Average Attendance

[RUChoppin]

With the announcement that tomorrow's game is a sellout, that will bring the average attendance figure for the season to 6240. That's a 31% increase over last year's 4759, and the highest it's been since 2004-05.

It's the 5th highest average in the last 25 years, and the 7th highest since the RAC opened.

Top 10 years since the RAC opened (avg. attendance):
7526 - 1998-99 Bannon (19-13, BE NIT)
7188 - 1999-00 Bannon (15-16, BE NIT)
7118 - 1990-91 Wenzel (19-10 A10, NCAA)
6808 - 2004-05 Waters (10-19 BE)
6722 - 1989-90 Wenzel (18-17 A10, NIT)
6527 - 2002-03 Waters (12-16 BE)
6240 - 2018-19 Pikiell (14-14 B1G)
6202 - 2003-04 Waters (20-13 BE, NIT)
6107 - 1997-98 Bannon (14-15 BE)
6107 - 1977-78 Young (24-7 EAA, NIT

Given the energy around this year and the young core of players returning for next year, I'm sure that will fill even more seats in 2019-20.

 

[Local Shill]

It's a great improvement but if we're being honest there have been a lot of discounted tickets and freebies.

I'll give you an example. I paid full price for tickets for FDU, St. John's and Boston U but I used the Black Friday half-price promotion to buy tickets for Maryland, Ohio State, Northwestern, Indiana and Michigan. Then I got free tickets for Minnesota and Penn State for being a football season ticket holder. So I got tickets to 10 games but only paid for the equivalent of 5 1/2 game.

I get it - from a fan's perspective all that matters is butts in seats but RU needs to sell more full price tickets to move the needle financially.

 

[RU-ROCS]

With the announcement that tomorrow's game is a sellout, that will bring the average attendance figure for the season to 6240. That's a 31% increase over last year's 4759, and the highest it's been since 2004-05.

It's the 5th highest average in the last 25 years, and the 7th highest since the RAC opened.

Top 10 years since the RAC opened (avg. attendance):
7526 - 1998-99 Bannon (19-13, BE NIT)
7188 - 1999-00 Bannon (15-16, BE NIT)
7118 - 1990-91 Wenzel (19-10 A10, NCAA)
6808 - 2004-05 Waters (10-19 BE)
6722 - 1989-90 Wenzel (18-17 A10, NIT)
6527 - 2002-03 Waters (12-16 BE)
6240 - 2018-19 Pikiell (14-14 B1G)
6202 - 2003-04 Waters (20-13 BE, NIT)
6107 - 1997-98 Bannon (14-15 BE)
6107 - 1977-78 Young (24-7 EAA, NIT

Given the energy around this year and the young core of players returning for next year, I'm sure that will fill even more seats in 2019-20.

A very positive and welcome trend for sure, but still pathetic by Big 10 standards!

 

[kcg88]

We had home games against FDU, Drexel, Boston U, Eastern Michigan, Columbia, and Maine

 

[Local Shill]

We had home games against FDU, Drexel, Boston U, Eastern Michigan, Columbia, and Maine

Good point. Next year, we'll have Seton Hall and the ACC-Big Ten Challenge at home and hopefully at least one other non-conference game against a major opponent. Averaging 7K is not out of the question at all.

 

[CranfordKnight]

It's a great improvement but if we're being honest there have been a lot of discounted tickets and freebies.

I'll give you an example. I paid full price for tickets for FDU, St. John's and Boston U but I used the Black Friday half-price promotion to buy tickets for Maryland, Ohio State, Northwestern, Indiana and Michigan. Then I got free tickets for Minnesota and Penn State for being a football season ticket holder. So I got tickets to 10 games but only paid for the equivalent of 5 1/2 game.

I get it - from a fan's perspective all that matters is butts in seats but RU needs to sell more full price tickets to move the needle financially.

They are selling more tickets. Unless you are claiming the only increase is solely due to more discounts/giveaways.

 

[DHajekRC84]

A very positive and welcome trend for sure, but still pathetic by Big 10 standards!

Which I think is hurt by the lack of lower level seats those round configurations or schools that gave a 2nd 1500 person end court.

