What's with the attendance?

[drh1150]

Is it the late start times?
Are classes out?
Is it the foes?
I know we aren't in the top 20, but surely there must be some interest with the local faithful.

You would have thought Purdue was playing Indiana last night with the crowd they drew.
And,
Purdue looks the part of the team to beat this year.
Yes, it's still Nov.
Just saying.

 

[Slim45]

Been to 2 of the games so far. Opening game there was a decent crowd given start time if 9pm. Actually a decent amount of students in attendance. Last night was pathetic attendance and the team did nothing to get the crowd into it. Probably the worst atmosphere of a game at carver I’ve witnessed. Just awful. And for some reason there were hardly any students there. I do think once the competition ramps up attendance will go up dramatically.

 

[hawkeye54545]

Not sure there is any one reason but maybe a combo of lesser opponents, late start times, mid week, lack of team hype, and football still being front and center.

 

[nbanflfactory]

I'd never drive hours to go to a game like that, that's all I know. As for the folks nearby, who knows.

 

[ssckelley]

It didn’t help that the band wasn’t there last night. My son plays in the band and they had recital for the HMB for Saturdays halftime show. It doesn’t sound like much but that takes a TON from the atmosphere. After this weekend I think the pep band will be there every game.

 

[Suterman]

We aren't going to any 8:00 games at this point. We may when the competition improves, or we may not.

 

[hooper56]

Been to 2 of the games so far. Opening game there was a decent crowd given start time if 9pm. Actually a decent amount of students in attendance. Last night was pathetic attendance and the team did nothing to get the crowd into it. Probably the worst atmosphere of a game at carver I’ve witnessed. Just awful. And for some reason there were hardly any students there. I do think once the competition ramps up attendance will go up dramatically.

I can't figure out why the University and the fans don't support this team. The Pep band didn't even show up last night for gosh sakes.

 

[IAFB2021Champs]

Way to late or start times. I struggle to stay awake watching at home. Not sure I wanna go to the game and get like 5 hours of sleep. Especially against a team like ncc

 

[83Hawk]

Is it the late start times?
Are classes out?
Is it the foes?
I know we aren't in the top 20, but surely there must be some interest with the local faithful.

You would have thought Purdue was playing Indiana last night with the crowd they drew.
And,
Purdue looks the part of the team to beat this year.
Yes, it's still Nov.
Just saying.

Were you there?

 

[drh1150]

Were you there?

If only.
Alas, I live in another state.

 

[Slim45]

I can't figure out why the University and the fans don't support this team. The Pep band didn't even show up last night for gosh sakes.

Hard to get excited about going to games against 300+ teams. The support will ramp up in a few weeks i think.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Student attendance at games has been pretty poor for years hasn't it? It's been maybe 4-5 years since I was last in CHA and it was pretty woeful at that time.

 

[iahawks10]

I can't figure out why the University and the fans don't support this team. The Pep band didn't even show up last night for gosh sakes.

They weren’t there for the exhibition game either.

Why the students aren’t showing up is just bizarre. I can see why a lot of fans haven’t been there so far, because there’s a million excuses (game times, school/work nights, competition) for that.

I personally enjoy going to these early non competitive games. Cheap tickets, easier parking/traffic, better seats…. Unfortunately, the pandemic finally caught me forcing me to miss the last two football games and a handful of basketball games.

 

[1911_Bandit]

The Pep band had a practice that night for an upcoming event (Saturday's Senior Day).

I would go to games in person but a few obstacles hold me back. I don't have a smart phone or a home printer; digital-only tickets won't work for me. I have sat just a few rows down from the top of the bowl and that's ok with me because I can not do stairs very well. I am not able to walk very far and the likelihood of parking very close at all is probably pretty slim.

 

[WhiskeyDick]

I loved going to the games when I was a student. It was cheap and easy to get there. It's pretty disappointing how low the student turnout is at the games so far especially considering that the team has been pretty good the past few seasons.

 

[Gabe Sifuentes]

I loved going to the games when I was a student. It was cheap and easy to get there. It's pretty disappointing how low the student turnout is at the games so far especially considering that the team has been pretty good the past few seasons.

Back in the day Iowa also had a much higher percentage of instate kids. But nowadays with schools accepting more foreign students and fewer in state kids I'm not surprised there is less student support for athletic events.

 

[EastIowaHawk]

Gosh, who would think that the students would want to study like the kids at the elite academic schools have to do.

