Posted by DallasBuff on August 15, 2007 at 8:50 p.m.

It is pathetic....I live in the middle of a hotbed of Texas and Oklahoma fans, sprinkled with Texas Tech, A&M, Baylor, and Okie State. I was in Boulder two weeks ago.....Good God....What a difference is Boulder vs. this place? How can CU alumi not go nuts over CU football? This place sucks, but yet, fans here are wild about their schools.

I agree with you, Kyle. Let's get behind our Buffs. I will drive 13 hours to see games. I have emailed Mike Bohn about tapping into people like me...CU folks who want to support the program. Look at UT. They were in a place similar to CU ten years ago. They turned it all around by tapping into their alumni. We need to do the same.

Posted by pbbuff311 on August 15, 2007 at 9:05 p.m.

well said kyle. our fan base really does need some work. if we are to be a first rate program then we need first rate fans. denver is one of the premier sports markets in the nation, the fact that we cant sell out a 50k capacity stadium every game is a disgrace. i think bohn can change things around. unlike tharpe who spent his days counting his liquor mart money, bohn is engaged in the community, most importantly, he is engaging the youth market. we need to embrace the student body, they are a vital element of the fan base. cu needs to encourage tail gating, and make the game day expirience great from the moment fans come into boulder. what a better way to spend a colorado fall day than with football in boulder. anyone who is reading this, students, alumni, staff or just sports fans, or even just fans of fun. please please please go see a game or 2 in boulder this fall. you wont be disapointed.

Posted by f8toblack on August 16, 2007 at 4:37 a.m.

I live in NYC and I would give a limb to have the chance to go to every home game this year. It's unbelievable that fans in the same city or state as the team take it so much for granted!

Posted by rnorthro14 on August 16, 2007 at 5:40 a.m.

This just makes me sick.

Even if CU returns to winning ways, are there enough people ready to care about the Buffs to fill the stands? I know everyone in the region has their heads so far up the Broncos' butts but come on, this is college football which is so much more exciting!

Posted by jbrowne on August 16, 2007 at 8:40 a.m.

"There are $2 million people living between Fort Collins and Colorado Springs . . ."

Before you take the cliched cheap shot at Nebraska, you might want to proofread.

Just a suggestion.

Posted by flybuff on August 16, 2007 at 8:50 a.m.

It all starts with the fact the most of CU's alum are from California or Texas. Students support the team when they are going to school here, but once they leave they go back to supporting their hometown team. Also, Boulder has a lot to offer besides football, unike Nebraska, Texas, and Oklahoma. The type of people living in this state is another reason we don't have a ton of support. They like going out and enjoying nature and crap like that, and they aren't the pot bellied drunk hick who lives and dies by football. I agree we do need more support, but the only fix to that is by winning consistently.

Posted by phatmack on August 16, 2007 at 8:59 a.m.

Agreed. CU needs our support. Its amazing what Folsom Field, filled to the brim, does for our Buffs on game day.

...I just bought my season tix and will be encouraging all of my friends to do the same. GO BUFFS!

Posted by HBuff on August 16, 2007 at 9:25 a.m.

You want more support? CU might consider (if it is ever a possibility again) to change conference affiliations. Sports teams along the entire front range region look west for their opponents (AFC West, NL West, Northwest Conference, Mountain West...). CU looks east - as in the opposite direction of where their alumni are from, like to live and enjoy traveling to.

Beyond that - there is no secret formula to CU support. It begins and ends with winning. If CU wins, the fans will come. It's a reality of many programs (ahem) to our west (you know, those other places that aren't in the middle of nowhere), but of course, in the shadow of our conference foes to the east, it's unheard of.

Posted by buffalo_flyer on August 16, 2007 at 10:21 a.m.

I'm sure there are alot of students who can't afford tickets. And there are alot of alum who can but cannot make the games.

Isn't there some way to start a sponsor-a-fan program where I buy a season ticket and know its going to a Buff who wants to go to the game but can't afford it?

Lets think outside the box

Posted by RWE on August 16, 2007 at 10:34 a.m.

