105K fans paid top dollar to watch their favorite team play an Eastern Michigan team riding a 15 game losing streak. The opponent isn't the problem or the solution to poor attendance.

(07-30-2015 10:23 AM)HuskieAlumnus03 Wrote:  NIU has been on the top half if not the top third of attendance in the MAC every year since 2007 from what I remember.

You've been world beaters since 2008 of course you are near the top 3rd. It would be EMUish to be in the bottom half when undefeated. But a lot of schools in the MAC with a smaller metro and a lot less success bring better attendance.

Quote:respectfully there has been far more times UB has been in the bottom half if not bottom third in attendance over the last decade+ than NIU being in the middle.

Go 3-9 for four or five straight years, see what that does. In the past three seasons UB has had two losing teams and one team that won 8 games, each year top third and the past two seasons the Bulls were first or second.

Since UB started taking football seriously (2006/7ish) They have gotten better at attendance every year and the past three they have been top third.

Last year we finished 5-6 played two games against FCS teams, lost to EMU, had our coach fired, and still put up more than 22K average.

NIU needs to take the people responsible for promoting games and light a fire under their ass. If UB was +30 wins over the last three seasons they would be drawing more than 25K a game.

(07-30-2015 12:03 PM)HuskieAlumnus03 Wrote:  A good team, ranked, MAC included. A B1G school. Or a state FCS school. Homecoming. Those criterias usually have big draws. Casual fans are the ones that need to be convinced/enticed to come to games. It's takes alot for casual fans to come to a very cold weekday games vice watching from home.

Then I agree with policiious in the "What can be done to improve attendance in the MAC" thread, if you are going to have Kansas or another "P5 but not Big Ten nor big FB name" school visiting on the weekend in the front third of the season, when you need to be getting casual fans turning out to offset November #MACtion game attendance, put together a band day with high schools from northern Illinois including the western suburbs of Chicago.

(07-30-2015 02:01 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  

(07-30-2015 12:03 PM)HuskieAlumnus03 Wrote:  A good team, ranked, MAC included. A B1G school. Or a state FCS school. Homecoming. Those criterias usually have big draws. Casual fans are the ones that need to be convinced/enticed to come to games. It's takes alot for casual fans to come to a very cold weekday games vice watching from home.

Then I agree with policiious in the "What can be done to improve attendance in the MAC" thread, if you are going to have Kansas or another "P5 but not Big Ten nor big FB name" school visiting on the weekend in the front third of the season, when you need to be getting casual fans turning out to offset November #MACtion game attendance, put together a band day with high schools from northern Illinois including the western suburbs of Chicago.

I agree w/ this. Band days are usually Sept/Oct. MAC games for NIU.
Over the last decade, success equaling to financial support from alums have been focused on athlete-centric improvements, Yordon Center, IPF, etc. Fan experience and plans for stadium improvements, have only begun last year and will be a focus moving forward to continue building on the momentum of NIU's success on and off the field, and get people to Dekalb for games. As a kid, going to Chicago Wolves games was fun (still is) because of the the little gimmicks they had. Plenty of minor leagues that draw crowds around Chicagoland to draw inspiration from, I think the current athletic dept. has recognized this and moving towards it. This season moving forward will be a good gauge if they are moving in the right direction.

(07-30-2015 11:40 AM)rocketinchitown Wrote:  So if the fanbase can't get excited about Kansas out of conference, you're supposed to get excited about Kansas if NIU is in the BIG 12?

And if you can't get excited about KU, who the heck will come to Huskie Stadium that you'll get excited for that will actually come.

I know our fanbase would be excited to see Toledo in DeKalb on a Saturday...unfortunately its only happened once since 2003.

Our attendance woes are directly linked to our poor OOC home scheduling (8 of the last 11 seasons), our best home MAC games being part of Nov MACtion and the fire sale methods of our last AD...the first two started in 2004 and our last AD ran his $8 ticket with can of soup donation promotions so predictably that there was little reason for a budget concerned fan to buy season tickets. Hopefully our new AD can turn it around but its an up hill battle. Frankly though if he can't do it then no one will be able to.

