Reason for Poor Attendance Yesterday?

[UNI MadCat]

I'm not sure why this stuff continues to astound me but I was completely shocked when I walked into the Dome yesterday to see the place approximately 1/3rd full. Announced attendance was 9,915 but I'd bet there were never more than 6,500 in the stands and ~4k tops in the 4th.

I get that the weather sucked the day before and that might have contributed to out of towners not making the trek to CF -- though as a person that drove 3.5 hours on Saturday morning, there were minimal issues.

I also understand students now get all week of Thanksgiving off as opposed to when I was in school 15+ years ago and we had class on Mon & Tues so many might have left (though they WERE there for the bball game).

I don't know. Maybe I'm just unwilling to accept the reality of just how low on the totem pole a lot of our fanbase prioritizes our games (or how many of them are fair weather and/or rate us 2nd next to the two "bigger" schools in the state), but I just had this vision of the awesome/crazy atmosphere and monumental outcome of the b-ball game carrying over next door to make it a raucous environment pushing us into the playoffs.

But my goodness, the Dome was a morgue on Saturday.

To tie it into a theme from a thread earlier last week - I did not see the AD promoting this weekend hardly at all. It was as if they assumed a sell out against UNC meant their work was done. Seemed like a missed opportunity to make the entire day (plus women's bball today) something to celebrate.

Color me frustrated.

[havok58]

Re: Reason for Poor Attendance Yesterday?

Totally agree. I was disappointed to see the student section practically empty (thank goodness for the band!). The west side was only a little bit better. I actually felt bad for the football team.

While I hoped that those fans would have all walked over to the football game, I'm sure a bunch went out to celebrate the win.

Hope we get a better turnout Saturday!

[Panther100]

Re: Reason for Poor Attendance Yesterday?

I'm not sure why this stuff continues to astound me but I was completely shocked when I walked into the Dome yesterday to see the place approximately 1/3rd full. Announced attendance was 9,915 but I'd bet there were never more than 6,500 in the stands and ~4k tops in the 4th.

I get that the weather sucked the day before and that might have contributed to out of towners not making the trek to CF -- though as a person that drove 3.5 hours on Saturday morning, there were minimal issues.

I also understand students now get all week of Thanksgiving off as opposed to when I was in school 15+ years ago and we had class on Mon & Tues so many might have left (though they WERE there for the bball game).

I don't know. Maybe I'm just unwilling to accept the reality of just how low on the totem pole a lot of our fanbase prioritizes our games (or how many of them are fair weather and/or rate us 2nd next to the two "bigger" schools in the state), but I just had this vision of the awesome/crazy atmosphere and monumental outcome of the b-ball game carrying over next door to make it a raucous environment pushing us into the playoffs.

But my goodness, the Dome was a morgue on Saturday.

To tie it into a theme from a thread earlier last week - I did not see the AD promoting this weekend hardly at all. It was as if they assumed a sell out against UNC meant their work was done. Seemed like a missed opportunity to make the entire day (plus women's bball today) something to celebrate.

Color me frustrated.

The few kids left had to party after beating UNC. School lasted thru Wednesday on Thanksgiving when us old timers were there. UNI is still a suitcase college. Great weekend all the same.

[BCPanther]

Re: Reason for Poor Attendance Yesterday?

I hate to say it, but a certain 11-0 team 90 miles south of here is a primary culprit as well. Pretty easy to stay at home and watch that game rather than trekking out to UNI.

Also, with the emotion spent next door I thought it was pretty much a given that there wouldn't be any energy in the Dome.

Weird day because the McLeod Center has never been louder than it was yesterday...

[UNI MadCat]

Re: Reason for Poor Attendance Yesterday?

I hate to say it, but a certain 11-0 team 90 miles south of here is a primary culprit as well. Pretty easy to stay at home and watch that game rather than trekking out to UNI.

Also, with the emotion spent next door I thought it was pretty much a given that there wouldn't be any energy in the Dome.

Weird day because the McLeod Center has never been louder than it was yesterday...

Agree to a point about Iowa. It definitely factors in.

But attendance on the whole -- and actual butts in seats -- has been sliding more than just this year. (Though this was the 2nd worst of the last 9.)

[run&blade]

Re: Reason for Poor Attendance Yesterday?

Next year should be a good year for football. Ndsu and Montana at home. If they can have two other games be homecoming and parents weekend that would be four nice gates.

I guess ndsu is no guarantee with the league being reshuffled.

[pantherfansince92]

Re: Reason for Poor Attendance Yesterday?

Next year should be a good year for football. Ndsu and Montana at home. If they can have two other games be homecoming and parents weekend that would be four nice gates.

I guess ndsu is no guarantee with the league being reshuffled.

Illinois State is off the schedule

[06panther10]

I went to the football game and, to be honest, it was a real buzzkill after being at the bball game. I bet there were many who intended on going but bailed to go celebrate.

Overall, it was a pretty decent attendance year for football IMO.

[Blue42]

Re: Reason for Poor Attendance Yesterday?

1. Late season game when we're at 6-4.
2. Opponent is 3-7.
3. Start of holiday break for the students.
4. 10 inches of snow the night before with cold temps.

I expected a light crowd.

I don't think if Iowa is 6-5 it would've made any significant difference to the dome on Saturday.

I'd love to see us put 15k in the dome 5 times a year...but the reality is that attendance at FCS level rarely achieves that consistency except for a few unique situations. For comparison, our next two potential opponents averaged attendance in 2014 was...
- Eastern Illinois -- 6,500
- Portland State -- 4,600

You think we're frustrated with attendance...in 2014 Missouri State averaged more fans than Illinois State. Huh?!?

[panther-state]

Re: Reason for Poor Attendance Yesterday?

You think we're frustrated with attendance...in 2014 Missouri State averaged more fans than Illinois State. Huh?!?

Yeah, but in 2014 most people at ISUr games were there for the football team, not the band.

You still make a valid point.

[achrist70]

Re: Reason for Poor Attendance Yesterday?

I think there is a valid point of everyone being wore out after the basketball ball game. I know I was yawning by the end of the 3rd quarter.

[Born-a-Panther]

Re: Reason for Poor Attendance Yesterday?

I think there is a valid point of everyone being wore out after the basketball ball game. I know I was yawning by the end of the 3rd quarter.

Yes. Everyone here knows I'm passionate... but I had zero energy after that basketball game. I was completely wiped out from screaming and jumping and the emotional ride it was. I still put my butt in the seat in the Dome. But I was a pretty quiet participant.

[Kyle]

Re: Reason for Poor Attendance Yesterday?

The UNC game was without a doubt the reason for the poor attendance. A ton of people just don't have the time, energy, or money to make both of them work. A bunch more (especially students) were ready to start celebrating right away.

I'm not sure the Iowa game made a huge impact. That game ended before the UNI/UNC game finished and over a hour before the UNI/SIU game started.

Had the b-ball team been on the road I think we get closer to 12k in the Dome.

[Big Cats]

Re: Reason for Poor Attendance Yesterday?

Yes. Everyone here knows I'm passionate... but I had zero energy after that basketball game. I was completely wiped out from screaming and jumping and the emotional ride it was. I still put my butt in the seat in the Dome. But I was a pretty quiet participant.

I noticed you were fairly reserved at the football game. (We sit across from you a row higher.)

[Born-a-Panther]

Re: Reason for Poor Attendance Yesterday?

I noticed you were fairly reserved at the football game. (We sit across from you a row higher.)

Introduce yourself sometime.