Attendance Numbers

[4theknights]

i was thinking with 5 BIG sellouts how our attendance numbers have increased over 17-18 season. I can see why BIG is going with 20 games as a good source of revenue.
With team expected better next year, just wondering how many BIG sellouts?? And if trend continues as we get better, is there any plans to go back and upgrade RAC like creating more seating over 118 and creating a new large lobby and entryway... is it in any new plan with R Build dollars.

 

[kcg88]

I think we sell out Seton Hall plus 6/10 Big Ten home games. But the latter depends on game times and matchups.

 

[hinson32]

In the history of RU Basketball, we have never averaged over 8,000 a game for a season. Not even during the programs golden years at the RAC between 78-85, did we average over 8K. Heck, 1979 was a Sweet 16 team only three years removed from a FF team. I am not sure if we ever will need to add seating to the RAC.

 

[richthedentist]

I don't think the RAC even holds 8,000 anymore with the loss of all the seats and if it does I think its right around 8,000 so you would have to sell out every game to average that much

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

I don't think the sellout of games is as important as getting the students to view each game as an event next year. The weekend games are no problem but you have a bunch of potential home games in December and during finals or when school is out after the holidays to mid to late January.

This is an issue for a lot of schools, giving the students a reason to come back and I think this season revived the energy with the students again.

Doesn't mean it will be packed unless a decent opponent is on schedule, but also makes sense to add 1 home date of revenue to all B1G school's schedule vs trying to find an OOC game that only winds up costing money to get that team to travel there or it drags on the Schedule strength etc

 

[PiscatawayMike]

Here are the top five average attendance seasons at the RAC:

1. 7,526.....1998-99.....12-5
2. 7,188.....1999-00.......8-5
3. 7,118.....1990-91.....11-2
4. 6,809.....2004-05.......7-8
5. 6,722.....1989-90.....12-4

 

[hinson32]

I don't think the RAC even holds 8,000 anymore with the loss of all the seats and if it does I think its right around 8,000 so you would have to sell out every game to average that much

Agree, so I don’t think we need to expand.

 

[hinson32]

Here are the top five average attendance seasons at the RAC:

1. 7,526.....1998-99.....12-5
2. 7,188.....1999-00.......8-5
3. 7,118.....1990-91.....11-2
4. 6,809.....2004-05.......7-8
5. 6,722.....1989-90.....12-4

So strange how RU fans didn’t support the 78,79, 82 or 83 teams.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

I think we sell out Seton Hall plus 6/10 Big Ten home games. But the latter depends on game times and matchups.

SHU will sellout at least month in advance
Especially if it's a weekend

 

[kcg88]

SHU will sellout at least month in advance
Especially if it's a weekend

I'm sure it'll be the first or second Saturday in December (7th or 14th) again.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

I'm sure it'll be the first or second Saturday in December (7th or 14th) again.

Hopefully a Saturday, and later than Noon

 

[Scarlet Shack]

So strange how RU fans didn’t support the 78,79, 82 or 83 teams.

There were two big reasons for that

One 3
Part of that was we were in the eastern 8....so the home schedule was ...bad

Villanova was the one good name

West Virginia and Pitt has not risen yet

Duquesne
George Washington
Umass
Penn state

were bad ...

And other than St. John’s, Syracuse, Princeton and seton hall coming in every other year ...we had cupcakes. All while the big east was rising and the other programs were playing each other.

2.) don’t forget that the New Jersey nets played there as well...and that took away some interest in the program, especially after bailey and Anderson.

 

[cubuffsdoug_rivals]

I'm more concern with upgrading the amenities. Make the experience at the RAC a lot more pleasant like better food, restrooms, etc. The crowds will come as long as the team is competitive with a good shot at winning and the opponents are worthwhile.

 

[RUJMM78]

The RAC needs updating including a new concourse/entrance ,additional rest rooms and food stands.Additional seating of 1000-2000 seats above 118 section makes sense to increase revenue and give the impression of a big time arena like others in the B1G.

 

[RUChoppin]

Here are the top 10 averages since the RAC opened:

7526 - 1998-99 Bannon (19-13, BE NIT)
7188 - 1999-00 Bannon (15-16, BE NIT)
7118 - 1990-91 Wenzel (19-10 A10, NCAA)
6808 - 2004-05 Waters (10-19 BE)
6722 - 1989-90 Wenzel (18-17 A10, NIT)
6527 - 2002-03 Waters (12-16 BE)
6240 - 2018-19 Pikiell (14-17 B1G)
6202 - 2003-04 Waters (20-13 BE, NIT)
6107 - 1997-98 Bannon (14-15 BE)
6107 - 1977-78 Young (24-7 EAA, NIT

Hopefully next season cracks the Top 5

 

[e5fdny]

I'm more concern with upgrading the amenities. Make the experience at the RAC a lot more pleasant like better food, restrooms, etc. The crowds will come as long as the team is competitive with a good shot at winning and the opponents are worthwhile.

+1

Real seats should be one of the those too.

 

[RU-ROCS]

In the history of RU Basketball, we have never averaged over 8,000 a game for a season. Not even during the programs golden years at the RAC between 78-85, did we average over 8K. Heck, 1979 was a Sweet 16 team only three years removed from a FF team. I am not sure if we ever will need to add seating to the RAC.

I hear you. But when you only have 8,000 seats it is very tough to average 8,000, especially with so many ****** (but sometimes necessary) non-conference games. If you have more capacity -- say 10,000-12,000 - even if you don't regularly sell it out, it will boost overall attendance because of the big draw games that will fill the new expanded capacity. I always imagined that if RU can be come a truly competitive team in the Big 10, renovating to add another 2K seats to the RAC would be the perfect size.