(07-30-2015 12:55 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  105K fans paid top dollar to watch their favorite team play an Eastern Michigan team riding a 15 game losing streak. The opponent isn't the problem or the solution to poor attendance.

LOL, you're going to compare us with Ohio State now? You have the entire state indoctrinated into believing that Ohio State is the most important thing in the history of the world. Of course they show up. They have 100K show up for a spring game. It's probably also in part because the Cleveland Browns always suck, so football fans in Ohio have to have a different professional program to root for.

(07-30-2015 04:11 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(07-30-2015 12:55 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  105K fans paid top dollar to watch their favorite team play an Eastern Michigan team riding a 15 game losing streak. The opponent isn't the problem or the solution to poor attendance.

LOL, you're going to compare us with Ohio State now? You have the entire state indoctrinated into believing that Ohio State is the most important thing in the history of the world. Of course they show up. They have 100K show up for a spring game. It's probably also in part because the Cleveland Browns always suck, so football fans in Ohio have to have a different professional program to root for.

NIU can't generate passionate, committed fans too?


let's go MAC level- top 5 largest crowds in Peden Stadium history-

1. New Mexico State
2. Akron
3. Idaho
4. Marshall
5. UConn

probably the Brown's fault too.

(07-30-2015 05:16 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  

(07-30-2015 04:11 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(07-30-2015 12:55 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  105K fans paid top dollar to watch their favorite team play an Eastern Michigan team riding a 15 game losing streak. The opponent isn't the problem or the solution to poor attendance.

LOL, you're going to compare us with Ohio State now? You have the entire state indoctrinated into believing that Ohio State is the most important thing in the history of the world. Of course they show up. They have 100K show up for a spring game. It's probably also in part because the Cleveland Browns always suck, so football fans in Ohio have to have a different professional program to root for.

NIU can't generate passionate, committed fans too?


let's go MAC level- top 5 largest crowds in Peden Stadium history-

1. New Mexico State
2. Akron
3. Idaho
4. Marshall
5. UConn

probably the Brown's fault too.

Nobody's saying the opponent is the entire problem. But it's part of it.

Weeknight games in November, minimal coverage in Chicago, and lack of marketing are a lot of it too.

And we don't have any schools by us like Marshall that will bring a significant number of fans.

Illinois and NW are schools on the level of Purdue ans Indiana which will travel to MAC school. Obviously NIU is not one of the type of MAC schools that draws P5 teams though. That's the point. A Small number of fans which will show up to the biggest game of the year, all be it in November midweek. And irrational bandwagoners that expect BIG10 schools at Huskie Stadium.

(08-01-2015 10:13 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  Illinois and NW are schools on the level of Purdue ans Indiana which will travel to MAC school. Obviously NIU is not one of the type of MAC schools that draws P5 teams though. That's the point. A Small number of fans which will show up to the biggest game of the year, all be it in November midweek. And irrational bandwagoners that expect BIG10 schools at Huskie Stadium.

There is a Big Ten school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2021 (Maryland).

Just as there is an SEC school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2022 (Vanderbilt).

Just as there is an ACC team coming to Huskie Stadium in 2017 (Boston College).

Just as there is a PAC 12 school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2018 (Utah).

Just as there is a major independent school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2020 (BYU).

Huskie Stadium and the Glass Bowl have the same # of P5 teams coming through the next 4 years (2 each).

(08-01-2015 02:59 PM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  

(08-01-2015 10:13 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  Illinois and NW are schools on the level of Purdue ans Indiana which will travel to MAC school. Obviously NIU is not one of the type of MAC schools that draws P5 teams though. That's the point. A Small number of fans which will show up to the biggest game of the year, all be it in November midweek. And irrational bandwagoners that expect BIG10 schools at Huskie Stadium.

There is a Big Ten school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2021 (Maryland).

Just as there is an SEC school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2022 (Vanderbilt).

Just as there is an ACC team coming to Huskie Stadium in 2017 (Boston College).

Just as there is a PAC 12 school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2018 (Utah).

