UConn Football Hoping For Attendance Rebound After Record-Low Season

[huskymedic]

Mike Anthony: UConn Football Hoping For Attendance Rebound After Record-Low Season

 

[Exit 4]

This schedule needs more Michigan to sell tickets while we wait for the rebuild to yield wins.

 

[huskymedic]

Average attendance for UConn games at Rentschler Field:

2003: 37,059
2004: 39,304
2005: 40,000
2006: 38,939
2007: 38,919
2008: 39,331
2009: 38,229
2010: 38,248
2011: 36,668
2012: 34,672
2013: 30,932
2014: 27,461
2015: 28,224
2016: 26,796
2017: 20,334

 

[huskymedic]

Approximate season tickets allocated:

2003: 25,500
2004: 28,500
2005: 32,500
2006: 28,000
2007: 27,000
2008: 28,500
2009: 27,000
2010: 27,500
2011: 26,000
2012: 23,000
2013: 25,000
2014: 20,000
2015: 16,000
2016: 16,000
2017: 16,000

 

[Palatine]

If they want more fans the best thing they could do (besides win) is to price the stadium like they want more fans.

 

[UConnDan97]

Wow. Based on Medic's numbers, we've gone from 11,000 non-season ticket holder purchases per game to 4,000 non-season ticket holders per game in just 1 year.

The diehards are still about the same in number. The broke diehards and casuals rapidly went down, even with some of the excitement of seeing Edsall back with folks like Lashlee joining us. This is more depressing than going 3-9. To echo the sentiment that I and others have stated for multiple years here; they have to get the price down to drive the product up. Even if it costs you money in the short term...

 

[uconnphil2016]

Crazy that more people came out to watch the diasaster that was 2016 than last year's games.

 

[UConn76]

Next year's home schedule is a disaster. Hard to imagine we see any uptick in attendance...

 

[History Geek]

Just win baby

 

[CL82]

The 14,000 at the Sunday ECU game really skews these figures. Next year will look better just by eliminating it.

 

[BlueDogs]

Wow. Based on Medic's numbers, we've gone from 11,000 non-season ticket holder purchases per game to 4,000 non-season ticket holders per game in just 1 year.

The diehards are still about the same in number. The broke diehards and casuals rapidly went down, even with some of the excitement of seeing Edsall back with folks like Lashlee joining us. This is more depressing than going 3-9. To echo the sentiment that I and others have stated for multiple years here; they have to get the price down to drive the product up. Even if it costs you money in the short term...

There is probably a decent correlation with the downward spiral in the state's crappy economy then couple that with the downward spiral in the football product and get the trend we see.

 

[DAC17]

Of course, we all know that these numbers are way too high. I'd like to see the actual number of people that attended, not the amount of tickets sold (or "distributed").

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

On a possible related note, today's UConn email to season ticket holders/donors:

"... Congress is currently considering changes to the tax code that could be signed into law in the next several weeks. While much is left to be determined, the proposed changes may have a direct impact on your philanthropic gifts directed to UConn Athletics. For example, current IRS policy allows for donations related to priority ticket access for collegiate athletic events to be tax-deductible for 80% of the total gift amount. While still subject to revision, the proposed tax legislation eliminates the provision allowing individuals to deduct charitable contributions connected to athletics tickets.

While the UConn Foundation has always encouraged its donors to give according to their own schedule and preference, donors might consider making contributions prior to December 31, 2017 in anticipation of these potential changes in tax law, and advises you to consult with your own tax advisors to determine whether this opportunity could be to your advantage.

Our Athletics Development staff will be happy to personally assist you with any questions you may have related to your generous support or with a gift to the Husky Athletic Fund. Please contact the Husky Athletic Fund office at (860) 486-3863 with questions. ..."

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

We once had a season ticket base of 32,500? That is INSANE. What wouldn’t hurt would be a decent season from the hoops team as the overall fan base morale has plummeted but that’s a topic for a different thread.

 

[whaler11]

Those numbers are completely bogus.

The slide has been slow and steady.

 

[noeynox]

Those numbers are completely bogus.

The slide has been slow and steady.

Which part is bogus? There were a lot more empties this year it seemed. I couldn't believe the Missouri game had so many empty seats.

The UConn people have botched this at every turn.

 

[whaler11]

Which part is bogus? There were a lot more empties this year it seemed. I couldn't believe the Missouri game had so many empty seats.

The UConn people have botched this at every turn.

Pretty much every year before this one.

 

[Wordbomar]

Crazy that more people came out to watch the diasaster that was 2016 than last year's games.

Came off of a bowl season with some real hope, that’s the only difference

 

[uconnphil2016]

Pretty much every year before this one.

Definitely. Look at SMU attendance 2014 or Tulane attendance 2016. The numbers are a joke

 

[UCFBfan]

UConn is also hurting themselves by making single game tickets available for less then what season ticket owners pay. I get why they do it, but what incentive does anyone have to buy season tickets? I think AD David Benedict has tried to make them valuable with all the season ticket events and giveaways, etc. However, why bother? I can show up to a game that day and buy a ticket in the lot for basically nothing and then sit wherever I want when I get in there.

I know this doesn't show me as a program supporter but to be honest, just the fact that I go to games is showing more support then a lot of folks. In a time where money is tight, I just can't see myself buying season tickets in the near future. I'll still go to games when I can but I'll buy tickets in the lot and be able to not break the bank.

 

[Waquoit]

If they want more fans the best thing they could do (besides win) is to price the stadium like they want more fans.

Something that they have never done. Tickets have been overpriced from the get-go.

 

[Waquoit]

The attendance would have been better if they chose to play the most attractive home game at home.

 

[DAC17]

Something that they have never done. Tickets have been overpriced from the get-go.

I would suggest reducing the season ticket seat fees by a meaningful amount. We had upper chair backs (9) for five years, but gave them up two years ago. Now we buy game by game, sometimes in the parking lot...

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Came off of a bowl season with some real hope, that’s the only difference

And big crowds for UVA and Cuse with a lot of visitor fans

 

[UConnJim]

There were a number of factors that went into last year's poor attendance, but the schedule was very odd last year and it did not help attendance.

If I told you that the schedule for the year was going to be a Thursday night before Labor Day weekend against an FCS, a Sunday noon game, a Friday night game, 3 Saturday games in a row, and the best home game was moved to Boston, how many of you would have bought season tickets? The first Saturday home game was on October 21st!

Our group picked 2 games this year: USF on September 9th and BC at Fenway. USF was postponed, so this was the first year that I didn't make it to the Rent since it opened.