Attendance!?

[BabbForHeisman]

part of the problem is that the biggest market in the state outlets refuse to even mention us. The New Orleans news outlets including radio and tv generally ignore our sports and won't even mention them in sports news

If they don't mention us, it isn't just out of spite. There's a reason. So the key to change is finding that reason and correcting that reason.

[Duckster]

Local media reporters really need to be spoon fed UL athletics now to get it on air. So why not just do the work for them and maybe they will read it on the air. Agree the regional tours with the head coach gains support. Go the Lake Charles and Alexandria, too! Make an effort! Maybe those tours can return annually after Spring practices.

As for attendance, I thought post pandemic, post championship season, we'd be averaging at least in mid 20's. So wrong. Its probably all the things we've previously written on this forum.... too many odd and mid-week kick off times, TV access, 'fan stadium experience', the schedule, inconsistent marketing, moving around the students, greeks, etc. And like it or not today's younger fan, even P5's, want to see the big games. We seldom have those 'must see' games in the SBC. IMO the upcoming Troy game is a must see conference game.

While the SBC has come a long way, the home schedule still does not inspire walk up fans to attend. There's a ceiling that comes with remaining in the SBC. Having said that, I'm grateful we're not in the crumbling CUSA.

[RedBug58]

What has happened to the fraternities? They were a big part of the support at games when I was in school. Don’t see any presence at all now.

[zephyr]

What has happened to the fraternities? They were a big part of the support at games when I was in school. Don’t see any presence at all now.

As far as I know, one is kicked off and another is being investigated. I doubt there is much activity on the row these days with the university watching everything they do

[Etowncajun]

We met with Brian Maggard in Jennings his first year as AD. Nothing as happened since. For what it's worth. Hud also made some promotional tours around the area and was very good at getting butts in the seats.

[zeppelincajun]

I decided to look at G5 attendance numbers from last week. Keep in mind this is all from ESPN. I did not verify with individual box scores, and I did not triple check my work.

27 G5 home games: UL (21st overall)

Average Attendance by Conference:
1. American 27,592
2. SBC 22,477
3. MWC 20,722
4. MAC 17,698
5. CUSA 17,026

Home Games in the State of Louisiana (Average 21,139):
1. Tulane 30,100
2. LA Tech 18,300
3. UL 15,017

We finished below the average in all conferences and last in Louisiana. The SBC is the only conference where we have the lowest attendance. So basically: we look bad nationally, we look bad in Louisiana, and we are dragging those around us down.

[RedTails]

I feel guilty to admit this, but I was not in attendance. Went to Gulf Brew and Boudin Festival downtown and had a blast. The tiebreaker for deciding to stay downtown instead of heading to Cajun Field was my entire friend group was staying downtown.

[ULvictory]

A good portion of the issue is that we just assume because the university exists here and we have been recently winning that people will just naturally respond and show up. That's not the case. Last night, I am watching the Astros; and a Ford commercial comes on with LSU as its sponsor targeting truck buyers who like to tailgate at LSU games. That is example #1924872394 of LSU being the only product sold in the state, and why people naturally flock to them. It's not just their conference affiliation. Their brand is publicly put out there for people to see. We don't do that. Drive up and down Johnston Street. Would you know that we have a university in town with the way we market with street signs and flag pole banners? Probably not.

Also, we don't market to elementary schools anymore. Go to those schools, and market the Ragin' Cajun brand to kids. It's an easy target market that can have influence later on.

We need to up our game when it comes to showing our brand in this area because we kind of lack that.

[zeppelincajun]

I feel guilty to admit this, but I was not in attendance. Went to Gulf Brew and Boudin Festival downtown and had a blast. The tiebreaker for deciding to stay downtown instead of heading to Cajun Field was my entire friend group was staying downtown.

This is where it is for a lot of people. Most weeks I am the only one or one of a couple from our original friend group. It's a bummer but based on the experiences I have on gameday I can't blame those who stay home.

[ZoomZoom]

Also, we don't market to elementary schools anymore. Go to those schools, and market the Ragin' Cajun brand to kids. It's an easy target market that can have influence later on.

Need a mascot to do that. Even if it's a freaking pepper.

[RedTails]

Also, we don't market to elementary schools anymore. Go to those schools, and market the Ragin' Cajun brand to kids. It's an easy target market that can have influence later on.

I think this is one of the keys. My wife teaches and her principal is a diehard Cajun fan. It will definitely make a marked difference on every kid that attends that school.

[cajunfan96]

What has happened to the fraternities? They were a big part of the support at games when I was in school. Don’t see any presence at all now.

I think they used the wrong pronoun and were banned!