"Why not State and the U"

[Jacks-02]

Re: "Why not State and the U"

Don't assume that we will break the 9600 from last year. I agree we will likely crack it but historically attendance really drops off after Hobo Day. Hopefully we can get close to 10,000 for the UC-Davis game but I'm doubting it. The NDSU game though will likely be packed but it will be heavily dependent upon the weather and how much is riding on the game (i.e. conference title).

I think we are a lock for over 10,000 average, especially if the Jacks can run off a few wins in a row. Hobo Day should be 14,000+ and I'd expect the Cal Poly game to draw a conservative guess of 8,000+ as they are a well known opponent and should be decent draw. Southern Utah could be poor, maybe 5,000. Then we have NDSU to finish the season, who could be coming in undefeated and again playing for the GWFC championship. I have to think regardless of the weather we draw 8,000+ for that game.

Rounding numbers we have 11,000 from first game, 15,000 from last nights game, 14,000 from Hobo Day, making us only need to average 6,700 a game for the rest of the year to make 10,000 average attendance.

I think that's doable.

[JimmyJack]

Re: "Why not State and the U"

Don't assume that we will break the 9600 from last year. I agree we will likely crack it but historically attendance really drops off after Hobo Day. Hopefully we can get close to 10,000 for the UC-Davis game but I'm doubting it. The NDSU game though will likely be packed but it will be heavily dependent upon the weather and how much is riding on the game (i.e. conference title).

First, we play at UC Davis. They were here last year.

Cal Poly visits us here on Oct. 20. No reason to assume terrible weather or lousy attendance that day. We've often had Hobo Day that late. Granted, November games are iffy. The Southern Utah game is the only dud left. Having NDSU in November helps since that last game is typically pretty poorly attended.

To reach last year's 9,600 level, we'd need 57,600 total. After next week, we'll already be at nearly 41,000 (assuming at least 15,000 for Hobo Day), leaving just a 5,000 average needed for the final three games to beat that average. If we get a solid crowd Oct. 20 for Cal Poly, say 10,000, we'd only need to average 3,500 for SUU and NDSU to beat last year.

I'd say that's a pretty attainable goal. I'm guessing we'll average more than 10,000 overall.

[BTownJack]

Re: "Why not State and the U"

Don't assume that we will break the 9600 from last year. I agree we will likely crack it but historically attendance really drops off after Hobo Day. Hopefully we can get close to 10,000 for the UC-Davis game but I'm doubting it. The NDSU game though will likely be packed but it will be heavily dependent upon the weather and how much is riding on the game (i.e. conference title).

[JimmyJack]

Re: "Why not State and the U"

I posted this on a different thread but I thought it also belonged here.

I could see USD getting into the Summit if they build a new arena and the Summit needs a team or two to maintain its automatic bid but the Gateway unless they absolutely need a team I don't think they would go after a dead horse in USD. USD has stuck million into a facility that most believe holds 8,500 and even if it does hold 11,000 (which I know doesn't) it would still not be big enough for a Gateway conference team.
Gateway Conference Stadium Facts
UNI-- 16,000 Dome
IllinoisSU-- 15,000 Outdoor Artificial Grass
IndianaSU--- 12,000 Outdoor Artificial Grass
MSU--- 16,300 Outdoor Artificial Grass
SIU--- 17,000 Outdoor Artificial Grass
WIU---15,000 Outdoor Artificial Grass
YSU---20,600 Outdoor Artificial Grass (Spin Turf)
SDSU---15,000 Outdoor Natural Grass (renovation/new stadium in plans)
NDSU--- 18,000 Dome

USD--- 10,000*Dome
UND--- 12,300 Dome

*--- Max and believed to be in the 8,500 range

Good info. Note that USD is averaging 8,188 through two home dates while SDSU is averaging 12,882 through two dates with Hobo Day and a possible record crowd on tap for next week. If this keeps up, we'll handily break last year's 9,600 average and will likely average more than USD's dome allegedly holds at full capacity.

[joeboo22]

Re: "Why not State and the U"

I posted this on a different thread but I thought it also belonged here.

I could see USD getting into the Summit if they build a new arena and the Summit needs a team or two to maintain its automatic bid but the Gateway unless they absolutely need a team I don't think they would go after a dead horse in USD. USD has stuck million into a facility that most believe holds 8,500 and even if it does hold 11,000 (which I know doesn't) it would still not be big enough for a Gateway conference team.
Gateway Conference Stadium Facts
UNI-- 16,000 Dome
IllinoisSU-- 15,000 Outdoor Artificial Grass
IndianaSU--- 12,000 Outdoor Artificial Grass
MSU--- 16,300 Outdoor Artificial Grass
SIU--- 17,000 Outdoor Artificial Grass
WIU---15,000 Outdoor Artificial Grass
YSU---20,600 Outdoor Artificial Grass (Spin Turf)
SDSU---15,000 Outdoor Natural Grass (renovation/new stadium in plans)
NDSU--- 18,000 Dome

USD--- 10,000*Dome
UND--- 12,300 Dome

*--- Max and believed to be in the 8,500 range

[1stRowFANatic]

Re: "Why not State and the U"

Wouldn't it have been nice if any of this would have been addressed by USD in its press sessions regarding their move? If they did I missed it.