 

[JRHawk2003]

Games against 300 and below are glorified exhibitions.

I think support will be just fine when they are playing teams with a pulse.

 

[Mountain Man Hawk]

To add to everything already said, I believe Iowa has a disproportionate number of fans that need to drive an hour plus to attend the games. The late start times I think have a disproportionate impact because of that. Of course if it was a big game they could start it whenever they want and people would find a way to attend, but not for a meaningless game.

 

[iahawks10]

The Pep band had a practice that night for an upcoming event (Saturday's Senior Day).

I would go to games in person but a few obstacles hold me back. I don't have a smart phone or a home printer; digital-only tickets won't work for me. I have sat just a few rows down from the top of the bowl and that's ok with me because I can not do stairs very well. I am not able to walk very far and the likelihood of parking very close at all is probably pretty slim.

Dang, that’s unfortunate, but I get it. I think you could still buy tickets at CHA and shouldn’t have a problem getting a seat near the concourse. The ticket office shouldn’t have a problem printing them for you, but a call ahead wouldn’t hurt.

For me, these early games are ideal where I don’t have to worry about the weather and the roads. I80 is usually pretty good, but I just can’t justify risking it for a game.

 

[eyesofhawk]

It's not the "reasons" so much as it is the people.

Carver will never rock the way it once did. Would have been fun to have fans in the arena for last season's team. But the fans still would have found a way to disappoint.

The Purdue football game says it all. The team gave the fans the enjoyment of climbing all the way to #2 in the nation. Then the moment they could have used some support, the fans bailed. That game was still well in the balance by the time most of the stadium had already flooded empty. Absolutely embarrassing and completely disgusting. If they can't be counted on in that moment, they can never be counted on.

We now live in a world of what can you do for ME, NOW

 

[tWarnerHawk]

I'd be coming from 4+ hours away. I usually try to make it back for one or two games a year, but it's gotta be a Sat game for me. I'd even come for NCC on Sat night. This year we have exactly 1 Sat home game the entire year. That sucks.

 

[iahawks10]

I'd be coming from 4+ hours away. I usually try to make it back for one or two games a year, but it's gotta be a Sat game for me. I'd even come for NCC on Sat night. This year we have exactly 1 Sat home game the entire year. That sucks.

I may be wrong, but I don’t think Iowa’s schedule has been favorable over the past several years when it comes to weekend games, especially in conference play. IIRC, there’s been more Friday and Sunday evening games than Saturdays.

 

[tWarnerHawk]

I may be wrong, but I don’t think Iowa’s schedule has been favorable over the past several years when it comes to weekend games, especially in conference play. IIRC, there’s been more Friday and Sunday evening games than Saturdays.

Fridays are better for going out or a date night, Sundays are for the NFL.

Saturdays were meant for watching Iowa games. Why are they ****ing with us?

 

[IllQChawk]

Probably 90% of Iowa's students are from the Chicago area, at least that appears to the case. No personal attachment to the basketball program.
That's my take on the attendants issue.

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

Is it the late start times?
Are classes out?
Is it the foes?
I know we aren't in the top 20, but surely there must be some interest with the local faithful.

You would have thought Purdue was playing Indiana last night with the crowd they drew.
And,
Purdue looks the part of the team to beat this year.
Yes, it's still Nov.
Just saying.

I'd say garbage opponents have a lot to do with it.

 

[IllQChawk]

I'd say garbage opponents have a lot to do with it.

Yeah sure, that has to be it....Illinois, Michigan St, Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio St, Maryland all have significant more student attendants then Iowa has because they play no patsy teams.....got it!
Didn't someone once said that if beer was added to the game experience more students would attend? How's that working out so far?

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

Yeah sure, that has to be it....Illinois, Michigan St, Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio St, Maryland all have significant more student attendants then Iowa has because they play no patsy teams.....got it!
Didn't someone once said that if beer was added to the game experience more students would attend? How's that working out so far?

That's legit....

Student section has been a recurring "problem".....isn't part of the problem that Carver isn't located very conveniently for students to walk over? At least I've seen that thrown out.

Honest question because I've never been to a game at Carver.

 

[FWIW4922463]

Gosh, who would think that the students would want to study like the kids at the elite academic schools have to do.

