Free Student Tickets

KRAM1 · March 3, 2009

GreenP1...I can definitely see that. You have hit upon something here...if that is the case...probably is...then how does the university change the attitude once a student enrolls? Is it "win and they will come"? If so, why the low basketball turnout, or is it just the "way it is and always will be?" I do think UNT could do a much better job of building school spirit, but, perhaps until it becomes a "thing to do" attendance from the student body will remain pathetic given the numbers of students enrolled.

Yes, oldguystudent, I saw that "get in, get out, get paid" attitude when I was working on my MBA at UNT. You think that attitude has anything to do with the nice "mess" we find our economy in these days? Hmmmmmmmmm. <_<

Quoner · March 3, 2009

Yes, oldguystudent, I saw that "get in, get out, get paid" attitude when I was working on my MBA at UNT. You think that attitude has anything to do with the nice "mess" we find our economy in these days? Hmmmmmmmmm.

It's true. People cared much more about sports during the Reagan years and the country was better for it.

TheTastyGreek · March 3, 2009

It's true. People cared much more about sports during the Reagan years and the country was better for it.

Student attendance was way higher when everyone paid their taxes and socialists were drawn and quartered on sight.

UNT90 · March 3, 2009

It's true. People cared much more about sports during the Reagan years and the country was better for it.

I attended UNT in 1988. Fouts was packed for every game!! The Super Pit was a sellout with students lined up around the building!!! All thanks to Reagan.

Or not.

I think most athletic programs succeed attendance-wise because they are a destination university. The students crave to attend that particular university, thus participate in much more of the "college experience". I also think that the average age of the UNT student is above other destination universities, and these students have different priorities. Many of these students also have never lived on campus and only come to campus for classes then leave. Throw in the fact that we are the 3rd most recognizable university in the huge metropolis that is DFW, with so many other things to do, and you have the perfect storm for non-attendance.

I do see this improving as we move from a commuter school to a school with many more students living on campus.

aztecskin · March 4, 2009

I am in the business school. I go to games. I follow sports. I give a flip.

Chrisattsu · March 6, 2009

195% agree

I concur. I would have to assume that your fans are a lot like ours. They could care less about MTSU, FAU, or ULM.

I know down here in San Marcos, the average fan is less than thrilled about games against Directional Louisiana schools, or even some of our Texas peers.

However, we opened our new softball stadium against the Aggies two weeks ago and we had 1300 people show up in a venue that seats 1,000. Our baseball stadium (cap. 2,000 people) opened against the Horns and we drew over 2,500 people to game. They quit selling tickets when standing room became a problem. There were people buying tickets to the Softball game just because you could see the baseball game from the first base stands.

We usually have considerably higher attendance against CUSA and Big XII foes, than our conference opponents in every sport across the board. While we don't get them down here for Football, the Ponies, Bears, and Ags have all commented on how well we traveled to their stadiums.

The Fake Lonnie Finch · March 10, 2009

When I was in grad school at Tulsa, you could get tickets free with your student ID. It was a first come, first served thing.

Basketball has always been king at Tulsa, so it was always packed...and very loud. A group of us got to know the ticket office people, and so we were able to finagle front row seats for almost every game for a couple of years.

The thing about Tulsa is their undergraduate enrollment is small, about 3,000. But, they were fanatical about basketball.

It's also interesting to note that the guy who provided the money for Tulsa's basketball arena is the same guy (Donald W Reynolds Foundation) who gave Arkansas the money for their football stadium - both bear his name.

Green Dozer · March 10, 2009

No. I assign three causes to our turnout:
Conference affiliation
Conference affiliation
Conference affiliation

B-I-N-G-O!

KRAM1 · March 17, 2009

I don't think charging for student tickets at a time when we are trying to significanly raise student fees is a very good idea.
I attribute low student turnout to several factors. In no particular order:
Fouts Field
Too few home games period, causing them to have significant gaps between games - sometimes up to a month between games
Too few OOC home games (see Fouts Field)
Not enough wins
Traditional student apathy, though this is slowly changing
Post-thanksgiving game
Lack of interest in conference opponents
I don't think there is any one reason. I am fairly confident that students don't undervalue the games because they are free. The perception exists because we suck, the stadium sucks, and our opponents suck.
Build the stadium, bring in Baylor (SMU, Tech, Houston, etc), beat the shit out of them, and have winning seasons each year and student attendance will keep rising.

I don't disagree with your comments...but, it sure is easy to be a fan when all you have to do is "jump on the bandwagon". A real fan will support their team through thick and thin...I would think students at a university would do the same for the team that represents them. But, maybe you are right...maybe they can find excuse after excuse (see list above) for not attending games. Makes it easy to simply complain and be part of the problem instead of part of the solution. For me, it is always fun to go to a UNT game...win or lose (yes, way MORE fun when UNT wins), and I recall that when I was an undergrad at UNT we could always have a good time at the games and before and after! It was a Saturday event...not just a game! I guess that has changed also. Too bad...