Developing the football fan base

[jackmd]

Re: Developing the football fan base

I'm not calling out the students. I'm saying the university needs to do a better job of educating students about how athletic events can be a fun and rewarding part of their college experiences. Let's build some fans from the ground up.

I agree and wonder what things can be done. The game is only a few hours on Saturday and I'm not sure the dorm residents want to stick around for the rest of the weekend just for the game. Perhaps something can be done to make the weekend of home football games busier on campus. Tailgating has been a great addition but its not for everyone and there have to be some other things that can be offered. I would like to see more students at the games, a lot more students.

[Jacks#1Fan]

Re: Developing the football fan base

No excuses...just some thoughts on the poor turnout for the football game (which I deplore!!!):

The Super Weekend has some negatives to it. There were five athletic contests in a 48-hour period. For the "hardcore" (which my wife and I ARE), it was great. But I talked to a lot of people who made choices. Some went to the volleyball games and especially Saturday night, which was for our first Division I Conference championship. Some said the nice weather, as winter approaches meant they needed to get their outside projects done. Others went to basketball.

But, and here's the kicker: for people who drive 50 miles or more (a figure out of the air), how many times are you going to make the 100 mile trip on one weekend. I was at all five contests, and attendance was fairly light for all (not Saturday night, which wasn't a record, but which was nearly a 1000.

Anyway an earlier poster referred to costs and to making choices. If you had a choice and you lived out of town, and you could only justify one trip for two weekends...would you choose the SUU game or the NDSU game. (I think I know the answer to that...although I'm not sure I know many answers any more!)

[Jack4Life]

Re: Developing the football fan base

We, as supporters need to promote the games also. My wife can't go this weekend, but I am taking my junior daughter who will be attending SDSU in a couple years. I am also taking a couple of her friends who are potential SDSU students and have never been on campus or at an event of any kind even thought at least one of their parents are alumni. All it is costing me is a couple extra tickets and a few more brats for the tailgating. This might not only get some high school students interested in SDSU, but may get their parents to attend at least one event a year. Hey, we have to start somewhere.