What will it take to drive game attendance up?

Watching the Appalachian State vs. Troy game this weekend and I was struck by how many fans were in attendance. The stands looked packed and according to this article it was the 4th largest crowd in the history of their stadium. App State shares a lot of similarities with us. Both are situated in rural college towns of similar sizes. Both playing in G5 divisions, although App State is in the mighty Sunbelt. Both teams have had a run of successful seasons, although they have been better, record-wise. (yes, our last two season weren't that great, but we weren't exactly packing the house before then, either.)

What are they doing that we aren't that results in such a big home crowd? What can we do as a university to get butts in the seats? I understand that today's college football is more about TV deals than it is about home attendance as far as money going to your football program, but there's something to be said about people actually wanting to come to your games and the gameday atmosphere on Saturday if there is a large crowd.

Bear in mind that I don't know much about App State. Maybe they consider Troy the bitterest of rivals? I guess they just moved up to FBS in the past 10 years. Is it the newness of FBS combined with their success? Troy and App State are about 7 hours apart so its not exactly LA Tech vs ULM (i.e. the geographic closeness driving attendance.) I know Gameday being there had a lot to do with it, but apparently they are also routinely among Sun Belt leaders in attendance.

Winning will solve a lot of this. Winning some games that we should not win and win all of those that we should of won. We have not done that and the attendance has decreased year over year. To me, winning would be the quickest fix.

App State has benefitted from from short-term success and long-term effort.

First, App State beat A$M (edit) last week. That was huge.

Second, ESPN Gameday was there on Saturday. That was huge.

Third, App State had an attractive season ticket package with UNC playing there to start off the season. They often have P5 schools at home. ... Tech on the other hand, is shying away from it.

Fourth, the App State administration is and has been busting its tail to build a winner and capitalizing on success/opportunities. They strive to win conference championships, and laugh if you want, they strive to win the national championship. ... Tech's administration, on the other hand, historically does not capitalize on momentum and has often taken the easy/lazy road. If it were not for the heat by fans and donors, Dr. Guice would have been more than happy to give us another year of Skippy ball.

Having said that, hiring Cumbie appears to be a good move (as have most, if not all, of Dr. Wood's hires), but at the end of the day, it will depend on whether or not Dr. Guice will allow success to flourish and spread or if he will revert to the mentality that bowl games are good enough in an age in which bowls games really do not mean much.

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Originally Posted by Brad

App State has benefitted from from short-term success and long-term effort.

First, App State beat Notre Dame last week. That was huge.

Second, ESPN Gameday was there on Saturday. That was huge.

Third, App State had an attractive season ticket package with UNC playing there to start off the season. They often have P5 schools at home. ... Tech on the other hand, is shying away from it.

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And the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor!

Another factor worth adding in is that North Carolina has 7 Div 1 football schools whereas Louisiana has 10. So, fundamentally divide the state into fan based areas and our piece of the pie is smaller to begin with. IF there wasn’t a Grambling, ULM or Northwestern in Tech’s immediate area I think you could maybe automatically add at least 5,000 to Tech’s fan base. Now granted that’s never going to happen so the expectations have to be less from the very start. Having said that… a winning team and entertaining style of game will put butts in the seats if Tech doesn’t price the fans out of coming. I gave up my parking passes years ago because they were way over priced. Tech has to be real about what their product is worth and that’s even more true with the value of the dollar shrinking hand over fist.

Winning will solve a lot. However, I have heard from a lot of people that good tailgate arrangements, better game day, and an exciting product are up there with winning. Also, good rivalries where our opponents travel as well as we tend to would help.

Rivalries is a very interesting and important consideration, but seemingly irrelevant since for many years Tech has tried to distance themselves from neighborly rivalries. When you think you’re too good for ULM, Ark St., ULL and then alienate N. Tex, USM… etc, etc, etc you’re kind of left with playing distant schools that nobody really cares about. This mess of a big picture situation that Tech is in is all of their own doing.

Is it really of OUR own doing though? I think Tech has burned bridges, but it wasn’t Tom the Ticket Holder who did that. It was people who were supposed to have vision and lead up to the mountain top. Instead, we have been brought to the Dead Sea and told to drink our fill.

I think most fans would be happy with a rotation of ULL, USM, ULM, and Ark St as non conference regulars.

1. More important than actually winning is the product our coach puts on the field. That product was inconsistent and not fun to watch from 2013 to 2021. 9 years of boredom will kill attendance...

2. ...especially when you have an AD and president who think they can treat our students and fans like we are an SEC program. Grass roots efforts by our fans were destroyed after 2012.

3. Ticket prices are ridiculous. We don't have the product to charge this much in this demographic. ZERO marketing has been done to encourage attendance. Family of four = $200 plus. No way!!!

App state is FUN to watch play football.

That’s it.

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Originally Posted by Dixonfor6

App state is FUN to watch play football.

That’s it.

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That was my #1

You have to be relevant. When we played Hawaii, Boise, A&M, Miss. St. in close games the fan base was energized. Home games against SFA, NSU, and our current conference schedule don’t create much excitement. It’s all about vision and scheduling… areas we have struggled.

An economy that’s not in the toilet would be a big help. Not a lot of disposable income floating around North Louisiana these days.
A better on the field product (which I’m optimistic Cumbie is in the process of building) will help, but only so much.

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Originally Posted by dawg80

And the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor!

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Damn! I must have suffered a heat stroke in Phoenix over the weekend.

App State over A$M.

FUN is the key for sure but the football being played is just one part.

As others have mentioned though, the cost, the ambience and the ease of doing things are just as important. We could have amazing football, great tailgaiting but if it's too expensive to attend the game, you're going to turn away a lot of attendees.

