If you go back and look at the biggest sessions in state tournament history there is a common theme: Star power and/or basketball-first county schools:

 

http://khsaa.org/records/basketball/bbk-recordbook_sweet16records.pdf

 

1. 21,283 - 1987: Larue County vs. Clay County; Madison Central vs. Oldham County (basketball schools, mountain school, Richie Farmer)

2. 20,252 - 2004: Mason County vs. Warren Central (basketball schools, Chris Lofton, state championship game)

3. 19,776 - 1981: Mason County vs. Simon Kenton (basketball schools, Simon Kenton explosion story, state championship game)

4. 19,417 - 1982: Virgie vs. Mason County; Laurel County vs. Owensboro (basketball schools, mountain school, star power [Todd May, Virgie]

5. 19,348 - 1982: Virgie vs. M.C. Napier; Mason County vs. Middlesboro (basketball schools, mountain schools, star power [again, Todd May]

6. 19,214 - 1993: Marion County vs. Dunbar (state championship; future UK star power [Epps/Mills]; local)

7. 18,385 - 1999: Scott County vs. Madison Central; Paducah Tilghman vs. PRP (basketball schools, local, star power [Jones/Hundley/Estill]

 

Notice that only once in the last sixteen years has a session made this list. The '80s were a golden age for high school basketball in Kentucky, with future stars for Kentucky and Louisville regularly appearing. The '80s were also the last decade that regularly saw legitimate title contenders from the mountains. If the players were better and the mountains were better, then the attendance would be better.

I'll say it, since no one else seems to want to...but, I think you're trying to patch a sinking boat. Things have changed, and I don't think you're going to be able to change them back. Someone mentioned the 80's in an earlier post. Do you remember what life, in general, was like back then? There were no computers (for the most part), there was no Facebook, no cell phones, and most video games were played on large stand-up machines located at some place like the gas station. Quite simply, the distractions were not present like they are today.

 

Heck, last week we had people that talked about taking two days off for work...not for high school ball...but for the NCAA tournament...on TV! Even they are presenting a different product than 10 years or so ago. You got to see one game, and if you were lucky they'd have a "look-in" (picture in picture) of some of the other games going on at the same time. Now, if you're in a bar, you can see all four games going on, on full screens, no matter where they're at!

 

People say that Indiana going to classes is what killed their tournament interest/attendance. Yes, it hurt it, don't get me wrong...but, I'd bet they'd be in a similar boat right now, even if they hadn't. There's just too much competition for the almighty dollar...but, more importantly, there's the same type of competition for our attention, too. People are getting pulled in multiple directions on a regular basis, and following high school basketball (especially if it's not your school) is just not that high on the list anymore. Now you add in the high costs, and what was a smaller base of customers just got a little smaller.

 

Attending the tournament used to almost be self-perpetuating. Your grandpa took your dad...your dad took you...you take your kids, etc. But, all it takes is for one link in that chain to break, and the whole thing falls apart. Yes, you will still have your coaches (from other teams not in the tournament), and some real die-hards who will still have an attachment to it. But, for a lot of other people out there, there's no "history" to attending it. So there's nothing to pass along...other than not going.

 

Bottom line is, I think attendance by John Q. Public is going to continue to dwindle. Down to what, I can't say. Attendance figures will fluctuate, largely in part to what teams are in the tournament, what type of rabid fan base they may have to bring, and how long they stay in the tournament. Lowering costs would help...but, if the interest isn't there...you could give the product away, and not necessarily see a huge increase.

 

Just my take.

@CincySportsFan nailed it.

Everybody is different. I'm going every year just like Goldie. Cost isn't an issue at all for me as I'll work it into my budget to be able to go. I love the Sweet 16 and will go every year regardless of where it is or how much it costs.

Everybody is different. I'm going every year just like Goldie. Cost isn't an issue at all for me as I'll work it into my budget to be able to go. I love the Sweet 16 and will go every year regardless of where it is or how much it costs.

 

But, let's say Duke plays a Thursday/Saturday schedule in the opening two rounds at the Yum Center one year, and the boss gives you tickets. Where are you going? I know where I'd be.

But, let's say Duke plays a Thursday/Saturday schedule in the opening two rounds at the Yum Center one year, and the boss gives you tickets. Where are you going? I know where I'd be.

