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BearcatJournal brought up the discussion on Twitter of ways that could help increase fan support/attendance at Nippert and figured it'd be nice to carry over to the board to help easy my itch for football.

The Nippert experience is already relatively cheap from a ticketing standpoint as some have mentioned the cost for the UC/OSU game is almost the same as their whole season at Nippert.

They tried to streamline the concessions, restrooms, and concourse with the last renovation but it could still use some work - honestly not many options for them when 40,000 are packed in but it makes Nippert unique.

Concession prices could drop a dollar or two across the board which would help with families, and more local variety similar to what the Reds and FCC have done.

I'm curious what other options are out there to increase gameday fan support

Simple: win. Cincinnati fans will support a winning team no matter the price. If this team is exciting and shows improvement over last year, attendance will not be a problem.

(07-31-2019 12:50 PM)genda Wrote:  Simple: win. Cincinnati fans will support a winning team no matter the price. If this team is exciting and shows improvement over last year, attendance will not be a problem.

Yup:
1) Win
-(Coming off an 11-2 season)
2) Have Coaches and Players fans enjoy rooting for
-(CLF has been great and so have the assistants which include two former Bearcats. We are starting to gain traction with local recruiting. No reason not to root for local kids/coaches.)
3) Schedule
-(UCLA, Miami (OH), UCF, and Temple are 4 solid home games and should be enough for someone to go with season ticks considering the other 2 home games hopefully will be more relaxing wins)

I don't see anything that can be done to drastically change attendance numbers besides sustaining the above 3. No reason we shouldn't average over 35K (Even if we finish 6-6/7-5) this season.

(07-31-2019 12:44 PM)dubcat14 Wrote:  BearcatJournal brought up the discussion on Twitter of ways that could help increase fan support/attendance at Nippert and figured it'd be nice to carry over to the board to help easy my itch for football.

The Nippert experience is already relatively cheap from a ticketing standpoint as some have mentioned the cost for the UC/OSU game is almost the same as their whole season at Nippert.

They tried to streamline the concessions, restrooms, and concourse with the last renovation but it could still use some work - honestly not many options for them when 40,000 are packed in but it makes Nippert unique.

Concession prices could drop a dollar or two across the board which would help with families, and more local variety similar to what the Reds and FCC have done.

I'm curious what other options are out there to increase gameday fan support

I like the topic, so I'll chime in. Having been @ GABP last weekend, I think Nippert concession pricing is about the same. I do like what the Reds (and maybe Kroger) are doing with a special ticketed section for families that includes a bundle of popular food and beverage. Maybe that brings some new faces to campus?

I've also wondered about transportation. For those who have never ventured Uptown in decades (and there are plenty of Cincinnatians in that cohort) I think issues I hear most often are, in no particular order, traffic, parking and safety. Running Metro shuttles from mall parking lots in the 'burbs would seem to cover all three issues as folks could be dropped off right by the Rec. Center ticket gates. Having said that, I don't know the cost or demand if offered. But it could be tested from a single location for a single season for a modest investment. Faced with driving and paying up to $20 in parking, perhaps a $10 roundtrip would provide consumers a cost saving incentive too.

I have no idea if bobbleheads, hats, pennants, t-shirts and other giveaways juice the gate. I'm guessing they work since we still see those single game incentives used regularly in pro sports. But I suspect winning all six home games this season will do more than all these other tactics combined. If Cincinnati is starved for a winner, isn't this the best (and still the cheapest) option on the table for 2019?

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.

Fickell needs one big win that endears himself to the university and city.

As sad as this sounds, good football does not draw fans as much as being the latest hip fad.

Lets face it, Huggins got to one final four and... should have... made several more. However, that ONE final four was good enough for the band wagon'ers to latch on to the program. Suddenly UC basketball was the cool thing to do in the city and everyone was stuffed into the shoe tighter than a turtle's pecker.

Fick just needs that one BIG win to make them... cool.

Hmmm... Anyone have one in mind?

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.

(07-31-2019 01:56 PM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  Fickell needs one big win that endears himself to the university and city.

As sad as this sounds, good football does not draw fans as much as being the latest hip fad.

Lets face it, Huggins got to one final four and... should have... made several more. However, that ONE final four was good enough for the band wagon'ers to latch on to the program. Suddenly UC basketball was the cool thing to do in the city and everyone was stuffed into the shoe tighter than a turtle's pecker.

Fick just needs that one BIG win to make them... cool.

Hmmm... Anyone have one in mind?

I get what your saying but I think win 4 of these and we will be packed houses. Win 3 of these and we should have good crowds all season.

Key to me is at least starting 2-1 in first 3 weeks.

1) UCLA- In front of home fans with a second year under Chip Kelly.
2) Ohio State- I know this is what your going for and I think this game is 50/50 (Unless Justin Fields is just unstoppable like mike Vick esq.). Idk how a win here would be perceived though nationally since they just lost mini god coach Urban and it is so early on the season.
3) Miami (OH)-Keep the streak going. Show the town we are back and pound them to the ground.
4) UCF- Take the flagship back in The American
5) Temple- These mofos somehow been getting to us the last few years.