We also need to promote better student involvement. Around Dykes reign, there were lots of initiatives for student tailgating and attendance. I remember the ATF being a problem then also so that would need to be avoided. Students are your future donors and fans and if you turn them away, then you're ruining an investment.

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Originally Posted by Brad

App State has benefitted from from short-term success and long-term effort.

First, App State beat A$M (edit) last week. That was huge.

Second, ESPN Gameday was there on Saturday. That was huge.

Third, App State had an attractive season ticket package with UNC playing there to start off the season. They often have P5 schools at home. ... Tech on the other hand, is shying away from it.

Fourth, the App State administration is and has been busting its tail to build a winner and capitalizing on success/opportunities. They strive to win conference championships, and laugh if you want, they strive to win the national championship. ... Tech's administration, on the other hand, historically does not capitalize on momentum and has often taken the easy/lazy road. If it were not for the heat by fans and donors, Dr. Guice would have been more than happy to give us another year of Skippy ball.

Having said that, hiring Cumbie appears to be a good move (as have most, if not all, of Dr. Wood's hires), but at the end of the day, it will depend on whether or not Dr. Guice will allow success to flourish and spread or if he will revert to the mentality that bowl games are good enough in an age in which bowls games really do not mean much.

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Tech kinda reminds me of the guy who bought an Armani suit but is afraid to wear it because it may get dirty. Instead, Tech wears the leisure suit from the '70's.
We spent all kinda money on facilities improvements, etc. and fail to do anything for the average Joe fan. We would rather gloat about how pretty the press box is and how nice the paved parking area is, but we put on that leisure suit and expect the fans to like it or leave it.

Guice, in my opinion, is the main problem. He, by either design or complacency, wants Tech athletes to be the local college team that is kinda cute but irrelevant. No forward planning (or at least any successful forward planning). Remember Tech 2020? Someone on here (D80?) noted we need new leadership that is not home grown at Tech like Guice and Reneau. FJ Taylor was the exception and the only one that really gave a crap about athletics. Guice is the leisure suit.

I think some of you are making too much of the recent decline in attendance. It's a symptom of a much larger reality, and not unique to Tech. Attendance is down across the nation, not likely to ever return to the peak years. The reasons include, but are not limited to, the increase in online/TV coverage of games, the recent China Virus lockdown, the movement away from "traditional college sports" to a free-for-all money-grab and a pronounced effort by the players to grab a share, the transfer portal, etc...

For Tech the attendance issue has been compounded by recent failure by the program. In recent years we peaked with the Indy Bowl win over Miami, a 10-win season, Skip's only one, to be followed by a struggling 5-5 season, waxed in a bowl game, and then 3-9 last year. At the worst possible time, in light of what I posted in the first paragraph, Tech went into a slump. Tech Football is in a hole and will have to climb itself out of it...by WINNING! I do think that the awesome gesture by Cumbie and the players writing those letters has provided at least one step out of the hole. But, in sports, it's all about success on the field.

All any fan/supporter can do is SHOW UP! The rest will take care of itself in time.

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Originally Posted by dawg80

I think some of you are making too much of the recent decline in attendance. It's a symptom of a much larger reality, and not unique to Tech. Attendance is down across the nation, not likely to ever return to the peak years. The reasons include, but are not limited to, the increase in online/TV coverage of games, the recent China Virus lockdown, the movement away from "traditional college sports" to a free-for-all money-grab and a pronounced effort by the players to grab a share, the transfer portal, etc...

For Tech the attendance issue has been compounded by recent failure by the program. In recent years we peaked with the Indy Bowl win over Miami, a 10-win season, Skip's only one, to be followed by a struggling 5-5 season, waxed in a bowl game, and then 3-9 last year. At the worst possible time, in light of what I posted in the first paragraph, Tech went into a slump. Tech Football is in a hole and will have to climb itself out of it...by WINNING! I do think that the awesome gesture by Cumbie and the players writing those letters has provided at least one step out of the hole. But, in sports, it's all about success on the field.

All any fan/supporter can do is SHOW UP! The rest will take care of itself in time.

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Good post.

I'm just of the opinion that in Tech's situation...right now today in 2022...we should be trying to REMOVE as many barriers to entry for CUSTOMERS as possible, instead of being the "Committee of 'NO'" almost all the time.

Pawdawg kinda said it...it's the old 4-P's, y'all...PRODUCT (Winner), PLACEMENT (in our case, attractive home schedule), PRICE ($200 evening for a family of 4 in the Ark-La-Tex-Miss area is steep), and PROMOTION...

I think the big money people will continue to donate and sit in the suites, with little to no regard for the product. It’s business to them to treat people, make a social statement, or tax right off. I agree that game day has to be more attractive for the peons. We may never have 28,000 attend a game, but expecting 20,000 to show up to see a good product doesn’t seem unreasonable.

We went to the SFA game. We bought 6 tickets through a reseller. Our tickets were $140 and they were in DD (we didn't sit there). Those were some of the best seats in the house...$23/ticket. We paid $10 to park across the street from the TAC. Probably spent $30-40 on concessions. The family pack is, what, $500/year for 5 tickets?

But, the bottom line is this, if people aren't buying, they don't see the value. The product is not just on the field (which has been incredibly sub-par for at least 2 years). Tailgating needs to be more accessible for the average fan. If kids want to go, the parents will be there. I don't know exactly how you do this, but organized events for kids could be a big hit. We've talked for years about simple things to keep students in the stands until the 4th quarter. Engaged students have the biggest impact once the game starts.

It's a complicated problem, but people are paid to design and implement the solutions.

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Originally Posted by johnnylightnin

We went to the SFA game. We bought 6 tickets through a reseller. Our tickets were $140 and they were in DD (we didn't sit there). Those were some of the best seats in the house...$23/ticket. We paid $10 to park across the street from the TAC. Probably spent $30-40 on concessions. The family pack is, what, $500/year for 5 tickets?

