I enjoy going to games, though it's less frequently as time goes on. I'm not a big screamer or clapper. Who says it has to be noisy at all times? It's unrealistic to expect that kind of audience participation. Then throw in everyone looking at something else on their smart phones and it's predictable.

This stuff is important if PLAYERS' PARENTS are noticing.

If you put a blindfold on a fan and sat them in the middle of the Big House during an early-season non-conference game and asked them how many the stadium they were sitting in contained, they'd guess 40-50k. It's a place where 110,000 sounds like half of that.

Circles back to thoughts from my original post here that "it should bother Jim Schaus and his staff" and "It's something to consider if you're Ohio Athletics. I know this much: You don't see a quarter to a third of the crowd leaving The Convo at halftime."


I hope they investigate (or already have) some ways to curb the mass exodous after the 110, and help generate some additional excitement in the stadium.

If you pick the mic back up, I'd be curious to know a few things. Do your sons, and the rest of your family, feel like things are better or worse than what they were sold during the recruitment process? I would hope the academic experience is close to what was advertised. I wonder if the player development, team experiences and admiration of the coaching staff in the locker room are living up to the expectations from when they sign their letters of intent.

I agree with this, and I think there are too many people on here who have a notion of an ideal fan (ie one who looks, thinks and acts like them). Student don't leave because the scoreboard is too small or the sun's in their eyes. They leave because by halftime they've already been in the place for close to three hours and they'd rather do something else. Most alumni come for the atmosphere, tradition and band. If the team wins, it's a bonus. The rest of the fans are regional folks enjoying an affordable event -- most are not emotionally invested in the team. We can wish it was different, but any change would have to be organic and I think it would rely on a long string of success. Struggling against the MAC East doesn't do it.

If you pick the mic back up, I'd be curious to know a few things. Do your sons, and the rest of your family, feel like things are better or worse than what they were sold during the recruitment process? I would hope the academic experience is close to what was advertised. I wonder if the player development, team experiences and admiration of the coaching staff in the locker room are living up to the expectations from when they sign their letters of intent.
[/QUOTE]Well -
The whole recruiting process was somewhat stressful but his high school coach helped us through it and gave us guidance. OU coaches were respectful and showed they really wanted him to come to Athens. He was slow played by a P5 almost up to signing day which was just cruel.
Academic wise - He has done well and Jenny pushes them to get the credits they need to graduate on time. They watch them closely in the first year or two to determine if they have the discipline for the coursework. Tutors (sometimes were upperclassmen players) are offered and my son has taken advantage. He may have chosen a different major while there but time requirements of football practice, workouts and travel and the time requirements of this academic program would not have worked out (OU would not allow him pursue this major).
Player development - Realizing this is not a P5 with an abundance of funds, I still am disappointed there was not a better nutrition program for the boys. At the very least, provide some type of nutritional supplements (protein) after their workouts for replenishment. I'm sure that would be very expensive - as it is, my son purchases his own. And don't dog me on the NCAA Cost of Attendance bit. I am extremely thankful for this decision.
Coaches = Solich has been good to my son as have the others. One of coaches commented to me how he has seen my son mature and is so proud of what he has become. At the same time, my son has called/texted over these past 4 years upset with this same position coach for this, that or the other. So they push them. And that is a good thing.
So from a parent's perspective - OU has been good for my son. He has been given the gift of a good education, the opportunity to continue to play football beyond high school, and has been fortunate to serve in a leadership role which will serve him well as he moves into the next part of his life.
Can I drop mike now?

It can be a tradition that changes though. And, in the years you're referencing, the early to mid-80's weren't exactly the peak of Ohio Football.

Drop away. Thanks for the insight!

I'll say this about the mass exodus of fans after the 110 (students, non-students alike)....it has been going on for years as many have said. I was there in the late 90's starting with 0-11 Lichtenburg debacle and ending with the 8-3 Grobe masterpiece. I'll say this (of that era and since)....when the game has meaning or we play a good opponent....people stay to watch.

