menu
Logo
99+
Bobcat Attack Menu
Logo
99+
Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Ohio Paces MAC in Attendance
Page: 1 of 2
Sony7
General User
Member Since: 6/25/2005
Location: Greenfield, WI
Post Count: 299
mail
Sony7
mail
Posted: 6/23/2014 1:18 AM
settings_applications edit_note

 

 
Last Edited: 6/23/2014 12:22:16 PM by Sony7
Jeff McKinney
Moderator
JM
Member Since: 11/12/2004
Post Count: 6,163
person
mail
Jeff McKinney
mail
Posted: 6/23/2014 4:56 PM
settings_applications edit_note
While Ohio led the MAC in basketball attendance last season, there was a decline from nearly 7,000 in 2012-2013 to 6,150 in 2013-2014.  Reasons for the decline:

*  Main reason was playing the three CIT home games.  While we compared well to other schools in CIT attendance, it's nearly impossible to draw your regular crowds for post season tournament.  That reduce the average by at least 400 per game.
*  Rough winter weather.
*  Not quite as much excitement and interest after graduation losses. 

I think our attendance is very good.  Toledo is catching up (with 5,000 last season), so we need to keep the ball rolling to keep winning these attendance titles.
Sony7
General User
Member Since: 6/25/2005
Location: Greenfield, WI
Post Count: 299
mail
Sony7
mail
Posted: 6/23/2014 7:55 PM
settings_applications edit_note
My original post was from an Athens Messenger article that was taken down. I'm sure you can find it online sense it was posted to my facebook. I was just attempting to share it.
OhioCatFan
General User
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 15,695
mail
OhioCatFan
mail
Posted: 6/23/2014 10:15 PM
settings_applications edit_note
Jeff,  I think we are going to see a bump up this next season.  Saul is creating a good deal of excitement among some folks I know who have in recent years never even darkened the doors of the Convo.  SP just connects with locals in a way that JC didn't.  This says nothing about their coaching abilities but is just a personality issue.  JC was a more reserved "Eastern type" whereras SP comes off more like a local yokel.
JSF
General User
Member Since: 1/29/2005
Location: Houston, TX
Post Count: 6,580
mail
JSF
mail
Posted: 6/23/2014 10:51 PM
settings_applications edit_note
Oh good, we haven't had the "locals are staying away" conversation for a while.
catfan28
General User
C28
Member Since: 6/11/2011
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 1,503
person
mail
catfan28
mail
Posted: 6/24/2014 7:33 AM
settings_applications edit_note
Jeff McKinney wrote:expand_more
*  Main reason was playing the three CIT home games.  While we compared well to other schools in CIT attendance, it's nearly impossible to draw your regular crowds for post season tournament.  That reduce the average by at least 400 per game.
*  Rough winter weather.
*  Not quite as much excitement and interest after graduation losses. 

I think our attendance is very good.  Toledo is catching up (with 5,000 last season), so we need to keep the ball rolling to keep winning these attendance titles.


CIT was the major factor. Three of those games, none of which got over 4K (which you can't/wouldn't expect better). Take away those games and we're at about 6,800...pretty much same as last year.

Not to mention, I think (haven't researched) we may have had 1-2 less weekend games. There were only 4 weekend MAC games, which seemed less than usual to me.
OU_Country
General User
Member Since: 12/6/2005
Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County
Post Count: 8,401
mail
OU_Country
mail
Posted: 6/24/2014 9:02 AM
settings_applications edit_note
It appears that the number of Saturday MAC home games was one fewer, but only because one of those was a Sunday (Akron).  I'd suggest another couple factors to consider in the reasons for the drop in attendance:

1)  No Marshall game - that's always a big non-conference draw, and we had it in 2012-2013.

2)  A big outlier in the 2012-2013 season that doesn't happen during most seasons was the Wednesday night Akron game that drew 11,100. 

C Money
General User
Member Since: 8/28/2010
Post Count: 3,420
mail
C Money
mail
Posted: 6/24/2014 11:27 AM
settings_applications edit_note
catfan28 wrote:expand_more
Not to mention, I think (haven't researched) we may have had 1-2 less weekend games. There were only 4 weekend MAC games, which seemed less than usual to me.


Yeah, I would agree.....it seemed to me (someone else can run the numbers and verify) that our conference home games last season tended to be on weeknights, and weekend games were on the road. There were 2 or 3 games I remember thinking, "Damn, I really wish this wasn't a Tuesday b/c I'd like to be in Athens for this one."
OU_Country
General User
Member Since: 12/6/2005
Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County
Post Count: 8,401
mail
OU_Country
mail
Posted: 6/24/2014 11:36 AM
settings_applications edit_note
C Money wrote:expand_more
Not to mention, I think (haven't researched) we may have had 1-2 less weekend games. There were only 4 weekend MAC games, which seemed less than usual to me.


