|
Post by GoYotes on Nov 3, 2010 9:02:05 GMT -6
The number of students at the Northern Colorado game was terrible. The Yotes are putting a good product on the field. The gameday atmosphere was excellent with good tailgating, the Sound of South Dakota band was excellent during the game with a great half time show and decent attendance on the permanent seating side. The only thing missing was the students. (Will be more high school students at the state 9B finals.)
Why was the student attendance so low? Halloween? Iowa & Nebraska both on TV? 65/35 make up of student body? What can be done to increase student interest?
|
|
|
Post by usdfbalum on Nov 3, 2010 9:20:53 GMT -6
IMO it is a couple things:
1. USD students and fans have not built a tradition of going to the games - that is changing.
2. The game was on Midco and from what I heard tons of students went to the bars instead. (see point 1.)
3. The Nebraska and Iowa games were both on TV and were big match-ups. A large percentage of the USD students identify with U of I and UNL FB more than their own schools. Much like Creighton students root for the Huskers in FB, and Marquette students root for Wisconsin in FB.
4. Students are a challenging bunch to get to games anymore - unless there is overwhelming peer pressure to attend. Look at the University of Minnesota. It becomes and entertainment contest.
The students can be won over. I am actually more concerned with the "adult" population of Yote fans. If we could get 10000 "adult" fans regularly, the DakotaDome would have a lot of life and energy - students in turn would have more fun. No one - especially students want to be in a lifeless DakotaDome.
In the end we all want the same things "adults/students"- a loud crazy environment where we can have some fun.
As I heard a controversial radio announcer say:
Loud Music + alcohol + standing room only = fun
We can discuss beer in the Dome later, but getting a state of the art sound and lighting system - state of the art High Def replay boards, and aesthetically pleasing Dome seating configuration (remove the brown bleachers)- we will be on the right track.
We will never have the money to be like the Stadium the Dallas Cowboys have, but Jerry Jones' genius IMO is that he knows people just want to be entertained. They want Music, Big Screens, graphics, lights, dancers, drinks - etc.
Lots of work to do. We can get there.
|
|
usdlaw
Senior Member
Posts: 930
|
Post by usdlaw on Nov 3, 2010 10:53:55 GMT -6
A couple quick notes: I agree students were missing at the UNC game, but the ones that were there were loud in the first half. It was ghost town the second half.
I normally rip on the old fogies in sections D E and F, but I have to give major props to the old fogies at the UNC game. They stood and cheered better than I have ever witnessed in the past. There is still work to do on 3rd downs, etc., but it was better this game.
Winning brings fans. The tailgating and better Game Day experience is increasing attendance, but the easiest way to get larger crowds is winning.
|
|
|
Post by yotemeal on Nov 3, 2010 11:41:18 GMT -6
Winning plus a shift in student body culture, i.e., making the game the "thing to do," will create results. More than ever before, I think our athletic department realizes that and is being proactive about engaging students, e.g., tailgate nation.
Another area in which I think we're seeing improvement, though, we have a ways to go, is general fanbase sports IQ and awareness. In an ideal world, USD would pack its venues regardless of opponent. In an ideal world. But the fact is UNI is going to draw a larger crowd than UNC. Fans, for the most part, seemed to appreciate the storylines of the UNI matchup. I'm interested to see the crowd we draw for Poly, a traditionally talented team in the hunt for a spot in the playoffs (not to mention a current and likely future conference mate). Oh, and it's our last home game. It would be really disappointing to see small numbers for this one -- students or old farts.
|
|
|
Post by U Fan on Nov 3, 2010 13:05:14 GMT -6
Winning plus a shift in student body culture, i.e., making the game the "thing to do," will create results. More than ever before, I think our athletic department realizes that and is being proactive about engaging students, e.g., tailgate nation. Another area in which I think we're seeing improvement, though, we have a ways to go, is general fanbase sports IQ and awareness. In an ideal world, USD would pack its venues regardless of opponent. In an ideal world. But the fact is UNI is going to draw a larger crowd than UNC. Fans, for the most part, seemed to appreciate the storylines of the UNI matchup. I'm interested to see the crowd we draw for Poly, a traditionally talented team in the hunt for a spot in the playoffs (not to mention a current and likely future conference mate). Oh, and it's our last home game. It would be really disappointing to see small numbers for this one -- students or old farts. You are right, there has to be something that draws the students and it doesn't always have to be something we older folks think is that great. I know 3 students that normally don't go to the games(I realize that is not a huge amount) that went to the UNI game simply because they thought it was really cool that they were having the 4 starters who are from Iowa as Captains. Now, I did think that was cool, but it wouldn't have been the deciding factor in whether I went to the game or not but these are young brains we are dealing with. With only 5 seniors on the roster I am not sure that Senior Day will get a lot of the students there but we can hope. Let's go Yotes.
|
|
|
Post by Coyote Fan on Nov 3, 2010 14:51:59 GMT -6
I can certainly understand the attendance being down in numbers and down in decibal level. If I wasn't such a crazy fanatic and didn't already have my ticket I would consider skipping the game but like usual I didn't.
