According to this article from a Richmond, IN paper, they didn't.
Quote:The only negative note for the RedHawks was the night's attendance of 13,940. Miami averaged 13,269 for its final four home games. That means Miami failed to meet the NCAA average attendance requirement of 15,000.
<a href='http://www.pal-item.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041103/NEWS02/411030326/1004' target='_blank'>Linky</a>
We're waiting to see what the NCAA says about the Indiana State game. If they would count our estimate for the game, we make it. Also, Chlum used to be a writer for the Miami Student, but I don't know where he got his numbers. They're believable, but we haven't heard anything official out of the university, yet.
What sucks, is that ISU was going to be a sellout, based on tickets sold and projected student attendance.
Dodo Wrote:We're waiting to see what the NCAA says about the Indiana State game. If they would count our estimate for the game, we make it. Also, Chlum used to be a writer for the Miami Student, but I don't know where he got his numbers. They're believable, but we haven't heard anything official out of the university, yet.
What sucks, is that ISU was going to be a sellout, based on tickets sold and projected student attendance.
So was homecoming.
The whole attendance thing is pretty disappointing, but I suspect that the NCAA won't screw us on the Indiana State game in the end, and we'll be OK. Next year we have a more favorable home schedule (including UC), with NW in Oxford in 2006. We'll be OK, and, as we have through our long history, we get it done on the field of play better than most.
THe estimated count needs to have a huge margin over 15k average. If your estimate, for example, gets the average to 15,005, the NCAA may choose not to accept it. You don't want this to be close. And it shouldn't be, because all of us know your opening game was well-attended. I'm just saying to make a statement with that number.
Now everyone knows why Marshall wanted out of the MAC. Miami has a great program but the attendance in the MAC just plain sucks.
goherd17 Wrote: Now everyone knows why Marshall wanted out of the MAC. Miami has a great program but the attendance in the MAC just plain sucks.
I am quite sure the reasons your administration wanted out of the MAC had nothing to do with Miami or anyone else in the MAC have attendance issues. :withstupid:
Some fans might have saw it that way, but your administration was looking at other things.
goherd17 Wrote: Now everyone knows why Marshall wanted out of the MAC. Miami has a great program but the attendance in the MAC just plain sucks.
I'd have to think that the main reasons the Herd left was because of bowl tie-ins and moving back to a more Southern-based conference. TV shouldn't have had a whole lot to do with it because just about every Herd game is on TV now, anyway.
I really don't think most C-USA teams will travel any better to Huntington.
However, if Miami can't average 15,000, it's a sad state of affairs.
:chair: Other than Marshall, UCF, and Northern Ill. and maybe Toledo the other MAC schools dont average 15k. As I said Miami has a great program but its sad to see all of those empty seats on TV. Makes conf. look bad. Memphis is expecting 55k tonight for Louisville game. Utep is getting close to 50 k out for their home games. You know what that equals more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
Well crap. This is now twice in one day I'm going to have to agree with Dodo. Gotta stop doing that.
Anywho, the primary reasons for leaving the MAC were:
1. More bowl tie-ins (5 vs. 2)
2. More southern based conference due to fan base. We've got 3 alumni chapters in Ohio but 6 in North Carolina and even 3 in Florida.
3. Money. Without bringing up the debate as to whether or not CUSA really will be financially beneficial for the Herd, most saw it as financially neutral at worst and financially beneficial at best.
4. Perception. Rightly or wrongly, CUSA is perceived nationally as a better conference than the MAC.
Now, I personally felt that if the 15k rule was implemented and enforced, the MAC ran the not inconsiderable risk of losing the MACC and that was a reason for me but I'm not sure the Board of Trustees took that into serious consideration.
P.S. Miami (OH) fans have mothers who were hamsters and whose fathers' smelled of elderberries. I fart in your general direction. There. I feel better now.
goherd17 Wrote::chair: Other than Marshall, UCF, and Northern Ill. and maybe Toledo the other MAC schools dont average 15k.
Maybe Toledo? Toledo has averaged over 15K every year since 1978.
In fact, combining the last four seasons, Toledo has averaged about 26K per game.
Dodo Wrote:However, if Miami can't average 15,000, it's a sad state of affairs.
I agree :)
Last season was the first time I can recall that CMU averaged under 15,000 for home games. This season, we're officially* over 16,000 and need less than 11,000 for Ball State to make the 15,000 mark.
*The attendance for the SEMO game was at least 5,000 higher than reported, and CMU has photos and overlays from the old 21,000 seat stadium as evidence. It's our own fault for missing that many people, of course.
Quote:P.S. Miami (OH) fans have mothers who were hamsters and whose fathers' smelled of elderberries. I fart in your general direction. There. I feel better now.
Good summary. I think that covers why we're leaving.
And just for good measure.............<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:green'>NI !!!</span></span>
I have to admit....this one of the reason why I'm glad UCF is heading to CUSA.
Last night Memphis had 52K at their game!! And it was a conference game!! ECU had 35K their last game...UTEP is averaging nearly 50K...Southern Miss gets 30K....Nobody is averaging less than 20K. Southern roots and tradition is GREAT!
I hate to see the MAC do this to itself, though. There's a lot of good football teams in the MAC. But the fans would rather see what the nearest BCS program is doing.
I guess it's southern pride. Our attendance isnt great, either...0-8 will do that to a team...but at least we're not below 20K, yet. Sitting at 22K. Hopefully homecoming will keep us above the 22K mark.
I know that the Kent game on the Tues. before Thanksgiving will kill UCF's attendance. Maybe 5K.