Just an observation from the North-Eastern Kentucky area. Basketball attendance has been down for 5-10 years. The district tournament is basically the only time that I see large crowds at basketball games. Even district games, in the regular season, is not what it used to be.

 

Football games, on the other hand, has very large crowds. Easily tripling the attendance of basketball games. Now, this can be attributed to several things, the number of football games versus basketball games, the popularity of football versus basketball, the quality of football versus basketball, the fact that football games are on Friday night versus basketball games during the week. I don't know what is more of a cause, but it has been this way for quite some time.

 

Some may say that it is because of the quality of basketball versus the quality of football, but I have to say that even when a basketball team in the area is doing well, the attendance is not what you would expect.

 

I don't see attendance problems at basketball games in my area is a new thing this season, it is about what it has been for several years.

$4.00 at Mason County, with discounts to students who make grades. However, money is still an issue, no doubt.

Not from my advantage point each night. Got to arrive 2 hours before game time to get a good seat for Elliott County games. Then by the time the JV game starts the gym is packed to capacity and they are turning people away.

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That's great. JV boys must love playing in front of a packed house.

Mason County is not faring well in this thread. It would seem they only show up if they have a Mr. Basketball candidate. I know there is a loyal core. I'm surprised their attendance is down.

Mason County is not faring well in this thread. It would seem they only show up if they have a Mr. Basketball candidate. I know there is a loyal core. I'm surprised their attendance is down.

 

IMO the only time the crowds are huge for Mason Co is when they are playing district on their home court or when its region tourny time. During the season I dont know what the deal is but the attendance is far from what it use to be and it didnt just start happening this year.

$5.00 tickets for adults and STUDENTS! For students it equals out to a $10-12 night if you go to the concession stand. And worse if you have a girlfriend!

Exactly right, plus at all the tournaments, Montgomery won't accept coaching cards which I know for a fact has kept some area coaches from attending. They also do this at the Rec bowl as well which I think is silly. You're dead on it though, 5 bucks a pop is hard if you take say a family of 4. By the time you eat at the concessions you've got at least $30 in a night at a high school basketball game.

I would have to say the economy is a big reason for some not to go, and on top of that, $5.00 tickets now? I have been to a couple of Holmes home games and it's dissapointing to see the lack of local support. I remember going in the late 70's and the place was packed. And during Dicky Beal's Jr. and Sr. year, if you weren't there by 7:00 you might not get in. Those were some fun Teams and everyone wanted to see Beal play, but in my honest opinion, this years Team, along with last years, has been by far my favorite of all of the them. I really don't know what Holmes does today, but I can remember when we would have pep rally's and would even have student cheering sections that would rival CCH and Holy Cross on any given night. The more I type here, the more I'm confused. Not only is the current Holmes Team very good, they are very good kids.

 

Ok, I finished here. Giong to call Holmes and try and better understand the lack of support. :irked:

Are bands at ball games a thing of the past? Gyms are so quiet these days,even with packed houses when the band doesn't play. Have been to three Mason County games this season with no band, rap music over the sound system just doesn't do it for me. PLus there are at least 3-5 college games on every night, games really don't matter until tournament time if you think about it, a game during the season is just a game and really has no importance, it's all for naught if you don't show in tournaments, the season is just three months of practice and extraciricullar activity.

Are bands at ball games a thing of the past? Gyms are so quiet these days,even with packed houses when the band doesn't play. Have been to three Mason County games this season with no band, rap music over the sound system just doesn't do it for me. PLus there are at least 3-5 college games on every night, games really don't matter until tournament time if you think about it, a game during the season is just a game and really has no importance, it's all for naught if you don't show in tournaments, the season is just three months of practice and extraciricullar activity.

 

When I played freshman played on Monday/Thursday, Varsity and JV played on Tuesday/Friday(occasionally Saturday), and college games were on TV on Wednesday nights and Saturdays. And you DID NOT play on Wednesdays and Sundays

I think there are a lot of factors:

ticket prices for one, scheduling (students are practicing their own sport or activity at the same time as games), more student activities available = less students available to support others (and I can't say that is bad to have more opportunities), not as many rivalary or familiar games as there used to be, doesn't seem like there are as many Fr and Sa games, etc.

 

Would love to see the attendance what it was in the past - makes great high school memories. Maybe with the economy it will become fashionable again to be at the games and support the teams. I would love to see if reduced student ticket prices would get students there.

 

Lot's of times if you can get one group going to games, others will follow and everyone enjoys.

 

Start kids early so it becomes a habit they enjoy.

GRC's crowds are better this year than they have been in the past.:ylsuper: