Crowd estimate for Basketball Senior Night.

[Duggie35]

However, you have failed to answer my question about the 80's. That time was a true bust time and it wasn't one or two years, it was a decade. However, our basketball attendance in 86 was almost double what it is now even with a smaller population, fleeting home prices, increasing interest rates etc.. How do you explain that?

I don't want to get into this P_i$$ing contest and agree that 80's oilfield bust was bad. But, I have been working in the oil & gas business since 1980, and can tell you that this is the longest lasting downturn in my career. The 80's bust did not last nearly this long and when it came back, it did so much quicker than what is happening today. I'm finished.

[moorecajun]

I'm not going to the dome to see other teams. Don't get me wrong, I was in the Dome back when UMASS came in #1 in the country so that point has exceptions but I would go to see a good cajuns team that has chemistry and character not to mention talent and is coached well. This year's team has all of that. I'll go see them even if we are playing Troy versus UNC. I go to see my team, not the opposing team.

Also, I think you are being a little dismissive of this year's accomplishments. To say that you'd want us to move on if we don't an NCAA game or get in after the year we've had is a little hardcore. I've seen something in this team that I have not in some time. Consistency. Because of that, we have a shot at a 5 star recruit and have already had a decent recruiting class.

Just curious but are you a big baseball guy? How do you feel about Robe? Curious to know with what this season is shaping up there how you feel his job security should be?

I just wanted to chime in on this; I have always gone to games to see the CAJUNS play as well.

[CajunEXPRESS]

I’ve always gone to see the Cajuns as well. I’m also more pumped when we’re playing a great rival, or better teams. Maybe the casual fans would be more inclined to watch the Cajuns vs better opponents. Then we’d be like every single other school in the world. But y’all know better, you and under six thousand fans.

[facelessjonmoon]

I don't want to get into this P_i$$ing contest and agree that 80's oilfield bust was bad. But, I have been working in the oil & gas business since 1980, and can tell you that this is the longest lasting downturn in my career. The 80's bust did not last nearly this long and when it came back, it did so much quicker than what is happening today. I'm finished.

This is all very true. It is what it is.

We had a huge missed opportunity when oil was over $100 bbl but failed to hire a Jim Harris fund raiser or Maggard AD at that time. They are definitely earning their money now.

[GreatestStory]

However, our basketball attendance in 86 was almost double what it is now even with a smaller population, fleeting home prices, increasing interest rates etc.. How do you explain that?

Using 1986 as a year for attendance comparison is really not fair because it was the year the Cajundome opened and everyone wanted to see our new dome. The second season in the Cajundome, our total attendance dropped almost 40K (about 2,700 less per game).

The second season in the Cajundome (1986-1987) we averaged 4,151 per game. Last year (2016-2017) we averaged 4,001. When looking at average attendance, those numbers are very close.

Also, it is best to look at average attendance per game. It is not really fair to compare total attendance by year because some years we play more home games. In 1988-1989, Cajuns had 20 home games compared to only 13 home games in 2016-2017.

SOURCE: (see attached file below)

[zephyr]

Using 1986 as a year for attendance comparison is really not fair because it was the year the Cajundome opened and everyone wanted to see our new dome. The second season in the Cajundome, our total attendance dropped almost 40K (about 2,700 less per game).

The second season in the Cajundome (1986-1987) we averaged 4,151 per game. Last year (2016-2017) we averaged 4,001. When looking at average attendance, those numbers are very close.

Also, it is best to look at average attendance per game. It is not really fair to compare total attendance by year because some years we play more home games. In 1988-1989, Cajuns had 20 home games compared to only 13 home games in 2016-2017.

SOURCE: (see attached file below)

I did look at attendance per game. You are right, there was a reduction in the years after 86 but those numbers were still on par, if not better, than what we had this year and the effect of the oilfield on the local economy was much worse. The point Rebel tried to make was that the economy is the biggest reason we've seen a decline in attendance. I'm not saying that the local economy hasn't kept a small portion of fans away but this area is much more insulated than 30 years ago and that I think there are other reasons as to why our attendance isn't better even with a winning team.

[IberiaCajun]

Using 1986 as a year for attendance comparison is really not fair because it was the year the Cajundome opened and everyone wanted to see our new dome. The second season in the Cajundome, our total attendance dropped almost 40K (about 2,700 less per game).

The second season in the Cajundome (1986-1987) we averaged 4,151 per game. Last year (2016-2017) we averaged 4,001. When looking at average attendance, those numbers are very close.

Also, it is best to look at average attendance per game. It is not really fair to compare total attendance by year because some years we play more home games. In 1988-1989, Cajuns had 20 home games compared to only 13 home games in 2016-2017.

SOURCE: (see attached file below)

Nice research. Thanks for posting.
So, since the Cajundome opened we have had only two seasons with average attendance of at least 6,000 - 1985-86 (opening year) and 1993-94.
However, in the eight seasons prior to the dome (the last eight in Blackham) only two years were less than 6,000. The last two years in Blackham the attendance averaged over 7,000 (nearly 7,500).
In the '83-84 season we were #58 in the NCAA in attendance (137,404) with 18 home games. In '84-85 season we ranked #61 in the NCAA in attendance (109,745) in 15 home games.
Since '86 we have had 10 seasons with average attendance of at least 5,000. Most of those were between '86 and 2000. Not since Jessie Evans was coach and the likes of Laurie Bridges, Brian Hamilton, Brad Boyd, et al were on the court has the Cajundome seen an average of 5,000 fans.
The year was 2002-03 and for 11 home games the Cajuns averaged 5,670 fans.
On 2/11/03 vs. UNO there were 8,121 in attendance. On 2/26/03 vs. WKY there were 9,121 fans in the dome.
It is hard to fathom that in the last 15 years there has been only 1 season with average attendance of at least 5,000. This program deserves better. This program can do better. I would have thought that in the last eight years we could have reached this mark. We haven't. I am not sure what the answer is, but I think there is one out there. I hope the powers that be are working on it.
Go Cajuns!

[CajunEXPRESS]

Just for perspective, Redford has a great season, and is projected as a 15 seed. Part of our problem is that we’re perceived to be similar to Redford. We’ve got zero quality wins. In fact we got blown away by the second place team in this conference.

Lafayette wants a winner that matters.

[BeauCajun]

In fact we got blown away by the second place team in this conference.

12th place team too.

[zephyr]

Just for perspective, Redford has a great season, and is projected as a 15 seed. Part of our problem is that we’re perceived to be similar to Redford. We’ve got zero quality wins. In fact we got blown away by the second place team in this conference.

Lafayette wants a winner that matters.

Are you talking about Robert Reford or Radford University? I'm so confused.

[zephyr]

Just for perspective, Redford has a great season, and is projected as a 15 seed. Part of our problem is that we’re perceived to be similar to Redford. We’ve got zero quality wins. In fact we got blown away by the second place team in this conference.

Lafayette wants a winner that matters.

Can I have your season tickets for next year since it doesn't seem like you're all that interested.

[Ragin4U]

Are you talking about Robert Reford or Radford University? I'm so confused.

Yes