I agree, there are factors here to consider about the population. My take on the fan support for CU is that a lot of the students, and subsequently alumni, are from out of state. After graduation, they leave. People who live far away tend to be less invested than those who are local. Also, many of the students at CU come from privileged, wealthy families. I think in general people like that take the, 'what have you done for ME' attitude. So without wins, they're less likely to pay attention or donate. Then you have the residents of Boulder (myself included); you have the outdoor types as flybuff mentioned, and the overall hippie and pseudo-intellectual atmosphere of the town itself, where people are less likely to be interested in football on the whole. On top of that, you have the 'high-tech' demographic that has boomed in the surrounding cities in recent years, yes, increasing the population (and housing costs) everywhere, but those folks may not have any connection to CU at all, and may or may not have any interest in football. So if we assume that a fair amount of the residents who live close to the university either aren't interested, or aren't interested unless CU wins, that leaves the people in the further outlying areas. For them you also have the 'competition' of the Broncos and CSU. Cost could be a factor as well. I mean, I know it's not cheap at some other schools, but I think if you add it up, for a lot of people, especially families, who might want to come to games but don't live close and/or don't have a lot of disposable income, the ticket prices, parking, food, (and hassle of the commute), etc., might play into things. OK, there are definitely enough people out in surrounding areas to fill the seats. The thing is CU needs to find ways to be more accommodating and attractive to those people that are potential fans and supporters. I don’t think the team necessarily has to win all their games to do that (couldn't hurt of course), but CU needs to do something to get those people interested and excited about the team. I'm sure a lot of people are on the fence, or not even thinking about coming to games. How about offering some cheaper family packs and multi-game packs? Free parking? And get the word out about it too. I see a commercial on TV every now and then, but not enough, and I don't think they'd get me going if I wasn't really thinking about buying tickets. The ads usually just say things like, 'tickets available', and 'come and watch another exciting season', etc., etc. How about more shots of kids and families in the stands, and maybe some sound-bytes and 'interviews' with some average joes and families about what a great time it is to come to the games. Maybe have some more events before, during, or after the game that people could enjoy. For instance, that 'fireworks game' (New Mexico State?) a couple of years ago was AWESOME.

Posted by Black_Rob on August 16, 2007 at 10:44 a.m.

If I lived in CO, I would go to every game I possibly could. I love the Donkeys, but I'd rather see the Buffs any day.

Posted by jerade11 on August 16, 2007 at 11:11 a.m.

Tail gating needs to be the "in thing" to do! I use to go to Michigan State games and the best part was tailgating (State's record is not that great but the stands are usually filled). I was able to go to a CU game last year and tail gated but it was a small event. Nice because the soccer team came by so it got more fun than just football.

Posted by localbuff on August 16, 2007 at 12:14 p.m.

First off, this is hardly a new development.

Second, we know that if you are a fan that lives out of state and are actually on this message board - of course you would go to the games! For those people, either move back here or shut up about it! (or buy a ticket and mail it to someone local if you are so devoted).

But really, I don't see any comment here that really hits on the reason behind the lack of ticket sales. The closest was "RWE", but as much as he wrote he still didn't quite get it.

The REASON the ticket sales are so light is because the support is so small from the citizens of Colroado that reside outside of Boulder. Denver is a great pro-sports town, but most Denver residents are not supportive of college sports, and more to the point, are extremely anti-CU. They don't support CU athtletics, they don't even support the university. Ask yourselves if there is another state where the overall population is so against their own state university. There isn't. Denver fans flock in droves to see pro sports teams. But they ignore college athletics - Why? Because they don't like, or identify with Boulder - which is a total cop-out, but true. CU football gets plenty of support from Boulder residents, but Boulder is only 100,000 people. If even 1% of the millions of people in the Denver area supported the CU football team these games would be sold out.

That is Bohn's challenge - to break down that barrier that has Denver sports fans continuing to shun CU atheltics, while seemingly attending and supporting all sorts of different pro sports/venues, etc. It's part of the state culture outside of Boulder - "Boulder sucks, CU's lame". Change that perception and you'll see a football program that will start to resemble the programs at other state universities.

Posted by halluxvalgus on August 16, 2007 at 2:27 p.m.

I disagree that the University should work harder to tap into out of state alumni.

First- there's legislation in place that requires half of CU' student body to come from in state, so "most" alumni aren't from CA or Texas. Second, if an out of state fan was interested enough to take on the expense of coming to games, I doubt a well thought out email campaign would get the job done. Out of state fans will go when they can, or will support the athletic department and university when they have the resources.

The problem as I see it is, even among student fans, most aren't interested in the games themselves. They just like drinking with their friends.

I live in LA, and count probably 20 CU alumni among my friends here. About half of them went to games. We're going to the ASU game- 2 of us. Most people just don't care.

I've got to agree with localbuff above- the majority of Colorado just doesn't identify with the People's Republic of Boulder. An added bonus of increased fan support would be better bowl games. Everyone knows that CU doesn't travel, so we get stuck in crap bowls. Better bowls= more money.

Finally, can we get the numbers of away game sales? I'm interested to see how empty the visitor section will be in Tempe

Posted by jahbrahakala on August 16, 2007 at 2:27 p.m.

My take is that CU should follow simple supply and demand in Economics. With their wurrent pricing they may have figured out they make the most money this way (selling less, but more expensive tickets).

