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an ugly reminder of why SMU is playing at the level we are

My 2 takeaways:

#1 - see why those 2 schools were recruited to go to a better conference
#2 - the list is a direct correlation to on field success EXCEPT us . . . we are probably 4-5th best team but our attendance is second to last . . . proves to me that, as I've always said, we have to be BETTER to get even apples to apples attendance (even if we win conference, we won't have highest attendance . . . we only get that kind of attendance with HUGE wins and SEVERAL good seasons in a row -- it's built into our culture unfortunately rightly or wrongly and for whatever reason -- it's just what it is).

ojaipony wrote:My 2 takeaways:

#1 - see why those 2 schools were recruited to go to a better conference
#2 - the list is a direct correlation to on field success EXCEPT us . . . we are probably 4-5th best team but our attendance is second to last . . . proves to me that, as I've always said, we have to be BETTER to get even apples to apples attendance (even if we win conference, we won't have highest attendance . . . we only get that kind of attendance with HUGE wins and SEVERAL good seasons in a row -- it's built into our culture unfortunately rightly or wrongly and for whatever reason -- it's just what it is).

You have to put a weighting system, remember 6k is our total undergrad body, 2nd smallest in the FBS that alone comes with a serious handicap. We are force to recruit the local alums and people of Dallas just an attempt to fill 2/3rds of an already small stadium. We have to become a true winning program and that starts with getting upsets (current state) and recruits (future state).

Rice and Tulsa are both smaller but I see your point

What is interesting to me, and one of our obstacles is that if all of the undergrad at UC showed up at a game, they would fill nearly 2/3 of the stadium. If all of the students showed up, they would overfill the stadium. For SMU, undergrads would fill about 1/6th of Ford.

I bet our overall % of students attending games is higher than many of our conference mates. But 1/3 of our students equals 2k -- while 1/3 of UCF's students equals 20k

Huge discussion on Sirius 91 today about poor student attendance at games, it's an epidemic.

TidePony wrote:Huge discussion on Sirius 91 today about poor student attendance at games, it's an epidemic.

True- the SEC is seeing it as well. It's not just us. It's all about competition for attention. Right now, the product we have isn't that attractive to the casual sports fan.

Anyone see that pic from the TCU/Kansas game I posted? The place was 1/3 full, maybe, when it was a one possession game. That's why they'll keep us on the schedule for the foreseeable future, even if we didn't bring a lot of fans this year, that place was still packed because it's a rivalry game that generates interest on both sides. Empty seats don't buy hot dogs.

According to tge TCU folk they were there, just on the concourse. Probably in line buying those hot dogs.

mrydel wrote:According to tge TCU folk they were there, just on the concourse. Probably in line buying those hot dogs.

25,000 people on the concourse? I'm not buying that!

Just glad we had the Tech game at home this year to help our attendance..........

Next year we get TCU at home which should bring in 34-35K. Houston should also bring more than the typical AAC game at least. I imagine we'll dump A&M for an FCS school- hopefully it's a local one like SHSU or SFA that will bring some fans. Make that the first home game of the season after Baylor (away) and make it the Parents' Weekend game to get a few more butts in the stands.

If we play Baylor and UNT consistently at home in odd-numbered years starting in 2015 that will help out the attendance as well.

ponyinNC wrote:I bet our overall % of students attending games is higher than many of our conference mates. But 1/3 of our students equals 2k -- while 1/3 of UCF's students equals 20k

This. Let's stop b$tching about our students...that's only a small fraction of our attendance problem and probably the most difficult to change. We need Dallasites!

And if we think attendance is bad now just wait til next year if jj is still here. It will be like a graveyard. Few if any interesting games and a coach that is totally uninterested.