Lets face it once USD lost to S. Utah and therefor had their chances eliminated to win the Great West there really isn't/wasn't a whole lot to play for to end the season. I would have been much more fired up had USD won at S. Utah and had a chance to share the conference title against Cal Poly. I have been hoping all year long that the Cal Poly game would carry major meaning but now it really has alot of the starch gone from it. I will be there on Saturday but I won't throw out my voice as much as I would have had the Yotes had a chance to win the Great West. I will still cheer and enjoy me experience but I won't be in anticipation all week of going to the game like I would have been. I can understand lesser fanatics skipping the last couple games all together or go as a social event more than an important edge of the seat game.
|
|
|
Post by usdfbalum on Nov 3, 2010 15:09:28 GMT -6
IMO what you just said is part of the problem People do take that attitude. Go to the game and make as much noise as you can. Support your team and get into it. The Dome can be awesome or a lifeless spirit sucking pit. The fans help choose which it will be. It needs to become part of the culture to show up at the USD games every week - not to be a bandwagon jumper and go when it is convenient for you. Not directed at you Coyote fan (I know you have gone and been there consistently.) This question is directed at you: If there had been 10000 people as interested in Coyote Athletics as you since you became a USD fan in the early 90's and shown up consistently like you have to games - do you think the program would be in a better or worse place? Show up - be loud - demand progress and results, in that order. USD will be doomed to failure if we do not wake up the fan base and create an environment of interest and support - the tab will be too high. I can certainly understand the attendance being down in numbers and down in decibal level. If I wasn't such a crazy fanatic and didn't already have my ticket I would consider skipping the game but like usual I didn't. Lets face it once USD lost to S. Utah and therefor had their chances eliminated to win the Great West there really isn't/wasn't a whole lot to play for to end the season. I would have been much more fired up had USD won at S. Utah and had a chance to share the conference title against Cal Poly. I have been hoping all year long that the Cal Poly game would carry major meaning but now it really has alot of the starch gone from it. I will be there on Saturday but I won't throw out my voice as much as I would have had the Yotes had a chance to win the Great West. I will still cheer and enjoy me experience but I won't be in anticipation all week of going to the game like I would have been. I can understand lesser fanatics skipping the last couple games all together or go as a social event more than an important edge of the seat game.
|
|
|
Post by Coyote Fan on Nov 3, 2010 15:22:57 GMT -6
If there were 10,000 Coyote Fans (meaning 10,000 me's) in attedance that damn Dakotadome would be so loud that the roof would be shaking and the bolts would be falling out from above and landing on the field. It wouldn't just happen on 3rd downs or on touchdowns but on good blocks, tackles, hits, etc. The fans would have high expectations, maybe unrealistically high.
The major advantage would be for basketball. That is where the biggest difference would be made. The dome would be full during any game that had any significant important. The crowd would be loud and it would get to the point of being Cameron indoor like. Alot of jumping up and down, chanting etc but it would be clean, no berating the opponent, at least not majorly so.
|
|
|
Post by #1CoyoteFan (Admin) on Nov 3, 2010 15:24:12 GMT -6
My problem is that football has been depressing me this year, mostly not USD's fault. Mostly Brad Childress's fault. Seriously, my heart hurts when I think about the Vikings right now haha.
Okay, just kidding basically, but i needed to take a shot at Childress.
|
|
|
Post by usdfbalum on Nov 3, 2010 15:25:59 GMT -6
Exactly. That is what USD needs to get to. If there were 10,000 Coyote Fans (meaning 10,000 me's) in attedance that damn Dakotadome would be so loud that the roof would be shaking and the bolts would be falling out from above and landing on the field. It wouldn't just happen on 3rd downs or on touchdowns but on good blocks, tackles, hits, etc. The fans would have high expectations, maybe unrealistically high. The major advantage would be for basketball. That is where the biggest difference would be made. The dome would be full during any game that had any significant important. The crowd would be loud and it would get to the point of being Cameron indoor like. Alot of jumping up and down, chanting etc but it would be clean, no berating the opponent, at least not majorly so.
|
|
|
Post by yotemeal on Nov 3, 2010 15:31:31 GMT -6
The Great West has served its purpose and provided some semblance of league competition. But in all honesty, and I don't know how common this opinion is, I've enthusiastically followed Coyote football with an eye toward the future. To me, it's been and remains less about Great West championships and more about progression toward the caliber of team we'll need to field in order to compete in an established FCS conference. Granted, league championships are great for the players and might be a good indicator of such progression. But when Cal-Poly comes to the Dome this Saturday, I honestly don't think much of the fact that a share of the Great West is not on the line. I want to see us compete well and win against a traditionally strong FCS opponent. I hope others find that as exciting as I do.
