2016 Big Sky Football Attendance

[WILDCAT]

Here is the list of all 13 Big Sky schools and their home attendance.



Listed Highest to lowest by overall attendance

1. Montana- 152,261 - 6 home games
2. Montana State- 107,442 - 6 home games
3. Eastern Washington- 67,477 - 8 home games
4. North Dakota- 59,665 - 6 home games
5. Cal Poly- 45,423 - 6 home games
6. Weber State- 43,672 - 5 home games
7. Southern Utah- 41,276 - 5 home games
8. Northern Arizona- 39,549 - 5 home games
9. Sacramento State- 34,351 - 5 home games
10. UC Davis- 31,931 - 5 home games
11. Idaho State- 29,293 - 5 home games
12. Northern Colorado- 24,477 - 5 home games
13. Portland State- 22,948 - 5 home games

Listed highest to lowest by average

1. Montana - 25,376
2. Montana State - 17,907
3. North Dakota - 9,944
4. Weber State - 8,734
5. Eastern Washington - 8,434
6. Southern Utah - 8,255
7. Northern Arizona - 7,909
8. Cal Poly - 7,570
9. Sacramento State - 6,870
10. UC Davis - 6,386
11. Idaho State - 5,858
12. Northern Colorado - 4,895
13. Portland State - 4,589


Now what do these numbers tell us? Just that outside of the State of Montana Big Sky football attendance is just horrible. Granted some stadiums cant hold more than 10,000 but the only one's who averaged a sellout in the smaller stadiums were Eastern Wash and Southern Utah. (SUU has plans to renovate their Stadium)

As far as Weber goes there is potential for growth as long as the team doesn't fade like Wildcat teams of the past have done coming off winning seasons. Weber needs to continue to build on their success and hopefully continue to build on the growing fan base. We have the potential to have some good attendance figures next year with home games against SUU, ISU and Montana.

 

[AlumniWSU]

Interesting info, with no surprises...

Two things that go against building higher attendance at Weber State, TV home games & playing the Montana Westerns for a home OOC game. I know the justifications, valid, but don't tell me that some would be fans in seats won't elect to just stay home or visit with friends & watch the game on TV. Arguably how much of an effect. Yes, I know of the "being at the game experience", blah, blah, won't convince them.

The numbers can swell when the incentive of free ticket packages are given out just to look impressive in the background on the TV screen or even speaking of a not on TV game. But with that is still no $$ for program that is needed. Bet that the Montana's & Eastern Wash., don't throw out many freebies & in turn the programs enjoy welcome $$ revenue.

Winning is going to develop the base but an attractive, interesting game to excite people to want to be there is key. This is an ongoing subject that's had lots of history, both good & bad at Wildcat land! So, at least the Big Sky home schedule should attract interest, but likely they're on TV (especially Montana).

Montana, Mont. State, BYU & Utah games are mostly all on TV and yet they are sold out or nearly, but Weber State isn't & will not likely ever be at that interest level. :twocents:

 

[thewaterboy]

Interesting info, with no surprises...

Two things that go against building higher attendance at Weber State, TV home games & playing the Montana Westerns for a home OOC game. I know the justifications, valid, but don't tell me that some would be fans in seats elect to just stay home or visit with friends & watch the game on TV. Arguably how much of an effect. Yes, I know of the "being at the game experience", blah, blah, won't convince them.

The numbers can swell when the incentive of free ticket packages are given out just to look impressive in the background on the TV screen or even speaking of a not on TV game. But with that is still no $$ for program that is needed. Bet that the Montana's & Eastern Wash., don't throw out many freebies & in turn the programs enjoy welcome $$ revenue.

Winning is going to develop the base but an attractive, interesting game to excite people to want to be there is key. This is an ongoing subject that's had lots of history, both good & bad at Wildcat land! So, at least the Big Sky home schedule should attract interest, but likely they're on TV (especially Montana).

Montana, Mont. State, BYU & Utah games are mostly all on TV and yet they are sold out or nearly, but Weber State isn't & will not likely ever be at that interest level. :twocents:

I have been a season tix holder for a very long time, and i can guaran-damn-tee you I WILL NOT be at the Montana Western game...I hate how watered down the home basketball schedule is, and im afraid the football one is going to start being the same way in non-conference and I can't support that.
Also, we havn't had more than 5 home games in a year since Mac was here... :doh:

 

[WILDCAT]

Interesting info, with no surprises...

Two things that go against building higher attendance at Weber State, TV home games & playing the Montana Westerns for a home OOC game. I know the justifications, valid, but don't tell me that some would be fans in seats elect to just stay home or visit with friends & watch the game on TV. Arguably how much of an effect. Yes, I know of the "being at the game experience", blah, blah, won't convince them.

The numbers can swell when the incentive of free ticket packages are given out just to look impressive in the background on the TV screen or even speaking of a not on TV game. But with that is still no $$ for program that is needed. Bet that the Montana's & Eastern Wash., don't throw out many freebies & in turn the programs enjoy welcome $$ revenue.

