UT Should be Embarrassed: 2016-2017 Attendance

Discussion in 'Women’s Basketball' started by DFW_Horn, Aug 11, 2017.

  1. DFW_Horn

    DFW_Horn 2,500+ Posts

    The NCAA released the 2016-2017 attendance numbers yesterday and UT should be embarrassed. 25th in the country and 6th in the Big 12.
    Team - Overall Rank - Avg Attendance
    Iowa St. - 3 - 9,106
    Baylor - 10 - 5,934
    K State - 15 - 5,136
    Texas Tech - 18 - 4,449
    OU - 22 - 4,200
    UT - 25 - 3,813

    Full report:
    http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/w_basketball_RB/reports/Attend/2017.pdf

    I know Austin has many more entertainment options compared to the other schools ranked ahead of Texas but it's still ridiculous. Texas WBB plays an aggressive, entertaining style of basketball, has great history and is more successful recently than any of the teams ranked higher except Baylor.

    The FEC is far from ideal when it comes to a home facility - maybe the new arena will help.
     
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    Last edited: Aug 11, 2017
  2. racerx5908

    racerx5908 2,500+ Posts

    Because I finally figured out how to post images correctly, and I have some time on my hands, I looked at the last 10 years of basketball attendance from the site:
    http://www.ncaa.org/championships/statistics/womens-basketball-attendance

    I picked only 3 teams because I didn't feel like spending the day doing data entry.
    Here are the trends. Looks like Tech is, literally, the only game in town in Lubbock!
    [​IMG]
     
  3. LutherIsMyDog

    LutherIsMyDog 1,000+ Posts

    Hopefully, attendance to this year's games to WBB will improve. Do any of you guys have suggestions on how to improve attendance?

    I remember Mack Brown's first year coaching Texas football. Attendance to football games was abysmal (for football). He partnered with HEB to sell $5.00 end-zone tickets (I think it was 5 bucks---could have been more). Over the next 3 years, he was on his way to building a brand and selling out the stadium for each season.

    Although the FEZ will rarely be sold out for WBB, it would be great to average 5500-6000 per game. It would help if WBB were more popular with the students. Students seem to fully support Tx Volleyball. Is that due to the location of Gregory Gym or because VB is more exciting to watch?

    Thoughts?
     
  4. racerx5908

    racerx5908 2,500+ Posts

    They been trying aggressively to build "the Brand" with these ambassadors. One of my theories, which almost no one agrees with, is part of the problem is the Longhorn Network. For locals, if it's part of your cable bill, why then pay to watch in person, especially on a rainy, nasty night? When I suggest this, people get huffy and say that I'm wrong because they don't get the atmosphere and the excitement and the blah-blah-blah of being there in person.

    If you're a season ticket holder, then you've bought your tickets and that's that. If you're a person who thinks occasionally about going, then you have to consider what night it is, what the traffic conditions are, and then if it's worth it rather than just flipping on LHN, watching it, and then you're done. You're already at home.

    A co-worker last year suddenly started talking about WBB, out of the blue. Turns out, he was neighbors with Karen Aston. She bought a house two houses down from him and she would give him free tickets at the end court section, where Jody and the others sometimes sit. He had never gone to WBB games until then. He got excited and then purchased season tickets this year. Unfortunately, Karen sold the house and move to a downtown condo (I'm sure to make the commute easier) and so they are no longer neighbors.

    But, like me, this guy is in his 50's. Part of the problem is that the fan base is "aging out" and how do you build a younger fan base?
     
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  5. DFW_Horn

    DFW_Horn 2,500+ Posts

    Nice job on the graph. Visually shows what I find most frustrating:
    2013 (Karen's first year) - Team loses 18 games and you see a drop off the following year (not a surprise). The team is now winning 25+ games and has regained national prominence but only incremental attendance growth - haven't even gotten back to Gail's final season number.
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2017
  6. "Anna hook em"

    "Anna hook em" 250+ Posts

    Here some of the business give out free tickets and its still about 3000-4000 fans show up. At least here when u buy the tickets for students tickets cost 3 dollars adults 5 and you can sit anywhere you want except the courtside tickets, a couple of years ago for the Womens NIT we sold out the arena for all the games played here , other than that people dont go to the womens games.
    Dont charge parking?i do have plans on going to the BU game!!
    I do like that after the game the players and Coaches take time to talk with the fans and give autographs.
     
