David Benedict Basically Blames Low Attendance on Us

[noeynox]

And every year our seats in the 200 level in both arenas were moved further and further back while becoming more and more expensive. By 2006, the university stopped filling our request for Big East Tournament tickets, despite our years of loyalty, leaving us at the mercy of StubHub (this was at a time when they never went on sale to the general public). We were forgotten and eventually, thanks partly to the state of the 2009-ish economy, my dad stopped buying tickets. He couldn’t afford it and we felt like we weren’t wanted.


Here is clue for Dave and UConn when you have fans coming to games, value them. Having my 10 year seats at the Rent sold to someone one else "due to an honest mistake", caused 2 dudes who bought a combined 8 seats with me, to stop buying. The guys in my crew wanted them comp us chair backs to 1 game and the school said no. Good move.

Up until last year I bought 4 season tickets by myself. I could no longer give them away for free. Now I'll buy single game tickets.

Dave wasn't the AD during that fiasco, but seriously Dave go fly a kite. Where is his accountability for the KO debacle extension and bad press that's come from that.

 

[rich1122]

Numbers need to improve

I'm not the type to usually get outraged with much of anything, especially pieces on athletic dept figures, but this was maybe the most ridiculous thing I've read this year. Benedict telling us to take ownership? Is that really why ticket sales are down? Or is it that we play East Carolina on random Thursday nights and have won 6 games in our last 24 attempts and have the pleasure of watching for $35 a pop?

Direct quote from Benedict regarding dwindling attendance and how to go about bringing it back to par:
“But it’s really about creating an accountability with our fan base to have them take some ownership, just like coach (Edsall) is trying to get his team to take some ownership and be accountable for what they’re doing.”

Whose the Market? Alumni ‍. Last 10 years alumni have moved toNY or Boston or Raleigh. I mean there is not much time to CT.

Us old guys moved away and retired to FL. I went to every game for 13 straight years. I’m done. I had to stop watching basket. It was unwatchable.

You can blame Blumenthall for suing the ACC. We’d be in a legit conference by now. Now we suck at most everything and nobody will take us.

It’s a losing proposition. I still believe Big East for everything exceptFootball. Roll the dice with Football .

 

[Marty Jackson]

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.

uconn's best sport, BB saw a drop when the team tanked for 2 years. and that is with a NC is less than 5 year's ago.
CT culture wants to watch teams play in meaningful games and win their fair share (conf championship, bowls, etc). The fans thrive on that excitement. It is a hard sell for anyone to get people in the stands with a product that is not competitive. In CT you have the Yankees, Red Sox, Celtics, Giants, Patriots, Jets, Bruins, etc to compete with the fans attention. Why would anyone show up for a uconn game where the coach can't even return a punt.

I think that if RE can get this team competitive and challenging the Houstons, Navy's and Cincy's there is a large group of folks that would show up. The league is fine for Uconn to rebuild and get back to the RE1.0 level. If Uconn were a doormat in the BIG or ACC (Rutgers), I doubt people would show up long term to watch the team get trounced.

 

[Marty Jackson]

True, but perhaps the context was Rentschler seasons only? I had no idea the school reported the 2005 season as a total sellout. That was a losing season, and so was 2006, without much of an attendance drop off, according to the figures.

Funny, I attended a few games in 2005 and I do not recall any games when the stadium was totally full...far from it for the USF and Louisville games, due to bad weather. I guess the AD is indicating every single ticket was sold for the whole season, but sometimes not everybody showed up.

tickets sold vs attendance is a long time debate.
pretty sure neither have to do with specifically how many fans actually show up to watch the game.

 

[Marty Jackson]

It will take 3 great seasons in a row to turn those numbers around. Even with that, year 3 would need to be a 10 win season to really spark casual fans. You can't flush a decade down the toilet in New England college sports and expect your fans to stay. Pro teams, sure......not college teams.

But his quote doesn't bother me.

seriously???! why don't you just say it will take a NC to get fans back...
the team has never won more than 9 games in a season and yet there was a pretty good following at one point.

so let's just throw out complete garbage, hold the team accountable to a performance level they've never achieved, and get all frustrated when it doesn't happen. that's the fan-base benedict is talking to.

 

[CL82]

You can blame Blumenthall for suing the ACC. We’d be in a legit conference by now

Nope. It was about geography not hurt feelings. BC was always going to blackball us because, as BCU AD DeFilippo said, they wanted to be the only New England school. That's why they suggested Pitt as an alternative. Pitt was also a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

 

[Nostical]

I

N BC was always going to blackball us because, as BCU AD DeFilippo said, they wanted to be the only New England school.

