The unofficial online home for fans of the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(07-31-2019 04:26 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  We've discussed this issue before on Banter over the years. I do think winning [consistently] and being ranked will improve fan interest and attendance. I'll add a different point [but brought up in the past], the UC Athletic/Marketing Dept. folks need to step up their game. Examples, advertise to new markets, get more creative with on campus events before/after the game, incentives to buy tickets, and for crikes sakes - do better to get butts in the club section. Premium seats and hardly anyone sits in them!

I completely agree on the marketing point. I'll give you a very recent example. I asked our client development person reach out to the athletic department to see if they have any public (i.e., non-season ticket holder) events for UC football. I thought any event might be nice for my casual UC football friends. They apparently have nothing.

(08-01-2019 07:18 AM)JPBearcat3 Wrote:  

(07-31-2019 06:53 PM)Bcatbog Wrote:  

(07-31-2019 02:12 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  In the past decade UC has not averaged less than 28,000 fans per game and have been over 30,000 most seasons. A couple times they've managed over 35,000 per game for the season. I'd love to see that be the norm, but ultimately it's pretty great how far UC has come.

The last year of Tuberville and the first year of Fickell severely damaged our attendance momentum. The damage done by the Tuberville’s failure was immense.

I agree with this.

And I think the biggest key, honestly, is our student attendance. As long as they stay as engaged as they have - and UC continues to be competitive and fun - they'll come back as season ticket holders. I don't know the numbers, but I'm guessing a large reason for the increase in our diehard base is somehow tied to young alumni that were here during BK's tenure.

I think the end of the Tuberville years killed some of this momentum.

The students who have graduated within the last decade know the cool thing to do in the fall is go to a UC football game. For those that stay in Cincinnati and start making enough to afford season tickets, they'll continue to grow as long as UC stays competitive.

Ding, ding, ding.. that's me. Got to UC in the fall of 2009 and the first night on campus was the late night Oregon State game out in Corvallis.. after that I was hooked. I had gotten season tickets during freshman orientation and I haven't dropped them since. Moved from student tickets, to young alumni, and hopefully by the time young alumni runs out I can front the cost of full season tickets. What BK did for the legacy of the program even 10 years after he left is incredible and the reason I won't sneer, boo or insult him when he's on campus this year. Same story for basketball.

Marketing should work w local employers to have special days. Work w the alumni association to identify employers w a lot of UC grads. Here are two easy ones. How many UC nursing grads work at Cincinnati Children’s, Christ Hosp, Good Sam? Special family deals for all employees, the UC alums invite their coworkers . . . How about first responder day? Special deals for police and fire fighters and their families. Dayton Dragons just partnered w local IAFF. 300 FF and their families came out. Had apparatus on the plaza outside of the stadium. Family who had benefited from MDA threw out the first pitch. Raised $2k for MDA.

Have a patient for Cincy Childrens do the coin toss. Or run on the field w the team. Allow some of the care team to be on the field w them. Invite folks to give to the hospital fund for families. Basically give the hosp a few incentives and make them part of the UC family and marketing team.

How many home games need a boost? 4? How UC alums work at P & G? Teachers?

That’s 4
Hospitals/nurses/medical field
First responders
Teachers/STEM
P&G

Bonus idea. Reach out to DAAP alums to design floats for the homecoming parade. Have 2 to 4 showcase floats. Have them on display before the game. Work w ad firms to bring employees and clients. Have a competition for hype videos that will be aired during the game . . .

How big is craft brew/home brew? Special pre game tailgate on the quad w local and home brewers. Best craft brew gets sold in the stadium.

Food needs improvement.
Use TUC as part of the game day experience. (show game in there on TVs and keep food court open). You would be supprised that a few large group might have a few people who don’t want to sit for entire game. They still want part of the atmosphere but aren’t ready for a 4 hour game. Giving this group a place to go is huge. Kids zone might work in there too.

Get UC merchandise out at retail. UC needs can not let Ohio State, Kentucky, and the Cincinnati Bengals dominate retail shelf space because Nike gets their gear out in early July. It is a brand killer and limits the amount of t shirt fans out there for UC.

(08-01-2019 09:50 AM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  Food needs improvement.
Use TUC as part of the game day experience. (show game in there on TVs and keep food court open). You would be supprised that a few large group might have a few people who don’t want to sit for entire game. They still want part of the atmosphere but aren’t ready for a 4 hour game. Giving this group a place to go is huge. Kids zone might work in there too.

Get UC merchandise out at retail. UC needs can not let Ohio State, Kentucky, and the Cincinnati Bengals dominate retail shelf space because Nike gets their gear out in early July. It is a brand killer and limits the amount of t shirt fans out there for UC.

