(07-07-2015 11:29 AM)3601 Wrote:  

(07-07-2015 11:20 AM)Stammers Wrote:  

(07-07-2015 10:57 AM)3601 Wrote:  

(07-07-2015 10:31 AM)salukiblue Wrote:  

(07-07-2015 10:21 AM)3601 Wrote:  That's just the way the world works. Louisville didn't draw flies until they got competitive. Miami has won multiple NC and their fanbase is finicky. Cincy draws when Cincy is winning.

We have about 15k die hards that have stuck with the program through the lean years. There are plenty of other fans out there who want to get on board, but who need more of a push.

We have the opportunity to have a very special season both on and off the field, but a strong start is imperative.

As always, weather is a huge factor. Perhaps it shouldn't be, but the reality is not played in what if's.

I would expect opening night to have a legit 42,000 at the game. If they are 3-0 going into the Cinci game, I'd expect 50K. A loss to Kansas and win @BGSU and maybe 42K again. A win @KU and loss to BGSU and 40K. Two losses and 30K.

That Cincy game has the chance to rank up there with the weeknight Louisville game in 2004. It would be huge if both teams are 3-0. We drew 52k in 2004, but we were 5-2 and coming off a loss.

FedEx bought thousands of tickets to that game.

I'm aware that, but it was still a heckuva crowd. I've never really seen a definitive figure of how many they bought. It's my understanding they did the same thing for the weeknight game the following week against USM.

Louisville brought virtually nobody because is was a weeknight game. It will probably be the same for UC this season.

I won't be surprised if FedEx buys a bunch of tickets again this year.

I think that Louisville game still holds the record for the highest attended C-USA conference game...Not just for Memphis, but conference wide.

(07-07-2015 09:53 AM)3601 Wrote:  It's going to depend on momentum. I'm guessing we'll have 45K for the opener.

Come home 3-0 and we'll have a huge crowd against Cincy. The momentum would only continue from there with another win.

Come home 1-2 and it will be just the same old thing.

I know this is a long shot, but this is a message board after all....Go into olemiss undefeated and the game will be a sellout.

Win that one (again...this is merely message board hypothetical) and you might get close to averaging over 50k for the season.

2004. The 2003 season saw us go to the first bowl game in 32 years. The first bowl game in living memory for a lot of people. Our season opener was at Ole Miss. Which we won.

The next week in the home opener against Chattanooga we drew... 38,133.

We'll probably draw about the same for Missouri State. If we go into the Cincinatti game undefeated, which (God save me for saying this out loud) we should, we'll probably draw between 45,000 and 50,000 depending on the weather. Whether or not we beat Cincy, Ole Miss will draw over 50,000, and may well be a sell out. If we're doing well, the rest we probably get between 35,000 and 42,500.

My "if I have to" attendance guesses:

Missouri State: 38,500

Cincinatti: 45,000

Mississippi: 57,500

Tulane: 35,000

Navy: 42,500

SMU: 35,000

That would give us a perfectly respectable 42,250 attendance.

If the team goes crazy and we're like a one loss team or something, maybe we do better than that in some of the later home games. But I doubt it would be enough to draw attendance north of 50,000. OTOH, If we're a 6 win team, we might be struggling to draw 25,000 against teams like Tulane and SMU .

I hate the weather excuse. I've been there when the field temp was 108, and driving rain vs many teams. I remember one Ms State game it rained so hard you could not see the field from the stands. Fans stayed away in droves for the Thursday night game a few years ago it rained so hard all day but by game time it was great.

Tell a Wisconsin fan its too cold to go to a game. Heck, tell the players it's too wet, too hot, too cold or too whatever. They play in it so fans should be there to support them.

Rabid Fans that love their team show up anytime. Casual fans can choose to show or not. There is pride in saying "I was there" when special things happen.
four times stadium capacity claim to have been at the 96 UT game.

(07-07-2015 11:46 AM)Briskbas Wrote:  

(07-07-2015 09:53 AM)3601 Wrote:  It's going to depend on momentum. I'm guessing we'll have 45K for the opener.

Come home 3-0 and we'll have a huge crowd against Cincy. The momentum would only continue from there with another win.

Come home 1-2 and it will be just the same old thing.

I know this is a long shot, but this is a message board after all....Go into olemiss undefeated and the game will be a sellout.

Win that one (again...this is merely message board hypothetical) and you might get close to averaging over 50k for the season.

2004. The 2003 season saw us go to the first bowl game in 32 years. The first bowl game in living memory for a lot of people. Our season opener was at Ole Miss. Which we won.

