Attendance Concerns?

[okie51]

I remember Crazy George beating his drum around the different sections getting the fans and kids involved. Graham had a video board on the North so the in zone fans could see the action and be involved more. Better food might help. The brass sections of the band would go to different section and pep up the fans. All gone, when something is good keep doing it. Fireworks at the start of the night games or at least at the half or on TDs. Golden Hurricane back and forth lead by the PA like in basketball when threeee is sounded.
The last year of Blanks coaching I lost all the guys I was bringing to games, now I have one son that goes to the games with me and a son in law that has made one game. They used to bring their kids also so our group has gone from eight to three on average. Keeping our coach is a must with some added marketing to get back to 22-25 K. Keeping our coach will be a problem but the trend is down on attendance and 17K fan will not empress any coach or bowl committee. Trends do not change by themselves.

 

[astonmartin708]

I remember Crazy George beating his drum around the different sections getting the fans and kids involved. Graham had a video board on the North so the in zone fans could see the action and be involved more. Better food might help. The brass sections of the band would go to different section and pep up the fans. All gone, when something is good keep doing it. Fireworks at the start of the night games or at least at the half or on TDs. Golden Hurricane back and forth lead by the PA like in basketball when threeee is sounded.
The last year of Blanks coaching I lost all the guys I was bringing to games, now I have one son that goes to the games with me and a son in law that has made one game. They used to bring their kids also so our group has gone from eight to three on average. Keeping our coach is a must with some added marketing to get back to 22-25 K. Keeping our coach will be a problem but the trend is down on attendance and 17K fan will not empress any coach or bowl committee. Trends do not change by themselves.

If we lose Montgomery we're in deep doo doo next season. Attendance would probably drop to 12k right now if the team was in retooling mode.

 

[jerandlaur]

The coaching merry-go-round is big. People support a team but they also support a coach. I will never cheer for a team that has Mike Norvell as the coach. I will always cheer for any team with Urban Meyer. Non-alum often follow coaches too. We picked up a couple of Baylor fans when Monty came. We have to keep him around.

For all of his faults Graham knew how to get a game time atmosphere going. We had the video boards outside the stadium and in the north end zone. Music was better. It was a better atmosphere. Go to a Big 12 game and you will see that there are hundreds of great things we can do to make the atmosphere better.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

For HS band fans:

Grand National results from Indianapolis

Owasso 15th
Union 16th
Jenks also participated but was not in the top 30.

2 Indiana bands tied for 1st.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

For HS band fans:

Grand National results from Indianapolis

Owasso 15th
Union 16th
Jenks also participated but was not in the top 30.

2 Indiana bands tied for 1st.

What happened to BA???

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

What happened to BA???

BA didn't go this year. They'll be in the Rose Parade instead.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

BA didn't go this year. They'll be in the Rose Parade instead.

I knew you had said something bout that but I was just to lazy to look for the post. Thanks for the assist on my laziness. ;0)

 

[TUBballJunkie]

Terrified of attendance numbers for senior day.

 

[Barlass]

It'd be nice to know a kickoff time. I'm trying to schedule a Thanksgiving get together with extended family and everything hinges on when this game kicks off.

 

[cmullinsTU]

I think I'm in the minority here but I think the past 3-4 years and the next 4-6 years are a transition where physical attendance isn't as critical to fans, coaching staff, players, and recruits as number of eyeballs (in person, TV, and live stream). As the youngsters get older likes and other social media interactions become more and more important. To them they won't care if people are at home watching, as long as people are watching.

I love the in person atmosphere, and I'm sad it's declining I just think the above is the direction we are heading.

 

[drboobay]

May be, but we need media revenue commensurate with the attendance decline.

 

[TUBballJunkie]

Our coach's wife herself has expressed clear disappointment this season.

Athletics is not unlike performance arts (music, dance, stand up comedy) in that crowd response and energy matters. Why make a scene during opponent free throws or third downs?

I think you're fooling yourself if you think the athletes and the staff aren't affected by poor crowds, both consciously and subconsciously. And that the decline doesn't seem to be more profound at Chapman than it is elsewhere if these are forces affecting everyone.

 

[DoorMan]

I think I'm in the minority here but I think the past 3-4 years and the next 4-6 years are a transition where physical attendance isn't as critical to fans, coaching staff, players, and recruits as number of eyeballs (in person, TV, and live stream). As the youngsters get older likes and other social media interactions become more and more important. To them they won't care if people are at home watching, as long as people are watching.

I love the in person atmosphere, and I'm sad it's declining I just think the above is the direction we are heading.

I'm the father of one of the players. I can say with absolute certainty, this is not accurate.

This is so inaccurate, I am dumbfounded.

I realize this is likely an attempt to rationalize the attendance issues but this line of thinking should never gain traction.

 

[cmullinsTU]

It's absolutely an attempt rationalize it. I've been a TU fan for 20+ years including a period of if taking seasons combined to equal 7 wins. Attendance was better then than it is now. I blame TV.

I also hate this thread that's continued for 11 pages because it does nothing to help improve attendance it's just the same core group fans here, myself included, complaining to one another about the poor attendance. As an alumni, I feel strongly that those at TU who can directly influence marketing decisions and increasing attendance either don't care, are incompetent, or too lazy to try and fix it. I was a student over 7 years ago and we have had the same issues for more than a decade. Nothing has been done to improve it. As a diehard fan it's frustrating that the University (marketing) and city don't do more to support the team. I served for 4 years on the GHC board to do my best to help raise money for the athletic department and increase awareness of the program.