To get that last 1000 fans they need to buy way up in the corners.

Not complaining. Love the RAC but at some point we need it expanded. This years results certainly won't hurt that cause!

 

[DHajekRC84]

With the announcement that tomorrow's game is a sellout, that will bring the average attendance figure for the season to 6240. That's a 31% increase over last year's 4759, and the highest it's been since 2004-05.

It's the 5th highest average in the last 25 years, and the 7th highest since the RAC opened.

Top 10 years since the RAC opened (avg. attendance):
7526 - 1998-99 Bannon (19-13, BE NIT)
7188 - 1999-00 Bannon (15-16, BE NIT)
7118 - 1990-91 Wenzel (19-10 A10, NCAA)
6808 - 2004-05 Waters (10-19 BE)
6722 - 1989-90 Wenzel (18-17 A10, NIT)
6527 - 2002-03 Waters (12-16 BE)
6240 - 2018-19 Pikiell (14-14 B1G)
6202 - 2003-04 Waters (20-13 BE, NIT)
6107 - 1997-98 Bannon (14-15 BE)
6107 - 1977-78 Young (24-7 EAA, NIT

Given the energy around this year and the young core of players returning for next year, I'm sure that will fill even more seats in 2019-20.

Freaking Bannon had it going ..dope.

Long way back, but finally.

This 30% mentioned on BTN interview. That's pretty big. Discounts or not.

 

[bowlgoal]

I make every home game and that requires me to leave NYC early which I'm sure not everyone can do. The 7:00pm starts make that even more difficult. I love college ball and don't care who we are playing. I think winning is a big part and maybe as more NJ kids stay home like PM, that could attract more fans. The program has gotten better and better each year under Pikiell so next year should be rocking at the RAC.

 

[Degaz-RU]

With the announcement that tomorrow's game is a sellout, that will bring the average attendance figure for the season to 6240. That's a 31% increase over last year's 4759, and the highest it's been since 2004-05.

It's the 5th highest average in the last 25 years, and the 7th highest since the RAC opened.

Top 10 years since the RAC opened (avg. attendance):
7526 - 1998-99 Bannon (19-13, BE NIT)
7188 - 1999-00 Bannon (15-16, BE NIT)
7118 - 1990-91 Wenzel (19-10 A10, NCAA)
6808 - 2004-05 Waters (10-19 BE)
6722 - 1989-90 Wenzel (18-17 A10, NIT)
6527 - 2002-03 Waters (12-16 BE)
6240 - 2018-19 Pikiell (14-14 B1G)
6202 - 2003-04 Waters (20-13 BE, NIT)
6107 - 1997-98 Bannon (14-15 BE)
6107 - 1977-78 Young (24-7 EAA, NIT

Given the energy around this year and the young core of players returning for next year, I'm sure that will fill even more seats in 2019-20.

Coming off 13 straight losing seasons, it's downright AMAZING that Pike has generated enough interest in this previously-moribund program to the point where average attendance is the 7th highest ever -- even if some of that is from freebies.

Side note -- how the heck did attendance DROP by so much in 1999-2000 after Bannon went 19-13 (and had us on the cusp of an NCAA tourney bid) the previous year?!

 

[bac2therac]

because 99-2000 was a disappointment it only dropped 400

 

[DHajekRC84]

Would have been a great year to bring back those pre game buffets they used to have in corner next to student section.

With beer sales next year I would hope they set up some pre game entertainment area and a bball version of Audi club .

 

[RUChoppin]

We had home games against FDU, Drexel, Boston U, Eastern Michigan, Columbia, and Maine

Average across those games was still 4979... which is higher than the season average for the last 3 years. The lowest was Drexel at 4214, and the highest was (amazingly) Maine at 5401.

Conference average this year was 6910... the lowest was Nebraska at 5022, coming off of 3 straight losses without Omoruyi.

The last four games have averaged 7818 (PSU 8000, Minnesota 7270, Iowa 8000, Michigan 8000)

 

[kcg88]

Average across those games was still 4979... which is higher than the season average for the last 3 years. The lowest was Drexel at 4214, and the highest was (amazingly) Maine at 5401.

Conference average this year was 6910... the lowest was Nebraska at 5022, coming off of 3 straight losses without Omoruyi.

