Stadium Capacity Tells a Lot

Goober McTuber · Post by **Goober McTuber** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:39 pm

Another indicator would be attendance, which is also represented well by the Big 10 and SEC:

http://www.wwwncaa.com/stats/football/a ... ndance.pdf

Of course, the top Big 10 teams seem to fill their stadiums beyond capacity, while most of the SEC teams have a few seats empty.

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:43 pm

I think there are several fan bases in the Big 12 that would fill up any capacity stadium they had.

If Nebraska or OU or Texas had 120K cribs, they'd be full.

I think PSU currently makes a good case for an excellent fan environment. We'll see if OSU fans agree with that statement.

I'd like to see Ohio Stadium for at PSU game where both teams came in highly ranked and undefeated.

I hope to catch a fever-pitch SEC conference game someday. After I was done gazing at the hot girls (somewhere toward the end of the 4th quarter), I'm sure I'd be quite impressed.

buckeye_in_sc · Post by **buckeye_in_sc** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:50 pm

^^^^^^^^^^

was at the first tOSU/PSU game when PSU came into Big 10...WOW...what an environment...that was the pre-cursor to the 94 PSU squad that was unreal...but the stadium was electric from the get go...cold October day, a rain/snow mix fell...awesome...

would love to get to happy valley some day as the misses family are huge PSU fans growing up in Oil City, PA...

got a neighbor who is an LSU grad and he says he would like to take me to a game at LSU...and he would like to make a roadie to tOSU as well...

King Crimson · Post by **King Crimson** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 8:12 pm

OU couldn't fill a 120 crib. not consistently, the population density or alumni base just isn't there. and as high as Castigione pushes ticket/donations to the high envelope.....Emil and Georgene from Tecumseh are better off watching on TV and sinking their money into some Jack and Natty--some Dominos at halftime-- than the way Castiglione wants to price everybody else out.

Nebraska is the only game in town (no in-state rival), but i don't know....maybe? i don't think so. 120 every time?

Texas, if they were winning is possible. but their fans are a little wishy-washy, "come late, leave early".

population density is really the key. west of the mississippi, it ain't like you guys east of it are used to.

Mr T · Post by **Mr T** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 9:01 pm

Sudden Sam wrote: Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium 87,451

I was at the auburn-gaytor game this last year. My god if that place didnt go insane after halftime. If that game was in gay-nsville, the gates wouldve ran away with it.

FSU ranks 17th in attendance but that doesnt say much. Most of the attendance sits on its hands the whole game. At times it feels like noise is not allowed

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 10:07 pm

In terms of percentage of the state-populace that is at the game I'd say Neb has everybody beat. But I don't know if we'd consistently sell-out a much bigger venue unless we backed-off on ticket-prices significantly. If you could get the not-so-hot seats for like $35 we could sell-out a 100,000 seat venue consistently.

A new stadium would definitely be nice, ours' has been expanded in the right places all it can be. Now they are just adding crappy endzone seats far from the action. I'm not paying good money to watch a game from a crappy vantage-point where I end-up having to watch half of the game on the big-screen. If I want to watch the game on a screen I'll stay home.

SunCoastSooner · Post by **SunCoastSooner** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 2:59 pm

King Crimson wrote:OU couldn't fill a 120 crib. not consistently, the population density or alumni base just isn't there. and as high as Castigione pushes ticket/donations to the high envelope.....Emil and Georgene from Tecumseh are better off watching on TV and sinking their money into some Jack and Natty--some Dominos at halftime-- than the way Castiglione wants to price everybody else out.

Nebraska is the only game in town (no in-state rival), but i don't know....maybe? i don't think so. 120 every time?

Texas, if they were winning is possible. but their fans are a little wishy-washy, "come late, leave early".

population density is really the key. west of the mississippi, it ain't like you guys east of it are used to.

I don't agree. I know at least 6 couples out here on the waiting list for season tickets and it is all the way in Florida.

Terry in Crapchester · Thu Jun 28, 2007 3:54 pm

ND upped its capacity from about 59,000 to about 80,000 about a decade or so ago, and didn't miss a beat as far as sellouts concerned.

