Spring Break
Attendance for UK was horrid
Abstract:
After the Kentucky game, Bulldog fans should be ashamed. I'm certainly embarrassed....
- Displaying 1 - 19 of 19
lildawg
posted 11/04/08 @ 1:08 PM CST
Are you kidding - light years from where we were 5 years ago?? Are you talking about the product on the field or the athletic facilities because yes we have definitely upgraded in the facilities department, but not so much if any in the on field product. I have been to every home game except Vandy and had a valid excuse not to come for that one, but I cannot blame any person for not wanting to spend money and valuable time to come watch this team. Not only do we lose, but the way we lose is so horrid. If you thought Kentucky was bad you haven't seen anything yet. Wait until Arkansas before you talk about a small crowd. After another loss and the opening of deer season, I am predicting 25-30K with perhaps a few more who may decide to come watch a basketball game if that is an option.
Brandon Wright
posted 11/04/08 @ 1:30 PM CST
Originally posted bylildawg
Are you kidding - light years from where we were 5 years ago?? Are you talking about the product on the field or the athletic facilities because yes we have definitely upgraded in the facilities department, but not so much if any in the on field product. I have been to every home game except Vandy and had a valid excuse not to come for that one, but I cannot blame any person for not wanting to spend money and valuable time to come watch this team. Not only do we lose, but the way we lose is so horrid. If you thought Kentucky was bad you haven't seen anything yet. Wait until Arkansas before you talk about a small crowd. After another loss and the opening of deer season, I am predicting 25-30K with perhaps a few more who may decide to come watch a basketball game if that is an option.
Five years ago was 2003- also known as Jackie's last season. If you can't or won't see that we are leaps and bounds ahead of where we were then, you simply weren't paying attention.
In 2003, the Bulldogs won a whopping 2 games, against Vanderbilt and Memphis. The thing about that season wasn't simply that we lost -- we were used to losing by that point -- it was how we did it. We lost the final five games of that season by a combined 210 points. That's over 40 points per game!
This year, we've only lost two games by more than ten points. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not remotely happy with the way this season has gone. However, there's not a rational person on the planet that would trade this year for 2003.
StevoThomps
posted 11/04/08 @ 1:11 PM CST
The reason for the poor attendance is apathy from a terrible football team. People can only put up with losing for so long. Most alumni are not going to drive 2+ hours and spend hundreds of dollars on a weekend for a sub par product.
This is an example of fans voting with their wallets. When changes are made in the football program, attendance will increase substantially.
When you grow up you will understand this concept.
This is an example of fans voting with their wallets. When changes are made in the football program, attendance will increase substantially.
When you grow up you will understand this concept.
Joe
posted 11/04/08 @ 2:17 PM CST
Take a gander at the attendance at Tenneessee or Nebraska. They're playing to huge crowds while playing horrible football. And they're schools with tradition.
Wisconsin lost 5 games in a row before facing Illinois in front of over 80,000 people. Michigan lost to Toledo in front of 107,000 dedicated fans who haven't seen losing football in over 40 years.
Washington lost to Notre Dame in front of 70,000 fans. They're 0-8 now. Speaking of Notre Dame, do you think their attendance dropped during their recent bad years?
Mississippi State has always been about fair weather fans. Football games are more of a social event than a sporting event. It's a chance to campaign and eat and drink, not to watch a football game. Rarely do Mississippi State fans stay the entire game, as the cool thing to do is to be seen tailgating. You won't see this behavior at Alabama, or at LSU, or Florida, or Georgia. You won't see it, because at those schools, it's about the Football. They realize that there are 52 weeks in a year, but only 6 or 7 that include a home football game - and as such, they take advantage of their opportunities to support their teams. Once the game is over, then they party.
Wisconsin lost 5 games in a row before facing Illinois in front of over 80,000 people. Michigan lost to Toledo in front of 107,000 dedicated fans who haven't seen losing football in over 40 years.
Washington lost to Notre Dame in front of 70,000 fans. They're 0-8 now. Speaking of Notre Dame, do you think their attendance dropped during their recent bad years?