Blumenthal’s unbridled zest for the spotlight converted the Big East’s lawsuit into Connecticut’s lawsuit. That gave us a terrible reputation, especially when he sued individuals. He was (and is) a limelight hound. He hurt our chances. Big time.

 

[CL82]

I

Well you have to give me points for consistency.

I hate this enduring myth that lawsuit is the reason we aren't a P5 school. So I will usually correct it. Apparently I have done it enough that my response is now reflexive.

 

[Stainmaster]

He’s not incorrect, but he’s the absolute wrong person to be saying this. This is one of those things where you have one of your underlings slide into Some Guy’s DMs and plant a seed in his head for an article.

 

[champs99and04]

uconn's best sport, BB saw a drop when the team tanked for 2 years. and that is with a NC is less than 5 year's ago.
CT culture wants to watch teams play in meaningful games and win their fair share (conf championship, bowls, etc). The fans thrive on that excitement. It is a hard sell for anyone to get people in the stands with a product that is not competitive. In CT you have the Yankees, Red Sox, Celtics, Giants, Patriots, Jets, Bruins, etc to compete with the fans attention. Why would anyone show up for a uconn game where the coach can't even return a punt.

I think that if RE can get this team competitive and challenging the Houstons, Navy's and Cincy's there is a large group of folks that would show up. The league is fine for Uconn to rebuild and get back to the RE1.0 level. If Uconn were a doormat in the BIG or ACC (Rutgers), I doubt people would show up long term to watch the team get trounced.

If this is going to be the attitude, then fine, but we can't have it both ways where it's "Connecticut is a tough market, you have to put a great product out there" and then we're wondering why we're not in a better conference.

One thing the pro teams you mention have in common is that they don't play in Connecticut. Another thing is that tickets are a lot more expensive. Especially if you want to bring your kids or friends who may not be huge college football fans...they don't appreciate the difference in the product anyway. Die-hard UConn fans like us tend to see things with a more critical eye because it feels like we're hosting to a ravaged house. In reality, people don't care that much.

 

[kemba]

If this is going to be the attitude, then fine, but we can't have it both ways where it's "Connecticut is a tough market, you have to put a great product out there" and then we're wondering why we're not in a better conference.

It's the attitude everywhere though. There's not a program in the country that wouldn't suffer a huge drop off in attendance and interest if they went through what we've gone through the past 7 years. All the comments about schools like Auburn, Michigan, Notre Dame still showing up in down years are so off base. Those programs "struggles" don't include 2-3 win seasons year after year. Charlie Weis was a disaster at ND, still went to like 4 bowl games. Rich Rodriguez after a terrible start made it to the Gator Bowl and was fired. Brady Hoke went to a bunch of bowl games, had one 5-7 season and they fired him. None of these major programs offer unconditional support, if things aren't going well they demand changes. Those schools a. listen, so things never get as bad as they got here, and b. recruit well enough based on their name that the floor isn't as low as it is here.

I wish we still got big crowds. And if we had continued to pack the rent for the past 7 years that would go a major way to showing we deserve a power 5 conference. But after 7 bad years, 4 in which we were non-competitive week after week, that's not a realistic goal. Not here, but also not anywhere

 

[CL82]

I

Blumenthal’s unbridled zest for the spotlight converted the Big East’s lawsuit into Connecticut’s lawsuit. That gave us a terrible reputation, especially when he sued individuals. He was (and is) a limelight hound. He hurt our chances. Big time.

Source? Mine is DeFillipo himself.

DeFilippo does not deny that BC opposed the inclusion of UConn.

“We didn’t want them in,’’ he said. “It was a matter of turf. We wanted to be the New England team.’’

Although BC and UConn are the only FBS schools in New England, BC officials were reluctant to give UConn any more credence. Membership in the ACC would do that.

UConn had already reached milestones that BC had not - including national championships in men’s and women’s basketball and a BCS bid in football.​

 

[MilliniumPrince]

seriously???! why don't you just say it will take a NC to get fans back...
the team has never won more than 9 games in a season and yet there was a pretty good following at one point.

so let's just throw out complete garbage, hold the team accountable to a performance level they've never achieved, and get all frustrated when it doesn't happen. that's the fan-base benedict is talking to.

