Cajuns football attendance: Seriously, how bad is it?

[ManAboutTown]

I’ve kept my mouth shut about this for the last week, but here’s the thing. As great as Maggard is, I don’t think he (or the people under him) understand this part yet. I don’t have time to get too deep into the weeds here, but I just don’t think the athletic department is doing a good job reaching the community and convincing them to buy in to what we’re doing.

People came to Cajun Field when Hud was here because Hud found a way to make them all care. He found a way to make them want to show up every Saturday. He made them think we were going to build something big here and they bought in.

Maggard and Napier are kicking ___ like we’ve never seen before but I just don’t think they are taking the right steps to get the message out. Our current marketing strategy is to put out high quality content... and that’s it. But that’s not enough. You can’t just put out cool videos and expect to win over people’s hearts. There is a psychological component to this and I’m almost positive we have no real strategy in place to address it.

The students aren’t coming because their hearts and minds are in other places. Our athletic department’s job is to make them fall in love with the program and the experience.

I was going to wait until after football season, but I think this is 100% dead on. I have been compiling some info for this specific reason. Even mentioned it in the last pod. There is still a huge disconnect between the community and the marketing strategy, in my view.

[du42]

I agree with the teams that we play at home should be better named Schools. I have that issue with basketball as well. I also lose interest when we have 3 straight Saturdays in which we do not play. Mid week games are not helping.

[Cajunrunner]

I agree with the teams that we play at home should be better named Schools. I have that issue with basketball as well. I also lose interest when we have 3 straight Saturdays in which we do not play. Mid week games are not helping.

The last part we really have no control over. Conference affiliation with TV agreements dictate that.

As for the first part, yes we have control over opponents to an extent, but with scheduling for football done several years in advance, improving that aspect would not show until 5-6 years from now.

Maggard is in his third year. That game we played against Miss State to open the season this year was something worked out by the previous AD, and involved the game we played in Starkville last season. That should show how far in advance OOC scheduling, especially G5 vs. P5, is worked out.

[ULvictory]

I think a simple start would be just for coaches to publicly promote the game during the press conferences. Say something along the lines of "I want Cajun Field to rocking this Saturday. I want that stadium vibrating. I want the students on the rail playing their part........" And then, use the local media to promote that. Just that simple message will get people to the game.

Instead of answering why they don't show up, just ask them to show up beyond tweets and facebook messages.

[CajunNation]

I think a simple start would be just for coaches to publicly promote the game during the press conferences. Say something along the lines of "I want Cajun Field to rocking this Saturday. I want that stadium vibrating. I want the students on the rail playing their part........" And then, use the local media to promote that. Just that simple message will get people to the game.

Instead of answering why they don't show up, just ask them to show up beyond tweets and facebook messages.

This is what I don't get. Watching the Culture videos, you can tell he's got the guys ready to run through walls for him. We need him to talk to the fans in the same manner.

His public persona is Mr. Rogers. We need the "It's time to Hunt" and "The Cajuns are coming" guy to get the fans jacked up as well.

[ManAboutTown]

This is what I don't get. Watching the Culture videos, you can tell he's got the guys ready to run through walls for him. We need him to talk to the fans in the same manner.

His public persona is Mr. Rogers. We need the "It's time to Hunt" and "The Cajuns are coming" guy to get the fans jacked up as well.

He shouldn't have to. The players get the privilege of getting to know the real Billy Napier. I think that's sacred. I think it's how you build real relationships with your team.

We have a bad football culture. It needs to be encouraged in this rebuilding phase, but we don't need to rely on our coach to cheerlead fans into the stadium. He's doing what he was brought here to do. Change the culture INSIDE the locker room and WIN. I think next year at this time, we'll be a lot more worried about hotel reservations and plane tickets than attendance.

[ULvictory]

He shouldn't have to. The players get the privilege of getting to know the real Billy Napier. I think that's sacred. I think it's how you build real relationships with your team.

We have a bad football culture. It needs to be encouraged in this rebuilding phase, but we don't need to rely on our coach to cheerlead fans into the stadium. He's doing what he was brought here to do. Change the culture INSIDE the locker room and WIN. I think next year at this time, we'll be a lot more worried about hotel reservations and plane tickets than attendance.

I don't think Coach Napier's relationship with his players should be the same with the fans. At the same time, there should be a personal connection with the fans down here. You know how we are when it comes to being personal.

[CajunRebel]

He shouldn't have to. The players get the privilege of getting to know the real Billy Napier. I think that's sacred. I think it's how you build real relationships with your team.

We have a bad football culture. It needs to be encouraged in this rebuilding phase, but we don't need to rely on our coach to cheerlead fans into the stadium. He's doing what he was brought here to do. Change the culture INSIDE the locker room and WIN. I think next year at this time, we'll be a lot more worried about hotel reservations and plane tickets than attendance.

No, I disagree. In college football, your football coach is THE face of your program. It’s not like the pros where you can put your QB or RB up in front of people and use them to get support. Your head coach is THE guy.

He has to be an integral part of the marketing and fundraising if you want your marketing and fundraising to be successful.

[ManAboutTown]

Difference of opinion in this regard. I like the way Billy handles things.

[CajunRebel]

Difference of opinion in this regard. I like the way Billy handles things.

I’m pretty sure I got this from hearing Mike Alden speak about it, so don’t take it from me.

I mean Billy is doing it the way he wants to do it. If he wants to focus on his football team and family I don’t blame the man at all. I just don’t think he or anyone else should be surprised if people are’t emptying their wallets and packing in Cajun Field like they did when Hud was here.