9100 Attendance

[Balsy]

From the NIU article…...

"Earlier this month, Northern Illinois coach Dave Doeren left DeKalb for North Carolina State and said that his biggest regret was that the team with the nation’s longest home winning streak didn’t sell out one home game while he was on the sideline. “We play a very good brand of football that doesn’t get watched in person enough,” Doeren told the Chicago Sun-Times a few days before taking the N.C. State job. “That’s not just here. That’s across the landscape of mid-major conferences. But to have all the streaks we have and not sell it out is probably the biggest disappointment I have.”

Above…..​is my fear with TB……and this has been my point!! I said years and years ago, the key to success is getting and keeping a great coach. We have a great coach and I want to keep him. If I didn't care, I wouldn't comment on anything.

AND NO LANCE I am not hoping they fail (that has to be one of the most bizarre comments I have seen on here).

Dave Doren would have left for NC State regardless if he had been selling out or not. Doren is 16 years younger than Bowden. He is in the part of your career when you can move up.

I'm sorry folks, Bowden is not. Bowden is 58, and desperately wants to build something special. Be another coach at some average program isn't special. Being the coach who turned one of the worst programs in D-I into a regular competitor, would be special.

His hopping around from lower division school, to lower division school, was so he could build a resume to break back into Division-I football. He's at Akron now, and he wants to build something special.

Bowden is here to stay, so enjoy the ride.

[lance99]

From the NIU article...

"Earlier this month, Northern Illinois coach Dave Doeren left DeKalb for North Carolina State and said that his biggest regret was that the team with the nations longest home winning streak didnt sell out one home game while he was on the sideline. We play a very good brand of football that doesnt get watched in person enough, Doeren told the Chicago Sun-Times a few days before taking the N.C. State job. Thats not just here. Thats across the landscape of mid-major conferences. But to have all the streaks we have and not sell it out is probably the biggest disappointment I have.

Above..​is my fear with TBand this has been my point!! I said years and years ago, the key to success is getting and keeping a great coach. We have a great coach and I want to keep him. If I didn't care, I wouldn't comment on anything.

AND NO LANCE I am not hoping they fail (that has to be one of the most bizarre comments I have seen on here).

I was not trying to be snarky, it was the way it was worded. No disrespect intended.

[Dave in Green]

Let's look at NIU's average home attendance over the past 10 seasons (along with win-loss record) to see how recent attendance in the big winning seasons compares with the leaner seasons that preceded them:

2004: 27,052 (9-3)

2005: 22,176 (7-5)

2006: 20,770 (7-6)

2007: 25,136 (2-10)

-----------------------------

2008: 18,185 (6-7)

2009: 14,889 (7-6)

-----------------------------

2010: 17,760 (11-3)

2011: 18,903 (11-3)

2012: 20,877 (12-2)

2013: 20,669 (12-2)

Bottom line is that NIU's 4-season 2010-2013 average attendance during the recent glory years of great records (44-10 combined) and an Orange Bowl has not even returned to the 4-season 2004-2007 average when their record was a combined 25-24.

The reason I point all this out is that Zips fans should not have unrealistic expectations about how many will show up for Zips games even if they string together a 44-10 record over 4 seasons as NIU just did. Attendance may increase with winning, but may never get much better than the 15-16,000 season averages the Zips drew to the Rubber Bowl in the mid-2000s when the Zips' win-loss record was about the same as NIU's in that era.

[K92]

Let's look at NIU's average home attendance over the past 10 seasons (along with win-loss record) to see how recent attendance in the big winning seasons compares with the leaner seasons that preceded them:

2004: 27,052 (9-3)

2005: 22,176 (7-5)

2006: 20,770 (7-6)

2007: 25,136 (2-10)

-----------------------------

2008: 18,185 (6-7)

2009: 14,889 (7-6)

-----------------------------

2010: 17,760 (11-3)

2011: 18,903 (11-3)

2012: 20,877 (12-2)

2013: 20,669 (12-2)

Bottom line is that NIU's 4-season 2010-2013 average attendance during the recent glory years of great records (44-10 combined) and an Orange Bowl has not even returned to the 4-season 2004-2007 average when their record was a combined 25-24.

