Attendance for Liberty

[orangetom]

why is friday an issue for most? just how many come from outside an hour or so normally. its an 8pm game so you could work to 5 and get here from Albany on time.

The problem is that for an 8PM kickoff, you arrive home in Albany in the 2 AM to 3AM range. Makes for a grueling, boring ride home. I've done it dozens and dozens of times over the last 40+ years. At my age, it's becoming more of a toll and is harder to accept. Btw, I'll be at the game tonight.

 

[JeffCuse]

why is friday an issue for most? just how many come from outside an hour or so normally. its an 8pm game so you could work to 5 and get here from Albany on time.

I didnt say most, I just said 1-2k here...

There are a lot of reasons little reasons that each may affect a few hundred folks.

1- Out of towners (like me) cant get there (I'm 5 hours away...im not taking a vaca day for Liberty, sorry)
2- Some folks don't like driving at night.
3- Some folks dont want young kids up this late
4- Some folks do work late enough that it makes it hard or impossible to get there.

Like I said, it is a piece of the puzzle albeit not a huge one.

 

[Newhouser]

At least the guy went to the game. He can say what he wants.

If there is less than 25k there tomorrow...shame on the Syracuse community.

Eh I'm not on that blame train. The community in my opinion has been supportive of the Dino regime. More than they have gotten in return.

 

[Bayside44]

Eh I'm not on that blame train. The community in my opinion has been supportive of the Dino regime. More than they have gotten in return.

When is the last time they / we got a 10 win season and a Florida bowl, or beating #1 (or 2 or 3 or whatever Clemson was) at home. Last year was bizarre but he's basically kept them in the mix otherwise. Obviously big year now to get over sea level.

 

[UpstateSM]

I think that the covid restrictions the school has in place have more of an adverse effect on attendance than a lot of posters think. I usually go with a group of 20-25 people and this year we can’t get more than 8-10 to go.

I stopped caring after the Rutgers game because I’m going to go have a good time regardless of attendance but it is more fun when the dome is even 3/4 full. Oh well

 

[FasterCuse]

When is the last time they / we got a 10 win season and a Florida bowl, or beating #1 (or 2 or 3 or whatever Clemson was) at home. Last year was bizarre but he's basically kept them in the mix otherwise. Obviously big year now to get over sea level.

It wasn't just last year though. 2019 left a sour taste in a lot of people's mouths. Leaving many to think 2018 was a fluke, and this is just the same old Syracuse football team of the past 20 years.

 

[OrangeAl]

why is friday an issue for most? just how many come from outside an hour or so normally. its an 8pm game so you could work to 5 and get here from Albany on time.

I wonder what the geographic distribution of season ticket holders is? And single game purchasers?
Since leaving Syracuse I've never been closer than a 2 1/2 hour drive. Thankfully, my schedule is now flexible enough to catch a Friday game, but it wasn't always.

 

[Bayside44]

It wasn't just last year though. 2019 left a sour taste in a lot of people's mouths. Leaving many to think 2018 was a fluke, and this is just the same old Syracuse football team of the past 20 years.

Believe me that Maryland game was a huge fart in church, I get it.

Those two Clemson games weren't flukes. And we steamrolled teams in 2018, not like it was a bunch of lucky bounces outside UNC (which we dominated most of the game).

 

[FasterCuse]

Believe me that Maryland game was a huge fart in church, I get it.

Those two Clemson games weren't flukes. And we steamrolled teams in 2018, not like it was a bunch of lucky bounces outside UNC (which we dominated most of the game).

I agree and I'll be at the game tonight, but I could see why the casual fan wouldn't show up again until we string a few wins together.

 

[Bayside44]

I agree and I'll be at the game tonight, but I could see why the casual fan wouldn't show up again until we string a few wins together.

I've always wanted to see a composite of "the casual fan."

 

[Orangejet]

If I were on the east coast, I would attend this big game for it could jumpstart the Cuse into ACC play. So, anyone local please go and take some friends for I will be watching/partying at my place in Chicagoland with 10 friends who are all Orange fans. Cheers!

 

[FasterCuse]

I've always wanted to see a composite of "the casual fan."

Here's the best I can do on short notice

 

[Chip]

I've always wanted to see a composite of "the casual fan."