The next week in the home opener against Chattanooga we drew... 38,133.

We'll probably draw about the same for Missouri State. If we go into the Cincinatti game undefeated, which (God save me for saying this out loud) we should, we'll probably draw between 45,000 and 50,000 depending on the weather. Whether or not we beat Cincy, Ole Miss will draw over 50,000, and may well be a sell out. If we're doing well, the rest we probably get between 35,000 and 42,500.

My "if I have to" attendance guesses:

Missouri State: 38,500

Cincinatti: 45,000

Mississippi: 57,500

Tulane: 35,000

Navy: 42,500

SMU: 35,000

That would give us a perfectly respectable 42,250 attendance.

If the team goes crazy and we're like a one loss team or something, maybe we do better than that in some of the later home games. But I doubt it would be enough to draw attendance north of 50,000. OTOH, If we're a 6 win team, we might be struggling to draw 25,000 against teams like Tulane and SMU .

I don't think you're far off on that. I think our first game could show a slightly better attendance than what you noted, and I think Ole Miss will be near a sellout (over 60K). SMU and Tulane could be less than what you listed. As you said, our performance will play a major role in how attendance holds up in the last few games.

(07-07-2015 12:03 PM)Tigerx3 Wrote:  I hate the weather excuse. I've been there when the field temp was 108, and driving rain vs many teams. I remember one Ms State game it rained so hard you could not see the field from the stands. Fans stayed away in droves for the Thursday night game a few years ago it rained so hard all day but by game time it was great.

Tell a Wisconsin fan its too cold to go to a game. Heck, tell the players it's too wet, too hot, too cold or too whatever. They play in it so fans should be there to support them.

Rabid Fans that love their team show up anytime. Casual fans can choose to show or not. There is pride in saying "I was there" when special things happen.
four times stadium capacity claim to have been at the 96 UT game.

Tell it like it is baby. Don't sugar coat it.

(07-07-2015 12:03 PM)Tigerx3 Wrote:  Rabid Fans that love their team show up anytime. Casual fans can choose to show or not. There is pride in saying "I was there" when special things happen.
four times stadium capacity claim to have been at the 96 UT game.

The way I see it -

Spectators: There for entertainment - don't much care who wins (I am basically a spectator at Redbirds games)

Fans: Spectators who want their team to win - may or may not stay loyal through adversity

Supporters: Love the program, do what they can to make a difference and will remain loyal thru thick or thin

Will Ole Miss bring 30,000?

(07-07-2015 12:38 PM)blue68 Wrote:  Will Ole Miss bring 30,000?

No, but they'll probably bring 20k.

(07-07-2015 09:54 AM)TIGERCITY Wrote:  Wonder if Navy will draw from the retired Navy here?

One would think so. I hope the Marketing dept does something special for the game. They've got a good group over there (award winning at message crafting)...maybe let them try their hand at game day promotion as well. That's the one game we MAY be able to make. For those that can't and have tix, please consider donating to vettix.org. Depending on demand at the time, it'd be a great partnership/promo opportunity for the university if done right.

Another way to up attendance is within the school systems. It could be considered bush league by some, but by offering late season single game tix to goal meeting students (say reaching 1st nine weeks reading goals), it's seen as a reward to them and a relatively inexpensive way for the university to reach new fans. Accompanying adults have to buy tix, but who can say no to little Johnny when he worked so hard. :)

(07-07-2015 12:46 PM)gulfcoastgal Wrote:  

(07-07-2015 09:54 AM)TIGERCITY Wrote:  Wonder if Navy will draw from the retired Navy here?

One would think so. I hope the Marketing dept does something special for the game. They've got a good group over there (award winning at message crafting)...maybe let them try their hand at game day promotion as well. That's the one game we MAY be able to make. For those that can't and have tix, please consider donating to vettix.org. Depending on demand at the time, it'd be a great partnership/promo opportunity for the university if done right.

Another way to up attendance is within the school systems. It could be considered bush league by some, but by offering late season single game tix to goal meeting students (say reaching 1st nine weeks reading goals), it's seen as a reward to them and a relatively inexpensive way for the university to reach new fans. Accompanying adults have to buy tix, but who can say no to little Johnny when he worked so hard. :)

Besides partnering with the Milligton Naval Base, consider reaching out to ROTC programs in the greater Mid-South? Maybe get alum (retires Senator) Fred Thompson to do some fun video vignettes with movie quotes that involves the Navy (ie Hunt for Red October).

