45,601 tickets have been sold for the Gophers vs. Ohio State game this weekend

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I agree with you that the team needs to be better for more people to buy in short term. the culture change I am referring to is from one of losing culture to winning. Look at an Iowa/Wisconsin/Nebraska etc message board or talk to their fans, what do you see? They EXPECT to win games against middle of the road teams and sometimes expect to win if not compete against top competition. This comes from more than just a hot start to a season. This comes from years of winning those types of games. Their teams rarely if ever get blown out in games. They have years and years of alumni that enjoyed winning while they were in school. Think of how many years the gophers have had a losing culture where the fans are just apathetic. Those fans probably don't turn into hardcore fans down the road or the losing just doesn't give them the desire to keep up with it. Minnesota has one of the largest student populations in the country, that is a fact. Yet we struggle to get them to come to games. The more people that partake in football games as an undergrad and enjoy themselves, the more alumni we will have that want to come back year after year for more, and want THEIR kids to do the same. A culture of winning doesn't happen over night while quality of play can happen fairly quickly. If we want to get to where we are selling out the stadium without having to try, we need a culture of winning.
 

Spoofin said:
Better does not mean good. Casual fans don't go sit outside in the teens to watch football. Luckily I'm not a casual fan and don't care how cold it is.
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I am not an ice fisherman or snowmobiler, but it really is not that hard to stay warm outside if it is above 15 degrees and not very windy. Many layers, covering the head, wearing boots, and wearing a long coat or properly protecting your legs are all it takes. In fact, if you do all these things with the proper footwear, 5 below zero will be workable.

Moving around a little will help as well if it gets real cold, but they key is keeping the head and feet warm, and Saturday may not even require boots.

I can see how wearing regular shoes, a one layer coat an not hat would be a problem so wear more.
 

My head aches at all that is required to draw fans.
 

Now despite being in a tie for first place in the division in mid November, the team has to be better for fans to buy in.

Let's recap the stages required to fill TCF Bank Stadium:

1. Team needs to start winning. Then fans will buy in.
2. Fans won't notice unless the winning is over B1G opponents. Then fans will buy in.
3. Need to get to a bowl game. Then fans will buy in.
4. Any ole bowl game won't do. It has to be the right bowl game. Then fans will buy in.
5. "Team needs to get better." Then fans will buy in.
6. B1G wins don't mean anything when the conference is down. Indiana needs to get better AND the gophers need to win the Big 10. Then fans will buy in.
7. Fans don't want to be stung by a flash in the pan. Win the B1G consistently, then fans will buy in.
8. ESPN only seems to talk about the SEC. Join the SEC and win that consistently. Then fans will buy in.
9. Conference championships aren't what they used to be in the age of NC playoffs. Win the NC consistently, then fans will come.
10. In today's media driven TV frenzy, Jerry Kill is a little too "small town" looking, and that drawl doesn't play well in sound bites. Facelift and voice coaching for Jerry, then fans will buy in.
11. There are man caves and big tv's now. Gameday temps must be between 69 and 72 degrees, plus all of the above... Then fans will buy in.

I'm not sure why this is even being discussed at this point considering we are only in the neighborhood of steps 3 and 4 right now. We've got some work to do before we can hope to sell another 4K tickets consistently.
 

Two pairs of long underwear, extra socks, layers of sweaters provides good warmth. A hot water bottle is nice.

Sent from my LG-L38C using Tapatalk 2
 


I really hate to interrupt ripping people to get on topic, but do we have any update this AM on tickets?
 

Schnauzer said:
Now despite being in a tie for first place in the division in mid November, the team has to be better for fans to buy in.

Let's recap the stages required to fill TCF Bank Stadium:

1. Team needs to start winning. Then fans will buy in.
2. Fans won't notice unless the winning is over B1G opponents. Then fans will buy in.
3. Need to get to a bowl game. Then fans will buy in.
4. Any ole bowl game won't do. It has to be the right bowl game. Then fans will buy in.
5. "Team needs to get better." Then fans will buy in.
6. B1G wins don't mean anything when the conference is down. Indiana needs to get better AND the gophers need to win the Big 10. Then fans will buy in.
7. Fans don't want to be stung by a flash in the pan. Win the B1G consistently, then fans will buy in.
8. ESPN only seems to talk about the SEC. Join the SEC and win that consistently. Then fans will buy in.
9. Conference championships aren't what they used to be in the age of NC playoffs. Win the NC consistently, then fans will come.
10. In today's media driven TV frenzy, Jerry Kill is a little too "small town" looking, and that drawl doesn't play well in sound bites. Facelift and voice coaching for Jerry, then fans will buy in.
11. There are man caves and big tv's now. Gameday temps must be between 69 and 72 degrees, plus all of the above... Then fans will buy in.

I'm not sure why this is even being discussed at this point considering we are only in the neighborhood of steps 3 and 4 right now. We've got some work to do before we can hope to sell another 4K tickets consistently.
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This. The bar will get raised every time thay goal is met but the stands don't fill.

Truth is, we don't need band wagon fans, we need to pick up more hard core fans, and stop relying on 10,000 or so fair weather folks to fill our stadium. That, unfortunately will only come with time.