Just as there is a major independent school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2020 (BYU).

Huskie Stadium and the Glass Bowl have the same # of P5 teams coming through the next 4 years (2 each).

Its about time. We've had em coming and losing for years.

(08-01-2015 05:00 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  

(08-01-2015 02:59 PM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  

(08-01-2015 10:13 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  Illinois and NW are schools on the level of Purdue ans Indiana which will travel to MAC school. Obviously NIU is not one of the type of MAC schools that draws P5 teams though. That's the point. A Small number of fans which will show up to the biggest game of the year, all be it in November midweek. And irrational bandwagoners that expect BIG10 schools at Huskie Stadium.

There is a Big Ten school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2021 (Maryland).

Just as there is an SEC school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2022 (Vanderbilt).

Just as there is an ACC team coming to Huskie Stadium in 2017 (Boston College).

Just as there is a PAC 12 school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2018 (Utah).

Just as there is a major independent school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2020 (BYU).

Huskie Stadium and the Glass Bowl have the same # of P5 teams coming through the next 4 years (2 each).

Its about time. We've had em coming and losing for years.

We had to wait for a new AD that had a clue about scheduling.

(08-01-2015 05:00 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  

(08-01-2015 02:59 PM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  

(08-01-2015 10:13 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  Illinois and NW are schools on the level of Purdue ans Indiana which will travel to MAC school. Obviously NIU is not one of the type of MAC schools that draws P5 teams though. That's the point. A Small number of fans which will show up to the biggest game of the year, all be it in November midweek. And irrational bandwagoners that expect BIG10 schools at Huskie Stadium.

There is a Big Ten school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2021 (Maryland).

Just as there is an SEC school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2022 (Vanderbilt).

Just as there is an ACC team coming to Huskie Stadium in 2017 (Boston College).

Just as there is a PAC 12 school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2018 (Utah).

Just as there is a major independent school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2020 (BYU).

Huskie Stadium and the Glass Bowl have the same # of P5 teams coming through the next 4 years (2 each).

Its about time. We've had em coming and losing for years.

This also means "they poor scheduling" excuses can stop... Oh wait we heard that about Kansas..

(08-02-2015 02:13 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(08-01-2015 05:00 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  

(08-01-2015 02:59 PM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  

(08-01-2015 10:13 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  Illinois and NW are schools on the level of Purdue ans Indiana which will travel to MAC school. Obviously NIU is not one of the type of MAC schools that draws P5 teams though. That's the point. A Small number of fans which will show up to the biggest game of the year, all be it in November midweek. And irrational bandwagoners that expect BIG10 schools at Huskie Stadium.

There is a Big Ten school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2021 (Maryland).

Just as there is an SEC school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2022 (Vanderbilt).

Just as there is an ACC team coming to Huskie Stadium in 2017 (Boston College).

Just as there is a PAC 12 school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2018 (Utah).

Just as there is a major independent school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2020 (BYU).

Huskie Stadium and the Glass Bowl have the same # of P5 teams coming through the next 4 years (2 each).

Its about time. We've had em coming and losing for years.

This also means "they poor scheduling" excuses can stop... Oh wait we heard that about Kansas..

I didn't realize Kansas was a powerhouse.

(08-02-2015 03:45 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(08-02-2015 02:13 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(08-01-2015 05:00 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  

(08-01-2015 02:59 PM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  

(08-01-2015 10:13 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  Illinois and NW are schools on the level of Purdue ans Indiana which will travel to MAC school. Obviously NIU is not one of the type of MAC schools that draws P5 teams though. That's the point. A Small number of fans which will show up to the biggest game of the year, all be it in November midweek. And irrational bandwagoners that expect BIG10 schools at Huskie Stadium.

There is a Big Ten school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2021 (Maryland).

Just as there is an SEC school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2022 (Vanderbilt).

Just as there is an ACC team coming to Huskie Stadium in 2017 (Boston College).

Just as there is a PAC 12 school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2018 (Utah).

Just as there is a major independent school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2020 (BYU).

