Declining Student Attendance - It's a national thing

[Darth Snow]

http://espn.go.com/college-football...-concern-students-show-college-football-games

This year, the University of Michigan drew the most fans of any school for the 16th year in a row. But 26 percent of students who paid for their tickets didn't show up at an average home game this season. That's an increase from 25 percent last year and 21 percent in 2011.Not only did Michigan have more no-shows, they also only sold 19,850 student season tickets, about a 10 percent drop from the year before. Michigan added a $7.50 fee to each ticket this season to support student programs and also took away senior reserved seating in favor of a general admission policy which contributed to fewer people buying tickets.

That's in a newly renovated stadium. No issues like we have at Folsom. Granted, they didn't win as much as they would have liked, but still a solid team. Hell, Oklahoma has even worse issues, and they went 10-2!

Obviously, we are getting hit hard by this phenomenon (see: basketball), but we aren't alone. Another interesting bit was that Wi-fi wasn't the end all be all answer. What the hell happened to make live sports no longer a big deal? It's not just TV being better. Hell, TV isn't nearly as fun most games. I don't think anyone has the answer quite yet.

 

[Daaah]

http://espn.go.com/college-football...-concern-students-show-college-football-games


That's in a newly renovated stadium. No issues like we have at Folsom. Granted, they didn't win as much as they would have liked, but still a solid team. Hell, Oklahoma has even worse issues, and they went 10-2!

Obviously, we are getting hit hard by this phenomenon (see: basketball), but we aren't alone. Another interesting bit was that Wi-fi wasn't the end all be all answer. What the hell happened to make live sports no longer a big deal? It's not just TV being better. Hell, TV isn't nearly as fun most games. I don't think anyone has the answer quite yet.

Could it be that start times are getting weirder and weirder to accommodate the TV networks? Instead of having games in timeslots that make sense for local audiences and attendees, games are being shifted to abnormal start times that make it harder for the local fan-bases to attend.

 

[Darth Snow]

Could it be that start times are getting weirder and weirder to accommodate the TV networks? Instead of having games in timeslots that make sense for local audiences and attendees, games are being shifted to abnormal start times that make it harder for the local fan-bases to attend.

probably a factor. However, Tennessee found that the kids only showed up for a night game against UT Martin of all things. So it's not just the lack of traditional time slots.

And now that I'm 35, I can definitely say that it's also because the kids these days are weak pussies.

 

[cubuffs85]

http://espn.go.com/college-football...-concern-students-show-college-football-games


That's in a newly renovated stadium. No issues like we have at Folsom. Granted, they didn't win as much as they would have liked, but still a solid team. Hell, Oklahoma has even worse issues, and they went 10-2!

Obviously, we are getting hit hard by this phenomenon (see: basketball), but we aren't alone. Another interesting bit was that Wi-fi wasn't the end all be all answer. What the hell happened to make live sports no longer a big deal? It's not just TV being better. Hell, TV isn't nearly as fun most games. I don't think anyone has the answer quite yet.

Weren't the renovations at Michigan Stadium mostly premium seating, any upgrades to the lower bowls?

I think part of it is this current generation has had cell phones, laptops, HD TVs, etc at their disposal their whole life. I'm on my phone a lot and sure I want wifi, but it's not a dealbreaker whether I go to a game or not.

 

[Buffnik]

For Phase II of the Folsom project, RG needs to be very aware of these issues.

The focus has got to be on maximizing revenue. Capacity is not the way to do that these days. Premium seating and enhanced fan experience is the way to go.

So the renovation should look at chairbacks for all seats outside the student section, improvements to concessions / vending, more Club and Suite seating, beer sales, kid friendly seating area like the Rox has (no beer in Family Section or Student Section), etc. Folsom needs to be a venue where you want to bring business associates or the whole family.

If improvements to the west end and enclosure of the north end within this focus results in increased capacity, so be it. But I'm convinced that Folsom should stay between 50k and 60k -- and just be the best college stadium it can be at that size.

 

[cubuffs85]

For Phase II of the Folsom project, RG needs to be very aware of these issues.

The focus has got to be on maximizing revenue. Capacity is not the way to do that these days. Premium seating and enhanced fan experience is the way to go.

So the renovation should look at chairbacks for all seats outside the student section, improvements to concessions / vending, more Club and Suite seating, beer sales, kid friendly seating area like the Rox has (no beer in Family Section or Student Section), etc. Folsom needs to be a venue where you want to bring business associates or the whole family.

If improvements to the west end and enclosure of the north end within this focus results in increased capacity, so be it. But I'm convinced that Folsom should stay between 50k and 60k -- and just be the best college stadium it can be at that size.

Ageed. I don't see any real reason you need to increase capacity even if demand picks up. Unless it's really sustainable, you would just be looking at empty seats eventually anyways. You always want to have some demand.

 

[dply]

probably a factor. However, Tennessee found that the kids only showed up for a night game against UT Martin of all things. So it's not just the lack of traditional time slots.

