Season Tickets - How Are We Doing?

[Saint3333]

Let's stop pretending fans were coming to see Furman and Wofford in the mid-2000's, they were coming to see App when we were on a roll. Fans weren't coming to see Bobby Lamb.

You could put Morehead St. on the schedule and if the sun was shining 28k would show up.

It's a harder sale due to options (TV and the viewership experience) and less discretionary income available (or more likely less willingness to "overspend" after 2008 occurred).

2005-2008 seasons everyone was "fat and happy", winning was "easy" and fans were probably making bigger bonuses than they ever had in their lives.

However even given the change our fanbase should be growing at a rate to where we can sale 7,500 season tickets with the schedule we have this year (6 Saturdays in Boone in the fall, yes please!).

[Wally]

This is going to take a while. Our fan base knew the SoCon well. They knew who was good, understood the rivalries and enjoyed watching us stomp the bad teams. Now we are in a conference with some very good teams our fans probably understand and some very bad teams they couldn't care less about. Who cares if we hammer Idaho, GaSt etc.? But hammering western was always fun for all. Once we develop some good rivalries outside of Southern, I think we will get there quick with stAte, and some teams we hate ULL (with that whiney coach) and GaSt might fill those slots, I think fan excitement about the conference will increase. Also adding a conference championship game will make every game more important and therefore more exciting.

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I really like this new conference and the fun new rivalries with Arky State and USA, plus the La. schools are a lot of fun, especially beating Mark Hudspeth and his whiney, overpaid self at ULL. Ga State can be our new WCU, it will be fun to beat them into submission every year as a "thank you" to Charlie Cobb. Also, I don't mind games that are not over at halftime... count me as a #funbelt convert!

[fjblair]

I'm not taking blame away from our fans in the event we don't have good season ticket sales prior to the 2016 season, but it certainly doesn't help that when you google "season tickets Appalachian State" only the 2015 season tickets article shows up. There isn't the proper link to 2016 ticket info on the entire first page of results.

I was never solicited. We've got to do a better job in the ticket office/Yosef club at marketing.

The university as a whole isn't good at engaging with alumni. Unfortunate to say the least. I'm not calling anyone out specifically but I just got a buddy of mine to join Yosef and buy season tickets. We graduated together in 2011 and he is extremely successful in his job but has never once been reached by anyone from the athletic department.

I'm not blaming any ONE person, of course. But the fact remains, there's a lot of untapped potential for reoccurring revenue in the form of season tickets.

Your are correct and engaging alumni is now a top priority with Yosef Club.

[fjblair]

I agree it is going to take time for the fanbase to learn the conference and for rivalries to be established but you can't get there if you don't attend the games. I know we probably lost a few season ticket holders when coach Moore exited and a few more that wanted to stay FCS but the drop in season tickets sales was astonishing really. Dropped almost half. It's interesting that during the decline in season ticket sales the Yosef Club dollars held steady and is now increasing.

I think the value of FCS National Championships and the opportunity to win more may have been underestimated. Playing FBS ball requires a reboot from the FCS mentality. It's just a matter of time as long we maintain a winning program but I would have thought the incredible success of last season would give season ticket sales a big bump.

[huskie3]

We are discovering the product will not sell itself there needs to be promotion. The parking perks are helping with YOSEF increases. I would like to see discounts with lodging instead of upping prices so those traveling more than 4 hours one way would choose to enjoy game and stay the night. Tie the events together as only way to get benefits (charge the leaf lookers the higher price).

I just noticed APP is looking for an assistant in ticket office to promote sales.

[AppinVA]

We are discovering the product will not sell itself there needs to be promotion. The parking perks are helping with YOSEF increases. I would like to see discounts with lodging instead of upping prices so those traveling more than 4 hours one way would choose to enjoy game and stay the night. Tie the events together as only way to get benefits (charge the leaf lookers the higher price).

If I can get cheaper accommodations, I promise to not look at a single leaf the next time I'm up for a game.

[APPSTATE-H3]

My family did not renew this year. We have been season ticket holders for 8 years. I now have a 3 year old that I have to buy a seat for and a 1 year old that I will have to buy a seat for in the near future. With the YOSEF club asking us to pay more than a season ticket to keep our seats we could no longer afford to purchase the season tickets. With all of the games on TV, I can still watch and pull for my Mountaineers. They priced me and my family out of getting season tickets. We are not the only family that we know of that this has happened to. They want our loyalty and money, but do not want to work with those of us who have been loyal fans for years. IMO making you pay to join the YOSEF club to keep your seats was a bad idea. We have always given what we could on top of season tickets, but that was not forced yosef donations.

