Article: Longtime Fans Says 2015 Might Be The Tipping Point

Saguaro Cat

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WeepNoMore

Junior
Jan 2, 2005
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Add one more yelling old man to your list.

Barnhart cares nothing about the "microwave" (his word, not mine) long-time UK fans!!! Following the trend in professional sports, UK in particular, and college football in general, are pricing, or in many cases have priced, college football out of the reach of the common man, all the while treating long-time loyal fans like so much garbage.

Add to that the watered down out of conference schedules and fans across the country are finding college athletics in general to be way over-priced for the value received.
 
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Gary4UK

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Jun 20, 2004
27,816
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Sounds like something that the Lexington paper would put out.... First, the common denominator were that these people are all old... Probably not as well as they used to be... It sounds like they rather have their social event with their friends... Nothing wrong with all of that, but it takes longer and they don't figure they got all that much longer as they're getting older... It happens in every sport...

Their kids ought to buy their parents season tickets and keep the tradition up... For the first time this year we have a great facility... Not getting to a bowl this year is not enough reason for an article about older people giving up their season tickets because of their seats and the parking lot? Imagine no football at all?
 

catfando

All-Conference
Mar 31, 2009
1,472
1,547
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Sounds like something that the Lexington paper would put out.... First, the common denominator were that these people are all old... Probably not as well as they used to be... It sounds like they rather have their social event with their friends... Nothing wrong with all of that, but it takes longer and they don't figure they got all that much longer as they're getting older... It happens in every sport...

Their kids ought to buy their parents season tickets and keep the tradition up... For the first time this year we have a great facility... Not getting to a bowl this year is not enough reason for an article about older people giving up their season tickets because of their seats and the parking lot? Imagine no football at all?

What knucklehead disrespectful response. These "old people" have spent more time, money and energy than most of the younger people on UK sports. Their wisdom far outweighs your opinion. I'm tired of a football program that underachieves year after year for a fanbase that gives more support than it deserves based on the results. But, 3 years for a coach to build what we really want is not enough time. If after 5 years we see no improvement and results, it's time to make a change. What we are disappointed with is the lack of coaching that should be evident. But give him a chance to improve himself. Some coaching changes need to be made. Special teams for one. Not having a good special teams coach is unacceptable. And other position coaches aren't developing talent either. So for us longtime fans to be disappointed, is expected.
 

OHIO COLONEL

Heisman
Feb 11, 2009
14,803
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money anWhat knucklehead disrespectful response. These "old people" have spent more time,and energy than most of the younger people on UK sports. Their wisdom far outweighs your opinion. I'm tired of a football program that underachieves year after year for a fanbase that gives more support than it deserves based on the results. But, 3 years for a coach to build what we really want is not enough time. If after 5 years we see no improvement and results, it's time to make a change. What we are disappointed with is the lack of coaching that should be evident. But give him a chance to improve himself. Some coaching changes need to be made. Special teams for one. Not having a good special teams coach is unacceptable. And other position coaches aren't developing talent either. So for us longtime fans to be disappointed, is expected.
Ditto Plus, those aren't 'old people' in the student section that don't show up.
 
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OHIO COLONEL

Heisman
Feb 11, 2009
14,803
59,401
0
[
Add one more yelling old man to your list.

Barnhart cares nothing about the "microwave" (his word, not mine) long-time UK fans!!! Following the trend in professional sports, UK in particular, and college football in general, are pricing, or in many cases have priced, college football out of the reach of the common man, all the while treating long-time loyal fans like so much garbage.

Add to that the watered down out of conference schedules and fans across the country are finding college athletics in general to be way over-priced for the value received.
A lot of games I've seen the last few years, the stadiums are less than full. Been surprised on a couple of games where you would think that it would be a hard ticket to get...that there were a lot of empty seats. Same with something like NASCAR where 10-15 years ago you couldn't hardly get a ticker.
 

rmattox

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Nov 26, 2014
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If, indeed, attendance is dropping, it's not because of the older guys like me. It's due to students and their twenty-something kin that have "other" things to do. They'd rather babble on social media with their friends; play video games, etc... than attend sporting events.

If my generation deserves blame for anything, it's that we did not do a good job of cultivating the next generation of fans. Personally, I took my kids to games. In fact, I'd a million times rather go with my kids that with peers, colleagues or even my buddies. Many chose the latter, leaving kids home with mom or someone else.

