Man I'm locked in as a UConn FB fan

[GoConn]

Family had season tickets 2010-2014, went to Fiesta Bowl when I was 13 and immediately become a die hard. Attended UConn between 2016-2020 and even though we sucked, I still went to games and sat in student section as much as I could.

 

[NEforceUConn]

You guys are great! Thinking about flying up from NC, maybe I can hop on the WF equipment bus.

 

[Goldenflash]

You guys are great! Thinking about flying up from NC, maybe I can hop on the WF equipment bus.

NE, I’m flying Avelo out of RDU at 7:15 Saturday morning, I’ve got a rent a car and an extra game ticket if you want to make a last minute plane ticket purchase. As I said in a different thread, flying back into RDU Sunday morning, should be home by lunch time.

 

[NEforceUConn]

I genuinely build my life around UConn men's basketball, watch every game, attend 98% of home games plus some away and neutral sites. I attend and watch as many UConn football games I can reasonably accommodate. I care deeply about the women's team, get to a game or two a year generally, and watch on TV when it's convenient. Baseball, men's hockey, men's soccer, and volleyball are in the next tier - follow throughout the season and watch/attend when the opportunity presents itself. Everything else I am happy when I see a win on Twitter but that's about it, though I did watch the softball games that found their way onto FS1 a year or two ago.

I’m humbled. You’re awesome. If I ever move from NC to Willamantic I hope to emulate your passion.

Bleed Blue. Beat WF

 

[NEforceUConn]

NE, I’m flying Avelo out of RDU at 7:15 Saturday morning, I’ve got a rent a car and an extra game ticket if you want to make a last minute plane ticket purchase. As I said in a different thread, flying back into RDU Sunday morning, should be home by lunch time.

Darn, missed the chance. But I will fly our colors high on 11/15 for lady huskies against those pesky tar heels in Greensboro

 

[DoctorWho85]

I was part of the UCMB that opened the rent and went to the first bowl game with Danny O. Some of the best times I had were just cheering in the stands with the rest of the band. UConn Football is ingrained in my saturday plans always.

 

[gopher2]

You guys are great! Thinking about flying up from NC, maybe I can hop on the WF equipment bus.

If you can, put the wrong cleats on their shoes.

 

[Jetskies]

I've been a fan long enough to remember a packed Rent. The end of the Temple game was incredible. Imagine if the stadium was in its old form for that runback...

I really want to think that the stadium crowd issues are not entirely on UConn's football quality - judging from the mediocre crowds i'm seeing across college football (besides the Michigans and Ohio states of the world), even if we were going 7-5 every year and bowling, we lack the brand/tradition that brings 40-50K people consistently. it's unlikely to happen, even if we start winning.

This is a different time and generation of kids, than 2004.

IMO - Because we are not a brand name that draws crowdds in football, the only way to bring those types of crowds consistently in 2024, is if we had an SEC or B1G conference schedule, which we will never have. Personally I don't think even an ACC or Big 12 schedule would consistently crack 30K average attendance at the rent, in this generation.

also let's keep in mind that the medicore crowds across college football are in ON-CAMPUS stadiums. Just a nugget for those desparate to put a stadium in Storrs.

All this to say, I still think UConn football is doing the right thing - there is no point in playing Michigan, OH State, Tennessee, etc... at this point. Make a schedule that gives us a shot, invest in NIL to get the studs we need who don't care what team they play for, do better than last year, then rinse and repeat, until we get the invite to elevate ourselves financially to a place where we have a friggin shot to reasonably compete against the top 25 schools. No more payday beatdown games - leave that to UMass.
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EDIT - I know we're playing Ole Miss soon. not a fan of that, but maybe we'll do better than I fear.

 

[Hskies4Ever]

I think any P4 conference with brand name teams would draw 30k+ consistently if we’re winning and competitive. I think even teams we have no regional or historical relevance with would draw well because the games would mean something for conference play.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

IIRC, college football attendance had been dropping since 2017 but increased the last two years. In a culture that values or perhaps over values being entertained, being a bad entertainment product for a lengthy time would have a direct impact on attendance. Playing the Michigans of the football world occasionally is fine especially considering the lack of revenue the program is currently bringing in. Betting the players are fine with it. If UConn is 4 or 5-2 in later October with a Syracuse, Pitt, OK State or WVU coming in, it would be an easy 30k draw. If UConn was 7-5 or 8-4 the previous year it would be an easy draw in the beginning of the season.

 

[ZooCougar]

If they win we won't care what the attendance is.