Mississippi State has always been about fair weather fans. Football games are more of a social event than a sporting event. It's a chance to campaign and eat and drink, not to watch a football game. Rarely do Mississippi State fans stay the entire game, as the cool thing to do is to be seen tailgating. You won't see this behavior at Alabama, or at LSU, or Florida, or Georgia. You won't see it, because at those schools, it's about the Football. They realize that there are 52 weeks in a year, but only 6 or 7 that include a home football game - and as such, they take advantage of their opportunities to support their teams. Once the game is over, then they party.
jezmund
posted 11/04/08 @ 3:08 PM CST
Originally posted byJoe
Take a gander at the attendance at Tenneessee or Nebraska. They're playing to huge crowds while playing horrible football. And they're schools with tradition.
Wisconsin lost 5 games in a row before facing Illinois in front of over 80,000 people. Michigan lost to Toledo in front of 107,000 dedicated fans who haven't seen losing football in over 40 years.
Washington lost to Notre Dame in front of 70,000 fans. They're 0-8 now. Speaking of Notre Dame, do you think their attendance dropped during their recent bad years?
Mississippi State has always been about fair weather fans. Football games are more of a social event than a sporting event. It's a chance to campaign and eat and drink, not to watch a football game. Rarely do Mississippi State fans stay the entire game, as the cool thing to do is to be seen tailgating. You won't see this behavior at Alabama, or at LSU, or Florida, or Georgia. You won't see it, because at those schools, it's about the Football. They realize that there are 52 weeks in a year, but only 6 or 7 that include a home football game - and as such, they take advantage of their opportunities to support their teams. Once the game is over, then they party.
You're drawing a faulty parallel as all of those locations are in much more heavily populated areas and have much higher enrollments. They also have a tradition of winning.
Also, Bama, Nebraska, Michigan and UT fans will fire their coach, rather than quit showing up, if they start losing anything like we have been doing for 7 or the last 8 years. Perhaps that's what MSU should do.
Watch what happens with MSU baseball this year. MSU has a coach now who is focused on his job and expects to win it all. The players have picked up on his fire and it will translate on the field and in the stands.
Meanwhile, the football team has an excuse machine in charge and the Reflector is holding the fans accountable rather than the coaches.
skeetah
posted 11/04/08 @ 6:11 PM CST
You are holding the fans more accountable than the coaches.
Knoxville is a city of 183k with over 680k in the Metro area.
Tuscaloosa is a city of 83k within 50 miles of Birmingham, with a metro area of over 1.1M. Alabama does not put up with the steaming pile of crap that is being displayed on Scott Field - they have expectations of winning.
Not only are both of these cities that you cite as your model of expected fan participation much more populated than Starkville, they are closer to other metro areas than Starkville. Jackson is the closest metro area to Starkville (Columbus and Tupelo don't even combine for 100k in population)
Maybe you should have traveled to State's game with Tennessee or watched it on TV, which I believe the actual attendance was much less than the 100k you quote (more like 80k).
Even South Carolina, which many exclaim has the least "fair weather" fans in all the business, is located in Columbia, a city with over 100k in population and a metro area of 750k.
All of these cities are located on major interstate systems. Starkville is 90 miles from I-20 to the south and 70 miles from I-55 to the west. HWY-82 is not an interstate, as illustrated by the Alabama Legislature's acceptance of it as a two lane road.
Essentially, your math is flawed, and you should be holding the Coaches more accountable than the fans. Neither of the schools that you cite as your models for fans support would the level of incompetence that guides our program.
Fire Croom, Now. MSU can and will do better, but you have to demand it.
Knoxville is a city of 183k with over 680k in the Metro area.
Tuscaloosa is a city of 83k within 50 miles of Birmingham, with a metro area of over 1.1M. Alabama does not put up with the steaming pile of crap that is being displayed on Scott Field - they have expectations of winning.
Not only are both of these cities that you cite as your model of expected fan participation much more populated than Starkville, they are closer to other metro areas than Starkville. Jackson is the closest metro area to Starkville (Columbus and Tupelo don't even combine for 100k in population)
Maybe you should have traveled to State's game with Tennessee or watched it on TV, which I believe the actual attendance was much less than the 100k you quote (more like 80k).
Even South Carolina, which many exclaim has the least "fair weather" fans in all the business, is located in Columbia, a city with over 100k in population and a metro area of 750k.
