Saw on the Maine thread that this Saturday is now sold out so that got me curious about early season attendance trends. It's a small sample size but early season FCS games can be the tough ones to sell out for everyone.

Through 2 home games we have averaged 23,920 fans which is good for 96.15% capacity. This has us 2nd in FCS behind Jackson State who hosted Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic in front of 47,407. I think our number will slowly rise and JSU will have a significant drop off after their next game.

Interesting to see that NDSU did not sell out their home opener. I only mention this because I feel I've always read that their claim to fame is they are always sold out and would have even higher attendance if not restricted to their dome.

Two other things caught my eye:

1.) Only 30/105 FCS teams average 10,000+ to this point. In contrast, only 2 FBS teams are below 10,000 average.
2.) Our 23,920 would rank us 88th in FBS (ironically behind Ark State) out of 128.

All of this data was pulled from under the "Misc Reports" tab at http://stats.ncaa.org/rankings/change_sport_year_div

I find it ironic that there are naysayers on this board who have been predicting a collapse in JMU attendance, indeed, even calling for it as a protest against JMU's FCS status. Guess they'll have to come up with a new argument.

Go Dukes!

I saw that ndsu sold out all single game tickets in something like six minutes.
Was their reported attendance number lower than their capacity?

The next two home games are or likely will be sell outs. The average will end up sitting in the low to mid 24k range.

(09-21-2017 05:01 AM)Potomac Wrote:  The next two home games are or likely will be sell outs. The average will end up sitting in the low to mid 24k range.

Unless get Game Day, might be only Parents' Maine and HC UNH (3 games from now) that sellout. Last year only sold out Parents' Weekend. Certainly will exceed 23k avg. To exceed 24k think would have to get GameDay and in the last game for RU not to have more than 2 losses/1 conference.

Clearly will exceed last year due to:
-Excitement coming off NC/being #1
-No attendance killing game weekend before Thanksgiving.
-Better home games.

Last year:
Morehead: 23,626
CCSU: 20,636
UD (Parent's): 25,236
W&M: 20,354
URI (HC): 23,841
Elon: 16,184
Regular season avg: 21,646

UNH: 13,231
SHSU: 15,646
Season avg: 19,844

This year so far
ETSU: 24,722
NSU: 23,118
Maine (Parents'): 25+k
VU: ???
UNH (HC): ???
RU: ???

The problem I have with comparing attendance averages over seasons, and even among teams in different geographic regions, is that weather plays a significant factor. We're talking about averages over 6 home games and (hopefully) one or two home games in the playoffs, so one or two wet / cold games can have a huge impact on the average.

BDK, I was looking at VU game yesterday and there’s already just a few sections of tickets remaining. A sell out there isn’t out of the question. Maybe people are buying proactively in anticipation of game day.

(09-21-2017 06:44 AM)Madison 91 Forever Wrote:  The problem I have with comparing attendance averages over seasons, and even among teams in different geographic regions, is that weather plays a significant factor. We're talking about averages over 6 home games and (hopefully) one or two home games in the playoffs, so one or two wet / cold games can have a huge impact on the average.

True. But, also keep in mind that the word "attendance" is completely misguided/misused these days. Not that long ago "attendance" meant hind parts through gates. Now, it means "number of tickets sold". This isn't a JMU thing. It is everywhere. In some ways, it is a lie using the word "attendance".

Having said that, your point still holds because weather can and will affect walk-up sales on game day. But, for the hundreds or perhaps thousands who bought tickets in advance and don't show up because of rain/snow/ice/hurricane, they are still counted in "attendance" now. Kinda stupid if you ask me. Call it what it is.

Just sayin'.

(09-21-2017 04:57 AM)Potomac Wrote:  I saw that ndsu sold out all single game tickets in something like six minutes.
Was their reported attendance number lower than their capacity?

According to the NCAA website it was below capacity

(09-21-2017 07:35 AM)Dukes1825 Wrote:  

(09-21-2017 04:57 AM)Potomac Wrote:  I saw that ndsu sold out all single game tickets in something like six minutes.
Was their reported attendance number lower than their capacity?

According to the NCAA website it was below capacity

http://www.wdaz.com/sports/4322227-bison...lley-state

"The No. 2-ranked Bison racked up a record amount of points since the school moved to FCS in 2004, cruising to a 72-7 season-opening victory against Mississippi Valley State in nonconference play at Gate City Bank Field before a sellout crowd of 18,502 fans."

Fargodome's wikipedia page says it's a 19,000 seat venue for football. I guess we're splitting hairs over less than 500 persons.

(09-21-2017 07:14 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  Kinda stupid if you ask me. Call it what it is.

Just sayin'.

Average Tickets Sold*

*Sold being defined as processed in some capacity, even if given away for free and ultimately unclaimed and unused.

I do wonder if ticket brokers are starting to take advantage of some of our higher demand games. I notice sections like 401 and 402 have large, square shaped blocks of higher seats get sold, almost like a group purchase. Then you look at stubhub and there's seats available in those sections in decent numbers.

These are also rows that are higher up, while lower rows in the section still have seats available. If regular purchasers were buying them, they would naturally default to getting the best available seat.

edit: I see 402 only has 2 tickets on stubhub. I believe there were many more last night. They must've sold a bunch.

(09-21-2017 06:44 AM)Madison 91 Forever Wrote:  The problem I have with comparing attendance averages over seasons, and even among teams in different geographic regions, is that weather plays a significant factor. We're talking about averages over 6 home games and (hopefully) one or two home games in the playoffs, so one or two wet / cold games can have a huge impact on the average.

At least it is better than the late 80's/early 90's.
Assistant AD Brad Babcock would stand in the cramped press box and take a look at the crowd. He would then declare "that looks like 10,500 to me." Lo and behold 10,500 would go into the box score as JMU's official attendance. It was pure science.

(09-21-2017 08:09 AM)Potomac Wrote:  I do wonder if ticket brokers are starting to take advantage of some of our higher demand games. I notice sections like 401 and 402 have large, square shaped blocks of higher seats get sold, almost like a group purchase. Then you look at stubhub and there's seats available in those sections in decent numbers.

These are also rows that are higher up, while lower rows in the section still have seats available. If regular purchasers were buying them, they would naturally default to getting the best available seat.

edit: I see 402 only has 2 tickets on stubhub. I believe there were many more last night. They must've sold a bunch.

Some people would consider the higher seats (to a certain point) the better view. That's why the coaches' & press boxes and Suites are up high. Can certainly see more of what's going on.

(09-21-2017 08:54 AM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  

(09-21-2017 06:44 AM)Madison 91 Forever Wrote:  The problem I have with comparing attendance averages over seasons, and even among teams in different geographic regions, is that weather plays a significant factor. We're talking about averages over 6 home games and (hopefully) one or two home games in the playoffs, so one or two wet / cold games can have a huge impact on the average.

At least it is better than the late 80's/early 90's.
Assistant AD Brad Babcock would stand in the cramped press box and take a look at the crowd. He would then declare "that looks like 10,500 to me." Lo and behold 10,500 would go into the box score as JMU's official attendance. It was pure science.

I don't know when things changed but when I was there you simply showed your school ID and walked in. There was no way to have anything close to an accurate number other than taking a look at the crowd and make a guess.