Otherwise... LOWER THE PRICES OF ALL SEATS until they get them selling out. This fills the seats, builds demand for the future. Then start gradually raising the seat prices until they start getting vacancies again. ( I think the volume of filling all seats, will improve profits over the current situation, but i might be wrong here)

For purposes of the Buffs alone, I vote for doing whatever is necessary to fill the seats for fan support.

Tickets are $5 - $10 too pricey in my opinion. More would show up if they were cheaper to get.

Posted by buffalotom on August 16, 2007 at 3:28 p.m.

Interested in helping to fill Folsom? Throw in $100 for the Ralphies's Kids program!

Posted by Dwight on August 16, 2007 at 9:01 p.m.

Wow, a cu writer takes a cheapshot at NU. What a shock. Typical buff-a-holer.

Posted by rswright on August 17, 2007 at 10:07 a.m.

At least Kyle says something which Cheerleader Neill won't admit. The problem lies with the fans or lack thereof and Kyle has the guts to say so. CU does not, never has had, nor ever will have the fan base to provide the funds necessary to pay for football and all the other sports.

Solution?
There is only one group with the money and the interest to succeed in football. The Regents.

The statistics are in. As Mike says "87% of Atheletic Departments are in debt". If the fans arent' there, then the Regents have to step in.

If all the regulars here would write to the Regents with the same passion and insight as they show in the blogs, the Regents will (in turn get more money from the State)spend more money on football.

Ready, set, write! (names and addresses the Regents are on Colorado.edu)

If you don't help Mike he will beat his head against the wall just so long and then move on to another University.

Posted by localbuff on August 17, 2007 at noon

In reply to "rswright". True, CU has an issue with the overall lack of funding to its athletic department, but that is not what Kyle's blog was about. He questioned the lack of fan support. While this does coincide with revenue needs, it is not the same thing. Your solution of writing to regents would NOT increase fan interest, nor does it address the concern of lack of ticket sales.

Your other statement is correct - "CU doesn't have the fan base". But the question is "why not?" As stated above several times - they do have the population base, but as I said in my original comment:...

Most of the state's population in Colorado does not support the state university. This is a problem that other state's and state universtities simply do not have. It's unique to Colorado and CU. Basically, with CU you have a wonderful NATIONAL univierstiy located in a state that is not all that crazy about the personalities and cultures of the rest of the country. East-coast, west-coast, a bit of Texas, Pacific NW, etc - all have assimilated in Boulder. It is mainly becuase of this cultural clash, that the many residents of Colorado outside of Boulder (easily enough to fill Folsom Feild on a regualr basis), continue to turn their backs on CU and CU athletics. In my opinion it is pathetic that they would feel that way, but that's the way it is.

Posted by phibuffa on August 17, 2007 at 1:08 p.m.

I live in Denver. I (and several of my Denver/CU alum friends)have season football tickets on the 50 yard line, 7 rows up.

To increase ticket sales:

1) Fill the stadium each week with "Ralphie's Kids" free tickets each week until we are able to sell tickets. (Better than an empty stadium and it makes Buffs out of these youngsters!)
2) Advertise and promote in Denver, and offer good transportation to Boulder on game day. (I almost never see any promotions in and around Denver, and People grip about the drive but do not want to take commericial bus)
3) Consider a one-time discount to Denverites who buy season tickets within a certain time period. (Tickets, with "Donation" portion, are pretty steep, so get people in for cheap and get them hooked).
4) Make the move to the PAC if the opportunity arises again. (Sorry, but the demographics (population, t.v., numbers of students who attend CU, etc) of the PAC just seem to far outweight those of the Big 12, outside of Texas, and the Texans will still come here for the skiing anyway).
5) Win more games. (People want to see a winner and when the crowds start coming, other people will not want to be left out).

Posted by buffalo_flyer on August 17, 2007 at 3:16 p.m.

The Ralphies Kids program sounds like a viable solution.

College ball kicks the crud out of the National dogFighter's League anyday of the week

Posted by oz_in_cali on August 18, 2007 at 3:33 p.m.

As one of those out-of-state alums who get slammed for lack of support, I want to say that I know of many people here in So. Cal. who make a point of getting out to Boulder for a game at least once a year. At an alumni event last Summer I personally witnessed an alum pony up thousands of dollars for tickets to the ASU game. I know this because I was outbid (as a teacher, I just don't have that kind of cash). But personally, I try to make at least one game a year, and if I can't make the game I buy tickets anyway and give them away.
With the exception of that business about a move to the PAC10, I like the ideas put forth by phibuffa. It might cost a little money to get going, but in the long run, empty seats and lack of fan support (whether percieved or real) are far more expensive.
GO BUFFS!