Opening day attendance
- Thread starter aTUfan_rivals
- Start date
From what the ticket map looks like on the website, we’re gonna be lucky to get 15-16k there... unless a bunch of tickets are sold over the next week.
It's opening day! COOOOOLLLLLLLLLEGE FOOOOOOOOTBALLLL!
Oklahoma State plats Thursday.
OU plays at 11am, and while an interesting game (Giffin's Florida Atlantic) isn't likely to draw a boat load of casual fans who get too drunk tailgating (and not going to the game) to impact our attendance too much.
Arkansas has a game that will overlap, but it isn't an interesting game that is likely to draw too many casual fans from Tulsa.
Hell, the only games on TV that might conflict that anyone should be tempted to skip a live game for would be Michigan - Notre Dame, Cinci - UCLA, and Louisville-Bama. None of which have particular local interest outside of our conference mate Cinci (I know they say "Cincy", but I'm sticking with it). In short: there is no good reason Tulsa should be able to attract football fans who want to watch college football live in the fall!
We are close enough to Central Arkansas to draw some of their fans, others probably live in Tulsa, and they think this is a game they could win. We should have some visitors.
I don't see any large concerts or something of the like that would be a tempting draw for casual fans.
It's an evening game, so even though it looks like we may peak in the low 90s, that's not bad at all.
Unfortunately, we also haven't been playing very well, are not playing a team casual football fans care to see, and I don't think we really have a promotion that is going to get many people excited. Attendance has been historically lackluster.
Announced/tickets sold: 21,500 (stadium over 2/3 full)
Butts in seats: 17,000 (central sections look mostly full, players section and student section full, decent visitors, end zone spotty, wings sparse)
Bonus predictions:
1) the four seats next to my season tickets are occupied by purple wearing Central Arkansas fans; and
2) my wife slowly shakes her head and finally vocally tries to calm me down as I lose my mind when we start poorly against an FCS school, then everything turns out okay and I calm down, but she just won't let it go. Like, you knew this when you married me. Really, if you think about it, it's not my fault. I didn't make a decision, this is the way I am. You, on the other hand, voluntarily associated with me. It's your fault. Not mine. I'm just being me. Okay? Don't judge me! (I need to get this out now, as I clearly will not be vocalizing any of it)
Oklahoma State plats Thursday.
OU plays at 11am, and while an interesting game (Giffin's Florida Atlantic) isn't likely to draw a boat load of casual fans who get too drunk tailgating (and not going to the game) to impact our attendance too much.
Arkansas has a game that will overlap, but it isn't an interesting game that is likely to draw too many casual fans from Tulsa.
Hell, the only games on TV that might conflict that anyone should be tempted to skip a live game for would be Michigan - Notre Dame, Cinci - UCLA, and Louisville-Bama. None of which have particular local interest outside of our conference mate Cinci (I know they say "Cincy", but I'm sticking with it). In short: there is no good reason Tulsa should be able to attract football fans who want to watch college football live in the fall!
We are close enough to Central Arkansas to draw some of their fans, others probably live in Tulsa, and they think this is a game they could win. We should have some visitors.
I don't see any large concerts or something of the like that would be a tempting draw for casual fans.
It's an evening game, so even though it looks like we may peak in the low 90s, that's not bad at all.
Unfortunately, we also haven't been playing very well, are not playing a team casual football fans care to see, and I don't think we really have a promotion that is going to get many people excited. Attendance has been historically lackluster.
Announced/tickets sold: 21,500 (stadium over 2/3 full)
Butts in seats: 17,000 (central sections look mostly full, players section and student section full, decent visitors, end zone spotty, wings sparse)
Bonus predictions:
1) the four seats next to my season tickets are occupied by purple wearing Central Arkansas fans; and
2) my wife slowly shakes her head and finally vocally tries to calm me down as I lose my mind when we start poorly against an FCS school, then everything turns out okay and I calm down, but she just won't let it go. Like, you knew this when you married me. Really, if you think about it, it's not my fault. I didn't make a decision, this is the way I am. You, on the other hand, voluntarily associated with me. It's your fault. Not mine. I'm just being me. Okay? Don't judge me! (I need to get this out now, as I clearly will not be vocalizing any of it)
Tu's promos: "Hometown Heroes" (fire, police & emt's) & "For the City" (read Op-ed from Clancy) should help on 9/1. Any amount over roughly 18k will be newbies & we just might get a chunk of them back. TU Football: 1st,last,always! btw: Clancy's missive is in today's TW or tulsahurricane.com.