Winning is going to develop the base but an attractive, interesting game to excite people to want to be there is key. This is an ongoing subject that's had lots of history, both good & bad at Wildcat land! So, at least the Big Sky home schedule should attract interest, but likely they're on TV (especially Montana).

Montana, Mont. State, BYU & Utah games are mostly all on TV and yet they are sold out or nearly, but Weber State isn't & will not likely ever be at that interest level. :twocents:

The Weber State / Montana game will most likely be on Root Sports this coming year, and most likely our game @ Montana State.

You also have to remember that in the state of Montana there is just Montana and Montana State. Everyone else in the Big Sky has to compete with FBS colleges for fans. If Montana had a BYU or a Utah the Griz and the Bobcats would find it harder to challenge for fans.

As far as fans go, I don't have a problem with the "free" days as that games sponsor picks up the tab. It helps get the not so dedicated fans to show up to the games and if they like what they see they may come back and be willing to pay for a ticket the next time. Schools like Eastern, and the Montana's don't need to worry about handing out freebies because they have the larger and more dedicated football fan bases. Of course if our stadium only held 8,500 like Eastern's we would have sold out every game but 2, but it's not it's a 17,500 seat stadium that needs to be packed week in and week out. I don't buy the talk of the opponent needing to be interesting to want to show up for a game, Montana drew over 26,000 for a game against 1 win Sacramento State. If you have the fan base that dedicated to the team and who doesn't care who the opponent is you'll draw well regardless.

It all starts and ends with the students. Get them involved and it'll grow from there. Heck maybe even a stadium renovation is in order. We don't need more seats but making the stadium as a whole look more Div.1 might help the product.

 

[WILDCAT]

Interesting info, with no surprises...

Two things that go against building higher attendance at Weber State, TV home games & playing the Montana Westerns for a home OOC game. I know the justifications, valid, but don't tell me that some would be fans in seats elect to just stay home or visit with friends & watch the game on TV. Arguably how much of an effect. Yes, I know of the "being at the game experience", blah, blah, won't convince them.

The numbers can swell when the incentive of free ticket packages are given out just to look impressive in the background on the TV screen or even speaking of a not on TV game. But with that is still no $$ for program that is needed. Bet that the Montana's & Eastern Wash., don't throw out many freebies & in turn the programs enjoy welcome $$ revenue.

Winning is going to develop the base but an attractive, interesting game to excite people to want to be there is key. This is an ongoing subject that's had lots of history, both good & bad at Wildcat land! So, at least the Big Sky home schedule should attract interest, but likely they're on TV (especially Montana).

Montana, Mont. State, BYU & Utah games are mostly all on TV and yet they are sold out or nearly, but Weber State isn't & will not likely ever be at that interest level. :twocents:

I have been a season tix holder for a very long time, and i can guaran-damn-tee you I WILL NOT be at the Montana Western game...I hate how watered down the home basketball schedule is, and im afraid the football one is going to start being the same way in non-conference and I can't support that.
Also, we havn't had more than 5 home games in a year since Mac was here... :doh:

I cant tell you what you should or shouldn't do, it's not my place. But I will say that that is the attitude that separates our fan base from Montana's. Montana has played a D2 or lower team every year since I can remember and still 26,000 fans show up to watch that game. We schedule one for the first time in 8 years and all of a sudden Weber is watering down the Schedule and no one wants to go watch it.

BTW, Weber isn't watering down their schedules as next year's (2018) ooc involves games vs South Dakota, Utah and Cal Poly, then in 2019 we have San Diego State, Nevada and Cal Poly's return trip. From what I heard Weber tried getting another FCS team to Ogden but couldn't get it done so they had to improvise.

People yell and scream that attendance needs to go up then half the people on here refuse to go to games because the opponent isn't up to their standards. It very hypocritical and it aint going to help our attendance numbers in the slightest.

Going to a Weber State game should not be based on how strong our opponent is. BYU had over 59,000 for SUU. Could you imagine if we followed their example and not the "oh we are playing Montana Western? I aint going to that one spoiled rotten give me a handout" example?

Filling Stewart Stadium should be a goal every weekend regardless of the opponent. If you want Weber to compete for fans then stop being the one who stays home just because they play someone weaker, because you are not helping that cause at all.

:rant:

 

[thewaterboy]

Interesting info, with no surprises...

Two things that go against building higher attendance at Weber State, TV home games & playing the Montana Westerns for a home OOC game. I know the justifications, valid, but don't tell me that some would be fans in seats elect to just stay home or visit with friends & watch the game on TV. Arguably how much of an effect. Yes, I know of the "being at the game experience", blah, blah, won't convince them.

The numbers can swell when the incentive of free ticket packages are given out just to look impressive in the background on the TV screen or even speaking of a not on TV game. But with that is still no $$ for program that is needed. Bet that the Montana's & Eastern Wash., don't throw out many freebies & in turn the programs enjoy welcome $$ revenue.

Winning is going to develop the base but an attractive, interesting game to excite people to want to be there is key. This is an ongoing subject that's had lots of history, both good & bad at Wildcat land! So, at least the Big Sky home schedule should attract interest, but likely they're on TV (especially Montana).