Yeah, I would agree.....it seemed to me (someone else can run the numbers and verify) that our conference home games last season tended to be on weeknights, and weekend games were on the road. There were 2 or 3 games I remember thinking, "Damn, I really wish this wasn't a Tuesday b/c I'd like to be in Athens for this one."



I think that for many games. 
OhioCatFan
General User
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 15,695
mail
OhioCatFan
mail
Posted: 6/24/2014 12:25 PM
settings_applications edit_note
JSF wrote:expand_more
Oh good, we haven't had the "locals are staying away" conversation for a while.

I aim to please! 

 
perimeterpost
General User
Member Since: 7/6/2010
Post Count: 3,165
mail
perimeterpost
mail
Posted: 6/24/2014 3:58 PM
settings_applications edit_note
Ohio's attendance without the 3 CIT games is 6,560.
Alan Swank
General User
AS
Member Since: 12/12/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 7,375
person
mail
Alan Swank
mail
Posted: 6/25/2014 3:58 PM
settings_applications edit_note
One other factor was the increase in required obc contributions.  Some folks chose not to renew and some downsized their order.
catfan28
General User
C28
Member Since: 6/11/2011
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 1,503
person
mail
catfan28
mail
Posted: 6/25/2014 4:21 PM
settings_applications edit_note
Alan Swank wrote:expand_more
One other factor was the increase in required obc contributions.  Some folks chose not to renew and some downsized their order.


A friend tried to add a seat last year and he was told the entire lower bowl was sold out in season tickets for the first time ever. So while some may have dropped, there wasn't really a "net" impact.
Alan Swank
General User
AS
Member Since: 12/12/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 7,375
person
mail
Alan Swank
mail
Posted: 6/25/2014 6:33 PM
settings_applications edit_note
catfan28 wrote:expand_more
One other factor was the increase in required obc contributions.  Some folks chose not to renew and some downsized their order.


A friend tried to add a seat last year and he was told the entire lower bowl was sold out in season tickets for the first time ever. So while some may have dropped, there wasn't really a "net" impact.


Not true but you can believe that if you want. 
catfan28
General User
C28
Member Since: 6/11/2011
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 1,503
person
mail
catfan28
mail
Posted: 6/25/2014 6:52 PM
settings_applications edit_note
Alan Swank wrote:expand_more
Not true but you can believe that if you want. 


Why would they turn someone away who wants to buy and spend $$ if seats are available? That makes no sense. I heard this multiple times from multiple people last year, so I'd have no reason to think otherwise.
OhioCatFan
General User
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 15,695
mail
OhioCatFan
mail
Posted: 6/25/2014 7:00 PM
settings_applications edit_note
catfan28 wrote:expand_more
Not true but you can believe that if you want. 


Why would they turn someone away who wants to buy and spend $$ if seats are available? That makes no sense. I heard this multiple times from multiple people last year, so I'd have no reason to think otherwise.

I think what's confusing is that we have a lot of season ticket holders who don't show up for about the half the games, so at any one game (unless it's a real "buzz type" game) you'll see numerous empty seats in that lower bowl section.  It puzzles me why folks pay good money for tickets and then don't use them as often as humanly possible.  I was also told that that section was sold out last year. 

 
Alan Swank
General User
AS
Member Since: 12/12/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 7,375
person
mail
Alan Swank
mail
Posted: 6/25/2014 9:09 PM
settings_applications edit_note
catfan28 wrote:expand_more
Not true but you can believe that if you want. 


Why would they turn someone away who wants to buy and spend $$ if seats are available? That makes no sense. I heard this multiple times from multiple people last year, so I'd have no reason to think otherwise.


Your friend wanted to add a seat.  That could be tough - finding a contiguous seat.  There were seats, singletons, that weren't sold last year.
OU77BCJ
General User
OUBCJ77
Member Since: 11/18/2010
Post Count: 83
person
mail
OU77BCJ
mail
Posted: 6/26/2014 9:38 AM
settings_applications edit_note
Last year I had extra tickets.  Three behind score table five rows up.  Tried to sell at my cost with Rohr Room passes and parking pass.  No takers so they went empty some games.  I usually gave them away out front before game or sold them to the guy out  front buying tickets.  People that contacted me thought the price high at $235 + the $175 OBC cost a piece for some of the best seats in house with drinks, popcorn and parking pass.
Recovering Journalist
General User
RJ
Member Since: 8/17/2010
Location: Cleveland, OH
Post Count: 1,864
person
mail
Recovering Journalist
mail
Posted: 6/26/2014 10:12 AM
settings_applications edit_note
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
It puzzles me why folks pay good money for tickets and then don't use them as often as humanly possible.  

Most of us do use them as much as we can, but a twice-weekly trip from Cleveland or even Columbus isn't always realistic. On the many occasions I can't be there, I view my somewhat pricey empty seat as a donation to the program. Getting there and being ensured of a great seat and all the other perks is only part of the reason I choose to invest in the seats.

 
OhioCatFan
General User
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 15,695
mail
OhioCatFan
mail
Posted: 6/26/2014 10:50 AM
settings_applications edit_note
Recovering Journalist wrote:expand_more
It puzzles me why folks pay good money for tickets and then don't use them as often as humanly possible.  

