If you take out the U Miami game, the 2018 average is up from 2017, but not a great amount. I just thought we had higher expectations for attendance this year from Toledo area football fans after coming off the MACC season, and favorable match-ups, weather and days/times (except for Halloween) should have set UT up form bigger jump in average game attendance. The U Miami game was +3,432 than next highest 2018 home game and +3,878 than next highest game in 2017-it truly was an anomaly from the the norm, those U Miami fans simply did not come back to another game. An average of 22,323 after 6 games is pretty good but though we had aspirations for 24,000-25,000? I suppose unrealistic given we knew Ball State game would be poorly attended and drop in season expectations, plus weather concerns, drove Buffalo attendance down. Guess I am most disappointed in VMI, Nevada and BGSUX did not push 26,000+ each or closer to sellouts than they were. Perhaps too much to ask from Toledo area football fans (beyond expected dedicated UT fans). I really hope this gets rid of any further talk of a conference move or GB additions of seats, as clear Toledo is no where near the sellouts some top successful college teams are getting - even in age of TV coverage and declines in attendance nationwide, and without out stronger and sustained close to sell out games nothing on those two fronts is going to change, so lets stop debating them.

(11-04-2018 11:33 AM)PaulJ Wrote:  If you take out the U Miami game, the 2018 average is up from 2017, but not a great amount. I just thought we had higher expectations for attendance this year from Toledo area football fans after coming off the MACC season, and favorable match-ups, weather and days/times (except for Halloween) should have set UT up form bigger jump in average game attendance. The U Miami game was +3,432 than next highest 2018 home game and +3,878 than next highest game in 2017-it truly was an anomaly from the the norm, those U Miami fans simply did not come back to another game. An average of 22,323 after 6 games is pretty good but though we had aspirations for 24,000-25,000? I suppose unrealistic given we knew Ball State game would be poorly attended and drop in season expectations, plus weather concerns, drove Buffalo attendance down. Guess I am most disappointed in VMI, Nevada and BGSUX did not push 26,000+ each or closer to sellouts than they were. Perhaps too much to ask from Toledo area football fans (beyond expected dedicated UT fans). I really hope this gets rid of any further talk of a conference move or GB additions of seats, as clear Toledo is no where near the sellouts some top successful college teams are getting - even in age of TV coverage and declines in attendance nationwide, and without out stronger and sustained close to sell out games nothing on those two fronts is going to change, so lets stop debating them.

Let’s face it. We haven’t really been stellar this year. And we have never been a team that brings in record crowds. But I say it’s their loss for not going to the games. As a season ticket holder since the late 90s I found out what I was missing all those years that I never went to see The Toledo Rockets play. Always a Rocket Fan now maybe FANATIC.

(11-04-2018 11:43 AM)Babes boy Wrote:  

(11-04-2018 11:33 AM)PaulJ Wrote:  If you take out the U Miami game, the 2018 average is up from 2017, but not a great amount. I just thought we had higher expectations for attendance this year from Toledo area football fans after coming off the MACC season, and favorable match-ups, weather and days/times (except for Halloween) should have set UT up form bigger jump in average game attendance. The U Miami game was +3,432 than next highest 2018 home game and +3,878 than next highest game in 2017-it truly was an anomaly from the the norm, those U Miami fans simply did not come back to another game. An average of 22,323 after 6 games is pretty good but though we had aspirations for 24,000-25,000? I suppose unrealistic given we knew Ball State game would be poorly attended and drop in season expectations, plus weather concerns, drove Buffalo attendance down. Guess I am most disappointed in VMI, Nevada and BGSUX did not push 26,000+ each or closer to sellouts than they were. Perhaps too much to ask from Toledo area football fans (beyond expected dedicated UT fans). I really hope this gets rid of any further talk of a conference move or GB additions of seats, as clear Toledo is no where near the sellouts some top successful college teams are getting - even in age of TV coverage and declines in attendance nationwide, and without out stronger and sustained close to sell out games nothing on those two fronts is going to change, so lets stop debating them.

