Bobcat Attack - Ohio Football - So what are ticket sales looking like?

Ohio Football Topic

Topic: So what are ticket sales looking like?

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Alan Swank

12/18/2015 11:18 AM

colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more

Alan Swank wrote:expand_more

Uncle Wes wrote:expand_more

Alan Swank wrote:expand_more

Bcat2 wrote:expand_more

L.C. wrote:expand_more

Why 8? Is that what they have? Or, are these charters? If they are charters, why not 80, if they can fill them?

Rcd an e-mail this evening from the ticket office still trying to sell tickets for kids. I am already in, but, it indicates they are still working sales.

My guess is if it wasn't for the sympathy sales, total sales would be less than 200 to non-students.

Its a tough location to rally around. Nothing to see but civil rights museums.

Interesting point Wes although I'd love to see those museums sometime. At the game last night the conversation eventually got to the bowl and a lady next to me said "these bowls really don't mean anything - they are just a solitary game where NCAA basketball tournament games for MAC teams mean that you've won the conference championship and theoretically are playing for the national championship."

Unfortunately, we talking about football, not basketball, do the comparison doesn't work well. G-5 teams have virtually no chance to play for a national championship in football. To say any game "really does not mean anything" is sad in my opinion, but shared by many.

I also have to ask, using her rational, what did that basketball game mean last night? Nothing to do with a national championship, that's for sure.

Like any regular season game in football or basketball, a win in that game positions a team for either a league championship opportunity or an at large bid in a post season tournament - the football final four or the NCAA basketball tournament.

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colobobcat66

12/18/2015 12:13 PM

Alan Swank wrote:expand_more

colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more

Alan Swank wrote:expand_more

Uncle Wes wrote:expand_more

Alan Swank wrote:expand_more

Bcat2 wrote:expand_more

L.C. wrote:expand_more

Why 8? Is that what they have? Or, are these charters? If they are charters, why not 80, if they can fill them?

Rcd an e-mail this evening from the ticket office still trying to sell tickets for kids. I am already in, but, it indicates they are still working sales.

My guess is if it wasn't for the sympathy sales, total sales would be less than 200 to non-students.

Its a tough location to rally around. Nothing to see but civil rights museums.

Come on, if the MAC is a one bid league like many say and there is no chance for a shot at a football championship, a non league game with a very low rating does not position a team for anything you say. It's about a lot more than that or it's worthless.

Last Edited: 12/18/2015 12:14:28 PM by colobobcat66

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The Optimist

12/18/2015 1:17 PM

Are students at a college that is not in contention for a national championship in partying really in college at all?

Last Edited: 12/18/2015 1:17:36 PM by The Optimist

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Speaker of Truth

12/18/2015 2:13 PM

A few bullet points for the fine people of this board that might help clarify some things...

- The number of buses is limited by the budget. The amount students pay doesn't come nearly as close to the actual cost of sending a student on the trip. The athletic department eats the majority of the cost. That is why you don't see general fan buses. People would not be willing to pay the cost.

- Bowl Games are a reward. The games don't always mean anything, but it is a reward for the players. It is a reward for the fans because it gives them one more game to watch. It is a reward for the coaches because it gives them extra practice time with the underclassmen.

- Real ticket sales numbers for OU will be around 250. Those numbers will be inflated by various things, but in actuality that is the number.

If you need any other answers, just ask.

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L.C.

12/18/2015 3:08 PM

I'm actually very surprised that some local travel agent doesn't try to put together a charter bus tour to bowl games when they are reasonably close. At football powers agents do exactly that, but they are usually air charter tours, and they are much more expensive than a charter bus tour would be, yet people pay the price.

If people have a fun time, they would pay a reasonable price. As a charter it would be cheaper than if they book it alone. Yes, it would be far more than the students pay, but it shouldn't be outrageously expensive.

The agent might lose a little the first year promoting it, but if he makes it fun, it would grow.

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rpbobcat

12/18/2015 3:39 PM

Out here they do charters (air,except for Philly) for Giants away games.

They're not cheap,but really aren't bad,for what you get,especially when you consider the cost to book a flight last minute.

There's no commitment,so, if they have space,you can book for an upcoming week's game.

They also usually give you the option of coming back the day of the game or the next day.

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Alan Swank

12/18/2015 3:53 PM

L.C. wrote:expand_more

That's funny LC. To the best of my knowledge other than the local AAA office, we don't have a travel agent in Athens. Also, if we're only selling 250 tickets as someone posted, it would be tough to fill a charter.

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colobobcat66

12/18/2015 4:18 PM

I hear that we sold almost 1300 tickets

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L.C.

12/18/2015 6:31 PM

Alan Swank wrote:expand_more

Well, the lack of a travel agent may explain the lack of a charter. I guess it will wait until some agent in a nearby town, say Nelsonville sees an opportunity, or who knows, as far away as Columbus.

As for the ticket sales, many of the people who buy a charter wouldn't go otherwise, so the ticket sales number tells you nothing. What would guess is the minimum size for a single charter bus? 30? As I said, the key is to make it fun, but also cheaper than if you booked alone.

Last Edited: 12/18/2015 8:21:23 PM by L.C.

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OhioCatFan

12/18/2015 8:55 PM

Personally, I think the OHIO numbers may be down for this game for several reasons: 1. We had an up and down season and less folks are really on the bandwagon this time. 2. Bowl games are kind of getting old to some jaded fans. 3. Many had given up on the season after those three big blowout losses and didn't pay that much attention to the three good games that ended the season. 4. This is not really a "name bowl" even up to the name recognition of the GoDaddy (GMAC), the Independence, or the now defunct MCB. 5. App State, though a fine opponent, doesn't sound as appealing as an Utah State or Arkansas State might. 6. The timing of the bowl is better than just a few days before Christmas, but not as good as a late December or early January date.