You.....you don't get out much I take it. Lol.

 

[MilliniumPrince]

Nope. It was about geography not hurt feelings. BC was always going to blackball us because, as BCU AD DeFilippo said, they wanted to be the only New England school. That's why they suggested Pitt as an alternative. Pitt was also a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

I can't believe believe billion dollar decisions were made based in hurt feelings. Geesh!

 

[gopher2]

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[/QUOTE]

Wow, 107K for Penn State. I was watching a 30/30 program called "Requiem for the Big East" a while back. It's tragic that the Big East schools actually voted not to invite PSU into the Big East back in those days. Can't help but wonder how things might have developed had PSU joined the conference.

 

[Stray_Dog]

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.

Look if we had rivals like the Michigan’s and the Auburn’s etc, we wouldn’t have an attendance problem...so bring back the ConnFlict! LOL

 

[Adios]

Exhibit A: Kentucky football fans.

 

[CL82]

Look if we had rivals like the Michigan’s and the Auburn’s etc, we wouldn’t have an attendance problem...so bring back the ConnFlict! LOL

 

[champs99and04]

It's the attitude everywhere though. There's not a program in the country that wouldn't suffer a huge drop off in attendance and interest if they went through what we've gone through the past 7 years. All the comments about schools like Auburn, Michigan, Notre Dame still showing up in down years are so off base. Those programs "struggles" don't include 2-3 win seasons year after year. Charlie Weis was a disaster at ND, still went to like 4 bowl games. Rich Rodriguez after a terrible start made it to the Gator Bowl and was fired. Brady Hoke went to a bunch of bowl games, had one 5-7 season and they fired him. None of these major programs offer unconditional support, if things aren't going well they demand changes. Those schools a. listen, so things never get as bad as they got here, and b. recruit well enough based on their name that the floor isn't as low as it is here.

I wish we still got big crowds. And if we had continued to pack the rent for the past 7 years that would go a major way to showing we deserve a power 5 conference. But after 7 bad years, 4 in which we were non-competitive week after week, that's not a realistic goal. Not here, but also not anywhere

I don't understand your point. Should we tell people not to come to the games? Should we just leave the ticket sales positions in the AD empty? What is the reason for things like marketing, branding, and advertising if not to build a fanbase? If the record is all that matters, why bother? Nobody in Philly gave a damn about Temple football when they were winning all those games a couple years ago.

I recognize that I'm oversimplifying your argument, but it is possible to modify behavior if your message is focused enough. Condensing the entire discussion to something so opaque misses the fact that every product is contingent on continuous innovation. Every sales pitch is an appeal to some visceral reaction. The fact that UConn football sucks can be used as a positive as much as a negative. Between UConn and Michigan, which fanbase is feeling better about themselves if they both win six games? Which is the better story if they both somehow win every game? There is perhaps no greater psychological comfort than the allurement of progress, especially when it is situated beyond your expected arch. Both of these things are animately tied to identity which is even more closely linked to growth rate. You won't see much of that here because everyone kind of agrees that UConn football is depressing (and it is, but changing that entails more than just the w/l column).

 

[kemba]

I don't understand your point. Should we tell people not to come to the games? Should we just leave the ticket sales positions in the AD empty? What is the reason for things like marketing, branding, and advertising if not to build a fanbase? If the record is all that matters, why bother? Nobody in Philly gave a damn about Temple football when they were winning all those games a couple years ago.

I recognize that I'm oversimplifying your argument, but it is possible to modify behavior if your message is focused enough. Condensing the entire discussion to something so opaque misses the fact that every product is contingent on continuous innovation. Every sales pitch is an appeal to some visceral reaction. The fact that UConn football sucks can be used as a positive as much as a negative. Between UConn and Michigan, which fanbase is feeling better about themselves if they both win six games? Which is the better story if they both somehow win every game? There is perhaps no greater psychological comfort than the allurement of progress, especially when it is situated beyond your expected arch. Both of these things are animately tied to identity which is even more closely linked to growth rate. You won't see much of that here because everyone kind of agrees that UConn football is depressing (and it is, but changing that entails more than just the w/l column).

No, I'm not saying don't find creative marketing strategies, and promotions, and anything else to try and engage the fanbase and get people to come. And Benedict and Edsall and anyone else can and should enourage people to come. I posted a sample message last page that I would love to hear from Benedict.

