(08-14-2019 10:24 AM)WKUYG Wrote: [ -> ]Some, well, just about all of you are looking at the question as "supporting fan base". In my opinion there is a difference, in supporter, those that will buy a ticket, and "fan".
Attendance is not the true indicator, because the dip in fans attending, could be explained away from high dollar tickets. High cost of food at games, and if you want to see any game. You can sitting in your home, watch on a large screen, with a 50 yard line view.
So are those choosing to stay home watching games and not spending the money, not fans? To me there's a difference between supporter, those spending money on the program, and fans. It's expensive going to a football game and dollar night, or five dollar night with a hotdog, and coke for another $3...is not getting those fans that only come when its cheap, to come back at full price.
For a father and son to attendance a Western, football game on a full price ticket, it can cost the dad around $60, if they eat a hotdog and get a drink. A dad making $15 an hour (that would be a great working class job in BG) is spending 13% of his weekly take home pay and around 15% if he has a 401k (6%) to take his son or daughter to a football game.
Or sit at home watch a really clear picture, eat a $8 pizza, drinking a .50 cent coke, or $1 beer....
those are the 10 to 20% of a supporting fan base that we have lost. They are still fans but not willing to spend the money for a crappy seat and over priced food. Well, till it's dollar night, or when a SEC team they see on TV is playing the home team.
This hits home with me. I consider myself to be lower-middle class. I make a little less than a certified teacher here in Texas.
The cheapest ticket to a Rice Football game is $20. Parking is $5. By the time me and my son have eaten, and had a couple Cokes, my total is about $70. Given my income, that's a significant investment. I wish I could buy him something from the stadium store, but I just can't, and he understands.
I'd love to buy one season ticket, but there's no way that can happen. I have to pick and choose the games I want to attend, and that's usually three games a season. For example, I won't be at the Baylor, Texas, and Wake Forest games this year. Those tickets will cost a little more than the games against CUSA opponents, and there's also a good chance that we'll get crushed. I can make myself sit those out. It stinks, but that's reality. I'll be watching those games on television.
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To answer the original question of this thread, Rice's fan base has dwindled down to nothing. Right now I'd describe our fans as "apathetic." More than anything, it's due to consistent losing in football and basketball, and a return to mediocrity in baseball.
Our football program will have one good season every three or four years. We sorely miss the SWC. We're the only school that hasn't gotten up off the mat since it's death. We also don't play in a conference that is regional enough for us, and one that lacks like-minded institutions like SMU, Tulsa, and Tulane.
In basketball, we have no history of success (one NCAA tournament), the best players keep transferring out, and the home schedule is weak every season. There's very little hope for things to change in this sport..