(07-07-2015 12:03 PM)Tigerx3 Wrote:  I hate the weather excuse. I've been there when the field temp was 108, and driving rain vs many teams. I remember one Ms State game it rained so hard you could not see the field from the stands. Fans stayed away in droves for the Thursday night game a few years ago it rained so hard all day but by game time it was great.

Tell a Wisconsin fan its too cold to go to a game. Heck, tell the players it's too wet, too hot, too cold or too whatever. They play in it so fans should be there to support them.

Rabid Fans that love their team show up anytime. Casual fans can choose to show or not. There is pride in saying "I was there" when special things happen.
four times stadium capacity claim to have been at the 96 UT game.

Weather is even a bigger factor for Memphis "fair weather" fans with a TV option possible. Not really knocking our fans so much, just that't so easy to just watch from the living room when there's bad weather. Since I drive 6+ hrs to make a game, I coming. But if I'm 30 mins away, I might not with bad weather.

It's just not fair to compare Memphis to a college town program. Wisky is the only game in town in Madison, there aren't tons of ways to spend one's entertainment dollar and there aren't other pro sporting options in the city. Add to that the regional attraction of other college programs and Memphis is in a tough spot.

Look at the hick towns that dominate the SEC...Auburn, Tuscaloosa, Starkville, Fayetteville, Gainesville, Oxford...they are the only thing going for those cities. There really is nothing else to do.

(07-07-2015 02:33 PM)salukiblue Wrote:  It's just not fair to compare Memphis to a college town program. Wisky is the only game in town in Madison, there aren't tons of ways to spend one's entertainment dollar and there aren't other pro sporting options in the city. Add to that the regional attraction of other college programs and Memphis is in a tough spot.

Look at the hick towns that dominate the SEC...Auburn, Tuscaloosa, Starkville, Fayetteville, Gainesville, Oxford...they are the only thing going for those cities. There really is nothing else to do.

I always thought that Louisville and Cincinnati were good measuring sticks. Considering that the Bearcats have competition in the Bengals, I think they do very well.

Obviously, Louisville is the roadmap for football. It's pretty impressive what they've been able to do with football attendance, but they wouldn't have done it without on field success.

I still believe that Memphis could do amazing things (from an attendance standpoint) if we could ever have an EXTENDED run of success like Louisville, Boise, Cincy and TCU have had.

(07-07-2015 02:47 PM)3601 Wrote:  

(07-07-2015 02:33 PM)salukiblue Wrote:  It's just not fair to compare Memphis to a college town program. Wisky is the only game in town in Madison, there aren't tons of ways to spend one's entertainment dollar and there aren't other pro sporting options in the city. Add to that the regional attraction of other college programs and Memphis is in a tough spot.

Look at the hick towns that dominate the SEC...Auburn, Tuscaloosa, Starkville, Fayetteville, Gainesville, Oxford...they are the only thing going for those cities. There really is nothing else to do.

I always thought that Louisville and Cincinnati were good measuring sticks. Considering that the Bearcats have competition in the Bengals, I think they do very well.

Obviously, Louisville is the roadmap for football. It's pretty impressive what they've been able to do with football attendance, but they wouldn't have done it without on field success.

I still believe that Memphis could do amazing things (from an attendance standpoint) if we could ever have an EXTENDED run of success like Louisville, Boise, Cincy and TCU have had.

Poor performance has been a major problem, but the size of the stadium is an even bigger problem. If all these years we had a stadium with a capacity of 35,000 and a decent atmosphere for tailgating, the program would be in infinitely better shape.

I bet that in the last 10 years, at least half of the games have had less than 30k in the stadium. Even if the product is entertaining, there is no way that the game day atmosphere is anything special.

25,000 with fun tailgating is a fun experience in a 35,000 seat stadium. In a 60,000 seat stadium, you spend half the time noticing all the empty seats.

(07-07-2015 12:05 PM)ksigtigerdood Wrote:  I don't think you're far off on that. I think our first game could show a slightly better attendance than what you noted, and I think Ole Miss will be near a sellout (over 60K). SMU and Tulane could be less than what you listed. As you said, our performance will play a major role in how attendance holds up in the last few games.

I'm basing my guess in the SMU and Tulane games off the attendance in the UCF and UCONN games to finish off last year which were both right at 35,000.

(07-07-2015 12:38 PM)blue68 Wrote:  Will Ole Miss bring 30,000?

