I attended the Toledo vs. EMU game two seasons ago and I was very impressed with Rynearson. The stadium is huge, and fairly good looking, with actually good food! I would guess the attendance was between 5 and 6k, but it was listed at 25k.

With EMU becoming a better squad, and building a small rivalry with Toledo in sports( womens basketball at least) Will the EMU- Toledo game have more fans this year? And will EMU average a few thousand more with the growing success?

I fully expect attendance to raise next season. Maybe not too extremely (up 5000+), but there will be more fans in the seats. There was a lot of buzz around campus, in Ypsilanti, and through alumni all over the place about football improving. The team received more press in the Detroit metro area than ever before. The athletics marketing team has seen some changes, and is dedicated.

I wouldn't be surprised, especially if it becomes Homecoming, if EMU vs. Toledo sells 15,000+ tickets.

i love Frank's optimism and i hope he's correct. i think it will take a few more years to see a sizable increase in fans at EMU games, and that will only happen if expectations are that we will be over .500 each season.

Is this the year Pepsi "buys" 15,000 for us to reach the attendance requirement? Boy I would love to see crowds average 10,000 per game this season especially would love to see more student involvement.

I'm planning to attend more home games this year due to heighten expecations on the team's performance.

homecoming is V.s. Kent State this year

I think 2012 is the attendance count year, but I'm not quite sure, because if I recall correctly, it's sort-of-but-not-quite every other year. I do think actual physical attendance will be up at least a little this year, based on likely count-year ticket deals, last year's .500 season, and expectations for a .500+ season this year, but that the bigger increases will come if/when the team puts together back-to-back winning seasons.

(04-17-2012 09:10 AM)Runk1056 Wrote:  homecoming is V.s. Kent State this year

That's what I thought.

Want a good chance of decent weather.

I'm about 95% certain this is our year to 'count'.

Bottom line: More folks who turn out, less Pepsi monies have to go to buy those 'tickets' to ensure the 15K average.

I think everything hinges on what happens the opening away game. If they win... Numbers may go up. If they lose, I don't expect to see much excitement.

*Here's to hoping for a win*

I just want the game to feel like an away game... really I don't, but for the sake of the MAC I want EMU to draw well.

I think the opening game on ESPN against BSU will be a big factor. If EMU wins, produces some offense, and looks fun to watch it could open the way to a lot more people coming out and generate some buzz.
I mean, $10? That's a great bargain for people who want to watch good football close enough to the field to hear the pads pop.

(04-17-2012 09:12 PM)michman83 Wrote:  I think the opening game on ESPN against BSU will be a big factor. If EMU wins, produces some offense, and looks fun to watch it could open the way to a lot more people coming out and generate some buzz.
I mean, $10? That's a great bargain for people who want to watch good football close enough to the field to hear the pads pop.

Is this game (Ball State) on ESPN tv?

I think there is a interest in this team.. People like to see a underdog get up off the floor and win..

I agree also that we need to come outta the gate with some wins to get emu fans and non emu fan to follow this team.. I still think if the MAC had a tv network, it would allow for emu grads who lives in another state to follow their favorite teams..

Not many people want to watch EMU play Ball State on ESPN2 or whatever ESPN network. Unless it's a day game being played on ESPN3(internet) or a weeknight game where nothing is on... MAC fans understand that it will be two previous 6-6's battling it out, but neither went to a bowl, and both are off of the map for the time being in football.

(04-18-2012 11:38 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  Not many people want to watch EMU play Ball State on ESPN2 or whatever ESPN network. Unless it's a day game being played on ESPN3(internet) or a weeknight game where nothing is on... MAC fans understand that it will be two previous 6-6's battling it out, but neither went to a bowl, and both are off of the map for the time being in football.

You phrase the game in hypotheticals as if the schedule is TBD.

Actually EMU plays at BSU the first Thursday of the season, Thursday night August 30).

(04-19-2012 04:54 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(04-18-2012 11:38 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  Not many people want to watch EMU play Ball State on ESPN2 or whatever ESPN network. Unless it's a day game being played on ESPN3(internet) or a weeknight game where nothing is on... MAC fans understand that it will be two previous 6-6's battling it out, but neither went to a bowl, and both are off of the map for the time being in football.

You phrase the game in hypotheticals as if the schedule is TBD.

Actually EMU plays at BSU the first Thursday of the season, Thursday night August 30).

So the game is on TV espn?

(04-18-2012 11:38 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  Not many people want to watch EMU play Ball State on ESPN2 or whatever ESPN network. Unless it's a day game being played on ESPN3(internet) or a weeknight game where nothing is on... MAC fans understand that it will be two previous 6-6's battling it out, but neither went to a bowl, and both are off of the map for the time being in football.

I don't think michman83 was talking specifically about attendance against Ball State, which is an away game anyway, but about the effect starting off 1-0 in the MAC might have on building excitement in Ypsi and increasing attendance for the subsequent games.

My point was ESPN shouldn't play the EMU game on tv, unless it's a weeknight game and nothing is on. Because then people will actually tune in for the sake of it being football. It's not meant to be a slap at EMU. There are very few MAC teams that other football fans want to see on tv. So I guess the Emu allums will get to see them play vs. Balls Tate. I didn't know the schedule sorry.

(04-19-2012 07:11 AM)cmadler Wrote:  

(04-18-2012 11:38 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  Not many people want to watch EMU play Ball State on ESPN2 or whatever ESPN network. Unless it's a day game being played on ESPN3(internet) or a weeknight game where nothing is on... MAC fans understand that it will be two previous 6-6's battling it out, but neither went to a bowl, and both are off of the map for the time being in football.

I don't think michman83 was talking specifically about attendance against Ball State, which is an away game anyway, but about the effect starting off 1-0 in the MAC might have on building excitement in Ypsi and increasing attendance for the subsequent games.

Yep, that's what I meant. Thanks for clarifying.