Football: This blew my mind

[Ruger7mmmag]

Living here in Bama and knowing at least ten people who went to "A" day, they said there was easily 110K plus, but they literally closed the gates bc even the RAMPS filled up with people.  Add that they only had water at the game on the BOTTOM level!!!  If you were on top like some I know, it made getting water IMPOSSIBLE, but they knew that was going to be the case and still braved the intense heat to go.

Why?  Bc Bama football is like a religion here.  It's 24/7 365 days a year.  Want to see evidence of that?  Within a few days of SIGNING DAY THIS YEAR, they already had half a dozen verbals and it's quickly climbing while we were talking about a basketball coach.  At Bama, that would've taken a back seat to some verbal from a kid from Hoover and some game tape.

Like someone above said, it's not only going to take winning, but YEARS of being in existence and USF doing some hard work to build PRIDE in attending USF.  People here grow up in Alabama dreaming of going to UA or AUB and then get their degrees and stay in state.  It breeds fans.

Until we get folks growing up in Tampa/FL dreaming of going to USF, you won't pack out a Spring game.  Remember, even among other large programs, they pale in comparison to Bama's following so don't look at Bama as a measuring stick.  USC, Michigan, Texas, FSU etc can't even claim that kind of insane obsession.  Notre Dame may be the closest, but not even they compare.

[JoeB]

51 K at Notre Dame this weekend too.  That might be a record for them too.  Of course they have people coming in from all over the country for the game, not just Indiana and Illinois.  

Also, ND has honorary coaches on the sidelines.  This year Lou Holtz was on one sideline, and Ara Parseghian was on the other.  Basically two living legends from NDs storied past.  They also unveiled 'The Shirt 2007' this weekend, which all students, alumni, and general fans purchase to wear at EVERY HOME GAME DURING 2007.  When it comes to Spring Games, they do it up right.

[HarveyGlass]

On a related note, since when did a school's spring game attendance mean anything?  I don't remember, even last year, people getting so worked up about comparing figures from spring practice.  Does anyone else find this new competition kind of strange?

[BullBlood]

Alabama football has been the "only show in town" for 100 years.  Of course they're going to have a rabid fan-base.  92,000+ is still an anomaly.  The SEC's previous spring game record was 73,000 (UT).  We will never have 92,000 at a spring game because people have other options in tampa.  Not only on the night of the spring game, but in their general interests.  I doubt there are many people who support the bucs, bolts, D-rays, and all USF athletics.  For many people, time and resources are limited, so people chose to follow only their favorite activities.

[MikeG]

On a related note, since when did a school's spring game attendance mean anything?  I don't remember, even last year, people getting so worked up about comparing figures from spring practice.  Does anyone else find this new competition kind of strange?

the only thing it shows is that you have a strong fanbase -- or perhaps that your fanbase is more fanatical in nature.

I wouldn't mind having 50K Bulls fans showing up to anything. I doubt we have that many though

[HarveyGlass]

On a related note, since when did a school's spring game attendance mean anything?  I don't remember, even last year, people getting so worked up about comparing figures from spring practice.  Does anyone else find this new competition kind of strange?

the only thing it shows is that you have a strong fanbase -- or perhaps that your fanbase is more fanatical in nature.

I wouldn't mind having 50K Bulls fans showing up to anything. I doubt we have that many though

But I don't think it does show that you have a strong fanbase.  IIRC, Michigan had around 5,000.  Georgia had less than UofL, and I know they have at least twice the fanbase(and probably twice as fanatical).  I don't think it shows anything, and it's very strange that the numbers mean so much to people.

I see people saying, "we need to promote this", or, "we need more people at the spring game.".....Why?

Louisville had twice as many people attend this year than ever before, and I don't remember the lack of attention hurting the program.  And I don't see the big crowd this year helping the program.

[Ruger7mmmag]

Alabama football has been the "only show in town" for 100 years.  Of course they're going to have a rabid fan-base.  92,000+ is still an anomaly.  The SEC's previous spring game record was 73,000 (UT).  We will never have 92,000 at a spring game because people have other options in tampa.  Not only on the night of the spring game, but in their general interests.  I doubt there are many people who support the bucs, bolts, D-rays, and all USF athletics.  For many people, time and resources are limited, so people chose to follow only their favorite activities.

No offense, but you can tell you haven't lived in Alabama to say this.  Shoot, most people here are big time outdoors type people.  A TON of people at that game came from down here around the coast where there's just as much to do as their is in tampa.  Golf, boating, salt water bay fishing, deep sea fishing, water skiing, scuba diving, TURKEY SEASON, fresh water fishing etc.

Not too mention in the time that it takes to drive to that game in HALF the time you could be in New Orleans, Panama City Beach/Destin, Biloxi (Casinos/shows).  

Has nothing to do with "there's more to do in Tampa" bc it isn't the "poor", live in the middle of nowhere folks that go to Bama games.  Besides the students, the majority who go to the games are doctors, attorneys and pretty successful businessman or from well to do families.  Bc to them, when they go to a game, it's not just a game.  They have HUGE events before and after all of which they spend quite a bit of money.