And now that I'm 35, I can definitely say that it's also because the kids these days are weak pussies.

http://www.vice.com/read/bret-easton-ellis-interview?utm_source=vicefbus

 

[sackman]

I remain hopeful that we can get to a point where we are regularly selling out - and filling - a 65k+ stadium. I also understand that may never happen, but I remain hopeful. The college game is so much better suited to being there live compared to the NFL product.


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[CUFan]

If CU treated the fans as if they actually want them to attend the games that might help. They need to embrace tailgating and quit harassing people. They need to figure out a system to get students in the game in a more efficient manner. If they want this to work long term, the entire campus needs to embrace game day and not look at it as a nuisance.

Now that doesn't solve the national trend. Personally I had always chalked that up to cost, but maybe that's not the entire issue?


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[goalline]

Bring back beer!:dead-horse-fast2:

No seriously, improve the game experience by eliminating TV time-outs, simplifying the rules, and making it easier to attend (security, etc). Of course 2/3 of those are completely outside of CU's control and the third one is probably difficult.

 

[absinthe]

Could it be that start times are getting weirder and weirder to accommodate the TV networks? Instead of having games in timeslots that make sense for local audiences and attendees, games are being shifted to abnormal start times that make it harder for the local fan-bases to attend.

Has to be contributing.

 

[J.R. Ewing]

Bring back beer!:dead-horse-fast2:

No seriously, improve the game experience by eliminating TV time-outs, simplifying the rules, and making it easier to attend (security, etc). Of course 2/3 of those are completely outside of CU's control and the third one is probably difficult.

The money from the TV timeouts are going to pay for a good chunk of our renovations. Though I agree they make attending a game in person a bit of a drag.

 

[boydbuff]

The money from the TV timeouts are going to pay for a good chunk of our renovations. Though I agree they make attending a game in person a bit of a drag.

I think this can and will be addressed over time through innovation and technology. Embedded ads that are not obnoxious for viewing and better/smarter geolocated based ads for online (mobile and pc) viewing.

Networks could actually generate a lot more money if they could figure out how to monetize online viewing. Many of us are outside the footprint of CU games (in my case I am in South America so even worse of course) but streaming is always available. If the networks could figure out how to charge people per game or per month or whatever for online viewing, and then combine that with smarter in-game advertising (could even be on the outside of the game window) than TV timeouts could go away over time as more and more people watch online.

 

[BlackNGold]

Bring back beer!:dead-horse-fast2:

No seriously, improve the game experience by eliminating TV time-outs, simplifying the rules, and making it easier to attend (security, etc). Of course 2/3 of those are completely outside of CU's control and the third one is probably difficult.

We want Billion $ TV contracts but don't want any TV timeouts for commercials. I don't think that is the answer.

 

[josef]

I think participation ribbons are to blame. Culturally people dont care about sports or winning at sports as much these days. Maybe throw in a little title 9 and we have both our root causes.

 

[Quattro]

I think participation ribbons are to blame. Culturally people dont care about sports or winning at sports as much these days. Maybe throw in a little title 9 and we have both our root causes.

Uhhhh


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[BlackNGold]

I think this can and will be addressed over time through innovation and technology. Embedded ads that are not obnoxious for viewing and better/smarter geolocated based ads for online (mobile and pc) viewing.

Networks could actually generate a lot more money if they could figure out how to monetize online viewing. Many of us are outside the footprint of CU games (in my case I am in South America so even worse of course) but streaming is always available. If the networks could figure out how to charge people per game or per month or whatever for online viewing, and then combine that with smarter in-game advertising (could even be on the outside of the game window) than TV timeouts could go away over time as more and more people watch online.

The revenue model for online ads is totally different than for TV ads. A pair of eyeballs is worth much less online than it is in front of the TV. You are still going to need some time for the ads otherwise you device will have no space available to see the game.

There is a subscription service - it is called cable TV.

 

[96 Buff]

Quite likely the way the jackboot authorities treat the students has a part in this as well. I can't imagine that Boulder is alone in treating its student fans as ****tily as they do.

 

[buffsyko]

Sell beer, stop messing with tailgate and students, act like you want fans there and STOP SUCKING AT FOOTBALL. These things should help.

 

[patebuff]

For Phase II of the Folsom project, RG needs to be very aware of these issues.

The focus has got to be on maximizing revenue. Capacity is not the way to do that these days. Premium seating and enhanced fan experience is the way to go.

So the renovation should look at chairbacks for all seats outside the student section, improvements to concessions / vending, more Club and Suite seating, beer sales, kid friendly seating area like the Rox has (no beer in Family Section or Student Section), etc. Folsom needs to be a venue where you want to bring business associates or the whole family.

If improvements to the west end and enclosure of the north end within this focus results in increased capacity, so be it. But I'm convinced that Folsom should stay between 50k and 60k -- and just be the best college stadium it can be at that size.

Some great points here. I agree that the experience is what people are really wanting. For die hards like us its just about the game, but to a family its all about the distractions for the kids. Look at Coors for example.