 

[Shenexon]

I wish I could join you folks at the dome today, but things don't always work the way I'd prefer. I'm back in Colorado until the Clemson game. I have a pair of tickets available in section 130 if anyone is looking for nice seats. PM me if interested...

 

[Orangello]

 

[690West]

The problem is that for an 8PM kickoff, you arrive home in Albany in the 2 AM to 3AM range. Makes for a grueling, boring ride home. I've done it dozens and dozens of times over the last 40+ years. At my age, it's becoming more of a toll and is harder to accept. Btw, I'll be at the game tonight.

God bless you. What a fan. Impressive. That being said, 1 year in I would’ve started staying overnight in cuse. My goodness.

 

[AAM62]

You guys should be motivational speakers

 

[OrangeDW]

Winning fixes everything

Yup. Season tickets were selling like hot cakes before 2019...because we were good and the games were fun in 2018.

 

[syrBossHogg]

I'm sure those who will be there will be loud, hopefully it's a good game by the team and momentum gets built for the rest of the season

 

[Janner]

l'll be at the game, making the drive in from Buffalo

 

[PhatOrange]

For my crew Friday night games are the absolute best. Now it doesn't matter what day or time the game is because no one wants to deal with jumping through all the covid protocol hoops. Just isn't going to happen for a lot of people.

Going to the Army game tomorrow instead. No covid rules. No proof, no test, mask optional.

Covid is the driving factor/influence on attendance right now. You have the people who don't want to deal and the people who are afraid to go. I'm surprised it's even a debate.

 

[Scooch]

We've had this debate on sites like this for 20+ years. To paraphrase, when it comes to SU attendance its not rocketship science. When the team is interesting and/or winning, we draw pretty well, relatively speaking. Pair that with a big name opponent and we largely fill the Dome.

I mean we sold out the place as recently as 2 years ago for Clemson, and that was after the Maryland debacle. That same season we drew 44K for Pitt and 43K for BC (and we were 3-5 rolling into that game).

The thing about the SU fanbase is that the bottom drops out quickly. We go from drawing in the mid-40s to the 30s and 20s as soon as the losses pile up, there's no gradual descent like some other programs.

But attendance is as simple as winning, which is a good thing.

FWIW, I imagine attendance will be lousy tonight, and that's no surprise. The team blew it by following up the dreadful 2020 season with that horrible loss to Rutgers. And we're playing Liberty, which attracts precisely no one. But if we go on a run we'll see crowds in the low 40s later in the year.

 

[rrlbees]

For my crew Friday night games are the absolute best. Now it doesn't matter what day or time the game is because no one wants to deal with jumping through all the covid protocol hoops. Just isn't going to happen for a lot of people.

Going to the Army game tomorrow instead. No covid rules. No proof, no test, mask optional.

Covid is the driving factor/influence on attendance right now. You have the people who don't want to deal and the people who are afraid to go. I'm surprised it's even a debate.

Apples and oranges. michie stadium is outdoors. That makes a difference. And if you’re not vaccinated you’re required to wear a mask at your seat unless eating/drinking. Everyone has to wear a mask inside like restrooms, elevators, etc.

 

[upperdeck]

For my crew Friday night games are the absolute best. Now it doesn't matter what day or time the game is because no one wants to deal with jumping through all the covid protocol hoops. Just isn't going to happen for a lot of people.

Going to the Army game tomorrow instead. No covid rules. No proof, no test, mask optional.

Covid is the driving factor/influence on attendance right now. You have the people who don't want to deal and the people who are afraid to go. I'm surprised it's even a debate.

did army change their covid rules? pretty much the same as SU would be if the games was outside but they are on the honor system.

 

[PhatOrange]

Apples and oranges. michie stadium is outdoors. That makes a difference. And if you’re not vaccinated you’re required to wear a mask at your seat unless eating/drinking. Everyone has to wear a mask inside like restrooms, elevators, etc.

Lots of outdoor venues require vax or test just to enter. Amphitheatre comes to mind. Not Mitchie. But that's not the point. Point is lack of attendance at the Dome is due to covid. Whether for or against. You have the unvaxed who can't get in and don't want to deal with the test and the vaxed who are terrified.

I personally have no issues wearing a mask but I'm not going to go get a test just to get into the game. I'll watch on TV.