Most of us do use them as much as we can, but a twice-weekly trip from Cleveland or even Columbus isn't always realistic. On the many occasions I can't be there, I view my somewhat pricey empty seat as a donation to the program. Getting there and being ensured of a great seat and all the other perks is only part of the reason I choose to invest in the seats. 

I should have qualified my statement more.  I understand about folks who live outside of Athens, but there are several seats not too far from me where the seat holders only show up for half or less of the games and they live right here in Athens.  

 
GoCats105
General User
GC105
Member Since: 1/31/2006
Location: Seattle, WA
Post Count: 7,821
person
mail
GoCats105
mail
Posted: 6/26/2014 3:48 PM
settings_applications edit_note
OU77BCJ wrote:expand_more
Last year I had extra tickets.  Three behind score table five rows up.  Tried to sell at my cost with Rohr Room passes and parking pass.  No takers so they went empty some games.  I usually gave them away out front before game or sold them to the guy out  front buying tickets.  People that contacted me thought the price high at $235 + the $175 OBC cost a piece for some of the best seats in house with drinks, popcorn and parking pass.


Try putting them up for auction on this site similar to what Monroe Slavin does. Good cause and money is still given to the school/AD. Plus, someone still sits in the seats.
Last Edited: 6/26/2014 3:48:33 PM by GoCats105
OU_Country
General User
Member Since: 12/6/2005
Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County
Post Count: 8,401
mail
OU_Country
mail
Posted: 6/27/2014 9:05 AM
settings_applications edit_note
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
Last year I had extra tickets.  Three behind score table five rows up.  Tried to sell at my cost with Rohr Room passes and parking pass.  No takers so they went empty some games.  I usually gave them away out front before game or sold them to the guy out  front buying tickets.  People that contacted me thought the price high at $235 + the $175 OBC cost a piece for some of the best seats in house with drinks, popcorn and parking pass.


Try putting them up for auction on this site similar to what Monroe Slavin does. Good cause and money is still given to the school/AD. Plus, someone still sits in the seats.


I think the idea of an auction site run by the AD would be a great way to go for lower section seats.
Bob'n'eer
General User
B
Member Since: 4/27/2014
Post Count: 8
person
mail
Bob'n'eer
mail
Posted: 6/30/2014 8:21 PM
settings_applications edit_note
I've often thought that the ticket office might try a clearinghouse site where if you couldn't make the game you emailed in and then they could offer existing game ticket holders an upgrade to a (your) lower bowl seat.  Maybe charge $5.

It always seems a shame to have many empty seats down close.

catfan28
General User
C28
Member Since: 6/11/2011
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 1,503
person
mail
catfan28
mail
Posted: 7/1/2014 1:49 AM
settings_applications edit_note
Bob'n'eer wrote:expand_more
I've often thought that the ticket office might try a clearinghouse site where if you couldn't make the game you emailed in and then they could offer existing game ticket holders an upgrade to a (your) lower bowl seat.  Maybe charge $5.

It always seems a shame to have many empty seats down close.


Problem is how would they make money? They'd rather sell the single game ticket for $20 and get $300 for the season from the guy in the lower bowl. Having season ticket holders sell tickets (to be bluntly honest) is against their interest. So I don't think you'd ever see an idea like that fly at schools of our level. If you're Michigan or Florida, sure...all your seats are sold out anyway.
RSBobcat
General User
Member Since: 8/23/2010
Location: Columbus, OH
Post Count: 4,504
mail
RSBobcat
mail
Posted: 7/1/2014 6:46 PM
settings_applications edit_note
catfan28 wrote:expand_more
I've often thought that the ticket office might try a clearinghouse site where if you couldn't make the game you emailed in and then they could offer existing game ticket holders an upgrade to a (your) lower bowl seat.  Maybe charge $5.

It always seems a shame to have many empty seats down close.


Problem is how would they make money? They'd rather sell the single game ticket for $20 and get $300 for the season from the guy in the lower bowl. Having season ticket holders sell tickets (to be bluntly honest) is against their interest. So I don't think you'd ever see an idea like that fly at schools of our level. If you're Michigan or Florida, sure...all your seats are sold out anyway.

They need to make it easier to get tics from out of town season ticket holders to locals who would use them for games we cannot make it to. Get butts in the seats, buying concessions, making noise, etc. A few years back when we used the 'card" tics system this was easy to do online - go online, transfer the tics for any game to someone else, they pick them up at Will Call window.

I have NEVER "sold" a season seat tic of mine - in 20+ years.

 
Showing Messages: 1 - 25 of 39
reply
vertical_align_top
vertical_align_center
vertical_align_bottom
add_comment
chevron_forward
MAC News Links



extra small (< 576px)
small (>= 576px)
medium (>= 768px)
large (>= 992px)
x-large (>= 1200px)
xx-large (>= 1400px)