But, the bottom line is this, if people aren't buying, they don't see the value. The product is not just on the field (which has been incredibly sub-par for at least 2 years). Tailgating needs to be more accessible for the average fan. If kids want to go, the parents will be there. I don't know exactly how you do this, but organized events for kids could be a big hit. We've talked for years about simple things to keep students in the stands until the 4th quarter. Engaged students have the biggest impact once the game starts.

It's a complicated problem, but people are paid to design and implement the solutions.

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At this point the solutions have been hashed and hashed and hashed. They have been found difficult and left untried.

Just some ideas I think that could help:

Tailgating - it needs to be completely easy and free to setup tailgating around the TAC. Student organizations need to be incentivized to tailgate there as well (make ATF stay away). Tailgating needs to be done in a confined area to create a good atmosphere. Having different organizations spread out with lots of space and sun in between creates a dull atmosphere that isn't exciting. Furthermore the university should help make a fan area near argent pavilion for people not affiliated with any specific tailgate and who just want to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere. This should include different activities for anyone to enjoy. There needs to be some local food trucks there so people can buy food. You can have a stage for a local band to play. Have free cornhole, horseshoes and other games for people to play and use when they want. Provide bounce houses, other inflatables and trampolines for students or children to play in. If possible, bring some carnival rides like a mini ferris wheel. SGA, UB and possibly KLPI could help with the cost of the entertainment and amenities. You want people having fun and able to spend their time there all day if possible.

Prices- General admission needs to go down to help entice local casual fans along with good discounts for big family groups. They need to reward season ticket holders as well though. We don't need general admission to be cheaper than buying season tickets for the same experience. Season ticket holders and only they can leave to and from the stadium during the game for one benefit. Likewise they need to expand the use of chairback seating for season ticket holders only. It should go from top to bottom from the 30 to the 30 on both sides. If we can bowl in the stadium (which is a must) then I would argue from the 20 to the 20. The students and band should move closer to the north endzone and if bowled in (again it's a must) the band should go in the north endzone so everyone can see. Adding chairback seating is fairly quick to do and it isn't a huge expense, especially if people will pay more for them. More chairback seating taking up space creates another positive outcome of grouping general admission together in smaller places creating a stadium that looks more filled in and creates a better atmosphere which leads into the next idea that is longterm and expensive

Facilities - The stadium needs to be bowled in and the stadium's capacity needs to lowered. MLS has shown what works and doesn't when it comes to stadiums. 20,000 fans in NFL stadiums looks awful and creates horrible atmosphere since everyone is spread out. If you create more intimate stadiums that reflect the fanbase, then you get a better atmosphere and thus a more fun environment for people to enjoy and comeback to. We have never sold out the Joe and 28,000 is just a tad too much. By lowering capacity to 25,000 we can create more demand since there are chances of sellouts. To do this we first should tear down the aluminum wings and bowl in the stadium so it doesn't look like a glorified two-sided high school stadium. Being able to see into a dead parking lot right now doesn't really create much excitement, you want the fans focusing on the product. A bowled in stadium would fix that problem, keep in the noise, connect the two sides and give the stadium a college feel.

There needs to be more trees and greenery in the parking lots as well so it's just a hot oven in the sun during the day and not an extremely burning industrial oven for tailgating. Finally, we need all of the concessions and bathrooms to be remodeled but that is a dead horse by now it seems and needs no more explanations. Hopefully the concessions and bathroom could be redone when the stadium is a given a façade. It's barren exposed skeleton isn't winning any architecture awards to say the least.

I also haven't been to a game in a long time but this is what I can gather from what I've seen online.

11 years ago, when I was a freshman, I could drive my truck onto the TAC hill with a grill and cooler in the back and tailgate all day long. Sometimes got harassed by ATF but I was under 21 at the time so didn't have anything to get got on.

The Tailgate Village or whatever was a good effort but you can't do that on the asphalt in Louisiana September/October. I didn't tailgate much at Arkansas (only went to a few games) but I appreciated that there was a ton of greenspace for tailgaters. If only there was, for example, a park right next to the stadium or something.

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Originally Posted by Blue Dawg

11 years ago, when I was a freshman, I could drive my truck onto the TAC hill with a grill and cooler in the back and tailgate all day long. Sometimes got harassed by ATF but I was under 21 at the time so didn't have anything to get got on.

The Tailgate Village or whatever was a good effort but you can't do that on the asphalt in Louisiana September/October. I didn't tailgate much at Arkansas (only went to a few games) but I appreciated that there was a ton of greenspace for tailgaters. If only there was, for example, a park right next to the stadium or something.

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Nailed it! It is something uniquely Tech, and should be part of the draw and pregame activities.

All those shade trees going to waste.

There were a lot of Student in Hideaway park as we arrived for the SFA game.

Lots of good ideas.

I think the one suggestion that would be relatively cheap would be to create an atmosphere conducive to taligating. Make the Joe a destination where people want to come spend a Saturday. Not just show up for the game and leave when its over. Or at halftime, I guess.

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Originally Posted by Heavyarms

Lots of good ideas.

I think the one suggestion that would be relatively cheap would be to create an atmosphere conducive to taligating. Make the Joe a destination where people want to come spend a Saturday. Not just show up for the game and leave when its over. Or at halftime, I guess.

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The new AD and his boss think they have done that with the small but needed changes made. All the new stuff is about parking revenue, not attendance.

This is rocket science, people. You can’t just improve the game day experience, the pricing, the tailgating, the concessions, the attendance and the play on the field without going to Mars and back first.. come on… There’s no such thing as taking one step at a time to climb a mountain or to solve some problems… you have to do it in a single bound like Superman does. I think you get my point. As much as all of this has been talked about repeatedly you’d think there would be some pieces to the puzzle put in place, but I’ve yet to see anything of any substance :(.