All of these cities are located on major interstate systems. Starkville is 90 miles from I-20 to the south and 70 miles from I-55 to the west. HWY-82 is not an interstate, as illustrated by the Alabama Legislature's acceptance of it as a two lane road.
Essentially, your math is flawed, and you should be holding the Coaches more accountable than the fans. Neither of the schools that you cite as your models for fans support would the level of incompetence that guides our program.
Fire Croom, Now. MSU can and will do better, but you have to demand it.
Charles
posted 11/04/08 @ 6:27 PM CST
Why should we be ashamed of ourselves? Maybe some students have decided to spend their time with family and friends. Maybe they realized that as students they wanted to study for finals. Maybe people don't like football, and have no interest in watching a bad team.
Or maybe people were afraid about a guy with a gun running around our campus trying to abduct young women. Perhaps they were not afraid, but thought that adding to the crowd would hamper the police's ability to catch the guy. Yes, that its.
Lets not worry about attendance of our loosing team, and think of campus safety and pride.
Realize that there is more to MSSTATE then a sports program.
Or maybe people were afraid about a guy with a gun running around our campus trying to abduct young women. Perhaps they were not afraid, but thought that adding to the crowd would hamper the police's ability to catch the guy. Yes, that its.
Lets not worry about attendance of our loosing team, and think of campus safety and pride.
Realize that there is more to MSSTATE then a sports program.
joe
posted 11/05/08 @ 7:30 PM CST
Originally posted byCharles
Why should we be ashamed of ourselves? Maybe some students have decided to spend their time with family and friends. Maybe they realized that as students they wanted to study for finals. Maybe people don't like football, and have no interest in watching a bad team.
Or maybe people were afraid about a guy with a gun running around our campus trying to abduct young women. Perhaps they were not afraid, but thought that adding to the crowd would hamper the police's ability to catch the guy. Yes, that its.
Lets not worry about attendance of our loosing team, and think of campus safety and pride.
Realize that there is more to MSSTATE then a sports program.
I hope you weren't studying for an English final. Because you obviously could use some work there.
b-rad
posted 11/04/08 @ 7:18 PM CST
When it comes down to it all; I hate to say it but Tenn. and Alabama have or had coaches that helped the fans get excited about the games because of the play calling. I am sorry to say that we are paying a coach alot of money, when teams like Boise State pay their coaches less. They are exciting coaches. As well was Jackie. The only time our play calling has been fun to watch was when coach Croom hears his job is on the line. State fans are tired of going to the games and already knowing what plays we will be running. Sorry, but somebody had to say it. He just is not a strong SEC coach. That is why fans are not at the game. You can also go to six pack's website for more information or resources from fans.
TaxesareReal
posted 11/05/08 @ 3:15 PM CST
Go get a job, start a family, have priorities and then you might actually have some footing to stand on. Until then, stick to student stories.
Anony
posted 11/05/08 @ 6:03 PM CST
Here's my opinion on fans not going/leaving a game. I enjoy watching football, but it gets boring watching State play sometimes and lose. I PAY to go to the game, as does most everyone else there. So why should anyone expect people (fans) to PAY for entertainment when they don't get what they pay for. (Yes a football game is essentially entertainment.) Granted, my tickets cost $3, but considering regular tickets cost $40, not to mention the cost of travel to get to the game, how can you blame someone for not coming when they know/feel they won't get what they pay for. Some people say we need to support our team. WHY?!?! Why do I need to pay to watch them play when I'm not going to get what I pay for. They are getting PAID to PLAY. They should do good whether I'm there or not. Just about every player that steps on that field to play is on scholarship, so they're getting PAID by an education. So excuse me if I leave early because I'm bored, and excuse the people that don't want to spend the money to come to the game. They are PAYING CUSTOMERS that have all too often not gotten what they PAID for. Look at it this way, if you go to a restaurant, and it's only good half the time (That could be a little generous for this example), are you going to keep going. There's no difference in that and football.