Let’s face it. We haven’t really been stellar this year. And we have never been a team that brings in record crowds. But I say it’s their loss for not going to the games. As a season ticket holder since the late 90s I found out what I was missing all those years that I never went to see The Toledo Rockets play. Always a Rocket Fan now maybe FANATIC.

Agreed, my only point in discussing attendance is to counter the case that is often made that UT football is deserving of a conference move or adding seats to the GB, when in fact you are right, the Toledo area community has never committed to attending home games, even during great seasons. Which is too bad as UT football has been very competitive with 9 win seasons 11 of last 20 years and 6 out of last 10 seasons. Only winning two MACC over those last 20 years has been disappointing, but the team has been competitive most years, while producing some great players. Until we see more sell-outs on a regular basis (very unlikely given attendance history and nationwide trend in declining CF attendance) UT football and the GB are what they are-which is still pretty darn good.

(11-04-2018 11:57 AM)PaulJ Wrote:  

(11-04-2018 11:43 AM)Babes boy Wrote:  

(11-04-2018 11:33 AM)PaulJ Wrote:  If you take out the U Miami game, the 2018 average is up from 2017, but not a great amount. I just thought we had higher expectations for attendance this year from Toledo area football fans after coming off the MACC season, and favorable match-ups, weather and days/times (except for Halloween) should have set UT up form bigger jump in average game attendance. The U Miami game was +3,432 than next highest 2018 home game and +3,878 than next highest game in 2017-it truly was an anomaly from the the norm, those U Miami fans simply did not come back to another game. An average of 22,323 after 6 games is pretty good but though we had aspirations for 24,000-25,000? I suppose unrealistic given we knew Ball State game would be poorly attended and drop in season expectations, plus weather concerns, drove Buffalo attendance down. Guess I am most disappointed in VMI, Nevada and BGSUX did not push 26,000+ each or closer to sellouts than they were. Perhaps too much to ask from Toledo area football fans (beyond expected dedicated UT fans). I really hope this gets rid of any further talk of a conference move or GB additions of seats, as clear Toledo is no where near the sellouts some top successful college teams are getting - even in age of TV coverage and declines in attendance nationwide, and without out stronger and sustained close to sell out games nothing on those two fronts is going to change, so lets stop debating them.

Let’s face it. We haven’t really been stellar this year. And we have never been a team that brings in record crowds. But I say it’s their loss for not going to the games. As a season ticket holder since the late 90s I found out what I was missing all those years that I never went to see The Toledo Rockets play. Always a Rocket Fan now maybe FANATIC.

Agreed, my only point in discussing attendance is to counter the case that is often made that UT football is deserving of a conference move or adding seats to the GB, when in fact you are right, the Toledo area community has never committed to attending home games, even during great seasons. Which is too bad as UT football has been very competitive with 9 win seasons 11 of last 20 years and 6 out of last 10 seasons. Only winning two MACC over those last 20 years has been disappointing, but the team has been competitive most years, while producing some great players. Until we see more sell-outs on a regular basis (very unlikely given attendance history and nationwide trend in declining CF attendance) UT football and the GB are what they are-which is still pretty darn good.

At one time I really was hoping that Toledo would have aspirations of moving up conference wise, and expanding the GB...
Now I pretty much have relegated myself to the fact that the city, and for the most part the students, consider Rocket athletics as an afterthought... I blame the media and poor marketing to some extent for this... That being said, it is mind boggling that this has not changed much all these years ...
Overall, the product (football/basketball) has been very competitive, but Joe sports fan in the Toledo area is to consumed by the osu/michigan hoopla to fill the GB and Savage on a regular basis...

