2009 Soccer Attendance

[ksu sucks]

Forget football attendance! Let's talk futbol!

Akron's 2009 average attendance(2,137) was seventh in the nation.

http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/stats/m_soc...2010/attend.pdf

Here's to cracking the top 5 in 2010!

Go zips!

[UAZipster0305]

Actually, if you rank by total attendance (and not average), we were #4 for 2009. Behind only UCSB, Maryland, and UConn in that order. I look for attendance to improve with upgraded facilities and an even bigger brand name for the program after the NCAAC appearance. Here's to another great season.

[tpsjugglerdude]

This says that in 13 games we had 27,787 in attendance. I bet that is more than the first 13 home games for basketball.

[Valpo Zip]

Keep in mind that multiple games were sold out and fans were turned down. If we increase our capacity, those numbers will improve.

[ZachTheZip]

Keep in mind that multiple games were sold out and fans were turned down. If we increase our capacity, those numbers will improve.

And keep in mind that we had terrible attendance for several games, as well. We were well under capacity for most of the season. I think that attendance would have gone up regardless of a new stadium, thanks to our playoff run because the lesser games (like FAU and WMU) will fill in better.

[MDZip]

This says that in 13 games we had 27,787 in attendance. I bet that is more than the first 13 home games for basketball.

So I had to check, baskteball was still ahead but not by that much, about 500 people per game.

AP 2360

APB 2115

Niagara 2049

Malone 3381

UNCC 2226

STF 2028

UIC 2267

Valpo 2825

URI 2429

BG 3028

Mia 3357

Tol 3634

EMU 2674

Total 34393

[scottditzen]

Our attendance numbers looking good, and things look to get even better.

Another good selling point to potential recruits!!!

GO ZIPS

[skip-zip]

I hope you guys are all correct with what I am sensing is an overwhelming "attendance is only going to continue to get better" thought.

But remember something: Last year represented the most absolutely perfect conditions. We had a team that was #1 in the country, and on a run towards a perfect season, and people wanted to be a part of that. And I think we got a lot of people who might have never, ever gone to a college soccer game if it wasn't for this phenomenal situation.

If those circumstances occur again, expect the same response, or better. But don't forget that we've had good soccer teams for many, many years, and many of them did not attract this outpouring of fans. Unfortunately, I think you'd be mistaken to believe that most of those people were there because they just wanted to see a good soccer team play.

[Big Zip]

Skip-Zip I think there may be on other factor in play this year. The World Cup exposure for soccer certainly can't hurt the sport and I've appreciated reading Nanchoff's pieces in the Plain Dealer (complete with a profile pick of Nanchoff in his Akron gear). I also believe the people that did attend last year may have found that they really appreciated watching the sport played well locally. I know the final two games of the tournament were pretty exciting to watch for me and I'll attend more games this year. When I hear people talking about the World Cup I tend to find a way to chime in about top collegiate soccer being played near by. I would love to see the soccer program advertise locally on the next US game. Something that could potentially pull in more local fans that still aren't aware. There is also no reason to not start marketing the program to those local pubs/eateries that show ESL on weekend mornings for die hards. I don't suspect marketing will actually do anything because they never seem to do, but I do believe there are things that have lined up that should help attendance significantly. I feel like things have been good in the past, but there seems to be momentum now....momentum can go a long way.

[skip-zip]

Skip-Zip I think there may be on other factor in play this year. The World Cup exposure for soccer certainly can't hurt the sport and I've appreciated reading Nanchoff's pieces in the Plain Dealer (complete with a profile pick of Nanchoff in his Akron gear). I also believe the people that did attend last year may have found that they really appreciated watching the sport played well locally. I know the final two games of the tournament were pretty exciting to watch for me and I'll attend more games this year. When I hear people talking about the World Cup I tend to find a way to chime in about top collegiate soccer being played near by. I would love to see the soccer program advertise locally on the next US game. Something that could potentially pull in more local fans that still aren't aware. There is also no reason to not start marketing the program to those local pubs/eateries that show ESL on weekend mornings for die hards. I don't suspect marketing will actually do anything because they never seem to do, but I do believe there are things that have lined up that should help attendance significantly. I feel like things have been good in the past, but there seems to be momentum now....momentum can go a long way.

I only started going to Akron soccer games over the last couple of years, purely to give my support to a winning team at my alma mater. But I have to admit, I do enjoy watching a live soccer game a little more than I expected. Possibly because of Porter's attacking style of play.

Your point about the World Cup is potentially a good one. I think that every time the World Cup comes around, many people with a soccer interest in this country hope that it will influence the public's interest in the sport. Could this finally be the time when that happens? Wouldn't that be great timing for the Zips? Who are looking to establish a perennial top-notch national program and fill a new facility? I'm hopeful, but I'll be surprised if history does not keep repeating itself, and the American public will again lose interest in the sport shortly after the World Cup is over.