But don't act like its a problem that UConn's fanbase wants to win games. Don't compare us to fanbases like Auburn and say we need to be more loyal like they are, when "supporting the team through the thick in thin" for them is sitting through a down but still competitive year in between national championships, while for us its 7 years of garbage. Encourage people to go, sure, but I'd like to hear more appreciation for people who do that than shaming those who don't.

 

[champs99and04]

No, I'm not saying don't find creative marketing strategies, and promotions, and anything else to try and engage the fanbase and get people to come. And Benedict and Edsall and anyone else can and should enourage people to come. I posted a sample message last page that I would love to hear from Benedict.

But don't act like its a problem that UConn's fanbase wants to win games. Don't compare us to fanbases like Auburn and say we need to be more loyal like they are, when "supporting the team through the thick in thin" for them is sitting through a down but still competitive year in between national championships, while for us its 7 years of garbage. Encourage people to go, sure, but I'd like to hear more appreciation for people who do that than shaming those who don't.

I didn't take it as shaming, but mine is only one interpretation. Since you and many others seem to have taken it that way, I'll acknowledge that it probably would have been best to word things differently.

Winning games isn't a UConn problem by any means. I do think that problem is exacerbated by how saturated the sports market already is. Forget Boston and New York - Philly, Baltimore, D.C., etc. are within walking distance of Hartford compared to some of the hauls people have to make to get places in other parts of the country. There is a lot more to do in general, I'm told, up here. The lack of an on campus stadium doesn't help.

None of that changes the fact that our fanbase is small comparatively speaking. From where Benedict stands, the best way to build one is probably to emulate the culture and tradition other schools have established. Sure, those programs are a lot better than UConn's, but the chicken/egg prophecy remains.

 

[Sky ball]

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.

If those teams were in the AAC those huge stadiums would look empty.

 

[Adios]

I didn't take it as shaming, but mine is only one interpretation. Since you and many others seem to have taken it that way, I'll acknowledge that it probably would have been best to word things differently.

Winning games isn't a UConn problem by any means. I do think that problem is exacerbated by how saturated the sports market already is. Forget Boston and New York - Philly, Baltimore, D.C., etc. are within walking distance of Hartford compared to some of the hauls people have to make to get places in other parts of the country. There is a lot more to do in general, I'm told, up here. The lack of an on campus stadium doesn't help.

None of that changes the fact that our fanbase is small comparatively speaking. From where Benedict stands, the best way to build one is probably to emulate the culture and tradition other schools have established. Sure, those programs are a lot better than UConn's, but the chicken/egg prophecy remains.

USC football has been off campus for how long?

Yale even created a campus just for athletics away from the main campus. The men's lacrosse team that plays there just won the national title.

 

[amory]

I'm getting tired of hearing UConn tell me it's my responsibility to give them a pile of money now and we'll worry about success sometime down the road. I already did that, when I paid to go to school there.

SEVEN YEARS of losing. SEVEN. Mostly against crap competition.

And you've got the nerve to say "support us through thick and thin"? It's all thin, dude. There's no thick.

 

[HartfordHank]

USC football has been off campus for how long?

USC is right next to the La Coliseum. You can easily walk from the USC Campus to the LA Coliseum. I mean many students have longer walks to class than to the LA Coliseum!

 

[uconnphil2016]

So who’s gonna confront AD David Benedict on these quotes at our open practice/ice cream social? I nominate @CTMike

 

[BlueDogs]

The program has perhaps one shot left to get it right. This year is the very last write-off, low expectation season the program can endure and I’m not sure it can even survive that . Fan support is near a total collapse with maybe 15,000 diehards hanging in. Loosing Laslee and Grimes was as dumb as it gets, only to be outdone by keeping the worst DC in college football by miles. The scheduling is crap and further alienates the average fanbase. All that said, Edsall is about execution and competitive toughness, and I’m hoping that we see some of that this year and find a way to win 5- 6 games and keep the flame alive for the more casual fans. AD has few cards left to play so he’s really pleading with the fanbase by cajoling and chiding.

 

[CTMike]

So who’s gonna confront AD David Benedict on these quotes at our open practice/ice cream social? I nominate @CTMike

I’m very intimidating.

 

[HawkHusky]

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

UConn, like most other schools, uses tickets sold/distributed (not actual butts in seats).

 

[whaler11]

UConn, like most other schools, uses tickets sold/distributed (not actual butts in seats).

UConn has actually switched between both to lay political blame.