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Post by Coyote Fan on Nov 8, 2010 1:52:40 GMT -6
2010 Home Attendance
vs NW Oklahoma State - 8769
vs North Dakota - 9596
vs Northern Iowa - 9169
vs Northern Colorado - 6856
vs Cal Poly - 7369
Average = 8,351
2009 Home Attendance
vs Williams Penn - 7156
vs Drake - 8274
vs Southeastern Louisiana - 8121
vs UC Davis - 9884
vs Southern Utah - 7148
Average = 8,116
So USD went up about 200 fans per game but when looking at things closer that is not a necessarily a good sign. With the improved tailgate, the extra exposure beating Minnesota and the conference talk USD was by far more in the spotlight this year vs last. The schedule was also better as well with home games against UNI and UND which should be bigger draws than any home game last year. UNC was a former rival so that should have also drawn quite well. It would have been nice to see that average closer to 9,000. I think by simply subtracting the difference between the visiting fans this year vs last may put the difference in attendance even slighter.
Next year will have UC Davis and S. Utah back in the dome but other than that I am unsure who else will be coming in. I think it may be awfully difficult to put together as good of a home schedule next year as we had this year. Maybe Lamar and NW Oklahoma State will come in, not sure.
So we have
S. Utah
UC-Davis
question marks
Lamar
NW Oklahoma State
It's gonna be tough to build on the attendance much based upon the desirability of the teams coming in.
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Post by #1CoyoteFan (Admin) on Nov 8, 2010 2:21:02 GMT -6
Lamar is coming to the Dome from what I now.
I attribute the drop-off in home attendance in the last two games to the fact that USD started to struggle on the field. A winning product will help fill the seats as well.
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Post by yoteforever on Nov 8, 2010 8:14:19 GMT -6
2010 Home Attendance vs NW Oklahoma State - 8769 vs North Dakota - 9596 vs Northern Iowa - 9169 vs Northern Colorado - 6856 vs Cal Poly - 7369 Average = 8,351 2009 Home Attendance vs Williams Penn - 7156 vs Drake - 8274 vs Southeastern Louisiana - 8121 vs UC Davis - 9884 vs Southern Utah - 7148 Average = 8,116 So USD went up about 200 fans per game but when looking at things closer that is not a necessarily a good sign. With the improved tailgate, the extra exposure beating Minnesota and the conference talk USD was by far more in the spotlight this year vs last. The schedule was also better as well with home games against UNI and UND which should be bigger draws than any home game last year. UNC was a former rival so that should have also drawn quite well. It would have been nice to see that average closer to 9,000. I think by simply subtracting the difference between the visiting fans this year vs last may put the difference in attendance even slighter. Next year will have UC Davis and S. Utah back in the dome but other than that I am unsure who else will be coming in. I think it may be awfully difficult to put together as good of a home schedule next year as we had this year. Maybe Lamar and NW Oklahoma State will come in, not sure. So we have S. Utah UC-Davis question marks Lamar NW Oklahoma State It's gonna be tough to build on the attendance much based upon the desirability of the teams coming in. As our friends from up north have said many times, it didn't matter what was reproted, it is what it was. 2009 attendance figures was from the Joel Nielsen era......i.e. hide, protect, fabricate, whatver it took to look good. This years numbers I believe to be a bit more true. I haven't missed a USD hardly at all in a long period of time, and '10 attendance was far greater than '09. CF#1 is correct. When you lose you lose fan support. I am going to post later because I believe it was usdfbalum or Yote53 that was just so frustrated in the apathy. I share that feeling as well. |
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Post by usdfbalum on Nov 8, 2010 8:21:37 GMT -6
Attendance at USD fb home games is frustrating.
Besides winning, and on the field excitement - what can USD do to improve the game-day experience? What marketing should USD do that you think would be effective? Can USD tap into the SF market more effectively with effort? If so, what suggestions do you have?
IMO the numbers posted for the season attendance were inflated, but I think they were inflated worse in past years.
Even though it can be done it seems challenging to build durable attendance at the FCS level- This past Saturday SDSU was under 8k (reported) and NDSU was under 13k (reported).
I would put USD's real attendance numbers at 5500-6000 in actual attendance. Just an estimate, but in looking over the Main grandstand - I would guess it was about 85% full - and the main grandstand holds 5317 - 85% of 5317 is 4519 - and then I would throw in about 1000 other people including the students, band etc.