The last four games have averaged 7818 (PSU 8000, Minnesota 7270, Iowa 8000, Michigan 8000)

I wonder what the Big Ten-only numbers are for each team. Also what they'd be like as a percentage of capacity.

 

[Skull83]

Really interesting OP, some of those season averages were surprising. I would have thought there would have been some higher averages in the late 70's and throughout the 80's. Really surprised the 82-83 team with Roy Hinson, the last year we actually won a game in the NCAA tournament, didn't even crack the top 10. I remember sitting in the last row of the 300's for a couple of games that year.

I'm also amused by people saying we have to do more to sell tickets, worrying about freebies, etc. There are three primary factors that drive attendance: winning, winning and, of course, winning. We're just seeing the tip of the iceberg this year, if things continue to progress as I think they will, attendance will cease to be a concern.

 

[rubaseball78]

Its been 14 years since we had attendance in the top 10 of our average attendance rankings and a bunch of you guys are pissing on that improvement. Go figure.

 

[Rutgers25]

Which I think is hurt by the lack of lower level seats those round configurations or schools that gave a 2nd 1500 person end court.

To get that last 1000 fans they need to buy way up in the corners.

Not complaining. Love the RAC but at some point we need it expanded. This years results certainly won't hurt that cause!

Agree completely. We’re capped for our less desirable games due to this issue. Really wish we had a 2nd large endcourt section. Also, architects made a mistake by not having a few more rows in lower level prime seats.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

This is really important.

 

[RUChoppin]

Really interesting OP, some of those season averages were surprising. I would have thought there would have been some higher averages in the late 70's and throughout the 80's. Really surprised the 82-83 team with Roy Hinson, the last year we actually won a game in the NCAA tournament, didn't even crack the top 10. I remember sitting in the last row of the 300's for a couple of games that year.

I'm also amused by people saying we have to do more to sell tickets, worrying about freebies, etc. There are three primary factors that drive attendance: winning, winning and, of course, winning. We're just seeing the tip of the iceberg this year, if things continue to progress as I think they will, attendance will cease to be a concern.

1982-83 was 5596, good for 19th.

The NCAA data only goes back to 1977-78, which coincidentally is when the RAC opened.

Here are the average attendance figures by coach, with their high/low water marks, and years coaching

5399 - Young (4805-6107, 8 years of data available)
3308 - Littlepage (3018-3598, 3 years)
5351 - Wenzel (3285-7118, 8 years)
6596 - Bannon (5563-7526, 4 years)
6104 - Waters (5802-6808, 5 years)
5133 - Hill Jr (4667-5453, 4 years)
5295 - Rice (4922-5602, 3 years)
4949 - Jordan (4425-5770, 3 years)
5226 - Pikiell (4679-6240, 3 years)

 

[RUChoppin]

There are three primary factors that drive attendance: winning, winning and, of course, winning. We're just seeing the tip of the iceberg this year, if things continue to progress as I think they will, attendance will cease to be a concern.

Interesting to note that we averaged 6808 in 2004-05, when we finished 10-19 (2-14). We were coming off an NIT Finals season and Douby was just really fun to watch as a sophomore - even if we weren't notching wins.

We also averaged 6527 in 2002-3, when we went 12-16 (4-12). But again, it was a fun team to watch coming off an NIT season.

Winning is really important - but delivering a product that's fun, that people want to watch, is also really important. Waters did that, and I think Pikiell is starting to do it too.

 

[Skull83]

Interesting to note that we averaged 6808 in 2004-05, when we finished 10-19 (2-14). We were coming off an NIT Finals season and Douby was just really fun to watch as a sophomore - even if we weren't notching wins.

We also averaged 6527 in 2002-3, when we went 12-16 (4-12). But again, it was a fun team to watch coming off an NIT season.

Winning is really important - but delivering a product that's fun, that people want to watch, is also really important. Waters did that, and I think Pikiell is starting to do it too.

