Low attendance/Conference Issues?

[Dr. Bucko]

A small fan base, weather conditions, and the quality of competition have everything to do with attendance. And if I had to settle on one variable, it would be the quality of the competition. I'm really not interested in watching Bowling Green beat up on Div IAA North East Central Clambake State. If Toledo can bring in Minnisota, Indiana, and Purdue, if Miami can bring in Iowa. if Central Florida can bring in West Virginia, if NI can bring in Maryland, if Ball State can bring in Boston college, then Bowling Green ought to be able to bring in somebody besides Clambake State. Granted, BG brought in Missouri last year, but that's been it. And if I remember, that Missouri game was played in front of a pretty good crowd.

[NWLB]

I think we need to move past the knee-jerk reaction to UT or UCF selling their souls to play whomever they do at home. What UT did right was to spend money on making the gameday experience a big deal, and to keep doing it for almost every single game, year after year. Stunts, concerts, fireworks, and a wide selection of Ohio State and Michigan hats at their own merchindise stands, did more than losing to big teams. Their attendance stabalized after all of that. (they've only recently started beating big teams and ceased selling OSU and Michigan stuff).

I agree that lousy teams have an impact on the crowd, as I noted in the marketing thread. However the core fans still show up, as are some students. The difference in attendance are the casual and distant fans. We aren't drawing them back after "big" games because there isn't enough value in the experience. It is that experience that must grow and improve if we are going to ever draw better for other than marquee games.

[Tech83]

NWLB you seem to be in the know more than some of us. Has BG ever thought about selling beer at the games, like Miami does at the pre-game area known as Miami Gardens? You have to show ID to get in. Or maybe they are already doing this.

[UK Peregrine]

Exactly NWLB. It's not all based on the quality of the opponent. Otherwise you'd see NIU and the Terd take a hit when bottom tier MAC teams come calling. Yet they have a packed house each week, regardless of the opponent. Even UCF, the bottom rung themselves, is average something like 22,000. That's just wrong. Someone made the point elsewhere that it has to do with the competition for fans with tOSU and Michigan. But that can't be right either, UCF gets a good crowd with UF, FSU and Miami in their state. The other suggestion was that maybe it is all of the smaller schools in Ohio (Akron, Kent, Miami, Toledo, Ohio) that steal our luster. Maybe that's it. I just can't figure out why attendance has been so bad at times, heck I get upset when I can't see the Falcons. Why isn't their more of a buzz about how good this team is and that we have something really special brewing in Northwest Ohio? This issue just frustrates the heck out of me.

[NWLB]

I wouldn't call myself "plugged in" as such, especially the last couple of years. (career change-or start depending on how you look at it, marriage, daughter, new home, volunteer burn-out, etc) I'm blissfully as unplugged as I have been in ten years.

I do have insight into how things actually work, and despite anything I may say, a particular sensitivity towards realities the people at BGSU deal with. This, based on how I spent my years as a student, alum, and knowing most of these people personally.

As for beer? They provide it at the Falcon Club (tm) Tent, just sign up and enjoy! *PLUG* The beer debate has come and gone, but I don't see general sales at DLP Stadium, the city would either have a legal or political say in the matter, and they aren't too high on it.

[Tech83]

The beer debate has come and gone, but I don't see general sales at DLP Stadium, the city would either have a legal or political say in the matter, and they aren't too high on it.

Yeah, I am not interesting in debating it either. I just interested if BG was providing an area for adult beverages. As I recall (or is it don't recall) from my student days, beer and students don't mix well at college athletic events. And if the City had its way, they would probably be a dry town - and with good reason - reasons we all helped fuel.

[TG1996]

maybe if the university cops went around checking for game tickets instead of beer coozies... if you don't have your can covered, you can buy a ticket/show your ticket to the game and they'll leave ya alone... *laugh*

[NWLB]

I'm honestly amazed there was a fuss or crack-down on beer last season. The NIU weekend, there was soooooo much beer flowing I could literally smell it in the air all through the parking lot.

But there is an example of something that caused people to come back. The tailgating and campuers I mean, the beer made them forget they were there.

How many folks were at homecoming wtih RVs that in a million years wouldn't have thought of it until gameday weekend? How about a RV manufactures event on a gameday weekend, out near bills hill? How about a new car show near Tent City? Toss it in the bag of attendance stunts, not long term solutions.

The hard part of this, is that it requires creative thought that can be carried through to reality.

**PLUG**
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/CollegeBowls/

[Tech83]

How about a RV manufactures event on a gameday weekend, out near bills hill?

Why Not - There was an RV event at the Miami-UCF game. Maybe 15 RV's. They were all arranged in one area of the parking lot and were recognized on the scoreboard during the game.

[BelieveNBG]

Now, something like that might work. Turn the tailgating into some pre-game event. Since it was Halloween, the school should have had a costume party/tailgate. They could have put the best costumes on the video monitor. The winner could have won something like a party for 20 at a local restaurant. They could have some type of sorrority/fraternity tailgate contest.