FWIW TUC, Catskeller, and the food court are open during games (the food court uses their normal hours which normally includes games).. not too many people know this which is good for my halftime intentions, but it'd probably be better if UC promotes it. And put the game on the large screen in there. I run in there, run up a few flights of stairs to use the restroom in peace, maybe grab some chick-fil-a or taco bell (you can sneak it back in under a jacket during the colder games), or grab a beer at catskeller for half the price of the stadium.

(08-01-2019 09:55 AM)dubcat14 Wrote:  

(08-01-2019 09:50 AM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  Food needs improvement.
Use TUC as part of the game day experience. (show game in there on TVs and keep food court open). You would be supprised that a few large group might have a few people who don’t want to sit for entire game. They still want part of the atmosphere but aren’t ready for a 4 hour game. Giving this group a place to go is huge. Kids zone might work in there too.

Get UC merchandise out at retail. UC needs can not let Ohio State, Kentucky, and the Cincinnati Bengals dominate retail shelf space because Nike gets their gear out in early July. It is a brand killer and limits the amount of t shirt fans out there for UC.

FWIW TUC, Catskeller, and the food court are open during games (the food court uses their normal hours which normally includes games).. not too many people know this which is good for my halftime intentions, but it'd probably be better if UC promotes it. And put the game on the large screen in there. I run in there, run up a few flights of stairs to use the restroom in peace, maybe grab some chick-fil-a or taco bell (you can sneak it back in under a jacket during the colder games), or grab a beer at catskeller for half the price of the stadium.

same here, i use this option but they could at least put the game on some Tvs. Maybe set up a kidszone inside. Little ones don’t want to sit for 4 hours, spouses and grandparents might not either.

(08-01-2019 09:50 AM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  Food needs improvement.
Use TUC as part of the game day experience. (show game in there on TVs and keep food court open). You would be supprised that a few large group might have a few people who don’t want to sit for entire game. They still want part of the atmosphere but aren’t ready for a 4 hour game. Giving this group a place to go is huge. Kids zone might work in there too.

Get UC merchandise out at retail. UC needs can not let Ohio State, Kentucky, and the Cincinnati Bengals dominate retail shelf space because Nike gets their gear out in early July. It is a brand killer and limits the amount of t shirt fans out there for UC.

They do a very good job of this.

When I lived in West Lafayette, I would routinely see UC apparel in stores. It was just as common as any out-of-state Big 10 schools.

Now I'm in Central Illinois. My local Meijer stocks mostly Illinois, Illinois State, and pro sports. But they also stock UK and UC pretty regularly, and occasionally Mizzou, Michigan, Iowa. No idea why they choose UK and UC to almost always have an item on the shelves.

(08-01-2019 11:24 AM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  

(08-01-2019 09:55 AM)dubcat14 Wrote:  

(08-01-2019 09:50 AM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  Food needs improvement.
Use TUC as part of the game day experience. (show game in there on TVs and keep food court open). You would be supprised that a few large group might have a few people who don’t want to sit for entire game. They still want part of the atmosphere but aren’t ready for a 4 hour game. Giving this group a place to go is huge. Kids zone might work in there too.

Get UC merchandise out at retail. UC needs can not let Ohio State, Kentucky, and the Cincinnati Bengals dominate retail shelf space because Nike gets their gear out in early July. It is a brand killer and limits the amount of t shirt fans out there for UC.

FWIW TUC, Catskeller, and the food court are open during games (the food court uses their normal hours which normally includes games).. not too many people know this which is good for my halftime intentions, but it'd probably be better if UC promotes it. And put the game on the large screen in there. I run in there, run up a few flights of stairs to use the restroom in peace, maybe grab some chick-fil-a or taco bell (you can sneak it back in under a jacket during the colder games), or grab a beer at catskeller for half the price of the stadium.

same here, i use this option but they could at least put the game on some Tvs. Maybe set up a kidszone inside. Little ones don’t want to sit for 4 hours, spouses and grandparents might not either.

I see what you're saying.. I've always thought a large screen on 5/3rd that overlooks sheakley lawn and shows the game would be cool.. could set up play structures, refreshment stands, sno-cones, facepainting etc.. could either have it where it's included with a ticket to the game or more or no ticket and it's more of a watch party atmosphere.

