1st Round Attendance Figures...

[Guard Dawg]

So far today...

3,401--- New Hampshire @ Hampton
4,400--- Illinois State @ Eastern Illinois
5,388--- Lafayette @ Umass
9,427--- Furman @ Montana State
20,077-- McNeese St @ Montana

Montana just about drew the other games combined so far and had the poorest weather!

[Saluki_man]

5,693 for UT-Martin @ Southern Illinois

Could of been more if the students are in session.

[Maroon&White]

5,388--- Lafayette @ Umass


That's not even close to correct.

[Guard Dawg]

Were the Montana schools in session... have students around?

[umassfan]

UMass had at least double that if not alot more.

[Saluki_man]

Were the Montana schools in session... have students around?

You have to understand the area, very big in HS sports. SIU rarely wins an attendance game when going up against any HS sport. IF SIU were holding the championship game and going up against any of the HS teams, SIU isn't going to draw a very big crowd.

[GRZZ]

UMass had at least double that if not alot more.

Do you have a number for us?

[TexasTerror]

UMass had at least double that if not alot more.

Read the box score...

http://umassathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2006-2007/112506lc.html

5388 is the attendance...

[Guard Dawg]

it didn't even look like there was 5,338 there... looked like less

[BigApp]

it didn't even look like there was 5,338 there... looked like less


UMass had at least double that if not alot more.

are you two talking about the same game??

[AppGuy04]

haha, umassfan was saying 15,000 hahahahahaha

[umassfan]

it didn't even look like there was 5,338 there... looked like less
Are you kidding me? There were more then 5338 on the visitor side and that is the only side the cameras saw. Each side holds 8500.

[saint0917]

That's not even close to correct.

Man, your not kidding, both side were pretty full. But, for some reason the Umass website has it at 5388, someone can't add. :rolleyes:

[umassfan]

haha, umassfan was saying 15,000 hahahahahaha
The home side was pretty well full and the visitors was 3/4th full. So you do the math.

[AppGuy04]

It's your own school's box score, why would they lie that much?

[umassfan]

Man, your not kidding, both side were pretty full. But, for some reason the Umass website has it at 5388, someone can't add. :rolleyes:
Its not that they cant add. UMass like other teams just wana keep more of the gate and the only way to do so is underreport in the playoffs. I guess they wanted to keep alot of the money.

[saint0917]

haha, umassfan was saying 15,000 hahahahahaha

I was there, and that's about right.

[BigApp]

It's your own school's box score, why would they lie that much?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ in the bank!

[umassfan]

It's your own school's box score, why would they lie that much?
Why do you think every school lies come playoff time?

[UNHWildCats]

I would think its a possible typo missing the 1 at the front of the number?

[TexasTerror]

Montana's game broke the record for largest first round attendance...

Largest non-championship game attendance remains Marshall-Eastern Kentucky semifinal... 21,084 (1991)...

Today's attendance in Missoula of 20,077 was ranked #2 all-time however for a non-championship game...

[umassfan]

I would think its a possible typo missing the 1 at the front of the number?
It could be that but I doubt it. I worked for the UMass ticket office for 4 years. Plus everyone knows its a common pratice to underreport.

[VictorG]

Were the Montana schools in session... have students around?

Nope, students are gone.

It's been a good hunting season so far. Lots of people have filled their tags early. The Griz filled one of theirs today!

[Go...gate]

That's not even close to correct.

Agreed. I watched the game and they seemed to have a good-sized crowd.

[SpreadtheRed]

There were more Illinois State Fans at the ISU-Eastern Game, then there were Eastern Fans. I love it. It looked like they had about 20 students there.

[Ronbo]

Montana's game broke the record for largest first round attendance...

Largest non-championship game attendance remains Marshall-Eastern Kentucky semifinal... 21,084 (1991)...

Today's attendance in Missoula of 20,077 was ranked #2 all-time however for a non-championship game...

That can't be right, the 2004 Montana/Sam Houston State game was a sellout. In fact it was the 6th all time WG crowd.