Montana, Mont. State, BYU & Utah games are mostly all on TV and yet they are sold out or nearly, but Weber State isn't & will not likely ever be at that interest level. :twocents:

I have been a season tix holder for a very long time, and i can guaran-damn-tee you I WILL NOT be at the Montana Western game...I hate how watered down the home basketball schedule is, and im afraid the football one is going to start being the same way in non-conference and I can't support that.
Also, we havn't had more than 5 home games in a year since Mac was here... :doh:

I cant tell you what you should or shouldn't do, it's not my place. But I will say that that is the attitude that separates our fan base from Montana's. Montana has played a D2 or lower team every year since I can remember and still 26,000 fans show up to watch that game. We schedule one for the first time in 8 years and all of a sudden Weber is watering down the Schedule and no one wants to go watch it.

BTW, Weber isn't watering down their schedules as next year's (2018) ooc involves games vs South Dakota, Utah and Cal Poly, then in 2019 we have San Diego State, Nevada and Cal Poly's return trip. From what I heard Weber tried getting another FCS team to Ogden but couldn't get it done so they had to improvise.

People yell and scream that attendance needs to go up then half the people on here refuse to go to games because the opponent isn't up to their standards. It very hypocritical and it aint going to help our attendance numbers in the slightest.

Going to a Weber State game should not be based on how strong our opponent is. BYU had over 59,000 for SUU. Could you imagine if we followed their example and not the "oh we are playing Montana Western? I aint going to that one spoiled rotten give me a handout" example?

Filling Stewart Stadium should be a goal every weekend regardless of the opponent. If you want Weber to compete for fans then stop being the one who stays home just because they play someone weaker, because you are not helping that cause at all.

:rant:

I have better things to do on a Saturday than watch a game against the Sisters of the Poor, but if you don't than that is fine...Please explain to me why WSU doesn't ever get more than 5 home games in a year now, Montana sure as hell does.
And since when is buying my season tix and donating to the Wildcat Club considered a handout to me?
hno:

 

[WILDCAT]

Interesting info, with no surprises...

Two things that go against building higher attendance at Weber State, TV home games & playing the Montana Westerns for a home OOC game. I know the justifications, valid, but don't tell me that some would be fans in seats elect to just stay home or visit with friends & watch the game on TV. Arguably how much of an effect. Yes, I know of the "being at the game experience", blah, blah, won't convince them.

The numbers can swell when the incentive of free ticket packages are given out just to look impressive in the background on the TV screen or even speaking of a not on TV game. But with that is still no $$ for program that is needed. Bet that the Montana's & Eastern Wash., don't throw out many freebies & in turn the programs enjoy welcome $$ revenue.

Winning is going to develop the base but an attractive, interesting game to excite people to want to be there is key. This is an ongoing subject that's had lots of history, both good & bad at Wildcat land! So, at least the Big Sky home schedule should attract interest, but likely they're on TV (especially Montana).

Montana, Mont. State, BYU & Utah games are mostly all on TV and yet they are sold out or nearly, but Weber State isn't & will not likely ever be at that interest level. :twocents:

I have been a season tix holder for a very long time, and i can guaran-damn-tee you I WILL NOT be at the Montana Western game...I hate how watered down the home basketball schedule is, and im afraid the football one is going to start being the same way in non-conference and I can't support that.
Also, we havn't had more than 5 home games in a year since Mac was here... :doh:

I cant tell you what you should or shouldn't do, it's not my place. But I will say that that is the attitude that separates our fan base from Montana's. Montana has played a D2 or lower team every year since I can remember and still 26,000 fans show up to watch that game. We schedule one for the first time in 8 years and all of a sudden Weber is watering down the Schedule and no one wants to go watch it.

BTW, Weber isn't watering down their schedules as next year's (2018) ooc involves games vs South Dakota, Utah and Cal Poly, then in 2019 we have San Diego State, Nevada and Cal Poly's return trip. From what I heard Weber tried getting another FCS team to Ogden but couldn't get it done so they had to improvise.

People yell and scream that attendance needs to go up then half the people on here refuse to go to games because the opponent isn't up to their standards. It very hypocritical and it aint going to help our attendance numbers in the slightest.

Going to a Weber State game should not be based on how strong our opponent is. BYU had over 59,000 for SUU. Could you imagine if we followed their example and not the "oh we are playing Montana Western? I aint going to that one spoiled rotten give me a handout" example?

Filling Stewart Stadium should be a goal every weekend regardless of the opponent. If you want Weber to compete for fans then stop being the one who stays home just because they play someone weaker, because you are not helping that cause at all.

:rant:

I have better things to do on a Saturday than watch a game against the Sisters of the Poor, but if you don't than that is fine...Please explain to me why WSU doesn't ever get more than 5 home games in a year now, Montana sure as hell does.
And since when is buying my season tix and donating to the Wildcat Club considered a handout to me?
hno:

Weber doesn't get more than 5 home games because they cant afford to. Montana can since they can make up the difference in the cost to get those teams to Missoula because of the fans that show up to watch all their games including the ones that are against lower level opposition. Imagine if Weber could get 17,500+ for every game. It could do wonders.

