“Where is everyone? Why is your stadium empty?”
That’s the text my bro sent me about 30 minutes into the game last night as he was watching us take on Memphis with my nephew back home in Clearwater on ESPN2. Last night, our Knights played in another half-empty stadium that looked glaringly so on national television. It is absolutely heartbreaking that our amazingly talented, skilled, well-coached, and fun football team cannot attract fans to the stands. I have blamed it on the way-too premature hike in season ticket prices that resulted in what now appears to be droves of fans to withhold renewal of their season tickets. Just as with the FIU game, almost the entire row behind us was empty for the Memphis game (as were several other large sections of the Stadium Club).
Perhaps the single game ticket prices are also driving would-be supporters away? Some of the fans at our tailgate who purchased tickets the day of the Memphis game said they were totally shocked at how high the prices were for available seats online through Ticketmaster. Because my friend, bro, and nephew are coming over for the USF game, I needed 3 additional seats in the Stadium Club for them. On Saturday, I dropped $450 through UCF Athletics for 3 seats in Sec 112 that are 2 rows up from the bottom of the stadium on the 18-yard line (in other words, pretty horrible seats). This really is unacceptable. But I justify it because the money is going to the university that, like all of you, is most dear to my heart.
Look, I totally understand the necessity of fundraising. I really do. But if we can’t get asses in seats, we are going to continue to look Bush league and deserving of remaining in the G-5 for eternity. UCF Athletics has GOT to do more to get the community to support the Knights. If that means creative television/ social media/ radio ad blitzes or lowering ticket prices to levels where more people can afford them, they need to do it.
Our players, coaches, and fans deserve way more than a half-empty football stadium. I know I’ve said this many times, but it certainly appears raising the prices of the tickets after a 6-7 season, just one season removed from a winless 0-12, was one helluva misfire. I am so incredibly proud of this team right now. But it is incredibly sad to see a community turn its back on a product that’s so deserving of support. It’s time for some serious introspection by UCF Athletics to make what changes are needed that can help put people in the stadium to support our Knights.
Go Knights! Beat the Bearcats... CHARGE ON!
Chris
That’s the text my bro sent me about 30 minutes into the game last night as he was watching us take on Memphis with my nephew back home in Clearwater on ESPN2. Last night, our Knights played in another half-empty stadium that looked glaringly so on national television. It is absolutely heartbreaking that our amazingly talented, skilled, well-coached, and fun football team cannot attract fans to the stands. I have blamed it on the way-too premature hike in season ticket prices that resulted in what now appears to be droves of fans to withhold renewal of their season tickets. Just as with the FIU game, almost the entire row behind us was empty for the Memphis game (as were several other large sections of the Stadium Club).
Perhaps the single game ticket prices are also driving would-be supporters away? Some of the fans at our tailgate who purchased tickets the day of the Memphis game said they were totally shocked at how high the prices were for available seats online through Ticketmaster. Because my friend, bro, and nephew are coming over for the USF game, I needed 3 additional seats in the Stadium Club for them. On Saturday, I dropped $450 through UCF Athletics for 3 seats in Sec 112 that are 2 rows up from the bottom of the stadium on the 18-yard line (in other words, pretty horrible seats). This really is unacceptable. But I justify it because the money is going to the university that, like all of you, is most dear to my heart.
Look, I totally understand the necessity of fundraising. I really do. But if we can’t get asses in seats, we are going to continue to look Bush league and deserving of remaining in the G-5 for eternity. UCF Athletics has GOT to do more to get the community to support the Knights. If that means creative television/ social media/ radio ad blitzes or lowering ticket prices to levels where more people can afford them, they need to do it.
Our players, coaches, and fans deserve way more than a half-empty football stadium. I know I’ve said this many times, but it certainly appears raising the prices of the tickets after a 6-7 season, just one season removed from a winless 0-12, was one helluva misfire. I am so incredibly proud of this team right now. But it is incredibly sad to see a community turn its back on a product that’s so deserving of support. It’s time for some serious introspection by UCF Athletics to make what changes are needed that can help put people in the stadium to support our Knights.
Go Knights! Beat the Bearcats... CHARGE ON!
Chris
