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Attendance problem with local D1 college ...

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Heretic's avatar

Heretic

Son of the Sun

18,820 posts
Sep 20, 2011 1:13 PM
Pick6;904386 wrote:1. The number one and most important reason people don't come to the game is because the team sucks. Nobody wants to pay to see a team get blown out every game. Winning fills the stands, just go to a soccer of mens basketball game.

Bottom Line: Even though its obvious, winning games, or at least being competitive will sell tickets.
In the mid-90s when I was at THE Ohio U., this was very true there. Football games tended to be ghost towns. In four years, I think I could count all the ones I attended on one hand. One finger if you only count ones I was sober when I went. Basketball with Gary Trent, on the other hand...the Convo was packed on a regular basis.

In other words, walk into that meeting and say, "If your team didn't fucking suck dick, you'd have better attendance. Do something about that, assface!" And then demand payment.
Sep 20, 2011 1:13pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

Senior Member

16,351 posts
Sep 20, 2011 1:18 PM
Starting with an alumni event would definitely be the place to start. Have a tent with food and beverages before and after the game for alumni. Have it be say for $20 you get a ticket to the game and alumni event. Make a VIP tent then with better food and drink that is say $75 per ticket. It gives the alumni a place to hobnob with other alumni and it becomes a social event. Do this every game, and obviously ramp up the quality for homecoming.

Then after that money starts coming in, use it for gameday promotions to start getting students to the games.
Sep 20, 2011 1:18pm
OSH's avatar

OSH

Kosh B'Gosh

4,145 posts
Sep 20, 2011 1:54 PM
Drop the program. It's beyond repair.

Or put the money into it. You can't boost attendance to a program that is terrible and no one cares about. Nor can you boost attendance if you don't invest something into it -- money, local talent, events, fun, freebies, etc.
Sep 20, 2011 1:54pm
Pick6's avatar

Pick6

A USA American

14,946 posts
Sep 20, 2011 2:40 PM
OSH;904479 wrote:Drop the program. It's beyond repair.

Or put the money into it. You can't boost attendance to a program that is terrible and no one cares about. Nor can you boost attendance if you don't invest something into it -- money, local talent, events, fun, freebies, etc.
I dont think money is a problem for the university of akron. There are new buildings going up all the time.
Not to mention a brand new football stadium, that is only in its 3rd season of use.
Sep 20, 2011 2:40pm
ts1227's avatar

ts1227

Senior Member

12,319 posts
Sep 20, 2011 3:01 PM
What is a problem is that everyone leaves town on Friday afternoon.
Sep 20, 2011 3:01pm
O-Trap's avatar

O-Trap

Chief Shenanigans Officer

14,994 posts
Sep 20, 2011 3:21 PM
Pick6;904554 wrote:I dont think money is a problem for the university of akron. There are new buildings going up all the time.
Not to mention a brand new football stadium, that is only in its 3rd season of use.
We brought up the winning thing, but then someone mentioned the Aeros. Not exactly a team you go see only when they're good. Losing Aeros teams still draw crowds.

The football stadium was built with a lot of money that had been donated to that specific project.
Sep 20, 2011 3:21pm
Pick6's avatar

Pick6

A USA American

14,946 posts
Sep 20, 2011 3:34 PM
O-Trap;904608 wrote:We brought up the winning thing, but then someone mentioned the Aeros. Not exactly a team you go see only when they're good. Losing Aeros teams still draw crowds.

The football stadium was built with a lot of money that had been donated to that specific project.
by doing a quick search..the latest year I could find for attendance was 08. They averaged about 5100 a game. The stadium holds a little over 9000. Ranked 7th out of 12th in attendance in their league. They finished second in their league that year. I dont think that is that great, but Im not into baseball at all,so I really wouldnt know.

The Aeros also do promotions such as fan appreciation day and have education days for kids. Pretty sure they have dollar beer nights as well. Little things like that will bring people to the games.