Agreed, as much as would like to blame students, local media, and marketing, it is much more likely-and been consistent for many years-that the split OSU/UM/ND college football base in NW Ohio and Toledo is real reason support for Rockets football has been weak. With OSU/UM/ND competitive most years and on the national stage (and TV), fans will continue to be drawn to them. Unlike some college football markets in the country that have little local or regional competition from other teams and even sports (Boise State), UT will always play second cousin to OSU/UM/ND and I simply do not see any media, student support or more creative marketing from changing that-a fact made harder by drops in college football TV ratings and attendance across the country-with noted exceptions including those three.

Here's my perspective, Toledo will probably never be bigger than the flagship state universities. That's intentional and why the states have state named schools. That being said, the competition level and competitiveness will always have an effect on the level support the university gets from the local crowd.

If Toledo were able (not saying it's likely) to move into a P5 conference and be competitive, I think it is very likely support would increase among the local population. It's one thing for alumni to follow a team, the casual fan and local non-alumni don't want to follow a "lower" league if there is a top level team in the vicinity.

We could change the name of the state to "ToledO" and all our problems would be solved. What's TO on the outside and oled on the inside? See, it works.

(11-05-2018 06:08 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  We could change the name of the state to "ToledO" and all our problems would be solved. What's TO on the outside and oled on the inside? See, it works.

Your idea on another thread of walking a trophy that doesn’t exist to the other sideline was really cleaver and I loved it. But I’m taking all your points away because this was pretty sad. Sorry

(11-05-2018 09:53 PM)Babes boy Wrote:  

(11-05-2018 06:08 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  We could change the name of the state to "ToledO" and all our problems would be solved. What's TO on the outside and oled on the inside? See, it works.

Your idea on another thread of walking a trophy that doesn’t exist to the other sideline was really cleaver and I loved it. But I’m taking all your points away because this was pretty sad. Sorry

BAD?? No way, it's the far more clever one. It was just over your head, that's how comedy apparently works these days. Don't get the joke? Over your head. lol

Hey, I reached. But I still think it relevant to how some university in this state became "flagship." It was by design, not accomplishment. Dear ol Pres Taft set the precident of giving the majority of money to a cow college that lost memory of it's mandate as a "land grant" school. I like the sound of "The great state of ToledO."

Guessing that since OSU had a 100 year head start on UT (which did not become a state funded college until 1967) and housed in the State Capital gave them a huge head start over UT in establishing themselves as a flagship-plus the Buckeye football tradition did not hurt. OSU was getting state funding long before Taft and decades before UT.

If Toledo Athletics were really interested in building attendance they would make the game experience better.

Enough concessions that you can get something without missing tremendous amounts of action

Replace the light poles with something befitting of a division one school so fans sitting up top on the east side do not have obstructed seating

Implement some group seating areas so that when sponsors buy tickets to entertain they have a space to actually entertain. Why the towers on the north end have not been retrofitted for this purpose is beyond me. That and store equipment elsewhere and put group seating between Larimer and the stadium wall

Fix the sound system so you can actually here what is said

Add video to the concession areas

We have beaten this drum for years


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If I was a fan that bought season package for the Miami game, why would I come back if I had to wait an entire halftime and part of third quarter to redeem my food coupons

Not to mention the cruddy selection at the Rocky Locker counter to redeem the merchandise vouchers


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(11-06-2018 07:59 PM)indianasniff Wrote:  Implement some group seating areas so that when sponsors buy tickets to entertain they have a space to actually entertain. Why the towers on the north end have not been retrofitted for this purpose is beyond me.

While launchpad would be a clever name it might be a bit too fitting. I'm sure we'd lose a few without some distracting rail guards... And where would they put the cannon? Who was it that slid into that thing when it was on the field? I can still see it in my head but can't remember the name.

Larimer roof and I think there's a veranda right? Those would be good places because everyone in the stadium could see you. Be kind of a celebrity feeling like the Hen's Nest.

(11-06-2018 07:59 PM)indianasniff Wrote:  If Toledo Athletics were really interested in building attendance they would make the game experience better.

