I've heard attendance was down.

 

Any truth to it?

 

New Redbook rules hurting it or just a down year?

 

A lot of coaches in attendance?

State tournament had a lot of empty seats. In my opinion due to the teams in it. No star power. Games where boring. Only games worth watching was Trinity/Hoptown, Scott/Trinity, and the Final game. Cov. Catholic fans bailed KHSAA out on Sunday.

Games were boring.

 

Because if a game is exciting an extra 3,000 people automatically appear?

They dont automatically appear but it helps. I was at the whole state tounament but didnt go to some games. Had no interest in them. Couldnt wait to see Trinity/Scott Co. and the finals. Cov. Catholic student section was awsome. Student section crowds are down. They are down all year. Not sure if its transportation, money, or other interest but students are not coming to games. Trinity student section was terrible for a semi final game vs Scott Co.

People are more interested in watching the NCAA tournament at the bar.

I was at the whole state tounament but didnt go to some games. Had no interest in them.

 

I get that, and it makes perfect sense. There will always be situations like that, unfortunately.

IMO attendance was down and will continue to be down due to several factors:

 

1) Winners of the Wed/Thu games are usually predictable based on match ups. The real match ups don't usually occur until Friday quarters.

 

2) Ticket prices are out of line based on the product. $13/session for upper arena? C'mon. I have a family of 6. That is over $600 if I attend all 8 sessions, not including parking & concessions. Make it more affordable for fans to attend.

 

3) Schools from the 6th, 7th, and 11th (outside of Madison Central) regions do not have large fan bases. Most years one or more schools from these 3 regions are still in the hunt as the tournament progresses. Safe to say casual fans from the rest of the state traditionally stay away when schools from these 3 regions advance.

 

4) KHSAA web broadcasts allow fans to stay home and watch. Much more economical alternative if you live out in the state.

 

5) Continued perception that the same cast of characters dominate (i.e., Scott Co, Ballard, LexCath, etc.).

Edited March 25, 201412 yr by outofbounds

Because if a game is exciting an extra 3,000 people automatically appear?

 

I agree. No way of knowing whether a game will be exciting or not. Let's face it, not everybody can take take a day or two off to go see an afternoon game, even if it's your team that's playing, especially if you have to travel. I think this year with all the bad weather, many people may be behind at work and can't afford to take the time off. Add to that competing with the NCAA tourney, it's easy to see why people may not go.

I would say from looking at empty seats it was down,,,Has extending the tourney an extra day hurt attendance?

I think the ability to see it from your home hurts the attendance more than anything else. People can watch from at work or home and will do so and save money as well. I do think it is good that the games are broadcast online though.

I don't like the Sundays game at all,it's another day of expenses that most people cant afford! Plus most people use Sunday to travel back home and by having a Sunday afternoon game those people can't get back home to go to work on Mondays. Just not worth the extra expense to go to the Sunday game! I didn't make the sweet 16 this year mainly because I couldn't see the championship game so I didn't bother going and listened to it on the radio,and I had been the last 17 years!

The attendance was down and as the games went on; I thought each student section got smaller. I don't see a change coming either. Its becoming a problem locally. People cant afford to go to games anymore due to the cost of entry. I don't know what is going to happen, but things will have to change soon. Take a local volleyball match; the only person there making good money is the official. The schools are not making enough to cover the cost of one official much less two.

The way it is setup now is perfect for people like me who live 40 minutes away and wants to attend every game. The turnover from Friday night to Saturday morning to Saturday evening for the championship game is exhausting and unnecessary for a fan let alone the players. I hope they keep the Sunday game but regardless of what days the Sweet 16 is on it won't stop me from attending. Being there for the games is more important to me than what day it is on. I'll always be there.

How much more does it add to the cost to rent out Rupp for just one game on a Sunday? Championship game was probably hurt with UK playing in the same time frame. I honestly think attendance is different if UK is a one seed, instead of an 8 etc, maybe I'm going out on a limb but I think that's part of the problem. The Boys Sweet 16 makes more money then all the other sports State Tourneys combined(as of a few years ago) But I think they've become money hungry in a way, and it's killing the product.

First things first ... was attendance down this year?