I'm going to the Duke games only and the Sweet 16 the rest of the time. If the Duke tickets are free then I don't lose money and I can sell the rest of the tickets for a profit to cover my Sweet 16 expenses. :thumb: At the same time if my school is playing at the same time as Duke then I'll be at the Sweet 16 games and I'll follow the Duke game on my March Madness app on my phone.

I'm going to the Duke games only and the Sweet 16 the rest of the time. If the Duke tickets are free then I don't lose money and I can sell the rest of the tickets for a profit to cover my Sweet 16 expenses. :thumb: At the same time if my school is playing at the same time as Duke then I'll be at the Sweet 16 games and I'll follow the Duke game on my March Madness app on my phone.

 

Yeah, that's a completely different situation, and I'd understand that.

If you go back and look at the biggest sessions in state tournament history there is a common theme: Star power and/or basketball-first county schools:

 

http://khsaa.org/records/basketball/bbk-recordbook_sweet16records.pdf

 

1. 21,283 - 1987: Larue County vs. Clay County; Madison Central vs. Oldham County (basketball schools, mountain school, Richie Farmer)

2. 20,252 - 2004: Mason County vs. Warren Central (basketball schools, Chris Lofton, state championship game)

3. 19,776 - 1981: Mason County vs. Simon Kenton (basketball schools, Simon Kenton explosion story, state championship game)

4. 19,417 - 1982: Virgie vs. Mason County; Laurel County vs. Owensboro (basketball schools, mountain school, star power [Todd May, Virgie]

5. 19,348 - 1982: Virgie vs. M.C. Napier; Mason County vs. Middlesboro (basketball schools, mountain schools, star power [again, Todd May]

6. 19,214 - 1993: Marion County vs. Dunbar (state championship; future UK star power [Epps/Mills]; local)

7. 18,385 - 1999: Scott County vs. Madison Central; Paducah Tilghman vs. PRP (basketball schools, local, star power [Jones/Hundley/Estill]

 

Notice that only once in the last sixteen years has a session made this list. The '80s were a golden age for high school basketball in Kentucky, with future stars for Kentucky and Louisville regularly appearing. The '80s were also the last decade that regularly saw legitimate title contenders from the mountains. If the players were better and the mountains were better, then the attendance would be better.

 

Also notice the common theme in 4 of the top 5.

I'm going to the Duke games only and the Sweet 16 the rest of the time. If the Duke tickets are free then I don't lose money and I can sell the rest of the tickets for a profit to cover my Sweet 16 expenses. :thumb: At the same time if my school is playing at the same time as Duke then I'll be at the Sweet 16 games and I'll follow the Duke game on my March Madness app on my phone.

 

Your phone must have much better coverage than mine. I couldn't even get it to update scores in Rupp. Yet, the kid in front of me was streaming games...

Your phone must have much better coverage than mine. I couldn't even get it to update scores in Rupp. Yet, the kid in front of me was streaming games...

I had great coverage inside Rupp Arena all week.

I am one of the drop outs. I was introduced in the 70s, went to whole thing through the 90s, starting taking the kids at a young are in the early 2000s. Kids lost interest, baseball interfered and that was that. I went to the finals when Holmes won and that was my last trip. It still has great interest for me but the TV is so good (and free) that i don't even think of going.

Video was great, announcers were top notch. I wonder how much money was taken in from ads etc. for this years event. After all it is more about money than butts in the seats now days.

One small thing that has hurt attendance was moving Scott Co to the 11th region. In the late 90s/early 2000s, they were good to make it about 50% of the time and brought big crowds. That was on top of the 11th region team that would bring at least a decent crowd.

 

I think the lack of star power is also a big cause. KCC going out early hurt as I think a lot of people would have wanted to watch Justice play against Ballard.

 

Also, the interest in High School basketball is just going down hill in general.

Quit playing during the day and more adults may be able to attend, especially those who cant take off work. Plus a lot of parents wont let their kids miss school to go watch.

 

Coaches no longer get to use a professonal day and have to pay for tickets. After they work for at least 10 months a yr they dont get any perks to attend game from the school.

Plus a slew of baseball and softball games are going on, plus track meets.