(08-27-2015 10:25 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  It's not ridiculous. Lots and lots of people may like minor league sports and lacrosse but compared to college football they're a blip on the radar. If your team is losing support to those mentioned you've got quite the uphill climb.

You missed the point of my first post. In a large city if you don't win, the average sports fan take their dollars elsewhere even if they aren't direct competition. The NFL is really the only entity that is slightly immune to this.

(08-27-2015 10:25 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  

(08-25-2015 09:20 PM)gassman Wrote:  

(08-24-2015 06:42 AM)MUsince96 Wrote:  

(08-23-2015 08:52 AM)wh49er Wrote:  

(08-22-2015 10:34 PM)banker Wrote:  Performance, for as much as people think it's a factor, really has little to do with attendance. It has far more to do with demographics, community support and the support of the student body.

Given your enrollment, size of the city, and the presence of a large business community you shoul be able to average 25,000 easily with only lukewarm support and results.

Can I have some of what you are smoking? Winning is 75% of the formula. If winning wasn't important, why doesn't Marshall basketball pack the house every game night?

You may get some of this "blind support" you speak of in Huntington because there is little else to do. That is not the case in Charlotte. The 49ers are competing against the NFL, NBA, Nascar, minor league baseball, minor league hockey, minor league soccer, and major league lacrosse for people's entertainment dollars. On top of that we have the Belk Bowl, ACC Championship, a college kickoff game, international soccer games, and sometimes the NCAA tournament that also happen in the city.

We will always have the hardcore fans but winning means a lot to more to the average sports fan in the area.

I'll give you NFL and NBA, but if people are choosing minor league baseball, hockey, soccer and major league lacrosse over FBS football then you've got some serious issues at Charlotte. And NASCAR? It's not like there's a NASCAR race every Saturday afternoon in Charlotte.

You do realize that there are lots and lots of people in the world that prefer those other sports you dissed over football right? Your statement is ridiculous.

There are lots and lots of other things to do in Charlotte. He was just hitting the highlights. All of those things compete for the entertainment dollar. This is the same thing that all programs in large cities have to deal with. I'm sure our conference brethren in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Miami can relate.

It's not ridiculous. Lots and lots of people may like minor league sports and lacrosse but compared to college football they're a blip on the radar. If your team is losing support to those mentioned you've got quite the uphill climb.

I see your point but not sure I agree. If their are more options available that lowers the amount of available sports entertainment dollars in a specific market. Yes I agree college football is bigger but maybe people prefer to spend their dollars on those other things rather than us. Lots of smaller options can strip away the available support that you might get in a less crowded market.

Bottom line it's an uphill battle starting a program from scratch.

It takes a long time to build institutional loyalty to a program among alumni family and friends.

So we aren't expecting to work miracles.

(08-28-2015 09:11 AM)wh49er Wrote:  

(08-27-2015 10:25 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  It's not ridiculous. Lots and lots of people may like minor league sports and lacrosse but compared to college football they're a blip on the radar. If your team is losing support to those mentioned you've got quite the uphill climb.

You missed the point of my first post. In a large city if you don't win, the average sports fan take their dollars elsewhere even if they aren't direct competition. The NFL is really the only entity that is slightly immune to this.

It is not that you are competing head to head with one particular event at that time, but you are competing with people's interests and financial capabilities. Many people like multiple things and are not football junkies. So when you look at taking the family to the white water center or to the Discovery Place versus a football game you have to think that the game comes on TV. So I would easily spend money on activities and watch the game on TV. That is what we are talking about. I love my University, but it just doesn't get a hard draw outside of alumni and some of those unfortunately would rather watch the Tar Holes on TV.

(08-28-2015 10:23 AM)Dowless Wrote:  I love my University, but it just doesn't get a hard draw outside of alumni and some of those unfortunately would rather watch the Tar Holes on TV.

Maybe some for basketball but I doubt there are many for football that watch them.

(08-28-2015 10:37 AM)wh49er Wrote:  

(08-28-2015 10:23 AM)Dowless Wrote:  I love my University, but it just doesn't get a hard draw outside of alumni and some of those unfortunately would rather watch the Tar Holes on TV.

Maybe some for basketball but I doubt there are many for football that watch them.

It is sad, but I know some.

(08-28-2015 10:38 AM)Dowless Wrote:  

(08-28-2015 10:37 AM)wh49er Wrote:  

(08-28-2015 10:23 AM)Dowless Wrote:  I love my University, but it just doesn't get a hard draw outside of alumni and some of those unfortunately would rather watch the Tar Holes on TV.

Maybe some for basketball but I doubt there are many for football that watch them.

It is sad, but I know some.

You're hanging out the wrong circles