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Originally Posted by Dawgonit

Just some ideas I think that could help:

Tailgating - it needs to be completely easy and free to setup tailgating around the TAC. Student organizations need to be incentivized to tailgate there as well (make ATF stay away). Tailgating needs to be done in a confined area to create a good atmosphere. Having different organizations spread out with lots of space and sun in between creates a dull atmosphere that isn't exciting. Furthermore the university should help make a fan area near argent pavilion for people not affiliated with any specific tailgate and who just want to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere. This should include different activities for anyone to enjoy. There needs to be some local food trucks there so people can buy food. You can have a stage for a local band to play. Have free cornhole, horseshoes and other games for people to play and use when they want. Provide bounce houses, other inflatables and trampolines for students or children to play in. If possible, bring some carnival rides like a mini ferris wheel. SGA, UB and possibly KLPI could help with the cost of the entertainment and amenities. You want people having fun and able to spend their time there all day if possible.

Prices- General admission needs to go down to help entice local casual fans along with good discounts for big family groups. They need to reward season ticket holders as well though. We don't need general admission to be cheaper than buying season tickets for the same experience. Season ticket holders and only they can leave to and from the stadium during the game for one benefit. Likewise they need to expand the use of chairback seating for season ticket holders only. It should go from top to bottom from the 30 to the 30 on both sides. If we can bowl in the stadium (which is a must) then I would argue from the 20 to the 20. The students and band should move closer to the north endzone and if bowled in (again it's a must) the band should go in the north endzone so everyone can see. Adding chairback seating is fairly quick to do and it isn't a huge expense, especially if people will pay more for them. More chairback seating taking up space creates another positive outcome of grouping general admission together in smaller places creating a stadium that looks more filled in and creates a better atmosphere which leads into the next idea that is longterm and expensive

Facilities - The stadium needs to be bowled in and the stadium's capacity needs to lowered. MLS has shown what works and doesn't when it comes to stadiums. 20,000 fans in NFL stadiums looks awful and creates horrible atmosphere since everyone is spread out. If you create more intimate stadiums that reflect the fanbase, then you get a better atmosphere and thus a more fun environment for people to enjoy and comeback to. We have never sold out the Joe and 28,000 is just a tad too much. By lowering capacity to 25,000 we can create more demand since there are chances of sellouts. To do this we first should tear down the aluminum wings and bowl in the stadium so it doesn't look like a glorified two-sided high school stadium. Being able to see into a dead parking lot right now doesn't really create much excitement, you want the fans focusing on the product. A bowled in stadium would fix that problem, keep in the noise, connect the two sides and give the stadium a college feel.

There needs to be more trees and greenery in the parking lots as well so it's just a hot oven in the sun during the day and not an extremely burning industrial oven for tailgating. Finally, we need all of the concessions and bathrooms to be remodeled but that is a dead horse by now it seems and needs no more explanations. Hopefully the concessions and bathroom could be redone when the stadium is a given a façade. It's barren exposed skeleton isn't winning any architecture awards to say the least.

I also haven't been to a game in a long time but this is what I can gather from what I've seen online.

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For me, the tailgating has been the straw that broke my back. It became such a hassle to try and tailgate that I finally just quit. Screw it. And I quit coming to the games for the most part. It's just a shame how they'd squeezed the average Joe out of the equation. Particularly the ones that had been showing up faithfully thru the years.

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Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

This is rocket science, people. You can’t just improve the game day experience, the pricing, the tailgating, the concessions, the attendance and the play on the field without going to Mars and back first.. come on… There’s no such thing as taking one step at a time to climb a mountain or to solve some problems… you have to do it in a single bound like Superman does. I think you get my point. As much as all of this has been talked about repeatedly you’d think there would be some pieces to the puzzle put in place, but I’ve yet to see anything of any substance :(.

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And therein lies the issue. There is not a program in the country that would try to change everything all at once. But it seems like our leaders have decided that there is no way to change it all and no point in changing anything (in a positive way).

After tonight's loss to USA, LA Tech is now 4-14 over the last 18 football games. So Tech is losing 3.5 times as many as we win. You can't build shit on that.

The more we play the worse we get. That’s substandard coaching. Some sort of approach to things has to change.

Might just let people into the UTEP game for free at this rate

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Originally Posted by thewyldman

Might just let people into the UTEP game for free at this rate

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Lol if you think prices will go down due to crappy product.

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Originally Posted by thewyldman

Might just let people into the UTEP game for free at this rate

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Won’t be 5k there by the half. This “Ever Loyal Be” BS is the worst slogan in the whole nation. That’s like telling a woman to be loyal to her husband after he’s beat her senseless for the fifteenth time.

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Originally Posted by SicemDawgz

Won’t be 5k there by the half. This “Ever Loyal Be” BS is the worst slogan in the whole nation. That’s like telling a woman to be loyal to her husband after he’s beat her senseless for the fifteenth time.

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The slogan’s fine, it is unique, and consistent for a few years now. Works for men and women’s sports. Some schools make up a new stupid tag every year.

Yeah but "Ever Loyal Be" looks pretty damn funny over the score of a 38-14 loss to SOuth Alabama

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Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

The more we play the worse we get. That’s substandard coaching. Some sort of approach to things has to change.

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I'm seeing untalented players (particularly QBs and WRs) making mistakes, not substandard coaching.

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Originally Posted by thewyldman

Yeah but "Ever Loyal Be" looks pretty damn funny over the score of a 38-14 loss to SOuth Alabama

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Tbf it's easier to be loyal when the team is good
Not that we'd know what that's like

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Originally Posted by PawDawg

I'm seeing untalented players (particularly QBs and WRs) making mistakes, not substandard coaching.