I’ve thought it many times as well, but come October it will be 30 years for me. Thus, I’m fluent in yes dear, I’m sorry dear, I’ll take care of that right now, it was my fault, and no, I shouldn’t have. I’m not sure if that’s just getting smart through the years or beat into submission.
I’m only 7.5 years in now but I too often wonder if what I’m learning is being smart or being beaten into submission.
I just know it’s the path of least resistance.
Youth sports are tough but doable. I made it through 7 years of youth football and 12 years of youth cheer and only missed one Tulsa game due to a conflict. It does take some splitting up and maybe being a little late now and then to make it work.
I would love to say that TU football held a higher place than youth sports for me... but if NJ is playing baseball on gameday, the choice is pretty easy. I’ll be at the diamond.
Cheer conflicts were easier to avoid as the coach asked me to help with the schedule and I always recommended games for her squad that wouldn't conflict with Tulsa games. Football was tougher because I was on the staff and had to be at the game site an hour early.
There were a few Saturdays where the TU game was the 6th football game that I attended that day.
I'll be honest, we haven't missed a game due to my son's soccer schedule in probably 2 years. So it is doable. It's the weeknight games and having little ones. We have a hard time justifying buying them season tickets and then them not be able to come to the Thursday night games..and then pay a babysitter $50 to sit and watch my TV while my kids sleep so we can go to the game. My guess is we'll probably be at most if not all the games we just haven't bought our tickets yet.
It does take a lot of coordination to make it to all the games once youth activities are involved. I have a relative that recently got a signed football from the team for not missing a home game in 50 years. I once thought that I would be able to duplicate that achievement, but hit an unavoidable conflict in year 43 and had to give it up. Oh well.
Yeah the problem with NJs games is that he is now pitching on college campuses around the region. I rarely know the rotation. But with 4 games in 2 days he gets a 6 inning start or up to 8 innings in relief, plus his time at first and third.. so it’s tough say to go from a 4pm game in Wichita to a 6pm game in Tulsa.. or a 3 pm game in Fayetteville or Dallas..
based on the stadium map of seat availability, it looks like the smallest opening crowd in TU history, maybe around 10K with students and visitors.
Tons of seats in the middle sections on both sides, virtually no sales past the 20 including end zone.
Maybe there will be a publicity blitz this week.
Tons of seats in the middle sections on both sides, virtually no sales past the 20 including end zone.
Maybe there will be a publicity blitz this week.
After watching the Colorado state vs Hawaii game last night, I don’t think we’re the only folks who are worried about attendance... they just built an incredibly nice, brand new stadium and it looked to be about 1/3-1/2 full.
Doing my part inviting everybody I know out to the tailgate.....maybe a couple will go in to the game...forecast doesn’t look too hot so far.
Been receiving plenty of promo emails, the "Cains Concert" series is a nice partnership. I know there's always music but this is a good cross promo.
Trying lots of new things to improve fan experience!
https://tulsahurricane.com/news/201...-enhancements-for-tulsa-football-in-2018.aspx
Trying lots of new things to improve fan experience!
https://tulsahurricane.com/news/201...-enhancements-for-tulsa-football-in-2018.aspx
No one can say we aren’t trying this year... at some point it’s on Tulsa to just show up.
Looking at the seating map this morning, the middle sections in the east side are mostly sold, but the end zone has 95% of its seats available. I suppose if I had to choose, I’d rather the sides be full than the end zone, but I’m hoping for some walk up sales or a final push in pre purchase over the next few days.
I wish it were so, but that's not how it works. Never does the burden shift to the consumer to "just show up" and buy your product. Either people don't know about the awesome product you have, aren't willing to pay whatever you demand for the product, or they just don't want your product as it currently exists.
I'm thinking a run through Central Arkansas, Texas, and a couple other Arkansas will help convince some more butts to show up! If we beat Texas, then I would revise my statement and say that OU fans owe us a duty to show up and say thank you. Winning is a hell of a marketing strategy.
I wish it were so, but that's not how it works. Never does the burden shift to the consumer to "just show up" and buy your product. Either people don't know about the awesome product you have, aren't willing to pay whatever you demand for the product, or they just don't want your product as it currently exists.
