wpierso3 said

I completely understand the notion of the timing being bad thats why I cannot make it.  However saying that the timing is not going to be better next year or any other year until we get different bowl tie-ins.  Even then the games are always going to be around the holidays.  Sorry but I am just getting aggravated by a lot of people using that as an excuse and then saying maybe next year.

Agreed.  If we are going to be a bowl team…bowl games are always around the holidays.  If you cannot attend, at least call and order tickets and request they be donated to the "send a kid to a game" program.  FAU will get the tickets sales and your seats will go to some under privileged kid in the New Orleans area that can attend and can root for FAU.

Ted said Angelos told him 600 have been sold…and that's not counting the number that will buy offline on thier own…no word on if that includes the student subsidized tickets or not - 112…

But still, not looking to strong as this point…we still have some time to go though…

I wish I could go to the game I will be one of those watching it on TV .. NJ is kinda far …  but as the bowl games get closer it will be interesting to hear the analysis on the game from radio stations like WFAN…

I will be at the Basketball game against Monmouth 

I challenge all other alumni to do what I did. If you can't go, buy one or two tickets and let the university donate them or suggest they raffle them to FAU students. I bought two.  I can't get away that weekend but I did what I could. One other alumnus bought two tickets. He announced it on Ted's blog.

As a matter of fact, I'm not sure how much of the game I will be able to watch live since 12/21 is my wedding anniversary. I am taping the whole game.

Damn guys, notify sports marketing and/or local papers.  Your team deserves a strong following to New Orleans.  Plus, it's freakin New Orleans! Tons of fun stuff to do there and you'll still have plenty of time to get back for Christmas.

Being your first bowl game you'd think FAU could muster more than 600 in ticket sales.  The only thing that sticks out to me is that perhaps your first bowl appearance "outrushed" your fan base.  You got to a bowl fairly quickly and it takes time to grow a fan base, especially a faithful base that will travel and spend money for bowl games.  Not a knock on FAU, just a reality of sports economics.

UCFKnight85 said

Damn guys, notify sports marketing and/or local papers.  Your team deserves a strong following to New Orleans.  Plus, it's freakin New Orleans! Tons of fun stuff to do there and you'll still have plenty of time to get back for Christmas.

Being your first bowl game you'd think FAU could muster more than 600 in ticket sales.  The only thing that sticks out to me is that perhaps your first bowl appearance "outrushed" your fan base.  You got to a bowl fairly quickly and it takes time to grow a fan base, especially a faithful base that will travel and spend money for bowl games.  Not a knock on FAU, just a reality of sports economics.

that is the truth… and believe me, i am not looking for excuses at all, but 7 years ended up being WAY too early to make a bowl game from a FAN BASE perspective… however, it's a catch-22… without this national attention, our fan base in south florida would never grow anyways

UCFKnight85 said

Damn guys, notify sports marketing and/or local papers.  Your team deserves a strong following to New Orleans.  Plus, it's freakin New Orleans! Tons of fun stuff to do there and you'll still have plenty of time to get back for Christmas.

Being your first bowl game you'd think FAU could muster more than 600 in ticket sales.  The only thing that sticks out to me is that perhaps your first bowl appearance "outrushed" your fan base.  You got to a bowl fairly quickly and it takes time to grow a fan base, especially a faithful base that will travel and spend money for bowl games.  Not a knock on FAU, just a reality of sports economics.

Agree 100%.

There HAS been good press coverage for once, with both the sentinel and post doing stories. Hopefully once were closer the sports networks will pick up.

The team performed and delieved. The Voice Delivered. THIS is the starting point. However it will be a poor showing at THIS bowl Im afriad. Hopefully with the appearnce AND hopefully a win it will be a great leaping off point. I swear that if FAU doesnt use this momentum to drive ticket sales Ill just slit my freaking wrists.

Your right UCF the team outpaced the fanbase. Hopefully that will change soon.

I think the point UCF makes is valid. The fanbase just isn't there yet. Even for alumni it might be a difficult sell because most were at FAU prior to the start of the program so they might not be too familiar with it. I was there in the beginning so I have a strong attachment as do many others on this board. As an alum I also have the ability to travel to New Orleans whereas many students might not be able to make it despite having strong support for the program. Once the alumni base grows (referring specifically to people who experienced FAU with football) I think the program with enjoy a much larger following. It will take some time, but it will happen.

GO OWLS!!!

fauowls44 said

I think we'll definately have over 1000.  

I think it's great… that FAU can get people, in its seventh year of playing football, to travel to another state to see the guys play. Gainesville is one thing… even Tampa for USF I imagine will get a good crowd (I'm going to try and get a party to stay at my friend's place in St.Pete)… but to get even 1000 people to go to LA to watch FAU beat Memphis is still great in my mind.

Regarding attendance… I honestly think if our schedule had us playing teams like Auburn and West Virginia as well as playing all the Florida schools, we'd pack the house. I mean, even if FAU has absolutely no chance, people would still go and the other schools would draw. A game against Auburn? Think about how crazy that would be.

I've heard rumors that Coach wants FSU to play us at home in 2010. Open our stadium in style. That would be an incredible experience no matter what the outcome was. It would sellout.

It will only improve.  UCF has been waiting, DYING, for our fan base to get to a bowl game.  In 1998 we were absolutely robbed by finishing 9-2 with no bowl game.  We were independent for many years, and had we been in CUSA would have been bowling many years with winning records.  Got into the MAC and finished 8-4 our first year but didn't win the East, and had no bowl game.  Finally in 2005 we get a bowl game- and are sent to Hawaii.  Arguably the most assinine decision I've ever seen out of a bowl commitee- they sent UTEP to Mobile and UCF to Hawaii.  The result?  300 UCF fans in Hawaii and not much better for UTEP, if they had reversed the roles UCF would have sent a large contingent.

Finally, this year we won the championship and landed in a historically prestigious bowl vs. an SEC team. Thank God!! All of the buildup year after year translated into a good response from the fans- we've sold over 8,400 to date and figure to bring 10-12,000 to Memphis.  Pretty good considering the distance and expense needed.

My point? Give it time.  FAU really did beat it's fan base to the "punch".  What FAU must do is secure a good replacement for Howard.  Let's face it, the guy is old and may be done soon.  If FAU can keep winning, or atleast be in Sun Belt contention, your fan base will grow.  And who knows, if conference shake ups indeed do happen (which I expect them to) I believe FAU will be a front runner into CUSA.

Starting next semester, I am actually conducting my MBA level research project- my topic is going to be Florida college attendance and marketing.  If any of you are interested in my finished product, let me know.  I will be working with the UCF Sports Management department and UF's Sports Management department.