Cykron Posted June 25, 2017 Report Share Posted June 25, 2017 (edited) On 6/21/2017 at 0:10 PM, ZippyRulz said: It's almost as if there aren't 7 other FBS progrums, including a perennial national champ contender, to compete with in Iowa (kidding, and at the same time not kidding). If we win our first 2 games of the season also, it will definitely be a bowl-like feel for this game Yes, this is a big factor. We are fortunate not to have as many FBS programs nearby. Only one other program within 2 hours. Only four within 3-1/2 hours. And no pro teams of any sport within 3 hours. I can't quite explain it, other than to acknowledge our eternal optimism. Our attendance has stayed strong, even when our in-state rival's hasn't, even after a 12-0 season, probably because they have to endure the memory of their bowl collapses all year long. That is one good thing about not going to a bowl, no big build up, just to be crushed. Seriously, we will see what happens if we ever start winning and then fall on hard times. For now, Ames is just the place to be on Saturday for a ton of us. It isn't about wins, it is about loyalty and having a good time. As the publisher of our best fan site says, "We aren't Cyclone fans because it is easy. We are Cyclone fans because it is awesome." And we really believe it. Looking forward to the Info Bowl in Akron. Like I said, if we win the first two games, we will have a big crowd making the trip. You should have seen what happened for the Big 12 tournament a few years ago in Kansas City. It was the first time in a long time that we made it to the championship game. We beat Kansas on Thursday and the crowd was probably 50% KU, 35% us, and 15% others. By Saturday night, it was 90% us. Most paying $150+ for tickets. The announcers said something about hoping the last person in Ames turned the lights out. And we had thousands outside in the Power & Light District enjoying on big screens. Our fans are loyal, but also hungry for some wins. When Matt Campbell starts winning, we will go crazy. And if we start the season with 3 wins, we get to return to Ames for Texas on a Thursday night and are currently only a 3 point underdog for that game. Edited June 25, 2017 by Cykron 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balsy Posted June 25, 2017 Report Share Posted June 25, 2017 6 hours ago, Cykron said: Yes, this is a big factor. We are fortunate not to have as many FBS programs nearby. Only one other program within 2 hours. Only four within 3-1/2 hours. And no pro teams of any sport within 3 hours. I thought I'd pull this out. I think you've just made the one point that many of us just doesn't realize is as much of an impact on our attendance as it truly is. Within Two hours of Akron: We have 5 D-1 NCAA programs (OSU, Kent, Toledo, Bowling Green, Pittsburgh), 5 pro-teams (Cavs, Browns, Steelers, Indians, Penguins). As much as some will say this is "making an excuse" it really isn't. Our market is over-saturated with sports choice. And if most people were to rank the top-5 of the teams available within their area to go to a game/follow on a regular basis...it will be a mix of 3ish pro-teams (Browns or Steelers, Cavs, Indians or Penguins) and a college team or two, one being State Ohio University for almost everyone. So this is probably the biggest factor impacting our fanbase. If we were to expand it to 3 1/2 hours....watch out the numbers increase to like 13 NCAA D-1 Programs (Cincinnati, Penn State, Ohio University, Marshall, Michigan State, Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Temple), and 10 Pro Teams (Lions, Tigers, Pistons, Reds, Bengals). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipgrad01 Posted June 25, 2017 Report Share Posted June 25, 2017 9 hours ago, Balsy said: I thought I'd pull this out. I think you've just made the one point that many of us just doesn't realize is as much of an impact on our attendance as it truly is. Within Two hours of Akron: We have 5 D-1 NCAA programs (OSU, Kent, Toledo, Bowling Green, Pittsburgh), 5 pro-teams (Cavs, Browns, Steelers, Indians, Penguins). As much as some will say this is "making an excuse" it really isn't. Our market is over-saturated with sports choice. And if most people were to rank the top-5 of the teams available within their area to go to a game/follow on a regular basis...it will be a mix of 3ish pro-teams (Browns or Steelers, Cavs, Indians or Penguins) and a college team or two, one being State Ohio University for almost everyone. So this is probably the biggest factor impacting our fanbase. If we were to expand it to 3 1/2 hours....watch out the numbers increase to like 13 NCAA D-1 Programs (Cincinnati, Penn State, Ohio University, Marshall, Michigan State, Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Temple), and 10 Pro Teams (Lions, Tigers, Pistons, Reds, Bengals). You can get to temple in 3 hours? Most of us don't have planes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balsy Posted June 25, 2017 Report Share Posted June 25, 2017 2 hours ago, Zipgrad01 said: You can get to temple in 3 hours? Most of us don't have planes. Touche. I meant to double check Temple...but apparently forgot. My bad. Still...12 programs instead of 13... