Prepare for lower attendance

[StateofApp]

Let's be realistic.

The majority of the people on here will be at the GSU game. However, not all ticket holders and fans are dedicated to App State Football like everyone on Yosef's Cabin.

Students will show up big time. Hopefully it will look like the Montana game in 2012. The whole student section was packed, students were even sitting on the steps between sections. Getting students there will obviously not be a problem.

As far as fans other than Yosef's Cabin and students, it won't be pretty. The GSU game will have decent attendance. Possibly a little above average. But those families we see on the hill during big games won't be there because their kids can't skip school on Friday and parents can't miss work.

Not all fans are season ticket holders. Not even all season ticket holders can get off work or let their kids skip school.

Thankfully, GSU is the first Thursday night game. Like I said, I expect attendance to be decent.

As far as stAte on Thursday night, it will be terrible. People already had their days off and kids already missed one Friday. Students' will still show up so at least we will have that. But don't expect to see any families on the hill or people driving from Raleigh and other areas to make another long trip back that night or get off work again that Friday.

[App74]

I work on Saturdays.....except on game days.
I also work on Thursdays.....except on game days.

I'm glad we don't have Sunday games.

[ASUMountaineer]

I think we can all agree that being on TV is a compliment to our success, but that doesn't mean we have to like the idea of losing two Saturdays at home. Hopefully the league can get a better TV deal in the future. Im not worried about our fans showing up for Ga. Southern, but I am worried about Ark State. Hopefully our fan base will respond and show up in force for both games.

I'm "ever the optimist," the "rah-rah fan," and what not, so I'm just happy there's no Tuesday games on our schedule.

[ASUMountaineer]

I'm sorry, I heard two nationally televised football games from KBS. They didn't screw us. They told us they think we give them tremendous bang for their buck on the biggest stage they have. Does it personally suck? Sure. As a teacher, I'm sure I will only be able to watch on TV, but I can watch them on TV, as can every one else with cable or satellite. Sounds like a win to me, even if I'm inconvenienced.

I really hope we don't outsmart ourselves. These games by their nature will negatively impact attendance numbers. Will we be on ESPNU with access to millions of viewers? Yes. Understood. Got it.

But come on. Why do we get excited for the schedule? So we can see what games we can attend.

I get being excited for national exposure but that is literally the only positive here. For me, that's a net loss.

Are you a season ticket holder? If so which games are you not attending I will just purchase a couple of your games - no need to buy season tickets anymore

It would be nice if App State could cater the football schedule to each and every fan. In the real world, unfortunately, that's not possible. As for available tickets, I am a season ticket holder, and I'm planning to attend all of the home games. Sorry about that.

I have a 2-year old. He won't be able to attend the Thursday games, but we will make arrangements for that. With 6-months of planning for the first game, 8-months of planning for the Thursday games, and 9-months planning for the Thanksgiving games, I hope you're able to make a few! The more the merrier!

Lastly, because you won't be buying season tickets, please consider using that money to donate to the Yosef Club or the Appalachian Fund. Both can use the funds that you will be saving by not buying season tickets.

[bigdaddyg]

Surely someone can supply this data- what is the average home attendance numbers for G5 Thursday night games (say over the past season or so)? I have seen a few of these games from time to time and even the solid programs don't appear to be busting at the seams. I would gather that most programs take a significant hit due to school and work issue of fans. An ECU or other programs that don't have mountain issues have a definite advantage. It is just tougher logistically for App.

[Hudson2002]

I've been following the different message boards for years although I rarely post. This morning I've read through this thread and I just have to vent. I know it takes time, but I find myself constantly frustrated with our fans and alumni base. I'm one of the fans who wants us to be to be "big time", and we're not even close. We have a segment of about 15,000 fans out of our of 100s of thousands of alumni who will be at every game. Besides that all the stars have to line up perfectly to get another 15k there. Weather, game day, game time, money, opponent, kids etc... That's not big time. Alabama has 90k for their spring game. Look at the Power 5 schools that play on Thursday nights. Their fans relish it. They have 60k strong. It's an experience that they look forward to. What do we do? List all the reasons we can't make it. Hell, you've got eight months to figure it out. Eight months to save a few extra bucks. Eight months to get a day off work if needed. Eight months to figure out an arrangement for kids. I have my first coming in two weeks. I promise I will find an appropriate solution. When I log into my Yosef account and see that we only have 8,000 Yosef Club members I think it's an absolute disgrace. The bottom line is that too many of our fans think like so many that have posted in this thread. This philosophy will not get us to be "big time" and I fear that we may never make it. I want so much more for our program than to be sitting in my tailgate spot on game day and wondering if we will have more than 20k at the game. Unfortunately, that's where we are now, and progress will be painfully slow if we continue to have this type of thinking.

