Parking fee for football games

[ChiCity]

Just noticed that parking for football games will be $10 per vehicle ($25 for RV's) starting this year. I hope that does not discourage attendance at the games. At least they're trying to find revenue wherever they can.

 

[josephpoint]

Lots of places to park on campus with thousands of spots open on Saturdays . Where will the fee apply? How will this promote attendance at home games that has been going down over the past few years? Believe we have not been at 10,000-11,000 and above average home game since the year 2,000 or 2001. Think we were in the 8,000-9,000 average per game last year? The 21,000 plus seat Hornet Stadium continues to look very empty on Big Sky TV with most sitting on the west side away from the camera view. And believe athletics dept. strategic plan goal in the next couple years is to hit 15,000 average per home game? Is there going to be big promotions and huge haftime and post game shows that will attract the casual fans to games against any opponent accept UC Davis that people in Sacramento have no interest in? Is the alleged 10,000 strong Green Army coming up with something that will bring out more than a few hundred students to games for a raffle to win a lap top? Sure hoping the parking lot and stadium will be packed this fall.

 

[SDHornet]

Here is the Hornetsports release on this news:

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Beginning with the first home game against Eastern Oregon on Sept. 5, Hornet football fans will pay a parking fee at all Sacramento State home football games. Current students, faculty, and staff with a valid campus parking pass will not be charged along with all Hornet Club members at the $500 level and above.

Not a fan of this move. It's anyone's guess whether or not this will have a significant impact on tailgating/attendance, but I don't see how it will help. Just another excuse for people to use to not come out to games.

This statement bothers me:

Parking fees are new to Hornet football, but certainly not unfamiliar to patrons who have attended other events at Hornet Stadium. Currently all outside events held on the campus of Sacramento State include a parking fee at Hornet Stadium, and the athletics department is aligning with that initiative.

...because it's not true. Parking is free for Hornet T&F events (and other Hornet athletic events not at Hornet Stadium). Either charge parking for everything or not at all...or don't make false claims like what is quoted above from the press release.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

Bad move.

Never understand how sports teams in general can charge for parking. Just raise the ticket price for everyone by a few $$ and call it a day. Since the school is commuter oriented, meaning no major public transportation hubs on campus, how do they expect people to make it to the game. :dunce:

Not really caring for this Jennings brainchild.

And what about the Hornetsports.com statement that we aren't giving 110%, that is pretty antagonistic.

Unless there are fireworks or a concert by a named band drawing the general public, I see this as a detriment to increasing attendance #'s. I don't see our W/L record with a young team being the draw this year.

 

[Kadeezy]

Dumb move, agree with GCM... This isn't the way to increase revenue. If you want to introduce a a VIP tailgate area closest to the front with perks, that's one thing. But you're going to lose the vibe on those nice days where students and alumni pack in and go nuts right up until game time... Maybe you get to pull in free with a one card or something and all others pay the fee.

 

[stungbutfine1]

Parking fee might be a little steep, but in my travels it seems pretty common to pay for parking at a sporting event. This will no doubt impact the casual walk up fan, but to my knowledge, we don't have many of those anyway. Our fandom will grow initially by all the signings of local kids that will bring not only family, but friends and acquaintances that want to continue to root for the high school hero. I don't think this will negatively impact that group too much.

Our best chance for long term success is tied to increasing the budget which this will play at least a small part in. There will have to be on-going changes to bring this program from where it is today to a legitimate contender even at the FCS level. I for one applaud the attempts to get there. :thumb:

 

[SDHornet]

Jennings is a legit and sincere dude. He is trying to make an impact, and wants to increase/improve the Hornet athletic presence/experience. He definitely brings the effort and energy to the department which is WAY better than someone just showing up and punching the clock (which is what we had in the past). That said; this move won’t be a popular one and I hope it doesn’t squash the tailgate atmosphere.

This is a legitimate money grab though; here is my best guess as to what the final take could be. I’ll assume half of the guesstimated attendance drives, and 80% of those are not exempt from the parking fee. There is not a significant amount of RVs at the tailgates so I won’t consider those.

• • Eastern Oregon: Home opener so I think attendance will be close to 7k even if it is a play down game: $28k
  • EWU: EWU recruits NorCal well, would be a must see if Adams didn’t transfer to Oregon. I think close to 8k shows up: $32k
  • UNC: This game won’t draw unless the Hornets can come into it at 3-1. Getting 6k in attendance would be a win: $24k
  • ISU: Homecoming, should be close to 10k even if the Hornets aren’t doing well: $40k
  • Causeway: Even if both teams suck 12k will still show up. We should charge the dungpilers double since Sac State staff will have to shovel away manure excreted from their coeds that make the trip: $48k

So the department is looking at bringing in at least $172k…that’s a coordinator’s salary right there folks.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

So would raising all tix prices by $3-5.

I am all for raising money and applaud the effort, at least it is an effort.

 

[josephpoint]

Does anyone know how this new parking fee will work?

There are so many parking garages and parking lots all over the 300 acre campus.
So many lots that are totally empty on weekends. And many lots on campus very far away and very removed from Hornet Stadium. Do we park in a completely empty lot near J Street and have to walk across campus to the game and still get charged $10?

Will there be parking attendants at all garages, at all lots, all over campus waiting to take $10 from football fans?

 

[josephpoint]

or perhaps might most lots be baracaded during the 5 football game days to keep fans relegated to these new pay lots that assume will be near Hornet Stadium?

 

[SDHornet]

The new Hornet Club brochure lists the parking lots 7, 8, 10, & parking structure III for football (and lists RV parking at $20 which deviates from the $25 listed in the Hornetsports release :? ). Last season they blocked off all the entrances except for the entrance by the Alumni Center and the eastern entrance on lot 7 so they will probably do the same again this year.

I would guess all other parking lots on campus will adhere to the weekend rules and rates set by UTAPs. So sure you can park there and walk into the tailgate area I suppose.