Keeler's Column - "After second ISU loss, expect 10 more."

[Kyle]

He and the PA guy have to go way overboard to get their fans excited.

Last years game was my first in Jack Trice, and I remember being embarrassed for the IA State fans when the PA guy came out to do his 'pump up the crowd' routine.

I guess I am one of those easily excited fans who needs nothing more than a good panthernation thread to get pumped up for the game.

[panther2317]

Once again, ISU's new attendance record was set vs. UNI (not Iowa, not Nebraska, not Texas). Go Panthers!!!

[JayJ79]

'twas great to set the attendance record.

but I rather doubt it will last more than a week. They'll break it with the Iowa game (as it is the first Iowa game played in Ames since the expansion/remodel/whatever).

And then have poor numbers the rest of the year (unless they happen to pull off the win over Iowa)

[AmesPanther]

'twas great to set the attendance record.

but I rather doubt it will last more than a week. They'll break it with the Iowa game (as it is the first Iowa game played in Ames since the expansion/remodel/whatever).

And then have poor numbers the rest of the year (unless they happen to pull off the win over Iowa)

With no single game ticket sales that's not likely to happen this weekend.

[JayJ79]

good point. forgot about that.

[JCPanthers]

'twas great to set the attendance record.

but I rather doubt it will last more than a week. They'll break it with the Iowa game (as it is the first Iowa game played in Ames since the expansion/remodel/whatever).

And then have poor numbers the rest of the year (unless they happen to pull off the win over Iowa)

That's what people said last year when the week after the UNI game, ISU hosted Nebraska.

[Khan4Cats]

I thought I read somewhere that they were expecting in the range of 46-47K for the Iowa game. Wow, 10,000 fewer people than came to watch UNI-ISU, hope the $90 tickets/season tickets make up for the difference in seats in the seats.

[speechpanther]

I have to think that Pollard's idea to require season tix to get in (besides Iowa's allotment, which is at the price of 90 bucks) greatly boosted season tix sales, making up for the loss caused by the empty seats. Good plan to sell tix when the team is going to have an off year.

[Panther89]

'twas great to set the attendance record.

but I rather doubt it will last more than a week. They'll break it with the Iowa game (as it is the first Iowa game played in Ames since the expansion/remodel/whatever).

And then have poor numbers the rest of the year (unless they happen to pull off the win over Iowa)

That's what the average Iowan would probably think about the attendance record, that it must come from an Iowa/ISU matchup.
However, the UNI game setting it the previous two years makes perfect sense.
1. UNI is playing great and has been for a few years now. They've developed a great following in this state.
2. UNI doesn't often get to share the spotlight in one of the two bigger stadiums. I think it draws in people who might not make it to the dome for a game.
3. Intrastate rivalries are always ones that draw interest, no matter whom the opponent.

I was lucky enough to be part of this year's crowd, and last year's as well. I was also at the ISU/Kent St. game a week ago. As soon as the place looked full, I had a feeling it was going to be a record crowd, or near it. It's too bad that we don't have a game with them again until 2010, as I think ISU has benefited from the game. It has generated a lot of fan interest across the state.

[JayJ79]

I had just figured that since Iowa usually fills 70,000 seat Kinnick (and travels well. I may dislike the Hawks for alot of stuff, but they do seem to have good attendance), they'd have just as much success filling Trice as UNI does. Since we seem to struggle to get 16,000, even with MUCH more reasonably priced tickets. (I've never understood why our attendance isn't up there more consistantly).

But I had forgotten the whole season ticket stipulation.

[Newsbreaker]

FYI...that attendance record is safe. ISU will have less then 50k in attendance this weekend (I think that will leave the hillsides open and leave a few seats empty) and are planning on keeping it that way.

[panther2317]

News...I respectfully think that you're way off there. They may only have 39,000 PAID tickets...but there's going to be nearly 50,000 at the game. My in-laws have FREE tickets from a corporate tent. I have a friend who got FREE tickets from an ISU employee. There are plenty of tickets out there and Pollard didn't go back on his word. He didn't SELL any single game tickets for this game...but he GAVE plenty away.

[Newsbreaker]

That could be, I was under the impression that season ticket holders had an option to buy additional seats. I wouldn't consider that going back on his word...the 'general public' cannot buy tickets to this game. Still, they are taking at least 8,000 potential seats at 90 bucks a pop and choosing not to sell them.

[AmesPanther]

NCC members and season tickets holders didn't get to buy additional seats. Pollard really didn't sell any single game tickets. He did sell a certain number of tickets with each corporate tent, but he said all along he was doing that. I have a feeling he is going to give away the rest to ISU staff and charities.

[ubuntuCAT]

That could be, I was under the impression that season ticket holders had an option to buy additional seats. I wouldn't consider that going back on his word...the 'general public' cannot buy tickets to this game. Still, they are taking at least 8,000 potential seats at 90 bucks a pop and choosing not to sell them.

That was the case in previous years so it has actually been a few years since the "general public" has been able to get tickets for this game.