You mean like Duke? LOL

Did you ever go to college? If you did, did you really waste all your time "studying"? If you did, you were a 1-percenter, my friend. Academics are part of the college experience but, for many people, not the most important part. Meeting people from other parts of the country and other parts of the world. Learning that it's not all about you. Realizing that helping others is why we're here. And hell yes, showing some enthusiasm for the school's sports teams. The whole thing is a unique experience that will never happen again. College days are truly once-in-a-lifetime, and anyone who doesn't take full advantage of ALL of it is a fool--IMHO.

 

[ICWestfan]

To add to everything already said, I believe Iowa has a disproportionate number of fans that need to drive an hour plus to attend the games. The late start times I think have a disproportionate impact because of that. Of course if it was a big game they could start it whenever they want and people would find a way to attend, but not for a meaningless game.

That's a disproportionate use of the word disproportionate.

 

[ObeseMuffins]

Just let the students in for free at this point. They already pay some sort of athletic fee with their tuition.

 

[ssckelley]

Just let the students in for free at this point. They already pay some sort of athletic fee with their tuition.

I couldn't agree more! Especially for these glorified exhibition games.

I still say Alford killed the student section, it hasn't been the same since he was coaching here.

 

[eyesofhawk]

Johnny gets a great idea.

He says to the guys, "Hey, we should all bus to the Alabama St game next Thursday!"

In unison, they reply, "Nah, Alford was a dick"

 

[libertyhawkeye]

Some great points in this thread I'll add, last year was the most hyped Iowa basketball season in 30 years. They more or less lived up to expectations during the season, but then they got spanked by Illinois in the BTT and got spanked by Oregon and couldn't get into the Sweet 16.

Then they lost their best starters, including NPOY and NBA draft picks. There's strong Iowa basketball fatigue among the fanbase and I get it. Prove that it's a product worth spending my money on, Fran. Now myself and the community here represent a smaller portion of the fanbase who is curious to see Keegan's potential, how the offense may flow with three talented 6-9 forwards, JBo at the 2, *maybe* some better defensive lineups too, etc. But the majority of the fanbase doesn't want to pay $30 a ticket to see what Iowa might be when it's against the South Central Louisiana State University Mud Dogs.

With the students, I don't get it either. I was a student recently and was certainly much more into athletics than the average student and even I went seldomly. It is a pain to get to the stadium from the east side dorms. The west side isn't that far but how the campus is structured Carver feels much further away than it is. Still is a poor excuse because other Big Ten programs probably have similar issues yet their students show up. I'm for making it free for them. They don't provide much dollar impact for the University anyways if a hundred students show up.

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

Probably 90% of Iowa's students are from the Chicago area, at least that appears to the case. No personal attachment to the basketball program.
That's my take on the attendants issue.

90% Gracie?

 

[jberesford]

I'd be coming from 4+ hours away. I usually try to make it back for one or two games a year, but it's gotta be a Sat game for me. I'd even come for NCC on Sat night. This year we have exactly 1 Sat home game the entire year. That sucks.

It sure seems like season after season the last several years there are no home games on Saturdays. I contribute that largely to the creation of the Big Ten Network, and further conference expansion. When most games were broadcast locally the schools had the freedom to choose. Now it's all based on getting slotted into the TV schedule, and they can't all play at once. You can double up with Fox sports for a few games, but in conference season that's generally 7 games a weekend, minus some Espn/Cbs games or byes. Right now it's 14!

Good for far out of towners that didn't get the games locally, but pretty bad for locals or those within reasonable driving distance.

I live 2 hours away, but now that I started taking the step son to games it's a major disruption for school the next day if it's not an early game. And Saturday games basically don't exist anymore.

In short, everything has been made about TV now, and it's really led to a decline of in-person attendence. People cite everyone having 70 inch TVs now, but that's only part of it. The game dates and times to accommodate TV, especially for basketball, kind of suck now.

 

[libertyhawkeye]

90% Gracie?

60% of undergrads are from the state of Iowa. That 90% Chicago area figure is way off.

 

[BurgHawk87]

Sioux Falls will gladly take a few more home games. Atmosphere won't be a problem here.

 

[ObeseMuffins]

How about free soft serve for the first 1000 students?

 

[Hans81]

Yeah sure, that has to be it....Illinois, Michigan St, Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio St, Maryland all have significant more student attendants then Iowa has because they play no patsy teams.....got it!
Didn't someone once said that if beer was added to the game experience more students would attend? How's that working out so far?

Free beer? 🤔