Attendance

[n.ogdencat]

I know its July 10th, and that there is still over two months till Weber's first home game, but no matter I think that the attendance and fan support issues need to be addressed immediately. I for one want to see our admirable (not likely) athletic department get off their duffs and start building a stronger fan base. Our teams should be in the commuity volunteering, being seen at public events, getting on TV (does our Athletic Dept. know what good Pulic Relations/sports information is???), getting into the news (yes we get the standard, but what about the tribune and deseret news [I've heard that the trib wont work with Weber because they can't stand working with someone in our dept. no its not Jerry, they like him]), doing charity events, being more involved in university events and groups, etc etc etc. Also, I know that we are experience economic troubles currently, but wouldn't we all, especially our athletes, like to see our stadiums full?? CUT THE TICKET PRICES...till our fan support has been solidified (blame the cut on the recession). Hell last year Weber had the best football and basketball teams in the conference and our fan support was absolutely pathetic. For some reason our Athletic dept. thinks that posters and promotions are all you have to do to get fans to the games. They wasted thousands of dollars on some indepent analyst group's solutions, which are common knowledge, they could have paid me, CatCat, and AJwildcat half as much and three times as much would have been put forth. The problem is that most, not all, of the departments employees are LAZY and DESENSATIZED. They are totally complacent and comfortable in their jobs. NOt only are they lazy (some are extremely hard workers) but they have quit trying to do new things.

EXAMPLE: 1994... the football team was about to be cut. What happened??? The remaining football players and coaches went into the community... you could see them everywhere. They were in the malls, schools, municipal/county events, they were even visiting retirement homes. They didn't care where the support came from just that they would get it. That season the team averaged 15K...

 

[gowildcats]

Now is the time for them to get out and promote the hell out it and I haven't seen jack. I mean both of the teams are coming off great seasons, they both are fun to watch so whats the deal. Its time that everyone involved, players, coaches, athectic department, fans, etc, hit the streets and promote. Last yeas i took my BYU season ticket holder father inlaw to 4 games,including the UM game, the reason, i got him super cheap tickets. Its going to be a tough sale if single game GA ticket prices stay at $10. If they don't cut prices this year they are crazy, I don't see how they've keep them where they are at anyway.

 

[weberwildcat]

Didn't they have layoffs in the marketing department in May?

I guess there is less money now so I guess we shouldn't get our hopes up for football advertisment.

 

[wsucatfan]

Didn't they have layoffs in the marketing department in May?

I guess there is less money now so I guess we shouldn't get our hopes up for football advertisment.

Yes they did, there are only 3 left on the marketing staff, Ben, Paul, and Annette. Hopefully we can work together with them to get the attendance up this fall.

FYI my personal thought is WSU should work with one of the local channels to have a WSU dedicated sub channel on the digital spectrum. I occasionally watch 5.2 especially when it has outdoor volleyball coverage... How great would it be to watch old WSU basketball games, Ruben Nembhard, Eddie Gill, Harold Arceneaux, etc. And then also during the different seasons watch some of the other sports, volleyball, soccer, softball, etc. Get the senior students in the media classes to create and run the broadcasting. Weekly coaches shows, hosted by our voice of the wildcats Carl Arky, shown the day before game day to remind the fans about the game.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Why doesn't the Ogden channel have more with regards to Weber? I know, and I think its great, about the coaches shows, but what about actual games, past games (Sports Classics), Educational programming, history, documentaries, or more advertisments? Ogden and Weber State are to connected not to be working together, one truly depends upon the other. I'm sure the Ogden Channel would have wide appeal if they broadcasted a instate or other regional games (ISU and the UNLV basketball game). I'm sure setting something like that up has a lot to do with Public Relations...

As for marketing, Ben probably needs a lot of help this year. Paul, I think he is more public relations/sports info, does a great job (so does Ben) though.

 

[smjcpa1]

I have said it before, and I will say it again. CUTTING TICKET PRICES IS NOT THE ANSWER!!!! If you were to buy a family pass for $95 and get the max # of seats - 6, that is just over $3 per seat per game. DONT TELL ME THAT YOU CANT AFFORD $3 PER GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Going to a movie without any snacks or drinks is almost 3X that amount. GIVE ME A BREAK!!!! So, if it is not the cost, what is the problem. It is APATHY!!!! How do we change that? By word of mouth!!!! So, talk to everyone you know and try to get them to the game. BTW one GA seat at $10 is almost the same cost as a movie. :evil: :evil: :evil:

 

[ajwildcat]

