NCAA Attendance

[Frodo]

couple of mentions this morning about the low attendance for the UConn subregional...

Adamec says 'The two main criticisms making the rounds for the low turnout around here are the limited time UConn...had to sell tickets in advance and the start times of the games.'

Jim Fuller's column in the Register basically says the same thing, quoting Geno 'It is not indicative who our program is and what we have done to get to this point. It is kind of embarrassing. We took great pride in who we are, what we have done and how we have done it for all of these years. For that to happen, I am not pointing a finger at anybody but I just think it is embarrassing. I am not blaming anybody but I just know that in 2002 there would have been 3,600 people.'

I can't speak for everyone, but my wife and I have been season ticket holders for a number of years and we would have been at Gampel Saturday and again tonight, except for one reason and one reason only...the start time. Anyone who's ever been to Gample knows how difficult it can be to exit the parking garage, so add that time to a two hour game and a 45 minute ride to home and we're talking 12:30 AM or later on a work day. When I was 21 that wouldn't have been a big deal, but given the UConn women's fan base of small kids and older adults the attendance can't be that much of a surprise...tonight won't be a full house either.

Clearly ESPN was more concerned about the TV audience than empty seats at Gampel, but under the circumstances any hand wringing over the attendance that suggests anything but the start time is, I think, misplaced.

 

[rford53]

couple of mentions this morning about the low attendance for the UConn subregional...

Adamec says 'The two main criticisms making the rounds for the low turnout around here are the limited time UConn...had to sell tickets in advance and the start times of the games.'

Jim Fuller's column in the Register basically says the same thing, quoting Geno 'It is not indicative who our program is and what we have done to get to this point. It is kind of embarrassing. We took great pride in who we are, what we have done and how we have done it for all of these years. For that to happen, I am not pointing a finger at anybody but I just think it is embarrassing. I am not blaming anybody but I just know that in 2002 there would have been 3,600 people.'

I can't speak for everyone, but my wife and I have been season ticket holders for a number of years and we would have been at Gampel Saturday and again tonight, except for one reason and one reason only...the start time. Anyone who's ever been to Gample knows how difficult it can be to exit the parking garage, so add that time to a two hour game and a 45 minute ride to home and we're talking 12:30 AM or later on a work day. When I was 21 that wouldn't have been a big deal, but given the UConn women's fan base of small kids and older adults the attendance can't be that much of a surprise...tonight won't be a full house either.

Clearly ESPN was more concerned about the TV audience than empty seats at Gampel, but under the circumstances any hand wringing over the attendance that suggests anything but the start time is, I think, misplaced.

The start time is a BIG factor in my non-attendance on Saturday night. However, I will be there tonight to enjoy KML and Kiah's last home game. I can manage one or two short sleep nights a year. Will do it again next Monday in Albany driving up and back from Connecticut.

 

[HGN]

I prefer to say its the late start times requiring fans to be out at a 9pm game. Maybe the NCAA will re-think this for next year.

 

[Henry]

The NCAA does not care about attendance. TV drives the bus. Fans support this team all year and then we get stuck with 2 9:00 games because that is what ESPN wants. I had considered going but not with 9:00 starts.

 

[Icebear]

Yes, ESPN thinks people will either 1) stay up to watch it, or 2) dvr it to wathch later. ESPN could care less about the live attendance.

 

[HiDribble]

Personally, I am also embarrassed. We are over 70, still working and have no issue with the one hour drive to Gampel. What is the problem, it's a Saturday night and my team is worth a little extra effort. BTW, forget the damn garage and park in the 9 or X lots. You will be home earlier and get a little excercise in the process.