Attendance Ideas and Solutions

Post Reply
GV Dad
Posts: 1013
Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2017 4:52 pm

Been a while since we had a thread dedicated to attendance, and not sure we have had one that was for the purpose of solving the problem rather than bitching about it. 57 shared some awesome pics of full stands from when he played in the late 70's. No reason why we can't get back to that, and quickly.

There was some discussion about accuracy of the reported attendance last game. For sake of discussion, let's say the numbers were accurate, so 4,500. If everyone that went to the YSU game returned for the NDSU game and brought 1 other person with them, we would be at 9,000. I realize it was HC last week, but I really don't think that drove attendance as it should have, so we also shouldn't expect a decrease from that number moving forward. It really would be that simple, and that is something we all have control over; who we get to join us. I know it seems small, us just bringing one other person. But, every flood starts with a single raindrop. We can get get the flood started! Grow your Group!
User avatar
ST_Lawson
Site Admin
Posts: 8247
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:15 pm
Location: Macomb, IL
Contact:

Time to institute a policy like The Citadel or Liberty. All students required to attend. ;)
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
GV Dad
Posts: 1013
Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2017 4:52 pm

ST_Lawson wrote: Tue Oct 02, 2018 10:26 am Time to institute a policy like The Citadel or Liberty. All students required to attend. ;)
LOL
wiu712
Posts: 6864
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2014 2:05 pm

The October 13 home game with North Dakota State comes on Fall Break weekend. That will reduce potential student attendance.
GV Dad
Posts: 1013
Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2017 4:52 pm

wiu712 wrote: Tue Oct 02, 2018 11:35 am The October 13 home game with North Dakota State comes on Fall Break weekend. That will reduce potential student attendance.
Kids get too many breaks these days! LOL
User avatar
sealhall74
Posts: 5770
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 1:18 pm
Location: Wherever, Windblows

NDSU game also falls over Veterans Day weekend. That wont help much either for attendance. I was thinking about flying in for it but looks like the airlines have jacked the airfares up for that weekend so I will be ringing my cowbell from home. ;)

Oops my bad. Its still October, not November so ignore the above re: Veterans Day. Regardless, airline fares still seem to be jacked up that weekend for whatever reason.

Some general thoughts about attendance. I see no special promotions on the schedule right now. Every event needs at least one community-oriented theme. Could be related to local businesses, farmers, teachers, law enforcement, military, etc. Something should always go on related to that theme. Maybe you give away a side of beef to some lucky spectator on farmers day. At the same time, you have to do something special for some of the academic groups on campus. For example, give them a chance to sell 50-50 tickets and that specific group takes the profit and can do whatever they want with the money. Or maybe you have a highlight video at halftime and honor the members of the Physics Club for their research efforts. Face it, we are not going to fill the stadium with just sports fans so make the event of some interest to everyone. It was Family Weekend at William and Mary last weekend. W&M does not have a big marching band (more of a pep band size) so rather than parade them out at half-time, they brought in some other kind of half-time entertainment, in their case it was the Dynamo Dogs which were very well-received. Little things make a big difference over time.
Embrace the pace of the race.
User avatar
ST_Lawson
Site Admin
Posts: 8247
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:15 pm
Location: Macomb, IL
Contact:

As mentioned, enrollment being way down makes a big difference, but attendance being down is a pretty well universal thing across most of college football as evidenced by this thread popping up over on AGS this evening: http://www.anygivensaturday.com/showthr ... e-football

Not many suggestions there now, but I'll keep an eye on the thread for any good ideas.
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
User avatar
Western_101
Posts: 1197
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2014 12:09 pm
Location: Morton, IL

I wonder if MVFC making all games accessible through ESPN3/+ has actually hurt Western's attendance.

My contention is it has hurt Western's attendance. Games on ESPN3 don't broaden the brand. One doesn't just happen upon it surfing the TV or going to a sports bar. It's there but one has to specifically look to find it. So while I like it no one else is waffling back and forth whether to watch the Necks or Notre Dame, alsohow much easier is it for alumni in Chicago to watch it on Their Big screen and not spend most of the day driving to and from Macomb.

Winning will help, and Western has been competitive most years (dear God don't remind me of 2009). However, Western has a couple of strikes against it. It's not glitsy or glamours, its not in a major Metro, and most of the alumni live hours away.

Now if we can build a Casino and Hotel like the Pzzazz with the connected FunCity for the kids and Build a brand new Stadium, well now we have more of a destination. See, I solved it for us! :D
GV Dad
Posts: 1013
Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2017 4:52 pm

RedNeck wrote: Wed Oct 03, 2018 8:33 am I wonder if MVFC making all games accessible through ESPN3/+ has actually hurt Western's attendance.

My contention is it has hurt Western's attendance. Games on ESPN3 don't broaden the brand. One doesn't just happen upon it surfing the TV or going to a sports bar. It's there but one has to specifically look to find it. So while I like it no one else is waffling back and forth whether to watch the Necks or Notre Dame, alsohow much easier is it for alumni in Chicago to watch it on Their Big screen and not spend most of the day driving to and from Macomb.

Winning will help, and Western has been competitive most years (dear God don't remind me of 2009). However, Western has a couple of strikes against it. It's not glitsy or glamours, its not in a major Metro, and most of the alumni live hours away.

Now if we can build a Casino and Hotel like the Pzzazz with the connected FunCity for the kids and Build a brand new Stadium, well now we have more of a destination. See, I solved it for us! :D
I agree with everything above. I think the ESPN affiliation has other monetary benefits though. As far as Macomb, it is difficult for fans coming from 2+ hours away, as Hotel rooms are extremely scarce. One of our tailgate group had a family member pay $149 a night for the Macomb Inn last weekend, because nothing else was available. A few others had rooms in Quincy. Until that situation is addressed, the attendance increase needs to come from students, townspeople and fans within two way driving distance.

Hopefully, the Chicago arm of the Leatherneck Club is taking advantage of the ESPN broadcasts to host watch parties in Chicago. Great way to market and grow the Club there. Which means $$s.

All that being said, I still think 9,000 ave per game is very very possible.
wiu712
Posts: 6864
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2014 2:05 pm

The Family Weekend and Homecoming games are usually the largest crowds of the season.

This year, we had 4,011 for Family Weekend and 4,532 for Homecoming. That leaves thousands of empty seats at Hanson Field.

Here's an idea to boost attendance: $5.00 General Admission tickets.
Post Reply