WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS COMMUNITY

[AZOrange]

I'm not blasting anyone. I AM a local die-hard fan, not an SU alum, and I attend the games...

I'm replying to your argument that says economics (Carrier has been gone since 2003) has reduced the fan base (so the pool of "locals" is smaller) so it's hard to fill the Dome. We're on the same side here, but following the economic argument of a reduced fan base unable to support the stadium capacity, then reduce the capacity until conditions change. I would rather have 40,000 available seats filled than 50,000 available seats with 10,000 seats open.

I know that it's a different sport, but even the nationally elite SU basketball team would rarely, if ever, fill 50,000 seats in the Dome. I also realize that many SU fans follow basketball, but not football and vice versa, but it's still representative of the SU fan base as a whole.

Easy solution to football problems... move the football field to where the bball court sits.

 

[Orangejet]

You really want to go there? Here are some fun facts about Onondaga County as of '11:
1) 460k population
2) 14% over 65
3) 22% under 18
4) 14% below poverty level
5) 28k per capita income
6) 52k median household income

And those 10,ooo businesses you mentioned? You do realize that includes sole proprietorships (with generally zero employees), and other establishments that employ either part time or minimum wage (or just over) people? I don't know where you live or what your economic status is, but if you think economics isn't a huge issue here, your head is squarely in your...sandbox. Look, the reality is that for most people, SU sports are an activity, not a way of life, and BBall is no different. When it ceases to be fun, or worth the effort, attendance and support will falter. That's not just SU, its everywhere. People will go when they think the value is worth the sacrifice. Why do you think people should be loyal to a team that's in a different city, and belongs to a University they likely are not an alumnus of? The one hour radius you mentioned is an arbitrary number. The fact remains that would be a commitment of a full day day plus a lot of money. They will do it, but it needs to be worth it. It's getting better, but its not there, yet.

Great points and I would like to see the demographics of Clemson, SC or Blacksburg, VA? Why is Rutgers averaging 50k per game and how did NW turn things around to increase their fan attendance by 35%? It's all about promotions, local marketing and a great game experience at a reasonable price and let me not forget a winning team...

 

[xc84]

I'm not blasting anyone. I AM a local die-hard fan, not an SU alum, and I attend the games...

I'm replying to your argument that says economics (Carrier has been gone since 2003) has reduced the fan base (so the pool of "locals" is smaller) so it's hard to fill the Dome. We're on the same side here, but following the economic argument of a reduced fan base unable to support the stadium capacity, then reduce the capacity until conditions change. I would rather have 40,000 available seats filled than 50,000 available seats with 10,000 seats open.

I know that it's a different sport, but even the nationally elite SU basketball team would rarely, if ever, fill 50,000 seats in the Dome. I also realize that many SU fans follow basketball, but not football and vice versa, but it's still representative of the SU fan base as a whole.

It's much simpler than economics. It's about winning. Sure, SU could get more fans with better marketing but the best "marketing" is winning.

 

[alphaorange]

One thing, CNY has a lot of things to do in the fall. I suspect many of these other places can't compare. By the same token, as you move closer to the Mason Dixon Line, football becomes more and more important. It's ingrained in the culture. Rutgers? Winning seasons and local perception as something special, I would guess. When they start losing the fans will fade. Winning is everything.

 

[alphaorange]

It's much simpler than economics. It's about winning. Sure, SU could get more fans with better marketing but the best "marketing" is winning.

Still too simple of an explanation

 

[suloyalfan]

It's much simpler than economics. It's about winning. Sure, SU could get more fans with better marketing but the best "marketing" is winning.

Agreed... again, my original post was with regard to the "economic" argument... even winning doesn't bring back fans that don't exist (ie, no longer in the fan base). I would love to see the Dome packed to capacity for every game (current capacity). My original post on the matter was simply stating that if people truly believe that the SU fan base has diminished to the point where it can no longer support full capacity of the stadium, then reduce the capacity to balance out supply/demand for tickets.

 

[chakka3421]

You really want to go there? Here are some fun facts about Onondaga County as of '11:
1) 460k population
2) 14% over 65
3) 22% under 18
4) 14% below poverty level
5) 28k per capita income
6) 52k median household income

And those 10,ooo businesses you mentioned? You do realize that includes sole proprietorships (with generally zero employees), and other establishments that employ either part time or minimum wage (or just over) people? I don't know where you live or what your economic status is, but if you think economics isn't a huge issue here, your head is squarely in your...sandbox. Look, the reality is that for most people, SU sports are an activity, not a way of life, and BBall is no different. When it ceases to be fun, or worth the effort, attendance and support will falter. That's not just SU, its everywhere. People will go when they think the value is worth the sacrifice. Why do you think people should be loyal to a team that's in a different city, and belongs to a University they likely are not an alumnus of? The one hour radius you mentioned is an arbitrary number. The fact remains that would be a commitment of a full day day plus a lot of money. They will do it, but it needs to be worth it. It's getting better, but its not there, yet.

Whoa! I'll go there just this once!

