100% disagree. I've been going to UL games since I was a freshman at UL. So about 14 years. In addition to UL games, I've been to games in Florida, Arizona, Houston, and a few others. UL game atmosphere is by far the worst. I don't mean in just Football but Men's Basketball as well. Understanding that the stadium is older and not as technologically advanced as most stadiums, but playing youthful music is a absolute must. You cater to only the older crowds, students and young adults will not show up. Not saying you have to play hip hop only, a healthy mix would is great. Coordinate with the band and allow them to play some and then whoever plays music, let them play. Go back and forth but the game atmosphere cannot be exclusively the band. The band wants to have fun as well.
For Basketball, it's the same way. I've been to many games throughout the country and again, we are the worst for atmosphere. Have a pregame DJ in the Student Section, play loud crazy music when we go on a run. Waiting like 20 seconds after a visitor called TO to let the band get set is a major buzz kill. Keep the energy going! We had our first 5 Star recruit come to a game last year for an official visit. Yes we lost and I'm sure that didn't help, but in-game music was terrible and killed the crowd.
Moral of this rant: Students and young people like to have fun and being in South Louisiana, music makes any party better. It's not a wine and cheese mixer...it's a FOOTBALL/BASKETBALL GAME! As an older generation, you might not like the youthful music, and that's understandable. I'm sure when you were younger, the generation above you didn't like the music you liked and I'm sure I won't like the music in the generation after me (starting to now). But you can't alienate one demographic at a sporting event. It's supposed to be LOUD and hopefully with new stadium redevelopments, new sound system, new videoboards and make Cajun Field have a TRUE home field advantage.
The more you perfect and automate the experience (audio music) the fewer people you need.
This gives fans permission to automate the experience at home. (video)
Live music has flaws and is a much better experience.
If you are only looking at today, yes.
Still, the casual beginner "group" of today, no matter how small, always ends up the most profitable.
It is from this "group" that you get tomorrows diehards.
So saying "goodbye" to a casual who struggles is very shortsighted.
jmo
No there wasn't. Everytime it rained or threatened to rain, the crowd sucked. Always and for all time at Cajun Field. I went to some games during the Bustle years when tickets were almost free and you could park next to the stadium for free, when it was rainy, I could have tried out 90% of the seats. I went to a game against a P5, THAT WE WON, during the bustle years when it rained all day, and the place was half empty. Doesn't matter if it stops by game time. If it rains close to game time, people don't come. Especially now that you can watch on TV.
Not a lot of excitement generated yet due to a few years of sucking PLUS rain, means nobody comes. They could offer to shuttle people from the house in limos, wouldn't matter.
No good comes from chastising fans (students included). You get what you get from the product you present. I think discussing the attendance is regressive. It never fails that those that feel they go above and beyond feel abandoned by those that don't show up. And for every excuse given, there's someone that doesn't accept it.
We've discussed attendance infinitum on this site. For all that ails you in football, only winning, winning consistently, winning games you should win, and competing in all games... is the large fan following cure. There are some facts, some trends, and a thousand innuendos regarding fan attendance these days. We are not immune from any of it. But the only sure fire way to gather and hold onto a substantial presence in the stands... is to produce an attractive product on the field.
The core fans are perfectly acceptable for the current product. If I were the new head coach, I'd be happy with what I see. I'd imagine there's massive head room for getting my program going... and seeing a fan following rise accordingly. If Savoie, Maggard and Napier think Cajun Country is supposed to endlessly put up with ____ shows on Saturday... and expect greater support than what they see now... they're insane. And I don't think they're insane.
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