Huskie Stadium and the Glass Bowl have the same # of P5 teams coming through the next 4 years (2 each).

Its about time. We've had em coming and losing for years.

This also means "they poor scheduling" excuses can stop... Oh wait we heard that about Kansas..

I didn't realize Kansas was a powerhouse.

As much as Vandy or Maryland...

(08-02-2015 09:31 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(08-02-2015 03:45 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(08-02-2015 02:13 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(08-01-2015 05:00 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  

(08-01-2015 02:59 PM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  There is a Big Ten school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2021 (Maryland).

Just as there is an SEC school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2022 (Vanderbilt).

Just as there is an ACC team coming to Huskie Stadium in 2017 (Boston College).

Just as there is a PAC 12 school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2018 (Utah).

Just as there is a major independent school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2020 (BYU).

Huskie Stadium and the Glass Bowl have the same # of P5 teams coming through the next 4 years (2 each).

Its about time. We've had em coming and losing for years.

This also means "they poor scheduling" excuses can stop... Oh wait we heard that about Kansas..

I didn't realize Kansas was a powerhouse.

As much as Vandy or Maryland...

Kansas is even worse than them.

(08-03-2015 08:52 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(08-02-2015 09:31 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(08-02-2015 03:45 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(08-02-2015 02:13 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(08-01-2015 05:00 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  Its about time. We've had em coming and losing for years.

This also means "they poor scheduling" excuses can stop... Oh wait we heard that about Kansas..

I didn't realize Kansas was a powerhouse.

As much as Vandy or Maryland...

Kansas is even worse than them.

Which of those programs went to a BCS bowl?

(08-03-2015 11:12 AM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(08-03-2015 08:52 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(08-02-2015 09:31 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(08-02-2015 03:45 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(08-02-2015 02:13 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  This also means "they poor scheduling" excuses can stop... Oh wait we heard that about Kansas..

I didn't realize Kansas was a powerhouse.

As much as Vandy or Maryland...

Kansas is even worse than them.

Which of those programs went to a BCS bowl?

They had 1 good year - granted, it was a very good year. But the last 6 years they've averaged fewer than 2.5 wins per year, and have 4 conference wins in those 6 years.

(08-03-2015 11:12 AM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(08-03-2015 08:52 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(08-02-2015 09:31 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(08-02-2015 03:45 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(08-02-2015 02:13 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  This also means "they poor scheduling" excuses can stop... Oh wait we heard that about Kansas..

I didn't realize Kansas was a powerhouse.

As much as Vandy or Maryland...

Kansas is even worse than them.

Which of those programs went to a BCS bowl?

Maryland and Kansas.

(08-01-2015 05:00 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  

(08-01-2015 02:59 PM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  

(08-01-2015 10:13 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  Illinois and NW are schools on the level of Purdue ans Indiana which will travel to MAC school. Obviously NIU is not one of the type of MAC schools that draws P5 teams though. That's the point. A Small number of fans which will show up to the biggest game of the year, all be it in November midweek. And irrational bandwagoners that expect BIG10 schools at Huskie Stadium.

There is a Big Ten school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2021 (Maryland).

Just as there is an SEC school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2022 (Vanderbilt).

Just as there is an ACC team coming to Huskie Stadium in 2017 (Boston College).

Just as there is a PAC 12 school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2018 (Utah).

Just as there is a major independent school coming to Huskie Stadium in 2020 (BYU).

Huskie Stadium and the Glass Bowl have the same # of P5 teams coming through the next 4 years (2 each).

Its about time. We've had em coming and losing for years.

Loss '91 Kansas 7-30
Loss '96 Indiana 6-40
Win '97 Purdue 36-22
Loss '99 Syracuse 12-35
Win '01 Minnesota 38-7
Win '03 Pitt 35-31
Win '05 Kansas 35-31
Loss '07 Purdue 24-52
Win '07 Iowa State 36-35
Win '09 Colorado 54-38
Loss '10 Arizona 2-41
Loss '14 Missouri 24-49

Record 6-6 in Glass Bowl against P5 teams.