Thanks RU Choppin, perhaps I should have said "product on the court" rather than winning :) But I think the two are really related - the fun team to watch will only stay fun to watch if it wins - there may be an occasional honeymoon period, but if it isn't followed up with wins it will eventually pass. During the Waters era it felt like we at least had a chance to win just about any game at the RAC, that was a big part of the fun - there was hope. Ultimately, the only way to consistently put bodies in the seats on a long term basis is to have a culture of winning - the hardcore fans like me will always be there, I've been a season ticket holder for 30 years - to attract the casual fan and ultimately to build the fan base you have to win - there's no other secret recipe or magic solution - in the words of Al Davis, just win baby!

I just want to add that I think we are finally on our way to doing just that!

 

[Scarlet Shack]

7000-7500 next year ... buyod by full season ticket sales

There’s a lot of Rutgers fans we used to have season tickets that are just been waiting for decent product to get back in

There is trust in this staff

 

[BoroKnight]

It's interesting how small our fan base was back during our best period. When the RAC was opened, 9,000 (it used to be that much) was too big for us, and we were damn good. I know there are reasons for that, but it does tell you a lot, including that a lot of folks did not grow up as Rutgers fans and it's just not in their blood. (Again, we know some reasons, but still.)

 

[ruman]

It's interesting how small our fan base was back during our best period. When the RAC was opened, 9,000 (it used to be that much) was too big for us, and we were damn good. I know there are reasons for that, but it does tell you a lot, including that a lot of folks did not grow up as Rutgers fans and it's just not in their blood. (Again, we know some reasons, but still.)

We didn't join the big east - it set our program back 20 years

 

[rsutton86]

It's interesting how small our fan base was back during our best period. When the RAC was opened, 9,000 (it used to be that much) was too big for us, and we were damn good. I know there are reasons for that, but it does tell you a lot, including that a lot of folks did not grow up as Rutgers fans and it's just not in their blood. (Again, we know some reasons, but still.)

I’m not familiar with the RAC history. How did we lose 1000 seats?

 

[RUChoppin]

The highest attendance I can find is 8,729 when RU beat SHU 66-60 in February 2002. Then in December 2007, we lost to UNC in front of 8,312 fans.

So, there was definitely more capacity - I know reconfiguring the section behind the basket removed some seats, but not 700+. Anyone have a history on that? Or did they just allow more people in than there were seats?

 

[Rutgers25]

I’m not familiar with the RAC history. How did we lose 1000 seats?

Combination of fire code and converting seats in the 100s from quasi bleacher like seats to actual seats. ...and more recently removing seats in 118 and taking out the first few rows of student section

 

[Local Shill]

The 100 level seats on the team benches side of the building used to be just like the “seats” in the 300 level - except they were red instead of brown. So there was more seating in what was then just sections 112 114 and 116. That accounts for part of the difference but maybe not all.

 

[Sideline20]

The 100 level seats on the team benches side of the building used to be just like the “seats” in the 300 level - except they were red instead of brown. So there was more seating in what was then just sections 112 114 and 116. That accounts for part of the difference but maybe not all.

The change from the bench seats (like the 300's) in the 100 level to the individual seats reduced the capacity by 800 if I recall correctly. The other 200 is probably the loss of the first 2 rows of the student section.

 

[Rutgers25]

The change from the bench seats (like the 300's) in the 100 level to the individual seats reduced the capacity by 800 if I recall correctly. The other 200 is probably the loss of the first 2 rows of the student section.

Pretty sure that fire code reduced it from 9000 to 8500

 

[Scarlet Shack]

The capacity used to be a smudge under 9000. When the lower 100 level was made seat back from benches ...we lost 600-700 seats

We lost a couple of hundred changing 118

And lost a few more when the student section was redone a couple of years ago

The big loss was the chair back seats in the 100. Level

Sell out used to be around high 8000s

Rutgers 1982 upset over 6th ranked West Virginia was largest crowd ever at 9,000

 

[Scarlet Shack]

The RAC could be made to hold 10,500 -11,000 again by finishing the two end zones, most specifically the end zone with the main concourse ...by expanding the building outward

That’s what we need ...with a ncaa Tournament program ...no need for more than that

 

[goru7]

With the announcement that tomorrow's game is a sellout, that will bring the average attendance figure for the season to 6240. That's a 31% increase over last year's 4759, and the highest it's been since 2004-05.

