Where are the fans?

[EWURanger]

Love your enthusiasm Eagle10, but sadly winning here, does NOT = more fans. EWU had the best QB in the league the last two years, and consecutive winning seasons. This is, plain and simple. Cheney, WA. The guys on the field love playing the game, as do their families and the coaches. There are a number of alumni that are die hard fans... but this ain't Katy, TX and if you brought up 10 Mitchell brothers, it's not going to change it.

The Red Rug will garner some curious fans. Once they see it one time, they'll likely choose a different way to spend the next home game. The novelty will wear off. And if we're not winning - well then, our poor attendance, goes to piss poor. So - we BETTER win.

You're right. We should probably just pack it in, since no one cares about our program, and there's absolutely nothing that can be done to change the football culture in this University. :lol:

Come on, man. Rome wasn't built in a day. And while I basically agree with your synopsis, I think there is a great deal that can be done to improve the program. But as was mentioned before, it's going to take time, money, and a serious commitment from the students, administration, and alumni. Yeah, we're never going to be a Montana in terms of fan support or money, and we'll always play second fiddle to WSU and UW in football. But there's no reason why we shouldn't be getting 8 to 10k fans out to watch games on a consistent basis given better facilities and marketing.

 

[RockTheRed]

8 to 10K fans? That's not likely to happen. This is not "Field of Dreams". Sure, EWU is "building" turf and perhaps a scoreboard - but the well will soon run dry. The same people keep donating and try as they might, the EAA works hard at garnering new blood, new money. But mostly they end up with the same people giving time and again. That goes for the people who attend the games. Same people, year to year. Same number of students... year to year. It's a good thing we've been a winning program, because if we weren't, we wouldn't GET the measly numbers we do now.

 

[Eagle10]

Love your enthusiasm Eagle10, but sadly winning here, does NOT = more fans. EWU had the best QB in the league the last two years, and consecutive winning seasons. This is, plain and simple. Cheney, WA. The guys on the field love playing the game, as do their families and the coaches. There are a number of alumni that are die hard fans... but this ain't Katy, TX and if you brought up 10 Mitchell brothers, it's not going to change it.

The Red Rug will garner some curious fans. Once they see it one time, they'll likely choose a different way to spend the next home game. The novelty will wear off. And if we're not winning - well then, our poor attendance, goes to piss poor. So - we BETTER win.

Well i do know the Mitchell's going to Washington is becoming very popular down here in Texas and friends and family are anxious to see what we can offer to the school. EWU is being talked about alot down here and people are telling me everywhere i go they can't wait to watch some games, on the red turf, and with some brothers on the field!

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Love your enthusiasm Eagle10, but sadly winning here, does NOT = more fans. EWU had the best QB in the league the last two years, and consecutive winning seasons. This is, plain and simple. Cheney, WA. The guys on the field love playing the game, as do their families and the coaches. There are a number of alumni that are die hard fans... but this ain't Katy, TX and if you brought up 10 Mitchell brothers, it's not going to change it.

The Red Rug will garner some curious fans. Once they see it one time, they'll likely choose a different way to spend the next home game. The novelty will wear off. And if we're not winning - well then, our poor attendance, goes to piss poor. So - we BETTER win.

Well i do know the Mitchell's going to Washington is becoming very popular down here in Texas and friends and family are anxious to see what we can offer to the school. EWU is being talked about alot down here and people are telling me everywhere i go they can't wait to watch some games, on the red turf, and with some brothers on the field!

Good news to hear!

 

[wineguy]

Hey...Don't be surprised to see a Katy fan or two to make thier way up to Chaney during the season.

 

[flyingnail]

Good to see EWU getting some early press, well deserved ? only time will tell. The fact is that they are now mentioned in circles across the FCS. I sure hope the team doesn't put to much pressure on themselves and implode ! Focus , discipline, and off season will tell the story ! GO EAGS !!! WIN and they will come.

 

[MLR]

The Roseberry's will be road tripping (ok flying) from Katy for one or two this year. That's 5 more butts in the stands! Just spent some coin on EWU gear for the family. Have the local Golf Etc trying to find EWU golf stuff. Doing my part 2244 miles from Cheney.

 

[eagle11]

I believe that EWU's poor attendance figures has everything to do with crappy facilities. Attendance was only 4,000 before the new press box was built and it soon moved up to 6,000 once it was built. Continued improvements (video board, better concession stands, better/more restrooms, better/more seating options, better pre-game music, improved sound system, etc...) to make Woodward look more like a college stadium vs a glorified high school stadium will make people realize that this is another level. The game day experience has to be big time for fans to enjoy and want to come back. The team is already competitive and exicting to watch so the addition of field turf and video board are a step in the right direction. Go Eagles!!!

 

[Anonymous]

Dunno. I remember back, even in the early 90's getting some relatively large crowds out at Woodward, usually in the 6-8k range. And these were just regular games, not Montana. I do agree with what you're saying, though. The AD put it pretty well; in order to advance in the play-offs, you need to play games at home, not on the road. And the only way to get home games is to increase fan base. You can't improve fan base on winning alone, you have to improve the facilities. At least the powers-that-be seem realize that our facilities are an issue, and are trying to do something about it.