[JTApps1]

My family did not renew this year. We have been season ticket holders for 8 years. I now have a 3 year old that I have to buy a seat for and a 1 year old that I will have to buy a seat for in the near future. With the YOSEF club asking us to pay more than a season ticket to keep our seats we could no longer afford to purchase the season tickets. With all of the games on TV, I can still watch and pull for my Mountaineers. They priced me and my family out of getting season tickets. We are not the only family that we know of that this has happened to. They want our loyalty and money, but do not want to work with those of us who have been loyal fans for years. IMO making you pay to join the YOSEF club to keep your seats was a bad idea. We have always given what we could on top of season tickets, but that was not forced yosef donations.

There are 4 sections on the East side that don't require a donation of any kind, and the price of season tickets only went up $13 total even though we have Miami, and an all Saturday game lineup. Other than paying for a ticket for your 3 year old the actual cost for your season tickets would only be $26 more which I doubt is a deal breaker. So either it was the cost of adding a season ticket for your child (understandable if you're on a budget), or you got mad you couldn't have your same seats without a donation. If so that is fine, but I don't think it is the YC that is keeping you from buying tickets.

[APPSTATE-H3]

There are 4 sections on the East side that don't require a donation of any kind, and the price of season tickets only went up $13 total even though we have Miami, and an all Saturday game lineup. Other than paying for a ticket for your 3 year old the actual cost for your season tickets would only be $26 more which I doubt is a deal breaker. So either it was the cost of adding a season ticket for your child (understandable if you're on a budget), or you got mad you couldn't have your same seats without a donation. If so that is fine, but I don't think it is the YC that is keeping you from buying tickets.

I am not mad. However, I do have the choice to watch from home if the seats that I would get are going to be worse than what I can see on TV. I was not in the great, mid field seats, but they where OK. I have not missed a home game in 10 years (came to every game for 2 years with out season tickets). You would think that the athletic department and the YOSEF club would want to keep its loyal fans before asking them to pick up the slack of the "fans" who give or come to nothing. IF you recall, there was a lot of empty seats at all of our home games last year. I just think that this forced YOSEF club donation is going to hurt in the long run. I will still be at a few games this year. I am also a member of the NCHSAA and can get into every home game for free (2 tickets), but I would rather give some of my money to athletics to support the Mountaineers.

[DaphneUrquhart]

They need to run a promotion that advertises that season ticket holders can buy the equivalent amount of single game tickets for the Miami game.

Saint, I'm thinking there may be something along that line in the works ... something like allowing season ticket holders first dibs on single game tickets. We'll just have to wait and see.

[Saint3333]

As a father of two children I understand the struggle of what activities to keep. I remember the day trips driving to Boone from Charlotte with a 4 and 2 year old for games. The good news is when they're 6 and 4 and older it gets better.

If you can't make all the games but want to support your Mountaineers, use your NCHSAA tickets for the games you can make and donate what you can to the Yosef Club, every dollar counts.

[Saint3333]

They need to run a promotion that advertises that season ticket holders can buy the equivalent amount of single game tickets for the Miami game.

Saint, I'm thinking there may be something along that line in the works ... something like allowing season ticket holders first dibs on single game tickets. We'll just have to wait and see.

I have confirmed that with the athletic department, but communicating that out to the public could create a buzz. We would likely see more fans go in as groups to split tickets and be able to guarantee Miami tickets for all parties in their group.

[MtnMan09]

This is going to take a while. Our fan base knew the SoCon well. They knew who was good, understood the rivalries and enjoyed watching us stomp the bad teams. Now we are in a conference with some very good teams our fans probably understand and some very bad teams they couldn't care less about. Who cares if we hammer Idaho, GaSt etc.? But hammering western was always fun for all. Once we develop some good rivalries outside of Southern, I think we will get there quick with stAte, and some teams we hate ULL (with that whiney coach) and GaSt might fill those slots, I think fan excitement about the conference will increase. Also adding a conference championship game will make every game more important and therefore more exciting.

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I don't think the drop off has much necessarily to do with the Sunbelt. Attendance was starting to sag even during the last few SoCon years because people don't like to watch losing football. I have been a season ticket holder for 8 years now. Anyone, and everyone, who made it to Montgomery last year for the Bowl felt the flame being reignited. We keep winning, we will draw people back in.

If you are even remotely passionate about Mountaineer football, having Miami and Wake COME TO BOONE in back to back years has to be the damn most incredible and incomprehensible thing to ever occur. Let them come and let people remember what a Saturday on the mountain with 30k really feels like. We will build back up.

[DaphneUrquhart]

They need to run a promotion that advertises that season ticket holders can buy the equivalent amount of single game tickets for the Miami game.

Saint, I'm thinking there may be something along that line in the works ... something like allowing season ticket holders first dibs on single game tickets. We'll just have to wait and see.

I have confirmed that with the athletic department, but communicating that out to the public could create a buzz. We would likely see more fans go in as groups to split tickets and be able to guarantee Miami tickets for all parties in their group.

