attendance today

[JCline0429]

This is actually pretty funny. I have been saying for years in the FBS/FCS debates that were on this board and the former MMB that we live in "the rarest of air" in the FCS. A historic combination of conditions starting with the growing, young alumni base... the decision to have 3:30 kicks, and then, of course the unheard of success starting back in the 2005 season and culminating in the 2007 win at Michigan and the 3rd national championship.

The folks somehow assumed that we'd always be king, and the dynasty lasted for a long time until about 2010, when the slide began. FCS football is a product that draws 10k every Saturday... Proven. Fact. We lived above that average for 20 years, and way, way above it for the last 8 years. 30k to watch App play Mars Hill? Come on. When it came to FCS attendance... to say we are an anomaly would be an understatement... we are a freak show.

It's natural for fans to find better things to do than drive 2-3 hours each way to watch a 2-7 team especially in a division that averages less than 10k at a ball game... but we somehow think it is a crisis. And to think that some would use this argument to somehow question the wisdom of the decision to move to FBS football just seems utterly jaded and spiteful. Our course is set gentlemen. Seeing it for what it is steals away the argument for next year, I know, but I have a lot more faith than some that this program will respond well as we progress, and the fans will too.

What's really funny is trying to spin this into some sort of FCS debate. This has absolutely nothing to do with FCS or FBS. We are going to FBS and we needed a good start to that transition. There are a ton of FBS programs around the country that draw less than 15,000 per game. There is also a nationwide trend of declining attendance. Proven. Fact. To have a season like this that gives people a reason, whatever it is, to get used to not coming to games is not the foundation we needed to lay. You're creating strawmen to try to avoid the fact that this COULD become a problem. As I said, I'm not ready to call it a problem yet, but to ignore the possibility is to have your head in the sand.

It has to do with wins and losses. No spin here. You can say there are a ton of FBS schools with 15k averages and I will give you that, but I can also show you tons of FCS teams that average 3k or less... last time I checked, that's a 12k difference worst to worst. I'm not saying that there COULD be an attendance problem, I saying that what we are seeing is totally normal given the performance on the field... not a crisis. I find it funny... the attempt to worry about "the foundation we need to lay for our transition" as if there is any linkage. If we win, they come, if we don't, they don't... but I'd rather have 15k in 1-11 season than 3k wouldn't you? We came back to earth at the right time, in my opinion. Plenty of stuff to work on the rest of the year and during the off-season that will have a renewed sense of urgency as we enter our first year as an FBS team.

Interesting viewpoint. When we first started drawing big crowds, many on here sad it wasn't winning that was doing it, it was CC replacing Roach and the gameday atmosphere he had created and that winning was secondary. They pointed to the first Coastal Carolina game before we knew wewere going to be hot.

Yes, as stated earlier, 2005 was not just the first NC year. It was the year we had a number of changes to make game day more attractive to alumni and families. Tailgating, family events and features and later kickoff times have benefit, and will continue to benefit the program. Boone is a great place to tailgate, take families and enjoy a great game day atmosphere. The building success of the program, and a more entertaining brand of football (option read spread) had a lot to do with it as well.

And, that's why I think we will be ok, and why I think Cobb and the rest are trying so hard to have 6 home games even in FBS. They get it. Paid attendance is the key. More home games are the key. If we return to success on the gridiron and bring in some competition with star power at the same time, the potential to be a very healthy mid-major program is definitely in our future.

Good points, but we are still doing that.

[GoAppsGo92]

'Good points, but we are still doing that."

We are doing everything we normally do, except win more than we lose.

[JCline0429]

'Good points, but we are still doing that."

We are doing everything we normally do, except win more than we lose.

EXACTLY! And in my opinion none of it is Satterfield's fault nor due to the players' lack of efforts. I've said all along all that Satterfield needs is some more OJT which he is getting every week that comes. He is destined to be a great coach and plus he is extremely articulate which unfortunately will make him more marketable to other bigger programs..