Do you have attendance numbers for the Info?
Sep 20, 2011 3:34pm
se-alum's avatar

se-alum

The Biggest Boss

13,948 posts
Sep 20, 2011 3:35 PM
Like many have already said, it has to be an event, not just a football game. Alot working against you here, short time frame, noon game, shitty team, etc....
Sep 20, 2011 3:35pm
OSH's avatar

OSH

Kosh B'Gosh

4,145 posts
Sep 20, 2011 3:43 PM
Pick6;904554 wrote:I dont think money is a problem for the university of akron. There are new buildings going up all the time.
Not to mention a brand new football stadium, that is only in its 3rd season of use.
I don't believe money is a problem with Akron either.

But money could be an issue with the football team. You don't sink the money into the DI programs...you won't have much of a program. There's a reason why the top programs are the top programs...$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

If they want more out of their football program, put more money into it or settle for being par or sub-par.

EDIT: I guess I should say "resources" instead of money. Using "resources" may be better than money at times.
Sep 20, 2011 3:43pm
I

I Wear Pants

Senior Member

16,223 posts
Sep 20, 2011 3:49 PM
karen lotz;904351 wrote:Bouncy castles in the tailgating lots.
Had these at YSU on Saturday. I was stuck in class whilst others were merrily bouncing away and drinking.
Sep 20, 2011 3:49pm
OneBuckeye's avatar

OneBuckeye

Senior Member

5,888 posts
Sep 20, 2011 3:53 PM
Only way I would go to an Akron game. (I live in Akron)

1. Must have tailgating
2. Must allow open containers and sell booze at the stadium.
3. Must not interfere with Ohio State game.
4. Bus to take my drunk ass home. (Shuttles to fairlawn, cuyahoga falls, etc)
Sep 20, 2011 3:53pm
BigAppleBuckeye's avatar

BigAppleBuckeye

Senior Member

2,935 posts
Sep 20, 2011 3:58 PM
Groupon deal for tickets? Offer a discount based on a large group of folks buying a block of tickets
Sep 20, 2011 3:58pm
karen lotz's avatar

karen lotz

TuTu Train

22,284 posts
Sep 20, 2011 4:01 PM
BigAppleBuckeye;904646 wrote:Groupon deal for tickets? Offer a discount based on a large group of folks buying a block of tickets

Worked for Boston College already this year.


edit: I'm not actually sure if it worked or not, but BC did have tickets for sale through Groupon.
Sep 20, 2011 4:01pm
1_beast's avatar

1_beast

Senior Member

5,642 posts
Sep 20, 2011 4:03 PM
BRING IN GIBBY and CoA for the coin toss and to sing the Nat'l Anthem....

Hope this helps
Sep 20, 2011 4:03pm
ts1227's avatar

ts1227

Senior Member

12,319 posts
Sep 20, 2011 4:03 PM
BigAppleBuckeye;904646 wrote:Groupon deal for tickets? Offer a discount based on a large group of folks buying a block of tickets
More cost effective to discount yourself, unless you plan to hit a home run with it. I found out from a business before that Groupon gets half of the money raised (which is usually at a 50% discount), so you only pocket 25% of your "regular" price point.

So, one has to decide if the increased presence Groupon gives you is worth another 25% hit on revenue... or can you promote well enough on your own?
Sep 20, 2011 4:03pm
T

thavoice

Senior Member

14,376 posts
Sep 20, 2011 4:24 PM
This is year is the exception but the dayton dragons sell out and usually have crappy teams. They set a record for consecutive sellouts for any sport. When ya go to the dragons it isnst so much the game that most people go to....it has become 'the thing to do' in the dayton area. It really stuck when they got the team and new stadium and just has been that way so that is kinda like the Aero's


Tough situation for ya there, no doubt.

How about this....are there midget football teams in that area? If so, reach out to the leagues/coaches to them and have a midget football day where the players can get in for like 5 bucks or very cheap. Ya have a pregame thing where they get to walk down and around the field. I know at some NFL games they have midget football played on the field at the halftime (two 'games' at the same time...one on each end of teh field.).

You get into the midget football arena and ya could get alot of players/adults going to the games, and once a kid goes and has fun he pesters the parents to come back.