The reason I point all this out is that Zips fans should not have unrealistic expectations about how many will show up for Zips games even if they string together a 44-10 record over 4 seasons as NIU just did. Attendance may increase with winning, but may never get much better than the 15-16,000 season averages the Zips drew to the Rubber Bowl in the mid-2000s when the Zips' win-loss record was about the same as NIU's in that era.

[LZIp]

Let's look at NIU's average home attendance over the past 10 seasons (along with win-loss record) to see how recent attendance in the big winning seasons compares with the leaner seasons that preceded them:

2004: 27,052 (9-3)

2005: 22,176 (7-5)

2006: 20,770 (7-6)

2007: 25,136 (2-10)

-----------------------------

2008: 18,185 (6-7)

2009: 14,889 (7-6)

-----------------------------

2010: 17,760 (11-3)

2011: 18,903 (11-3)

2012: 20,877 (12-2)

2013: 20,669 (12-2)

Bottom line is that NIU's 4-season 2010-2013 average attendance during the recent glory years of great records (44-10 combined) and an Orange Bowl has not even returned to the 4-season 2004-2007 average when their record was a combined 25-24.

The reason I point all this out is that Zips fans should not have unrealistic expectations about how many will show up for Zips games even if they string together a 44-10 record over 4 seasons as NIU just did. Attendance may increase with winning, but may never get much better than the 15-16,000 season averages the Zips drew to the Rubber Bowl in the mid-2000s when the Zips' win-loss record was about the same as NIU's in that era.

It would be impossible for NIU to match the attendance from 04 and07 because the stadium only seats 23,595 now. The prior capacity was 28,000.

[Dave in Green]

It would be impossible for NIU to match the attendance from 04 and07 because the stadium only seats 23,595 now. The prior capacity was 28,000.

So NIU has been averaging about 75% capacity during this golden era of big winning seasons. I guess they were smart to reduce the number of seats knowing they weren't going to be selling them out. Zips would have to average about 22,000 attendance to reach 75% capacity. What home attendance average do you think would be realistic to expect for the Zips if they went 44-10 over a 4-season period?

[Dr Z]

Zips would have to average about 22,000 attendance to reach 75% capacity. What home attendance average do you think would be realistic to expect for the Zips if they went 44-10 over a 4-season period?

21,997 avg. for the last three of those four years.

[BirdZip]

As for Saturday afternoon games...when else is there going to be a game?

I meant early afternoon. Schedule them late Saturday afternoon or evening. Noon and 2:00 starts are difficult to get to if you have kids in sports or other activities. Ignoring that fact does not change it.

UA has not raised ticket prices since moving to Infocision Stadium. In fact the second year of 1-11 they started the "buy a season ticket get a $5 concession voucher and free parking". So they increased the value of what you are buying, unfortunately they are only just now increasing the value of what you are seeing.

Family packs went up significantly, regardless of whether or not you remember it happening.

[a-zip]

Let's look at NIU's average home attendance over the past 10 seasons (along with win-loss record) to see how recent attendance in the big winning seasons compares with the leaner seasons that preceded them:

2004: 27,052 (9-3)

2005: 22,176 (7-5)

2006: 20,770 (7-6)

2007: 25,136 (2-10)

-----------------------------

2008: 18,185 (6-7)

2009: 14,889 (7-6)

-----------------------------

2010: 17,760 (11-3)

2011: 18,903 (11-3)

2012: 20,877 (12-2)

2013: 20,669 (12-2)

I would take any of those attendance AVERAGES. We have not even approached a single game attendance of their worst average of 14,889.

[GP1]

I meant early afternoon. Schedule them late Saturday afternoon or evening. Noon and 2:00 starts are difficult to get to if you have kids in sports or other activities. Ignoring that fact does not change it.

The start time is not impacting attendance in a significant way. One could also say that there are those who prefer afternoon games because they don't want to spend a Saturday night at a football game. Everyone has to make choices. One of the choices people who want to have children need to make is how it will impact what they like to do on weekends. In any event, this isn't the real problem.

