Home › Football
McCartney expects 50,000
'They better do it' former coach says of spring game
If you lied to former Colorado football coach Bill McCartney back in February, there is still time to right the wrong. McCartney challenged CU fans to fill Folsom Field with 50,000 strong for the annual spring game Saturday. He did so in February in front of a packed downtown Denver hotel ballroom stuffed with almost 1,600 fans at the football recruiting luncheon.
STORY TOOLS
More Football
- Web cams newest tool in recruiting
- Katoa to miss '08 season
- CU football, men's hoops fail APR for 2006-07
Share and Enjoy [?]
McCartney challenged CU fans to fill Folsom Field with 50,000 strong for the annual spring game Saturday. He did so in February in front of a packed downtown Denver hotel ballroom stuffed with almost 1,600 fans at the football recruiting luncheon.
During his speech that day, he asked fans to commit to bringing 50 friends each to the game. He asked those who were committed to stand up. One by one they rose. Perhaps they were foolish enough to believe the 67-year-old coach would forget their faces and disregard their vow.
"Sixteen-hundred people stood up and said they would bring 50 people," McCartney said early Monday afternoon. "They gave their word. I'm holding them to it.
"These are Buffs. I think we should get ready for a turn-away crowd. If they said they were going to do it, and they're true Buffs, they better do it."
Chancellor G.P. "Bud" Peterson evidently is a man of his word. Peterson couldn't quite find 50 friends with nothing to do that day so he compensated by inviting busloads of school children to make the trip from Denver. Kids from Wyatt-Edison Charter School, Bruce Randolph Middle School, Arrupe Jesuit High School, West High School and Lincoln High School will be in the stadium as his guests.
They will be a part of CU history as the first to see the new live buffalo mascot Ralphie V make her initial romp around the field with the team running out of its locker room behind her.
Colorado athletic department officials were initially slow to react to McCartney's challenge, but over the past month they have revved up the engines in an effort to meet the mark. Hundreds of people have signed up for the "Coach Mac Challenge" on the department's Web site (CUBuffs.com).
No one is sure how many fans might show up to a stadium that seats 53,750, but they're confident enough at this point to say they will set a new spring game attendance record. The old record was set 19 years ago in 1989 when 13,642 fans watched McCartney's Buffs, who would go on to play for the national title.
Many came that day to tip their hats to former CU quarterback Sal Aunese, who was diagnosed with cancer three weeks beforehand. Thegame attracted crowds of more than 10,000 in each of the next two years but attendance fell off dramatically to only a few thousand fans a few years ago.
Crowds have started to grow again since coach Dan Hawkins was hired and McCartney recognized an opportunity to help Hawkins when he made his speech back in February.
The morning after national signing day McCartney read that every major recruiting service and most reputable college football analysts had dubbed the 2008 Alabama recruiting class No. 1 in the land. He knew that Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban has challenged fans in Tuscaloosa last spring to support his team at the spring game and they did so to the tune of more than 90,000.
"I think there is a direct correlation," he said. "When you can show recruits that you have that kind of interest in your football team, it's tremendous. That is a way where the spectator in the stands can influence recruiting."
McCartney's grandson, T.C. McCartney, is a walk-on at Louisiana State, the defending national champion. More than 33,000 fans showed up to watch the Tigers play this spring and they all paid $5 each.
Colorado's spring game is free and includes a "Healthy Kids Day" on Saturday morning. The first 500 kids who participate will receive a T-shirt and food from Outback Steakhouse.
The department is also throwing a pregame party for the first 1,500 fans who arrive Saturday. They will be treated to free hot-dogs, sodas, chips and cookies as well as mini footballs.
At least 75 former players are expected to attend the game and will be introduced at halftime. Former CU running back and assistant coach Eric Bieniemy, the leading rusher in the history of the program, will address the Buffs prior to the game in the locker room.
"He's psyched," assistant athletic director and Alumni C-Club director Bill Harris said.
Posted by buffballaz on April 15, 2008 at 1:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Im so excited for this, it should be fun. I hope that hawkins will conduct this game in more of a regular game fashion rather than the previous years and this years scrimmages. I say that because I know us true buffs fans would be out there just to watch it even if it was just a normal practice but there are those who might get bored if its not conducted the right way. GO BUFFS!!
Posted by walto_clown on April 15, 2008 at 2:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sadly I can't make it--I'm in Brussels. Enjoy the scrimmage Buff Fans!
Posted by vkberlin on April 15, 2008 at 5:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
the first 500 kids get something?
This is not enough.
Take not AD you will sadden a lot of kids with only 500
you need 5000 min.
Posted by skibuff on April 15, 2008 at 7:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
BOULDER, CO.........Following the game, former Buff coach, Bill McCartney, will host a "walking on water" seminar at the Boulder Reservoir. Mac later stated that if far less than 50,000 attended the Spring game, he would change his post game exhibition site to Canyon Creek, just North of the stadium.........