80,000 might not seem like that much as far as capacity goes. But consider that I'm talking about a private school with only about 10,000 students, as well as a correspondingly smaller alumni base which is also spread out throughout the country. Then consider that the stadium expansion took place at a time when the football team was beginning a decline. Pretty impressive, all in all.

GrizBearStare · Post by **GrizBearStare** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 4:14 pm

FWIW Montana led the FCS in average attendance in 2006 with 22,600 per game which is about 98% capacity.

Here is a picture of our stadium which seats 23,117:

We are adding an expansion above the east side boxes (the top of the previous picture) that will increase capacity by 2,000 in addition to a viewing lounge with a cabaret license for serving beer and wine. Those seats will sell for between $1,250.00-$1,500.00 per year requiring a 3-5 year commitment. Word is that they are on pace to sell them all before the expansion has even begun:

MuchoBulls · Post by **MuchoBulls** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 5:16 pm

I think we still have a ways to go, but being a bit over 30,000 isn't too bad at this point in our history. Our average should increase a good deal this year with home games against WVU and Louisville and with most of last year team returning. I know the season ticket base is up a good deal over last season, so that is a good start. It will be real sweet beginning in 2009 (and 2011 and 2013 for that matter) when our home schedule will feature WVU, Louisville and Miami.

stuckinia · Post by **stuckinia** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:01 pm

VPI averaged about 66000 per game last year. Not bad considering A) Blacksburg is smack dab in the middle of nowhere, and B) the majority of the teams they played in B'burg were dogshit: Northeastern, Kent State, Duke, Cincinnati, Southern Miss.

stuckinia · Post by **stuckinia** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:26 pm

Sudden Sam wrote:
stuckinia wrote:VPI averaged about 66000 per game last year. Not bad considering A) Blacksburg is smack dab in the middle of nowhere, and B) the majority of the teams they played in B'burg were dogshit: Northeastern, Kent State, Duke, Cincinnati, Southern Miss.
Southern Miss is dogshit? You lumped them in with that buncha losers?

Fairly recent point:

Southern Miss 21, Nebraska 17
September 2004

Perhaps I was a bit harsh using dogshit. I guess they are more like birdshit. My point was that they aren't exactly the team folks are going to trample each other to go see.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 8:14 pm

GrizBearStare wrote:FWIW Montana led the FCS in average attendance in 2006 with 22,600 per game which is about 98% capacity.

Here is a picture of our stadium which seats 23,117:

We are adding an expansion above the east side boxes (the top of the previous picture) that will increase capacity by 2,000 in addition to a viewing lounge with a cabaret license for serving beer and wine. Those seats will sell for between $1,250.00-$1,500.00 per year requiring a 3-5 year commitment. Word is that they are on pace to sell them all before the expansion has even begun:

With that kind of fan-support has Montana ever seriously considered a move to 1A? Ya the population is lacking but if Wyoming can field a team and Idaho somehow fields two then I'd think Montana could do some things in the WAC or MWC. I can kind of understand enjoying being a 1AA that wins rather than a meh 1A but I was just interested.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:01 pm

Montana's fan support is amazing. Portland State fan is well aware of this. While they average 23K a game at home or whatever, when they come to play in the "big city," they'll usually have between 4-5K fans make the several-hundred mile trek to come to the game every other year.

Pretty freaking impressive. Grizfan is held in very high regard around these parts.

MuchoBulls · Post by **MuchoBulls** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 1:29 pm

Danimal wrote:With that kind of fan-support has Montana ever seriously considered a move to 1A? Ya the population is lacking but if Wyoming can field a team and Idaho somehow fields two then I'd think Montana could do some things in the WAC or MWC. I can kind of understand enjoying being a 1AA that wins rather than a meh 1A but I was just interested.

They certainly would be a better candidate to be in 1 A than some of the Sun Belt programs. Their stadium looks pretty sweet.

Terry in Crapchester · Mon Jul 02, 2007 6:18 pm

Danimal wrote:
GrizBearStare wrote:FWIW Montana led the FCS in average attendance in 2006 with 22,600 per game which is about 98% capacity.