  7. Moooooo

    Moooooo 5,000+ Posts

    Honestly, the non-conference home schedule has been pretty dreadful the last few years. Only Tennessee and South Carolina last year, and bunch of schools from bad conferences This coming season, UConn and Florida State and a bunch of schools from bad conferences.

    I actually think we may get 10,000 fans for UConn in January if we are undefeated or have only one loss.

    For me, the worst part of attending home games is the parking situation. Then, for week night games, it's tough spending more than an hour in traffic as I try to get to campus from my home in Cedar Park (just NW of Austin).

    Winning and good opponents are the key to improving attendance. It won't happen overnight. As the team strives to be a consistent Top 10 program, that will also keep the team in the news and hopefully attract new fans to the games.
     
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  8. racerx5908

    racerx5908 2,500+ Posts

    I was reminded that part of the problem is the inconsistent marketing. Two years ago, on the last home game of the season, they had a table set up trying to get season ticket holders to re-up and trying to get new season ticket holders as well. They gave longhorn branded visors as the gimme gift. I asked them, "Why haven't you been doing this each home game for the last 2 or 3 weeks?! Why just the last game?" The very young marketing folks just kinda lamely shrugged their shoulders.

    Last year, the table wasn't even there!

    Sending out emails and hoping people suddenly get in the spirit and buy tickets isn't the way to go. Get those people who are coming by for the UConn, SC, OU, and Baylor games to think about signing up for season tickets WHILE THEY ARE THERE at the Erwin center.
     
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  9. Moooooo

    Moooooo 5,000+ Posts

    I'd be curious to know the number of season ticket holders we have. Again, the non-conference schedule as a whole won't cause many folks to purchase season tickets.

    Traditionally, our conference home game against Baylor and OU are the biggest draws. Other than that, about 2 non-conference games stand out each season. Four games just aren't gonna lead a spike in season ticket sales.
     
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  10. TXSNOS

    TXSNOS 1,000+ Posts

    For me traffic has been an issue the last few years. I live much closer to campus now, so hopefully I can make it to more games this year.
     
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  11. LutherIsMyDog

    LutherIsMyDog 1,000+ Posts

    Austin's traffic issues are definitely a deterrent to week day games. However, I still don't understand why the student population is a no-show to games. The lethargic attitude of the students isn't isolated to WBB. In the past, UT students would show up to football games during the 2Q and they don't show up in mass to men's basketball. IMO WBB needs the added support of the students because they bring the energy and enthusiasm that can be lacking at the FEC.
     
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  12. Moooooo

    Moooooo 5,000+ Posts

    Even when Texas was at its high point back in the late 80's and early 90's, the students did not turn out in noticeable numbers. There wasn't even a designated student section in the FEC; don't think there ever has been unless Karen has implemented one.

    When I was a student during those great years, Jody had powers like USC, Old Dominion, Western Kentucky, Tennessee, and Long Beach State (to name a few) coming to the FEC for non-conference games. Granted the SWC was a cakewalk until Arkansas and Tech started getting serious. In many ways, we scheduled like UConn does today (super strong non-conference with weak conference games).

    No offense, but I'm not gonna venture down to the FEC (fighting traffic and parking issues) to watch Texas play Texas A&M-CC and McNeese State. I will just watch on LHN.
     
  13. DFW_Horn

    DFW_Horn 2,500+ Posts

    There seemed to be quite a few more students that attended when I was there in the early 90s compared to today. I lived at 27th and Guadalupe most of my time at UT so it was a long walk to FEC. Students living near campus don't really have much of an excuse other than disinterest or laziness.

    I don't have to deal with the traffic daily and, while it was kind of a pain when I lived there 20+ years ago, I understand wanting to avoid it as much as possible now. I chose the hotel for my last and future trips because it's only 6-7 blocks from FEC so the walk isn't terrible.
     
  14. "Anna hook em"

    "Anna hook em" 250+ Posts

    May i ask what hotel? im looking for a hotel close to the FEC.
     
  15. DFW_Horn

    DFW_Horn 2,500+ Posts

  16. "Anna hook em"

    "Anna hook em" 250+ Posts

  17. daytonhorn

    daytonhorn 500+ Posts

    Double Tree at Martin Luther King and I-35. Walk over I-35 at MLK or down to 15th, then under I-35.
    I've had volleyball season tickets for the past 5 years, and Gregory is frequently only about 2/3 full. But getting better.
    This is my first year for WBB season tickets...expecting big things.
     
