David Benedict Basically Blames Low Attendance on Us

[BugsyCT]

Face it - even for the diehards, the games the last several years have been too painful to sit through. That plus the CR fallout has left a dark cloud over the program. It takes its toll.

There's no way the casuals are coming back for any of that until they start winning.

 

[whaler11]

Dead man walking

Larry Scott says Pac-12 Networks have no DirecTV progress, U-Verse might drop them

 

[Chin Diesel]

I get what he’s trying to say. At Auburn for example, the fans don’t abandon the team in an off year. Going to games is essential. It’s mandatory for them. Even at schools like Miss State. When Michigan was bad they still packed a 100k stadium. He wants to create that kind of culture.

A. He can’t. It won’t happen in Connecticut
B. Those schools always have hope and are always playing interesting opponents

I think in a different league, with at least a chance of success each year, the Rent would be full.

I'll call BS.

When Auburn crapped the bed under Chizik they'd have 30k+ empty seats. UF had the same for a few years where you'd have 20k+ empty seats.

Difference is they still had 60k in seats and could ramp up to sellouts with a 2 game winning streak.

 

[JMick]

Dead man walking

Larry Scott says Pac-12 Networks have no DirecTV progress, U-Verse might drop them

Good. Blow up all the conferences and regionalize them again. It's the best thing that can happen to us.

 

[Palatine]

Benedict should do anything he thinks will increase attendance including blaming us.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I'll call BS.

When Auburn crapped the bed under Chizik they'd have 30k+ empty seats. UF had the same for a few years where you'd have 20k+ empty seats.

Difference is they still had 60k in seats and could ramp up to sellouts with a 2 game winning streak.

And Michigan? Michigan Football Attendance

Florida won 4 games last year and put 84k+ in the seats every game. Capacity 89k

Auburn 2015 won 2 SEC games. Sold out every game but one, and that was just a couple thousand shy.

You can pick holes in it in a given year perhaps, but those schools have pretty loyal fans. Even when they aren't great.

 

[uconnphil2016]

I'll call BS.

When Auburn crapped the bed under Chizik they'd have 30k+ empty seats. UF had the same for a few years where you'd have 20k+ empty seats.

Difference is they still had 60k in seats and could ramp up to sellouts with a 2 game winning streak.

Tennessee has been the same way the past couple of years

 

[uconnphil2016]

David Benedict is trying, but he doesn't understand the UConn fanbase - A Dime Back

 

[champs99and04]

Fan support is inextricable from the product, and vice versa. We have this debate a few times every year and the answer hasn't changed. People should control what they can control - that means attending games and getting as many other people as possible to stop feeling sorry for themselves. @blue93 put it well - football is football. Having an FBS program is a privilege, even if it sucks. These are great players and some are future pros. I just can't subscribe to this mob mentality where everything has to be either the coolest thing ever or not worth investing a second in. If you have something better to do than attend a UConn football game, good for you. That doesn't mean everyone else needs to stay home and be miserable. If you can't enjoy an FBS football game, any FBS football game at all, then I question how much you like football and I question whether there's any originality in you at all.

And I know people don't want to hear it when I talk about how stuff like this relates to the KO debacle, and how that relates to the NCAA's monopoly, and how that relates to the inevitable crater that conference realignment has caused...

But it's all tied together. Benedict did what he did there for the same reason he's saying these things now - he doesn't believe in the fan base. It's stupid for any of us to take that personally, but he's right. I know, I know...there are a bunch of schools in power conferences with lesser fan bases, but it doesn't change the fact that we're playing ECU because of the fan base as much the base is apathetic because of ECU. Some level of directive needs to be taken by the actual leaders of this fanbase if perception is going to change. They had a chance on KO and they passed, I suspect the same will hold true here.

 

[Milo65]

I get what he’s trying to say. At Auburn for example, the fans don’t abandon the team in an off year. Going to games is essential. It’s mandatory for them. Even at schools like Miss State. When Michigan was bad they still packed a 100k stadium. He wants to create that kind of culture.

A. He can’t. It won’t happen in Connecticut
B. Those schools always have hope and are always playing interesting opponents

I think in a different league, with at least a chance of success each year, the Rent would be full.

Agreed...Think about the SEC and Big Ten history. If you're a Vandy or Kentucky fan and your team is playing Bama, Tennessee, or Georgia, do you think even though your team is horrible, that the place wouldn't be packed? Of course it would. Now replace Bama, Tennessee, and Georgia with Tulsa, Temple, and ECU and ask yourself it the stadiums would be packed regularly. Bottom line, if we win, we will get the crowds back and that goes for any team in the American. Even UCF had empty stadiums a few years ago.