1) 460k Onondaga County yes, but I said Metro area 670k approx not including Oswego
2) Syracuse metro area is 80th in nation so it's large enough to support 50k stadium
3) The pop pull goes farther than Syracuse metro area - North Country, Utica, Southern tier, Eastern Rochester - numbers increase to over 1 million within 1 hour-ish drive time
4) Population & location is perfect - no competing Pro teams even adjacent cities
5) New economy - Syracuse is becoming highly diversified and not dependent one major companies anymore - leading to lower unemployment than national stats

 

[omg_cuse_rules]

Haha to be fair, I had a ticket to go but went apple picking instead... how is a guy supposed to get laid?

Sent from my SPH-L300 using Tapatalk 2

 

[alphaorange]

Whoa! I'll go there just this once!

1) 460k Onondaga County yes, but I said Metro area 670k approx not including Oswego
2) Syracuse metro area is 80th in nation so it's large enough to support 50k stadium
3) The pop pull goes farther than Syracuse metro area - North Country, Utica, Southern tier, Eastern Rochester - numbers increase to over 1 million within 1 hour-ish drive time
4) Population & location is perfect - no competing Pro teams even adjacent cities
5) New economy - Syracuse is becoming highly diversified and not dependent one major companies anymore - leading to lower unemployment than national stats

1) Include what you will, the numbers will be similar if not worse
2) How many private Universities are filling 50K stadiums? How many with programs recovering from an abyss?
3) Twisting and dancing here. The beginning of the Rochester area is over an hour away. The beginning of the Rochester influence. The Southern tier is over an hour away and is struggling mightily with the economy. Utica? Really?
4) Dream on. SU is not competing with pro teams for fans. It's competing with ALL activities.
5) Right out of a PR guide. Get back to me in 10 years, minimum, because we are talking about the here and now, not what may develop.

 

[alphaorange]

Haha to be fair, I had a ticket to go but went apple picking instead... how is a guy supposed to get laid?

Sent from my SPH-L300 using Tapatalk 2

If you need to pick apples to get laid, you may need to lay off the chick flicks...

 

[SUfaninAZ]

Haha to be fair, I had a ticket to go but went apple picking instead... how is a guy supposed to get laid?

Sent from my SPH-L300 using Tapatalk 2

If a woman tells you what to do for six saturdays a year she's not for you son!

 

[adk(roc)CUSE]

If you need to pick apples to get laid, you may need to lay off the chick flicks...

Haha

 

[CuseIsGodsTeam]

Absolutely clueless...

Explain how im clueless when the only BCS team in NY near 4 of the major upstate cities gets nobody in the dome when we have had two 8 win seasons in 3 years with bowl wins and su football takes place only 5 to 6 times a year

 

[CuseIsGodsTeam]

My point is people dont care.

There is enough people within a reasonable distance to pack the dome.

Its not because of the economy or juniors soccer game.

 

[djcon57]

Turns out the only horse in town wasn't the only horse in town.
Some people prefer no horse.

 

[xc84]

Agreed... again, my original post was with regard to the "economic" argument... even winning doesn't bring back fans that don't exist (ie, no longer in the fan base). I would love to see the Dome packed to capacity for every game (current capacity). My original post on the matter was simply stating that if people truly believe that the SU fan base has diminished to the point where it can no longer support full capacity of the stadium, then reduce the capacity to balance out supply/demand for tickets.

Yeah. I am not someone who believes the crowds will NEVER come back. They will when SU wins consistently. When US wins, like in hoops, going to the game is more enjoyable and more of the "in thing" ... and people attend. Not sure what you mean with a strategy of reducing capacity even in the case of bad attendance. What goal would that serve? The dome is paid for so how would removing seats help any matter?

 

[alphaorange]

Explain how im clueless when the only BCS team in NY near 4 of the major upstate cities gets nobody in the dome when we have had two 8 win seasons in 3 years with bowl wins and su football takes place only 5 to 6 times a year

I shouldn't have to explain this to you. Proximity to a BCS team only matters if you're fan of the team or school. That's why you are clueless. Lots of people in NY live closer to Pitt or Rutgers than SU. Who should they be fans of?

 

[hoopsupstate]

Sports viewing has changed in the past 10 years. People have large HD TV's at home. Everyone is constantly on the run and when you can relax in your own home and watch a game, you do. Families that have kids are constantly running on weekends to all kinds of athletic events. Young people only have so much disposable income. I'm not trying to make excuses, but it's reality. It has to be an event in this town in order for people to want to come. I don't ever miss a game, but I know a lot of people who would rather stay home and watch the game on television. I'm around people all the time that talk about SU sports, but few of them actually attend games.

 

[CuseIsGodsTeam]

I shouldn't have to explain this to you. Proximity to a BCS team only matters if you're fan of the team or school. That's why you are clueless. Lots of people in NY live closer to Pitt or Rutgers than SU. Who should they be fans of?

Spare me the clueless BS please, you're starting to piss me off.


Your primary argument in this thread for why nobody goes to the games has been the economy.

Mine has been that people simply don't care about SU football and therefore don't go.

