[Purple Haize]

We don't have prestige, a winning heritage or a huge tv market. What do we offer?

Brand spanking new state of the art facilities and our own mountain!

We even have our name (well initials) on it!

[SumItUp]

http://www.thevandalnation.com/?p=8584

[Cider Jim]

That's a fair point. The fact ASU's program averages nearly 30,000 for home games is a big reason for their invite. And the reason they average nearly 30,000 is because there is nothing else to do in Boone, NC.

FIFY

[ATrain]

That's a fair point. The fact ASU's program averages nearly 30,000 for home games is a big reason for their invite. And the reason they average nearly 30,000 is because there is nothing else to do in Boone, NC.

FIFY

Until recently there wasn't much else to do in Lynchburg either and we never got to 30,000/average

[TH Spangler]

That's a fair point. The fact ASU's program averages nearly 30,000 for home games is a big reason for their invite. And the reason they average nearly 30,000 is because there is nothing else to do in Boone, NC.

FIFY

Until recently there wasn't much else to do in Lynchburg either and we never got to 30,000/average

I noticed APP State had 23,000 last weekend. I work with some hardcore APP fans and they are no longer willing to make the long drive up to Boone to watch this years team.

[SumItUp]

NCAA reported attendance App vs. LU

2012 - 26,358......16,318
2011 - 26,211......16,419
2010 - 25,715......14,630
2009 - 24,004......14,931
2008 - 25,161......13,147
2007 - 24,218......14,190
2006 - 20,546......11,128
2005 - 17,917......5,419
2004 - unavailable
2003 - 14,661...... 6,504
2002 - 12,586...... 7,102
2001 - 10,030......7,331
2000 - 13,016......7,335
1999 - 18,355......7,760
1998 - 14,916......10,252
1997 - 12,264......8,061

[TH Spangler]

NCAA reported attendance App vs. LU

2012 - 26,358......16,318

This year maybe APP State 23,200, LU 17,200? Like some pointed out we need a better home schedule .... and we could catch them. I'm looking forward to seeing their figures next season, in the Sun Belt. Will the move put more fans in the stands? What would another losing season do?

[adam42381]

App is averaging 25,815 this year. That may end up dropping over their last 2 home games.

[TH Spangler]

App is averaging 25,815 this year. That may end up dropping over their last 2 home games.

How will they grow attendance going forward. I think they maxed out while winning FCS championships. As one of "many" NC state schools, I don't see the number of students increasing much. Unless they start winning the Sun Belt Championship every year I think they've peaked. Like someone said, Boone is in the middle of no where. A lot of their fans drive 125-150 miles every week, from Charlotte and Greensboro/Winston Salem.

[LUminary]

I noticed APP State had 23,000 last weekend. I work with some hardcore APP fans and they are no longer willing to make the long drive up to Boone to watch this years team.

1-6 will do that.

[SuperJon]

App will always have students. Their enrollment will never falter.

[TH Spangler]

App will always have students. Their enrollment will never falter.

But will enrollment grow? And will people continue to drive from so far away if they go 5 and 5 every year. They get 28000 when they win 10 games a season.

[SumItUp]

They'll have 25,000 regardless of how they do. App State fans are App State fans first, other schools second. They're not like a lot of Liberty grads who would rather go see their #1 school before coming to Liberty.

It has not always been that way, but good for them that it is now. We will see the same transition in the future.

[SuperJon]

App, and ECU for that matter, are enigmas. Hickory to Raleigh is ACC country. West of Hickory and east of Raleigh it's split. Those schools have large, passionate fan bases.

[adam42381]

App, and ECU for that matter, are enigmas. Hickory to Raleigh is ACC country. West of Hickory and east of Raleigh it's split. Those schools have large, passionate fan bases.

This.

[LUalumfromnc]

Appy State can hold up to 32,000 people, their football team has been around since 1928, and they do not have any one judging them because of Christian as well as conservative views.

LU can hold 19,000 people, our football team has been around since 1973, and we have people judging us because of Christian as well as conservative views.

[LUalumfromnc]

Unfortunately we are going to not be chosen and someone else will because people will be judging us because of Christian as well as conservative views. WE ARE THE ONLY UNIVERSITY THAT STILL HAS ROOM TO GROW!!!!

[SuperJon]

I'm only posting cause I wanted the 7000 post.

[Purple Haize]

I'm only posting cause I wanted the 7000 post.

You're a true Posting Fan!

[flamehunter]

I'm only posting cause I wanted the 7000 post.

Too bad you were 7001.

[01LUGrad]

I'm with Atrain (so to speak...) in the fact that I wore a Liberty uniform at one point. That is why I follow other teams (ND in football and IU in basketball), but I am a Liberty fan first and foremost... and it isn't even close.

Also, if you want to read about realignment, you are on the wrong school's message board.
Yes, I went there.

[Sly Fox]

Let's keep the realignment talk here and the discussion about your personal allegiances to the thread in General Sports.

[TH Spangler]

Here are the Sun Belt attendance numbers so far this seson.

Arkansas State
Liberty Bank Stadium (30,964) 26,398 85.3% Full

Florida Atlantic
FAU Stadium (30,000) 13,459 44.9% Full

Florida International
FIU Stadium (23,500) 13,634 58.0% Full

Louisiana–Lafayette
Cajun Field (31,000) 22,865 73.8% Full

Louisiana–Monroe
Malone Stadium (30,427) 19,359 63.6% Full

Middle Tennessee
Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium (30,788) 7,738 57.6% Full

North Texas
Apogee Stadium (30,850) 18,927 61.4% Full

South Alabama
Ladd Peebles Stadium (33,471) 16,793 50.2% Full

Troy
Veterans Memorial Stadium (30,000) 20,952 69.8% Full

Western Kentucky
Houchens Industries – L. T. Smith Stadium (22,000) 17,415 79.2% Full

[TH Spangler]

JMU link .... http://businessofcollegesports.com/2013 ... ve-to-fbs/

JMU Physics professor Kevin Giovanetti said that JMU might be hurting themselves by moving into a tougher athletic conferences in the FBS.

“I think the secret of getting funding with the athletics program is success,” he said. “If you move into a tougher arena, your success deteriorates significantly, causing what I would say is a step back from some of the community interest.”

[TH Spangler]

Here's where I got the sun belt numbers ..... some of the app state fans are beginning to question their move.

Some quotes

"It's interesting that we have been averaging over our seating capacity the last several years and every single Saturday wasn't beautiful weather. I just hope that all the seats were sold today whether the buyers showed up or not. Going forward, we are going to need every single red cent we can get."

"During the Sunbelt press conference, Peacock and Cobb promised a Sunbelt move would not be financed on the backs of students or program cuts, correct? We are a big time hot mess."

"I was part of the 17,000 or so in attendance today. Keep drinking the kool-aid friend."

"The 18,000 tally doesn't bother me. It was all the people leaving when the game was still tied at 21-21 and 28-28."

http://www.yosefscabin.com/forum/viewto ... f=4&t=3622

ODU is the on the right course, I'm not sure about App State. I think JMU is probability watching this closely.