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BilldGopher

BilldGopher

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As noted in another thread, it was a perfect day for football. Next time we play at home the Gopher bench will be in the shade all game no matter the start time...

Attendance wise, the announced attedance was 49,000 or so...which is what they have sold this year. This is the tickets sold, not through the turnstile.

In the stands though, the "butts not in the seat" erosion is accelerating.

I never looked on the lower visitor side once the game got going (212 is upper deck visitor side) but figure at best there was 42,000 in person today.

That is ominous for the program. I figure the vast majority of the seats are held by fans, not companies, and missing this many folks for Homecoming and the B10 season opener is not good for projecting next year's season ticket sales.

After all the middling to absolutely horrid football witnessed by Gopher fans in the Dome, it would seem like the opportunity to be in TCF itself is only a draw to a point. The product on the field will indeed dictate whether our home field advantage will ever really be realized.

I didn't think it would happen this fast. Not good.

If I'm low on the attendance, I look forward to being corrected.

Go Gophers! Beat Wisconsin!
 

Even if there is an erosion I don't think it will take much to reverse that trend. Right now the fan base is pretty frustrated and worn out, and if there's a change up top at coach and AD I think that will do a lot quickly to get things moving back in the right direction in terms of fan support and ticket sales. Especially if it's a name with some household value.
 

Khaliq said:
Even if there is an erosion I don't think it will take much to reverse that trend. Right now the fan base is pretty frustrated and worn out, and if there's a change up top at coach and AD I think that will do a lot quickly to get things moving back in the right direction in terms of fan support and ticket sales. Especially if it's a name with some household value.
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Yeah, I'd have to agree. In the words of the great "Shoeless"Joe Jackson, "If you build it, they will come". In this case, if you build the program into the dynasty it is meant to be, then the fans will come. Fans almost NEVER come before wins.
 

It might be wise for the Governor and some key legislators to do a probe re: the shrinking attendance numbers in the new stadium that the legislators helped approve bonding authority for. IF the support for the on campus stadium is collapsing in just the 2nd year of operation, perhaps the President of the University and the athletic director, as well as the Board of Regents should be asked the tough questions relating to this collapse.

With the vikings pushing hard for a billion dollar stadium, public opinion of the underutilization of the new University of Minnesota Stadium might become a difficult topic for our elected officials.

In economic times such as the one the state of Minnesota is currently facing, knowing just WHY the president of the U and the athletic director are sitting idly by as attendance in TCF BANK STADIUM sharply declines is very troublesome and may discourage any further investment in sports stadiums.. It is, indeed, a very dangerous symptom of potential problems that may be haunting the athletic department and the future of sports stadiums at the University of Minnesota and within the state of Minnesota.
 

Formo said:
Yeah, I'd have to agree. In the words of the great "Shoeless"Joe Jackson, "If you build it, they will come". In this case, if you build the program into the dynasty it is meant to be, then the fans will come. Fans almost NEVER come before wins.
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Not in the case of the Tampa Bay Rays, haha
 


My thoughts exactly, BilldGopher. The amount of seats that went unused is alarming. It's sad to say, but for the Iowa game it'll be reminiscent of the Dome with Hawkeye fans splitting the crowd 50/50.
 

Speaking of Iowa, how awesome did their crowd look tonight? You will never see that in the "Bank"!
 

Well...

"Speaking of Iowa, how awesome did their crowd look tonight? You will never see that in the "Bank."...

Well, on this one we have matched Herky's Hordes...

...For the Air Force Academy stadium opener...for the Cal game last year....and quite possibly the MSU game last year on Halloween...TCF looked and was awesome...

Yikes, already talking ancient history...

Go Gophers! Beat Wisconsin!
 

Brewster weak operation took the shine off the new stadium in no time flat. Very discouraging. Walrus raises a very unsettling topic.
 



Kyle said:
Speaking of Iowa, how awesome did their crowd look tonight? You will never see that in the "Bank"!
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Unfortunately we'll get a plenty good look at their crowd in the bank this November. :mad:
 

Are you kidding me? Check Sportscenter ... Their entire crowd was color coordinated! Each section alternated between yellow and black.
 

imthewalrus said:
...as attendance in TCF BANK STADIUM sharply declines...
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Is there credence to this?

Question for the board. Guess the ACTUAL attendance at the 4 home games this year:

I was only at the game today, and in my estimation, there were 5-8K no shows. Just a guess.
 