[Jacks#1Fan]

Re: "Why not State and the U"

http://www.ncaa.org/stats/football/a...attendance.pdf

15,000 would put a team at 12th place, using 2006 FCS attendance figures. USD's 8,054 average would put them at #48, between Coastal Carolina and Arkansas Pine Bluff.

Thanks for the stats Rodentia. They prove the point that if you are going to be among the successful programs in FCS, you need at least 15,000 capacity. And if anybody believes the Yotes "averaged" 8,054 (sell out every time), they are using whacky tobaccy,like the game counters at USD. And the question is, where do they get the seats to sell enough tickets to pay for an FCS football operation?? (Note NDSU's 18,000 seat dome capacity). Good luck Yotes...you are going to need it. If they can pull a "rabbit" out of the hat (pun intended), more power to them!

[Jack4Life]

Re: "Why not State and the U"

I don't think Crane can hold 6000. Probably closer to 4000 when really packed out. But your point is well taken, there isn't room for 4000 more in the dome...

[joeboo22]

Re: "Why not State and the U"

USD adds 2 thousand SDSU subtracts 2 thousand from the real attendances to the announced attendances...... I will agree with the capacity being closer to 8 then to 10. I've been at Crane Youngworth in Yankton with crowds of 6,000 and there is no way the dome holds 4,000 more.

[EQguy]

Re: "Why not State and the U"

Two telling facts: Consultants say that you need to be able to average around 15,000 in football to make it in the FCS. We're not there, but we are gaining fast and will be able to hold 15,000 when it comes. The Dome will never be able to hold enough for the U to make it in football.

Second (and most important) anybody who believes that the Dome (a personal count of the seats indicates a capacity of about 8,000) gets attendance of 10,000 in there believes that fairy tales come true! While the attendance figures put out by USD indicate large crowds for athletic events...the ticket revenue gives you the real truth. In 2004-2005 (when SDSU was just in the middle of the transition with poorer attendance than usual in basketball) ticket revenue from all sports at SDSU was approximately $484,000, while at USD that year the ticket revenue was $209,000. Try doing the math (ticket prices x announced attendance) and you'll understand the myth of announced Dome attendance.

The bottom line: the U is going to have to build a basketball arena AND figure out what they are going to do in football as well. They've got a tough road ahead of them.

That is some great analysis #1. If I figure out rep points I'm dropping some on you!

[RodentiaX1]

Re: "Why not State and the U"

Two telling facts: Consultants say that you need to be able to average around 15,000 in football to make it in the FCS. We're not there, but we are gaining fast and will be able to hold 15,000 when it comes. The Dome will never be able to hold enough for the U to make it in football.

http://www.ncaa.org/stats/football/attendance/2006/2006_football_attendance.pdf

15,000 would put a team at 12th place, using 2006 FCS attendance figures. USD's 8,054 average would put them at #48, between Coastal Carolina and Arkansas Pine Bluff.

[Jacks#1Fan]

Re: "Why not State and the U"

USD needs to realize that its hard to make money when a sell out at USD (10,000) would only be 350 more then SDSU's average last year in which 2 of the games were against NAIA teams and one of them was in a monsoon. So after saying all of that is the Gateway conference going to want a program that doesn't have the facilities to support the program and the conference?

Two telling facts: Consultants say that you need to be able to average around 15,000 in football to make it in the FCS. We're not there, but we are gaining fast and will be able to hold 15,000 when it comes. The Dome will never be able to hold enough for the U to make it in football.

Second (and most important) anybody who believes that the Dome (a personal count of the seats indicates a capacity of about 8,000) gets attendance of 10,000 in there believes that fairy tales come true! While the attendance figures put out by USD indicate large crowds for athletic events...the ticket revenue gives you the real truth. In 2004-2005 (when SDSU was just in the middle of the transition with poorer attendance than usual in basketball) ticket revenue from all sports at SDSU was approximately $484,000, while at USD that year the ticket revenue was $209,000. Try doing the math (ticket prices x announced attendance) and you'll understand the myth of announced Dome attendance.

The bottom line: the U is going to have to build a basketball arena AND figure out what they are going to do in football as well. They've got a tough road ahead of them.

[Jack4Life]

Re: "Why not State and the U"

Hey JackMD, thanks for getting your USD buds all fired up and leaving me with them tonight at the golf course. I just can't get in a fight with a doctor, one of them really ticked me off. I had to rely on my standard answer, " If we play them again, it will be too damn soon!" Don't need them, don't want them, forget about it! Thanks again, see you Saturday.

[1stRowFANatic]

Re: "Why not State and the U"

I guess that may be a problem just as Frost Arena is considering that it has been downsized as of late. I am not worried about the Dome as a decent facility for football just as you are probably not worried about Frost. Technically both the Dakota Dome and Frost Arena might be outdated real soon but somehow I doubt a new arena is built anytime soon in Brookings and a new football facility is built anytime soon in Vermillion.

i have to agree, I don't think either Frost or Dome will be replaced soon.

[JimmyJack]

Re: "Why not State and the U"

I guess that may be a problem just as Frost Arena is considering that it has been downsized as of late. I am not worried about the Dome as a decent facility for football just as you are probably not worried about Frost. Technically both the Dakota Dome and Frost Arena might be outdated real soon but somehow I doubt a new arena is built anytime soon in Brookings and a new football facility is built anytime soon in Vermillion.

Football and basketball are pretty different. This year for football we'll likely average more than the Dome can hold at capacity. That should suggest to you that your facility is too small.