(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.

Yes, I think we've clearly established our baseline. I think we have about 15-20K die-hards that will be there come heck or high-water, the rest are more casual fans. I think we need to both the number of die-hards and the number of casual fans. Everyone is covering the issues that will get us there: winning, some game-day enhancements, etc. I just think the athletic department also needs to do some additional things to make our fan base a little bigger.

I must be in the minority, but concessions and bathroom issues i've had very little issue with. It's all timing. If you tailgate a couple hours or so before the game(in our case about 2 and half hours) there isn't a lot of concessions needed. You've got to start early.

(07-31-2019 02:30 PM)dsquare Wrote:  I must be in the minority, but concessions and bathroom issues i've had very little issue with. It's all timing. If you tailgate a couple hours or so before the game(in our case about 2 and half hours) there isn't a lot of concessions needed. You've got to start early.

No problems either. Beer is easy. I don’t have kids and never buy food at stadiums/arenas (Disgusting). Like you said it’s all about timing and being familiar with the stadium or game day experience your at.

I think these arguments are from the casual fans in the city that have never been to a major old time college stadium.
1) UC@Mich I stood in line for an hour to use restroom.
2) OSU is a little better. Probably because I know the secret bathrooms etc.
3) Tennessee-Same as OSU/Mich

If your looking for comfort at a football game, then UC provides no better experience in my honest opinion.

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!

Beat O$U on their field. That will bump attendance for the entire year.

(07-31-2019 04:29 PM)converrl Wrote:  Beat O$U on their field. That will bump attendance for the entire year.

^This one game, if UC can win, will get the attention of the broader Cincinnati sports audience. It's that simple. If you beat them, people will come.

Stadium Giveaways would draw the casual fans more. Probably could have sold out a game with that Pike to Binns bobblehead alone.

(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.

(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.

(07-31-2019 02:24 PM)CliftonAve 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.

Yes, I think we've clearly established our baseline. I think we have about 15-20K die-hards that will be there come heck or high-water, the rest are more casual fans. I think we need to both the number of die-hards and the number of casual fans. Everyone is covering the issues that will get us there: winning, some game-day enhancements, etc. I just think the athletic department also needs to do some additional things to make our fan base a little bigger.

I think the biggest thing is for the program to keep winning so kids/students become fans. I think we have hardly scratched the surface of kids growing up with the Bearcats being a real option as a football team to root for. When I got to UC in 2006 I was still a diehard OSU fan. I knew they had a football team, but they were never seen as "big time." I went to all the games and saw some promise in the team, but it was not till that Rutgers game where my allegiance started to change.

We are really only seeing the first generation of kids who grew up with Cincinnati being a "big time" program. I know the G5 and conference thing has not shaken out how we would like it, but I still feel like we all expect UC to fight for 10 wins and a ranking at the end of the season. Having enough teams like that will create a lot of fans that will stick with the program.

(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.

Bolded, I agree this has probably been the largest source of increased attendance and it speaks to the importance for the University, even more broadly, of engaging students early to connect them to UC for life--whether they remain local or not. We've had passionate students at basketball games through the decades, but the larger scale of that overflowing student section at Nippert has been awesome to behold. It's a game changer for the team too, especially when our opponent gets inside about the 30 yard line driving to that south end zone.

Anyone have thoughts on how many fans UCLA might bring? I'm guessing about 1,000 between regional alumni and a major P5 fan base that travels. We'll take their ticket money but I can't imagine they'll have enough folks there to offset (what should be) a Red and Black sellout. My hope is for a sellout at least days before kickoff. That, along with a win against the Bruins (not a given I know) gives our program tremendous momentum heading to Columbus.

(08-01-2019 07:27 AM)Banter Wrote:  

(07-31-2019 02:24 PM)CliftonAve 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.

Yes, I think we've clearly established our baseline. I think we have about 15-20K die-hards that will be there come heck or high-water, the rest are more casual fans. I think we need to both the number of die-hards and the number of casual fans. Everyone is covering the issues that will get us there: winning, some game-day enhancements, etc. I just think the athletic department also needs to do some additional things to make our fan base a little bigger.

I think the biggest thing is for the program to keep winning so kids/students become fans. I think we have hardly scratched the surface of kids growing up with the Bearcats being a real option as a football team to root for. When I got to UC in 2006 I was still a diehard OSU fan. I knew they had a football team, but they were never seen as "big time." I went to all the games and saw some promise in the team, but it was not till that Rutgers game where my allegiance started to change.

We are really only seeing the first generation of kids who grew up with Cincinnati being a "big time" program. I know the G5 and conference thing has not shaken out how we would like it, but I still feel like we all expect UC to fight for 10 wins and a ranking at the end of the season. Having enough teams like that will create a lot of fans that will stick with the program.

Agree the younger crowd is the target audience for future growth. Unfortunately we are not going to sway the 45 year old living in Ft. Thomas who rabidly roots for UK (despite going to UC) or the 50 year old guy in Fairfield who did not go to college but has the inflatable Brutus in his yard 365 days of the year... but we can get his kids to come to Nippert though.