BTW, that 6th home game that Montana gets every year usually turns out to be a DII

My comment of the "spoiled rotten give me a hand out" is my rebuttal for those who wont go to a game because the opponent isn't up to their standards. Instead of going to watch the game because it's a Weber State game. I don't think the 17k+ in attendance in our game against Montana Western in 08 cared too much about the opponent. And there is no reason we cant shoot for those numbers all the time. The attitude of "I'm not going cause I don't like the opponent" is not the correct way to build a fan base.

Like I said I cant tell you what to do so I'm not going to. Choosing not to go to a game is your choice.

 

[thewaterboy]

Interesting info, with no surprises...

Two things that go against building higher attendance at Weber State, TV home games & playing the Montana Westerns for a home OOC game. I know the justifications, valid, but don't tell me that some would be fans in seats elect to just stay home or visit with friends & watch the game on TV. Arguably how much of an effect. Yes, I know of the "being at the game experience", blah, blah, won't convince them.

The numbers can swell when the incentive of free ticket packages are given out just to look impressive in the background on the TV screen or even speaking of a not on TV game. But with that is still no $$ for program that is needed. Bet that the Montana's & Eastern Wash., don't throw out many freebies & in turn the programs enjoy welcome $$ revenue.

Winning is going to develop the base but an attractive, interesting game to excite people to want to be there is key. This is an ongoing subject that's had lots of history, both good & bad at Wildcat land! So, at least the Big Sky home schedule should attract interest, but likely they're on TV (especially Montana).

Montana, Mont. State, BYU & Utah games are mostly all on TV and yet they are sold out or nearly, but Weber State isn't & will not likely ever be at that interest level. :twocents:

I have been a season tix holder for a very long time, and i can guaran-damn-tee you I WILL NOT be at the Montana Western game...I hate how watered down the home basketball schedule is, and im afraid the football one is going to start being the same way in non-conference and I can't support that.
Also, we havn't had more than 5 home games in a year since Mac was here... :doh:

I cant tell you what you should or shouldn't do, it's not my place. But I will say that that is the attitude that separates our fan base from Montana's. Montana has played a D2 or lower team every year since I can remember and still 26,000 fans show up to watch that game. We schedule one for the first time in 8 years and all of a sudden Weber is watering down the Schedule and no one wants to go watch it.

BTW, Weber isn't watering down their schedules as next year's (2018) ooc involves games vs South Dakota, Utah and Cal Poly, then in 2019 we have San Diego State, Nevada and Cal Poly's return trip. From what I heard Weber tried getting another FCS team to Ogden but couldn't get it done so they had to improvise.

People yell and scream that attendance needs to go up then half the people on here refuse to go to games because the opponent isn't up to their standards. It very hypocritical and it aint going to help our attendance numbers in the slightest.

Going to a Weber State game should not be based on how strong our opponent is. BYU had over 59,000 for SUU. Could you imagine if we followed their example and not the "oh we are playing Montana Western? I aint going to that one spoiled rotten give me a handout" example?

Filling Stewart Stadium should be a goal every weekend regardless of the opponent. If you want Weber to compete for fans then stop being the one who stays home just because they play someone weaker, because you are not helping that cause at all.

:rant:

I have better things to do on a Saturday than watch a game against the Sisters of the Poor, but if you don't than that is fine...Please explain to me why WSU doesn't ever get more than 5 home games in a year now, Montana sure as hell does.
And since when is buying my season tix and donating to the Wildcat Club considered a handout to me?
hno:

Weber doesn't get more than 5 home games because they cant afford to. Montana can since they can make up the difference in the cost to get those teams to Missoula because of the fans that show up to watch all their games including the ones that are against lower level opposition. Imagine if Weber could get 17,500+ for every game. It could do wonders.

BTW, that 6th home game that Montana gets every year usually turns out to be a DII

My comment of the "spoiled rotten give me a hand out" is my rebuttal for those who wont go to a game because the opponent isn't up to their standards. Instead of going to watch the game because it's a Weber State game. I don't think the 17k+ in attendance in our game against Montana Western in 08 cared too much about the opponent. And there is no reason we cant shoot for those numbers all the time. The attitude of "I'm not going cause I don't like the opponent" is not the correct way to build a fan base.

Like I said I cant tell you what to do so I'm not going to. Choosing not to go to a game is your choice.

According to the box score on WeberStatesports.com
Montana Western (0-1) vs. Weber State (1-0)
Date: Aug 28, 2008 • Site: Ogden, UT • Stadium: Stewart Stadium
Attendance: 5182

In 2005 WSU had a HUGE crowd for a non-D1 but it was Mac's first game in Ogden... but by all means don't let the facts get in the way of your hot take. :rofl:

 

[oldrunner]

There will be interest in the opening game simply because it is the opener. We don't seem to open at home much any more. The trend in football attendance has been good. As long as we keep getting better, I feel that our attendance will continue to get better. We have been and are improving our facilities. The future looks pretty bright to me.