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LZIp Posted June 26, 2017 Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 (edited) Throw in Miami, Buffalo, and WVU and its up to 15 Balsy. And I know we like to think of YSU as below us (and they are), but I think its naive to say we don't compete with the FCS runner-ups at all. Edited June 26, 2017 by LZIp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cykron Posted June 26, 2017 Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 "State Ohio" Please tell me more about the "State Ohio" references. I have in-laws who have that weird affection for Columbus. And I'm always looking for some new trash talk. I've never heard this one, but I like it. And the more I know about it, the better I can wield it against the in-laws. Is it along the lines of Harbaugh calling them just "Ohio?" Is it related to "State Penn" which I have heard? Thanks in advance for anything you can do to help me bash the Buckwheat fans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cykron Posted June 26, 2017 Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 15 hours ago, Balsy said: I thought I'd pull this out. I think you've just made the one point that many of us just doesn't realize is as much of an impact on our attendance as it truly is. Within Two hours of Akron: We have 5 D-1 NCAA programs (OSU, Kent, Toledo, Bowling Green, Pittsburgh), 5 pro-teams (Cavs, Browns, Steelers, Indians, Penguins). As much as some will say this is "making an excuse" it really isn't. Our market is over-saturated with sports choice. And if most people were to rank the top-5 of the teams available within their area to go to a game/follow on a regular basis...it will be a mix of 3ish pro-teams (Browns or Steelers, Cavs, Indians or Penguins) and a college team or two, one being State Ohio University for almost everyone. So this is probably the biggest factor impacting our fanbase. If we were to expand it to 3 1/2 hours....watch out the numbers increase to like 13 NCAA D-1 Programs (Cincinnati, Penn State, Ohio University, Marshall, Michigan State, Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Temple), and 10 Pro Teams (Lions, Tigers, Pistons, Reds, Bengals). And I think it is more than just having teams in close proximity. It also means media saturation. And sponsor saturation. The time and attention to teams is not just split with the nearby teams, but also national teams. Competition for the fan's attention is much less for Iowa State. And many of us won't even watch Hokeye games, not just because of the rivalry, but because the Big Yawn 10 games aren't as fun to watch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balsy Posted June 26, 2017 Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 9 hours ago, Cykron said: And I think it is more than just having teams in close proximity. It also means media saturation. And sponsor saturation. The time and attention to teams is not just split with the nearby teams, but also national teams. Competition for the fan's attention is much less for Iowa State. And many of us won't even watch Hokeye games, not just because of the rivalry, but because the Big Yawn 10 games aren't as fun to watch. Another excellent point! I totally overlooked the media/sponsor bit. It's easy to get behind something, if it's the only thing in town...but when there's limited advertising $$ who are you going to focus in on, the Pro team, or 1/12 local colleges? Totally agree with the "Big-Yawn-10"...I don't understand why so many people watch OSU games? I mean I get it, they want to be a part of something that wins...and wins a lot. But there's no stake in the game at all. You expect them to win, and win big. If they don't win big, you're upset. If they lose, you're even more upset. Like where is the fun in that? When you already know the outcome... Of course we're a bit biased, but watching games that have a level of parity is far more enjoyable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDZip Posted June 26, 2017 Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 On 6/25/2017 at 7:05 AM, Balsy said: 5 pro-teams (Cavs, Browns, Steelers, Indians, Penguins). Very minor point but I think the Pirates are still considered a pro team. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LZIp Posted June 26, 2017 Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 4 minutes ago, MDZip said: Very minor point but I think the Pirates are still considered a pro team. :-) As are the Columbus Crew and Blue Jackets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve1982 Posted June 26, 2017 Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 Also the Blue Jackets and the Crew. Although I saw The Crew the other day and they appeared to be running in mud, they looked so slow. I moved out of the Akron area in 1982. I can say that I've been to Thistledown as many times as I've been to a Zips sporting event since. So that competes too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDZip Posted June 26, 2017 Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 Ok that's it, we move the entire Akron campus to Williston, ND. Lots of oil workers again and no competing interests. That should solve the attendance problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cykron Posted June 26, 2017 Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 (edited) 2 hours ago, MDZip said: Ok that's it, we move the entire Akron campus to Williston, ND. Lots of oil workers again and no competing interests. That should solve the attendance problem. This is no joke. Have you paid attention to the North Dakota State football fans? They are incredible and they travel amazingly well. I think they issue tailgate rigs with their diplomas at graduation! Here is my personal favorite! Edited June 26, 2017 by Cykron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balsy Posted June 27, 2017 Report Share Posted June 27, 2017 On 6/26/2017 at 9:16 AM, MDZip said: Very minor point but I think the Pirates are still considered a pro team. :-) The Pirates still exist? On 6/26/2017 at 9:20 AM, LZIp said: As are the Columbus Crew and Blue Jackets. I kinda purposefully left out the Crew and the Jackets. The Blue Jackets IMHO, are a Columbus thing for the most part. Though I guess we should add them to the list. 8 Pro Teams (Browns, Indians, Pirates, Crew, Blue Jackets, Steelers, Cavs, Penguins). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed5120 Posted June 27, 2017 Report Share Posted June 27, 2017 Pirates are a professional team? I thought they were the farm system for the other 29 MLB teams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted June 27, 2017 Report Share Posted June 27, 2017 MLB Home attendance 2017 24 Pittsburgh 874,35223 25 Cincinnati 855,51723 26 Cleveland 817,16022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed5120 Posted June 27, 2017 Report Share Posted June 27, 2017 (edited) 20 season playoff drought (Pirates 1993-2012) Playoff wins over the last 24 seasons (3) Edited June 27, 2017 by kreed5120 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted June 27, 2017 Report Share Posted June 27, 2017 Sorry, I thought the discussion was on attendance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed5120 Posted June 27, 2017 Report Share Posted June 27, 2017 (edited) Fair enough, but Indians do have highest TV ratings in all MLB so even though people don't show up to the gate, they are watching. http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2017/05/cleveland_indians_have_highest.html Edited June 27, 2017 by kreed5120 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LZIp Posted June 27, 2017 Report Share Posted June 27, 2017 Like hockey, baseball sucks too. Moving on.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed5120 Posted June 27, 2017 Report Share Posted June 27, 2017 1 hour ago, LZIp said: Like hockey, baseball sucks too. Moving on.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balsy Posted June 28, 2017 Report Share Posted June 28, 2017 Like everything on this forum, instantly derailed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LZIp Posted June 28, 2017 Report Share Posted June 28, 2017 35 minutes ago, Balsy said: Like everything on this forum, instantly derailed. We've got to find some way to entertain ourselves during the most boring time to follow sports of the year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K92 Posted June 28, 2017 Report Share Posted June 28, 2017 28 minutes ago, LZIp said: We've got to find some way to entertain ourselves during the most boring time to follow sports of the year. Yeah, cause baseball sucks. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed5120 Posted June 28, 2017 Report Share Posted June 28, 2017 (edited) What exact point are you trying to get a crossed? Bitching about our attendance to people who actually attend games isn't going to suddenly make it improve. We all know it's bad and would like to see more people at games. Edited June 28, 2017 by kreed5120 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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