Don't know anything about that, but misppiii will bring around 10-12k and will claim they brought 30. They will certain,y bring a lot of flags, because the great thing about this country is you have the right to be an ass, and they will prove that once again.

(07-07-2015 03:06 PM)Stammers Wrote:  

(07-07-2015 02:47 PM)3601 Wrote:  

(07-07-2015 02:33 PM)salukiblue Wrote:  It's just not fair to compare Memphis to a college town program. Wisky is the only game in town in Madison, there aren't tons of ways to spend one's entertainment dollar and there aren't other pro sporting options in the city. Add to that the regional attraction of other college programs and Memphis is in a tough spot.

Look at the hick towns that dominate the SEC...Auburn, Tuscaloosa, Starkville, Fayetteville, Gainesville, Oxford...they are the only thing going for those cities. There really is nothing else to do.

I always thought that Louisville and Cincinnati were good measuring sticks. Considering that the Bearcats have competition in the Bengals, I think they do very well.

Obviously, Louisville is the roadmap for football. It's pretty impressive what they've been able to do with football attendance, but they wouldn't have done it without on field success.

I still believe that Memphis could do amazing things (from an attendance standpoint) if we could ever have an EXTENDED run of success like Louisville, Boise, Cincy and TCU have had.

Poor performance has been a major problem, but the size of the stadium is an even bigger problem. If all these years we had a stadium with a capacity of 35,000 and a decent atmosphere for tailgating, the program would be in infinitely better shape.

I bet that in the last 10 years, at least half of the games have had less than 30k in the stadium. Even if the product is entertaining, there is no way that the game day atmosphere is anything special.

25,000 with fun tailgating is a fun experience in a 35,000 seat stadium. In a 60,000 seat stadium, you spend half the time noticing all the empty seats.

...and that will forever be the elephant in the room when the powers that be gnash their teeth on how to increase football attendance.

No matter what is done on the field and off the field, Memphis simply can't put 50K a game in the LB. And even if they put 50k in the stadium, there are still open seats and leftover tickets, so tickets never come at a premium.

I guess the other thing is to quit trying to "be" an SEC school.

Look at other FBS schools like Pitt, Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia, Stanford, Cal, Oregon State--they all averaged between 39K and 47K a game.

(07-07-2015 03:33 PM)salukiblue Wrote:  

(07-07-2015 03:06 PM)Stammers Wrote:  

(07-07-2015 02:47 PM)3601 Wrote:  

(07-07-2015 02:33 PM)salukiblue Wrote:  It's just not fair to compare Memphis to a college town program. Wisky is the only game in town in Madison, there aren't tons of ways to spend one's entertainment dollar and there aren't other pro sporting options in the city. Add to that the regional attraction of other college programs and Memphis is in a tough spot.

Look at the hick towns that dominate the SEC...Auburn, Tuscaloosa, Starkville, Fayetteville, Gainesville, Oxford...they are the only thing going for those cities. There really is nothing else to do.

I always thought that Louisville and Cincinnati were good measuring sticks. Considering that the Bearcats have competition in the Bengals, I think they do very well.

Obviously, Louisville is the roadmap for football. It's pretty impressive what they've been able to do with football attendance, but they wouldn't have done it without on field success.

I still believe that Memphis could do amazing things (from an attendance standpoint) if we could ever have an EXTENDED run of success like Louisville, Boise, Cincy and TCU have had.

Poor performance has been a major problem, but the size of the stadium is an even bigger problem. If all these years we had a stadium with a capacity of 35,000 and a decent atmosphere for tailgating, the program would be in infinitely better shape.

I bet that in the last 10 years, at least half of the games have had less than 30k in the stadium. Even if the product is entertaining, there is no way that the game day atmosphere is anything special.

25,000 with fun tailgating is a fun experience in a 35,000 seat stadium. In a 60,000 seat stadium, you spend half the time noticing all the empty seats.

...and that will forever be the elephant in the room when the powers that be gnash their teeth on how to increase football attendance.

No matter what is done on the field and off the field, Memphis simply can't put 50K a game in the LB. And even if they put 50k in the stadium, there are still open seats and leftover tickets, so tickets never come at a premium.

I guess the other thing is to quit trying to "be" an SEC school.

Look at other FBS schools like Pitt, Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia, Stanford, Cal, Oregon State--they all averaged between 39K and 47K a game.

I'm too lazy to look it up, but it seems that a lot of programs are downsizing. Baylor built a small stadium and I think Stanford took out a bunch of seats when they renovated. Papa John's, which should be the model (as Jurich is) was a 42,000 seat gem.

