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North Texas @ FAU Homecoming Game Thread - October 21st, 2017

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StPeteOwl said

owlsdad said

@StPeteOwl - I was really just busting your chops not to call you out, but to see how the conversation went (so hopefully no hard feelings).  I was a 20-something year old grad at one point, and I was 5 hours away from my alma mater.  At that time, I probably didn't go to any more games than I do now that I am 10 hours away.

The difference in my situation and FAU is that this team really needs people in the stands.  The kids deserve it because of the product they are now putting on the field, but the university needs it so when people hear FAU is getting better at football they don't tune-in and see a really shiny and pretty stadium that is about 25% full.  The coaches want it because it builds excitement, impresses recruits, let's them and the players know they are appreciated, and hopefully keeps them around.  I don't think Lane is leaving quickly - assuming he keeps this turnaround going he will wait for the "right" job.  But if he is winning, setting records, and looking up at 8k people in the stands, that ***could*** make him think there are better places to be professionally (even a lateral-type move or any kind of move to what is considered a "bigger" conference).  That might be a stretch, and is still probably a year or 2 away, and I know that winning will always make a difference and the program needs some time to prove itself.  But just planting the seed that bigger crowds will be equated to a better football program (true or not).
Posted On: Oct 24th 2017, 3:29 PM #372166
All good owl pops. That's the one thing that scares me with Lane - wanting "more". But this is such a perfect spot for him to build his brand back up again thrashing CUSA teams and bowling. We have some nice opponents in 2018 & 2019 - Sooners, Air Force, UCF, OSU. Here's to hoping he sticks around for those as "upset prove-ems".
Posted On: Oct 24th 2017, 3:46 PM #372167
The thing is, as good as this year has been for us (well really the last 3 games), this team should be LOADED next year. I think he realizes the potential to do something really special in C USA next year considering who will still be here and who is coming in.
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owlsdad said

StPeteOwl said

… but right now it is tough to justify to my wife/family taking off to boca for the weekend, and my wife is an Owl.

If both you and your wife are FAU grads, I have to bust on you at least a little bit for this.  I have basically 3 months' worth of affiliation to the school to this point, and I bought season tickets, a parking pass, and have made it to 3 of the 4 home games from Orlando.  I also have a wife and 2 other daughters at home, but I drag their butts to the games so we can enjoy "family time" (while I selfishly get to grill, drink beer, and watch football).  My wife and I graduated from a small school in NC, and we try to make it up there (10 hour drive) for at least 1 if not 2 games a year.  I know Tampa isn't exactly next door to Boca, but your team needs you and all your friends in the stadium as many times as you can possibly make it.

That is mostly kidding because I know if you are on this board you are a supporter of the Owls, but FAU needs to get fan support - and attendance in the stands right now is probably about as important as $$$s in their coffers.
Posted On: Oct 23rd 2017, 7:54 PM #372155

My daughter graduated from Brevard College in NC playing Collegiate fast pitch. Where did ya'll graduate from?
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@GeorgiaOwl - Western Carolina University.  I actually started out playing football for Furman, but an injury as a Freshman and then a position change as a Sophomore led me to transfer back to an in-state school in NC when I gave football up.  Believe me - I have seen mediocre to down-right awful football.  WCU last went to the FCS playoffs (then it was I-AA) over 30 years ago.  But even with that history, the school averages nearly 11k at their home football games and they are expecting 13k or more for homecoming this weekend, from a school that has a total population of 11k and probably 7 or 8k at the main campus.  That is what blows me away at a school the size of FAU who has such a nice stadium, a new coaching staff, a team who is getting better every game and setting school and conference records, etc.  I know it takes time, but I am beginning to understand how people talk about South Florida and all of the options people have effecting things like attendance at sporting events.
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owlsdad said

@GeorgiaOwl - Western Carolina University.  I actually started out playing football for Furman, but an injury as a Freshman and then a position change as a Sophomore led me to transfer back to an in-state school in NC when I gave football up.  Believe me - I have seen mediocre to down-right awful football.  WCU last went to the FCS playoffs (then it was I-AA) over 30 years ago.  But even with that history, the school averages nearly 11k at their home football games and they are expecting 13k or more for homecoming this weekend, from a school that has a total population of 11k and probably 7 or 8k at the main campus.  That is what blows me away at a school the size of FAU who has such a nice stadium, a new coaching staff, a team who is getting better every game and setting school and conference records, etc.  I know it takes time, but I am beginning to understand how people talk about South Florida and all of the options people have effecting things like attendance at sporting events.
Posted On: Oct 24th 2017, 11:18 PM #372183

The attendance stats in your post actually hurt my feelings.
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owlsdad said

@GeorgiaOwl - Western Carolina University.  I actually started out playing football for Furman, but an injury as a Freshman and then a position change as a Sophomore led me to transfer back to an in-state school in NC when I gave football up.  Believe me - I have seen mediocre to down-right awful football.  WCU last went to the FCS playoffs (then it was I-AA) over 30 years ago.  But even with that history, the school averages nearly 11k at their home football games and they are expecting 13k or more for homecoming this weekend, from a school that has a total population of 11k and probably 7 or 8k at the main campus.  That is what blows me away at a school the size of FAU who has such a nice stadium, a new coaching staff, a team who is getting better every game and setting school and conference records, etc.  I know it takes time, but I am beginning to understand how people talk about South Florida and all of the options people have effecting things like attendance at sporting events.
Posted On: Oct 24th 2017, 11:18 PM #372183

The Catamounts!   Are you going to the UNC Charlotte game?
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NCOwl said

The Catamounts!   Are you going to the UNC Charlotte game?
Posted On: Oct 25th 2017, 7:09 AM #372186

Unfortunately, my plans are to attend all the remaining FAU home games and make a second trip to NC to watch WCU play their last home game on 11/11.  The 11/25 game is the back-end of Thanksgiving weekend, so I will be with family at Amelia Island FL (annual tradition).

That will put me at 7 college football games attended for the season.  If I want to go see FAU play in a bowl game and see WCU play in the playoffs, I have to cut it off there  :Big-Grin:
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Island_Owl88 said

The attendance stats in your post actually hurt my feelings.
Posted On: Oct 25th 2017, 3:54 AM #372184
What is worse is they play in a 13742 seat stadium, so it is usually 80% or more full.  FAU is going to get there, and when they do we'll be in great shape because we will have parking spots and seats that people will be wanting!!!
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owlsdad said

@GeorgiaOwl - Western Carolina University.  I actually started out playing football for Furman, but an injury as a Freshman and then a position change as a Sophomore led me to transfer back to an in-state school in NC when I gave football up.  Believe me - I have seen mediocre to down-right awful football.  WCU last went to the FCS playoffs (then it was I-AA) over 30 years ago.  But even with that history, the school averages nearly 11k at their home football games and they are expecting 13k or more for homecoming this weekend, from a school that has a total population of 11k and probably 7 or 8k at the main campus.  That is what blows me away at a school the size of FAU who has such a nice stadium, a new coaching staff, a team who is getting better every game and setting school and conference records, etc.  I know it takes time, but I am beginning to understand how people talk about South Florida and all of the options people have effecting things like attendance at sporting events.
Posted On: Oct 24th 2017, 11:18 PM #372183

Very nice, went up there to see a band competition my daughters HS band was in - nice stadium and campus - VERY NICE BAND!

LOVED THEM PLAYING JAMES TAYLOR'S CAROLINA ON MY MIND WITH GUSTO!!!!!!

The band issue is one other thin that bothers me about FAU - how does Western Carolina or Jacksonville St. have such good quailty and size bands but FAU…we have some quality but….
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