This is a long post of thoughts, whining, and complaining. I know many in the athletic department personally, and most care deeply about the program but nothing has been done in years to improve the attendance issue.

 

[goldenhurricane2]

It also doesn't help attendance when Michael peters of the Tulsa world openly mocks TU on twitter... just take a look at the gem of a tweet he had earlier. Hey Michael, sorry to hear that you think "no one cares about TU"... part of that is your papers fault for continuing to make TU seem like a D2 program (this isn't a knock on KH, she does a good job).

 

[drboobay]

What specifically did he tweet? This may be the final straw to drop the TW for me.

 

[drboobay]

Actually would prefer to see it on the pay board.

 

[aTUfan]

I was at the Navy game. looked like we had a great turnout, for a far away game.

 

[ShaneB72]

I have attended 3 of the away games this year and have been surprised by how many TU fans come out to the games. Attendance certainly hasn't been a problem at any of those games.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Good crowd tonight. Those that stuck it out to the end were really in to it.

 

[jesterondirt]

My "on this this day" feature on Facebook just reminded me of what was, and what could be again. I just saw a pic from the previous time we played a game on black Friday (and on ESPN) Against Houston of all teams.

 

[texcane1982]

I'm the father of one of the players. I can say with absolute certainty, this is not accurate.

This is so inaccurate, I am dumbfounded.

I realize this is likely an attempt to rationalize the attendance issues but this line of thinking should never gain traction.

Yes.... anyone who has played sports at the collegiate and professional level knows what it means to play for the roar of the crowd.

Game day atmosphere can easily be a deciding factor when recruits are setting in the stands.

TX

 

[texcane1982]

My "on this this day" feature on Facebook just reminded me of what was, and what could be again. I just saw a pic from the previous time we played a game on black Friday (and on ESPN) Against Houston of all teams.

I was at that game, great atmosphere, top 10 UH team throttled a good 9-2 TU team with the C-USA West title on the line. Also Blankenship's first season.

You would think TU joining a much better conference would have produced a spike in interest, but that doesn't appear to be making a difference yet.

TX

 

[texcane1982]

Everyone thinks that is an easy fix but there is an agreement between the city and TU that those green spaces are not to be used for that purpose. It's part of the agreement that gave TU development rights within and surrounding the campus many years ago.

So the City would rather have cars parked along neighborhood streets rather than zoning specific lots? Would seem to me that making TU football games as must attend event would produce a positive economic impact for the city as opposed to keeping TU from accommodating the fan experience. I don't see how TU can take the next step if the city is unwilling accommodate. IMO a well landscaped parking lot would be a big improvement over the mundane looking houses adjacent to the campus.

Even a shuttle situation from the fair grounds would help. Anyone who has ever been to Fayetteville knows that parking near the stadium is difficult, so they offer parking a mile or two from the stadium and bus people within a block of the stadium. Let me guess, the county and city has no interest working with TU on such a solution?

TX

 

[texcane1982]

Yep. We've got to convince Tulsans 3-4 hours at a TU game is far more fun than spending 3-4 hours at Woodland Hills Mall.

.... or pissing away their money at one of the many area casinos. TU needs sponsorship money, but you have to wonder how much business thy lose to these casinos as the casual fan is bombarded with casino ads on the video boards?

TX

 

[texcane1982]

Minnesota was also a home and home. We could easily do home and homes with the likes of Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Kansas, Iowa State, TTech, and maybe KState or Colorado. I don't think any of those games would command us to do a 2 for 1.

Schools that recruit NE oklahoma will always be interested playing H+H with TU. A prime opportunity to play in front of said recruit or commitment. With SOS becoming more important, an Iowa State or Kansas is more likely to give Tulsa a return game because the TV audience for AAC games is much greater than MAC, SB, or CUSA. Matter of fact, CUSA no longer has an ESPN contract, and MAC, SB games most certainly force that game on Wed-Fri, Tv whereas ESPN likely gives the AAC Sat. Tv.

TX

 

[Tulsafanzz]

My "on this this day" feature on Facebook just reminded me of what was, and what could be again. I just saw a pic from the previous time we played a game on black Friday (and on ESPN) Against Houston of all teams.

We have done this before & should not accept any excuses for less than this in the future.

 

[hotterthanyourhusbandTU]

Wasn't Houston undefeated that year?

 

[RealTUTypical]

What was actual and paid attendance last night?

 

[Raisin_Cane]

What was actual and paid attendance last night?

18,500

 

[drboobay]

If you were at the game last night, like me and my seven year old twins and 87 year old dad freezing our toes off, you get a pass to complain about attendance all you want.

Otherwise a little constructive criticism is welcome but please try not to be holier than thou.

 

[Raisin_Cane]

If you were at the game last night, like me and my seven year old twins and 87 year old dad freezing our toes off, you get a pass to complain about attendance all you want.

Otherwise a little constructive criticism is welcome but please try not to be holier than thou.

I had fun at the game. Especially in the fourth quarter when people started really getting into the game. The endzone is always the loudest section of the stadium!

 

[Novocaine]

The end zone and east side have the best atmospheres by far. If we could clone those who show up in that center section below the walkway in the the end zone, we could really build something. They never leave early and always participate.

 

[ShaneB72]

I think there is plenty of empty spots all over campus lots. Instead of making you donate to a certain dollar amount to the GHC why not just charge $5, $10, or $20 and let people park right on campus. I just park south of 11th on the street or donate $20 to park in a driveway.