Montana can get 6 home games because one of them is a non D1 and they have a longer standing tradition in football than we do. They draw bigger crowds, which translates into more money available to pay visiting teams. We would like to get to that place in our program as well. Once again, I like the direction the program is headed in. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in what needs improving that we don't really appreciate what we already have in place.

Personally, I am happy with the direction WSU athletics is heading in. Do I want to see improvement? Of course. I think that everyone involved wants that same thing. Am I always happy with the way things are approached? Of course not. I don't think that anyone associated with athletics is always happy with the distribution of resources. Those are the limitations of a budget and other resources.

 

[WILDCAT]

Interesting info, with no surprises...

Two things that go against building higher attendance at Weber State, TV home games & playing the Montana Westerns for a home OOC game. I know the justifications, valid, but don't tell me that some would be fans in seats elect to just stay home or visit with friends & watch the game on TV. Arguably how much of an effect. Yes, I know of the "being at the game experience", blah, blah, won't convince them.

The numbers can swell when the incentive of free ticket packages are given out just to look impressive in the background on the TV screen or even speaking of a not on TV game. But with that is still no $$ for program that is needed. Bet that the Montana's & Eastern Wash., don't throw out many freebies & in turn the programs enjoy welcome $$ revenue.

Winning is going to develop the base but an attractive, interesting game to excite people to want to be there is key. This is an ongoing subject that's had lots of history, both good & bad at Wildcat land! So, at least the Big Sky home schedule should attract interest, but likely they're on TV (especially Montana).

Montana, Mont. State, BYU & Utah games are mostly all on TV and yet they are sold out or nearly, but Weber State isn't & will not likely ever be at that interest level. :twocents:

I have been a season tix holder for a very long time, and i can guaran-damn-tee you I WILL NOT be at the Montana Western game...I hate how watered down the home basketball schedule is, and im afraid the football one is going to start being the same way in non-conference and I can't support that.
Also, we havn't had more than 5 home games in a year since Mac was here... :doh:

I cant tell you what you should or shouldn't do, it's not my place. But I will say that that is the attitude that separates our fan base from Montana's. Montana has played a D2 or lower team every year since I can remember and still 26,000 fans show up to watch that game. We schedule one for the first time in 8 years and all of a sudden Weber is watering down the Schedule and no one wants to go watch it.

BTW, Weber isn't watering down their schedules as next year's (2018) ooc involves games vs South Dakota, Utah and Cal Poly, then in 2019 we have San Diego State, Nevada and Cal Poly's return trip. From what I heard Weber tried getting another FCS team to Ogden but couldn't get it done so they had to improvise.

People yell and scream that attendance needs to go up then half the people on here refuse to go to games because the opponent isn't up to their standards. It very hypocritical and it aint going to help our attendance numbers in the slightest.

Going to a Weber State game should not be based on how strong our opponent is. BYU had over 59,000 for SUU. Could you imagine if we followed their example and not the "oh we are playing Montana Western? I aint going to that one spoiled rotten give me a handout" example?

Filling Stewart Stadium should be a goal every weekend regardless of the opponent. If you want Weber to compete for fans then stop being the one who stays home just because they play someone weaker, because you are not helping that cause at all.

:rant:

I have better things to do on a Saturday than watch a game against the Sisters of the Poor, but if you don't than that is fine...Please explain to me why WSU doesn't ever get more than 5 home games in a year now, Montana sure as hell does.
And since when is buying my season tix and donating to the Wildcat Club considered a handout to me?
hno:

Weber doesn't get more than 5 home games because they cant afford to. Montana can since they can make up the difference in the cost to get those teams to Missoula because of the fans that show up to watch all their games including the ones that are against lower level opposition. Imagine if Weber could get 17,500+ for every game. It could do wonders.

BTW, that 6th home game that Montana gets every year usually turns out to be a DII

My comment of the "spoiled rotten give me a hand out" is my rebuttal for those who wont go to a game because the opponent isn't up to their standards. Instead of going to watch the game because it's a Weber State game. I don't think the 17k+ in attendance in our game against Montana Western in 08 cared too much about the opponent. And there is no reason we cant shoot for those numbers all the time. The attitude of "I'm not going cause I don't like the opponent" is not the correct way to build a fan base.

Like I said I cant tell you what to do so I'm not going to. Choosing not to go to a game is your choice.

According to the box score on WeberStatesports.com
Montana Western (0-1) vs. Weber State (1-0)
Date: Aug 28, 2008 • Site: Ogden, UT • Stadium: Stewart Stadium
Attendance: 5182

In 2005 WSU had a HUGE crowd for a non-D1 but it was Mac's first game in Ogden... but by all means don't let the facts get in the way of your hot take. :rofl:

My bad I had the wrong dates, but that doesn't change my stance on anything else I said. My point still stands, why shouldn't we be pushing for 17,500+ for every game? And not just for "special events"?

