If We Win, Will They Come?

[BburgHoosier]

There is a lot of enthusiasm about IUFB righ now, with the bowl game and some recent recruiting wins.

 

It is frequently said on the many boards, if IUFB would start winning consistently attendance would improve.

 

Historically that has not been the case.  In 1993, our Hoosiers were 6-1 going into the Michigan State game.

 

We drew only 40,110 to witness our 10-0 victory over MSU. A few weeks later we drew 48,000 (after consecutive losses at PSU & OSU) as we beat Purdue.

 

In 2007 our 4-1 Hoosers drew just 32,009 to witness our win over Minnesota.

 

One of the keys to recruiting is brining prospects to a full stadium. Bringing recruits to a half full stadium puts our coaches at a severe disadvantage.

 

What will it take to improve attendence?

 

 

[Striper]

Sustained winning.  4-5 wins early in a single season does not foster confidence that a winning pattern has been established (particularly if a few of those wins are powder puff pre-season games).  Consistent winning and improvement will increase attendance.  Attendance jumped after the 2007 bowl game, I expect the same if Wilson can continue improvement in Bloomington.

[MartintheMopMan]

I'd be interested in the attendance numbers this year if they're available. I suspect we had a good showing from Indiana fans at Ohio State and Rutgers. Rutgers kind of killed fan dreams. I suspect our numbers were still higher.

 

Sustained winning is huge. Show fans they aren't coming just to watch Indiana lose and some of the culture will change. A huge part of this is making a better showing in the second half. Fans who do come frequently leave at halftime to resume drinking because the second half collapse is fairly inevitable. By showing fans the game isn't over until it's over, more will be willing to show up and stay.

 

I predict our numbers will look much better next year because of this year. If we can win 6 or 7 (at least) again, we can expect that trend to continue positively.

[RBB89]

I'd be interested in the attendance numbers this year if they're available. I suspect we had a good showing from Indiana fans at Ohio State and Rutgers. Rutgers kind of killed fan dreams. I suspect our numbers were still higher.

Sustained winning is huge. Show fans they aren't coming just to watch Indiana lose and some of the culture will change. A huge part of this is making a better showing in the second half. Fans who do come frequently leave at halftime to resume drinking because the second half collapse is fairly inevitable. By showing fans the game isn't over until it's over, more will be willing to show up and stay.

I predict our numbers will look much better next year because of this year. If we can win 6 or 7 (at least) again, we can expect that trend to continue positively.

Up 6% to 44,314. Only game under 40k was the first one (tix sold, obviously). We sold out for OSU and had 49k for UM. While they and Iowa traveled well, I actually thought IU fans showed up well. No one took over, although the Iowa fans got loud at the end. Rutgers game wasn't that great of a turnout.

http://www.wdrb.com/story/30697233/bozich-tale-of-the-football-turnstiles-at-u-of-l-uk-iu-wku

[Alford Bailey]

I dont think much changes at 6-6 or 7-5. Put together a couple 9-10 win seasons with a couple big wins (OSU or UM) and things will change.

[RBB89]

There is a lot of enthusiasm about IUFB righ now, with the bowl game and some recent recruiting wins.

It is frequently said on the many boards, if IUFB would start winning consistently attendance would improve.

Historically that has not been the case. In 1993, our Hoosiers were 6-1 going into the Michigan State game.

We drew only 40,110 to witness our 10-0 victory over MSU. A few weeks later we drew 48,000 (after consecutive losses at PSU & OSU) as we beat Purdue.

In 2007 our 4-1 Hoosers drew just 32,009 to witness our win over Minnesota.

One of the keys to recruiting is brining prospects to a full stadium. Bringing recruits to a half full stadium puts our coaches at a severe disadvantage.

What will it take to improve attendence?

We had a year or two in the 80s where we averaged over 50k. There is interest. As much as I complain about our fans, attendance could be MUCH worse. We got 22k in the DiNardo era. Now we're doing 44k. Hell, look at Northwestern now. They are pretty successful and still no one shows up.

[BabyJandJDaddy]

I wonder if the fans would tend to stay more often if the games were shorter.  The high scoring shootouts that we have mixed with all the T.V. timeouts make for long I.U. games week in and week out. 

[MartintheMopMan]

Up 6% to 44,314. Only game under 40k was the first one (tix sold, obviously). We sold out for OSU and had 49k for UM. While they and Iowa traveled well, I actually thought IU fans showed up well. No one took over, although the Iowa fans got loud at the end. Rutgers game wasn't that great of a turnout.

http://www.wdrb.com/story/30697233/bozich-tale-of-the-football-turnstiles-at-u-of-l-uk-iu-wku

Do they release turnstile numbers? Tickets sold is frankly useless when they're bundled with basketball tickets for students (unless they stopped doing that).

 

I dont think much changes at 6-6 or 7-5. Put together a couple 9-10 win seasons with a couple big wins (OSU or UM) and things will change.

I disagree. I think we don't start selling out consistently until we have 9-10 win seasons, but attendance will still increase. It's not fun going and watching a team you know will lose. When there is a chance the team will win, people are more engaged and will attend more games. It's all about getting some excitement in the program.

[RBB89]

Do they release turnstile numbers? Tickets sold is frankly useless when they're bundled with basketball tickets for students (unless they stopped doing that).

I disagree. I think we don't start selling out consistently until we have 9-10 win seasons, but attendance will still increase. It's not fun going and watching a team you know will lose. When there is a chance the team will win, people are more engaged and will attend more games. It's all about getting some excitement in the program.

Does anyone release turnstile numbers anymore?

[MartintheMopMan]

Does anyone release turnstile numbers anymore?

Fair point. Rutgers did fairly recently, I feel like I remember looking at them prior to our match-up. But, generally, everyone wants to pretend a ticket sold is a butt in the seat to brag to recruits about their numbers. Just like Assembly Hall is always sold out even though you can hear the bats flying around the balcony through the camera.

[Hurryin' Hoosiers]

if you build it...they will come...

[OliviaPope40]

if you build it...they will come...

I was just going to say that.

[Hurryin' Hoosiers]

Go the distance

[RBB89]

Ease his pain...

[Kilroy]

So far this season, I've found the IUFB games much more watchable than the IUBB games, which is just wrong. Every game except the Penn State game was entertaining and down to the last few minutes of the game. I can't remember an IUFB season quite as entertaining as this was, so might actually consider going to a few games next season if it holds up.

[Naturalhoosier]

So far this season, I've found the IUFB games much more watchable than the IUBB games, which is just wrong. Every game except the Penn State game was entertaining and down to the last few minutes of the game. I can't remember an IUFB season quite as entertaining as this was, so might actually consider going to a few games next season if it holds up.

Not a DAMN thing wrong with that!!!!!

[Kilroy]

Not a DAMN thing wrong with that!!!!!

 

I disagree: there is something definitely wrong with IUBB right now.

[HoosierReb01]

Yes, they'll come. But most of that will be built up long term. When the bandwagon fans start looking for season tickets, you're getting somewhere. Keep building and sustain a really good football program and the generation that grows up watching that will be fans for life.

[Miller'sTheMan]

Look at the Ohio State game, we were 4-0 and sold out the game heading into it. We win the fans will come. 

[lucel15]

Look at the Ohio State game, we were 4-0 and sold out the game heading into it. We win the fans will come.

Especially the students. Just saying