Enough concessions that you can get something without missing tremendous amounts of action

Replace the light poles with something befitting of a division one school so fans sitting up top on the east side do not have obstructed seating

Implement some group seating areas so that when sponsors buy tickets to entertain they have a space to actually entertain. Why the towers on the north end have not been retrofitted for this purpose is beyond me. That and store equipment elsewhere and put group seating between Larimer and the stadium wall

Fix the sound system so you can actually here what is said

Add video to the concession areas

We have beaten this drum for years


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I decided to watch last week’s second half in the upper deck for the first time in years....in my first seat of choice, the one light pole was completely obstructing my view of the entire play, so I had to move.

The Glass Bowl is beautiful and one of the most unique stadiums in the country, but it is way past due for some upgrades in the areas we mention on a yearly basis.

I like the lighting they put in our stadium on the Eastside. They're so low profile, you can't barely notice the overhead lights. There are some lights closer to the field that glare but I think that could be avoided with more overhead, which of course a University can afford. I don't clearly know how to describe them. Instead of a vertical wall of lights, they're horizontal facing down(ish). The lighting is about as even as any high school field I've seen.

(11-06-2018 08:02 PM)indianasniff Wrote:  If I was a fan that bought season package for the Miami game, why would I come back if I had to wait an entire halftime and part of third quarter to redeem my food coupons

Not to mention the cruddy selection at the Rocky Locker counter to redeem the merchandise vouchers


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Why would a U Miami fan (and there were plenty in the stands) come back to watch UT play?? Was pretty clear that U Miami fans from Ohio and across the midwest bought single game or season tickets just for that game and chance to watch their team. Doesn't surprise we one bit that those 3,000-4,000 fans never game back, I never expected they would.

And yes I know UT needs to step up and improve the game day experience, especially with concessions and entertainment, but I doubt that is the real major reason for the drop off in attendance after the U Miami game or why the Glass Bowl has not taken off in more solid attendance (sell outs) in recent years-and we have pretty well covered why that is.

(11-07-2018 12:54 AM)inductchuck16 Wrote:  

(11-06-2018 07:59 PM)indianasniff Wrote:  If Toledo Athletics were really interested in building attendance they would make the game experience better.

Enough concessions that you can get something without missing tremendous amounts of action

Replace the light poles with something befitting of a division one school so fans sitting up top on the east side do not have obstructed seating

Implement some group seating areas so that when sponsors buy tickets to entertain they have a space to actually entertain. Why the towers on the north end have not been retrofitted for this purpose is beyond me. That and store equipment elsewhere and put group seating between Larimer and the stadium wall

Fix the sound system so you can actually here what is said

Add video to the concession areas

We have beaten this drum for years


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I decided to watch last week’s second half in the upper deck for the first time in years....in my first seat of choice, the one light pole was completely obstructing my view of the entire play, so I had to move.

The Glass Bowl is beautiful and one of the most unique stadiums in the country, but it is way past due for some upgrades in the areas we mention on a yearly basis.

I was going to donate to replace those lights. But I didn’t win the lottery. I sit on the east side in section 32. I rarely move to a different seat. A great view even if I am on the 20.

Yeah, I went to the Miami game expecting the concessions to be a mess. That's a what, one in 15-20 year home game. People didn't return because of poor concessions. They didn't return because they were there to watch Miami. Now if Toledo had won that game and were undefeated, some of those people would have returned, but most of those who didn't return were for the Canes game only. This conversation happens every year. Well, maybe if just built 100,000 seat stadium, made some stadium improvements, and joined the Big 10; All of the non-UT fans would suddenly disavow Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Penn State for sure! not. Now if Toledo would ever continue its winning ways and sweep Power 5 teams for a couple of years in a row, the community would be out more often to support it, but when your dropping games to Eastern Michigan and throwing 5 picks against Ball State, they will likely stay home. It is what is. I think the University has done well with various upgrades over the years and they do what they can to keep the best coaches as long as they can.