My plan is fairly simple:
If you are a hard core Gopher fan you Need to procreate alot; so much that it becomes more of a job, and strains you financially. Then take your small army to every gopher game your strapped wallet can afford.
 

You are right, it is going to take time. Anyone who suggests it is the cold or we need to win one game against Michigan, or whatever is wrong. We need to win consistently over time in order to create enough hardcore followers and bandwagon fans combined to sell out a stadium. It's not because we have pro sports, it's not because the media doesn't give enough attention.
 

I think I found our problem
ScreenShot2014-11-14at100225AM_zpscff72650.png
 




If it was 50 and sunny, the stadium would be mostly full. The casual fans don't want pay $50 to sit in the upper deck and freeze, and watch what is mostly likely in their mind, a beat down by the best team in the B1G. I don't think it's anything more than that.
 

IAGopherfan said:
You are right, it is going to take time. Anyone who suggests it is the cold or we need to win one game against Michigan, or whatever is wrong. We need to win consistently over time in order to create enough hardcore followers and bandwagon fans combined to sell out a stadium. It's not because we have pro sports, it's not because the media doesn't give enough attention.
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Agreed. Whether we like it or not, the negative local media vibe or lack of coverage we get likely reflects the "majority" of Twin Citians ( is that the word for it?) When the Gophers gain the following of the Twin City folks, media will adjust accordingly.

We have a ways to go. I just don't like hearing the goals put out there, that then get met, only for the bar to be raised again. It's counter-productive.
 

afurry91 said:
So if you're football team is good, then people like it.
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Yep! That, and if you don't have any competition from a pro team.

And . . . Looking at that map, no wonder we have no chance to beat Michig . . . ., errrr, I mean, Nebras . . . . , errr, I mean, Iow . . .

:clap:
 



afurry91 said:
So if you're football team is good, then people like it.
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I think it's as simple as that, but I would change it to "if your football team has been good for a generation, then people like it."

I'm almost 50. I grew up with the Vikings going to Super Bowls and the Gophers being mediocre to bad. It's not very hard to figure out why this is an NFL town. The Vikings have been mostly mediocre since the 80s, but the've popped up and gone to NFC championship games once a decade, just enoug to keep fans in the fold. Now, my friends want the Gophers to win, sure, but their football commitment is focused on Sunday. When I bring a friend to a Gopheor game, they have a good time ... but they're not ready to go all in.

I do think there's another generational issue: people got used to the comfort of the dome. I'm with those who believe that if the weather was the same this weekend as last, the stadium would be full. I'll be interested to see what happens for Viking games at the end of December.
 

Here's the thing. If we beat Ohio State, there will be 100,000 people say they were at the game.
 

ruppertflywheel said:
Here's the thing. If we beat Ohio State, there will be 100,000 people say they were at the game.
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They won't be able to prove it unless they have the "selfie on the field" like I will be flashing everywhere.
 

I know you were going for humor with a lot of those but a few are pretty valid and I have added my take to those in bold.

Schnauzer - Now despite being in a tie for first place in the division in mid November, the team has to be better for fans to buy in.

Let's recap the stages required to fill TCF Bank Stadium:

1. Team needs to start winning. Then fans will buy in. - In progress but last two years are step in right direction.
2. Fans won't notice unless the winning is over B1G opponents. Then fans will buy in. - See step 1, back to back .500 seasons or better in the conference are a good start.
3. Need to get to a bowl game. Then fans will buy in. - Been there, disagree that this one is a factor on getting fans to buy in because of the insane amount of games and really bare minimum standards to get to one.
4. Any ole bowl game won't do. It has to be the right bowl game. Then fans will buy in. - Have not been to one of these yet
5. "Team needs to get better." Then fans will buy in. - Similar to #1, key is you have to sustain it year after year so next year will be key to moving this forward. Brewster won 8 games in a year so you have to prove you can sustain it.
7. Fans don't want to be stung by a flash in the pan. Win the B1G consistently, then fans will buy in. - You may have been going for humor but honestly to me this is the big one. People have been burned by the Gophers many times over the years where things seemed to be headed in the right direction only to have the bottom fall out. In a town where there are lots of choices as to where to spend your sports dollars it is tough to get behind a team that can't ever seem to get over the hump.
 

I only care if two people are at the game. Me and whoever is using my other ticket.
 

The obvious problem is the Student Section and the reason why they're struggling to sell those tickets is because they cater to the wrong generation. Speaking as a student I don't want to go to a game and hear Cab Calloway (EVER!) or any other oldies they like to play during the game. What gets the student section and the players going who get the whole place going is the music you hear before the game. Rap music and other hype music. less Journey and more Drake. Games at TCF need to be an EVENT. It needs to be a party atmosphere from kickoff to the victory formation. Doing things like whiteouts and having other special things where students can dress up will bring more excitement to each Saturday. People want to be apart of that.

The Basketball program is starting to do this by introducing a blackout game this year and I could easily see the Basketball program passing the Football program in popularity. There needs to be younger people doing promo at the U. Way too much old influence as things are.
 