It's the 5th highest average in the last 25 years, and the 7th highest since the RAC opened.

Top 10 years since the RAC opened (avg. attendance):
7526 - 1998-99 Bannon (19-13, BE NIT)
7188 - 1999-00 Bannon (15-16, BE NIT)
7118 - 1990-91 Wenzel (19-10 A10, NCAA)
6808 - 2004-05 Waters (10-19 BE)
6722 - 1989-90 Wenzel (18-17 A10, NIT)
6527 - 2002-03 Waters (12-16 BE)
6240 - 2018-19 Pikiell (14-14 B1G)
6202 - 2003-04 Waters (20-13 BE, NIT)
6107 - 1997-98 Bannon (14-15 BE)
6107 - 1977-78 Young (24-7 EAA, NIT

Given the energy around this year and the young core of players returning for next year, I'm sure that will fill even more seats in 2019-20.

The RAC used to hold 9000 in the late 70’s and early 80’s until the fire marshals issued violations since capacity was exceeded. Then the renovation of the lower tier took out more seats. The Penn State game for the A-10 championship had over 9000 in the house and the loudest the place ever was.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

The RAC used to hold 9000 in the late 70’s and early 80’s until the fire marshals issued violations since capacity was exceeded. Then the renovation of the lower tier took out more seats. The Penn State game for the A-10 championship had over 9000 in the house and the loudest the place ever was.

Goru7

That is incorrect ...the RAC was limited to 8,000 for the RU-PSU in 1989 because of the fire marshal set the official capacity at 8,000.
There a lot more than that in the house that day because there were students that snuck in ...but only 8,000 tickets were distributed

The things that needed to be done to correct the violations were fixed in the off-season and the next season the capacity was restored to the 8,700 number

 

[ruman]

7000-7500 next year ... buyod by full season ticket sales

There’s a lot of Rutgers fans we used to have season tickets that are just been waiting for decent product to get back in

There is trust in this staff

I

The highest attendance I can find is 8,729 when RU beat SHU 66-60 in February 2002. Then in December 2007, we lost to UNC in front of 8,312 fans.

So, there was definitely more capacity - I know reconfiguring the section behind the basket removed some seats, but not 700+. Anyone have a history on that? Or did they just allow more people in than there were seats?

WVU in 1982 would have been 9000

 

[Scarlet Shack]

I

WVU in 1982 would have been 9000

That is correct

 

[goru7]

Goru7

That is incorrect ...the RAC was limited to 8,000 for the RU-PSU in 1989 because of the fire marshal set the official capacity at 8,000.
There a lot more than that in the house that day because there were students that snuck in ...but only 8,000 tickets were distributed

The things that needed to be done to correct the violations were fixed in the off-season and the next season the capacity was restored to the 8,700 number

You might have been right as I seem to remember capacity being announced at that 8700 figure but there is no way there was only 8000 in for the Penn State game . I must be thinking late 70’s when Syracuse came in and there was like 9100 in the house with standing room. Also, Larry Bird’s NIT game was also a sellout and well over 9000.

 

[80RU]

It's a great improvement but if we're being honest there have been a lot of discounted tickets and freebies.

I'll give you an example. I paid full price for tickets for FDU, St. John's and Boston U but I used the Black Friday half-price promotion to buy tickets for Maryland, Ohio State, Northwestern, Indiana and Michigan. Then I got free tickets for Minnesota and Penn State for being a football season ticket holder. So I got tickets to 10 games but only paid for the equivalent of 5 1/2 game.

I get it - from a fan's perspective all that matters is butts in seats but RU needs to sell more full price tickets to move the needle financially.

You got basketball tickets for Penn State and Minnesota for being a football season ticket holder? I wonder how come I did not get that.

 

[e5fdny]

The RAC could be made to hold 10,500 -11,000 again by finishing the two end zones, most specifically the end zone with the main concourse ...by expanding the building outward

That’s what we need ...with a ncaa Tournament program ...no need for more than that

Agree.

More than enough.

 

[Local Shill]

You got basketball tickets for Penn State and Minnesota for being a football season ticket holder? I wonder how come I did not get that.

Yes. They sent an email in late January.