The crowd was better than UNC, but the UNC crowd was horrible.
I really wish USD would report actual attendance instead of inflating the numbers - I know it is common practice at a lot of institutions, but it is impossible to show real growth when the numbers are fluffed.
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Post by usdfbalum on Nov 8, 2010 13:34:29 GMT -6
I do not think there is an easy or quick fix for the attendance numbers. My best guess is attendance will slowly improve over time on avg even with marginal effort by the University because of the increased level of competition.
I think USD needs to connect with the students of today to help build a foundation of fans for the future.
People who went to one fb or bb game a year during their time at USD as a student are not going to all of a sudden find meaning and entertainment in USD athletics. The most we can hope for from them is that they are bandwagon fans.
.
Focusing in on making the game day even more exciting and carnival like for those actually going to the game will help.
Tailgating is growing - this has to help. More can be done there too. I know there is a DJ , but I would like to see the U actually hire some live bands to set up stage in the tailgate area. Has to be an event.
The facilities upgrade will play a huge part too. Let's face it - seeing the wooden bleachers removes a lot from the fb feel.
USD should invest in two HUGE High def replay boards as part of the renovation- today's students and casual fans want to be entertained. The sound system needs to be state of the art - and get someone controlling both the sound and video that knows what they are doing. Lighting in the Dome also needs to be addressed. Go to YouTube and watch an NDSU entrance where the stadium goes all dark in the arena before the team takes the field.
Also USD with the new facilities needs to keep students and fans out of the end zones walking to their seats. Actually think the Dome should become a place that students have a hard time being able to access other than game-day. They will want to check it out more if they never get to get in other times. The way it is now with classes and student workout facilities in the Dome - there is nothing perceived as special going to the dome to see the stadium.
The last thing I would like to see is beer sales in the Dome (I know there are emotions on both sides of the issue )- but when you are attracting college students and casual fb fans - that would help.
Loud Music + Beer + over 10000 people in attendance = an environment that will be loud, have tons of energy, and will make people want to return. With the facilities upgrade and permanent seating most likely being put up where the bleachers and practice bb courts are now, it would be a perfect time to sell beer on one side of the stadium, and have a beer-free zone on the other. That would protect people that are opposed to it or if you bring your children to the game (like I do) and do not want them around people drinking - you have 7000 seats to choose from to avoid it. If on the other hand you wouldn't mind taking in a couple beers while you cheer on the Yotes - you would have 7000 seats to choose from on the other side. My guess is beer sales could also help pay for an even better upgrade of facilities.
Also I know many will say, we don't need beer to enjoy a fb game - I get that. When it comes down to it, I don't need a video board, announcer, seat, hot dog, Pepsi, or Carmel corn. When you are expanding beyond the die-hard fb fans, we do need more.
The facilities upgrade will be an opportunity to press reset on the game-day experience for students and fans alike. Hope the University capitalizes on it.
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Post by yotemeal on Nov 8, 2010 13:55:11 GMT -6
I would also recommend that someone gain access to the audio booth, remove what I presume to be some obnoxious 1998 Jock Jams cd, and torture it until it begs to be killed. I'm not sure what's more humiliating, seeing the student section clear out at half time or realizing that, yes, that is "All Star" by Smash Mouth being played over the PA.
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Post by Yote 53 on Nov 8, 2010 14:44:53 GMT -6
There was a whole row of about 10 girls behind me that loved Rock Star. They would get up and sing and dance. They knew every word, but then again, what do I know, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed...
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Post by usdfbalum on Nov 10, 2010 21:55:51 GMT -6
Branding and advertising to people within realistic driving distance to Vermillion will be crucial to grow attendance numbers. Here is a link to an NDSU advertisement for FB tickets and the upcoming SDSU/NDSU game- very well done IMO. Would love to see this type of advertisement for USD, Season tickets, Howling Pack. www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAUJkqELrzg&feature=player_embedded |
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Post by Coyote Fan on Nov 10, 2010 22:35:16 GMT -6
That is indeed an AWSOME commerical. If I was a Bison fan that would really pump me up. I like the booming in your face effect of the add. I also like the play by play guy being in there as well. USD needs to not leave a stone unturned when it comes to marketing. The old days of Coyote sports are over. It's a new time, a new day and a new path.
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