I have said it before, and I will say it again. CUTTING TICKET PRICES IS NOT THE ANSWER!!!! If you were to buy a family pass for $95 and get the max # of seats - 6, that is just over $3 per seat per game. DONT TELL ME THAT YOU CANT AFFORD $3 PER GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Going to a movie without any snacks or drinks is almost 3X that amount. GIVE ME A BREAK!!!! So, if it is not the cost, what is the problem. It is APATHY!!!! How do we change that? By word of mouth!!!! So, talk to everyone you know and try to get them to the game. BTW one GA seat at $10 is almost the same cost as a movie. :evil: :evil: :evil:

I agree, ticket prices being too high is just an excuse, and a pretty poor one at that. One of the biggest problems is that people are just too damn lazy. Get off of your fat asses, push away from the T.V.'s and and go to the damn games!! And for hells sakes, find a friend, or a homeless guy and take them to the games with you. Nothing pisses me off worse than WSU students that don't go to the games. THEY ARE FREE. PULL YOUR HEADS OUT OF YOUR ASSES AND GO TO THE DAMN GAMES. There is no reason why WSU can't have at least 3,000 students per game. I don't give a damn if you are a BYU or Utah fan, if you are a WSU student go to the WSU games. For those of you who have jobs, buy a family pass and just give away the tickets every game. Its up to us dedicated fans to get more people out to the games.

 

[gowildcats]

Ticket Prices

High ticket prices isn't an excuse it's simply basic economics. It's clear to me that demand for WSU football is low which has created a surplus of available seats at games. Smart people realize this and make adjustment, this is why fast food restaurant have recently lowered their prices. I'm not saying lower prices is the answer but it is clear that only having cheap season tickets and high single game tickets isn't working and won't work until there is a high demand for tickets.

Students

Until there is a culture change at WSU and they get some real leaders in student government and the Purple Pak(time for a new name) nothing will change. The culture change has to start at the freshmen level when most of the students are single and looking for somebody to make out with, you know more of a social event. It really wouldn't be that hard you just have to make it cool and not cheesy. Maybe have some type of monetary motivation, free text books, free tuition, etc. I've asked lots of students if they would go to the games if they would receive a discount on text books and almost everyone say they would.

The truth is the Football and Basketball teams have come trough on their end of the bargain, unfortunately the univ. hasn't yet. They seem to be content with the current broken system and until they are willing to take some risk nothing will ever change. Strike while the irons hot.

 

[smjcpa1]

Gowildcat, did you realize that the attendance at both football and basketball has been on the rise each of the last three seasons? Your argument that the students should get an additional benefit for attending a game is stupid. What can be better than FREE? You want to pay a student to go to the game?!?!? What a ridiculous idea. Give a discount at the bookstore for attending? Why don't you just pay each one $10 for going? I know that sounds silly, but that is what you are proposing. That will not create real fans. They are there just for the discount. My tax dollars already help to pay for a students tuition. I don't want to pay for their books also. BTW are all of us on this board a member of the Wildcat Club? If not, why not. If you want to help make a difference in WSU Athletics put your money where your mouth is. Give a donation to the scholorship fund and ease some of the financial burden of the Athletic Dpt.

 

[pccatfan]

I would have to say that it is mostly a culture thing. I mean how many students attend Weber compared to the number that go to the game. Something has to change in that way. I hate to say it but I know several students that didn't even know that they got into the games free until I told them about it. It comes down to letting more people know and getting them to get off their high horses and root for their school instead of one that the have absolutely nothing to do with.

 

[n.ogdencat]

In all honesty, we all have our own opinions as to what would fix the problem. Agreed, attendance has been improving, but no matter, more than half of the Stadium or Dee is consistently empty. I believe that each of us have a great deal of passion and enthusiasm for the Wildcats (this shows since we are all members of this illustrious site), and that through this excitement we cultivate ideas and agendas. However, the fact of the matter is that Weber State is poorly supported. This starts on the student level, which in my opinion is the most important. By far the majority of the members of this forum are alumni or former students, who became fans, and gained a true appreciation and affinity for Weber State during our sojourne through school. There are numerous student groups that should be responding to our calls for actions. Most prevelant among these is the PURPLE PAK, which, as it seems to me, is the only group actually working toward the goal of getting students out. WSUSA is a complete waste in my opinion. There hasn't been a decent leader since Kyle/Pete who actually went out among the students, during the week, and promoted games, activities, legislation, or other things. I think WSUSA's issue is their advisors; yet, nobody cares. Student Recruitment (1. Its about recruiting, but I also think its about retention of students. How many students does Weber lose yearly? LOTS, why they are bored, its a commuter school, there isn't anything fun to do, I don't know where to meet friends or to hook up. Also, honestly is there any better way to recruit a student to Weber than by bringing them to a game [thats how Weber got Tim Toone 2003 basketball season], bring potential or JC/CC college students to a game and letting them sit with the front row crazies...you might as well check them off as future Wildcats), Athletics (IF YOU WANT PEOPLE TO COME TO YOUR EVENTS YOU NEED TO PROMOTE THOSE EVENTS, also why the hell does WEBER have 1000 cheerleaders and dancers; yet, never has a tailgate or pep ralley), Greek System (a free activity where you get the chance to show off your brotherhood/sisterhood, organization and letters)...and soooo many more. Oh by the way, the bookstore will be offering discounts the Monday after football games, and for 3pt. shoots made during the game (every shoot made will be a 5% off till 30%; they should do 3% off and not worry... if the team makes 20 will them 50% off)
NEXT COMMUNITY: Thats up to athletic marketing. Evidently, our Athletic Department hasn't figured out what PUBLIC RELATIONS/MARKETING is so I'm guessing that a group of die hard fans probably need to go and help them. Yes, the basketball promotions were great, but when nobody knows about them whats the purpose. NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES, T.V., RADIO, BILLBOARDS, POSTERS, PROMOTIONS... thats just the starting point.
ALUMNI: Well... HELL.. If they didn't enjoy Weber, why would they support Weber. IF THEY DID, they best get their Asses off their couches and to the games.