Wren/Walrus,

We agree on something. I am NEVER in favor of public money for stadiums, but i did support the TCF endeavor simply because it was the U. Theyre public and not going to pickup and move to find a better deal.

The erosion of the fan base on a stadium that's less than 2 years old is pathetic.
 

I think St. John's had a bigger crowd than we did yesterday.
 




imthewalrus said:
It might be wise for the Governor and some key legislators to do a probe re: the shrinking attendance numbers in the new stadium that the legislators helped approve bonding authority for. IF the support for the on campus stadium is collapsing in just the 2nd year of operation, perhaps the President of the University and the athletic director, as well as the Board of Regents should be asked the tough questions relating to this collapse.

With the vikings pushing hard for a billion dollar stadium, public opinion of the underutilization of the new University of Minnesota Stadium might become a difficult topic for our elected officials.

In economic times such as the one the state of Minnesota is currently facing, knowing just WHY the president of the U and the athletic director are sitting idly by as attendance in TCF BANK STADIUM sharply declines is very troublesome and may discourage any further investment in sports stadiums.. It is, indeed, a very dangerous symptom of potential problems that may be haunting the athletic department and the future of sports stadiums at the University of Minnesota and within the state of Minnesota.
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Well this is just ridiculous. I don't think you are working within the realm of reality if you think this is what people in government are at all concerned about. Things haven't gone quite as planned, but when you look back at games played in the metrodome, in similar situation there would have been about 15k fewer people there. Another thing to remember is the money, which is what's important, has already been collected. Those who did not use their tickets didn't get refunds.
 

I'm hopeful that it's going to change. The U was a dead campus in the late 80's-late 90's if you weren't in a frat. Yudof came here with a vision and took some chances and now I'm jealous of what today's students have in terms of housing and the establishments that have followed.

Hopefully we'll get a new president that will see the same opportunity with the football program/stadium and Tubby Smith. It could do wonders for alumni reconnections and donors. For that reason, I'd be okay with keeping Brewster if it means we're going to get an ambitious president and possibly an AD with some courage. I'd want them to make the hire. I could take another year of Brewster if it means getting the next hire right and a long range plan for success.
 

Save the obvious effort from the players, the whole thing--top to bottom--is disappointing, with no discernable signs it will get better. Without some incredibly significant changes--not just in administration or personnel, but in philosophy--it never will. We will continue to only have our past to cling to (again, thank you, Bobby Bell).

I can not in good conscience condemn those who chose to not show up. It is difficult to watch, especially when there was so much hope (hype?) to start the season (not to mention the tenure of the current regime).

I don't know if it's time to fire Tim Brewster or not, but after 30+ years of supporting this program, I personally sense apathy creeping in. I know that's not a good thing, and it makes me wonder if it has already set in for some.
 

a losing program will have a significant negative inpact on retail sales for the businesses who support the program through advertising and promotions. As these businesses realize this and drop their support, you'll then see pressure on the administration to do something. But then this has been going on for 50 years and there's no significant movement, so maybe it has no real impact on the U as long as they take in $840 Million a year in research grants. Football income is relatively small compared to that and the cost to get that revenue. It will take a different kind of UM president but don't expect that since the Board will not be taking it into consideration since there's no reason to unless large alumni donors go way.
 

counselor said:
Save the obvious effort from the players, the whole thing--top to bottom--is disappointing, with no discernable signs it will get better. Without some incredibly significant changes--not just in administration or personnel, but in philosophy--it never will. We will continue to only have our past to cling to (again, thank you, Bobby Bell).

I can not in good conscience condemn those who chose to not show up. It is difficult to watch, especially when there was so much hope (hype?) to start the season (not to mention the tenure of the current regime).

I don't know if it's time to fire Tim Brewster or not, but after 30+ years of supporting this program, I personally sense apathy creeping in. I know that's not a good thing, and it makes me wonder if it has already set in for some.
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Maybe my opinion is persuaded by the fact that I only get to go to a few games (at most) per season; but I don't understand people just not showing up. The tickets are paid for, why not go? Even though the loss was disappointing, it was still an awesome day to cheer on my favorite college football team. I bet if you asked everyone who went to yesterday's game if they had a good time, almost all would say yes.
 