R U KIDDING!!
posted 11/05/08 @ 6:48 PM CST
I am a hardcore supporter of the Bulldawgs and yes we have come far but not enough--we as fans should not settle for less! You mention Tenn and Alabama--of course they are going to have packed stadiums --THEY ARE WINNING!! AND USUALLY HAVE WINNING SEASONS!--We want change-OR THIS WILL BECOME A COMMON SCENE! We played Tenn early this season--The stadium was fairly empty for them as well as they are going through what we are going through for once. We already settle enough-(meaning all we want is a winning season or win half of our games to go to a bowl) that is it---We are not expecting a championship!!! And that is not 2 much to ask!! Many people bought season tickets for the first time in a while-just to end seeing losing games--So if nothing is done at the end of this year---Things will remain the same into next season and seasons ahead! SO NO WE SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED--WE ARE MAKING A STATEMENT-BRING ON THE BASKETBALL!!!!
lildawg
posted 11/05/08 @ 9:39 PM CST
B - Wright: Yes I was paying attention. I was on the sidelines (mgr.) for Jackie's last year and Croom's first two years. Jackie's last team had way more talent than any of Croom's thus far, however, due to many reasons Jackie had lost control of his team. I am pretty sure that he announced he would not return before the Auburn game that year. I am not sure what game that was, but we normally play Auburn early on in the year so it is a good bet that the players lost some focus upon this announcement. Croom immediately comes in and "cuts the fat" which was completely understandable, however, some of the leftovers from Jackie's last recruiting class were the reason Croom has had success. Most notably Jerious Norwood, Omar Conner, and Quinton Culberson. Who would you consider as Croom's biggest recruit? When he was announced as the coach, I thought his strong point would be recruiting, but I think it is pretty evident at this point it is not. Nobody wants to play in this offense.
C.J. LeMaster
posted 11/06/08 @ 12:06 AM CST
What do you expect from a fan base that screams for the head coach to be fired after the first loss of this season?
Good article, Brandon. And for the ones complaining that you had other priorities, he's not talking to you. He's talking about those who could have been there, but chose specifically not to.
Until you can justify what gives our fans the right to walk out of the stadium when we're either up by 20 points or down by 20 points, I'd prefer to stand by this guy's article.
Say what you will about Croom, McCorvey, or even the players...but watching fans leave and coming out to a decidedly less-than-packed house AT THE BEGINNING OF THE GAME doesn't make our players perform any better.
Good article, Brandon. And for the ones complaining that you had other priorities, he's not talking to you. He's talking about those who could have been there, but chose specifically not to.
Until you can justify what gives our fans the right to walk out of the stadium when we're either up by 20 points or down by 20 points, I'd prefer to stand by this guy's article.
Say what you will about Croom, McCorvey, or even the players...but watching fans leave and coming out to a decidedly less-than-packed house AT THE BEGINNING OF THE GAME doesn't make our players perform any better.
R U KIDDING!!
posted 11/08/08 @ 3:11 PM CST
Originally posted byC.J. LeMaster
What do you expect from a fan base that screams for the head coach to be fired after the first loss of this season?
Good article, Brandon. And for the ones complaining that you had other priorities, he's not talking to you. He's talking about those who could have been there, but chose specifically not to.
Until you can justify what gives our fans the right to walk out of the stadium when we're either up by 20 points or down by 20 points, I'd prefer to stand by this guy's article.
Say what you will about Croom, McCorvey, or even the players...but watching fans leave and coming out to a decidedly less-than-packed house AT THE BEGINNING OF THE GAME doesn't make our players perform any better.
C. J., your quote: Say what you will about Croom, McCorvey, or even the players...but watching fans leave and coming out to a decidedly less-than-packed house AT THE BEGINNING OF THE GAME doesn't make our players perform any better!
WHAT WHAT!!! Our team should be playing there best whether it is 3 people in the stands or 40,000. That is not a valid argument at all! Of course a packed stadium may slightly help--but did it help against Arburn earlier this year! NO NO YOU REMEMBER 2-3!! SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE OR WHAT WILL WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO NEXT SEASON--WHY BE HOPEFUL! OUR STANDARDS ARE VERY LOW COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE SEC--ALL WE WANT IS 6 WINS NOT A CHAMPIONSHIP!!!
C.J. LeMaster
posted 11/08/08 @ 5:30 PM CST
I applaud your usage of exclamation points, but six wins per season is a lot to ask from a team that's only produced six wins or more a season 33 times in its hundred year-plus football history. Alabama has won six wins or more 79 times in the last hundred years.
Ole Miss? 50 times in the last hundred years.
My point? It's a lot to ask of our team, which has had fewer 6+ win seasons than any other team in the Southeastern Conference.