Man lost me when he started comparing us to Bama. Wake up dude. Stop comparing us to something we arn't and will never be, and I don't want us to be. We are App State, and we enjoy Saturday afternoons in the Fall in gods country. Not racing up the mountain on a Thursday after work with little tailgate time. This isn't the SEC and it doesn't have to be to enjoy it (And I like the SEC too).

I hope the vast majority who read my post weren't thinking I was saying we should be having 90k, or even 60k at games. I know that is not realistic. The point I was trying to make was that schools with that culture pack the stands no matter what. Whether it be a spring game, or Thursday night game. That was the point, and just wanted to clear that up since there seems to be a bit of confusion around that. I'll take 30k for 6 straight games and be loving it!! We should be able to do that, and that's my point.

[clayton]

I don't like the schedule. But, I'm not certain we're going to see a real drop in attendance.

Attendance was low for the second half of 2014 (because of the terrible first half of the season, weather, and Thanksgiving).

This year's first two home games will likely compare to last year's (if not a little better).

If the first half of the season is strong, that Troy game will be well attended. If we're 6-1/5-2, there will be 30k there (more than any game last year).

So, there's three games with attendance that should exceed our three most attended games of 2014.

There would be 30k there for a Georgia Southern Saturday game. But, 20k is possible especially with students revving up interest. Unless we're really smoking, that second Thursday game is going to be rough...for so many reasons. One would assume that ULL at Thanksgiving would draw a bigger crowd than Idaho.

So, 3 well-attended games and 3 poorly-attended games. Just like last year.

But, I do hate this schedule.

[EastHallApp]

I don't know what attendance will be like this year. But I have seen our (real or anticipated) poor attendance attributed to:

- Poor 2013 season.
- Poor start to 2014 season.
- Cold weather (in Boone!).
- Unknown start times.
- Playing on Thanksgiving.
- Playing on Thursday.

Other than (hopefully) the first couple items on that list, none of those things are flukes. They're all going to continue to happen with some regularity. So if those are reasons that App can't draw fans, then I guess App just isn't going to draw many fans for the foreseeable future.

[APPARJ]

I don't know what attendance will be like this year. But I have seen our (real or anticipated) poor attendance attributed to:

- Poor 2013 season.
- Poor start to 2014 season.
- Cold weather (in Boone!).
- Unknown start times.
- Playing on Thanksgiving.
- Playing on Thursday.

Other than (hopefully) the first couple items on that list, none of those things are flukes. They're all going to continue to happen with some regularity. So if those are reasons that App can't draw fans, then I guess App just isn't going to draw many fans for the foreseeable future.

Absolutely.

I'll add that the abysmal handling of Jerry Moore's firing was a huge contributor to 2013 and it bled into 2014. Ask anyone involved with tickets at App State.

It's been stated many times on MMB and this thread specifically but the greatest cure to poor attendance is summed up in one word:

Win.

[Gonzo]

This thread sucks

[GreatAppSt]

Looks like Clemson, WYO (we owe them a loss, and a biblical downpour on their way out after they lose ) and GS for me. QDU? wish listed.

[MDaniels84]

I am so glad to see that we do have some App faithful that are "glass half full" people. For goodness sakes, we have over 6 months to put in for Annual Leave or find baby sitters or put the dog in the kennel or whatever it takes to get back up on the mountain on a Thursday night and show people what App is made of.
If you want to trade the best schedule ever to go back to playing the furples or terriorists on a Saturday matinee , be my guest but as for me and my clan, we will find a way to engage ourselves with some App football!
It was not that long ago that we had a few over 10,000 for EVERY game and had an AD who wore no socks and had an offensive coordinator who did not do the BEST for us.
As the great Marvin Gaye once said , "Let's Get it On" . Let's roll App !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rekdiver]

Amen brother!

[WVAPPeer]

I am so glad to see that we do have some App faithful that are "glass half full" people. For goodness sakes, we have over 6 months to put in for Annual Leave or find baby sitters or put the dog in the kennel or whatever it takes to get back up on the mountain on a Thursday night and show people what App is made of.
If you want to trade the best schedule ever to go back to playing the furples or terriorists on a Saturday matinee , be my guest but as for me and my clan, we will find a way to engage ourselves with some App football!
It was not that long ago that we had a few over 10,000 for EVERY game and had an AD who wore no socks and had an offensive coordinator who did not do the BEST for us.
As the great Marvin Gaye once said , "Let's Get it On" . Let's roll App !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

True --- and then there are a few of us who will be 6 months older ---

[AtlantaMountaineer]

I have been making the trip up from Atlanta for years now and have been excited about this year's schedule since the end of last season. I plan making all six home games and at least two away. We only have so many games a year to attend and I don't want to mis a single one. I realize the Thursday games do make it difficult for some, but when I read on Facebook and other places people complaining about the schedule and longing for the "good old days", its just unbelievable to me. I can only guess it just a social event for them and not a real love of football. I am more than happy to skip the Elons, Woffords, and Samfords to play the best home schedule App has ever had. At least we are not playing two money games each year like Georgia Southern has to to pay the bills and can get Home and Home games with teams like Wyoming, Old Dominion, Wake, etc. GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!!