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  18. BabHorn

    BabHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Well, my attendance this season may be sporadic. I have moved out of town and while it is not that far, the night travel might be too much to do. I will have to take in one or two games and see if I feel okay driving that distance at night.
     
  19. breckenj05

    breckenj05 100+ Posts

    Attendance is one thing we are really trying to get up. We did improve three spots from last year, so at least we are moving in the right direction. I am one of the Ambassadors and we are actively recruiting more. If you are interested in joining the team as an Ambassador let me know or message me on here and I can get the info I need to pass on to Fran so we can get you added to the group. Someone mentioned the aging fans and that is true, a lot of the ambassadors are older. I'm in my 30's and would love for some younger folks to join!
     
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    Last edited: Sep 9, 2017
  20. HornView

    HornView 1,000+ Posts

    Kudos to Univ of Nevada and Reno! They had 7,800+ at last night’s game against UConn in a homecoming for Gabby Williams. Geez Louise we have got to top that in our matchup on January 18th. This Longhorn team more than deserves the support.
     
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  21. Malcom

    Malcom 1,000+ Posts

    I drive from Houston when I can to support Texas WBB...besides winning I don't know what more we (UT) can do. I would love to hear more suggestions to make our attendance better.
     
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  22. Karen

    Karen 25+ Posts

    The WNBA finally started reaching out to lesbian fans in their early years. The Miami Sol came into lesbian bars and other places to do tee-short give-aways, etc. I'll like to see college ball admit there is a large lesbian fan base and welcome and reach out to the lesbian community. I started going to Lognhorn games in 2007 (Coach G's first year), and a long-term fan told me the audience was much more heavily lesbian in decades past. I hear a lot of references to Christianity from the players during interviews and don't know that the team is even a safe place for a lesbian player.
     
  23. WCBBNUT

    WCBBNUT 2,500+ Posts

    What do the Ambassadors do?
     
  24. WCBBNUT

    WCBBNUT 2,500+ Posts

    Unlike Baylor, it is a very safe place for all. And unless my eyesight is off, the audience is very diverse. I am usually surrounded by same sex couples and I move my season seats around each year.

    We absolutely need more students to attend. The band seems to be the only student group of any kind to attend.

    Past crowd size had a lot to do with Jody Conradt. She was an icon and had quite a following. I miss the days of Ann Richards and Barbara Jordan in the stands giving the refs hell.

    This year’s trip to the final four will help :hookem:
     
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  25. Statalyzer

    Statalyzer 10,000+ Posts

    Can you not park for free just north of MLK between Red River and the southbound I-35 frontage road any more? Even if not, you can park just South of MLK on Comal and it's only a 10 minute walk or so.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  26. geewago

    geewago 100+ Posts

     
  27. jusme828

    jusme828 2,500+ Posts

    The Trinity parking garage is only $5 for the women's games. Worth it to me.
     
  28. BabHorn

    BabHorn 10,000+ Posts

    I agree about the diversity of the audience. What worries me is the aging of the core group. I am always happy to see younger families, couples attending, especially when I recognize that they are now regulars.

    Getting several hundred students to attend would be awesome. The current attendance is pathetic. One thing that happened a few years back was that some spirit groups had their new members attend the games as part of their initiation. I wonder if asking the service and social fraternities and sororities and other student groups to think about asking their new pledges to attend a certain number of games would be a viable option.

    The medical school garage is also usually open as well for the same price and is actually closer than Trinity.
     
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  29. Moooooo

    Moooooo 5,000+ Posts

    I'll be curious to see the attendance figures for the Florida State game. It's our only home Top 25 non-conference game prior to conference play.

    Obviously, it will help if we take care of business in our next couple of games at Georgia and Tennessee to remain undefeated.

    But, the game is on a Sunday at 11:30 AM Central time. Don't remember the last time that timeslot has been used; granted, I know it was probably set for that time due to being televised by FS1; but, that won't help attendance figures at all.

    And, had this game been in the afternoon, it would probably allow more recruits from Houston and Dallas to attend.
     
  30. Karen

    Karen 25+ Posts

    WCBBNUT, I'd love to hear more about your perspective. What makes you feel that it is a very safe place for all? I agree on the fan side of things; I've noticed an increase in lesbian fans the past few years: not just couples, but singles and friendship groups, plus a few gay male couples. No other fan has responded badly to my causal references to being gay. But in my 11 years as a fan, I've never been aware of an out player or coach or staff member. Chas Fussell posts about her wife and child, that is all from after she graduated.
     

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