Here is a picture of our stadium which seats 23,117:

We are adding an expansion above the east side boxes (the top of the previous picture) that will increase capacity by 2,000 in addition to a viewing lounge with a cabaret license for serving beer and wine. Those seats will sell for between $1,250.00-$1,500.00 per year requiring a 3-5 year commitment. Word is that they are on pace to sell them all before the expansion has even begun:

With that kind of fan-support has Montana ever seriously considered a move to 1A? Ya the population is lacking but if Wyoming can field a team and Idaho somehow fields two then I'd think Montana could do some things in the WAC or MWC. I can kind of understand enjoying being a 1AA that wins rather than a meh 1A but I was just interested.

I can't speak to whether Montana has 1A aspirations, but I have to think that the WAC would be very interested in them should they ever make the jump. I have to think that the WAC is very vulnerable to a possible loss of Boise, Fresno and even possibly Hawaii, as well as Louisiana Tech (for geographic reasons in the latter case).

King Crimson · Post by **King Crimson** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 4:59 pm

Jsc810 wrote:

i feel like i'm taking a bourbon IV and pissing down my leg just looking at that.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 5:44 pm

Night games? Marathon tailgates/hours-long binges leading up to the game?

We don't know what you're talking about.

Sin,
PAC 10

MuchoBulls · Post by **MuchoBulls** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 6:54 pm

Sudden Sam wrote:Mucho, I still think y'all are gonna knock off Auburn this year.

I certainly would love to see that happen, but I have a real bad feeling about that game. We've never fared well against SEC opposition and I think Auburn is probably the best SEC team we will have faced when we play them.

Mr T · Post by **Mr T** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:31 pm

Dinsdale wrote:Night games? Marathon tailgates/hours-long binges leading up to the game?

We don't know what you're talking about.

Sin,
PAC 10

You are comparing Pac 10 tailgates to LSU....haha

Sudden Sam wrote: Note to self: Remove Bama tag from car before parking.

And try not to wear red

Carson · Post by **Carson** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 2:53 pm

Jsc810 wrote:

The scary thing is this pic is NOT from a wide-angle lense.

Left Seater · Post by **Left Seater** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 8:27 pm

I've got to say that stadium size is overrated, unless you fill it every time. I am afraid the picture below was taken about 10 minutes before we kicked off on of my games.

The amazing thing to me is that many of the HS football stadiums in Texas are bigger/nicer than D1-AA stadiums. Hell, most playoff games have to be played in college and pro stadiums because of demand for seats.

Here is one in Mesquite

Corpus Christi

Odessa

Round Rock

And I can't even find a pic of the largest stadium which is Alamo Stadium in San Antonio. It used to seat 31K, but a highway expansion and a facelift reduced some endzone seating so now it is around 24K.

Big isn't always better, it is what goes on in the stadium that counts.

Goober McTuber · Post by **Goober McTuber** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 8:36 pm

Left Seater wrote:Big isn't always better, it is what goes on in the stadium that counts.

Good luck trying to explain that to Rumple.

SunCoastSooner · Post by **SunCoastSooner** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 2:20 pm

Left Seater wrote:Round Rock

Memories, like the corner of my mind...

God to think that just about a decade ago I spent most of my friday evenings in the fall on that field. I think they have renovated it though since I was in high school because it looks a lot nicer than it did back in my hey day.

Wish RRISD would or has built a stadium for McNeil . Plenty of room around the school still (or used to be last I was there). I know we always got screwed because we aren't really Round Rock residents but Jesus they wanted that part of Austin in their school district for tax purposes they didn't need to treat us like vile step children for our parents monies.

Ride on Mavericks... Beat the Dragons!!!

And I can't even find a pic of the largest stadium which is Alamo Stadium in San Antonio. It used to seat 31K, but a highway expansion and a facelift reduced some endzone seating so now it is around 24K.

Big isn't always better, it is what goes on in the stadium that counts.

I thought Waco University had the largest stadium in the State?

Left Seater · Post by **Left Seater** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 2:49 am

Suncoast,

That is not Dragon stadium. Dragon Stadium still exists right next to RRHS. This is a brand new facility on 620 at Parmer lane.

It is an amazing stadium that hosted 4A final four games last season.

