Football Attendance Comparison

[HoustonCajun]

Just saw this post about Pac 12 football attendance for Oregon State and Washington State and they are playing PAC 12 schools.

Thought I would do a comparison to UL. Pretty comparable, except for schedules. Pretty sad, actually, for a P5 conference. Also, pretty sad for UL given what we accomplished last season and our record over the past 4 years at 40-12.

Louisiana's OOC schedule was Texas, Nichols, Ohio & Liberty. UL finished 7-0 at home and 13-1 overall with a bowl win over Marshall. Finished season ranked #16 in AP Poll. Stadium capacity is 41,126, but averaged only 22,485 in home attendance. Stadium renovations of $60 M (?) are currently under fund-raising.

Oregon State's OOC was Purdue, Idaho and Hawaii. They finished 6-0 at home and 7-6 overall and lost in a bowl game to Utah State. Stadium capacity is 43,363. Stadium renovations of $153 M, are underway to turn it into a year-round facility with completion in 2023.

Washington State's OOC was Utah State, Portland State and BYU. They finished 4-3 at home and 7-6 overall and lost in a bowl game to Central Michigan. Stadium capacity is 33,941. Last renovated in 2014.


Look at those two team’s attendances. Washington State drew under 30,000 in three home games last year. And Oregon State’s attendance is even worse. Oregon State’s best home game attendance last year was 26,000 vs Stanford. Oregon State’s attendance numbers are honestly the worst I can ever recall seeing from a power conference team, except for possibly Kansas . (And this was despite Oregon State having a rare decent 7-5 regular season.)

[Cantstandza]

Just saw this post about Pac 12 football attendance for Oregon State and Washington State and they are playing PAC 12 schools.

Thought I would do a comparison to UL. Pretty comparable, except for schedules. Pretty sad, actually, for a P5 conference. Also, pretty sad for UL given what we accomplished last season and our record over the past 4 years at 40-12.

Louisiana's OOC schedule was Texas, Nichols, Ohio & Liberty. UL finished 7-0 at home and 13-1 overall with a bowl win over Marshall. Finished season ranked #16 in AP Poll. Stadium capacity is 41,126, but averaged only 22,485 in home attendance. Stadium renovations of $60 M (?) are currently under fund-raising.

Oregon State's OOC was Purdue, Idaho and Hawaii. They finished 6-0 at home and 7-6 overall and lost in a bowl game to Utah State. Stadium capacity is 43,363. Stadium renovations of $153 M, are underway to turn it into a year-round facility with completion in 2023.

Washington State's OOC was Utah State, Portland State and BYU. They finished 4-3 at home and 7-6 overall and lost in a bowl game to Central Michigan. Stadium capacity is 33,941. Last renovated in 2014.


Look at those two team’s attendances. Washington State drew under 30,000 in three home games last year. And Oregon State’s attendance is even worse. Oregon State’s best home game attendance last year was 26,000 vs Stanford. Oregon State’s attendance numbers are honestly the worst I can ever recall seeing from a power conference team, except for possibly Kansas . (And this was despite Oregon State having a rare decent 7-5 regular season.)

I think their attendance has a lot to do where the schools are located. Move them to the western parts of their states where the alumni live and attendance would be much better.

[shof]

Their relative isolation geographically would certainly impact attendance; but so too does the region. Put those same 2 programs in a football crazy region like the Deep South (SEC) and they’d probably double attendance.
Given the same opportunity conference affiliation wise for UL (ex: Big 12, even without UT/OU) and we’d see significantly improved attendance, even with the strong draw of LSU 50 miles East.
Unlikely to happen, just saying for argument sake.

[fanof71]

One of Oregon States home games conflicted with the opening of squirrel season...

Signed,
Casual Fan

[HoustonCajun]

Their relative isolation geographically would certainly impact attendance; but so too does the region. Put those same 2 programs in a football crazy region like the Deep South (SEC) and they’d probably double attendance.
Given the same opportunity conference affiliation wise for UL (ex: Big 12, even without UT/OU) and we’d see significantly improved attendance, even with the strong draw of LSU 50 miles East.
Unlikely to happen, just saying for argument sake.

What's interesting to me is that we are in a relatively even par with these P5 schools and possibly others, especially when we get out stadium renovated.

[JMV JustMyView]

What's interesting to me is that we are in a relatively even par with these P5 schools and possibly others, especially when we get out stadium renovated.

It will be a good wait before it is renovated.

[shof]

It will be a good wait before it is renovated.

I certainly don’t have ears on the process. This Fall will tell a lot if we are unable to begin demo following this season. Not holding my breath but like so many on this board I will be disappointed.

[60swerethebest]

Oregon St is in Ville Platte??

[JMV JustMyView]

I certainly don’t have ears on the process. This Fall will tell a lot if we are unable to begin demo following this season. Not holding my breath but like so many on this board I will be disappointed.

I am thinking that you and others will be disappointed.

[Duggie35]

I believe that Cajun Field will be eventually renovated. However, I don't see any way that it will begin after this coming season. With interest rates rising, inflation at a 40+ year high and supply chain issues, it will be much more difficult for Dr. Maggard or anyone else to raise the necessary money that quick. I'm hoping that we see the project start sometime in 2024 or 2025! If something happens faster than that, so much the better.

[moorecajun]

I certainly don’t have ears on the process. This Fall will tell a lot if we are unable to begin demo following this season. Not holding my breath but like so many on this board I will be disappointed.

IMO, the first item of note will be our attendance, both with season ticket and individual game ticket sales. We have to grow our fan base (I don't have a solution, I just recognize it as a big problem). Having a growing fan base makes it more conducive to outside companies to invest in our athletics, IMO.

And I don't blame the administration, marketing, or anything UL. This is a community issue that we have to overcome to succeed, again IMO.

[Cantstandza]

I believe that Cajun Field will be eventually renovated. However, I don't see any way that it will begin after this coming season. With interest rates rising, inflation at a 40+ year high and supply chain issues, it will be much more difficult for Dr. Maggard or anyone else to raise the necessary money that quick. I'm hoping that we see the project start sometime in 2024 or 2025! If something happens faster than that, so much the better.

____ed up by doing everything else before the most important facility.