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My coaching comment has to do with #1, the repeated poor play and bad decision making by our special teams. We were completely blown up early on which set the tone for the whole game. There is no reason EVER why Tech should even catch a kick that is headed into the end zone. Takes the free yards (period)! #2, we are obviously much better at throwing deep so do that a lot more often. #3, we are terrible at throwing short crossing routes or into the flats so do that a lot less. #4, stop wasting your best receiver, Hebert by running him into the flats or to the sidelines. His advantage is size and speed which means down field. #5, practice tackling over and over and over until the players get pissed off about it and learn to take it out on the other teams’ running backs. #6, practice blocking and running up the middle & inside the tackles more. Like the tackling practice do until the players get pissed off about it and commit to doing it better. #7, play a different QB, these older guys simply aren’t good enough and have too many ingrained bad habits or poor technique. That’s why they’re transfers. #8 quit being the nice guy coaches it’s making out team soft. We play lazy and stupid too much. It’s on the coaches to put the most competitive and smartest football players on the field. I don’t see that we’re doing that. Cumbie is undoubtedly a nice guy and a good person but that’s not translating to being the leader of a good football team.

The only point I will disagree with is #7. Don’t play the freshman in more than 3 more games. If the season is lost, I would rather it be 2-10 and maintain his redshirt than 4-8 and he loses it. Get him some time, but don’t get him hurt and don’t burn the year.

If Tech can win with him early on then stick with him and maybe get to 6 wins. There’s go guarantees in anything 3 years from now. Cumbie could be gone by then and Liddy with him. Win now, we don’t have time to be wishful about the future.

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Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

My coaching comment has to do with #1, the repeated poor play and bad decision making by our special teams. We were completely blown up early on which set the tone for the whole game. There is no reason EVER why Tech should even catch a kick that is headed into the end zone. Takes the free yards (period)! #2, we are obviously much better at throwing deep so do that a lot more often. #3, we are terrible at throwing short crossing routes or into the flats so do that a lot less. #4, stop wasting your best receiver, Hebert by running him into the flats or to the sidelines. His advantage is size and speed which means down field. #5, practice tackling over and over and over until the players get pissed off about it and learn to take it out on the other teams’ running backs. #6, practice blocking and running up the middle & inside the tackles more. Like the tackling practice do until the players get pissed off about it and commit to doing it better. #7, play a different QB, these older guys simply aren’t good enough and have too many ingrained bad habits or poor technique. That’s why they’re transfers. #8 quit being the nice guy coaches it’s making out team soft. We play lazy and stupid too much. It’s on the coaches to put the most competitive and smartest football players on the field. I don’t see that we’re doing that. Cumbie is undoubtedly a nice guy and a good person but that’s not translating to being the leader of a good football team.

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Some very valid points. Good post.

Ya know, I watched some of the movie Rudy the other day and the scenes in practice where those guys got beat up, bloodied, and the coaches demanding "perfection," with "Run it again! RUN IT AGAIN!" Repetition in practice, intolerance for not doing it right. Reminded me of my playing days. I hated practice most of the time. It was never FUN! But, we were always better prepared than the other team on gameday, and that was always fun. And we had pent up desire to inflict pain on someone...

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Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

If Tech can win with him early on then stick with him and maybe get to 6 wins. There’s go guarantees in anything 3 years from now. Cumbie could be gone by then and Liddy with him. Win now, we don’t have time to be wishful about the future.

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Plus, he may have no interest in being in school over 5 years. Part of that decision is his.

Woefully unprepared, poorly coached, undersized in many positions, and low football IQ's. That's my conclusions.

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Originally Posted by Tech52

Plus, he may have no interest in being in school over 5 years. Part of that decision is his.

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Agreed. Landry may sour pretty quickly with what he sees and hit the transfer portal. (I hate the transfer portal.)

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Originally Posted by Amos Moses

Agreed. Landry may sour pretty quickly with what he sees and hit the transfer portal. (I hate the transfer portal.)

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I'd play him if he wants to play. Can't be learning much on the sideline by watching this show!

Of course, our problems are way deeper than the QB position, so I wouldn't expect miracles.

We could instantly boost UTEP’s attendance by Cumbie announcing tomorrow that Landry Lyddy will be the starting QB.

I feel like I heard something similar after the Mizzou game...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thewyldman

I feel like I heard something similar after the Mizzou game...

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If only we had Skip back, right?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by revf

We could instantly boost UTEP’s attendance by Cumbie announcing tomorrow that Landry Lyddy will be the starting QB.

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You really think so?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by revf

We could instantly boost UTEP’s attendance by Cumbie announcing tomorrow that Landry Lyddy will be the starting QB.

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I don’t see it affecting the attendance by more than a dozen people but it might make a difference in the team’s effort. This team needs some sort of boost.

Our luck is that he would play well enough that he transfers next year. Just saying.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

My coaching comment has to do with #1, the repeated poor play and bad decision making by our special teams. We were completely blown up early on which set the tone for the whole game. There is no reason EVER why Tech should even catch a kick that is headed into the end zone. Takes the free yards (period)! #2, we are obviously much better at throwing deep so do that a lot more often. #3, we are terrible at throwing short crossing routes or into the flats so do that a lot less. #4, stop wasting your best receiver, Hebert by running him into the flats or to the sidelines. His advantage is size and speed which means down field. #5, practice tackling over and over and over until the players get pissed off about it and learn to take it out on the other teams’ running backs. #6, practice blocking and running up the middle & inside the tackles more. Like the tackling practice do until the players get pissed off about it and commit to doing it better. #7, play a different QB, these older guys simply aren’t good enough and have too many ingrained bad habits or poor technique. That’s why they’re transfers. #8 quit being the nice guy coaches it’s making out team soft. We play lazy and stupid too much. It’s on the coaches to put the most competitive and smartest football players on the field. I don’t see that we’re doing that. Cumbie is undoubtedly a nice guy and a good person but that’s not translating to being the leader of a good football team.

