home. I would rather have to deal with a few morons at games in exchange for having a loud and somewhat roudy crowd. I miss the old days of the State U games when the students and sometimes adults would really get into it and do some crazy things. I am not in favor of vulgar behavior but there is nothing better than being part of a raucous crowd as long as it is a tasteful crowd. I remember during Boot's hay day how the attendance at most home games was probably around 3 or 4 thousand. The wooden bleachers when they were taller and wider were pretty much full for the most part. I would say the crowds were double in the 90's compared to what they are now. I agree that free online streams are a net gain for USD. Online streams are mandatory in this day and age, and if we were to charge for the streams we would have a tenth of the viewership and only a couple extra butts in the seats. If free streams are bad then having any games on TV is bad too.
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Post by Iceman on Nov 29, 2016 23:28:47 GMT -6
Ok so without everyone freaking out on me, let me bring up something brought up earlier by some. I know we haven't played the best competition at home yet, but most single game tickets are $15. I know season tickets are $300, so they are a better deal but maybe that is stopping some from coming.
Did anyone watch when we played Arkansas? There was hardly anyone there. They kept advertising on the game that tickets were all general admission, and were $5 all year long or you can get a season pass for $50. That sounds like a high school to me. Then I watched sdsu men play Oklahoma. They were advertising season tickets for women's games for $100 and men's season tickets for $160.
I don't know. It's just a thought I guess.
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