If anything, it is the fault of SU/Marketing not promoting the team enough escpecially since we have been competitive post GROB.

Proximity to a BCS team DOES matter, look at Rutgers-they promoted their program and invested in winning so the people came. RU has grown their fanbase in the last 10 years. Guess what they came from the local area.

The school needs to find a way to get the people from Binghamton, Buffalo, Albany, Rochester, and eveyrone in that 2 hr drive radius to become fans. That should be enough to pack the dome.

They question is why don't the people of NYS care about SU football.

 

[alphaorange]

Spare me the clueless BS please, you're starting to piss me off.


Your primary argument in this thread for why nobody goes to the games has been the economy.

Mine has been that people simply don't care about SU football and therefore don't go.

If anything, it is the fault of SU/Marketing not promoting the team enough escpecially since we have been competitive post GROB.

Proximity to a BCS team DOES matter, look at Rutgers-they promoted their program and invested in winning so the people came. RU has grown their fanbase in the last 10 years. Guess what they came from the local area.

The school needs to find a way to get the people from Binghamton, Buffalo, Albany, Rochester, and eveyrone in that 2 hr drive radius to become fans. That should be enough to pack the dome.

They question is why don't the people of NYS care about SU football.

You are only partially right and if you read what I have posted you might notice that. I never said we were marketed well. In fact, I have posted that the game day experience sucked andc the marketing was poor. I also said that economy is very key in all this and since I have lived in the area since we were drawing 45k+, I think I have some idea of interest/economy/marketing. If you have the local experience and knowledge to disagree, I'll say I agree to disagree. If not, I'll still say you are clueless. As far as pissing you off, I could not possibly care less.

 

[Halfmooncuse]

I went to the game but my daughter did not. She's a huge SU fan. Especially basketball . She would have been attending SU as a freshman this year but at $58,000 a yr. she's a freshman at another college. Let's not blame everyone in Syracuse cause the university is a business and not everyone can afford a quarter million dollars for a 4 year degree. So not evryone in the hardnose blue collar city identifies with SU. It is a private college that appeals for the most part to individuals that have the bucks. Syracuse is not filled with tons of people that fit that definition. Its not a huge state school or a community college and resides in a northeastern small city. Are there any other FB programs that do well given those conditions?

 

[Bayside44]

Spare me the clueless BS please, you're starting to piss me off.


Your primary argument in this thread for why nobody goes to the games has been the economy.

Mine has been that people simply don't care about SU football and therefore don't go.

If anything, it is the fault of SU/Marketing not promoting the team enough escpecially since we have been competitive post GROB.

Proximity to a BCS team DOES matter, look at Rutgers-they promoted their program and invested in winning so the people came. RU has grown their fanbase in the last 10 years. Guess what they came from the local area.

The school needs to find a way to get the people from Binghamton, Buffalo, Albany, Rochester, and eveyrone in that 2 hr drive radius to become fans. That should be enough to pack the dome.

They question is why don't the people of NYS care about SU football.

You cannot use Rutgers as an example, no one is driving 2 plus hours to go to their games, and that's what you're asking for SU. RU has a lot of density and plenty of people who see the Giants / Jets / Igs as cost prohibitive.

SU has historically done a lot of things wrong, but I would love to see the correlation with billboards / radio/ tv verses none when the opponent is a ham and egger like we had the last 2 weeks.


I firmly believe we will be north of 45K for Clemson.

 

[chakka3421]

I firmly believe we will be north of 45K for Clemson.

I hope you are right!

 

[Full_Rebar]

Rather than simply believe that fans will pack the Dome, here is what I think SU Athletics should be doing for the next 12 days:

• Hammer social media with ticket information by using photos from SU's home wins over ranked opponents, run trivia contests, give away "swag"
• Send ticket sales staff to Downtown Albany, Buffalo and Rochester during lunchtime. It's supposed to be a beautiful week-get them in popular lunch locations. Use Twitter to have a "scavenger hunt" for a free pair of tickets. Bring SU gear for those who don't win the tickets and be ready to sell them tickets for the Clemson game
• Set up a kiosk at Destiny next weekend in the Canyon. Have the cheerleaders and dance team make appearances. Again, raffle off one pair of tickets, but catch the people and let them get their tickets right then and there.
• Send out players to Pop Warner games next Saturday morning. Let more people in the community get to see the quality student-athletes that SU has on their roster. Do a spccial wear kids who wear their team jersey get a free dome dog.
• Have Mrs. Shafer on Bridge Street talking about the family's love of the community and how the support from fans helps HCSS provide them with a winning team
• TV spots during MNF, Thursday night football, and next Sat's ABC prime-time game
• Get coaches or SUAD staff on all of Galaxy's radio stations in NY. Get a couple of coaches on K-Rock in the morning when people are on the way to work. Talk up the hard-nosed aspect of the team
• Get a business to sponsor an orange towel for the game. Release the new orange jersey by the end of the week- we don't need a surprise, we want to let everyone know it will be an Orange Out and that Syracuse Orange is the dominant Orange in the ACC.