Attendance Discussion

[PawDawg]

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.

[ChuckK3]

100%...this.

[dawg80]

There were some first-timers last night. Had a family, dad, mom, and two kids near me that asked some questions, like does "general admission" mean you can sit where you want, and later they told me this was their first Tech game ever. They left at halftime....

As Dwayne would say that 20K+ was really 18K. Not much of a bounce after the latest S'port experiment. It is, what it is. I, and mine, were there, and we enjoyed another Tech win, Dixon's record-setting night, and we will back in two weeks for the next one.

[PawDawg]

As Dwayne would say that 20K+ was really 18K. Not much of a bounce after the latest S'port experiment.

No way to back that up. There seemed to be as many there last night as the UNLV game. Definately a much rowdier and fun crowd.

The Shreveport remark...what were you expecting? We got a few new folks due to Shreveport. That's what we need to happen. It will take time and won't happen over night or unless we keep winning.

[cberg]

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.

I completely agree with you. We're in the stages of building something rather nice. Our fans are really getting a feel for Big time football. It will take some time to develope rivelries, develope traditions and expand our great tailgating to new horizons. It's all on the horizon. With success come growing pains. Our new President must be one that understands La. Tech athletics and how important it is to our University. The city of Ruston needs to look into hotels to accomodate bigger crowds - thus putting more $$$ into the city. When, I said when we start to have sellouts the fans will want a place to eat and sleep. This won't happen over night, but just look at the progress we're making and it REALLY feels good !!! I love it...

[ChuckK3]

We had a first-timer WM football player in our section last night. West Monroe (what is that, 25 minutes from the Joe?)...and it was his first Tech game ever, and he's not alone! There are tons of folks in these pine woods that "like" football but lack of consistency in winning has caused them to grow apathetic to anybody they can't watch on TV (read, no REAL investment) every week.

Anyway, back to the young man from WM, early on, he was thrown for a loop that some of us were hoping TAMU would win yesterday, and early on seemed genuinely shocked that Tech-folk didn't bleed purple and yella. By the 3rd Quarter, he was "moving the chains" and helping return the WE ARE --- BULLDOGS cheer. He'll be back, I'm pretty sure.

One at a time, y'all. ONE at a time. To anyone reading this post that is similar to the young man from WM...we welcome you to get on board the TECH TROLLEY!

GO DAWGS!!

[dawg80]

Since attendance became an issue and a subject of intense scrutiny and discussion, about 15 years ago, we have been examining the numbers at Aillet, fending off attacks from flamers, flaming each other, and during that time, our attendance has grown from a real 13-15K range to a 17-20K range. That is true. I think it's just "organic" growth. More people, the ever-growing popularity of CFB with the advent of tailgating, student involvment, etc... The whole gameday experience in Ruston is light years ahead of where it's been. I have been attending games since 1976. As has most of the posters on this board, we've seen the positive changes.

WINNING is the key. That is true. Bandwagoners only jump on winning wagons. Five years from now, provided we are still making noise, and that means Top 25 rankings, we'll see another bump in the numbers, maybe to a real 22-25K range.

[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.

[GatorDawg]

FWIW both UNLV and Idaho looked like decent crowds on ESPN3.

[RougeDawg]

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.

The hotel thing is always a ridiculous argument.

[tenacious_dog]

In this particular case, having three home games in a row had a real effect. My brother from Houston knew he wouldn't be able to make three weekends straight and chose to make the first conference game over the UNLV game. I have to believe a lot of people chose the UNLV game because its a more appealing match up than Idaho.

Last night we had a bigger crowd than I thought we would have. We've made progress and upped our baseline attendance.

[trenteverett]

I have a strong feeling that we will have a really nice crowds in our last two games (especially Utah State). Marketing really needs to pump some $$ in for these next two.

[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.)

[FishingBack]

In this particular case, having three home games in a row had a real effect. My brother from Houston knew he wouldn't be able to make three weekends straight and chose to make the first conference game over the UNLV game. I have to believe a lot of people chose the UNLV game because its a more appealing match up than Idaho.

Last night we had a bigger crowd than I thought we would have. We've made progress and upped our baseline attendance.

This. I know about 10 ppl that were at A&M but not Idaho. They and about 10 more will be at homecoming. 3 homes in a row is terrible.

[trenteverett]

LFR...those are excellent points; however, they are (for most part) long-range goals. We need to get more creative to get butts in the seats now!