#6 is the reason I won't be there.

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Mark Lembright '85

12/18/2015 9:24 PM

Or #7 perhaps OCF, Ohio is just not a football school. Like I've mentioned, other than us BA posters, most Ohio alumni just don't care. I hope that at least some watch it on TV.

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perimeterpost

12/19/2015 12:18 AM

Avg Attendance 2015:

21,459- App State
21,323- Ohio

If Ohio isn't a football school then either is our opponent. No reason why we should have a significantly different level of support for a neutral site bowl game.

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Deciduous Forest Cat

12/19/2015 12:58 AM

Just arrived and all I know is that was a long-ass drive from Columbus. I'm really glad I decided to split the trip home because otherwise I wouldn't have made it. I drove because my kids accompanied me this time.

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roger

12/19/2015 7:33 AM

If the pep rally last night is any indication, this will look like a home game for App.

Roger

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Robert Fox

12/19/2015 8:01 AM

OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more

5. App State, though a fine opponent, doesn't sound as appealing as an Utah State or Arkansas State might.

Not following you on this one. In my mind, Arkansas State would be no more appealing than App State. I do think App State is a worthy opponent, but I agree most casual fans will not. But as I see it, Arkansas State is equal in terms of national prominence.

Utah State, on the other hand, would have more name recognition. If the casual fan says "who's OU playing in the bowl game," and the answer is "Utah State," you probably won't get the response "Who?"

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Alan Swank

12/19/2015 9:19 AM

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:expand_more

I know what you mean. Driving 10 hours to the beach used to be nothing. For some reason it seems to get longer and harder every year. Enjoy the game.

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Mark Lembright '85

12/19/2015 9:43 AM

perimeterpost wrote:expand_more

No reason other than the vast majority of OU alumni don't care. This game is getting no buzz at all up here in NE Ohio, none at all, and we probably have the highest, or close to the highest concentration of alumni living in one area. Proof is unfortunately in the pudding and from what's being indicated in this thread, there aren't going to be many very Ohio alumni going to this game.

Now, to shovel that &()&fgnhjgf&876@86 ((@$!! snow off of my driveway.....

Last Edited: 12/19/2015 9:45:30 AM by Mark Lembright '85

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Deciduous Forest Cat

12/19/2015 10:03 AM

roger wrote:expand_more

If the pep rally last night is any indication, this will look like a home game for App.

Roger

We've looked like the visitors at all our bowl games. Our fan support at Peden has improved. Our fans still don't travel anywhere.

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Kevin Finnegan

12/19/2015 11:22 AM

Mark Lembright '85 wrote:expand_more

perimeterpost wrote:expand_more

Here's my thought. I went to Mobile in the GMAC Bowl. It was our first bowl. OHIO fans were everywhere. We were excited. Seemed like the start of something. Felt like something a long time coming. That's the feeling, I imagine, that Appalachian State fans are feeling right now. Of course they would outdraw us. The proportion is concerning, but the simple fact is, this is their first.

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Diamond Cat

12/19/2015 12:23 PM

My neighbor is proof. He is so fired up and it certainly reminds me of our first Bowl Game I attended in Mobile. It's a long drive my friends from anywhere in Ohio.

I'm not making excuses. I've been to (3) of our Bowl Games. That said, I couldn't make this one due to an event I had yesterday.

In my younger years, this would still be a slam dunk to drive. I do think the recent grads and those into their late 30's should show better. Once you have multiple kids doing different things, it makes things a little tougher.

The late 30 something grads in my office seem to be more disconnected from Ohio than any demographic I recall. Not sure why but don't care either.

App State (statistically) has mind blowing stats in the Sun Belt. That said, we are healthy and I can't wait for the kick!

Finally, didn't the student buses sell out?

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Deciduous Forest Cat

12/19/2015 12:24 PM

Diamond Cat wrote:expand_more

Finally, didn't the student buses sell out?

This is the best hope for the future. Old farts that never had a history of bowls probably are less prone to travel. but the students taking an interest over teh last 10 years can help establish that traveling fan base.

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Alan Swank

12/19/2015 1:40 PM

finnOhio wrote:expand_more

Mark Lembright '85 wrote:expand_more

perimeterpost wrote:expand_more

Good points although App State has a long history of playing for national championships with a strong crowd following. As far as Mobile goes, that was a great time with lots of event scheduling including a golf outing. It was a novelty trip and after awhile, the novelty unfortunately wears off. That said, a bowl in an interesting/intriguing location, might draw better. Asheville, Nc, is such a place for me hence the drive this past January for a 2 hour basketball game.

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Mark Lembright '85

12/19/2015 1:46 PM

finnOhio wrote:expand_more

Mark Lembright '85 wrote:expand_more

perimeterpost wrote:expand_more

Good points Finn! I went to the GMAC Bowl too and was pleasantly shocked to see all the Ohio fans. And to be fair, App. State is closer to Montgomery than Ohio is, so it's easier for their fans to attend.

I am starting to get fired up for this game!

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BillyTheCat

12/19/2015 7:33 PM

colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more

I hear that we sold almost 1300 tickets

Yeah, I'm doubting your source.

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MobileBama

12/19/2015 9:12 PM

Your fans were awesome in Mobile.