TOP 10 ALL-TIME ATTENDANCE GAMES
IN WASHINGTON GRIZZLY STADIUM
1. 23,867 vs. Montana State, 2004
2. 23,773 vs. Weber State, 2005
3. 23,732 vs. Eastern Washington, 2005
4. 23,687 vs. Cal Poly, 2003
5. 23,679 vs. Idaho, 2003
6. 23,607 vs. **Sam Houston State, 2004

[mainejeff]

Who's Hampton's Sugar Daddy?

[grizbeer]

Were the Montana schools in session... have students around?
No students at either school and 3 college playoff games in Montana this weekend - UM, MSU, and Carrol going for 5 straight NAIA titles, all at home this weekend.

[BigApp]

App/CCU Attendance: 16,223

[Umass74]

I was there. The crowd was at least 12,000, maybe more.

The radio crew estimated 12,000+

Gotta be a typo. I think UMass-UNH could sell out!

[Maverick]

The Playoffs attendance figures are based on the drop count of tickets taken at the gates. The NCAA requires ticket stubs to back up attendance figures from the games for accounting purposes so there is no "undercounting" as during the regular season. What years did you work for UMass ticket office?

[Pard4Life]

It could be that but I doubt it. I worked for the UMass ticket office for 4 years. Plus everyone knows its a common pratice to underreport.

I was at the game as well... easily more than 10,000... and my guess is 13,000... the corners of the stadium were full... and everyone was almost shoulder-to-shoulder. I heard it seats 18,000 in UMas.... so I guess 5,000 empties were about right.

And judging by parking and lines at the ticket booth.... DEFINETELY NOT 5000... Lafayette usually gets that for games... and it's pretty easy to guage..

[EIUsuperfan]

There were more Illinois State Fans at the ISU-Eastern Game, then there were Eastern Fans. I love it. It looked like they had about 20 students there.

I don't believe there were. It could have been close but I doubt it. I will agree there weren't many students, I was one of about 30 in the student section, but there were quite a few other fans.

[redbirdtim]

Superfan,

I would agree with you there that EIU probably ended up with more fans. At the exact start of the game, ISU might have had more in the stands, but EIU had a decent crowd. This game at ISU would have drawn about 9-10K, more if the students were back.

I did see however over 100 Redbird fans on the Eastern side and the visitors side was pretty much packed with red.

[EIUsuperfan]

Superfan,

I would agree with you there that EIU probably ended up with more fans. At the exact start of the game, ISU might have had more in the stands, but EIU had a decent crowd. This game at ISU would have drawn about 9-10K, more if the students were back.

I did see however over 100 Redbird fans on the Eastern side and the visitors side was pretty much packed with red.

Agree totally. I'm glad they put the ISU fans on the other side. Last year the "powers that be" thought it would be smart to put the SIU fans on our side....Idiots! What a good game though, well besides the EIU loosing part and the fact that both offenses sucked! Yeah we would have had probably 10,000 counting ISU if EIU students would have been back.

[igo4uni]

Looks like a good crowd in Youngstown on ESPN2.

[chuges1]

[QUOTE=Guard Dawg]

9,427--- Furman @ Montana State
QUOTE]

.....ummmm you sure? The guys on the announcement said there were bairly any open seats and the stadium holds upwards of around 14,000 people. It could be right but i would be surprised.

[furpal87]

Remember their are tickets sold, and people there. Our student tickets weren't counted because they were discounted when I was at Furman.

[windwalker]

App/CCU Attendance: 16,223


WOW... isn't that your best 1st round attendance in a few years???

[89Hen]

5,388--- Lafayette @ Umass
I watched the first half of that one and I don't think that's near accurate. I'd put it at 9,000. :twocents:

[89Hen]

my guess is 13,000... the corners of the stadium were full...
Visitors side looked only 1/3rd full on TV.