GophersInIowa said:
Maybe my opinion is persuaded by the fact that I only get to go to a few games (at most) per season; but I don't understand people just not showing up. The tickets are paid for, why not go? Even though the loss was disappointing, it was still an awesome day to cheer on my favorite college football team. I bet if you asked everyone who went to yesterday's game if they had a good time, almost all would say yes.
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Try having watched this team in person get totally outclassed against USD and N Ill. then tell me my decision to mow the lawn and pick weeds in great weather wasn't better use of my time than watching this team in nice weather. The money is gone, thats irrelevant, and the $10 per ticket I would have gotten is not worth my time to sell.
 

stcgopher said:
Try having watched this team in person get totally outclassed against USD and N Ill. then tell me my decision to mow the lawn and pick weeds in great weather wasn't better use of my time than watching this team in nice weather. The money is gone, thats irrelevant, and the $10 per ticket I would have gotten is not worth my time to sell.
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I was there for the USD game. The game outcome sucked of course but it was still a fun day overall. I can mow my lawn and pick weeds just about any day I want. I can't cheer on my favorite college football team on an awesome fall day in an awesome stadium every day. I'll support my team no matter how bad we are because it's my team.
 

stcgopher said:
Try having watched this team in person get totally outclassed against USD and N Ill. then tell me my decision to mow the lawn and pick weeds in great weather wasn't better use of my time than watching this team in nice weather. The money is gone, thats irrelevant, and the $10 per ticket I would have gotten is not worth my time to sell.
Click to expand...

I watched this team in person against USD and N Ill. Now I can tell you that your decision to mow the lawn and pick weeds wasn't a better use of your time. It was a beautiful day, a good game and a lot of fun. I guarantee I had more fun than you did picking weeds.
 

imthewalrus said:
It might be wise for the Governor and some key legislators to do a probe re: the shrinking attendance numbers in the new stadium that the legislators helped approve bonding authority for. IF the support for the on campus stadium is collapsing in just the 2nd year of operation, perhaps the President of the University and the athletic director, as well as the Board of Regents should be asked the tough questions relating to this collapse.

With the vikings pushing hard for a billion dollar stadium, public opinion of the underutilization of the new University of Minnesota Stadium might become a difficult topic for our elected officials.

In economic times such as the one the state of Minnesota is currently facing, knowing just WHY the president of the U and the athletic director are sitting idly by as attendance in TCF BANK STADIUM sharply declines is very troublesome and may discourage any further investment in sports stadiums.. It is, indeed, a very dangerous symptom of potential problems that may be haunting the athletic department and the future of sports stadiums at the University of Minnesota and within the state of Minnesota.
Click to expand...

That is one of the funniest things I have read on this board yet. Let me know when that Select Committee on the Attendance at College Football Games Played at TCF Bank Stadium is formed.
 

Let’s be honest attendance is horrible and it’s only going to get worst. I’m in the lowwer level around the five yard line and I had four empty seats in front of me and the row behind me was half full. The worst part is I can tell already that Iowa is going to own “The Bank” with their fans just like they did at the dome. Please no matter how bad the product gets the rest of the year do not sell out to a IOWA fan keep them out of the bank maybe someday with a new coach for the Gophers visiting teams won’t be able to buy half the stadium.
 

Also you know its a bad team when two of the five most exciting things to happen at the game is Goldy spinning his head and your section winning the Old Dutch chip clip. Well that’s exaggerating a little bit but pretty close to the truth. Game was fun to watch but its getting hard to watch these forth quarter meltdowns. Winning coaches are defined by what they can do with 2 minutes on the clock and at home nothing less, Brewster should have managed the game better; pulling draw play with :55 seconds defines what type of coach we have here.
 

Hates Monikers said:
I watched this team in person against USD and N Ill. Now I can tell you that your decision to mow the lawn and pick weeds wasn't a better use of your time. It was a beautiful day, a good game and a lot of fun. I guarantee I had more fun than you did picking weeds.
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+1

I suppose there are plenty of reasons why "fans" jump off the bandwagon. Call me braindead if you wish, but I enjoy going to Gopher games and will continue as long as I am able. My daughter and I had a blast Saturday in spite of another L and I am really disappointed to miss the trip to Madtown this Saturday.

Go ahead and critique Brewster as he has a huge target on his back. He is fair game. But staying away only hurts a program that we all want to see get better.

Think about it.
 

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