IMO, mb needs to find a way to expose kids to the sport. He should have a quick list of schools, kids athletic leagues, churches, etc....that can bring blocks of kids to games with just a few days' notice. The stadium should NEVER have had empty seats, but with the size reduction that is especially true now. Fill the stadium with future fans even if it means setting aside 2-3K free tickets for each game. He will know by August how many unsolds he has. Give them away!

Prediction: I hated the reduction of the size of the facility but it's nothing compared to what it will be like in 20 years. When this current twenty-thirty something generation's kids are grown, there will be even fewer fans in the stands unless someone acts quickly.
 

Calsarmy

All-Conference
Jul 24, 2013
1,009
1,232
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Sounds like something that the Lexington paper would put out.... First, the common denominator were that these people are all old... Probably not as well as they used to be... It sounds like they rather have their social event with their friends... Nothing wrong with all of that, but it takes longer and they don't figure they got all that much longer as they're getting older... It happens in every sport...

Their kids ought to buy their parents season tickets and keep the tradition up... For the first time this year we have a great facility... Not getting to a bowl this year is not enough reason for an article about older people giving up their season tickets because of their seats and the parking lot? Imagine no football at all?
Seriously Gary? Its the fans fault that UK has put out a bad football product for 50 years? I dont care how old you are you need to be demanding the best product available on the field to represent the University of Kentucky. I would only say to Barney that you better hope and pray your boy CMS succeeds in a big way next year because if he doesn't the money boys will pick out the next FB coach like they did in BB.
 

vhcat70

Heisman
Feb 5, 2003
57,418
38,482
0
When it's late in the game, it's out of hand, and the weather's poor, I look around & see mainly old fans such as myself. Why? Because the kids never game or moved on.
 
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LowCountryCat

Heisman
Apr 17, 2010
117,188
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Seriously Gary? Its the fans fault that UK has put out a bad football product for 50 years? I dont care how old you are you need to be demanding the best product available on the field to represent the University of Kentucky. I would only say to Barney that you better hope and pray your boy CMS succeeds in a big way next year because if he doesn't the money boys will pick out the next FB coach like they did in BB.
Ignore Gary, back when Joker was failing he was such an apologist that he was calling Joker's detractors racists.
 
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Tskware

Heisman
Jan 26, 2003
25,061
21,532
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Article is spot on, have talked to many die hards like myself who are vowing not to renew, or are seriously considering not renewing. And I don't think it is all hot air either, I think the UKAA will take a hit this spring when 1000s don't renew.

Speaking of smaller crowds, in another article, the LHL reported the recent announced attendance at Rupp for Illinois State (I think?) was 21,500, which they said was plainly ridiculous, given the number of empty seats. So they obtained a turnstile count from Rupp Arena and found the actual attendance was 15,800, or 2/3 full.

Same thing happened at the UL game, announced attendance was nearly 62,000 (which I understand is tickets sold) but there were empty seats everywhere, I doubt there were actually more than 50,000 in attendance. It was the smallest crowd for the UL game I ever saw, for sure.
 

TBCat

Heisman
Mar 30, 2007
14,317
10,331
0
If, indeed, attendance is dropping, it's not because of the older guys like me. It's due to students and their twenty-something kin that have "other" things to do. They'd rather babble on social media with their friends; play video games, etc... than attend sporting events.

If my generation deserves blame for anything, it's that we did not do a good job of cultivating the next generation of fans. Personally, I took my kids to games. In fact, I'd a million times rather go with my kids that with peers, colleagues or even my buddies. Many chose the latter, leaving kids home with mom or someone else.

IMO, mb needs to find a way to expose kids to the sport. He should have a quick list of schools, kids athletic leagues, churches, etc....that can bring blocks of kids to games with just a few days' notice. The stadium should NEVER have had empty seats, but with the size reduction that is especially true now. Fill the stadium with future fans even if it means setting aside 2-3K free tickets for each game. He will know by August how many unsolds he has. Give them away!

Prediction: I hated the reduction of the size of the facility but it's nothing compared to what it will be like in 20 years. When this current twenty-thirty something generation's kids are grown, there will be even fewer fans in the stands unless someone acts quickly.
Agreed. Anyone taking issue with older fans needs to be auto blocked. The student section was nearly empty every game or at least emptied by half time.

