What's Behind the Football Attendance Problems?

[Flipper]

Blackney's teams were a lot of fun to watch...the first QB I ever saw catch a pass for BGSU was Erik White. Blackney stressed defense...but his teams could score in bunches.

We drew soemthing like 24k per game in 1994, but that was after two straight MAC titles in 1991 and 1992, bowl wins in both years and a pretty good 1993. You don't build it here overnight.

[Globetrotter]

Visibility is the #1 thing the program is missing right now. I remember when I was in school and hearing the tales of Urban going through all the dorms and personally asking students to come to football games. We need that type of commitment again. We're in a tough spot geographically for football, we're smack dab between three of the largest D1 schools in the country. Educating the students, townies and alumni about the current team/coaches will only serve to help boost attendance in the future.

We have a good football program with a good coach, and they deserve better support than what we've seen this year. I really hope the marketing department steps up their game in the offseason to increase season ticket sales and come up with some creative promotions to get more butts in the seats. A bowl game and win will help that automatically, but there needs to be more done to ensure going forward BGSU football is regarded as a program who gets solid attendance no matter what weather or opponent.

I wonder how much having a good basketball program helps the football team and vice versa. I remember when Urban was introduced and the basketball arena was packed (atleast I think it was) and the students were chanting URBAN MEYER!!!. the 2 went hand in hand. I feel ridiculously spoiled to have went to BG from 98-2003

[hammb]

Visibility is the #1 thing the program is missing right now. I remember when I was in school and hearing the tales of Urban going through all the dorms and personally asking students to come to football games. We need that type of commitment again. We're in a tough spot geographically for football, we're smack dab between three of the largest D1 schools in the country. Educating the students, townies and alumni about the current team/coaches will only serve to help boost attendance in the future.

We have a good football program with a good coach, and they deserve better support than what we've seen this year. I really hope the marketing department steps up their game in the offseason to increase season ticket sales and come up with some creative promotions to get more butts in the seats. A bowl game and win will help that automatically, but there needs to be more done to ensure going forward BGSU football is regarded as a program who gets solid attendance no matter what weather or opponent.

That's just it though. I don't think you CAN market BGSU sports to the community...everybody that lives here knows they have sports. I think the only thing that can market BGSU athletics to the community of BG is for the programs themselves to become one with the community. Dan did that. Urban did that. Our current crop of coaches doesn't, and it shows in the attendance. Winning is awesome, I love winning, but to be the head coach of a BG team you need to do more. Maybe that's not right, but it is the way it is in this town.

[Pete Segaard]

The one thing I can think of that would help attendance is game day continuity. If a game can be counted on to be at the same time on the same day people would know when to show up. The current typical MAC start time carousel can make it difficult for the casual fan to schedule games. Heck I have gotten start times mixed up and missed games on a couple occasions.

[Lord_Byron]

I've also said this in the past regarding the consistent starts. It allows fans to build up game-day tailgaiting traditions, groups, events, etc.

But, we have to play on weeknights for ESPN . . .

[zete]

What helps the most, and I have read it here many times, is winning. We do not win enough. OSU and Michigan win most of the time. They also play for National Championships. Thus they have a massive following. Once you go to a game in Columbus - basketball or football - you feel you are part of something big. I feel because of the pay off - lots and lots of atmosphere and winning. You want to go back and do it again. That type of thing shows up in BG about once every 10 - 15 years. Like someone posted earlier: you can build it over a few years, but it can fall down in in few games. And for what it is worth. Most people in this area are not clueless. They know once we win the coach will take the first bus out of town. So their is little trust established between community and coach. Most people know coaches in the MAC have an eye on the key hole - why support them? No one likes being used. "Come and cheer for us. That may help me get a better job"
Sadly, from my perspective, we live in the middle of Big Ten country. Therefore the DI schools of choice of the fans in the immediate area, from kids on the playground to the old folks home are Mich and OSU not BG. Because they win most of the time and have for decades.

[musicman2343]

Most people in this area are not clueless. They know once we win the coach will take the first bus out of town. So their is little trust established between community and coach. Most people know coaches in the MAC have an eye on the key hole - why support them? No one likes being used. "Come and cheer for us. That may help me get a better job"

This is a big issue too. They know once success happens the coach leaves and we rebuild all over again.

I think this is where Clawson might be different. I really think he will be the one to stay a while. From all my impressions of his character, he seems like a "family" guy - the type that hammb mentioned. I got to know him best through church every weekend. While he may not get out there and personally invite students to games like Meyer did, he certainly seems to have BG's best interest at heart, IMO.

I think he has the ship righted, so to speak, and I hope he continues the success for years.

[Globetrotter]

Most people in this area are not clueless. They know once we win the coach will take the first bus out of town. So their is little trust established between community and coach. Most people know coaches in the MAC have an eye on the key hole - why support them? No one likes being used. "Come and cheer for us. That may help me get a better job"

This is a big issue too. They know once success happens the coach leaves and we rebuild all over again.

I think this is where Clawson might be different. I really think he will be the one to stay a while. From all my impressions of his character, he seems like a "family" guy - the type that hammb mentioned. I got to know him best through church every weekend. While he may not get out there and personally invite students to games like Meyer did, he certainly seems to have BG's best interest at heart, IMO.

I think he has the ship righted, so to speak, and I hope he continues the success for years.

Maybe this is why you go after a failed BCS coach from a local school. Solich style.

[kdog27]

I have never viewed Solich as a failure. 58-9 at Nebraska and they haven't touched that type of record since. They were foolish to let him go after that.

[Globetrotter]

I have never viewed Solich as a failure. 58-9 at Nebraska and they haven't touched that type of record since. They were foolish to let him go after that.

Good point. I should have said fired then.

[zete]

We did that years ago with Denny Stolz. It worked for awhile. Then he fled for SDS in the middle of bowl season leaving his team with little focus as they were beaten badly in the California Bowl 52-7. That loss, at that time, could have set BG football back for a long time. The Stolz experience turned a lot of people off. It was a black mark on an otherwise great season. Again, he was a coach overcome with greed and left BG for $$.ie Timmy Beckman You can talk to me all you want about how these guys need millions of dollars to set their families up for life - I do not agree. The MAC pays head coaches well. I just personally do not feel a person needs a million dollars a year to coach football. American way? Not the way I was raised in this country.

[Flipper]

Who are you to tell someone what they need or don't need to take care of their family?

[camkru9701]

The money is obviously nice, but these guys leave more so for prestige and the opportunities to play for National Championships. After you get to a certain point financially (and I'm certainly not there yet), the money isn't a main factor, but having a chance to be considered the best in your profession is, which obviously leads to pay increases.

I was pissed when Urban left, but if he had stayed much longer, he probably wouldn't have 2 National Championships now. Being a farm system for young coaches sucks, but it is what it is.

[zete]

Well, it is my opinion and I am not alone. Probably in the majority.

[kdog27]

I have never viewed Solich as a failure. 58-9 at Nebraska and they haven't touched that type of record since. They were foolish to let him go after that.

Good point. I should have said fired then.

So what you're basically saying is someone like Tressel