There was a point a month ago when those in the university’s football office were stumped; flabbergasted, one might say.
With their team in the midst of a dream season and ranked Nos. 23 and 25 in both major national polls, the team drew a paltry 15,116 on a cold October night, a night in which the Falcons pulled off an improbable comeback to defeat Western Michigan in overtime, 48-45.
The next week, after the team jumped to No. 20 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll, the team drew a slightly better figure of 21,039 for Ball State, except that it was Family Weekend. Athletic Director Paul Krebs said that while he has been pleased with the jump in attendance from two years ago, when BG only drew an average of 8,000 fans a game, he says there is always room to improve.
“We’re thrilled with the attendance, because as our football team has gotten better, we think we’re doing the same with attendance,” Krebs said. “Our average is just under 19,000 a game through the first five games, and most importantly our student attendance is up this year.
“I don’t think you ever get satisfied with it, you always want more,” Krebs continued. “This weekend, this team we’re playing may not draw as much as others upon name recognition. We want to make sure our team and seniors play their last home game in front of a large crowd. We’ve put together a marketing plan all year and have followed it.”
BG has been on the road since the Ball State game three weeks ago, and returns home for Senior Night this Saturday against Eastern Michigan, a game which many recruits and possible future Bowling Green players will see.
Brian Corvino, director of marketing and promotions in the athletic department, said the department is offering a special promotion for this game, as anyone with valid Bowling Green identification can stop by the ticket office and pick up two free tickets to the game.
“It’s a kind of University appreciation day,” Corvino said. “We want to thank the faculty and staff who have been there throughout the season supporting us, and hopefully this attracts some different people to the game.
“We have been especially pleased with student turnout this season,” Corvino continued. “We have a chance to average 6,000 students a game, which is great. Hopefully, despite two tough losses, everyone will still come out and show their support, because the season isn’t over yet.”
Krebs also said that while he has heard many positive things in the Bowling Green community about the team, he would also like to extend their plan into northwest Ohio and into the surrounding major cities.
“The challenge for us to get to our ultimate goal — 20,000-25,000 a game — is to extend into the regional areas, and into Cleveland and Columbus, and expand our base. Obviously, this is a huge issue, because it generates a great atmosphere for our players, it brings in revenue, and it is also one of the criteria for a bowl game.”
Coach Urban Meyer, in his weekly media luncheon yesterday, acknowledged how much the students and home crowd help the team during a game, and said he hopes that with the losses, there isn’t a dropoff in attendance.
“When you take recruits to a home basketball game here, you usually get that guy,” Meyer said. “The student turnout has been great, and it’s just a great environment at this school. … I hope there is none [dropoff in attendance]. We need to let the students know that we hope that they come out. Five straight homes they have been fantastic. They’ve seen good games and seen our appreciation to them. I would anticipate great student crowd.”
This week’s game will not only be broadcast on WBVI, the University’s flagship station for Men’s basketball and football games, but also on The Ticket, out of Toledo.