I do disagree with the article. Even though some have stated that they are done I still don't buy it. The fans that have been around will still be there in September
 

ukalumni00

Heisman
Jun 22, 2005
23,298
38,891
113
After the Joker Vandy game debacle, UK was on serious thin ice with its fan base. Stoops was able to generate excitement that I did not think a new coach could do after that mess. He has been a massive failure (so far). UK is back on thin ice with its loyal fan base and I have been concerned for awhile now that UK was doing a horrible job marketing its program to the younger generation of fans who will not be loyal unless this program starts becoming a winning program.

UK has done everything in its power to take advantage of its customer base for the all mighty dollar and I can promise you they are getting very close to having a collassal collapse on their hands if Stoops does not start winning games. The older folks will completely give up and there are not going to be massive amounts of younger folks who will take their places.
 
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UK till Death

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Ignore Gary, back when Joker was failing he was such an apologist that he was calling Joker's detractors racists.
Gary's just not very bright.

In years of reading his terrible posts, I'm not sure I've ever seen him demonstrate an ability to think critically or provide any sort of thoughtful analysis.

He's the ideal Mitch drone.
 

merrimanm

Heisman
Dec 14, 2009
17,389
29,843
113
This was my first year having season tickets. It was a blast being able to take my kids. Those are memories that will last forever.

That being said, my one complaint to those complaining about how UK has ruined their experience and all that, is that some of those same fans ruin the experience of others as well. There were plenty of games where people cussed me out, in front of my 9 and 6 year old, for standing and cheering. I am 33 years old, so I am not young nor old, but I know plenty of folks on the younger side that said they wouldn't go back because they were verbally attacked for "yelling to much" and that "they need to sit down" and they didn't want their kids nor themselves to have to deal with that.

Now, for me, I used the situation to teach my kids what idiots look like so they don't become one, but there are many who just won't come back. This isn't golf or chess, or the freakin library, it is a football game where people stand and cheer and yell.

People complain about the product on the field, yet they don't always do their part either. I went to every home game. Starting with the EKU game, the place was dead. The atmosphere for the EKU game was awful. The UT game was awful. Even when we scored on the turnover to get the first score, the stadium was dead. In big time college sports, atmosphere is bog in so many ways. The fans that show up to sit there and yell at other people to stop standing and cheering are just as much part of the problem.

Now, that being said, I am not blaming losses on the fans, but, thise who don't cheer at games in my opinion should never complain about the team "not showing up".
 
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jaknfo90

Senior
Oct 8, 2012
765
667
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Sounds like something that the Lexington paper would put out.... First, the common denominator were that these people are all old... Probably not as well as they used to be... It sounds like they rather have their social event with their friends... Nothing wrong with all of that, but it takes longer and they don't figure they got all that much longer as they're getting older... It happens in every sport...

Their kids ought to buy their parents season tickets and keep the tradition up... For the first time this year we have a great facility... Not getting to a bowl this year is not enough reason for an article about older people giving up their season tickets because of their seats and the parking lot? Imagine no football at all?
Yep why don't we just euthanize all of these old un-well codgers that have the audacity to criticize the wonderful tradition of UK football. They need to move on, nothing to see here folks, and let a younger, naive bunch have their tickets so the tradition of people who will settle for a mediocre product, at its best, can perpetuate itself. Yeah, let the people with lots of time on their hands in so UK can hook the next generation on the worthless CRACK being peddled in order to keep the UK coffers full. Once they're hooked and relying only on the social aspects of the experience, treat them like the old broken down piece of sh*t they've become; the return on investment on them will be diminishing by then with with no hope of recovery. Bring in the next group please, we've got to keep this thing moving along. Oh, and if anyone complains kick them out of line and take away their crack; they're unworthy. THE UK PIGSKIN WAY. My tickets will be available, not that old, getting older though and imagining no football isn't all that hard when you consider the cost and realize the only real football display you're seeing, by and large, is being put on by the other team. Dumbest f***in post I think I've ever read here on or on RR.
 
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SosaUK

All-Conference
Jun 11, 2013
51,355
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If, indeed, attendance is dropping, it's not because of the older guys like me. It's due to students and their twenty-something kin that have "other" things to do. They'd rather babble on social media with their friends; play video games, etc... than attend sporting events.

If my generation deserves blame for anything, it's that we did not do a good job of cultivating the next generation of fans. Personally, I took my kids to games. In fact, I'd a million times rather go with my kids that with peers, colleagues or even my buddies. Many chose the latter, leaving kids home with mom or someone else.