|
|
|
Post by Coyote Fan on Nov 3, 2010 15:56:30 GMT -6
My problem is that football has been depressing me this year, mostly not USD's fault. Mostly Brad Childress's fault. Seriously, my heart hurts when I think about the Vikings right now haha. Okay, just kidding basically, but i needed to take a shot at Childress. OK off topic for a bit. I was at the 1998 Championship game in the Metrodome. A big part of me died that day as a Viking fan and has truley never come back the same since. It would take nothing less than a superbowl win for me to be the same fan as I was before 98. I am still a Vikings fan but I just cannot invest my heart and soul into that team. It's just too difficult to be teased so often only to be let down in different and unacceptable ways. There is always something with the Vikings that will drive people mad. If anyone thinks I am hard on the Yotes just go to the purple thoughts section of Vikings Update. It is ridiculous. There are alot of long time, loyal, aching fans on that board wanting so badly for the Vikings to bring them just one championship. Some are ridiculous with their comments and in actuality after a loss I actually enjoy going there just to feel consoled and to read people let off steam. Many are glass half full people but in all honesty it is very difficult as a true purple blooded fan to not see the glass half empty with that franchise. Childress is a complete, moronic, classless incompetant head coach. What else needs to be said. For everyday that Wilf allows that fruitcake to be the head coach the Vikings will be run into the ground just a bit further.
|
|
|
Post by Coyote Fan on Nov 3, 2010 16:09:53 GMT -6
The Great West has served its purpose and provided some semblance of league competition. But in all honesty, and I don't know how common this opinion is, I've enthusiastically followed Coyote football with an eye toward the future. To me, it's been and remains less about Great West championships and more about progression toward the caliber of team we'll need to field in order to compete in an established FCS conference. Granted, league championships are great for the players and might be a good indicator of such progression. But when Cal-Poly comes to the Dome this Saturday, I honestly don't think much of the fact that a share of the Great West is not on the line. I want to see us compete well and win against a traditionally strong FCS opponent. I hope others find that as exciting as I do. That is interesting. I am somewhat is agreement and somewhat not. For me there is nothing like the pursuit of a championship for any team I follow. I am a Twins, Avalanche, Vikings, Gophers and Wolves fan. For me the playoffs in any sports are so much more important than the regular season. It's the entire end game that every season should be based upon. I think that every teams should set their goal to win the highest award possible in what they are competing in. For USD football that means the Great West Conference. In basketball I was incredible excited that the Yotes made their run and won the regular season and conference tourney titles in the Great West, especially in their first year of it. I believe teams are made in the post season and in the crunch time of a regular season trying to make post season. If USD gets into the Big Sky winning the conference title is really the first goal with a national title being the ultimate goal. Great motivation should be displayed to try to meet either goal. That really seems to be missing from this Coyote football team. USD played one of their worst games against S. Utah when they should have been motivated to play their best with their conference title hopes on the line. That quite honestly bother me quite a bit. I will leave it at that for now.
|
|
|
Post by Iceman on Nov 10, 2010 1:17:20 GMT -6
If there were 10,000 Coyote Fans (meaning 10,000 me's) in attedance that damn Dakotadome would be so loud that the roof would be shaking and the bolts would be falling out from above and landing on the field. It wouldn't just happen on 3rd downs or on touchdowns but on good blocks, tackles, hits, etc. The fans would have high expectations, maybe unrealistically high. The major advantage would be for basketball. That is where the biggest difference would be made. The dome would be full during any game that had any significant important. The crowd would be loud and it would get to the point of being Cameron indoor like. Alot of jumping up and down, chanting etc but it would be clean, no berating the opponent, at least not majorly so. Come on Coyote Fan! 10,000 of you. Aren't we getting a little full of ourselves? I don't see you going crazy at games. Usually you are sitting there with your arms folded not saying anything. Oh and by the way, we aren't in the Big Sky so why do you still have the logo on?
|
|
|
Post by #1CoyoteFan (Admin) on Nov 10, 2010 1:37:58 GMT -6
If there were 10,000 Coyote Fans (meaning 10,000 me's) in attedance that damn Dakotadome would be so loud that the roof would be shaking and the bolts would be falling out from above and landing on the field. It wouldn't just happen on 3rd downs or on touchdowns but on good blocks, tackles, hits, etc. The fans would have high expectations, maybe unrealistically high. The major advantage would be for basketball. That is where the biggest difference would be made. The dome would be full during any game that had any significant important. The crowd would be loud and it would get to the point of being Cameron indoor like. Alot of jumping up and down, chanting etc but it would be clean, no berating the opponent, at least not majorly so. You mean go to half of the basketball games and not even going to the women's games or giving a crap about them half of the time? Gee, guess I want someone that will care about all of the programs. You don't have to always go to them, but you can at least care about them.
|
|