 

[n.ogdencat]

Interesting discussion. I like the input. Like basketball, it doesn't matter how many seats you have in your stadium, or who you are playing, if NOBODY KNOWS what the hell is going on. Weber's issue is getting information out to its students and the community in which it is housed. Planning for football marketing will start August 23 and for basketball around Oct 19. And the plans will be virtually the same as last year and the year before. Social media posts, some pathetic looking signs on campus, that don't have much information on them, and finally some media. How do you expect fans to become fans if you aren't trying to build a fan base? Students are the key. No, you aren't going to get thousands of rapid fans, but you can get a solid 50 and build off of that. Look at the Cat Pak that became the Purple Pak and then suddenly died. You start with what you can get and go from there. You need a plan, resources, and dedicated staff...three things missing at Weber State. Oh, and follow through, but we all know that is a naughty phrase on the hill.

I do know that a lot went into trying to get a better opponent for our home game, but we just don't have the $$$ to buy a guarantee game against another FCS. We put in 30K the bare minimum to host a home FCS game last year. We definitely don't have 200K+. Regrettably, due to our future schedules, we really don't have much of an option to schedule a home and home. I'll give the AD props for at least getting a cheap home game to start the season.

Would I like a better opponent? Hell yes, but I think it is better for our fans and especially for team moral to have a home game to get the ball rolling. Yes, we could have gotten another road DI game, but that would have been counter-productive. I do like what we have for the next few years. OOC games against USD, Cal Poly, Nevada, Utah, San Diego State, Wyoming. These are good games. Games where the Cats can be competitive and make some $$$.

 

[baller]

As I stated some time ago on this forum winning a lot of games against quality opponents is the key to creating a fan base. I don' t mean that marketing isn't important... it is. Many here are using Montana as the example that Weber should be seeking to get to, and I agree. The question is, what did Montana do to build such a large and loyal fan base. Part of the reason for their attendance success has to do with being the only choice in town and the largerst sports draw in the state. But the largest part of their attendance success has to do with winning! They built Washington Grizzly Stadium in 1986 and they haven't had a losing since since then. They spent $6.5 million to upgrade the Stadium in 2008 to its current capacity of 25,210. In the years between 2006-2011 they won an average of 11 games per year while losses average only 2 per year and averaged attendance of 24,068. From 2012 - 2016 they average only 7.4 wins versus 4.6 losses, yet their attendance average for those years went up to 24,788. They have led FCS football attendance for the past 3 years in a row.

Point being... because they haven't had a losing season since they built their Stadium in 1986 and have won an average of 9.27 games per year for the past 11 years the winning built a fan base averaging almost 25,000 people per game. Even in 2015 & 2016, when they went 7-4 and 6-5 they still averaged 24,758 for two years. So once the fan base is built, as long as one doesn't go into a major dive in the quality of the product, the fans will stay.

The primary problems leading to anemic football attendance at Weber are:
1. A long-term lackluster W-L record has not attracted the fan base.
2. Weber administration hasn't set their sites high enough and worked to build a larger fan base with down-in-the-trenches work. Personally, I don't see that part of the equation changing in the foreseeable future.

So, where does that leave us? With building a stronger W-L record over time and gradually building the fan base. It certainly seems that Hill is on the way to doing that. Lets hope that his building continues and the number of wins continues to grow. Attendance will follow. Build it and they will come!

 

[oldrunner]

:+1:

 

[AlumniWSU]

As I stated some time ago on this forum winning a lot of games against quality opponents is the key to creating a fan base. I don' t mean that marketing isn't important... it is. Many here are using Montana as the example that Weber should be seeking to get to, and I agree. The question is, what did Montana do to build such a large and loyal fan base. Part of the reason for their attendance success has to do with being the only choice in town and the largerst sports draw in the state. But the largest part of their attendance success has to do with winning! They built Washington Grizzly Stadium in 1986 and they haven't had a losing since since then. They spent $6.5 million to upgrade the Stadium in 2008 to its current capacity of 25,210. In the years between 2006-2011 they won an average of 11 games per year while losses average only 2 per year and averaged attendance of 24,068. From 2012 - 2016 they average only 7.4 wins versus 4.6 losses, yet their attendance average for those years went up to 24,788. They have led FCS football attendance for the past 3 years in a row.

Point being... because they haven't had a losing season since they built their Stadium in 1986 and have won an average of 9.27 games per year for the past 11 years the winning built a fan base averaging almost 25,000 people per game. Even in 2015 & 2016, when they went 7-4 and 6-5 they still averaged 24,758 for two years. So once the fan base is built, as long as one doesn't go into a major dive in the quality of the product, the fans will stay.

The primary problems leading to anemic football attendance at Weber are:
1. A long-term lackluster W-L record has not attracted the fan base.
2. Weber administration hasn't set their sites high enough and worked to build a larger fan base with down-in-the-trenches work. Personally, I don't see that part of the equation changing in the foreseeable future.

So, where does that leave us? With building a stronger W-L record over time and gradually building the fan base. It certainly seems that Hill is on the way to doing that. Lets hope that his building continues and the number of wins continues to grow. Attendance will follow. Build it and they will come!