IMO, mb needs to find a way to expose kids to the sport. He should have a quick list of schools, kids athletic leagues, churches, etc....that can bring blocks of kids to games with just a few days' notice. The stadium should NEVER have had empty seats, but with the size reduction that is especially true now. Fill the stadium with future fans even if it means setting aside 2-3K free tickets for each game. He will know by August how many unsolds he has. Give them away!

Prediction: I hated the reduction of the size of the facility but it's nothing compared to what it will be like in 20 years. When this current twenty-thirty something generation's kids are grown, there will be even fewer fans in the stands unless someone acts quickly.

Holy ****. STFU, I'm 28 and if it wasn't for my generation you would be speaking Arabic.
 

Kats23

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Nov 21, 2007
8,673
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Several things that made me laugh in that article. They were adamant about giving up their tickets in the first few lines then later in the article they were probably done. One said his brother was giving up for sure, then his brother refuted it and saying he'll be back.

Their feelings were hurt and they felt like they were disrespected by UK bc they had given so many years and people with the money got better seats and parking passes. I get it but in the same breath, that's college athletics. Same thing happened to a lot of people when UL moved to the YUM center.

The biggest problem is so many people bought into the Mark Stoops bullcrap when he was hired here and it hasn't come to fruition. If UK had won 8 games this year, they would still feel disrespected by UK. Still mad.

The whole article sounds like the guy who emails a radio station host saying I'm never going to listen again but there he is a week later writing how the guy is an idiot. I guarantee a lot of these guys will stay
 
Feb 21, 2006
8,403
9,162
0
They sit through decades of less than mediocre football...and now they're upset because they have to sit on the other side of the stadium or park across the street?!

2-10 is fine...so long as I have my same seat and tailgating spot...

Here's whats going on...

the "spiffed up stadium" isn't just for recruits and players...it's for money making...those new suits and VIP access areas are incredible and bring in millions+...

Capital donations and big money boosters are where the Athletic Department makes its money...astronomically more than what they make from season tickets and parking passes...

There are 6,000 fewer seats for a couple reasons...

One...they weren't filling up...two...for when UK football does get on some sort of competitive track...fewer seats will make for a greater demand...which allows prices to be hiked...sounds sinister...but if everyone wants a competitive product, guess what, it ain't cheap...

Unfortunately if you want to compete...you don't give legacy privileges to good ole Joe who's been tailgating in the same spot and had the same seat since bear bryant...you find ways to make more money...

in a nutshell...its not personal...its business...

as for the student section...i would agree...the athletic department and university could do more to ensure that stays full...need to set up some sort of incentive/rewards based program...students that show up for football get priority basketball tickets...and/or the sorority and fraternity with the best attendance get dibs on bball...

also...students are fans...they'll show up and stay when there is something worth watching...that student section doesn't behave any differently than the rest of the stadium...everyone knows how to find the exit in Commonwealth...
 
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ukalum1988

Heisman
Dec 21, 2014
12,081
31,186
113
Notwithstanding the emotional investment, big-time college sports is very much a business (of which the SEC clearly qualifies). A business has to take care of its loyal customers or else face the consequences. This article is not a comprehensive survey of the UK season ticket fan base by any means, but it certainly appears that UK is not treating its best customers very well.

As the saying goes, winning cures all ills. There's not a lot of optimism that 2016 is going to be any better than 2015. I don't have any answers; but I hope someone in the UK Athletics Department is taking steps to address the fans issues.
 
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OrdinaryCatFan

Redshirt
Nov 18, 2007
265
2
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If, indeed, attendance is dropping, it's not because of the older guys like me. It's due to students and their twenty-something kin that have "other" things to do. They'd rather babble on social media with their friends; play video games, etc... than attend sporting events.

If my generation deserves blame for anything, it's that we did not do a good job of cultivating the next generation of fans. Personally, I took my kids to games. In fact, I'd a million times rather go with my kids that with peers, colleagues or even my buddies. Many chose the latter, leaving kids home with mom or someone else.

IMO, mb needs to find a way to expose kids to the sport. He should have a quick list of schools, kids athletic leagues, churches, etc....that can bring blocks of kids to games with just a few days' notice. The stadium should NEVER have had empty seats, but with the size reduction that is especially true now. Fill the stadium with future fans even if it means setting aside 2-3K free tickets for each game. He will know by August how many unsolds he has. Give them away!

Prediction: I hated the reduction of the size of the facility but it's nothing compared to what it will be like in 20 years. When this current twenty-thirty something generation's kids are grown, there will be even fewer fans in the stands unless someone acts quickly.



Ram, That's an excellent post and a real good idea. We should all e-mail that idea to M.B.
 