I'm thinking a run through Central Arkansas, Texas, and a couple other Arkansas will help convince some more butts to show up! If we beat Texas, then I would revise my statement and say that OU fans owe us a duty to show up and say thank you. Winning is a hell of a marketing strategy.
Thanks for the lecture... but what I meant was that people have to want to come. We could do the most prolific marketing campaign ever, but it would have to resonate with people in such a way that made them feel like they NEEDED to come. It’s all about the perception of TU and or athletic programs. Once the city stops treating us like little league, we may have a chance. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - a lot of cities that share their name with a university have much better success with buy in than we do.
According to DT, there's a ton of new stuff out at Tailgate Alley for people to do including their concert series, stuff for kids, etc. and if I heard him correctly, there will be fireworks after this week's game. I know how people show up in droves for Drillers firework nights so hopefully that will help. Unfortunately, this is the first I've heard about the fireworks and only because I happened to hear the 5 minute interview he did with Jerry O on the Animal today. I've not seen a ton of TV advertising on it...nor even in the targeted ads on FB, Twitter, or the in-game ads that run on the app games.
BTW, ORU did a ton of those in app game ads a couple of years ago. They reach a lot of people. The targeted ads on FB based on net searches get a lot of views. I would say a majority of people spend time in one of the major social network apps each day and that would be a good place to invest some of this marketing money. Quit with the billboards along the highway. People see them but they don't have time to take in all the info, especially if they are driving. That $ would be better spent elsewhere to promote TU.
Maybe we can get the fine folks at BOK Tower/Williams Center (whatever it's called these days), to do a TU in lights on the side of the building. It can't hurt.
BTW, ORU did a ton of those in app game ads a couple of years ago. They reach a lot of people. The targeted ads on FB based on net searches get a lot of views. I would say a majority of people spend time in one of the major social network apps each day and that would be a good place to invest some of this marketing money. Quit with the billboards along the highway. People see them but they don't have time to take in all the info, especially if they are driving. That $ would be better spent elsewhere to promote TU.
Maybe we can get the fine folks at BOK Tower/Williams Center (whatever it's called these days), to do a TU in lights on the side of the building. It can't hurt.
Most universities who share their name with a city aren't a small private school.
Cincy? 45,000
Memphis? 20,000
Louisville? 22,000
Houston? 45,000
UCLA? 44,000
Boston College? 14,000
Even non-fbs city schools are larger
St. Louis? 13,000
Dayton? 11,000
Tulsa? 4,300
Tulsa has a large portion of students who aren't from the region much less the city, most of whom will go some where else after graduation, meaning that people with direct connections to the school, in the area, are small.
The impact of the University on the city is significant, but it's mostly in areas that are difficult for the community to see and certainly aren't visible on a regular basis.
One area the University is seen and does have local ties is athletics, the region produces a large amount of athletes in nearly every sport and certainly in basketball and football. It takes more than a 25% local rosters to fight the image of TU as a private elite school. To put it bluntly the university is a Southside Soc in a city of Northside Greasers. That's not really true, but it's the local perception.
One year of a mild marketing push won't correct that perception. Throwing a fit saying; we're good, you have to come watch us, we represent you, won't help either. This disconnection between the city and school took decades to open, closing it will not be done in a year.
Once it does close it will require a great deal of effort to keep it closed. The University of Tulsa will always be a high academic school, with a small diverse student body. The city of Tulsa will always be located in Oklahoma, it will always have a blue collar feel and a roughneck oilman sensibility, that's what it was founded and maintained on.
The key is to make those two fundemental foundations build on each other.
Tulsa the city has a chip on it's shoulder. Tulsa the University is a small school who punches way above their weight and whose best teams have always felt disrespected.
Our athletics aren't just our front porch, for the University its the ballroom we throw a party in. If we want the city to be the Belle of the Ball we should probably invite them.
The University at times has come across as the University of The Philbrook and Utica Square instead of the University of the entire City of Tulsa. The administration more so than the athletic dept imo tended to come across in this manner. It's going to take some time to recreate our image. Seems we are at least trying. However, those expecting perceptions to change overnight are going to be disappointed.
Last edited:
Yes.
After roughly 20 years of just win and they will show up.
After 20+ years of at some point it's on the city to show up.
TU finally called the city and invited them over. If they can't make it that doesn't mean we don't invite them. We keep inviting them till we forget to and they show up anyway. Otherwise we keep inviting them to come over to our party next Saturday.