The Dome was empty...again. Where are the fans?

[Sbucketball]

Lack of attendance may play a bigger role in making a change than what we see on the floor. They now have to revenue share $20.5 million and that has to come from somewhere. Attendance is killing revenue in basketball AND football.

It's all about the money, unfortunately.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I know programs don’t do this in December and especially Syracuse hasn’t historically, but they really need to make the move now. The re energizing of the program needs to begin now. See Virginia Tech football as an example even with the losses, the fan base re energized right away.

And just who is available in the middle of the season? Literally no one you would want to hire.

 

[IthacaMatt]

4th in overall attendance. 5th in average attendance per game.

Rank	Institution	Total Attendance	Avg Attendance
1	North Carolina	307,821	20,521
2	Kentucky	366,007	20,334
3	Tennessee	340,436	20,026
4	Arkansas	341,935	18,996
5	Syracuse	321,103	18,888

Because of 16,000 season tickets sold, give or take.
Our in person attendance has been nowhere near this number, for years.

I had seasons for football for 3 years recently, and hoops for a couple years.
When it's a big game, it's still electric.
But most of the time, nobody is there.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I swear there was more fans at the Lax games last year, than ive seen at MBB games this year...

We now have crowds that would fit in Manley.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Numerous times this year I've opened ESPN on my phone and seen Syracuse was playing a game that was either deep in the 2nd half or over already. I had no idea they had a game that day. I used to have the schedule memorized and look forward to either going to the game or watching on TV. I think the belief on the hill is that if the team starts winning, the fans will quickly return...I'm not sure that's the case (to the degree they believe). At this point other activities - like skiing with my kids - have replaced Syracuse basketball. And even if they start winning I'm unlikely to do much more than catch more games on TV - too many other activities have replaced Syracuse basketball that I'd have to give up. The habit of watching and going to games is permanently altered for me; I think its unlikely that's uncommon.

Ten years of lousy results takes most of the fun out of going to the game.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I'll disagree with both of you...or conditionally agree. However you want to frame it.

The BOT has a responsibility to the entire school. But they've also said that the athletic department needs to be self-funding - revenues generated by athletics needs to cover expenses.

This would be great if the Athletic Dept. could keep more of the money it generates.

 

[sufan59]

And just who is available in the middle of the season? Literally no one you would want to hire.

It would be Dan Engelstad as the interim, I’m just tired of the dips and lack of Level 5 consistency. Whenever we turn a corner, we get hit in the face.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Publisher seems politically motivated and biased but it’s a data point. I do believe these schools are attracting more students because of good sports. We saw a big bump after 2003

THANK YOU FOR BEING MAYBE THE ONLY PERSON ON THIS SITE TO USE "BIASED" PROPERLY !!!

"Bias" is not a verb, folks.

 

[IthacaMatt]

It would be Dan Engelstad as the interim, I’m just tired of the dips and lack of Level 5 consistency. Whenever we turn a corner, we get hit in the face.

Well, that would sure put the fannies in the seats. /s/

 

[JKinUtah]

THANK YOU FOR BEING MAYBE THE ONLY PERSON ON THIS SITE TO USE "BIASED" PROPERLY !!!

"Bias" is not a verb, folks.

It could be a verb - as in I’m going to Len Bias tonight.

 

[Scooch]

It would be Dan Engelstad as the interim, I’m just tired of the dips and lack of Level 5 consistency. Whenever we turn a corner, we get hit in the face.

When you have the chance to promote the guy with 6 losing seasons at Mt. St. Mary’s you can’t pass it up!

Seriously, Red’s had farrrrrr more success at the P5 level than that guy had as a low major.

 

[blust2i3d4]

Students are back home for Christmas.

 

[gmoney44]

The entire move was based on taking the easiest route to move away from JB.

The easiest path is often not the right one. Most people that can take off the orange colored glasses and look at the hiring of Red objectivity knew this was probably going to be a disaster.

So here we are three seasons later and the program has slid into the abyss of college basketball. Taking the easy route to somehow appease JB as he was kicking and screaming on his way out the door like a 3 year old at the toy store probably wasn’t the best move. SU was like the mother offering candy to the kid to shut him up.

 

[IthacaMatt]

It could be a verb - as in I’m going to Len Bias tonight.

It could be a transitive verb, I think they're called - "He showed him bias."
But "He was a bias ref" is improper usage. Thank you.

 

[JarHeadJim]

Back to back Saturday 4pm games with less than 13,000 in attendance.

 

[orangemass]

I barely want to move to my couch to watch this can’t blame those who have to trudge up the hill

 

[Stevenson]

There’s a game today?

 

[orangemass]

Our asst coaches are just highly paid cheerleaders

 

[PauliePeppas]

Good

 

[RyanCuse44]

Back to back Saturday 4pm games with less than 13,000 in attendance.

They'll use the students are on break excuse.

 

[Scooch]

Honestly, I spent most of the first half watching football. Can’t blame anyone for not wanting to pay to see us play a low-major on the weekend before Xmas. Things are a lot different than they were 30 years ago. These kind of games are dogs and attendance all over the country stinks for them.

 

[tbonezone]

AD just don't get it. you're never gonna fill this place coasting along mid pack and playing lower and slower paced sub ACC division 1 level. people want to see excitement. a show. a slam and jamboree and people want to see winners. they'll come back when syracuse teams start playing for division titles and are once again respected nationally. til then don't hold your breath wildhack.

 

[Bulldog04]

The head of event staff told me 7,100 people walked through the gate

 

[Cuseloyal]

If I didn’t have season tickets I would not waste my time

 

[HyattsCuse]

A couple weeks ago, I was excited to go to the Clemson game on 12/31 because I’ll be in town. Losing motivation rapidly.