I still go, I will always go, but I was able to get +10 for the Missouri game last year and I doubt I'm ever getting those casual fans back. The tailgate was great, the game, not so much.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Fan support is inextricable from the product, and vice versa. We have this debate a few times every year and the answer hasn't changed. People should control what they can control - that means attending games and getting as many other people as possible to stop feeling sorry for themselves. @blue93 put it well - football is football. Having an FBS program is a privilege, even if it sucks. These are great players and some are future pros. I just can't subscribe to this mob mentality where everything has to be either the coolest thing ever or not worth investing a second in. If you have something better to do than attend a UConn football game, good for you. That doesn't mean everyone else needs to stay home and be miserable. If you can't enjoy an FBS football game, any FBS football game at all, then I question how much you like football and I question whether there's any originality in you at all.

And I know people don't want to hear it when I talk about how stuff like this relates to the KO debacle, and how that relates to the NCAA's monopoly, and how that relates to the inevitable crater that conference realignment has caused...

But it's all tied together. Benedict did what he did there for the same reason he's saying these things now - he doesn't believe in the fan base. It's stupid for any of us to take that personally, but he's right. I know, I know...there are a bunch of schools in power conferences with lesser fan bases, but it doesn't change the fact that we're playing ECU because of the fan base as much the base is apathetic because of ECU. Some level of directive needs to be taken by the actual leaders of this fanbase if perception is going to change. They had a chance on KO and they passed, I suspect the same will hold true here.

The school can't expect to sell the FBS experience as one based out of an obligation to support a garbage product. It's not a charity and aside from the hundred or so of us that post on here consistently, most people simply just don't care that much. And that's fine.

The idea the administration - which is way more responsible for this mess than the people paying money to sit through yearly debacles - calling the fans to task is pretty bush league.

I think the fan base for basketball should be ashamed for the AAC Tournament showing we had two years ago - that was a true low point for me.

But the football fan base? What do you possibly expect?

 

[Scrutineer]

Yeah, I'd say he broke a cardinal rule. You never disparage your own fanbase, at least not publicly.

The biggest average attendance drop at PAWS-ARF before last season's precipitous drop of about 6k came between 2012 and 2013, at about 4k. There's your referendum on the difference between playing in a BCS league against relevant regional opponents vs. being thrown into the almost all commuter school G5 conference.

Seven straight seasons of losing football is going to erode almost any fanbase to some extent, especially at a school late to big time CFB with limited history at this level. We've now lost about 33 percent of our hardcore local fanbase, judging solely by home attendance figures.

I get that coming from a PAC12/SEC background, Benedict is frustrated with the economics, but you just can't say stuff like this publicly. It also suggests that based on current numbers, he's already expecting this season may be even worse.

Great point about the drop the first year after the Big East.

 

[ScottBonz]

I get what he’s trying to say. At Auburn for example, the fans don’t abandon the team in an off year. Going to games is essential. It’s mandatory for them. Even at schools like Miss State. When Michigan was bad they still packed a 100k stadium. He wants to create that kind of culture.

A. He can’t. It won’t happen in Connecticut
B. Those schools always have hope and are always playing interesting opponents

I think in a different league, with at least a chance of success each year, the Rent would be full.

I think this is BS. None of the schools he is talking about have ever had long stretches like this where they kept all their fans. You're telling me that Auburn wins 3 games per year for 10 years and they still sell out every game?

 

[ASweet3781]

Face it - even for the diehards, the games the last several years have been too painful to sit through. That plus the CR fallout has left a dark cloud over the program. It takes its toll.

There's no way the casuals are coming back for any of that until they start winning.

It really is just as simple as this. What was done to us in conference realignment would be tough to overcome alone. Combined with P and Diaco obliterating the program to the point we had no business being on the same field as mid level Power 5 like Missouri and BC means the only thing bringing fans back is optimism that comes from winning games. That's it. No need to analyze any further.

 

[Exit 4]

This has been posted before:
http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/Attendance/2017.pdf

AAC Average Attendance: 28,669, down 2,942 per game vs 2016.