That Cab Calloway song was before the time of everyone in the stadium, but from what I could tell people were really getting into it. The student get into Sweet Caroline, and that is from before they were born. Maybe you didn't like it, but I would have to see more before concluding that your views represent those of students as a whole.

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Anyone have an update on where we're at? Gave up on a sellout a while ago, but still hoping for a good crowd.
 

The problem with the weather argument is look at teams like Wisconsin, Michigan etc they still fill their stadiums which hold way more people on cold days. Like was said before we need a generation of winning before people will come out no matter what. The cold is fine for most real fans.
 

RodentRampage said:
That Cab Calloway song was before the time of everyone in the stadium, but from what I could tell people were really getting into it. The student get into Sweet Caroline, and that is from before they were born. Maybe you didn't like it, but I would have to see more before concluding that your views represent those of students as a whole.

Sent from my LG-L38C using Tapatalk 2
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The turnout backs up my views unfortunately. Winning will help but there needs to be a real culture change here.
 

Why should the students have there butts kissed to go to a football game.

Myke said:
The turnout backs up my views unfortunately. Winning will help but there needs to be a real culture change here.
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I get them wanting more modern music, and a party from the PA and all of that and don't have a problem with it. IT was colder for Wisconsin last year because of the wind. IF they want to cater the music to the students I don't mind, just show up if you can.
What I do dislike is saying "I like the team and cheer for them but it is going to be to cold outside to go to the game."
Drink some Hot 100, and grow a pair, or pee a lot before the game, put on some layers, shirt, sweatshirt, or sneak in a flask or some small bottles in and get out of your seat like the students do and cheer. Would Wisconsin students pu$$ out because it is cold, no so why should Gophers?

Why be a sissy or a weenie and not go because it is cold, this is Gopher football a chance to be unbeaten at home for the first time in decades, how many chances have we actually had to even see that.
We have the Pig, the Jug, and will soon have the AXE, and this is the last home game, people need to get off there dupas and stop making excuses about not going. If you have tickets or have tickets offered for free make an effort to be at the game.

This crap that it is going to be a blow out or we are expected to lose to OSU, COMPLETE NONESENSE, we were supposedly going to lose to Iowa this year and Nebraska last year and in both cases coach Kills staff and the players kicked those guys butts all over the football field.
Yeah Ohio State is a good football team, but that is why you play the games, show up people and let's get on the field after the Gophers kick some Buckeye butt! They think they are just going to show up and WHIP us, there media are saying it, those guys fans believe it and are not even making the trip because of the whimpy cold excuse. Let's stop making excuses people for why not and complaining about what we cannot control. If you have a ticket or can afford a ticket, be at this game, it is going to be fun.
SKI-U-Mah and go Gophers
 

Myke said:
The turnout backs up my views unfortunately. Winning will help but there needs to be a real culture change here.
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Whatever. Winning big for a season or two then consistently showing that 6-6 is the absolute floor of the program and even in those down-ish years you're beating some of your rivals and even upsetting the elite teams is what brings the people. The atmosphere at TCF is no more or less lame than any other place in CFB. Students aren't coming any more or less than general season ticket holders, and it has everything to do with how the program is viewed relative to other entertainment or time-sink options available. When the team seems like a "here we go again Gophers team," the casual fan stops coming because the game(s) seem irrelevant to them. This is true for a dad with 2 kids with casual interest in Gopher/college sports, and it's true for a 19 year old kid with casual interest in college sports. Since most of us were born well after the Gophers were relevant on a national scale (but for a blip under Mason which was immediately followed by winfighttrybrewsterdumpsterfire), college football likely hasn't been the thing to do or watch or care about for most people in this state. When that changes and every year we could reasonably expect to still be in the hunt come November for a B1G title, perceptions will change and the party atmosphere will evolve on its own at TCF. Rap music won't make a damn difference. The cold won't keep people away, either.
 

Myke said:
The Basketball program is starting to do this by introducing a blackout game this year and I could easily see the Basketball program passing the Football program in popularity.
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That happened in 2007 on Tubby's first day.
 

I just don't understand what else a student has going on at 11am on a saturday? I know when I was a student (not so long ago either I graduated in 08 and 12) there wasn't anything to do on saturday mornings besides sit around and nurse hangovers while trying to figure out what happened the night before. Why not get drunk again, go to the game, and try to pick up some afternoon delight from the student section? Our student body is lame. This is the best team we have had in 50 years and still the student section is half full. What a joke. I hope tomorrow is better than against Iowa. But seeing how it was only half full for arguably our biggest rival then I have little hope for tOSU.
 

So we don't have an update then?

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Iceland12 said:
So we don't have an update then?

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811 tickets left on stubhub. Someone else will have to look up tickets sold, I'm on stubhub anyway buying my tickets to see the gophers win the axe.
 

bottlebass said:
811 tickets left on stubhub. Someone else will have to look up tickets sold, I'm on stubhub anyway buying my tickets to see the gophers win the axe.
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Not really an estimate, but there are 4 "excellent" availability sections left on Gophersports (219,233,234,246) and 7 "good" availability sections - I'd say we're several thousand short of a sellout at this point, probably in the neighborhood of 46,000-47,000.
 

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