Listen, I can't stand Alabama as I'm a bull through and through, but having lived in Bull territory, FSU territory and now Bama Territory with travelling all over the country, there's nothing that passes Bama football.  And the $$$$$$ they have in that program is borderline insane.  We'll be alright if we're HALF the program Bama is one day.

Forgot to add something.  Here in Bama, the kids all have to wear uniforms in the public school system except for one day a year they are permitted to wear either Auburn or Bama gear.  That's how crazy it is here.  I'm sure you could wear other stuff, but no one does.

[Joe]

But I don't think it does show that you have a strong fanbase.  IIRC, Michigan had around 5,000.  Georgia had less than UofL, and I know they have at least twice the fanbase(and probably twice as fanatical).  I don't think it shows anything, and it's very strange that the numbers mean so much to people.

I see people saying, "we need to promote this", or, "we need more people at the spring game.".....Why?

Louisville had twice as many people attend this year than ever before, and I don't remember the lack of attention hurting the program.  And I don't see the big crowd this year helping the program.

It's all in the presentation of the Final Practice.

Michigan doesn't play a real spring game they have a final practice they allow fans to come see that usually has a small scrimmage of some sort to end it. But far from a simulated game.

UGA's spring game has normally been similar.

Generally it's the "real" games that draw well.

The whole competition for fans at the Spring game started with Nebraska getting 50,000 on year and Ohio State answering with 60,000 the year after they won it all. Then it really hit the fan when Florida got 65,000 a few years ago for Urban Meyer's debut. Now Alabama, Penn State, and Ohio State cleaned up this year all over 70k.

I think it's a trend that will carry on to the point where you won't have sell outs, but a lot of school will boast 50,000+ a year for their spring games just to try and outdo each other.

[Joe]

Rugar, that was the point I made yesterday. I've lived and big and little cities, the whole it's the only show in town is a lame excuse. The reality is people in that state are committed to their football team (be it Bama or AU) because it identifies them as a people.

I guarentee several people skipped weddings, birthdays, etc to go see that game. Its just the priority in most of their lives.

[SeaBull]

Alabama football has been the "only show in town" for 100 years.  Of course they're going to have a rabid fan-base.  92,000+ is still an anomaly.  The SEC's previous spring game record was 73,000 (UT).  We will never have 92,000 at a spring game because people have other options in tampa.  Not only on the night of the spring game, but in their general interests.  I doubt there are many people who support the bucs, bolts, D-rays, and all USF athletics.  For many people, time and resources are limited, so people chose to follow only their favorite activities.

No offense, but you can tell you haven't lived in Alabama to say this.  Shoot, most people here are big time outdoors type people.  A TON of people at that game came from down here around the coast where there's just as much to do as their is in tampa.  Golf, boating, salt water bay fishing, deep sea fishing, water skiing, scuba diving, TURKEY SEASON, fresh water fishing etc.

Not too mention in the time that it takes to drive to that game in HALF the time you could be in New Orleans, Panama City Beach/Destin, Biloxi (Casinos/shows).  

Has nothing to do with "there's more to do in Tampa" bc it isn't the "poor", live in the middle of nowhere folks that go to Bama games.  Besides the students, the majority who go to the games are doctors, attorneys and pretty successful businessman or from well to do families.  Bc to them, when they go to a game, it's not just a game.  They have HUGE events before and after all of which they spend quite a bit of money.

Listen, I can't stand Alabama as I'm a bull through and through, but having lived in Bull territory, FSU territory and now Bama Territory with travelling all over the country, there's nothing that passes Bama football.  And the $$$$$$ they have in that program is borderline insane.  We'll be alright if we're HALF the program Bama is one day.

Forgot to add something.  Here in Bama, the kids all have to wear uniforms in the public school system except for one day a year they are permitted to wear either Auburn or Bama gear.  That's how crazy it is here.  I'm sure you could wear other stuff, but no one does.

^^ It's true. There is nothing else like it in the nation. My wife and inlaws are from Mobile so I've spent a lot of time there, plus I live on the ms guld coast for a bit.

My brother in law lives in clearwater right now but he is so Bama it isn't even funny. He's bought crimson colored trucks, has Bama paintings in his house and statues of elephants. His family is dressed in all bama gear in the family photo...eventhough the daughter is 4. And get this...he's only been to one bama game in his whole life.

You might be able to find UGa gear in Mobile but NOTHING ELSE. It's either roll tide or war eagle.

My wifes dads side is Auburn and my wifes moms side is Bama...makes for some interesting holidays.

The state of Alabama could get pro teams in every sport but there would still be more college football fans.

The people of alabama have plenty to do...just because they don't have the beaches (which they actually do) and the theme parks we do, they still have hunting, fishing and nascar...seriously. Those folks wouldn't trade a day of hunting for a day at the beach for anything.