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Very good post! I agree with all 8 of your recommendations. Well done.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by techman05

The only point I will disagree with is #7. Don’t play the freshman in more than 3 more games. If the season is lost, I would rather it be 2-10 and maintain his redshirt than 4-8 and he loses it. Get him some time, but don’t get him hurt and don’t burn the year.

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Pardon me, but that's BS. In the year 2022, you want LA Tech to worry about playing a certain QB (e.g., Lyddy) in the year 2026? That's absurd. A lot can happen in 5 years. Lyddy --just for example-- could transfer out, go to the NFL early, get hurt or about 100 other things could happen before the year 2026. Tech might even recruit a better QB than Lyddy before 2026 and not need him at all. (Again, I'm just using Lyddy as an example. But the same theory holds true for every Tech player)

For the love of God, play our best players NOW! I don't care if they are a true freshman or a 7th year player. PLAY TO WIN, NOW! Put the best skilled players on the field NOW! You don't know what the future holds 5 yrs from now. The idea of saving a player for the year 2026 is laughable for a small program in our shape. 5th year redshirting is almost exclusively built for power programs that have long serving coaches who recruit for a specific "system" that is almost guaranteed to still be in place 5 years later. THAT, does not describe today's LA Tech football program. I would argue that Cumby --and his system-- is almost guaranteed NOT to still be here in 5 years.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

Pardon me, but that's BS. In the year 2022, you want LA Tech to worry about playing a certain QB (e.g., Lyddy) in the year 2026? That's absurd. A lot can happen in 5 years. Lyddy --just for example-- could transfer out, go to the NFL early, get hurt or about 100 other things could happen before the year 2026. Tech might even recruit a better QB than Lyddy before 2026 and not need him at all. (Again, I'm just using Lyddy as an example. But the same theory holds true for every Tech player)

For the love of God, play our best players NOW! I don't care if they are a true freshman or a 7th year player. PLAY TO WIN, NOW! Put the best skilled players on the field NOW! You don't know what the future holds 5 yrs from now. The idea of saving a player for the year 2026 is laughable for a small program in our shape. 5th year redshirting is almost exclusively built for power programs that have long serving coaches who recruit for a specific "system" that is almost guaranteed to still be in place 5 years later. THAT, does not describe today's LA Tech football. I would argue that Cumby --and his system-- is almost guaranteed NOT to still be here in 5 years.

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Yep. We dont have the luxury, even less so now with the portal.

As I said, if he blows the doors off, he won’t be at Tech the next season. Whenever that is. So play him this year or next, I don’t care. If he is good, I guarantee lsu will be looking for a QB.

This board and the team Facebook page is a good indicator of the level of excitement, or lack thereof, that is surrounding this program. After getting beatdown by a Sunbelt team, very few comments. If you want fans to come back, especially with a terrible on the field product, the Athletics Department better start running some deep discounts and promotions for upcoming games.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SicemDawgz

This board and the team Facebook page is a good indicator of the level of excitement, or lack thereof, that is surrounding this program. After getting beatdown by a Sunbelt team, very few comments. If you want fans to come back, especially with a terrible on the field product, the Athletics Department better start running some deep discounts and promotions for upcoming games.

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I would agree that it fells like Tech has very few interested fans at this point.

I also think Tech tailgating needs to do what it can to utilize as much grass surrounding the stadium as possible. I’m specifically thinking about moving kids jumpys off of concrete.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by THEarmada

I also think Tech tailgating needs to do what it can to utilize as much grass surrounding the stadium as possible. I’m specifically thinking about moving kids jumpys off of concrete.

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Yes. In general, make it easy for fans, particularly those who could grow up with good memories of Tech games.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thewyldman

Yeah but "Ever Loyal Be" looks pretty damn funny over the score of a 38-14 loss to SOuth Alabama

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"EverDisgustedBe"



I'd love to take credit for that one, but the credit goes to the original author, DawgFanInHou.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by THEarmada

I would agree that it fells like Tech has very few interested fans at this point.

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Could Tech give away 15,000 tickets and fill the stadium at the next home game?

Fwiw I just read a thread by a Nebraska fan complaining about the lack of energy during games. Sounded very similar to some of the comments here.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eagle2180

Could Tech give away 15,000 tickets and fill the stadium at the next home game?

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That would go a long way. I have 3 young kids (can't remember the free cutoff) and that puts a pretty low bar on what I'm willing to do to drag them through the hot sun for 4 hours plus tailgating

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eagle2180

Could Tech give away 15,000 tickets and fill the stadium at the next home game?

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Maybe, but they would also have to drive buses all over North Louisiana picking people up and taking them to the game. Handing out tickets does no good.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by techman05

Maybe, but they would also have to drive buses all over North Louisiana picking people up and taking them to the game. Handing out tickets does no good.

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I agree. So if you want to build a fan base, the experience as a student at La Tech football games is very important. What are the contributing factors? What is a good experience for today’s college student at an athletic event? What moves the meter for them? Today’s student is tomorrow’s alumni/donor.

According to Cumbie on the radio today it won’t be Lyddy who brings any fans back since he’s saying right now that he’s sticking with McNeil.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

According to Cumbie on the radio today it won’t be Lyddy who brings any fans back since he’s saying right now that he’s sticking with McNeil.

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How fast does the Joe sell out of beer?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gladzilla

How fast does the Joe sell out of beer?

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when we were at the concessions, we never saw a line for beer. A few people in the stands had one, I imagine they don’t sell out too quickly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by techman05

Maybe, but they would also have to drive buses all over North Louisiana picking people up and taking them to the game. Handing out tickets does no good.