Agreed...I believe all of us want to see increased attendance, absolutely. The points are correctly made that presently we are on a path to do just that. I also endorse the stance that the key is STUDENTS interest! But to say that fans should pay for a ticket & just show up to any Weber State game without any regard to the opponent isn't realistic. Maybe for some fans but not the majority. Lecture all you want ' Wildcat', but the Ogden attendance numbers thru the years back that up in both FB/BB. Reality is that WSU is in a very competitive market for fans, that beyond a winning program, a lot of fans here need an incentive, either a free in or an opponent that draws an interest for being there (& it's not on TV) if you really want to build the attendance!!

By the way, speaking of that 1st Coach Mac Wildcat home game with the "great" attendance, I was working at Hill AFB & all of the offices were flush with FREE tickets to that game, as many as you wanted, asking people to go. Don't recall that there was a sponsor paying WSU for any of that & my bet is more than half the crowd was there free. "Great Attendance" didn't carry over to any following games where there wasn't free tickets that I recall. Where's the $$ in that?

So, no panic here, things are going OK, hopefully building on the fan base. Pathetic attendance? Don't compare here to the Montanas, as far as measuring valid fan support, at least not now. Why doesn't a Dixie State or a more interesting Div II team get on the schedule instead of a boring Montana Western?! Likely good attendance being it's the first home game & fans want to see the new version of Wildcats, but it will be the exception, not the rule.

 

[WILDCAT]

As I stated some time ago on this forum winning a lot of games against quality opponents is the key to creating a fan base. I don' t mean that marketing isn't important... it is. Many here are using Montana as the example that Weber should be seeking to get to, and I agree. The question is, what did Montana do to build such a large and loyal fan base. Part of the reason for their attendance success has to do with being the only choice in town and the largerst sports draw in the state. But the largest part of their attendance success has to do with winning! They built Washington Grizzly Stadium in 1986 and they haven't had a losing since since then. They spent $6.5 million to upgrade the Stadium in 2008 to its current capacity of 25,210. In the years between 2006-2011 they won an average of 11 games per year while losses average only 2 per year and averaged attendance of 24,068. From 2012 - 2016 they average only 7.4 wins versus 4.6 losses, yet their attendance average for those years went up to 24,788. They have led FCS football attendance for the past 3 years in a row.

Point being... because they haven't had a losing season since they built their Stadium in 1986 and have won an average of 9.27 games per year for the past 11 years the winning built a fan base averaging almost 25,000 people per game. Even in 2015 & 2016, when they went 7-4 and 6-5 they still averaged 24,758 for two years. So once the fan base is built, as long as one doesn't go into a major dive in the quality of the product, the fans will stay.

The primary problems leading to anemic football attendance at Weber are:
1. A long-term lackluster W-L record has not attracted the fan base.
2. Weber administration hasn't set their sites high enough and worked to build a larger fan base with down-in-the-trenches work. Personally, I don't see that part of the equation changing in the foreseeable future.

So, where does that leave us? With building a stronger W-L record over time and gradually building the fan base. It certainly seems that Hill is on the way to doing that. Lets hope that his building continues and the number of wins continues to grow. Attendance will follow. Build it and they will come!

Agreed...I believe all of us want to see increased attendance, absolutely. The points are correctly made that presently we are on a path to do just that. I also endorse the stance that the key is STUDENTS interest! But to say that fans should pay for a ticket & just show up to any Weber State game without any regard to the opponent isn't realistic. Maybe for some fans but not the majority. Lecture all you want ' Wildcat', but the Ogden attendance numbers thru the years back that up in both FB/BB. Reality is that WSU is in a very competitive market for fans, that beyond a winning program, a lot of fans here need an incentive, either a free in or an opponent that draws an interest for being there (& it's not on TV) if you really want to build the attendance!!

By the way, speaking of that 1st Coach Mac Wildcat home game with the "great" attendance, I was working at Hill AFB & all of the offices were flush with FREE tickets to that game, as many as you wanted, asking people to go. Don't recall that there was a sponsor paying WSU for any of that & my bet is more than half the crowd was there free. "Great Attendance" didn't carry over to any following games where there wasn't free tickets that I recall. Where's the $$ in that?

So, no panic here, things are going OK, hopefully building on the fan base. Pathetic attendance? Don't compare here to the Montanas, as far as measuring valid fan support, at least not now. Why doesn't a Dixie State or a more interesting Div II team get on the schedule instead of a boring Montana Western?!

Hate to say it but in a state that is FBS dominated it doesn't matter who you are playing at the FCS ranks as the non dedicated fans aren't going to find any FCS team attractive to watch. Which makes going to the games that we have all that more important.

Choosing to not go to a game because the team Weber is playing isn't top 25 material is no way to build a fan base and the result is what we get week in and week out, a half empty stadium.

Wanting to build the fan base and then refusing to go to games seems very counter productive

And that last sentence...

You wont go watch Weber play against a DII Montana Western because of the lack of interest in the opposing team's prestige then ask why don't we play DII Dixie State instead? :wtf: That makes no sense. Local or not a DII is still a DII.