(08-01-2019 08:00 AM)MickMack Wrote:  

(07-31-2019 04:26 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  We've discussed this issue before on Banter over the years. I do think winning [consistently] and being ranked will improve fan interest and attendance. I'll add a different point [but brought up in the past], the UC Athletic/Marketing Dept. folks need to step up their game. Examples, advertise to new markets, get more creative with on campus events before/after the game, incentives to buy tickets, and for crikes sakes - do better to get butts in the club section. Premium seats and hardly anyone sits in them!

I completely agree on the marketing point. I'll give you a very recent example. I asked our client development person reach out to the athletic department to see if they have any public (i.e., non-season ticket holder) events for UC football. I thought any event might be nice for my casual UC football friends. They apparently have nothing.

I'm tellin' ya, just place one of those blow up two story bearcats and have a band jammin with some suds and samples of local cuisine. Add in an appearance of the marching band [smaller version] to pep folks up. Sounds like a winner...

Why not give a SR Marketing Majors group a budget and see what ideas they can develop. The UC Adm. group has never impressed me as creative!

I am wondering how much help is really needed with game-day attendance.

Curious...does anyone know what the actual capacity of Nippert Stadium is on football game days? I am not looking for the "approximately 40,000" number that is crap.

I have been to more fb games at Nippert than I can count...and it does feel good when they announce attendance #'s that approach or meet capacity. However, I have also been to my share of FCC games when the stadium seats are nearly packed, with thousands of more fans roaming the concession and bridge areas....and the announced attendance is only 30,000. Point being, there is no way an extra 10,000 people could possibly fit in the stadium.

I am just curious what the real capacity number might be.

Moot point. It's all about tv.

If they truly cared about attendance, all game times would be scheduled BEFORE the season. Early games would be played at night to help families with kids who play sports. Late season games would be played in the afternoon.

My two kids have soccer and/or baseball games practically every Saturday in the fall. Instead of getting 6+ season tickets, I will try and grab tickets to the games I know I can hit.

Then again, it's easy to stay at home and WATCH IT ON TV.

Any idea what one of those giant Bearcat blow ups cost? I'd love to put one up in my lawn up here in Cowtown for the OSU game...

(07-31-2019 01:24 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  Given the attendance of people at FCC Cincinnati the past few years, I think the suburbanites have lost the "I don't go to UC games because of the traffic/parking/neighborhood". That being said, I do think a shuttle in various spots across the tri-state would be a good idea.

I've raised the point before but I think what UC needs to do to increase attendance is to grow to grow the fan base. They need to take a page from Jeff Berding with FCC and reach out to people in the Greater Cincinnati and sell the product and UC's vision going forward. Berding as I recall was hitting bars and watching soccer with folks before FCC was even in existence. This was the genesis of the various supporters groups such as Die Innenstadt and the Pride, who all organically swelled in numbers.

UC also need to reach outside of 275 as well. We need to sell across the state that UC is the alternative brand to the Buckeyes with its own unique flavor, traditions, and brand. We need to a convoy of fans driving down/up 71 & 75 from other parts of the state on Saturdays in the fall.

FCC did in one single year what UC has never been able to do: Capture the imagination of the casual fan. Before you knew it, FCC fans were chanting "Cincy till I die" for team that had been around less than two years. My gripe has always been that UC focuses on the big donors and ignores the common fan. Being successful on the field is obvious, but it has to go beyond that. There has to be a sense of ownership so people will continue to buy tickets.

We are about a month out from the UCLA game and UC is promoting cheap tickets. That's not a good sign.

I looked at what season tickets were available earlier in the week, and it was slim pickens. The lair is basically sold out. The sidelines were pretty sparse too.

Plenty of club seats available. I guess I wouldn't mind paying for the club seats, but I just don't want to sit up that high. I really don't care much about the food that is included either. Maybe Doss could sell me on it, one of these days.

(08-02-2019 09:35 AM)BearcatsUC Wrote:  

(07-31-2019 01:24 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  Given the attendance of people at FCC Cincinnati the past few years, I think the suburbanites have lost the "I don't go to UC games because of the traffic/parking/neighborhood". That being said, I do think a shuttle in various spots across the tri-state would be a good idea.

I've raised the point before but I think what UC needs to do to increase attendance is to grow to grow the fan base. They need to take a page from Jeff Berding with FCC and reach out to people in the Greater Cincinnati and sell the product and UC's vision going forward. Berding as I recall was hitting bars and watching soccer with folks before FCC was even in existence. This was the genesis of the various supporters groups such as Die Innenstadt and the Pride, who all organically swelled in numbers.

UC also need to reach outside of 275 as well. We need to sell across the state that UC is the alternative brand to the Buckeyes with its own unique flavor, traditions, and brand. We need to a convoy of fans driving down/up 71 & 75 from other parts of the state on Saturdays in the fall.

