The Knoxville News Sentinel recently reported that student attendance at UT's seven home football games in 2012 averaged under 5000!!!!!!!!! It takes a student ID and 10 dollars to get in.....
Not only UT but schools across the nation are having problems getting their students to attend games.. football, basketball, baseball etc... and they say it's not just because UT has been losing.. it's even happening at schools that are winning championships..
I know we have had discussions about how to get the ETSU students out to basketball games.. I just wonder how many will support football once we field a team if UT can't even get 5 thousand out on a Saturday in Knoxville??

1. The team stunk.
2. Dooley was a jerk and insulting to most people who didn't kiss his rear end.
3. They charge 10 dollars on top of fees! That's ridiculous. I know it's just 10 dollars but it's double dipping, why not just add ten dollars into the fee they pay up front and be done with it. I know it's splitting hairs, but come on.
A new coach, a new found energy, what will turn out to be a top five recruiting class will get students out. That and the university maybe doesn't have to turn a blind eye to shenanigans, but maybe let some things slide (ie be a little lenient on the patdowns) for students.

When it comes to ETSU, it'll take alot of people going around and getting folks excited about the program. Has ETSU ever had a coach that makes those visits to social clubs and Greek life? It's going to take that. It's gonna take people talking about the program and how exciting it is to see it back, and what it can be.

Football will be well attended at first because it will be new and it will be the talk of the town I believe. If we don't win immediately, I believe we will be back to where we were a decade ago in terms of support. Winning at first IS THE KEY.

I agree with both fan1 & Lover - winning is obviously important. Tailgating is allowed, so we don't have to worry about that, and yes, you can drink beverages, as long as you put it in a cup.

How do you get them there? Make it a can't miss event, and put it in a venue with as many bells & whistles as you can afford, and market the hell out of your team. Look at what we did in baseball? Built a great venue, and the team goes to the NCAA for the first time in 32 years. It's not just a coincidence.

UTK has 5,000 student fans at a game for the reasons mentioned above, and the fact the team hasn't won for some time (which is tough for many Vol fans to swallow). When was the last time they were truly relevant not just on the national stage, but on the SEC stage (Probably synonymous, actually)? Been a while. If the Vols upset a Florida or a Georgia this year, it will get them back.