Bottom line for me is that it's still good to have season tickets. Our three year old grandson just got his seat assignments for his very own season tickets ... Section 207, Row TT.

Now to get season tickets for his baby sister when she gets here next month ...

[T-Dog]

There were a number of factors that led to season ticket sales falling.

-App stopped winning National Championships after 2007 (picky, but some people love being associated with winners).
-The 2008-09 housing market collapse.
-Declining on-field play starting in 2011, despite still winning.
-The mess of Jerry's departure, which divided the fanbase.
-The FBS move soon leaving behind familiar opponents.
-Offering half-season tickets as a cheaper alternative and getting stuck in that rut.
-The 2013 season where the horseshoe finally broke off.
-Sun Belt rule of not announcing conference game kickoffs until 12 days beforehand that no one else follows.
-Every game now being available on WatchESPN in HD.
-Many of the new fans from the Camelot Era (2005-2008) starting families.

And beyond that, I have a new theory. I recently read a book about the Dave Brandon AD era at Michigan. In the book, the decisions Brandon makes are juxtaposed against those of Don Canham, the longtime Michigan AD from the 70's and 80's. One thing that stuck out at me was that Canham sold Michigan football not on the wins and losses, but rather people tailgating, meeting with friends, enjoying the Ann Arbor fall scenery and watching the games together. He didn't market the success of the team because as an AD, he couldn't directly control that. Some years you don't win 9-10 games. Canham sold out Michigan Stadium with a long wait list for years and years because he promoted things he could control.

App State tied it's identity directly into the three National Championships, constant SoCon Titles, the Michigan victory and most of all, winning football games. It's not a bad idea when things are looking peachy, but it has a big downside.

[AppDawg]

...And beyond that, I have a new theory. I recently read a book about the Dave Brandon AD era at Michigan. In the book, the decisions Brandon makes are juxtaposed against those of Don Canham, the longtime Michigan AD from the 70's and 80's. One thing that stuck out at me was that Canham sold Michigan football not on the wins and losses, but rather people tailgating, meeting with friends, enjoying the Ann Arbor fall scenery and watching the games together. He didn't market the success of the team because as an AD, he couldn't directly control that. Some years you don't win 9-10 games. Canham sold out Michigan Stadium with a long wait list for years and years because he promoted things he could control.

App State tied it's identity directly into the three National Championships, constant SoCon Titles, the Michigan victory and most of all, winning football games. It's not a bad idea when things are looking peachy, but it has a big downside.

THIS! Nail on head Thomas. It fits perfect with the "Appalachian Family." I know this is how I view football games (though I do live and die with W's & L's). I have many friends that I keep up with during the year, but we only see eachother during homegame Saturdays due to us living across the Carolina's. Its away to make new friends and keep in touch with those friendships forged in college. It's a huge part of college athletics that is often overlooked.

[EastHallApp]

And beyond that, I have a new theory. I recently read a book about the Dave Brandon AD era at Michigan. In the book, the decisions Brandon makes are juxtaposed against those of Don Canham, the longtime Michigan AD from the 70's and 80's. One thing that stuck out at me was that Canham sold Michigan football not on the wins and losses, but rather people tailgating, meeting with friends, enjoying the Ann Arbor fall scenery and watching the games together. He didn't market the success of the team because as an AD, he couldn't directly control that. Some years you don't win 9-10 games. Canham sold out Michigan Stadium with a long wait list for years and years because he promoted things he could control.

Except that Michigan did win 9-10 games practically every year when Canham was AD. By the time Brandon took over, Michigan football was a disaster. Brandon was a terrible AD, but let's not act like all those fans in the '70s and '80s who loved tailgating with their buddies were selling out the stadium to watch their team lose.

[T-Dog]

Except that Michigan did win 9-10 games practically every year when Canham was AD. By the time Brandon took over, Michigan football was a disaster. Brandon was a terrible AD, but let's not act like all those fans in the '70s and '80s who loved tailgating with their buddies were selling out the stadium to watch their team lose.

Except that Michigan retained their sellouts and wait list well after Canham. They maintained it even through the three years of Rich Rod,
who went 15-22. The last year of Rich Rod was the first year of Brandon, who then broke everything that was tested and true.

Winning helps and Michigan won a lot, but don't make it the end-all be-all of a program from a PR standpoint. Michigan won because of great coaches, but they were able to keep winning because of the base of support they built up, a lot of which had to do with the family atmosphere.

[1ASU78]

I was delayed in getting mine. I somehow missed the 2_15_16 deadline to upgrade my half season package. I went from 4 seats to 3 this year and have sat in 211 since the deck went up. When I called 211 was full. I was moved to 215

[appaneer1984]

First time season ticketers here and my wife and I are stoked! We got our seat assignments Friday, Section 205 under the overhang. It's going to be a great season!