FCC did in one single year what UC has never been able to do: Capture the imagination of the casual fan. Before you knew it, FCC fans were chanting "Cincy till I die" for team that had been around less than two years. My gripe has always been that UC focuses on the big donors and ignores the common fan. Being successful on the field is obvious, but it has to go beyond that. There has to be a sense of ownership so people will continue to buy tickets.

Chasing casual fans isn’t the answer. It’s big donors, alumni, students, and suburban families that fund the athletic department now and in the future. Casuals come last. People with money and those that have a connection to school come first.

My focus would be on young families. The creation of lifelong fans, potential students, and future donors. Attendance doesn’t help if you constantly give away the gate to those who have a small return on investment.

I have entire side of the family that is made of UC grads. I remember going to basketball games before Huggins and the Shoemaker Center was even a thing. Trust me, when kids grow up following UC the chance to become lifelong fans, students, alumni, donors, and season ticket holders increases.

(08-02-2019 09:49 AM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  

(08-02-2019 09:35 AM)BearcatsUC Wrote:  

(07-31-2019 01:24 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  Given the attendance of people at FCC Cincinnati the past few years, I think the suburbanites have lost the "I don't go to UC games because of the traffic/parking/neighborhood". That being said, I do think a shuttle in various spots across the tri-state would be a good idea.

I've raised the point before but I think what UC needs to do to increase attendance is to grow to grow the fan base. They need to take a page from Jeff Berding with FCC and reach out to people in the Greater Cincinnati and sell the product and UC's vision going forward. Berding as I recall was hitting bars and watching soccer with folks before FCC was even in existence. This was the genesis of the various supporters groups such as Die Innenstadt and the Pride, who all organically swelled in numbers.

UC also need to reach outside of 275 as well. We need to sell across the state that UC is the alternative brand to the Buckeyes with its own unique flavor, traditions, and brand. We need to a convoy of fans driving down/up 71 & 75 from other parts of the state on Saturdays in the fall.

FCC did in one single year what UC has never been able to do: Capture the imagination of the casual fan. Before you knew it, FCC fans were chanting "Cincy till I die" for team that had been around less than two years. My gripe has always been that UC focuses on the big donors and ignores the common fan. Being successful on the field is obvious, but it has to go beyond that. There has to be a sense of ownership so people will continue to buy tickets.

Chasing casual fans isn’t the answer. It’s big donors, alumni, students, and suburban families that fund the athletic department now and in the future. Casuals come last. People with money and those that have a connection to school come first.

My focus would be on young families. The creation of lifelong fans, potential students, and future donors. Attendance doesn’t help if you constantly give away the gate to those who have a small return on investment.

I have entire side of the family that is made of UC grads. I remember going to basketball games before Huggins and the Shoemaker Center was even a thing. Trust me, when kids grow up following UC the chance to become lifelong fans, students, alumni, donors, and season ticket holders increases.

My point is that FCC was able to take people with an interest in soccer and turn them into regular FCC soccer fans. There are plenty of football fans in Cincinnati that UC has not tapped. Louisville has managed to be their city's team; UC can do the same - particularly with the annual failure of our pro football team.

Ohio is filled with rabid Buckeye fans who never took at class at that school. UC can do the same for our corner of the state.

UC has been chasing the same big donors for decades. Time to try something new, like maybe develop a more permanent fan base.

(08-02-2019 09:45 AM)Z-Fly Wrote:  I looked at what season tickets were available earlier in the week, and it was slim pickens. The lair is basically sold out. The sidelines were pretty sparse too.

Plenty of club seats available. I guess I wouldn't mind paying for the club seats, but I just don't want to sit up that high. I really don't care much about the food that is included either. Maybe Doss could sell me on it, one of these days.

The food has went downhill since the first couple years. No more made to order salad station, no more made to order pasta station and no more meat carving station.

No more ohmage to the opponents city's food speciality.

(08-02-2019 10:11 AM)doss2 Wrote:  

(08-02-2019 09:45 AM)Z-Fly Wrote:  I looked at what season tickets were available earlier in the week, and it was slim pickens. The lair is basically sold out. The sidelines were pretty sparse too.

Plenty of club seats available. I guess I wouldn't mind paying for the club seats, but I just don't want to sit up that high. I really don't care much about the food that is included either. Maybe Doss could sell me on it, one of these days.

The food has went downhill since the first couple years. No more made to order salad station, no more made to order pasta station and no more meat carving station.

No more ohmage to the opponents city's food speciality.

I gotta be honest Doss, this isn't helping the cause.