It's a real pity. Having so many seats also means that the luxury boxes are 7 miles from the field...one more revenue stream lost.

(07-07-2015 03:06 PM)Stammers Wrote:  

(07-07-2015 02:47 PM)3601 Wrote:  

(07-07-2015 02:33 PM)salukiblue Wrote:  It's just not fair to compare Memphis to a college town program. Wisky is the only game in town in Madison, there aren't tons of ways to spend one's entertainment dollar and there aren't other pro sporting options in the city. Add to that the regional attraction of other college programs and Memphis is in a tough spot.

Look at the hick towns that dominate the SEC...Auburn, Tuscaloosa, Starkville, Fayetteville, Gainesville, Oxford...they are the only thing going for those cities. There really is nothing else to do.

I always thought that Louisville and Cincinnati were good measuring sticks. Considering that the Bearcats have competition in the Bengals, I think they do very well.

Obviously, Louisville is the roadmap for football. It's pretty impressive what they've been able to do with football attendance, but they wouldn't have done it without on field success.

I still believe that Memphis could do amazing things (from an attendance standpoint) if we could ever have an EXTENDED run of success like Louisville, Boise, Cincy and TCU have had.

Poor performance has been a major problem, but the size of the stadium is an even bigger problem. If all these years we had a stadium with a capacity of 35,000 and a decent atmosphere for tailgating, the program would be in infinitely better shape.

I bet that in the last 10 years, at least half of the games have had less than 30k in the stadium. Even if the product is entertaining, there is no way that the game day atmosphere is anything special.

25,000 with fun tailgating is a fun experience in a 35,000 seat stadium. In a 60,000 seat stadium, you spend half the time noticing all the empty seats.

We had a 32K stadium in Crump, don't want to step back that far (interesting that Hemingway at OM was about the same size at the time). Memphis Memorial Stadium, aka LB, was about right at 50K give or take when it opened in '65 before the city's failed pro aspirations. But that's another knock on a city facility, the university doesn't control it. But an OCS with a 45K capacity which could be expanded by 20% if needed, would have been & probably still is the best answer. And ironically it would generate much more revenue for the city with surrounding development that would occur than the LB area will ever generate.

(07-07-2015 03:33 PM)salukiblue Wrote:  

(07-07-2015 03:06 PM)Stammers Wrote:  

(07-07-2015 02:47 PM)3601 Wrote:  

(07-07-2015 02:33 PM)salukiblue Wrote:  It's just not fair to compare Memphis to a college town program. Wisky is the only game in town in Madison, there aren't tons of ways to spend one's entertainment dollar and there aren't other pro sporting options in the city. Add to that the regional attraction of other college programs and Memphis is in a tough spot.

Look at the hick towns that dominate the SEC...Auburn, Tuscaloosa, Starkville, Fayetteville, Gainesville, Oxford...they are the only thing going for those cities. There really is nothing else to do.

I always thought that Louisville and Cincinnati were good measuring sticks. Considering that the Bearcats have competition in the Bengals, I think they do very well.

Obviously, Louisville is the roadmap for football. It's pretty impressive what they've been able to do with football attendance, but they wouldn't have done it without on field success.

I still believe that Memphis could do amazing things (from an attendance standpoint) if we could ever have an EXTENDED run of success like Louisville, Boise, Cincy and TCU have had.

Poor performance has been a major problem, but the size of the stadium is an even bigger problem. If all these years we had a stadium with a capacity of 35,000 and a decent atmosphere for tailgating, the program would be in infinitely better shape.

I bet that in the last 10 years, at least half of the games have had less than 30k in the stadium. Even if the product is entertaining, there is no way that the game day atmosphere is anything special.

25,000 with fun tailgating is a fun experience in a 35,000 seat stadium. In a 60,000 seat stadium, you spend half the time noticing all the empty seats.

...and that will forever be the elephant in the room when the powers that be gnash their teeth on how to increase football attendance.

No matter what is done on the field and off the field, Memphis simply can't put 50K a game in the LB. And even if they put 50k in the stadium, there are still open seats and leftover tickets, so tickets never come at a premium.

I guess the other thing is to quit trying to "be" an SEC school.

Look at other FBS schools like Pitt, Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia, Stanford, Cal, Oregon State--they all averaged between 39K and 47K a game.

I find it hard to believe that if we run off three or four straight 10 win seasons (ala Boise or Louisville) then we won't average near 50k per game (with similar ticket pricing).

I'd love the opportunity to prove that theory one way or the other.