[bigdaddyg]

I am not able to attend many games, usually one a year if I am lucky. I did go to both ECU games years ago and used to attend the playoff games. At any rate one of the most memorable let down games that I attended was the first home game after the Michigan win. Can everyone remember the opponent? Lenior-Rhyne

West Chester, Pa.
Sep. 12, 2015 @ North Greenville Tigerville, S.C.
Sep. 19, 2015 @ TUSCULUM* Greeneville, Tenn.
Sep. 26, 2015 @ Limestone Gaffney, S.C.
Oct. 3, 2015 CARSON-NEWMAN (Family Weekend)* Hickory, N.C.
Oct. 10, 2015 University of Faith Hickory, N.C.
Oct. 17, 2015 WINGATE (Homecoming)* Hickory, N.C.
Oct. 24, 2015 @ MARS HILL* Mars Hill, N.C.
Oct. 31, 2015 NEWBERRY* Hickory, N.C.
Nov. 7, 2015 BREVARD* Hickory, N.C.
Nov. 14, 2015 @ CATAWBA* Salisbury, N.C.

Just for giggles here is LR's schedule for this year. I also recall the Presbyterian game and the Coastal Carolina battle. I for one have no desire to return to the days of playing a money game, two D2 NC home games and a slate that includes WCU, Furman and the like. I'll admit though it is kind of a downer to think that we will have at least 3 Saturdays next fall with no game (including a bye).

[appgrunt71]

I'm a season ticket holder and a seasoned fan. Frankly, I'm ready for a change. Now, don't get me wrong right up front. If you could only check out my App gear, you would realize how devoted I am to our school's athletic history and traditions. But, the future really excites me! From our recent hires for a chancellor and AD, clearly App State looks to grow as a prominent regional university and perhaps, looking beyond. But, getting back to football, my biggest thing that I want to change is our fans' propensity to leave the game at halftime. Perhaps, this is a real indicator of our "social inclination." I want to see the growth of a fan base that stays engaged for the whole game, starting with our students. Right now, we may start a game at 30k, but after halftime the fans dwindle to maybe 20k. App State has the football program to move forward, now the fan base needs to grow and get on board. It starts with me and it starts with you. Let's commit to being avid football fans who stay for the whole game. Let's be as loud in the end as in the beginning. KBS is already one of the most picturesque stadiums in the country. Perhaps it's one of the coldest stadiums on the east coast. Surrounding KBS you will find the best places to tailgate in NC. Now, let's make THE ROCK the most HOSTILE ARENA in the Sun Belt!!!

[Yosef10]

Would love to see administration allow fans to leave during half time and re-enter. I know some peoples immediate reaction to this will be to comment about students and fans getting too drunk but many schools do this, including Clemson and I believe NC State, and it seems to work. Plus it's football in the south, regardless there will be a couple drunks

[AtlAppMan]

Here's my situation: I buy two season tickets per year, live in Atlanta and am lucky if I get to 2-3 games per year. I am a dedicated App fan and want to see every game in person. However, I have a life and a job that also takes priority. I will try to get to as many home games this year as possible, maybe go to Clemson and GaState if I am lucky. I have never been fortunate to get an App game so close to ATL before, much less in the GA Dome. I will continue to buy season tickets regardless of how many I can attend. When I can't attend my preference is to either give them away or sell them, however, if that doesn't happen and nobody uses them, my surrounding season ticket holders get the benefit of a bit more butt room. The good news is, no matter whether I use them or not, App gets paid support from me. So in that case I don't like anybody criticizing lack of attendance for paid season ticket holders because it is paid for whether a butt is in the seat or not.

I like that we are FBS and with that comes differences, i.e. Thursday and Thanksgiving weekend games. But with it also comes national TV coverage. Until most the recent few years I could not even get the audio for our games much less video. From Atlanta or anywhere outside western North Carolina that made it extremely difficult to follow our program. Thankfully I can easily follow them now. I guarantee you now when I travel across this country and mention Appalachian State, the vast majority of people know who we are, even though they cannot pronounce our name correctly, but I don't hold that against them. That was not the case 10 yrs ago. We have a national brand and the TV coverage will only help that even more.

I will be at as many of our home games as I can manage and watch all of the rest on TV.

[TheMoody1]

Would love to see administration allow fans to leave during half time and re-enter.

Out of curiousity, I checked Missouri's policy:

Stadium Entry & Re-Entry
The Southeastern Conference mandates that once admitted to the stadium, no ticket holder shall be permitted to leave and re-enter the facility on that ticket. In the event of inclement weather, home-team game management reserves the right to waive this policy.

It looks like it is an SEC policy for no re-entry. I am not sure if the Sun Belt has the same policy.