UConn Avg: 20,335

other averages above us:
SEC - 75,074
B1G - 66,227
B12 - 56,852
Pac 12 - 49,601
ACC - 48,442

and those below:
MtnWest - 24,963
ConUSA - 19,248
Sun Belt - 17,843
Mid American - 15,394

Non P5 notables:
BYU 56,267
FIU: 14,286
FAU: 18,948
UMass: 10,707
Colorado St: 32,062
Army: 30,924
Buffalo: 13,350
Rice: 19,354
N. Texas: 22,362
Hawaii: 24,244
UAB: 26,375
Troy: 24,456

AAC By School: - avg 28,669
UCF: 36,846
ECU: 36,727
Memphis: 36,302
Navy: 34,950
Houston: 32,583
USF: 31,401
Cincy: 28,434
Temple: 27,318
UConn: 20,335
SMU: 19,944
Tulane: 18,459
Tulane: 16,939

Other Northeast Programs/Closest P5 Programs:
Penn St: 106,707
Virginia Tech: 63,214
WV: 55,946
Rutty: 39,749
Maryland: 39,643
Virginia: 39,398
Pitt: 36,295
BC: 35,924
Syracuse: 33,929

 

[UConnNick]

David Benedict is trying, but he doesn't understand the UConn fanbase - A Dime Back

This article hits the nail on its head. Shaming a fanbase to try and get more ticket sales, in a region that waved bye-bye to big time CFB in the 1950's, shows a fundamental lack of understanding on Benedict's part.

 

[UConnDan97]

Don’t talk to me about taking ownership when I pay year in and year out for this. Was that comment really for me?

^^^ THIS.

The only people that would even bother to pay attention to what the athletic director of UConn says are the very same people buying the tickets. Wake up, Dave. I mean really...wake up...

 

[Exit 4]

I really don't understand what the big deal is. The tickets couldn't be much cheaper. The outreach by the program has been rather strong the past three years. Deep down inside, there is no going higher until those people that filled this stadium regularly back in the first cycle return. I don't see why anyone should be offended. If you buy tickets and do what you can, then it wasn't directed at you.

 

[Scrutineer]

This has been posted before:
http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/Attendance/2017.pdf

AAC Average Attendance: 28,669, down 2,942 per game vs 2016.

UConn Avg: 20,335

other averages above us:
SEC - 75,074
B1G - 66,227
B12 - 56,852
Pac 12 - 49,601
ACC - 48,442

and those below:
MtnWest - 24,963
ConUSA - 19,248
Sun Belt - 17,843
Mid American - 15,394

Non P5 notables:
BYU 56,267
FIU: 14,286
FAU: 18,948
UMass: 10,707
Colorado St: 32,062
Army: 30,924
Buffalo: 13,350
Rice: 19,354
N. Texas: 22,362
Hawaii: 24,244
UAB: 26,375
Troy: 24,456

AAC By School: - avg 28,669
UCF: 36,846
ECU: 36,727
Memphis: 36,302
Navy: 34,950
Houston: 32,583
USF: 31,401
Cincy: 28,434
Temple: 27,318
UConn: 20,335
SMU: 19,944
Tulane: 18,459
Tulane: 16,939

Other Northeast Programs/Closest P5 Programs:
Penn St: 106,707
Virginia Tech: 63,214
WV: 55,946
Rutty: 39,749
Maryland: 39,643
Virginia: 39,398
Pitt: 36,295
BC: 35,924
Syracuse: 33,929

Basically what this shows is if we can have several good years in a row that we'll be right up there with power 5's like BS, Syracluse and Pit.

 

[UConnNick]

^^^ THIS.

The only people that would even bother to pay attention to what the athletic director of UConn says are the very same people buying the tickets. Wake up, Dave. I mean really...wake up...

Yep. To trot out a tired, old cliche', he's preaching to the choir.

 

[Exit 4]

Basically what this shows is if we can have several good years in a row that we'll be right up there with power 5's like BS, Syracluse and Pit.

Yes, and it also shows we are drifting into a real danger zone. I took a look at the seat finder the other day for single game tickets. I think we are poised to avg under 16k this year making us the bottom of the P6. Things look that bad.

 

[champs99and04]

The school can't expect to sell the FBS experience as one based out of an obligation to support a garbage product. It's not a charity and aside from the hundred or so of us that post on here consistently, most people simply just don't care that much. And that's fine.

The idea the administration - which is way more responsible for this mess than the people paying money to sit through yearly debacles - calling the fans to task is pretty bush league.

I think the fan base for basketball should be ashamed for the AAC Tournament showing we had two years ago - that was a true low point for me.

But the football fan base? What do you possibly expect?

I agree that we need to be realistic. The product is what it is and it might not get demonstrably better any time soon. I didn't take his comment personally, but as I said in a thread the other day, language is important. You can't go antagonizing the fans that remain, whether you intended to or not.

I think there is a significant difference, though, between shaming a fan base and imploring them to be proactive. Whether we're 12-0 or 0-12, we sell the product as much as the players do. He's telling us to not give up, that our efforts are not futile, and that every person who is willing to invest matters a great deal. The AD's job is to frame the language/narrative. The fans are part of the product and not separate from it. His message is to enjoy the process of supporting the school and the program, because that's how any culture is built. He's selling us something by making it us.