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Possibly, but ulm has had good results with $5 tickets in the past. Now they have a celebrity coach and excitement in the program.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Blue Dawg

Possibly, but ulm has had good results with $5 tickets in the past. Now they have a celebrity coach and excitement in the program.

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$5 tickets I could get behind. I won’t even be mad that others get in for cheap after we paid through the nose to get a parking pass. I just want to see us regain a quality product, support, and be forward thinking. That is probably too much to ask for our bargain athletic department, but it’s what we want.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Blue Dawg

Possibly, but ulm has had good results with $5 tickets in the past. Now they have a celebrity coach and excitement in the program.

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Matt Kubik? Yep, always good to have a Tech guy on staff!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DawgyNWindow

Matt Kubik? Yep, always good to have a Tech guy on staff!

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Ha! You know what I mean.

The guy doesn't necessarily even need to pan out long term. If he can establish a baseline it's something you can grow on.

We've spent a decade eroding our own baseline.

Wow, isn’t that the truth. We’ve got former Tech players all over the country but none here.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

Wow, isn’t that the truth. We’ve got former Tech players all over the country but none here.

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Paul Turner and Teddy Veal have entered the chat.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SicemDawgz

An economy that’s not in the toilet would be a big help. Not a lot of disposable income floating around North Louisiana these days.
A better on the field product (which I’m optimistic Cumbie is in the process of building) will help, but only so much.

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That is the way it is in Joe Biden's world!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bone_afide_dawg

my coaching comment has to do with #1, the repeated poor play and bad decision making by our special teams. We were completely blown up early on which set the tone for the whole game. There is no reason ever why tech should even catch a kick that is headed into the end zone. Takes the free yards (period)! #2, we are obviously much better at throwing deep so do that a lot more often. #3, we are terrible at throwing short crossing routes or into the flats so do that a lot less. #4, stop wasting your best receiver, hebert by running him into the flats or to the sidelines. His advantage is size and speed which means down field. #5, practice tackling over and over and over until the players get pissed off about it and learn to take it out on the other teams’ running backs. #6, practice blocking and running up the middle & inside the tackles more. Like the tackling practice do until the players get pissed off about it and commit to doing it better. #7, play a different qb, these older guys simply aren’t good enough and have too many ingrained bad habits or poor technique. That’s why they’re transfers. #8 quit being the nice guy coaches it’s making out team soft. We play lazy and stupid too much. It’s on the coaches to put the most competitive and smartest football players on the field. I don’t see that we’re doing that. Cumbie is undoubtedly a nice guy and a good person but that’s not translating to being the leader of a good football team.

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best post i have seen in a long time!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by revf

We could instantly boost UTEP’s attendance by Cumbie announcing tomorrow that Landry Lyddy will be the starting QB.

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AMEN!!

So since Tech’s last home game (roughly 4 weeks / 27 days for those who are counting or don’t know) what have the Tech powers at be done to enhance the game day experience? I’m serious, I really don’t know. If some kick start has been said or publicized, I missed it. Surely someone has done at least some little something to cause a few extra fans to come out and see if Cumbie and staff have succeeded in coaching Tech up in some regard over the past couple of weeks. I have my fingers crossed that someone at Tech really understands that out football program is gasping and that it appears the AED is in another room behind a locked door. I hope I’m wrong.

Haven’t heard a peep.

The administration is going to lose its most prolific givers if they don't at least act interested...and it could affect academics too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CARTEK

The administration is going to lose its most prolific givers if they don't at least act interested...and it could affect academics too.

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May be, already has?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

So since Tech’s last home game (roughly 4 weeks / 27 days for those who are counting or don’t know) what have the Tech powers at be done to enhance the game day experience? I’m serious, I really don’t know. If some kick start has been said or publicized, I missed it. Surely someone has done at least some little something to cause a few extra fans to come out and see if Cumbie and staff have succeeded in coaching Tech up in some regard over the past couple of weeks. I have my fingers crossed that someone at Tech really understands that out football program is gasping and that it appears the AED is in another room behind a locked door. I hope I’m wrong.

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They put a digital ribbon on the DAC

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sportdawg

They put a digital ribbon on the DAC

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That Facebook post and another ad for single game tickets is all I've seen as of late...

Twitter message about group tickets just popped up today

http://https://twitter.com/sadie_patton10/status/1578755788008718337?s=46&t=kXWBy3F62H0BYSLCrVGA9Q

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FejeBHjW...jpg&name=large

So I spent 5 minutes trying to post this picture on this forum on my phone. This is the best I could do.

My point: black asphalt is the least inviting place to tailgate. Find some grass or break up that parking lot and build more green space.

Concessions were as bad as always, attendance was poor, trying to get the crowd into the game was fairly pathetic, the music and speakers were more annoying than entertaining… and as always the use of the video board was pure crap. Thankfully the Dawgs themselves played well enough overall to win.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by THEarmada

So I spent 5 minutes trying to post this picture on this forum on my phone. This is the best I could do.

My point: black asphalt is the least inviting place to tailgate. Find some grass or break up that parking lot and build more green space.

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The dirt all over the asphalt is a nice touch! Surely, one of the official “supporters” of Tech athletics has a street sweeper or a worker that could blow off the parking lot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

Concessions were as bad as always, attendance was poor, trying to get the crowd into the game was fairly pathetic, the music and speakers were more annoying than entertaining… and as always the use of the video board was pure crap. Thankfully the Dawgs themselves played well enough overall to win.

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So…we have a new coach but the same approach to the game day experience?

Our experience with concessions at game 1 were fine. We missed this weekend. Only thing I can think is we don’t have dedicated employees running it. We allow volunteer groups to serve and raise money for their team or club. IMO, not professional. Other than that, how hard can it be? Bottled Soda, packaged peanuts and candy, popcorn, and hotdogs. Even a ULM dropout should be able to handle that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sportdawg

They put a digital ribbon on the DAC

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The Facade Video Ribbon was lost in the original value engineering choices. Good for the Joe fans.

