Attendance

[bgsufalcon24]

Everything about today's game was seemingly perfect. We beat Massachusetts, setting the school record for yards gained and putting up 62 points on an absolutely beautiful day in Bowling Green. I haven't had this much stress-free fun at the Doyt in an long time. It was great. There was just one problem...

Where the **** were the fans?!

Seriously?! We have a team that is an established winner, you've beaten two P5 schools already this year, you got a near perfect weather day...and very few fans showed. I'm guessing the attendance was somewhere between 8k and 10k. That's absolutely horrific for a team of this caliber and in these circumstances.

So take your pick. I've come up with 4 plausible explanations for why the attendance stunk so bad today.

1.Fall Break - ie: no students
2.Homecoming next week - ie: no out of towners
3.Bad opponent
4.Fans boycotting because of 45-minute lines to buy tickets and poor concessions

I really don't mean to be the guy that complains after a win, and I'm sure our fan base will show better next week, but this crowd today was embarrassing. We draw better on some November weeknights than we did today.

[cameron]

I can't speak for anyone else, but I can tell you why I didn't go today: Overall Experience.

I was a season ticket holder and faithfully went to just about every home game for the past seven years. I was there til the end in 2008 in the freezing cold vs Buffalo (a Friday, 6 PM kickoff). I stayed for the two-delay, double overtime win vs Buffalo. I was there for the fog bowl last second loss vs Miami a few years ago, and stayed til the end.

But lately, I've been really disappointed in going to the games. It's not the team, they're a lot of fun to watch. And I did watch them today...only from home instead of at the Doyt. Honestly, I just hate the game experience anymore. I used to think of BG as a very family and community friendly experience. That is until they started making an issue out of practically patting you down on your way in (we wouldn't want you to sneak in a pop or some candy, now).

I also miss the days of being able to go onto the field freely after the game. I thought is was cool that BG was the only D-1 school that I know of that not only allowed it, but encouraged it. They wanted their fans to really be a part of the game experience. Now they don't let you on until like 10 minutes after the game, and by then, what's the point.

I know that this seems like a lot of complaining about the little things, but it's part of the overall game experience. If I'm going to spend 4 hours at your game, then you have to show me a good time and treat me like you want me there. And lately, it doesn't seem like BG really gets that. They've made it so easy to stay home and still see just about all the games now, so I suspect that's just what people are doing.

It's not like in the late 90's early 2000's (when I was a student) when the only time you got to see BG on TV is if they were playing OSU, UM or a very rare appearance on ESPN. Now they're on TV somewhere every week. Casual fans aren't going to bother to go, especially on a nice day like today when there are so many other things people can be doing.

For me, it comes down to priorities. And while I enjoy watching the team play, going to every home game isn't the priority for me that it once was. I guess that just means I'm getting older.

For what it's worth, I am going to be at Homecoming next week and also the game vs. TSUN as long as the weather is decent. Because if it isn't, like I said earlier, we can all watch it on TV.

Attendance is down across the board. The mighty #24, "we think we're going to a New Year's Bowl" (HA HA HA) TSUN had a pathetic showing for their Homecoming game today as well.

[MajorFalcon92]

Got to go on the field right after the Alma Mater was played. My 11 year old son enjoys that part as much as anything.

Lots of reasons not to go. As many reasons to go and enjoy as well. What a great day in BG with family and friends at the tailgate before, the game and after.

[bgsufalcon24]

Cameron does bring up one really good point. With the advent of networks like B1G Network, CBS Sports Network, Fox Sports 1, and the godsend that is ESPN3, there's been such a proliferation of tv coverage in college sports. Now it's a rarity if BG isn't on tv, whereas 10 years ago or even 5 years ago the reverse was true. I have to wonder if this is negatively affecting attendance, especially since a majority number of our fans live more than an hour outside of BG.

As far as going on the field after games, that is one of the great traditions BG has. The women's basketball team would invite fans onto the court after games for years, and I remember getting to speak personally with Ali Mann, Jessica Slagle, Lindsey Goldsberry, and other prominent falcons. It seems as though BG has tried to distance themselves from this tradition as the years have gone by, but it's something the fans won't let go of easily, and for good reason.

[Flipper]

I had a ton of stuff to do this morning and early afternoon...i took care of what I had to do and watched most of the game online. If I didn't know I could watch the game, I might...might..have reworked my schedule to see the game in person

[zete]

Face it BG more times than not will not draw well.

[falconfan1]

Essentially every freshmen was home. Basically all of them. That is what happens on fall break. And essentially 2000 freshmen were there vs Memphis. That is a big big factor. And not in our control. MAC sets the MAC schedule.

Obviously, many other upperclass students were home or gone too for the fall break. Literally that takes away several thousand fans. Again not in our control. We have input but.....And many thanks for all the loud students who were there. Good job by that group.

Kind of like us playing Miami and Eastern this year.....oh wait minute we don't. Toughest schedule in MAC so far and 4-2.

And I saw definite improvement in some of these concession etc areas. Less people sure. But more folks ready to help.

Have to get ready for Akron.

Go Falcons!

[bgsufalcon24]

Face it BG more times than not will not draw well.

That's a blatantly inflammatory statement, and depending on what you define as "drawing well", it's also wrong. Ill have to do a statistical analysis on it, but generally speaking the only time BG draws bad are for late season midweek games. Heading into this season I could count on 1 hand the amount of times we didn't draw well in September or October, and our late season contests against Miami, Ohio, and Toledo generally draw well regardless of weather or day of the week.