KumarCat

Junior
Nov 10, 2011
1,823
240
0
Gave my 4 up when Brooke's left and basically said Barnhart was wrecking the program. He was right and I won't be back till Mitch is gone. I'm 37 and started buying tickets when I was 23. First one, then two, then 3. If I did it now I'd need 4. That's not happening until Either Mitch is gone or he starts acknowledging the requests of the common fan. I say common but I sat at the 25 yard line in the lower bowl, my seats weren't cheap. I also donated a couple thousand a year through other programs. That has stopped as well and will not come back until he's gone.
 
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shutzhund

All-Conference
Nov 19, 2005
29,202
2,619
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Get a better product and attendance will pick up. Few people will travel only a few miles to see a bad movie much less 100 plus miles to see wide receivers dance out of the way to avoid contact.
 

KYCAT78

All-American
May 24, 2006
7,858
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My suggestion is to give the students a participation trophy and they will show up. In all seriousness the students that show up for football games should be given coupons that can be used to get basketball ticket priority over non football attending students.
 

SosaUK

All-Conference
Jun 11, 2013
51,355
1,465
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Have you have heard of the "GREATEST GENERATION." Speaking Arabic? How about German or Japanese? Gimme a break with the hyperbole this about football not saving the world.

Yeah, and if it wasn't for George Washington, we wouldn't be a country.

Spare with the generational stuff, that's for sheep.
 

qwesley

Heisman
Feb 5, 2003
17,606
23,461
0
I am 33 years old, so I am not young nor old, but I know plenty of folks on the younger side that said they wouldn't go back because they were verbally attacked for "yelling to much" and that "they need to sit down" and they didn't want their kids nor themselves to have to deal with that.

Plenty huh? I live here and have heard zero younger fans say anything like that. Silly.
 

CoachR35

Senior
Apr 1, 2007
4,046
431
0
Why blame anyone? It doesn't matter the age of the fan attending the games. Simply put, a competitive team will put butts in the seats and keep the fan base happy. This year's results are very similar to what we've grown accustomed to over the years. The biggest difference this past season is that we (the loyal fan base that bleeds blue and have followed UK football for years) feels deceived due to all the hype surrounding the football program. We expected a better product than we were provided this past season. As a result, we've become frustrated and have lost hope that we will ever have the kind of football team a loyal fan base deserves. I am not a season ticket holder, but I do understand where these folks are coming from. Regardless of the age of the fan, we deserve better than what we've been getting year after year.
 

jaknfo90

Senior
Oct 8, 2012
765
667
0
Yeah, and if it wasn't for George Washington, we wouldn't be a country.

Spare with the generational stuff, that's for sheep.
Yeah junior you're a real hero, the world owes you and your generation everything. I would give you a little more info about quite a few different topics both generational and sports related but I'm quite sure most of it would go right over your head.
 
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merrimanm

Heisman
Dec 14, 2009
17,389
29,843
113
Plenty huh? I live here and have heard zero younger fans say anything like that. Silly.
Well, not all UK fans live where you live. Just because you haven't heard it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Silly!
 
Feb 21, 2006
8,403
9,162
0
Folks, we're getting off track here...

this isn't about young vs old fans...like I said...I've been to plenty of games where the old folks and young folks raced each other out of the stadium...the University wants all fans...shapes, sizes, colors, age...so long as they pay...that's what this is about...

the student section does fill for big games and when the team is doing well...just like the rest of the stadium...

you want a good parking spot and seat...pay up...

you want a 6 million dollar HC and top assistants...pay up...

you want the student section to be for more season ticket holders...pay up...make the AD an offer it can't refuse...
 
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WeepNoMore

Junior
Jan 2, 2005
1,144
260
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Yeah, and if it wasn't for George Washington, we wouldn't be a country.

Spare with the generational stuff, that's for sheep.

Obviously one of the look-at-me generation of spoiled brats that never learned respect for anyone other than their self-righteous selves!!!!

And, yea, I'm one of the older generation!! :sunglasses::sunglasses::sunglasses::sunglasses::sunglasses:
 
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laxcat#5

All-Conference
Oct 7, 2005
3,901
3,388
0
I don't have season tickets because I live 8 hours away from Lexington, but if I did, this would be the first season that I wouldn't renew. Unless DJ Eliot and Shannon Dawson are fired, next season's team is headed for a 3-9 or 4-8 season.
 