 

[kemba]

There's just a way better way to encourage fans than to talk about being accountable, without taking any of the blame for yourself. This is not 1-2 down years, this is 7 straight years in which 4 were awful non competitive football and 3 were just bad football. No fanbase as a whole keeps supporting a team throughout all that..

So instead of talking down to us and tell us to be accountable like Edsall is teaching college kids to do how about..

"Listen, I get it, it's been a rough 7 years. We made some mistakes. We know nobody likes losing, we don't like it either. But I know this is the same fanbase that used to pack the rent every week. That RGIII called the toughest place he ever played. That Pitt couldn't even get a play off because it was so loud. And you know what? We've got the coach now that gave us those moments. It's going to take time, people are going to need to continue to be patient. But I'm around the team, I'm at these practices, and we are getting there. So i urge you guys to come out to the Rent and do your part to help us get there quicker. Be there while we build this thing back to where it should be."

 

[metsfan2323]

Just a hunch but I think his comments were intended for fans in CT who just watch on TV, he's not talking about the ones who actually buy season tickets. He probably figured he didn't need to spell that out.

Memphis provides the best example for how to win back fans, 5 years ago they couldn't draw flies to the the Liberty Bowl.

The good news is that roster talent is on the upswing. Winning should soon follow.

 

[buddy]

I am reminded of the day when Warde Manuel was begging UConn fans to attend football games. He used the idiom, "if you want to get us where you want us to be" you need to come to the football games. That totally fell flat. He abandoned UConn and CR is essentially dead for UConn. The football and basketball programs went into a downward spiral and there really is no relief in sight. Football is predicted to be next to last this upcoming season, with some predicting a one win season, and our once heralded basketball program is predicted to finish in 8th place in the AAC. Other schools whom UConn fans mocked have now surpassed UConn in their athletic prowess. I suspect some people just are not buying into it anymore. You can only take so much. I hope AD Dave understands this.
I recommend that UConn give tickets away to deserving charitable organizations. Local boys and girls clubs, scouts, anyone who could fill the stands. The ticket income is lost anyway by having so many empty seats. At least this may instill some interest in future generations. UConn student composition has changed. The days of actively engaged students in an off campus event is effectively over. Maybe they will come back with a winning team to engage in a party atmosphere, but it certainly doesn't appear likely for this season's team.

 

[Hoophound]

Memphis used high powered offense and winning to bring fans back. However, they upgraded when they came to the American. Conversely, UConn and Cincy fans feel totally deflated in this conference. I don’t feel the same about USF because their fans never really bought in anyway.

 

[metsfan2323]

Memphis used high powered offense and winning to bring fans back. However, they upgraded when they came to the American. Conversely, UConn and Cincy fans feel totally deflated. I don’t feel the same about USF because their fans never really bought in anyway.

I'm glad you brought this up, because if you still feel deflated about the conference it's totally on you and there is literally nothing UCONN can do about. (the school can't control conference realignment)

Here is an important message for you fans who feel deflated about the conference. Please watch you jackwagon's

 

[Doggie Style]

This might be the fakest news in the world.

Unless these are total attendences and not averages?

2012 34,672

2013 30,932

2014 27,461

2015 28,224

2016 26,796

Maybe these were the amount of fans who “thought” about going to the games?

 

[Hoophound]

I'm glad you brought this up, because if you still feel deflated about the conference it's totally on you and there is literally nothing UCONN can do about. (the school can't control conference realignment)

Here is an important message for you fans who feel deflated about the conference. Please watch you jackwagon's

Hey, I live 1300 miles away and I go to games every year so I’m not a negative person in this regard. Just saying, it is going to weigh on attendance when compared to the old Big East schedule. There is less fan interest. Second, there are less visiting team fans. It’s just the way it is.

I can get totally hyped for an AAC football schedule if we are good, but I also want to be in a loud and high energy stadium. Lots of factors play into that. I can tell you for sure, Lashlee was a step in the right direction. I loved seeing us score points and move the ball through the air for a change. We definitely need more of that to fill seats.

 

[Nostical]

He's preaching to the choir.

The problem is too many of the choir members have dozed off too. There’s an old adage among preachers: when you’ve lost the choir you need to write some better sermons.
Others have said it but college football Saturdays in many other geographic areas are the most compelling and anticipated events of the week. Weddings don’t get planned in the fall. Most women in New England chuckle at that.
All we can do is keep at it. All of us. Pushing others to get in the game. Dave Benedict, Boneyarders, Edsall, everyone who cares about UConn football. Ideas must keep flowing. Winning will help, a superstar player who grabs national headlines would be terrific, ticket giveaways to charitable groups would be a practical stopgap. maybe even some “Bill Veek like” promotions. In the meantime, I’m not giving up.