FB: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[doolittledog]

I think another factor that plays into it is most schools have their football schedule out months before the season starts.  You then have months to plan your fall schedule, get babysitters lined up or get time off from work or whatever.  Then, when the playoffs start you only have one week to get things in order.  That could have a lot to do with it.  Another thing to consider is once the playoffs start you are nearing Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Christmas shopping and planning family get togethers for Thanksgiving also takes up time and money that can keep fans away from playoff games.  Also, while playoff games are exciting.  Your team isn't playing against a team you know much about.  It can be a lot more fun to go to your teams game and root against that school from your conference that you really don't like than some team from out of state that you might never have heard of before. 

That, and I do think the whole NCAA making you charge everyone that PC brought up and having to actually count fans in the stadium as opposed to guestimating an attendance number plays a large role in things. 

[wildcat11]

Thanks PC and doolittledog.  Those are both great points and I guess that the weather starts making an impact too.  It's too bad because (obviously) there is so much great football during the playoffs.

I wonder what kind of impact there would be on attendance if Division I ever adopted a playoff format like we have. 

[tmerton]

OK Bob-

Looks like it's time for us to plan the farewell tour for MtClef: 

http://www.clusports.com/news/6258/

Three thousand seat capacity?  Seems small but looks like it will be enough. 

tmerton,

What do you think is the cause of SJU's attendance number to fall off so much during home playoff games?  I can see how the other MIAC teams bring in fans but are the attendance numbers that dependent on the MIAC rival crowds?

2009: 2,888 vs Coe  (avg 8,208)
2007: 3,771 vs Redlands (avg 8,898)
2005: 3,681 vs Monmouth (avg 7,861)
2003: 2,892 vs RPI (avg 6,496)
          2,830 vs Linfield
          2,600 vs St. Norbert

Don't get me wrong...I would kill to have SJU attendance numbers at Linfield (who wouldn't...it makes me jealous) but I just think it's strange to see such a big drop each time SJU hosts a playoff game.

Two words: hunting season.    Seriously, though, hunting season cuts into attendance in the latter part of the season, and a lot of folks make plans for hunting trips that don't take into account the playoffs.

Also, aside from Pat's and dld's comments, there's the weather and the growing chance of cold and rain - though this year we were really lucky all season in that regard (crappy weather during the week but good weather on Saturday).  As for the Coe game I think at least some people figured they'd go to the second playoff game, which also would have been at home and could have been a repeat with USTd.  Heck, I know we had already bought our plane tickets for the second game (though we were there for Coe, too - yech).

[Sabretooth Tiger]

OK Bob-

Looks like it's time for us to plan the farewell tour for MtClef: 

http://www.clusports.com/news/6258/

Great news for Cal Lu!!  Congrats.

[jdD3FBfan]

[i]"This stadium will blow the rest of the SCIAC out of the water, keeping in mind how great the baseball stadium turned out. Not that we really needed it, but man this is going to boost recruiting. Anyone that was/is on the cusp now, will be hard pressed not to like this news. [/i] "

I wouldn't want anyone on my football team who makes a "college" choice by the caliber of the stadium.  Real football players can handle the stench of a smelly old locker room, the awesome feel of REAL GRASS beneath their feet and the sound of the fans stomping their feet on the rickety old bleachers.

I think it is great for CLU that someone donated the money for new football facilities (it truly is a great gift).  I have only been to their field once (as a visitor, and it sucked trying to see over the heads of our players, but you're not supposed to care if your opponent is comfortable).  The PLUS was it was a nice feeling being to able to run up and down the sidelines and be close to the action.  I'm sure that will be missed, especially if it turns into a place where you feel you can't wear your dirty cleats, drip sweat, spill a cup full of soda or spit a good old fashion loogy, lol!

I just hate the "materialistic world" we've become.  I hope all soon-to-be-college students pick a campus that is a good fit for them personally & academically before considering how "pretty" the athletic facilities are........but some 17 & 18 year olds don't see past the "glitz" I guess.

Happy Recruiting to all SCIAC schools!

[labart96]

Kudos to CLU on the big donation and the pending renovations to Mt Clef.  I have enjoyed a few games there over the years but am looking forward to see them from a more modern football facility in the near term.  Good things happening out in T.O.

[snoop dawg]

I don't see anything wrong with a kid being influenced by facilities.  If he is going to be working his tail off both athletically and academically for 4 to 5 years, why not pick a school with good facilities.  I agree that isn't the only reason to pick a school but if two schools are fairly equal in all other respects, I  wouldn't blame a kid for picking the school with the nicer facilities.

I think the new stadium will significantly help CLU pick up local talent from the talent rich area it is located in.

[jdD3FBfan]

I don't see anything wrong with a kid being influenced by facilities.  If he is going to be working his tail off both athletically and academically for 4 to 5 years, why not pick a school with good facilities.  I agree that isn't the only reason to pick a school but if two schools are fairly equal in all other respects, I  wouldn't blame a kid for picking the school with the nicer facilities.

I think the new stadium will significantly help CLU pick up local talent from the talent rich area it is located in.

I guess what I was getting at is CLU has a crappy facility but the Championship Football Team, and Chapman has a Championship Facility, but.... not a Championship football team (I know you thought I was going to say Crappy football team, but that is not my style; nor do I think that!).  The building does not make the program!  Hopefully someday everyone will have upgraded football stadiums.....................

[snoop dawg]

"The building does not make the program! "

Absolutely correct......however it does help recruiting which helps build or maintain the program. 

[Gray Fox]

"The building does not make the program! "

Absolutely correct......however it does help recruiting which helps build or maintain the program. 

You could be talking about the USC song girls.

[snoop dawg]

if I were a recruit of USC.......they could seal the deal.

[D O.C.]

Don't they actually still have mediocre facilities? No, don't mean the Coliseum.

[wildcat11]

Snoop,

Saw this in the LA Daily News:

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_14474990

In other football news, Matt Wabby, a top quarterback at Pierce College who played at Crespi, is leaning toward signing with Div. III power Mount Union in Ohio.

"We have a bunch of D-II offers, but I think with the D-III schools Matt can get a better education," said Wabby's father, Walt. "At Mount Union, he would get a chance to play for a national championship."

Tough decision...since I'm sure Mount probably has arms in the system already.  Do you think he can start as an incoming transfer? 

[OxyBob]

"We have a bunch of D-II offers, but I think with the D-III schools Matt can get a better education," said Wabby's father, Walt. "At Mount Union, he would get a chance to play for a national championship."

Tough decision...since I'm sure Mount probably has arms in the system already.  Do you think he can start as an incoming transfer? 

Every SCIAC school has higher admission and academic standards than Mount Union. Good football team, though, from what I have gathered.

OxyBob

[snoop dawg]

Wc11.  That's a loaded question if there ever was one. He will have a better idea after visiting and meeting with the coahes. He will be going back when the weather breaks. He has a couple others to visit too.

:e is going to visit a couple d2's also.

I was surprised to see that in the paper. I was at a Crespi basketball game and the reporter asked me what Matt's options were. I had no idea it would end up in the paper.