Attendance Discussion

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Originally Posted by BRDawg81

I thought that the comment that aTm wouldn't come to the Joe because there is no hotel for them to stay in Ruston. LSPoo stayed an hour away from College Station in Conroe. Seems like Shreveport is within that 1 hr range. I call BS on that excuse.

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It's no excuse. Being a large BCS-AQ, they do not want to give us a true homefield advantage & they don't have to. Do you honestly believe that LSPoo, Tennesse or OU are going to come play us in Ruston? These teams won't even come to play us in Shreveport. We have turned down Baylor & Kansas for home games so we are left with the occasional Cowbell U every 5 to 7 years.

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Originally Posted by kw2292

We may still be lacking in overall numbers, but the quality of our fans (I speak only for the student section and OO where I sit) has increased exponentially. Used to I would get some condescending type looks back a few years ago when I would try to start cheers, and yell after big plays and stuff. Seemed like our own students would look at me as though Tech wasn't really worth cheering for, and they were just kind of standing there.

As I look around now we have fans everywhere who are truly engaged in the game. I honestly believe that the up-tempo offense we run coupled with several other factors (tailgating? late kickoffs?) has really awoken a larger percentage of our students. Once it starts and they see everyone else is participating, then its caught on like wildfire. I can't wait to see in about 5-10 years how much many more young alumni we have coming back to games. I think we will see the improvement in atmosphere in actual $$ in a few years. Even though it would help if they were taught the importance of supporting the face of their university from the actual admin.. I think we are somehow getting it done and making true fans out of the current students.

Great morning to be a Bulldawg!

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Great post!

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Originally Posted by LookingForResults

Lack of money has been DR's excuse for doing nothing for 25 years. Lay out a coherent plan with a tangible attendance goal to potential donors; show them how that increased attendance will improve the bottom line for athletics; and assure them that the increased revenue stream will not be siphoned away from athletics, and marketing money will not be an issue.

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Been screaming that for years. Doesn't seem to be an option that our admin is interested in.

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Originally Posted by LookingForResults

It's all really very simple. Material and permanent attendance increases will occur when we incorporate all of the following items listed in order of importance:

1. Consistent winning against credible competition;

2. Growth of the student population;

3. Upgraded stadium (outward appearance, concession areas, restrooms, and concomitant facilities);

4. Consistent outreach to extended markets;

5. Improved pregame and halftime entertainment and continued improvement in crowd involvement (universally recognized cheers
and chants, reaction to certain musical cues, etc.)

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Higher enrollment is the key. Maybe getting rid of Reneau will help. Tech should look into expanding and improving their computer science curriculum. There is a shortage of computer science graduates and this is predicted to get worse in the next few years.

MY POST FROM 2004

"One of the biggest reasons Tech has such a hard time with fanbase. All of the alumni have to move to get a decent job.
Lincoln Parish NEEDS a light industrial park."


I stand by my post. My guess is that 90% of the stadium on any given Saturday is going to be filled with people from within a 20 mile radius. Until Lincoln parish population grows, home game attendance will always be an issue. With the quality of technological/engineering based degrees that Tech puts out, Lincoln parish leadership needs to put incentives in place to attract those kinds of businesses to the area. Bring in a couple thousand high paying jobs. That will expand service jobs by another few 1000 and the ball gets rolling.

Does Tech have the administrative support, physical plant and infrastructure to increase enrollment, and if so, approximately by what percentage?

Fans will drive to see a winning team play quality opponents. We have the winning team, just need quality opponents. The WAC is on it's last breath. Just keep winning. Who do we have coming in next year? Wish I could make the games, but it is a bit of a drive. I'm there in spirit. :icon_wink:

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Originally Posted by maddawg

20K and about what I expected. It was a great crowd who really got into the game.

There was a lot of complaining on the post game show after the game. Not sure what they were expecting, but all things considered it was a great bunch. IMO, the crowd wouldn't have been much larger if we had gotten the win against A&M last week. True fans are developed over time not made after one big victory.

Enough about regional opponents and how C-USA will help. It's so Sunbelt to talk about how many fans the other team will bring.

Continued winning will help. Some marketing will also help. This fan base is growing. That's what is important.

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Good Post. The crowd at the start of the game look good on TV. At one point when Idaho had a false start on third down, the commentators said the crowd cause the penalty. You could really hear that cowbell

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Originally Posted by NTXDawg

MY POST FROM 2004

"One of the biggest reasons Tech has such a hard time with fanbase. All of the alumni have to move to get a decent job.Lincoln Parish NEEDS a light industrial park."


I stand by my post. My guess is that 90% of the stadium on any given Saturday is going to be filled with people from within a 20 mile radius. Until Lincoln parish population grows, home game attendance will always be an issue. With the quality of technological/engineering based degrees that Tech puts out, Lincoln parish leadership needs to put incentives in place to attract those kinds of businesses to the area. Bring in a couple thousand high paying jobs. That will expand service jobs by another few 1000 and the ball gets rolling.

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I agree that jobs are needed, that's why Louisiana is 49th in population growth. But there are quite a few fans that drive more than 20 miles.

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Originally Posted by dawg80

3 home games in a row is terrible? Why? We play 6 home games, what difference does it make how they are alligned? Hell! I'd take 12 home games!!! Excuses. Some folks just look for excuses. That's fine. Everyone can do what the hell they want to do, or not do. But, just do it, and don't offer up excuses. There are 52 weekends in a year. Tech has a home game on just 6 of those. Surely you can arrange your affairs to accommodate other "obligations" on the other 46 weekends! Right????

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+1

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Originally Posted by BRDawg81

I thought that the comment that aTm wouldn't come to the Joe because there is no hotel for them to stay in Ruston. LSPoo stayed an hour away from College Station in Conroe. Seems like Shreveport is within that 1 hr range. I call BS on that excuse.

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A&M was desperate for an FBS opponent and would have come to the Joe if we had insisted. I understand the desire to reach the Shreveport market and want to grow our brand there if at all possible. Also, LSU stayed at the Del Lago resort on Lake Conroe Friday night and bussed over to College Station Saturday morning for an 11:00 kick-off. This lack of good hotel accomodations in Ruston as a reason why big name schools won't play in the Joe is pure BS!!! More likely it's the defeat we'd hang on 'em!!

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Originally Posted by dawg80

3 home games in a row is terrible? Why? We play 6 home games, what difference does it make how they are alligned? Hell! I'd take 12 home games!!! Excuses. Some folks just look for excuses. That's fine. Everyone can do what the hell they want to do, or not do. But, just do it, and don't offer up excuses. There are 52 weekends in a year. Tech has a home game on just 6 of those. Surely you can arrange your affairs to accommodate other "obligations" on the other 46 weekends! Right????

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No AD in college football wants three games in a row. There are many reasons not to do it, but the primary reason is expense to traveling fans.

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Originally Posted by Helliana

I figure it won't be hardly anyone at the UTSA game with Alabama @ LSPoo and deer season going on. :furious3:

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I figure you are wrong

I think with good weather the UTSA could set up as game similar to Rice. Local opponent. Homecoming. I think it could set up well. Keep winning with Utah State continuing to win plus good weather equals a pretty decent crowd in November as well. It would be nice to not include so many variables.

Will UTSA bring a crowd? Have we sold them any tickets? Did their ticket office ask for any? How many?