COuld also do something in conjunction with local HS's....go into there and offer discount tickets through the schools for that day in working with the AD's.

Granted..some of those individuals may have games those days but it cant hurt to try.
Sep 20, 2011 4:24pm
D

dave

Senior Member

4,558 posts
Sep 20, 2011 6:14 PM
thavoice;904685 wrote:This is year is the exception but the dayton dragons sell out and usually have crappy teams. They set a record for consecutive sellouts for any sport. When ya go to the dragons it isnst so much the game that most people go to....it has become 'the thing to do' in the dayton area. It really stuck when they got the team and new stadium and just has been that way so that is kinda like the Aero's


Tough situation for ya there, no doubt.

How about this....are there midget football teams in that area? If so, reach out to the leagues/coaches to them and have a midget football day where the players can get in for like 5 bucks or very cheap. Ya have a pregame thing where they get to walk down and around the field. I know at some NFL games they have midget football played on the field at the halftime (two 'games' at the same time...one on each end of teh field.).

You get into the midget football arena and ya could get alot of players/adults going to the games, and once a kid goes and has fun he pesters the parents to come back.

COuld also do something in conjunction with local HS's....go into there and offer discount tickets through the schools for that day in working with the AD's.

Granted..some of those individuals may have games those days but it cant hurt to try.
I was going to mention the pee wee football idea. Even let those kids in for free. Maybe have 4 teams come, play 2 10min games between 2 teams. Obviously a band show will block this if you have a long one. If you can't do this, still offer free tickets to kids tell them to wear their jerseys. Then the parents have to buy tickets to come and you will get concessions/merch sales from the kids.
Sep 20, 2011 6:14pm
S

superman

Senior Member

3,582 posts
Sep 20, 2011 8:25 PM
Find a couple local Upward flag football leagues. Have an upward day. Anyone involved with the league gets in for $10. The upward players get to come on the field and form a tunnel. Most leagues have 300 to 400 kids, that should sell a couple thousand tickets if you find three or leagues.
Sep 20, 2011 8:25pm
SportsAndLady's avatar

SportsAndLady

Senior Member

35,632 posts
Sep 20, 2011 8:36 PM
ts1227;904357 wrote:OU has inflatables in the student tailgate, lol.
I set those up my senior year...shit sucked, but that was a great job lol
Sep 20, 2011 8:36pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

Senior Member

16,351 posts
Sep 20, 2011 8:36 PM
ccrunner609;904843 wrote:offer free babysitting......people go for that stuff
You would like that wouldn't you.....





fuckin creep
Sep 20, 2011 8:36pm
Cat Food Flambe''s avatar

Cat Food Flambe'

Senior Member

1,230 posts
Sep 20, 2011 8:50 PM
Topless cheerleaders? :D
Sep 20, 2011 8:50pm
gerb131's avatar

gerb131

Senior Member

9,932 posts
Sep 20, 2011 9:10 PM
Extended halftime with Akron soccer game or a double header.
Sep 20, 2011 9:10pm
Glory Days's avatar

Glory Days

Senior Member

7,809 posts
Sep 20, 2011 9:26 PM
Cat Food Flambe';904864 wrote:Topless cheerleaders? :D
clown porn auditions.
Sep 20, 2011 9:26pm
D

dave

Senior Member

4,558 posts
Sep 20, 2011 10:02 PM
It's too late for this season, but for next year you need to look at how Toledo does their fan plan. I know Akron football is no comparison to where Toledo is in terms of talent, schedule, or local support so you would have to charge much less. Toledo's was $59 for a season ticket, free parking, and something like a $20 voucher for food or merchandise. They aren't making much but they are banking on getting people in the door to make money inside. Toledo sold out this year, not sure of the number but I think somewhere around 10,000 fan plans were sold.
Sep 20, 2011 10:02pm
krambman's avatar

krambman

Senior Member

3,606 posts
Sep 20, 2011 11:48 PM
Change the name of the school to The Ohio State University.
Sep 20, 2011 11:48pm