Mar 23, 2012
23,493
6,068
0
If, indeed, attendance is dropping, it's not because of the older guys like me. It's due to students and their twenty-something kin that have "other" things to do. They'd rather babble on social media with their friends; play video games, etc... than attend sporting events.

If my generation deserves blame for anything, it's that we did not do a good job of cultivating the next generation of fans. Personally, I took my kids to games. In fact, I'd a million times rather go with my kids that with peers, colleagues or even my buddies. Many chose the latter, leaving kids home with mom or someone else.

IMO, mb needs to find a way to expose kids to the sport. He should have a quick list of schools, kids athletic leagues, churches, etc....that can bring blocks of kids to games with just a few days' notice. The stadium should NEVER have had empty seats, but with the size reduction that is especially true now. Fill the stadium with future fans even if it means setting aside 2-3K free tickets for each game. He will know by August how many unsolds he has. Give them away!

Prediction: I hated the reduction of the size of the facility but it's nothing compared to what it will be like in 20 years. When this current twenty-thirty something generation's kids are grown, there will be even fewer fans in the stands unless someone acts quickly.
Lets see here...

Attending a UK game in person:
  • The on-field product is embarrassing, but you spent so much money to get a good seat you feel like your throwing away money if you leave early
  • Terrible views of the plays no matter where you sit compared to TV
  • It costs a ton unless garbage, worthless seats
  • Weather is rarely optimal once mid October rolls around, which is exactly when Kentucky starts sucking terribly
  • Food and beverages are way overpriced
  • Stadium seating in general across the nation is uncomfortable
  • Unless you like the music college kids listen to, the music that is played in the stadium is crap
  • No commentary unless you take a radio in the stadium with you
  • The wifi and wireless signal is pathetic at CWS
  • In all likelihood, you will be around some terrible fans and people
Watching a game at home:
  • Costs nothing extra if you already have a TV and the cable/satellite
  • When the on-field product starts sucking, you can change the channel to watch a competent football team
  • You get good views of every single play
  • Unless your AC or heat is broke, you get a climate controlled environment to the exact temperature you find comfortable
  • Don't have to overpay for food and beverages because you can get whatever you want delivered and purchased ahead of time.
  • There is zero doubt whatever furniture you have in your abode is going to be more comfortable than stadium seating
  • You don't have to be forced to listen to music you don't like
  • TV broadcast has commentary
  • The wifi/wireless signal at your house is likely a million times better than at CWS
  • You can control the people who are around you by kicking them out of your house, or if watching the game at someone else's house or someplace public, you can leave and watch the game somewhere else.
 

BoulderCat_rivals187983

All-Conference
May 22, 2002
7,871
3,227
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We discuss the product on the field in many other threads, but I'm not sure improving it makes all that much difference. There are many much broader trends behind the overall downturn in attendance for many programs. I know many cried out about reducing CW's capacity, but I think it was a smart decision given the trends. Cater to those who are still coming, and give them a better facility and experience albeit at a higher cost whether UK wins or continues to lose. This is not the place for politics, but basically their catering to that top 10% or so. The rest of the ticket's they might sell or might not depending on UK football's current state. Closer to home CSU is doing a similar thing. They are building a new on campus stadium with basically the same capacity as their current rather ancient one, 35K. But it will provide a much better experience to those who will still come. At a higher cost of course. The rest of us will be content to watch them on TV.

Look I understand the pageantry of college football. I love it. One of the best games I ever attended was the first "Rocky Mountain Showdown" at Mile High. CU vs CSU for college football supremacy in Colorado. 80,000 plus absolutely jammed the place. 40K CSU fans on one side, 40K CU fans on the other. It was a breath taking, awe inspiring spectacle. The Zoomies did a fly over coming out of the sun which was dipping over the Front Range. Get the picture. I don't remember what I paid for the tickets. It didn't matter. I just wanted to be there. Even if it was in the middle of the CU side. I've never had season tickets for any program though. I go to the games that draw my attention. Point is cater to those who are still coming for the increased cost, and then if you produce a good product or come up with a compelling game sell the rest. Otherwise count the TV revenue coming in.

Oh, and CSU won. 41-14 a game which sort of shifted the balance of power in their direction despite having about a 1/4 of the athletic budget.
 
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Mar 23, 2012
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Leadership 101: Don't **** with the loyal people who consistently foot the bill for stuff. You screw it up with them then good luck getting new people to jump on board once they hear about it, and they will hear about it. Loyal people with money who feel scorned will screw you over.