Ole Miss? 50 times in the last hundred years.
My point? It's a lot to ask of our team, which has had fewer 6+ win seasons than any other team in the Southeastern Conference.
R U KIDDING!!
posted 11/09/08 @ 1:47 PM CST
Originally posted byC.J. LeMaster
What do you expect from a fan base that screams for the head coach to be fired after the first loss of this season?
Good article, Brandon. And for the ones complaining that you had other priorities, he's not talking to you. He's talking about those who could have been there, but chose specifically not to.
Until you can justify what gives our fans the right to walk out of the stadium when we're either up by 20 points or down by 20 points, I'd prefer to stand by this guy's article.
Say what you will about Croom, McCorvey, or even the players...but watching fans leave and coming out to a decidedly less-than-packed house AT THE BEGINNING OF THE GAME doesn't make our players perform any better.
CJ,
THAT IS DEFINITELY SAD THAT YOU AND ALOT OF OTHERS JUST THINK THAT MSSTATE FOOTBALL TEAMS WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO GET OVER THE HUMP SO WE MIGHT AS WELL DEAL OR SETTLE FOR A OCCASIONAL 6 WIN SEASON HERE OR THERE---THAT CAN CHANGE--WE CAN EVOLVE INTO A 'TRADITION PROGRAM' BUT THE RIGHT DECISIONS ARE NOT BEING MADE. SO WE HAVE THE LOWEST NUMBER OF 6 WIN SEASONS--THAT IS TRULY SAD. WE ARE CURRENTLY FIXING UP OUR FOOTBALL STADIUM AND ALL WITH THE LARGE HD TV SCREEN---THAT LOOKS NICE BUT FOR WHAT--IS IT THAT THEY THINK THAT WILL PROPELL THE TEAM FORWARD -NO!--WILL WE EVER GET TO THE POINT OF BEING A WINNING TEAM CONSISTENTLY---I THINK SO--WE CAN CHANGE THE HISTORY OF THIS SCHOOL---IT IS JUST SAD AGAIN THAT MOST FOLKS HAVE SETTLED FOR LESS HERE A MSSTATE WHEN IT COMES TO THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM!! YOU LOOK AT ALABAMA--THEY WANT TO BE WINNERS--THEY STRIVE TO MAKE THEIR FAN BASE JOYFUL AND HAPPY--WE DO NOT--AND YOU KNOW THAT--THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY DISAGREEMENT ON THAT.
C.J. LeMaster
posted 11/09/08 @ 8:28 PM CST
Actually, you said that. In your reply to my post, you said "ALL WE WANT IS 6 WINS NOT A CHAMPIONSHIP!!!"
So how are you saying I think we should just settle for an occasional six win season?
Re-read my post and yours and get back to me.
As for your last point, where you say that we don't strive to make our fan base joyful and happy...seems you're talking more about the MSU athletic department, NOT Croom and NOT the players.
I never said anything about that. You're blaming the MSU athletic department's actions for our lackluster fan base.
That's a tall order. I agree that our fans are worse than they should be, but I don't think it's the administration's fault.
Fans should start taking responsibility for their actions, instead of passing the buck to the players, or the coach, or in this case as you said, the new AD.
Side note: you say it'd be great if we evolved into a "tradition program." I completely agree. But if we fire Croom, pay millions to buy him out, and start the search for a new head coach, here's my question: who will want to come here and coach after Croom leaves?!
So how are you saying I think we should just settle for an occasional six win season?
Re-read my post and yours and get back to me.
As for your last point, where you say that we don't strive to make our fan base joyful and happy...seems you're talking more about the MSU athletic department, NOT Croom and NOT the players.
I never said anything about that. You're blaming the MSU athletic department's actions for our lackluster fan base.
That's a tall order. I agree that our fans are worse than they should be, but I don't think it's the administration's fault.
Fans should start taking responsibility for their actions, instead of passing the buck to the players, or the coach, or in this case as you said, the new AD.
Side note: you say it'd be great if we evolved into a "tradition program." I completely agree. But if we fire Croom, pay millions to buy him out, and start the search for a new head coach, here's my question: who will want to come here and coach after Croom leaves?!
- Displaying 1 - 19 of 19
good point....
posted 11/04/08 @ 10:07 AM CST