[MountainMan]

[ Satterfield .... is destined to be a great coach and plus he is extremely articulate which unfortunately will make him more marketable to other bigger programs..

I'm not ready to fire him, but I haven't seen anything yet that indicates he is "destined to be a great coach". It will take far more than being articulate to have bigger programs look to scoop him up. Time will tell, and for Coach Satterfield, that time will be next year -- that's probably all the OJT he will get, so the evidence will need to be convincing, IMO.

[TurfMonkey]

Had fun, rather a win. Good friends, friendly confines.
These other teams want it more, unlike us, got more to play for than pride.
That's the difference imo.
Classic Boone weather day, sun, rain, sleet, wind, cold, warm and that was just in a 5 min span.
Personally I prefer a 2pm kick. Late night home.
Back in the day 18k was the biggest crowd of the year, seemed cavernous yesterday.
Yes I left when they took a knee. Please respect my fanhood, and I will respect yours.
scott

[JCline0429]

[ Satterfield .... is destined to be a great coach and plus he is extremely articulate which unfortunately will make him more marketable to other bigger programs..

I'm not ready to fire him, but I haven't seen anything yet that indicates he is "destined to be a great coach". It will take far more than being articulate to have bigger programs look to scoop him up. Time will tell, and for Coach Satterfield, that time will be next year -- that's probably all the OJT he will get, so the evidence will need to be convincing, IMO.

Where did I say that Satterfield would be scooped up just because he was articulate . I was thinking more of his being articulate was icing on the cake....like former App coach Mack Brown. In my opinion, Mack was one of the most articulate coaches ever to walk through the gates of KBS..and he has PROVEN he can coach. Both are important attributes with us becoming more in the media with our presence in FBS.

[ASU-FTW]

18,991. Still better than everyone else in the SoCon.

Next

Umm...Isn't that like being the tallest midget?
10k+ voted with thier feet on Saturday.

My comment was directed at the lurkers of opposing schools that like to come over here after an App loss.

For example, you can go to the Western board right now and find two threads on our attendance.

[Kgfish]

IMO, we don't have a great fan base. IF we did there would be just as many people in the stands at the end of the game as when it started and they would be there early. We have a core of about 15K who will come regardless of the record or the weather. The rest are split between the band-wagoners who only like it when we win and it isn't too cold or who are there for the meet and greet then head for the gates at the half to hit the parties and the first to the restaurant crowd. When you're winning you have supporters. When you lose you have fans.

[WVAPPeer]

IMO, we don't have a great fan base. IF we did there would be just as many people in the stands at the end of the game as when it started and they would be there early. We have a core of about 15K who will come regardless of the record or the weather. The rest are split between the band-wagoners who only like it when we win and it isn't too cold or who are there for the meet and greet then head for the gates at the half to hit the parties and the first to the restaurant crowd. When you're winning you have supporters. When you lose you have fans.

Come on Fish - that's an awfully broad statement - I am happy for you that you can make every game and stay until the end - IT DOES NOT MEAN THOSE WHO WEREN'T THERE SATURDAY ARE NOT HARD CORE FANS - Don't think Moose was there? - our 6, who have only missed a handful of games in the last 12 years, weren't there - how many other families had conflicts and couldn't get there? - how many had to leave early for reasons other than restaurant reservations? - Winning brings out more people whether you are talking high school, college or pros - doesn't mean everyone who doesn't come is staying away because of any of the reasons you listed ---

[ASUMountaineer]

I was part of the 17,000 or so in attendance today. Keep drinking the kool-aid friend.

It's delicious, my friend.

[hapapp]

Did you see how many folks were left in the stands on the Florida side of the stadium on Saturday in their loss to Georgia? Let's face it, most fan bases have a hardcore following and the rest are bandwagoners who will be there when they win. We are no different than any other fan base. The test for us will be a return to some success, that will bring back the fans.

