My post about the 80s was meant to point out that though our win loss record was pretty bad after Coach Burke left in 82, we never had any incentive to come to the games except to cheer on the team. The thought that the fledgling ESPN would come seemed ludicrous, we were busy trying to stay Division I-A.

Yes, I was there when we beat Northern Illinois late in the 1985 or 1986? to register our first win of the season. Those who were there might recall, there weren't enough fans to tear down the goalposts, the few dozen who were left in Pedan gave a valiant effort but couldn't accomplish the task. Those under 40 would probably have no memory of the MAC constantly lobbying and fudging attendance records to make sure we hit I-A criteria.

If we had the winning record then as do now, things would have been far different. We didn't have the technological diversions that we do now that keep people away from games. Pedan would have been packed and so would the uptown bars, regardless if it were a Saturday night or a Tuesday or Wednesday night game.

I have no concrete numbers for you and I have no direct affirmation from any athletic department employee but I have heard it described by a senior person in University administration as an exchange "for TV and money, well, not much money...".