Now about the planned putting of two video boards in the corners of one endzone instead of opposite corners. . . ? The folks viewing from the new north endzone facility will have zero chance of seeing replays, etc. . . . but they'll know the down and distance from the facade ribbon.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dawgpix

The Facade Video Ribbon was lost in the original value engineering choices. Good for the Joe fans.

Now about the planned putting of two video boards in the corners of one endzone instead of opposite corners. . . ? The folks viewing from the new north endzone facility will have zero chance of seeing replays, etc. . . . but they'll know the down and distance from the facade ribbon.

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Two video boards showing no consequential replays, only one quick replay per play and a lot of wasted big screen junk like for example the two teams logos facing each other is just two wasted video boards over the one we have now. If Tech would sincerely improve the product one really well run board would be sufficient. Like all things Tech we have good equipment we just lack the desire and the operational skills to use it to its greatest potential.

Couple thoughts on fan engagement and the game day experience:

Given our current times why not a game day app. Give fans live stats, player bios, stadium info, maybe access to video replay. Live updates on when the team walk takes place, reminders to get to your seats for kickoff, etc.

Instead of DoorDash how about StadiumDash. Let me order concessions on an app and bring them to my seat.

In stadium and social media interaction. At an Illinois game this year they asked fans to vote on which song the band should play at the start of the 3rd quarter. Etc. Let fans vote on uniform combos, shoot maybe a play to be called at some point during an upcoming game.

Don't forget your common fan. There are only so many big fish in the pond. Make the everyday Joe feel like he is part of the team and matters.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by techman05

Our experience with concessions at game 1 were fine. We missed this weekend. Only thing I can think is we don’t have dedicated employees running it. We allow volunteer groups to serve and raise money for their team or club. IMO, not professional. Other than that, how hard can it be? Bottled Soda, packaged peanuts and candy, popcorn, and hotdogs. Even a ULM dropout should be able to handle that.

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Well, everything is relative. We went to the Missouri game, and their concessions were also run by volunteer groups and it was absolutely pathetic. Wait for 20 minutes in line, oh, we don't have hot dogs today, they didn't send us any. How about popcorn, no we're out of that. What do you have? We have beer, an endless supply! So you could have a beer, the worst pizza you ever put in your mouth, or the saltiest pretzel known to mankind.

So no complaints about Joe Aillet Stadium from me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Snaredad

Couple thoughts on fan engagement and the game day experience:

Given our current times why not a game day app. Give fans live stats, player bios, stadium info, maybe access to video replay. Live updates on when the team walk takes place, reminders to get to your seats for kickoff, etc.

Instead of DoorDash how about StadiumDash. Let me order concessions on an app and bring them to my seat.

In stadium and social media interaction. At an Illinois game this year they asked fans to vote on which song the band should play at the start of the 3rd quarter. Etc. Let fans vote on uniform combos, shoot maybe a play to be called at some point during an upcoming game.

Don't forget your common fan. There are only so many big fish in the pond. Make the everyday Joe feel like he is part of the team and matters.

---

Some very forward thinking ideas… Nice! I’d like to see those things realized. Unfortunately I don’t see it by way of Tech. If they can’t provide player stats on the big screens at baseball or football games I sure don’t see them making them available on an app. Oh and as far as football goes it’s too easy to wear the same combos every single game. I wish I was wrong, but Tech has this thing about dragging their feet and falling short of improving or even changing the fan experience.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Snaredad

Couple thoughts on fan engagement and the game day experience:

Given our current times why not a game day app. Give fans live stats, player bios, stadium info, maybe access to video replay. Live updates on when the team walk takes place, reminders to get to your seats for kickoff, etc.

Instead of DoorDash how about StadiumDash. Let me order concessions on an app and bring them to my seat.

In stadium and social media interaction. At an Illinois game this year they asked fans to vote on which song the band should play at the start of the 3rd quarter. Etc. Let fans vote on uniform combos, shoot maybe a play to be called at some point during an upcoming game.

Don't forget your common fan. There are only so many big fish in the pond. Make the everyday Joe feel like he is part of the team and matters.

---

We have that / LA Tech Athletics on the App Store (apple.com). LA Tech Athletics - Apps on Google Play No video replays, but roster and live stats (live video link).

They put that on Twitter, but could also place on the APP

Quote:

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FejP9OqW...jpg&name=small

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They already have a text vote to control what song the band plays in 3rd or 4th quarter.

Was just spitballing, but it is great to hear they have an app available @Sportdawg. Been living out of state for a while so it's been a minute since I've attended a game at the Joe, have to watch from afar.

Game attendance is down for the same that attendance is down on Tech BBB. In 2012, the forum was on fire! Although it’s far from an easy solution to implement, the rubric for crowd attendance is simple…WIN GAMES against teams that ranked in the top 50…maybe top 75 (a more obtainable/modest goal). The have players looked unprepared for the majority of the games I’ve seen this year.

Weekends are a coveted time to decompress after a long weeks work, spend time with the fam, etc. If the players consistently look ill-prepared, alumni will consistently devote their Saturdays toward something more meaningful. I for one would rather not plan a 6 hour trip to Ruston simply to watch my poorly coached alma mater get their asses kicked by middle of the road teams. Been there…done that.

Tech isn’t loosing games because of the crowds lack of involvement/attendance. Tech is loosing games because our special teams unit is nonexistent, our defense is terrible, and our offense is slightly above average…Hebert and Smoke are amazing…McNeil is pretty good…but that’s about it.

So the short answer is….wait for it….win games…if the players/coaches do what their supposed to do, fans/alumni will do what their supposed to do. Like I said, it’s not easy, but the rubric is simple.