Attendance is bad this year for a good reason. We may not like the reason, but it is valid. The Zips were not very good last year. Minor league baseball teams and schools like Akron live and die on season ticket sales because it guarantees a sold seat regardless of the product. So, if you got an advertisement to buy 2014 season tickets, what would you think? Many would look at the following:

1. The Zips are an up and comer, but still a little unknown.

2. A 5-7 record doesn't inspire them to buy tickets.

3. Tuesday night games in November.

While I was disappointed in the crowd size Saturday, I understand why. If the Zips continue to have the type of season many of us believe they will, fans should be extremely disappointed if the season ticket sales and thus attendance is still bad next year. Reasons 1 and 2 above would be eliminated. The only question is whether or not reason 3 is the crushing blow to MAC attendance I believe it is. If anyone wants people to believe the MAC product is exciting and worth shelling out hard earned money, playing games on Tuesday nights on national television in November in front of EXTREMELY small crowds is not a way to position your product.

[akronad]

The start time is not impacting attendance in a significant way. One could also say that there are those who prefer afternoon games because they don't want to spend a Saturday night at a football game. Everyone has to make choices. One of the choices people who want to have children need to make is how it will impact what they like to do on weekends. In any event, this isn't the real problem.

Attendance is bad this year for a good reason. We may not like the reason, but it is valid. The Zips were not very good last year. Minor league baseball teams and schools like Akron live and die on season ticket sales because it guarantees a sold seat regardless of the product. So, if you got an advertisement to buy 2014 season tickets, what would you think? Many would look at the following:

1. The Zips are an up and comer, but still a little unknown.

2. A 5-7 record doesn't inspire them to buy tickets.

3. Tuesday night games in November.

While I was disappointed in the crowd size Saturday, I understand why. If the Zips continue to have the type of season many of us believe they will, fans should be extremely disappointed if the season ticket sales and thus attendance is still bad next year. Reasons 1 and 2 above would be eliminated. The only question is whether or not reason 3 is the crushing blow to MAC attendance I believe it is. If anyone wants people to believe the MAC product is exciting and worth shelling out hard earned money, playing games on Tuesday nights on national television in November in front of EXTREMELY small crowds is not a way to position your product.

Reason 3 is why I did not re-up my season tickets for this year. There was no way I would be able to function on Wednesday at work after attending a Tuesday night contest. In addition, this year, due to work I couldn't make the Thursday night game and the game last Saturday. Hopefully, next year' schedule will be a bit more fan favorable.

[Dr Z]

Hopefully, next year' schedule will be a bit more fan favorable.

Not for away out of conference games. Oklahoma and Louisiana games are over a thousand miles away. As opposed to PSU and Pitt this year where fans could jump in the car the morning of the game. Not complaining, just pointing it out.

[Jrship35]

Not for away out of conference games. Oklahoma and Louisiana games are over a thousand miles away. As opposed to PSU and Pitt this year where fans could jump in the car the morning of the game. Not complaining, just pointing it out.

As it appears our conference home schedule is pretty week this year ........... Does that mean that next year, the home conference schedule provides more favorable games ? And would a home in home with Cincinnati help wet the appetites ? .................... Can Coach Bowden also schedule any opportunity with Ohio State any time soon ?

[Dr Z]

Can Coach Bowden also schedule any opportunity with Ohio State any time soon ?

Probably not soon. Oklahoma and the Rajin' Cajuns in 2015. Marshall and Wisconsin in 2016, PSU and TBA in 2017. Nebraska and Iowa St in 2018.

Just got Nebraska on the schedule for 2018. Home and home with Cincy would be great.

I always set my expectations low for our conference schedule. Hopefully with our new found success, we get some favors we are owed.

[Dave in Green]

In trying to estimate how big Zips home attendance would be if they ran off a 44-10 record over 4 seasons like NIU, let's compare NIU's average home attendance history with UA's. Looking at the 4-year period from 2004 through 2007, both teams were playing in stadiums with more capacity than now, NIU with a 28,000 capacity and UA with 35,000 in the Rubber Bowl. NIU had a 25-24 record compared with UA's 22-26 over those 4 seasons.

