State tourney attendance

[spindoc]

Just thought I'd throw this out there. Was listening to the radio on my way to work this morning and they gave the final of the West Virginia state 2A championship (can't even remember who the teams were, and that's not the point) and according to the radio guy they had a record crowd of just over 9,000. And I know that WV has separate championships for the classes, but having been there all weekend for the state tourney in Lex. with attendances in excess of 21,000 for every session, I kinda chuckled to myself when they reported that.

 

And in the football forum not long ago, it was posted that high school football has become king in the Bluegrass. I beg to differ.

[Ram]

I get what you are saying doc, but what makes me wonder is: 21K at the State Championship, and 100 at regular season games in basketball. Does everyone just wait for the Sweet 16 and don't care that much about the regular season?

 

And, before someone throws me on a grenade, I realize that not every school only has 100 people at their games. But, by and large, the crowds at regular season basketball games are very poor.

[WESTKY#1]

If the basketball season consisted of only 10 regular season games and were played on Friday nights only the attendance would be way up. Easier for folks to attend 1 game a week @ 7:30 on a Friday night than during the week on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

[Ram]

If the basketball season consisted of only 10 regular season games and were played on Friday nights only the attendance would be way up. Easier for folks to attend 1 game a week @ 7:30 on a Friday night than during the week on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

I just don't buy it. 10 years ago, their were packed houses at all the basketball games in my area, now, not so much. And, don't throw the economy thing out there, this has been going on in my area for quite some time.

 

I have also read a lot of threads on here where people have been upset with attendance at their regular season games. I don't think that I am imagining that this has not always been an issue.

 

Maybe it's a regional thing. I don't know

[Master of the Hardwood]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Way to hard for a family of 4 or 5 to get to a ball game, pay $5 each to get in 2 or 3 nights a week. Totally ridiculous. They need to bring their prices back down and have adult and children prices and not charge everyone $5 to get in. If they did that they would spend more on food and drinks anyways and end up making more money. People are only going to the big rivalry games or waiting until tournament time to show up due to budget.

[scorekeeper]

I do not believe that students in high school should have to pay for attending a game. Moons ago, when I was in school, students got into home games for free. I didn't miss a home game my senior year. Schools are trying to "make up" the difference in funding with athletic income. I don't like it.

 

I have seen SOME students (and adults) admitted for free, while others are required to pay. I REALLY don't like this!

[Les]

If the basketball season consisted of only 10 regular season games and were played on Friday nights only the attendance would be way up. Easier for folks to attend 1 game a week @ 7:30 on a Friday night than during the week on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

 

You hit the nail on the head!

[memyselfandi]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Way to hard for a family of 4 or 5 to get to a ball game, pay $5 each to get in 2 or 3 nights a week. Totally ridiculous. They need to bring their prices back down and have adult and children prices and not charge everyone $5 to get in. If they did that they would spend more on food and drinks anyways and end up making more money. People are only going to the big rivalry games or waiting until tournament time to show up due to budget.

 

This is easier said then done. Everyone wants cheaper prices but why don't you tell the refs not to charge so much to ref a game.

 

At our high school we sold discounted tickets for parents and students and maybe only sold an extra 10 tickets. The theory is there but doesn't work at all schools.

[True blue (and gold)]

I do not believe that students in high school should have to pay for attending a game. Moons ago, when I was in school, students got into home games for free. I didn't miss a home game my senior year. Schools are trying to "make up" the difference in funding with athletic income. I don't like it.

 

I have seen SOME students (and adults) admitted for free, while others are required to pay. I REALLY don't like this!

 

Random students and adults, or just ones that you don't realize why?

 

For example, my school lets in our boys basketball players on nights that our girls play and vice versa. Our band gets in free on nights that they play. Adults and students working our concession stand get in free. We also give out passes (up to 2 per grading period) for free admission to a game, based on academics and behavior. Students that are nominated for Student of the Month also get a free game pass. Most of the kids consider this a really nice incentive for grades/behavior.

 

All adults who work in our school system get in free, though their families must pay, except for our high school teachers. Their families get in free, too, as reward for our teachers being the ones that "volunteer" to keep the money gates for both basketball and football.

 

I wish that we could let everyone in free, but the reality is that bills must be paid.

[True blue (and gold)]

I just don't buy it. 10 years ago, their were packed houses at all the basketball games in my area, now, not so much. And, don't throw the economy thing out there, this has been going on in my area for quite some time.

 

I have also read a lot of threads on here where people have been upset with attendance at their regular season games. I don't think that I am imagining that this has not always been an issue.

 

Maybe it's a regional thing. I don't know

 

It's not just your area, Ram. The same thing is true in our school system. When I was in school in the late 80s and early 90s, our gym was nearly full for every game. I hear that in the 70s it was always packed.

 

Of course, the abilities of the teams playing usually makes a difference to those fair weather fans. However, our football games are usually always packed full. Maybe it's the weather. Most would rather walk around on a nice September night than have to skate on ice in January. Yet, I don't think that mattered in the past.

[stepscalled]

I didn't ever hear the attendance for the finals. It was either just over 10K or 16K, which one was it? As far as regular season goes, we have other conflicts as well. More middle school games, UK might be on TV, and yes I know the cost plays a factor. I dont think there is a set answer, but I do know this, you will have more people there if you win. LOL

[gold sunrise]

I get what you are saying doc, but what makes me wonder is: 21K at the State Championship, and 100 at regular season games in basketball. Does everyone just wait for the Sweet 16 and don't care that much about the regular season?

 

And, before someone throws me on a grenade, I realize that not every school only has 100 people at their games. But, by and large, the crowds at regular season basketball games are very poor.

 

Not in Clark , Huge crowds all year. We also had the largest crowd at the 10th region finals and we had the longest drive....almost 2 hours.

[Clyde]

I didn't ever hear the attendance for the finals. It was either just over 10K or 16K, which one was it? As far as regular season goes, we have other conflicts as well. More middle school games, UK might be on TV, and yes I know the cost plays a factor. I dont think there is a set answer, but I do know this, you will have more people there if you win. LOL

 

The Commissioner or someone on the broadcast said the finals attendance was about 15k or 16k.

[JPP]

Random students and adults, or just ones that you don't realize why?

 

For example, my school lets in our boys basketball players on nights that our girls play and vice versa. Our band gets in free on nights that they play. Adults and students working our concession stand get in free. We also give out passes (up to 2 per grading period) for free admission to a game, based on academics and behavior. Students that are nominated for Student of the Month also get a free game pass. Most of the kids consider this a really nice incentive for grades/behavior.

 

All adults who work in our school system get in free, though their families must pay, except for our high school teachers. Their families get in free, too, as reward for our teachers being the ones that "volunteer" to keep the money gates for both basketball and football.

 

I wish that we could let everyone in free, but the reality is that bills must be paid.

 

:thumb:

 

Its very similar at my school as well.

[Ol'Coach]

The enforcement of Title IX rules has got to have some affect on attendance. Boys programs are forced to play on non-marquee nights and times. more these days.