I was the swim coach at Westwood for one season back in the 90s to provide extra income while starting my flying career.

Felix · Post by **Felix** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 4:51 pm

Danimal wrote:
With that kind of fan-support has Montana ever seriously considered a move to 1A? Ya the population is lacking but if Wyoming can field a team and Idaho somehow fields one pretty good team and one proverbial door mat, then I'd think Montana could do some things in the WAC or MWC. I can kind of understand enjoying being a 1AA that wins rather than a meh 1A but I was just interested.

ftfy....

I'd love to see Montana move up to 1A and join the WAC conference....they'd be a great add....when Boise was playing 1AA, Montana was always one of their big rivals....

there are two teams currently in the WAC that have no business being there (s'up Utah State, Idaho)...

they should both drop back to 1AA.....

Q, West Coast Style · Post by **Q, West Coast Style** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 5:13 pm

Felix wrote:
Danimal wrote:

there are two teams currently in the WAC that have no business being there (s'up Utah State, Idaho)...

they should both drop back to 1AA.....

Maybe. Both schools have shown some competence at 1-A in the past. Idaho beat Southern Miss (then a decent team) in the Humanitarian Bowl in 1998 and beat WSU twice during the the great Cougar drought of '99 and '00. For a couple of years the Vandals were actually ahead of Boise State in 1-A progress but they have fallen flat. Location is somewhat of an issue, but if WSU can come out of the Palouse to occasionally be a factor in the Pac-10 then Idaho should be able to develop a competitive WAC program from the same locale. The big issue is facilities. The Kibbie Dome is small and out-dated. For a couple of years the NCAA said it was too small for 1-A so they had to play their home games at WSU's Martin. Playing home games at another school in another state just won't do it. Neither will the Kibbie Dome. I know there was an idea floating around for awhile for WSU and Idaho to build a new Stadium together somewhere in the rolling fields between the schools, but WSU has since forged ahead with their own plans to upgrade Martin (which is cool 'cause Martin has potential to be a really sweet crib for its size given the way it is tucked right in the middle of the campus. It jsut needs better seating and amenities.)

GrizBearStare · Post by **GrizBearStare** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 5:44 pm

Felix wrote:
Danimal wrote:
With that kind of fan-support has Montana ever seriously considered a move to 1A? Ya the population is lacking but if Wyoming can field a team and Idaho somehow fields one pretty good team and one proverbial door mat, then I'd think Montana could do some things in the WAC or MWC. I can kind of understand enjoying being a 1AA that wins rather than a meh 1A but I was just interested.
ftfy....

I'd love to see Montana move up to 1A and join the WAC conference....they'd be a great add....when Boise was playing 1AA, Montana was always one of their big rivals....

there are two teams currently in the WAC that have no business being there (s'up Utah State, Idaho)...

they should both drop back to 1AA.....

It has been a source of much debate amongst the faithful, but outside of a cursory feasability look - I don't think the admin or the regents have ever seriously considered it. Montana is not a wealthy place and the legislation doesn't spend money on the anything related to higher education so we would be footing the bill for the move unassisted. Plus, I've heard the regents wouldn't approve the move unless there was a conference that would be willing to take us AND Montana State at the same time. So, politically it's more or less DOA. In addition, it costs a pretty penny to join a conference like the WAC. At the same time, I don't believe a school is eligible for bowl payouts their first several years so it becomes very cost prohibitive under those conditions.

Also, there are many who don't want to kill the golden goose. Our revenues by BIG TIME POWER COLLEGE FOOTBALL standards are insignificant, but were are able to fund our athletic department without any state assistance and it's all because of football. If we move up and start turning in Idaho-like seasons, well, you know what could happen. In addition, it's a significant boost to the local economy in a place where they need any boost they can get.

Throw in a population base that makes Nebraska look like California, and you can start to see some of the challenges. Ultimately, I would like to see us make the move - but I seriously doubt it would happen anytime soon. Maybe 15-20 years down the road. Portland State, if and when they upgrade facilities and start winning BSC championships, is the more likely choice to make the move up.

Q, West Coast Style · Post by **Q, West Coast Style** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:09 pm

Sudden Sam wrote:35,000 seating capacity at Martin?

Whoa! Bet those boys were shittin' in their pants at Auburn!

Wazzu consitently gets enough reps in big crips to mitigate the intimidation factor. Not exactly like Gene Hackman leading the Hickory Boys into Indianapolis.

2002: @ Ohio State, Rose Bowl v. Okla (2003)
2003: @ Notre Dame, @ Colorado, Holiday Bowl v. Texas
2006: @ Auburn
This year open @ Wisconsin. Not to mention visits to the Coliseum, Autzen, Strawberry Canyon and Husky Stadium.

Q, West Coast Style · Post by **Q, West Coast Style** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:11 pm

Q, West Coast Style wrote:
Sudden Sam wrote:35,000 seating capacity at Martin?

Whoa! Bet those boys were shittin' in their pants at Auburn!
Wazzu consitently gets enough reps in big crips.

Whoa, Freudian slip. Must of been thinking about that trip to the Coliseum.

Q, West Coast Style · Post by **Q, West Coast Style** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:21 pm

Actually, Auburn is more scared of Martin. They wouldn't commit to a home and home. Neither would Ohio State or Notre Dame or Wisconsin. Colorado agreed to go to Pullman but the game was cancelled (the weekend after 9/11.) Colorado did come back, but they played the game at Quest Field in Seattle.

Oregon used to have the same problem but is finally getting teams to come. Wisconsin in '01, Michigan in '03 and of course Oklahoma in '06. Don't know if any of those three play on coming back though ;) I think Tennessee and Oregon have a home and hom in the future. Wisconsin has worked one out with ORegon State I think.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:42 pm

Playing a game in Pullman is a uniquely bad situation for an out of conference head coach, because he knows how tough an environment it is to win (and no disrespect intended toward Wash St), yet at the same time a win there won't typically do wonders for your SOS, though it's obviously better than beating the alternative of a D1AA or a Duke or Temple type team. Most coaches probably think the reward isn't great enough to risk what's a very losable game. Sure, it's sackless, but it's "smart" given the circumstances.

Q, West Coast Style · Post by **Q, West Coast Style** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:13 pm

Sudden Sam wrote:
Q, West Coast Style wrote:Actually, Auburn is more scared of Martin. They wouldn't commit to a home and home. Neither would Ohio State or Notre Dame or Wisconsin. Colorado agreed to go to Pullman but the game was cancelled (the weekend after 9/11.) Colorado did come back, but they played the game at Quest Field in Seattle.

What could WSU possibly pay a team to visit Pullman?

I know. That's why WSU has offered up Quest Field in Seattle. WSU has made Quest an annual destination. Originally the hopes were they could get a big name out of conference team in there every other year. I don't know if Auburn was offered but I know Ohio State and Notre Dame initially said maybe and have since said no. Colorado is the only one that has said yes.

There is also some, well, fear. These schools don't want to risk the trip west. They feel schools like Wazzu can be good enough to beat them in Pullman or Seattle. They figuer they have more to lose by losing then they have to gain by winning.

SunCoastSooner · Post by **SunCoastSooner** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:54 pm

Left Seater wrote:Suncoast,

That is not Dragon stadium. Dragon Stadium still exists right next to RRHS. This is a brand new facility on 620 at Parmer lane.

It is an amazing stadium that hosted 4A final four games last season.

I was the swim coach at Westwood for one season back in the 90s to provide extra income while starting my flying career.

Like I said it looks a lot nicer... but I guess I never played on that field

Do the Dragons play at Dragon field still? Which stadium does my Alma Mater the Mavs play at now? Dragon or the Palmer Field? Is that the New HS's Field (I think it is called Stony Brook or Stony Point)?

BTW the Worriers (Warriors) must die! I still have bad memories of O.J. McClintock blasting us for 70+ yard runs out of the pocket... I can't believe Smack tried to make him a frigging linebacker in Austin

...

Left Seater · Post by **Left Seater** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 12:09 am

The dragons still play most games at Dragon Stadium. The Mavs tend to play in both, while Westwood and Stony are mostly out of the new RRISD Stadium. Yes that is its name.

T1B

Stadium Capacity Tells a Lot

Re: Stadium Capacity Tells a Lot