2004: 27,052 (9-3) - NIU

2004: 15,849 (6-5) - UA

2005: 22,176 (7-5) - NIU

2005: 10,893 (7-6) - UA

2006: 20,770 (7-6) - NIU

2006: 16,132 (5-7) - UA

2007: 25,136 (2-10) - NIU

2007: 15,978 (4-8) - UA

During those 4 seasons when both teams had no better than average records, NIU averaged more than 20,000 fans at home games compared with UA's average of less than 15,000 despite the fact that the Zips played in a larger stadium. Considering all of the above and considering where NIU's attendance went during their 44-10 run, I think it's unlikely the Zips ever average more than 20,000 home attendance, and a realistic number is more like 16-18,000 even with consistent 11-win seasons.

[zippy5]

Keep in mind those numbers were at the Rubber Bowl and before on campus living doubled. I think UA would beat the 2000s numbers if they strung together some good seasons.

[Jrship35]

So here may be a crazy question, but why not give the full time paid students tickets to all home games for free (I believe they have to pay currently?) ? The increase in student attendance (given they go), would improve the atmosphere which may generate more paid attendance.

Why not try it as there is currently no revenue in empty seats period. At least they could increase concessions some ..................... Certainly wouldn't hurt in my opinion

Game days and times are still an issue though

[Zipgrad01]

So here may be a crazy question, but why not give the full time paid students tickets to all home games for free (I believe they have to pay currently?) ? The increase in student attendance (given they go), would improve the atmosphere which may generate more paid attendance.

Why not try it as there is currently no revenue in empty seats period. At least they could increase concessions some ..................... Certainly wouldn't hurt in my opinion

Game days and times are still an issue though

Sad enough....it is already free to any UA student.

[Jrship35]

Sad enough....it is already free to any UA student.

Wow ........... That is sad

[Captain Kangaroo]

I remain stunned that wins over pathetic programs like Howard, EMU and Miami are somehow supposed to turn around a quarter century of abject neglect. That somehow there's a massive amount of locals who should be thrilled the Zips played a decent 1/2 season last year, and a decent 1/2 season this year? Is there some "1/2 Season Bowl" I'm not aware of?

The revolving door of coaches, AD's and predominately horrific football is somehow all forgotten once the Zips start strolling through a few of the MAC's tomato cans?

Tradition Almost Never Graduates. The Zips lousy football tradition has accumulated the equivalent of 20+ PhD's since the mid-80's. But now is the opportunity to step out from under the cloud.

Keep winning. Go to a bowl. Keep your staff. Market a winner in preparation for a banner 2015 season. Lather, rinse and repeat.

[Dave in Green]

Keep in mind those numbers were at the Rubber Bowl and before on campus living doubled. I think UA would beat the 2000s numbers if they strung together some good seasons.

You have more faith in the students than I do. The world has changed, many more entertainment options are available than the good old days, and attendance at college sports in general is falling. More students may come to see a winning team than a loser, but not in the numbers they used to.

[Balsy]

You have more faith in the students than I do. The world has changed, many more entertainment options are available than the good old days, and attendance at college sports in general is falling. More students may come to see a winning team than a loser, but not in the numbers they used to.

Games are boring. To many TV breaks.

[Dave in Green]

I was recently in the UA Student Union for the first time. After walking by the bowling alley, the big room full of pool tables and all the other amenities, it's pretty obvious why more students aren't at games. When I went to college we didn't have any of that. When there was a football game or a basketball game, it wasn't just the biggest thing on campus, it was the only thing. We are living in the age of many student options, and more and more are opting to do things other than attending games.

[K92]

I would be interested to see a year-by-year breakdown of season ticket holders.

[Zipmeister]

I was recently in the UA Student Union for the first time. After walking by the bowling alley, the big room full of pool tables and all the other amenities, it's pretty obvious why more students aren't at games. When I went to college we didn't have any of that. When there was a football game or a basketball game, it wasn't just the biggest thing on campus, it was the only thing. We are living in the age of many student options, and more and more are opting to do things other than attending games.

I remember (I think it was in the 70s) a heavy coed tripped while bowling in the student center lanes. Upon landing, her weight was great enough to lift one of the lane boards which speared her leg and then the board basically went back in place pinning her to the lane. I can't recall if she was penalized for the line fault, but I do recall firemen had to cut up the lane to free her. If they are still doing that kind of stuff how is a football team to compete for student attention.