Like I said before, choosing to not go to a game is your own choice, but in the end you're not helping the cause. Like they say "if you don't vote, you cant complain about the election". Same goes for here, If you don't go to the games, you better not be complaining about the lack of attendance.

 

[thewaterboy]

This much I do know, Hosting a D2 on Labor day weekend is not a great way to build excitement after making the playoffs last season.
Oh and then there is the FACT that it won't count towards the 6 wins that are required to make the playoffs.. :doh:
So if you are excited about this game and have nothing better to do over Labor Day weekend than good for you. :thumb:

 

[WILDCAT]

This much I do know, Hosting a D2 on Labor day weekend is not a great way to build excitement after making the playoffs last season.
Oh and then there is the FACT that it won't count towards the 6 wins that are required to make the playoffs.. :doh:
So if you are excited about this game and have nothing better to do over Labor Day weekend than good for you. :thumb:

Actually yes it does...One win against a lower level does count towards playoff eligibility. The FCS changed that rule a few years ago. One and only one game against lower level competition does count.

However it could hurt your chances if you fail to get 7 DI wins and finish 7-4. Although you may still be eligible for the playoffs you may get left out in favor of another 7-4 team who actually had 7 DI wins. Playing a lower level doesn't keep you out of the playoffs but it may hinder your chances at being a bubble team. Best way to fix that is to win 7 Div.1 games and remove all doubt.

I'm not necessarily excited for the game against Montana Western, but I'll still most likely be there as it will be Weber's home opener and I like watching Weber State football games. That's just me though.

 

[thewaterboy]

This much I do know, Hosting a D2 on Labor day weekend is not a great way to build excitement after making the playoffs last season.
Oh and then there is the FACT that it won't count towards the 6 wins that are required to make the playoffs.. :doh:
So if you are excited about this game and have nothing better to do over Labor Day weekend than good for you. :thumb:

Actually yes it does...One win against a lower level does count towards playoff eligibility. The FCS changed that rule a few years ago. One and only one game against lower level competition does count.

However it could hurt your chances if you fail to get 7 DI wins and finish 7-4. Although you may still be eligible for the playoffs you may get left out in favor of another 7-4 team who actually had 7 DI wins. Playing a lower level doesn't keep you out of the playoffs but it may hinder your chances at being a bubble team. Best way to fix that is to win 7 Div.1 games and remove all doubt.

I'm not necessarily excited for the game against Montana Western, but I'll still most likely be there as it will be Weber's home opener and I like watching Weber State football games. That's just me though.

When I talked to Jerry Bovee about this game a few months ago he is the one who said it does not count. :twocents: He also stated it wont count towards playoffs on the Ask the AD segment a few weeks ago so yeah.... :?

 

[oldrunner]

Everyone has their thing, and that's OK. For me, it has never been about who the opponent was. I like a good competitive game, but I don't really care who we are playing in these OOC games. Sometimes, a lesser opponent can be a confidence boost to your team. The opposite can also be true if you are playing too many FBS/money games early in the season. Lets face it, Sac has filled this role for us lately and there may not have been a lot of options like that this year.

Stay the course. :thumb: :thumb:

 

[WILDCAT]

This much I do know, Hosting a D2 on Labor day weekend is not a great way to build excitement after making the playoffs last season.
Oh and then there is the FACT that it won't count towards the 6 wins that are required to make the playoffs.. :doh:
So if you are excited about this game and have nothing better to do over Labor Day weekend than good for you. :thumb:

Actually yes it does...One win against a lower level does count towards playoff eligibility. The FCS changed that rule a few years ago. One and only one game against lower level competition does count.

However it could hurt your chances if you fail to get 7 DI wins and finish 7-4. Although you may still be eligible for the playoffs you may get left out in favor of another 7-4 team who actually had 7 DI wins. Playing a lower level doesn't keep you out of the playoffs but it may hinder your chances at being a bubble team. Best way to fix that is to win 7 Div.1 games and remove all doubt.

I'm not necessarily excited for the game against Montana Western, but I'll still most likely be there as it will be Weber's home opener and I like watching Weber State football games. That's just me though.

When I talked to Jerry Bovee about this game a few months ago he is the one who said it does not count. :twocents: He also stated it wont count towards playoffs on the Ask the AD segment a few weeks ago so yeah.... :?

Well then they must have changed the rules just recently…like in the last 3 years.

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/...hing-simple-about-fcs-playoff-selections.html

The SRS will factor in all of a team's games against FCS, FBS and Division II competition. In past years, a game against a Division II opponent did not count toward a team's resume.

But the new system will incorporate them into the equation and rightfully differentiate the levels of wins, including both home and away, which will provide a true strength of schedule tool. It will be recalculated on a weekly basis through the final regular-season games on Nov. 23 and the announcement of the playoff field the next morning.

The selection committee also will consider potential at-large teams with six wins against Division I competition, when in the past it basically considered seven to be the benchmark.

So like I said unless the rule has change in the last few years playing a lower level school aka Div 2 Counts as overall criteria. However they may hinder your chances at an at large more than help them.

The whole reason they changed the rule in the first place is because of the difficulty in FCS scheduling especially in the west.