Cajuns football attendance: Seriously, how bad is it?

[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.

[SMD7636]

What have we learned from all of this? UL has learned that football’s low attendance is not just about winning, tickets promotions, or fan friendly concessions.

UL had increased attendance under Hudspeth because he knew how to charismaticly connect to the community. His “hold the rope” speeches were directed to alumni, students, band, cheerleaders, everyone because he knew it took the entire community to win championships. Fans felt included and needed for the team to win because “we like that!” This is our cULture.

UL saw increased numbers in attendance and RCAF with this approach. It’s the reason baseball has a waiting list for season tickets. Coach Deggs motivates everyone to be better and apart of the process. We had great attendance for “Fear the Beard” in basketball because we could connect to a player on the team. These are effective marketing strategies.

We can choose to learn from our past with Hudspeth. He got us all to come together in the beginning, but alienated us in the end. We never want repeat the bad, but we can duplicate the good. Someone needs to step up and be that vocal leader for football. It doesn’t have to be Coach Napier, but it needs to be someone. When we have that connection, fans will come and the money for stadium renovations will likely follow. Geaux UL!

[angeleast]

What have we learned from all of this? UL has learned that football’s low attendance is not just about winning, tickets promotions, or fan friendly concessions.

UL had increased attendance under Hudspeth because he knew how to charismaticly connect to the community. His “hold the rope” speeches were directed to alumni, students, band, cheerleaders, everyone because he knew it took the entire community to win championships. Fans felt included and needed for the team to win because “we like that!” This is our cULture.

UL saw increased numbers in attendance and RCAF with this approach. It’s the reason baseball has a waiting list for season tickets. Coach Deggs motivates everyone to be better and apart of the process. We had great attendance for “Fear the Beard” in basketball because we could connect to a player on the team. These are effective marketing strategies.

We can choose to learn from our past with Hudspeth. He got us all to come together in the beginning, but alienated us in the end. We never want repeat the bad, but we can duplicate the good. Someone needs to step up and be that vocal leader for football. It doesn’t have to be Coach Napier, but it needs to be someone. When we have that connection, fans will come and the money for stadium renovations will likely follow. Geaux UL!

Let coach hocke speak that dude is all day adrenaline

[CajunVic]

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

Wrong again. A cucumber personality does not exude buyin from the fans. That is why you only have the 10,000 "football people" in this town that are not linked to the tigahs and and a floating 5,000 casual fans at the game. HUD made that happen. Don't get me wrong, I would not trade, but our coach’s limitations with fan relations is an issue that is driving low fan support. In an entertainment business, your CEO needs hudspa.

[ManAboutTown]

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.

I think that happened because it was the new shiny thing. (Scene town, remember?)
Not taking away anything from Hud, because he certainly had a charisma about him. I think all the wind he blew into the sails of the Lafayette fanbase, he took with him with the sanctions, FDJT Video, and schitty attitude at the end. I think the locals felt duped.

[CrazyCajun]

Hud had over a 100 barrel of oil for almost 4 years,thousands and thousands more people living in this area then that are gone now and most of them were making more money than they ever had before. Streaming was still relatively new and not close to what it is today. Xennial generations kids are all at the youth sport/activity age. So many variables it’s hard to quantify how to fix it or what to fix, can it be fixed etc

[ManAboutTown]

Wrong again. A cucumber personality does not exude buyin from the fans. That is why you only have the 10,000 "football people" in this town that are not linked to the tigahs and and a floating 5,000 casual fans at the game. HUD made that happen. Don't get me wrong, I would not trade, but our coach’s limitations with fan relations is an issue that is driving low fan support. In an entertainment business, your CEO needs hudspa.

I'll take winning and contending for championships over the peripheral stuff any day. I'll take national attention and strong foundation for years to come over chearleading and motivational speeches.

I want a football crowd. I don't want people showing up looking for a magic show.
Personal preference, which is why I said "I like the way Billy handles things."