[SpeedkingATL]

This team has really put out maximum effort the last few weeks; it just hasn't resulted in a lot of wins. I predict the Apps will pull a Kansas City Chiefs type of comeback next year and will have a winning season despite stepping up to the Sun Belt. This is a VERY young team and coaching staff that will get much better and fast. Win a couple of big games and the bandwagon will return.

See you guys at UGA! I'll be the guy sitting in the middle of the UGA season ticket holders wearing black and gold. Go Apps!!

[Rekdiver]

Transitions are never easy. Just ask Jimbo Fisher at FSU. This is year 1 of a massive change for us and if anyone thought it would be easy we were kidding ourselves. I am as dissapointed as anyone but I am not quitting and I am not asking for anyone to be fired. Cut SS some slack and see what he does over the next several years before you pass judgement. Regardless of our record this year the SoCon and FCS was no place for us to be if we wanted any future. We've done all we can do in FCS and it was time to move...but I digress.

Our current situation is dictated by poor recruiting especially on the OL. If we don't see some emphasis on this and the DL in this year's class then we know where the problem is. It's Scott's watch now and he needs an appropriate amount of time to get things done. I was surprised by the attendance especially after we whipped GSU. I hope we have a massive turnout for our last SoCon game against WCU and use that as the start for next year.

[MountainMan]

IMO, we don't have a great fan base. IF we did there would be just as many people in the stands at the end of the game as when it started and they would be there early. We have a core of about 15K who will come regardless of the record or the weather. The rest are split between the band-wagoners who only like it when we win and it isn't too cold or who are there for the meet and greet then head for the gates at the half to hit the parties and the first to the restaurant crowd. When you're winning you have supporters. When you lose you have fans.

Well, God forbid that we have any casual light-weight fans. Their money does not help support the program -- they are just band-wagoners that we can well do without. Maybe if we keep losing more and more, we can find out who the REAL fans are and give them an award. LOL

[SpeedkingATL]

IMO, we don't have a great fan base. IF we did there would be just as many people in the stands at the end of the game as when it started and they would be there early. We have a core of about 15K who will come regardless of the record or the weather. The rest are split between the band-wagoners who only like it when we win and it isn't too cold or who are there for the meet and greet then head for the gates at the half to hit the parties and the first to the restaurant crowd. When you're winning you have supporters. When you lose you have fans.

That describes about every fan base in organized sports, especially in these days of HD TV's and cable/satellite TV.

[Gonzo]

IMO, we don't have a great fan base. IF we did there would be just as many people in the stands at the end of the game as when it started and they would be there early. We have a core of about 15K who will come regardless of the record or the weather. The rest are split between the band-wagoners who only like it when we win and it isn't too cold or who are there for the meet and greet then head for the gates at the half to hit the parties and the first to the restaurant crowd. When you're winning you have supporters. When you lose you have fans.

That describes about every fan base in organized sports, especially in these days of HD TV's and cable/satellite TV.

Yup.

Boone is a fun town. When there's 20-some-odd heated bars just a short walk away, you can't expect 25,000 people to stay for 4 hours. Not to say I ever leave early, but it doesn't reflect on our fanbase, at least not compared to any others.

The die hards are there and the die hards are rowdy. Short of a blowout at the hands of our visitors, our gameday experience it top of the line for a mid-major.

"I'd take our fans over Michigan's fan any day. When it's third down and those bells start ringing, 30 thousand fans are sounding like 50-60 thousand. I don't think you understand. These fans are ridiculous"
-Cory Lynch

[appbio91]

Did you see how many folks were left in the stands on the Florida side of the stadium on Saturday in their loss to Georgia? Let's face it, most fan bases have a hardcore following and the rest are bandwagoners who will be there when they win. We are no different than any other fan base. The test for us will be a return to some success, that will bring back the fans.