This game was a definite anamoly, and I'm sure the stats will back that up.

[Class of 61]

Everything about today's game was seemingly perfect. We beat Massachusetts, setting the school record for yards gained and putting up 62 points on an absolutely beautiful day in Bowling Green. I haven't had this much stress-free fun at the Doyt in an long time. It was great. There was just one problem...

Where the **** were the fans?!

Seriously?! We have a team that is an established winner, you've beaten two P5 schools already this year, you got a near perfect weather day...and very few fans showed. I'm guessing the attendance was somewhere between 8k and 10k. That's absolutely horrific for a team of this caliber and in these circumstances.

So take your pick. I've come up with 4 plausible explanations for why the attendance stunk so bad today.

1.Fall Break - ie: no students
2.Homecoming next week - ie: no out of towners
3.Bad opponent
4.Fans boycotting because of 45-minute lines to buy tickets and poor concessions

.

" official" attendance listed at 17+ K. Must've missed some.

[bg1984]

Everyone has to prioritize and I certainly won't fault people for making choices. What I don't get is why so many people are willing to move an O$U game to the top of a priority list with overpriced tickets, and parking and overall hassle. Say what you want about stupid concessions and all the other nit picking; BG football on a purely entertainment value for your dollar hits it out of the park. I drive in, park 100 yards from the entrance, have an outstanding seat, can wander up to the Sebo for some snacks and a $3.00 beer then wander back to my seat. All that for such an insanely low price for my four season tickets that I honestly don't know what the total is. I can't go on the field? Really??? The field is for football players. Fans need to stay in their seats! Yesterday was picture perfect. Atmosphere is created by fans attending games. If you complain about the atmosphere and overall game experience then show up and create it. The team certainly does its part to create atmosphere. Now if fans would only do their part!

[Falconfreak90]

Essentially every freshmen was home. Basically all of them. That is what happens on fall break. And essentially 2000 freshmen were there vs Memphis. That is a big big factor. And not in our control. MAC sets the MAC schedule.

Obviously, many other upperclass students were home or gone too for the fall break. Literally that takes away several thousand fans. Again not in our control. We have input but.....And many thanks for all the loud students who were there. Good job by that group.

Kind of like us playing Miami and Eastern this year.....oh wait minute we don't. Toughest schedule in MAC so far and 4-2.

And I saw definite improvement in some of these concession etc areas. Less people sure. But more folks ready to help.

Have to get ready for Akron.

Go Falcons!

I, too, noticed an improvement in the concession areas and staff...much better than Memphis. I used to get pissed when people would't show up. I can only control myself and family going to games. IF people would rather stay home and watch that overrated team in Cbus, so be it . They have no freakin idea what they're missing with this team. Yesterday was PERFECT weather and the Falcons ROLLED. Fall break...we definitely missed a lot os students yesterday, who, btw, have been pretty faithful to come out and support the team. My older son is a Freshman at Firelands and won't miss a game. He LOVES being a BG student and going to all these sporting events.

[Falconfreak90]

Got to go on the field right after the Alma Mater was played. My 11 year old son enjoys that part as much as anything.

Lots of reasons not to go. As many reasons to go and enjoy as well. What a great day in BG with family and friends at the tailgate before, the game and after.

Word, Mitch. We were on the field as well right after the alma mater. LOVE going to the Doyt, tailgating, hanging with great friends and supporting the Falcons.

[bgsufalcon24]

Everything about today's game was seemingly perfect. We beat Massachusetts, setting the school record for yards gained and putting up 62 points on an absolutely beautiful day in Bowling Green. I haven't had this much stress-free fun at the Doyt in an long time. It was great. There was just one problem...

Where the **** were the fans?!

Seriously?! We have a team that is an established winner, you've beaten two P5 schools already this year, you got a near perfect weather day...and very few fans showed. I'm guessing the attendance was somewhere between 8k and 10k. That's absolutely horrific for a team of this caliber and in these circumstances.

So take your pick. I've come up with 4 plausible explanations for why the attendance stunk so bad today.

1.Fall Break - ie: no students
2.Homecoming next week - ie: no out of towners
3.Bad opponent
4.Fans boycotting because of 45-minute lines to buy tickets and poor concessions

.

" official" attendance listed at 17+ K. Must've missed some.

Either we had 6k people at least buy tickets and not show up, or we did a hell of job fudging that number. I wish I took pictures of the stands to compare with the Memphis game. I could've swore there were about twice as many butts in seats for Memphis as opposed to Umass.

Maybe I'm off, but with no student section at all, and very few fans on the east side except near the 50 and where the HS bands were sitting, I don't know how that equates to 17k if a sellout is 24k. I'll take it though. At least somebody in the athletic department is doing their job, lol.

[Falcon137]

They have done a nice job promoting and selling seats on the east side of the stadium, this year. Seems to be more on that side than in years past.

Also, noticably more people in the field level suites and Miller Lite party area.

Werr there 17k there? No. But it wasn't horrible considering students make up a 1/4 of every crowd. I wasn't all that disappointed with the attendance. Whenever there is back to back home games one is always not as well attended, no matter what circumstances there are.

Already looking forward to homecoming.

[footballguy51]

Student's need to reserve their season pass for each sport online now. That means athletics can now claim those students for attendance because they have a season ticket. That certainly helps the numbers.