Final league attendance numbers

[Kyle@MOState]

I think the Bears really dropped the ball when it came to keeping the momentum going regarding attendance. Coming off the game where they took down Loyola on the road to get a share of first place, they came home to play UNI. We kind of knew that it was going to be a defensive struggle anyway, but the Bears could not hit any shot from any where. Students were there and wanted to be engaged, but defensive battles don't make for great entertainment for the casual fan. Couple that with getting blown out by 20 on the home court, it just takes the air out of it. While they did bounce back to a good showing on senior day, I think it could have been huge. I do expect things to be better in year two of the Ford era, which will be good. I will however miss how easy it was to park on game nights.

[Bulldog2323]

I would like to know how Drake's attendance is calculated. There were reportedly observed instances where fans were just let in without a ticket scan occurring.

[MissouriValleyUnite]

I would like to know how Drake's attendance is calculated. There were reportedly observed instances where fans were just let in without a ticket scan occurring.

Loyola/Drake Week 1 had a long line outside. Staff walked out and exchanged tickets for money to speed up the line and you walked right in without scanning. Knapp was packed that 50+ degree afternoon and seemed higher than official attendance.

[ValleyFAN]

Another thing--The cameras on tv do a much better job of masking low attendance numbers for schools like UNI and Drake, for example, than they do for Missouri State or Evansville. This is due to arena size, layout, and camera positioning. JQH and Ford center are bright and big arenas and the lack of crowd is really amplified when the cameras pan around. To me Knapp and even the ARC are always pretty full looking on tv even though I know that isnt the case.

[RacerJoeD]

A really entertaining season (from the outside anyway) this year in the MVC. Lots of parity meant that you never knew what was going to happen.






**This is not an attempt to hijack the thread. **
As an aside, Murray State averaged 5,442 per game this season which would be good enough for first in the MVC ( and that is without good traveling fanbases making the trip, unlike the fans in the MVC). That would be good enough for 1st in the MVC if those numbers are correct.

[Sir Sci]

UNI would be at 56%.

Only one game over 5000 all year. Embarrassing job on the floor and, as always, by our marketing people.

Missouri State offered a few ticket deals at the end of the season which helped attendance. Against Illinois State they offered a $5 sit where you want thing, so lower bowl seats normally $29 were only $5. Against Drake all tix were 1/2 price. They also did $1 drinks and hotdogs, so a lot of families were excited for that.

And I'm glad they did! After the Lusk years I think a lot of Springfieldians forgot that college basketball could actually be fun. Getting them in the door for games that mattered is a good way to rejuvenate the fan base in future seasons. Get dad, mom, and kids through the door and give them a fun atmosphere now and maybe they leave saying "why didn't we do this more?" and you get them coming in more frequently next season.

[Milanmiracle]

My contribution

Bradley 11,442 - 5,429 - 47%
Illinois State 10,200 - 5,424 - 53%
Evansville 10,000 - 5,299 - 53%
Missouri State 11,000 - 5,150 - 47%
Southern Illinois 8,339 - 4,472 - 54%
Indiana State 10,200 - 3962 - 39%
Loyola 4,486 - 3,712 - 83%
Northern Iowa 7,018 - 3,666 - 52%
Drake 7,002 - 3,322 - 47%
Valpo 5,432 - 2,821 - 52%

*Seating capacity is from Wikipedia.

Loyola leading the league at 83% is no surprise given the Final 4 run and smaller gym capacity. Actually I’m surprised it wasn’t a higher percentage. Evansville finishing 3rd in attendance was good, and 3rd in percentage too. Valpo being last in attendance isn’t a good sign, even with their small gym. Anyone know why the Drake attendance was low too, considering their finish?

[UrbyJT]

My contribution

Bradley 11,442 - 5,429 - 47%
Illinois State 10,200 - 5,424 - 53%
Evansville 10,000 - 5,299 - 53%
Missouri State 11,000 - 5,150 - 47%
Southern Illinois 8,339 - 4,472 - 54%
Indiana State 10,200 - 3962 - 39%
Loyola 4,486 - 3,712 - 83%
Northern Iowa 7,018 - 3,666 - 52%
Drake 7,002 - 3,322 - 47%
Valpo 5,432 - 2,821 - 52%

*Seating capacity is from Wikipedia.

Loyola leading the league at 83% is no surprise given the Final 4 run and smaller gym capacity. Actually I’m surprised it wasn’t a higher percentage. Evansville finishing 3rd in attendance was good, and 3rd in percentage too. Valpo being last in attendance isn’t a good sign, even with their small gym. Anyone know why the Drake attendance was low too, considering their finish?

Just a general malaise with the program I think. Hard to bounce back in one year from all the damage done to the program. Some bad weather games and totally laying an egg against Loyola and ILSU did not help matters either (I guess the score of the Loyola game didn't end up being too terrible but it felt like more lol).