Butts in Seats

[WSUWildcat]

I have a dream that one day Weber State Football will consistently draw 15,000 plus fans. It would be great if that just happened organically because the team was the draw, but I believe there needs to be a better marketing effort to get us much greater exposure.

The current marketing effort seems to be give away tickets and hope people have nothing better to do that day. This is not working.

Perhaps we can think tank some ideas that may just get seen by someone in the Athletic department. I think we need to think out of the box. Minor league baseball understands the value of butts in seats and is very creative in getting people to come support there teams.


One idea I had last night was a "mini lottery". Perhaps a game sponsor could give away a nominal cash prize at the end of the game or at the start of the 4th quarter to a lucky fan (must be present and wearing Weber gear to win).

Results should be cash positive and put butts in seats for an entire game. Required attendance (possible ticket purchase $) and full game participation (possible concessions purchases $) wearing Weber gear (possibly more purchases $).

$10k per game / $50k per year prize money which game sponsors could pick up. They can still give tickets away if that approach is preferred.


What are your thoughts? Marketing really needs some help here.

 

[WILDCAT]

Our attendance figures tend to be higher when the School does give out free tickets, so it is working....to some degree. That doesn't mean I agree with that method, far from it in fact. I don't mind the one game a year where they have a sponsor buy the tickets and give them out for free cause it might draw the on the fence fans to the game and if they enjoyed it enough they might come back for another.

One of the biggest challenges Weber faces with getting butts in the seats is being an FCS school in an FBS dominated area. Weber needs to prove that an FCS game can be just as entertaining and exciting as an FBS game to get those on the fence fans to commit. The Weber/SUU playoff game last season getting as much local coverage as it did and being labeled the biggest instate football game of the year is a good start.

Marketing is huge and could be much better utilized than it is now. We have just recently had several Football and Basketball games broadcast on local TV. That's good, but it can also be a bad thing. It's good for those who are far away to be able to watch the games but it gives people who are close enough an excuse to not spend the money and go to the game. We need to get people out of the mindset of not wanting to go to it if it's on tv. Also it would be nice if the tv commentators didn't constantly call us the Aggies.

Quality of opponent should not be an issue. If we really want to fill the stadium, fans should not choose to not go to the games based on the opponent Weber is facing. Whether it's Montana or Northern Colorado or even a lower division school. Weber doesn't play them often but when they do the fans still need to come out. If you want to fill the stadium, you can't be picky. Montana fills their stadium when they play pasties. (and they do it far more often than we do) so why can't we?

The Stadium / Facilities. Everything from concessions to restrooms to other commodities. Weber did good by building those new permanent restrooms on the east side, but they hit a major low this last season on concessions. There were hardly any to choose from which led to extremely long and slow lines and they seemed a little pricier than normal. This needs fixing fast. The Stadium itself is fine. It's in the top 30 largest FCS stadiums and could be a great atmosphere if it was full. Would love to see the track moved but that's not likely to change any time soon.

And last but not least......WINNING! Last year I saw something I never saw before as a Weber football fan. Excitement in a program. Weber making it to the Quarters and farther in the playoffs and winning 11+ games a year needs to become the norm not the once every so many years. Consistently challenging for and winning the BSC Championship and making the playoffs needs to become a Weber State football staple. Too often I've seen Weber field a very good team and have excitement for the following year only to have an abysmal season the next year. Win and Win a lot.

Those are Weber's biggest hurdles in my opinion. Most of which are really easy to fix.

 

[SWeberCat02]

Unlike basketball, anyone looking for excuses to not attend games certainly can't use the schedule as an excuse. All quality D1 games the next two seasons. 2018's schedule of S Dakota, UNC, E Wash, MT St, and Sac St could be the best in years. Poly, SUU, NAU, UND, and ISU in 2019 is solid as well. And cost is not a valid excuse.

Like Wildcat said, concessions are an issue in making the game day experience enjoyable. Building the north end zone project should help some with that. How about getting some concessions hawkers into the stands with basic stuff like hot dogs, drinks, popcorn, and candy? I'd much rather buy a coke in the stands than hiking down to the concessions stands and waiting in line, while missing part of the game.

Consistently winning will always put butts in the seats, as shown by last season's playoff game. Despite what the university reported, that was as good of attended game in recent memory and the best atmosphere I can ever remember. If Hill and staff can continue to build a national power, attendance like that will naturally become the norm. Just got to keep it rolling.

My biggest concern in regards to attendance is the lack of a large and active student section. The SUU game was an embarrassment. More SUU students than Weber students.

 

[WSUWildcat]

I want to believe that a winning tradition will help. But we aren't there yet. Nor do I believe our marketing department is prepared/capable of capitalizing on the success on the field.

Yes, the play off game was a good start and was well attended, but time will tell if that is repeatable.

My concern is the other 5 or 6 games during the season. How do we get more attendance, especially student attendance?

Concessions, services, and facilities need to be improved. Last year I spent far less on concessions than any previous year. The quality, variety, and speed of service was a real deterrent.