As a season ticket holder, I travel thousands of miles yearly to attend Buff games, but I agree with others that not enough is being done to attract these kinds of numbers. This is especially true with kids who would drag their parents or come in bus armadas statewide. Giving kids a voucher, good for a ducat to the Eastern Washington game or a more prominent call to action promotion than rewarding the first 500 would be a start. Even the Counting Crows wouldn't have brought 50K, but thanks to the NCAA, we'll never know. I'm hoping to break the all time Buff Spring game record and have 15,000 join me this Saturday. That would deserve major props and bode well for the coming year, but to succeed, you have to be able to dream, so kudos to Mac for trying to "pump up the volume".
Go Buffs!!
Posted by dabuffs50 on April 15, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bieniemy --- Thats the best news I have heard in a while.
Posted by MDBuff on April 15, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
15,000 would be super! Did anyone see that brokers are getting up to $95 for Nebraska's spring game? It's even more than the $85 face value for a regular season NU-CU game. See http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008...
Posted by michbuff257 on April 15, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If they really want to fill the place they should be marketing to the students big time. That's an easy 10K if you can get them all motivated to go have a good time outdoors on spring afternoon in Colorado. Make it seem like a big event and give them an excuse to perform the same "game-day rituals" they are used to in the fall.
Posted by Ralphie2 on April 15, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Everyone better bring some folks!!!
Posted by ChicagoBuffsFan on April 15, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey MDBuff, that makes sense that the NU spring game is worth more than the CU game because the NU fans are guaranteed (maybe) a win in the spring game.
Posted by MDBuff on April 15, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good one, Chicago! I'd love to see the "real blackshirts" prevail again this year.
Posted by IAM4CUINIOWA on April 15, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm still bringing my 7 from Iowa!
Can't wait for Saturday!!
See you all then!
Go Buffs!
Posted by ColBuffaloes on April 15, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is gonna be out of control. To see Folsom packed for a spring game is a true testament as to what Dan Hawkins has done for this program, and also where he plans to take it. Pack Folsom!!!
GO BUFFS!!!
Posted by betterdeadthanred on April 15, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wasn't at the luncheon, but I'm still bringing 6 from 250 miles away.
See you there!
Posted by BuffTime on April 15, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wasn't at the luncheon either (so my guests should be a bonus on those already pledged as well). So far I am brining my family, but I am also talking up all my friends in the Boulder area as well. See you all at Folsom for a beautiful Saturday afternoon!
Posted by SpokaneBuff on April 15, 2008 at 10:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I also wasn't at the luncheon, but I'm bringing four from 1711 miles...gotcha beat betterdead! (smile) Looking forward to it! GO BUFFS!
Posted by rswright on April 16, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
See you on the 19th.
Posted by BigBuff on April 16, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm flying up from Scottsdale and I would be happy with 15,000. We don't even draw 50,000 for reg season games. Also, extremely disappointed they aren't putting more into this since the concert and weekend events got cancelled. Leaves a hollow feeling for people who bought plane tix to attend.
Posted by william.nicholas on April 16, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
our Athletic Dept.has ALWAYS been marketing challenged..great spring day in Boulder, push the students, better and more hand outs, great idea for kid passes to Eastern Wash. give away 10,000 at the game..., easy 25,000 attendance..maybe more, ..but we'll see..
Posted by tallisall on April 16, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's the Spring game attendance from last season.
Alabama 92138
Ohio State 75310
Penn State 71000
Nebraska 54288
Notre Dame 51852
Florida 47500
Texas 42500
South Carolina 35153
Auburn 31757
Louisville 28000
Florida State 25000
Michigan State 25000
Texas A&M 24212
Georgia 21407
Oklahoma 21020
Clemson 20000
Iowa 19000
Wisconsin 18020
Tennessee 17409
Ole Miss 17000
BYU 16752
Kansas State 16732
Minnesota 15000
Oklahoma State 15000
USC 15000
NC State 14800
LSU 14375
Rutgers 11079
Illinois 10000
Missouri 10000
Arizona 9500
Kansas 8000
Marshall 7922
Central Michigan 7107
Iowa State 7000
Miami 7000
Boise State 6831
Colorado 6000
Michigan 5500
Arizona State 5250
Cincinnati 5200
North Texas 5194
Kentucky 5000
Mississippi St 5000
Colorado State 4631
Arkansas 4000
West Virginia 3500
California 2000
Syracuse 2000
Vanderbilt 2000
Virginia 1000
Indiana 600
With only 6 wins last season, I think attendance would be good if they got to 6,000 again.
Posted by NCHusker on April 16, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
With all the hype and excitement I see on this board, the buffies may get...7,000 this year.
