What is behind UL football's attendance woes? Numerous obstacles keep fans from Cajun Field

[Winning]

Because those top 20 finishes netted us two more crappy bowl games against teams that casual fans (the ones who fill the other 60% of the stadium) couldn't care less about.

LSU is fighting for 5-star recruits and big name portal transfers.

UL is desperately trying to keep our talented players here.

LSU is playing for championships in every sport.

UL is playing for New Orleans bowls in football, and first round appearances to the tournaments in most other sports.

G5 teams struggle with attendance because their would-be casual fans have a hard time justifying dropping big money and dedicating a whole Saturday to a game that ultimately means nothing in the grand scheme of college football.. especially when all their friends are hosting a party at home to watch LSU play some big name P5 team

Texas State is packing their stadium right now because they are where we were in 2014. Once they go to a few Cure Bowls to play MAC teams, that crowd will lose interest as well.

The difference is their games are FUN to attend, evidenced by the videos that have been coming out. Same with App State. UL games are as stale as the bowls we keep going to, and I worry that the admin believe the Cure to this problem is adding more "premium" features like seatbacks and fancier decorations.

Fax machine printing facts

[CajunRage]

Why? Everywhere in America you pay for parking in lots and reserved tailgate spots. Are all schools getting it wrong.

You aren't understanding my point. Parking and tailgating are lagniappe. Tickets, sponsors and donors are the priority. Parking and tailgating are things that as long as you cover your cost, you can break even (or even come out of pocket a bit) in order to maximize the priorities. If you are worried about losing the revenue of the current tailgaters at the expense of growing attendance, you are doing it wrong.

[Turbine]

You aren't understanding my point. Parking and tailgating are lagniappe. Tickets, sponsors and donors are the priority. Parking and tailgating are things that as long as you cover your cost, you can break even (or even come out of pocket a bit) in order to maximize the priorities. If you are worried about losing the revenue of the current tailgaters at the expense of growing attendance, you are doing it wrong.

Not physically, but mentally, parking has become a bottleneck towards attendance.

Its as if eliminating the bottleneck physically (waiting to park) was Priority One.

[ZoomZoom]

Crazy idea for student growth…scan attending student IDs into a database. Each game, give away something, like a laptop, 1k tuition credit, whatever at the start of the fourth quarter. The last home game, every student that has made EVERY game, in a raffle for a car, free tuition for a semester runner up position.

Invest now, ROI down the road.

[Cajunsmike]

More people still read hard copy than you realize. I see several being distributed daily in my neighborhood.

[Turbine]

Crazy idea for student growth…scan attending student IDs into a database. Each game, give away something, like a laptop, 1k tuition credit, whatever at the start of the fourth quarter. The last home game, every student that has made EVERY game, in a raffle for a car, free tuition for a semester runner up position.

Invest now, ROI down the road.

The return down the road would be incalculablely good.

[ZoomZoom]

The return down the road would be incalculablely good.

I use to laugh when the make a FG from 30 by a student contest was also an adventure for our actual kicker. Make it easy to win.

[Jeaux]

Crazy idea for student growth…scan attending student IDs into a database. Each game, give away something, like a laptop, 1k tuition credit, whatever at the start of the fourth quarter. The last home game, every student that has made EVERY game, in a raffle for a car, free tuition for a semester runner up position.

Invest now, ROI down the road.

Another thing they could do and it wouldn't cost as much is just give the students a few escort tickets (2 or 3) that they can use however they want. There are many people age 20 to 30 in the area with no ties to University. They're here from Houston, New Orleans or the North shore. Yes most aren't Cajun fans but they are in the community and what easier way to reach them then through our students who work with them and interact with them daily

[CajunGrad16]

Another thing they could do and it wouldn't cost as much is just give the students a few escort tickets (2 or 3) that they can use however they want. There are many people age 20 to 30 in the area with no ties to University. They're here from Houston, New Orleans or the North shore. Yes most aren't Cajun fans but they are in the community and what easier way to reach them then through our students who work with them and interact with them daily

I believe that they can get escort tickets for $10. Not sure if there is a limit or not

[Jeaux]

I believe that they can get escort tickets for $10. Not sure if there is a limit or not

Yes I'm aware of that but I mean like physical tickets that also gets them into the student tailgate and other activities. If you're a student and just meet someone new to the area what a better place to get to know someone than at Cajunfield