Sometimes bigger isn't always better. I am thinking with chair backs that it would decrease the size of the stadium. With the expansion I am sure we will end up with around the same amount of seating as we have now (if it ever happens). I think ideal would be 55,000. If you can sustain 5-10 years of that then you look at more expansion.

 

[Uncle Ken]

I think participation ribbons are to blame. Culturally people dont care about sports or winning at sports as much these days. Maybe throw in a little title 9 and we have both our root causes.

Interesting theory, but despite juice-boxes, orange slices and pariticpation ribbons, the rabid fanbase still exists (they're killing each other in 'Bama...literally).

TV is a game that lends itself to TV. It's fantastic on TV! Now, live venues are competing with 60" 1080p screens, which has made the home/bar experience more inviting. Also, I suspect the current crop of students are so immersed in a variety of media experiences, they don't necessarily prioritize live experiences as significantly better.

So that's the reality which live attendance faces. The next step is to make the live experience more inviting (as already suggested). There are a lot of things that could make the game day atmosphere more fun at Folsom. CU PD is apparently opposed to all of them.

 

[pcbuff]

I attended five universities under and post grad.

Quite likely the way the jackboot authorities treat the students has a part in this as well. I can't imagine that Boulder is alone in treating its student fans as ****tily as they do.

CU was the most agressive in policing it's tail gates, and students in general. I think it is part of their fighting the party school image? It was also the place where I encountered the highest amount of drug use, so maybe their strong stance has some merit?

I think that the popularity of football is in decline. As I attempt to grow the leagues within which I coach, there are alot of parents pushing their children in alternative directions and refusing to even take them to a game. This plays out with less people willing to give their weekends to the ritual of college and professional football. This will only grow in the future as the publicity of the ill effects of the game played at a high level are highlighted in future waves of litigation.

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

Interesting theory, but despite juice-boxes, orange slices and pariticpation ribbons, the rabid fanbase still exists (they're killing each other in 'Bama...literally).

TV is a game that lends itself to TV. It's fantastic on TV! Now, live venues are competing with 60" 1080p screens, which has made the home/bar experience more inviting. Also, I suspect the current crop of students are so immersed in a variety of media experiences, they don't necessarily prioritize live experiences as significantly better.

So that's the reality which live attendance faces. The next step is to make the live experience more inviting (as already suggested). There are a lot of things that could make the game day atmosphere more fun at Folsom. CU PD is apparently opposed to all of them.

I don't think it's just a student thing. A 35 year old friend posted a video on facebook, of a small concert that he recently attended. All I could see were people holding up phones to "document" their live experience. Not a single one that I could see, was just enjoying being there, in the moment, at this concert. I get that you might want to share or brag about your experience but it certainly seems like they are doing it to the detriment of their actual live experience.

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

I remain hopeful that we can get to a point where we are regularly selling out - and filling - a 65k+ stadium. I also understand that may never happen, but I remain hopeful. The college game is so much better suited to being there live compared to the NFL product.


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This. And I think CU (or, any college AD) would be wise to market and build facilities to enhance this special experience.

 

[Uncle Ken]

I don't think it's just a student thing. A 35 year old friend posted a video on facebook, of a small concert that he recently attended. All I could see were people holding up phones to "document" their live experience. Not a single one that I could see, was just enjoying being there, in the moment, at this concert. I get that you might want to share or brag about your experience but it certainly seems like they are doing it to the detriment of their actual live experience.

I concur it's about being young and growing up with many experiences filtered through a new generation of electronics. I singled out students, because they are the topic of the thread.

 

[goalline]

We want Billion $ TV contracts but don't want any TV timeouts for commercials. I don't think that is the answer.

Actually, I think there's too much money in the game. I don't really care for the high influence of dollars. The facilities war and multi-million contracts for coaches is too much. I'd prefer to keep the game fun as a live event, i.e. good pace and crowd participation, than keep making compromises for revenue. Most other sports don't make as much, but they still manage to get their advertising revenue in ways that don't require an official regulating the game for the TV. BBall and football are the only ones that do that. I have fun going to soccer games, women's hoops, and other sports that don't get the TV exposure. I'm there to see the game.

 

[cubuffs85]

Actually, I think there's too much money in the game. I don't really care for the high influence of dollars. The facilities war and multi-million contracts for coaches is too much. I'd prefer to keep the game fun as a live event, i.e. good pace and crowd participation, than keep making compromises for revenue. Most other sports don't make as much, but they still manage to get their advertising revenue in ways that don't require an official regulating the game for the TV. BBall and football are the only ones that do that. I have fun going to soccer games, women's hoops, and other sports that don't get the TV exposure. I'm there to see the game.

That's because we're the problem on this end. College sports have become "professionalized" in this aspect and aren't exactly the "minor leagues."

 

[Uncle Ken]

That's because we're the problem on this end. College sports have become "professionalized" in this aspect and aren't exactly the "minor leagues."

------------>US!

 

[Burrito]

Toothpaste doesn't go back in the tube.

Semper Gumby

 

[goalline]

Toothpaste doesn't go back in the tube.

Semper Gumby

nope. Doesn't mean I have to like having it all over my pants.