Posted by Dizonrocks on April 16, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
talli...what did your Huskers spring game ticket set you back? read where some clowns paid $95, I hope you weren't one of those...we all know you're a clown, just wondering how devoted you are to the Huskers...
Posted by montanabuff on April 16, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, tailsail - thanks for the info. Normally, I try and ignore your baiting comments, but this is too good to resist.
Let's spin it this way: With little or no attempt to market the '07 spring game, CU still had 6,000 in attendance despite - as you certainly recall - coming off of a 2-10 season in '06. That total represents more fans than the number who showed up for Michigan, West Virginia, Arizona State, Virginia, Cincinnati, Arkansas or Cal - seven teams which were ranked at some point in '07.
Let's go with tailsail's logic - two wins equals 6,000. Six wins then equals 18,000, which would be a new record. Sounds about right to me!
Go Buffs!
Posted by tallisall on April 16, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, $95 for a spring game? Now that's fan support.
Wouldn't it be great if CU could generate those large crowds and money during a spring game the way several other programs seem to always do?
That also draws big time recruits, I read Oklahoma picked up 4 already after their spring game last week.
Posted by extrapoint on April 16, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
first of all
who counted the CU crowd, when there are no tickets?
second of all
tallisall must have to be dragged away from the screen to defecate. Maybe he has a toilet seat in front of the computer?
A big crowd will sway a few recruits, but Boise beat OU (much to tall's crow eating chagrin) without those recruits.
Posted by MDBuff on April 16, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Extrapoint, Please show some respect to Dr. Tom Osborne (a.k.a. tallisall). Thanks.
Posted by O_ReallyFactor on April 16, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Only 6,000 bothered to show up for the Buff Spring Game last year??? Bu-wa-ha-ha-ha. What a laugh! This year ya gotta bribe 'em with gimmicks to attend. Hee-hee. You guys are destined to be a laughing stock of the Big 12.
Posted by MDBuff on April 16, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I see Bo Pelini has posted a comment, too.
Posted by MDBuff on April 16, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Or maybe that last one is from Bob Stoops of the Oklahomo Spooners...
Posted by tallisall on April 16, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ep, Boise State has also never ever played for a national championship without those recruits.
Ok, let's all give our best guess for attendance this season. I say with the bussing of little kids to pad the crowd, 6,500...
Anyone else???
Posted by buffballaz on April 16, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i bet its well over 15,000. Minus 1 because your too big of coward to show up. Or maybe your afraid Cody H. might tower over you.
Posted by figmo on April 16, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Since they're giving away free hotdogs, chips, cookies, and sodas...why not bus the Denver homeless in to get the attendance over 6,000!
Hookem
Posted by nwbuff32 on April 16, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey figmo,
How's the Darrell Scott recruiting investigation going? Think you guys will be done in time to keep him off the field in October?
Bookem.
Posted by nwbuff32 on April 16, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
$85 for a spring game ticket:
Great fan loyalty or is there nothing better to do in Lincoln on a Saturday?
Or are Nebraska fans packing the stadium for the only garunteed win of the season?
You make the call.
Posted by montanabuff on April 16, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There is one thing I can't get about the 'husker fans raving about their fan loyalty and how many fans they can get to the their spring game: What's up with the zero Big 12 titles (and only one north title) this decade? With the great loyalty, Nebraska has waaaay more money to work with than any other school in the North (min. of 20,000 more per home game than any other competitor - at $50/per, that's a cool million more minimum per game, every game - going into the till in Lincoln), why doesn't the big bad red win more games? It should be a complete SHOCK if any other team in the north, without the money or facilities, manages to compete on the playing field. Instead of worrying about the teams who must compete on the playing field despite all of your built in advantages, why not turn inward and figure out how NU is not 12 for 12 in Big 12 North titles?
Posted by DCBuff on April 16, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We all know that tallisall and o_reallyfactor are in jail now because they got caught in the Texas polygamy raid. It's nice that the prison is letting you clowns use a computer to blog.
Posted by extrapoint on April 16, 2008 at 5:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bookem?
I'm still screeching with laughter over that one
NWbuff gets the post of the week award and figmo (of his own imagination) is putting salve on his
a--
As far as Tall's prediction goes....it will probably turn out like his prediction of the Boise - OU game. He must have made a thousand posts of how they weren't in the same league, boys playing with men and platitudes about a "Stoops type coach"
lip flapping at its finest.
and as far as the dildoreilly factor goes.... I wonder how it feels for the Huskers and the Sooners to have their a-- handed to them by the laughing stock of the big 12? I guess that would make laughing at them indecent. Pity would be the civilized emotion.
Posted by extrapoint on April 16, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
nwbuff
I'm going way out on a limb here and predict a husker win againt New Mexico State.
If they want to go fishing, they have to go to the other side of the state to McConnaughy and that is also way too close to Colorado .....and too far away from the Garden Cafe.