For example....BG & Miami in 1997....both big games (BG was homecoming and Miami was home finale with chance to go 7-0 in the MAC) were highly attended and folks stayed. We pounded BG 24-0 and lost to a good Miami team (Travis Prentice murdered us)....but the fans stayed because the games had meaning and were exciting to watch.

Pitt in 2005....fans stayed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b19XAzTH2Yo

Temple in 2009....for the MAC East title in the final game of year. Only 14k+....on T'giving Friday....but looked to be engaged crowd.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vntT-tJRApw

Temple in 2011...another relatively small but engaged crowd. 17k+..... Was basically for MAC East title on a Wednesday night and it was great atmosphere.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ4mDAAA9QE

Marshall last couple home games were good crowds and most stayed for the majority.

Here's thing (in my opinion)....Ohio rarely A) plays a really good out of conference opponent at home or B) a really meaningful home game.

It doesn't happen much. And with the "boring" product on the field we've put out there the last few years where we scuffle to score and tend to let bad teams hang around....it's hard for fringe fans to feel the need to hang around and watch that.

And what I think really crushes the ability to build a rabid fan base....it's the inability to build off momentum. Ohio was peaking as a program in 2009...had NFL talent (Price, Brazill, Mitchell)...winning division title...playing for conference title....was able to ride momentum into 2011....get ranked....and then THUD. Lose three straight to end the regular season and kill any momentum/excitement you could sell to the fringe fan base. And since then it's been a steady diet of bleh. Few big games....no playing for division or conference titles. Just mediocre stuff.

The product on the field has declined since 2011. 4-4, 4-4, 4-4, 5-3 in the MAC. And we're well on the way to another 5-3. That's the definition of average.

The promotion of the team internally by the university has declined as well. What happened to internal hype of the program? What happened to the awesome wrap-up videos or pre-game hype videos? I know Evan Shaw spearheaded that and is long gone...but you can't find anyone to do that? The 30-minute shows he produced were huge and provided a buzz around the team/program. Now you're lucky to get a half-assed wrap-up video ONLY if Ohio wins.

The game-day atmosphere surrounding the stadium is about the only thing that has improved since 2011....but once you set foot inside the stadium the buzz seems to die down. And then you see the mass exodus after the 110.

There are so many ways Ohio football can improve...but ultimately the product on the field is the biggest key. We just don't play an exciting brand of football....or meaningful football in Peden Stadium.....so it's hard to sell to fringe fans or get them hooked on Bobcat football.

A start would be better scheduling....it's appalling how bad our schedules have been since Frank has arrived. And I know the MAC is a big reason for that....but man this is ugly.

2016: 120th of 128
2015: 95th of 128
2014: 117th of 128
2013: 114th of 125
2012: 123rd of 124
2011: 111th of 120
2010: 119th of 120
2009: 112th of 120
2008: 105th of 120
2007: 119th of 120
2006: 113th of 119
2005: 76th of 119

The only year we had a "respectable" schedule was 2005 when we had Pitt, VT, Northwestern on the docket. I'm not saying you have to load up on P5 teams every year. It appears the next few years they've tried to rectify that with BC, UVA, UC, Pitt, Purdue and some others on the schedule. I hate the addition of UMass....and Tx State. Would rather play other lower level P5 schools or some better mid-majorish teams like Temple, Memphis, UConn, MTSU, WKU....teams where Ohio should be able to get home-and-homes. I hate the FCS games...but I understand everyone does it.

I'll be interested to see the exodus rate for the Kansas game next year. Yes, they are P5/Big XII team....but they are the worst. THE. WORST.

Same for Akron this year....I'll be interested to see the turnout for that. T'giving week...students pretty much gone. Could be potential MAC East title game. I'll be there with a big group....but anxious to see what kind of Peden Stadium experience that will be.

Sure - A nursing major requires several hours for clinical work and this would often conflict with practice, games, travel, working out.

Very, very well said!! And MamaKitty, I am very glad your son has had a positive experience.

So basically, OU tradition is one part apathy and one part marching band fandom. We don't always have to be a bad team with bad fans. That sounds like such an unappealing outlook for a football program. I do think better Ohio teams and better opponents are the only way to change it, but I'll never understand why our fans are so disengaged regardless of the game situation.