 

[n.ogdencat]

As a side note...I'm glad that we all care enough to voice our opinions. However, I think its fairly more important if we acted like adults and respect each others opinions (well maybe not PURPLEFOGDOGs).

 

[gowildcats]

Gowildcat, did you realize that the attendance at both football and basketball has been on the rise each of the last three seasons? Your argument that the students should get an additional benefit for attending a game is stupid. What can be better than FREE? You want to pay a student to go to the game?!?!? What a ridiculous idea. Give a discount at the bookstore for attending? Why don't you just pay each one $10 for going? I know that sounds silly, but that is what you are proposing. That will not create real fans. They are there just for the discount. My tax dollars already help to pay for a students tuition. I don't want to pay for their books also. BTW are all of us on this board a member of the Wildcat Club? If not, why not. If you want to help make a difference in WSU Athletics put your money where your mouth is. Give a donation to the scholorship fund and ease some of the financial burden of the Athletic Dpt.

WOW that's as good as you can do, come back with personal attacks. How old are you? I understand that all of these suggestion are not necessarily realistic but that is what it's going to take to get students to the game, something crazy. Also I never said pay students to come, I was think more along the lines of contests, drawing, etc. Regardless they where just ideas and unfortunately the fact still remains that the attendance sucks. However I will always claim that ticket prices are to high and I think that the last 5 years of attendance recodes more than prove my point.

2004 5,891 1-10
2005 10,151 6-5
2006 5,996 4-7
2007 4,092 5-6
2008 6,910 10-3

Why is 2005 so high? If my memory is correct that was Mac's first year and that first game they had the largest crowd in school history. The second game they had a crowd over 10,000 against NAU. If I remember right it seemed like they couldn't give enough ticket away for that game selling them dirt cheap that season. Lower the price and promote the hell out of it.

 

[DeeWildcatTailgater]

my prediction is football averages more than 10,000 a game IF we win at colorado state or wyoming, and even better if we can steal both!! how could 10,000 not easily be expected? Thats only 1100 more than the e wash game and that was the day of the byu utah game.

If I buy a family pass for 95 bucks does that get me six actual paper tickets to every game that I can hand out to my friends who aren't students?

 

[smjcpa1]

Yes it does!!! Everyone should do that!!!

 

[Big Z1]

I think a big thing for you guys is to get your student leadership to get more involved. From reading these threads it doesn't sound like you guys have much student involvement outside of BB. The MUSS has been lucky to have a great student president, she gets their students involved.

Have your student leaders taken any ownership in your programs other than basketball?

 

[ajwildcat]

Have your student leaders taken any ownership in your programs other than basketball?

HELL NO!!

 

[Big Z1]

So, if that's the case why are they filling those roles?

 

[weberdude]

I appreciate optimism as much as the next person, but I don't see any games in this schedule that draw even 10,000 people.

-Sat, Sep 19 - Idaho State
-Sat, Oct 03 - Montana State
-Sat, Oct 17 - Sacramento State (homecoming)
-Sat, Nov 14 - Northern Arizona
-Sat, Nov 21 - Cal Poly

Okay, maybe a fair homecoming crowd for a team I have a hard time even trying to care about--Sac State. One small factor working in our favor is the lack of home games for Utah and Bring'em Young. The most favorable factor is the talent on this Wildcat team. But I'll predict an average home crowd of less than 8,000. Prove me wrong!

 

[WILDCAT]

It wouldnt hurt for KJZZ to show some Weber games once and a while last year, they had one football game and one basketall game, Im getting tired of watching the Faggies.