Posted by houston_buff on April 16, 2008 at 10:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My most apathetic season ticket buddies are headed in Saturday. Did the issue of a live web feed ever get traction? We will spend our hard earned money to travel once the season starts (Jax and for sure UT) What is the over/under on TD passes little bird has on Saturday? I think a little "game inside that game" is OK. I put the number at 3 provided he gets 30 plus snaps. BTW-no picks!! Buffs will take the B12 North. Cant wait to see the board on Monday. Kyle-get us a server patch with all your spare time.
Posted by Dizonrocks on April 17, 2008 at 2:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
talli...you ignored my question...seriously, how much did your Huskers Spring Game ticket set you back? I'm curious to know the extend ($$$) of your Huskers support...what's the ceiling ($$$) on your Huskers ticket purchases?
Posted by iowabuff on April 17, 2008 at 5:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
HoustonBuff- looks like the live is happening. Go Buffs
http://cubuffs.com/
Posted by IAM4CUINIOWA on April 17, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
iowabuff,
Are you going to Spring game?
If so, we should try to meet at game. We may have to carpool to some games this fall. You can reach me at dcasotti@q.com
Hope to see you all at the game!
Go Buffs!
Posted by figmo on April 17, 2008 at 8:32 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by iowabuff on April 17, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Figmo, you're a tard!! So long necks is how you refer to the boys in Neb, interesting! If Berkley and USF were on the schedule it would still be tougher than the cornholers.
Posted by extrapoint on April 17, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Between trips to the Valentino's buffet, the cornfans get to watch the mighty huksters "tune up" on Western Mich, Sand Diego and NM State.
I'll take WM and SD and the points in a heartbeat
Posted by ColBuffaloes on April 17, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This joke is old, but it never fails to humor me.
Why is Wyoming so windy?
Because Nebraska sucks.
GO BUFFS
Posted by tallisall on April 17, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's the only predictions so far..
buffballaz says over 15,000
Bill McCartney says 50,000
Tall says 6,500 due to bussing in 500 little kids..
That's really not to bad, still got to try a little harder to catch Kansas and Iowa State.
Posted by nwbuff32 on April 17, 2008 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My prediction:
We get over 15,000 and come Monday Tal will be no where to be found. He will hide like a little girl just like all the other haters did last year after the OU game. Methinks the vacation excuse will be the one used again.
But seriously, you are an idiot if you think 6500. Thats what we had last year after a 2-10 season.
Posted by extrapoint on April 17, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If Tall's figures can be trusted I feel we will catch Minnesota, USC and Okie State at 15,000. There is only handful of states above that (ie: FL, BYU) that are in locations that have a life outside football.
Posted by Buff_since_76 on April 17, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tall won't be here on Monday because it will be "bow hunting season" (one of my all time favorite excuses).
Colbuff, the whole joke is:
Why is Kansas so windy?
Because Oklahoma blows and Nebraska sucks.
I can't wait for Saturday!
Posted by nwbuff32 on April 17, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Bow hunting season" was my favorite one too, esp because it wasn't the time of year for bow hunting season.
Posted by Seattle_Buff on April 17, 2008 at 6:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just in case some of you don't know...
tallisall is just that same clown who has 50 usernames and comes on our site to talk "s". He's pathetic.
He has been wrong on virtually every prediction he has made, probably the biggest being his Husker National Champ claim this time last year. Remember "WE'RE BACK BABY!!!!!!!" at the end of every post? Classic.
He's all chaffed because his program is going down the tubes, and he can't find the Gold Bond.
Posted by rodrigo on April 17, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, maybe if all of tall's personalities show up it'll be a sellout...
Posted by extrapoint on April 17, 2008 at 8:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bingo, rod
you just figured out the husker attendance.
A steady diet of corn (and/or mashed potatoes and gravy) is lacking in complete protien and several vitamins, thereby having a deleterious effect on the brain. Severe cases can even lead to multiple personality schizophrenia.
Posted by walto_clown on April 18, 2008 at 2:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, Seattle, watch the pejorative use of the word "clown". Don't be keeping me down, man.
Just from watching activity on other sites, I believe attendance will easily exceed 15,000.
I'm not convinced "tall" is the same bowhunting (ummmm, I'm sorry that I was away for a week after the OK upset, I was off performing manly acts...) Dr. Tom poster of sesons gone. I could be wrong, but his tactics are entirely different, though admittedly his objective appears to be the same.
Posted by extrapoint on April 18, 2008 at 6:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
just more evidence the guy really is clinical
Posted by Seattle_Buff on April 18, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry walto.
It's the same dork for sure. We should coin him a single name when we address him.
It was "Gomer" for a minute. Not sure who came up with that one, but it didn't stick.
How about just plain "Dork"? DrTom seems to be his original handle...
(Requires free registration.)
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.