New Conference Rumor Hot off the presses

[Stallion]

As for Houston's desireability in expansion

Although SMU has a much better gameday environment and experience-UH averages 31728 almost 50% more than SMU. So let's start there.

[03Mustang]

I don' think EastStang is making this up. I've seen two other sources mention something like this.
Both my blog and twitter have said similar things. Fingers crossed.

Can someone produce a link?

You should probably re-read what you just quoted.

[RGV Pony]

As for Houston's desireability in expansion

Although SMU has a much better gameday environment and experience-UH averages 31728 almost 50% more than SMU. So let's start there.

you're right. Let's start there. How do we go about adding around 32,000 undergraduates so that we can be on a level w/ Houston?

[Water Pony]

We will never have enrollment comparable to small state schools, but has there been any discussions about increasing the number of our undergraduates beyond 6k. With the sophomore on-campus residences, can we go to 8-10k students, excluding gradude students? Seems we could expand the enrollment modestly and increase the on-campus experience, as a result.

[StallionsModelT]

I spoke with someone in admissions last week and they said this year we will set a new record for applications. I believe the plan is to eventually expand the undergraduate student population to between 7500 and 8500.

[PK]

I spoke with someone in admissions last week and they said this year we will set a new record for applications. I believe the plan is to eventually expand the undergraduate student population to between 7500 and 8500.

So approximately 8,000...give or take a few?

[StallionsModelT]

Yep

[gostangs]

But it will take some time. We are really careful not to delute the quality of the student body by trying to grow too fast.

Also - its not always how many - it is also who they are. Depending on what the business is, we are a much better demographic to target.

[Blvd_Stang]

Did I miss the press conference?

Are we in the All America Conference now?

[tristatecoog]

There's no correlation between student body size and attendance. Urban location is a negative for attendance.

Just two years ago UH averaged just 21K in attendance. Wins and hype drove up the attendance just like what will occur at SMU after Saturday's win and continued progress.

[gostangs]

i think there is SOME correlation - since students generally go to the game in higher percentages then alumni - with us it will only be marginal since we will never be big...but if we are 8k undergrads instead of 6k that that should be an extra 1k a game (if 50% go - which seems about right on a worthwhile game).

doesnt move the needle much but it all adds up when you are looking at trying to average 30 ish over time.

[ponyboy]

As for Houston's desireability in expansion

Although SMU has a much better gameday environment and experience-UH averages 31728 almost 50% more than SMU. So let's start there.

Let's start with UH's record vs. ours over the last four years:

HOUSTON (36-18)
2009 10 4
2008 8 5
2007 8 5
2006 10 4

SMU (16-33)
2009 8 5
2008 1 11
2007 1 11
2006 6 6

Voila. That, along with a couple three Top 25 appearances, makes for better attendance at Houston. We'll get there.

[ponyboy]

Written immediately after their 2006 10-4 season, after going 9-14 the previous two years:

To say that the University of Houston football program has a nagging attendance problem would be an understatement. For having an enrollment in excess of 33,000 students (the third-largest university in the state behind Texas and Texas A&M) and being located in the fourth-largest city in the United States, attendance at UH sporting events such as football simply sucks. Of the 117 schools currently playing division I-A football, Houston ranks towards the bottom in terms of attendance, with higher crowd numbers than a handful of schools, like Akron or Louisiana-Monroe, but with gameday crowds well below those of other urban public schools like Louisville or Memphis and nowhere near those of flagship state schools like Texas or Louisiana State. Many seasons, schools like Michigan or Tennessee will attract more fans to see a single game than the University of Houston will attract in an entire season of five or six home games

http://www.cusa-fans.com/articles/mahon ... 12207.html

[San Antonio Mustang]

To get our attendance to where it should be will take several years of winning, promoting, and media coverage. We, like every school located in a professional team's market are going against the wind. Add to that all the options an urban area offers and it is hard to get people in the stands. This is particularly important in Dallas where being seen at a football game is often more important than seeing the game. What we have to do is make going to an SMU game the thing to do.

[ponyboy]

Good points. And the Boulevard certainly won't hurt. Unbelievable asset to our great university. Ford Stadium and the rest of our facilities ain't bad either.