I really have to disagree with you here. I have watched people bail at the half and at the end is of the third qtr for years regardless of how the game is going or the season. This year is no different in that regard. The only difference is we are starting with less people so after the people that don't really care about the outcome are gone we are left with many fewer in the stands. I agree success will bring some back but the early leaving is nothing new for our fan base. Win, lose or draw we are going to lose 25% before the game is over. I have always seen this as soft support that will go away first. I really thought we had built our solid base up to 20 but I was wrong. Last weeek proves that. In any given week there will be 100's of people who have conclicts. But we are missing thousands so that is a decision by a lot of people to just not come. The sky is not falling but we need something. A freak show like Armanti needs to come along.

[luvyosef]

IMO, we don't have a great fan base. IF we did there would be just as many people in the stands at the end of the game as when it started and they would be there early. We have a core of about 15K who will come regardless of the record or the weather. The rest are split between the band-wagoners who only like it when we win and it isn't too cold or who are there for the meet and greet then head for the gates at the half to hit the parties and the first to the restaurant crowd. When you're winning you have supporters. When you lose you have fans.

Well, God forbid that we have any casual light-weight fans. Their money does not help support the program -- they are just band-wagoners that we can well do without. Maybe if we keep losing more and more, we can find out who the REAL fans are and give them an award. LOL

LOL!

[BUTCH1991]

IMO, we don't have a great fan base. IF we did there would be just as many people in the stands at the end of the game as when it started and they would be there early. We have a core of about 15K who will come regardless of the record or the weather. The rest are split between the band-wagoners who only like it when we win and it isn't too cold or who are there for the meet and greet then head for the gates at the half to hit the parties and the first to the restaurant crowd. When you're winning you have supporters. When you lose you have fans.

Come on Fish - that's an awfully broad statement - I am happy for you that you can make every game and stay until the end - IT DOES NOT MEAN THOSE WHO WEREN'T THERE SATURDAY ARE NOT HARD CORE FANS - Don't think Moose was there? - our 6, who have only missed a handful of games in the last 12 years, weren't there - how many other families had conflicts and couldn't get there? - how many had to leave early for reasons other than restaurant reservations? - Winning brings out more people whether you are talking high school, college or pros - doesn't mean everyone who doesn't come is staying away because of any of the reasons you listed ---

Have to agree with you here WVAPP. I consider myself hardcore and love my Mountaineers, but my son had a baseball tournament spring up at the last minute, and as much as I love my Apps, I love and support my son more, so I didn't make it to Boone, but you can't bet your butt that I was checking my phone for scores as I was dodging line drives down the 3rd base line coach's box.

[hapapp]

Did you see how many folks were left in the stands on the Florida side of the stadium on Saturday in their loss to Georgia? Let's face it, most fan bases have a hardcore following and the rest are bandwagoners who will be there when they win. We are no different than any other fan base. The test for us will be a return to some success, that will bring back the fans.

I really have to disagree with you here. I have watched people bail at the half and at the end is of the third qtr for years regardless of how the game is going or the season. This year is no different in that regard. The only difference is we are starting with less people so after the people that don't really care about the outcome are gone we are left with many fewer in the stands. I agree success will bring some back but the early leaving is nothing new for our fan base. Win, lose or draw we are going to lose 25% before the game is over. I have always seen this as soft support that will go away first. I really thought we had built our solid base up to 20 but I was wrong. Last weeek proves that. In any given week there will be 100's of people who have conclicts. But we are missing thousands so that is a decision by a lot of people to just not come. The sky is not falling but we need something. A freak show like Armanti needs to come along.

When you don't win fans don't come. I don't care who you are. UVA is certainly no football power but everyone starts the season with a sense of excitement. For UVA's first game versus BYU they drew 53,000. After some losses including to Ball State at home, they drew 39,000 for Duke. My daughter had friends at Va Tech and she said students there would leave at halftime as well. We may have a greater percentage that do, and I don't understand it, but it happens everywhere. That's not to say we shouldn't be concerned about our attendance long term because it does have financial ramifications.