[89Hen]

3,401--- New Hampshire @ Hampton
4,400--- Illinois State @ Eastern Illinois
JMU not bidding enough for a home game. :nonono2: :nono: xidiotx

[Mountaineer]

WOW... isn't that your best 1st round attendance in a few years???

Today/tonight was the largest crowd in ASU playoff history. :nod: :hurray:

Beats the 15,307 from last years semis against Furman.

Great showing by App and Chant fans! :bow:

[Peems]

That can't be right, the 2004 Montana/Sam Houston State game was a sellout. In fact it was the 6th all time WG crowd.

TOP 10 ALL-TIME ATTENDANCE GAMES
IN WASHINGTON GRIZZLY STADIUM
1. 23,867 vs. Montana State, 2004
2. 23,773 vs. Weber State, 2005
3. 23,732 vs. Eastern Washington, 2005
4. 23,687 vs. Cal Poly, 2003
5. 23,679 vs. Idaho, 2003
6. 23,607 vs. **Sam Houston State, 2004

those are even updated yet, seeing that we had over 24,000 at this year's cat/griz

[JMU-MRD-DAD]

Are you serious....3,400 at Hampton........that's it???? OMG......talk about losing $

[ngineer]

That's not even close to correct.

Here we go with the same stupid ass numbers we've seen for the past few years. If UMass's stadium seats 16,000, it certainly looked like at least 10,000 were there from what I could see on TV. Makes no sense.

[FlyYtown]

James Madison @ Youngstown State Attendance:
ANNOUNCED: 11627
ACTUALLY THERE: 17000

I talked with someone at the tix office after the game and said way more than 11.6K-----at least 17K is what I was told!!!

[ucdtim17]

6500 at Davis, probably short a thousand students xcoffeex

[britsco]

So are the Griz the only ones to report honest attendance or were there actually like 25,000 at Wa-Griz?

[AZGrizFan]

So are the Griz the only ones to report honest attendance or were there actually like 25,000 at Wa-Griz?

That's funny. Exactly what I was thinking. If this "underreporting" is commonplace, I think it shines a very bad light on I-AA. How are we to sell a sport that can't draw 4,000 people for a UNH-Hampton playoff game? That's downright embarrassing. :o :o :o :o

[ucdtim17]

That's funny. Exactly what I was thinking. If this "underreporting" is commonplace, I think it shines a very bad light on I-AA. How are we to sell a sport that can't draw 4,000 people for a UNH-Hampton playoff game? That's downright embarrassing. :o :o :o :o

Yeah I think it's a little ridiculous how everyone is insisting that their schools are, for some reason no one can identify, making themselves look pathetic by underreporting their own attendance (and that it is a recurring problem :rolleyes: ). I don't get it

[GRZZ]

James Madison @ Youngstown State Attendance:
ANNOUNCED: 11627
ACTUALLY THERE: 17000

I talked with someone at the tix office after the game and said way more than 11.6K-----at least 17K is what I was told!!!

I have heard all about underreporting and all of that, but what is the rationale for underrporting by that much? Is it money? Because it certainly seems like the representative from the NCAA would be smart enough to figure out the difference between announcing 11.6 and actually seeing 17k. I don't get it, someone please enlighten me?

[FlyYtown]

I have heard all about underreporting and all of that, but what is the rationale for underrporting by that much? Is it money? Because it certainly seems like the representative from the NCAA would be smart enough to figure out the difference between announcing 11.6 and actually seeing 17k. I don't get it, someone please enlighten me?

I'd love to know too. but if you want the pictures of the SIU game [14000] and this game [11000] you will see at least 17000....

[Peems]

i dont understand why every team but the griz does this? i mean by everyone elses rationale we definitely had 26,000 there.

[Saluki_man]

I have heard all about underreporting and all of that, but what is the rationale for underrporting by that much? Is it money? Because it certainly seems like the representative from the NCAA would be smart enough to figure out the difference between announcing 11.6 and actually seeing 17k. I don't get it, someone please enlighten me?

Possible over bid?? Thats the only reason I can see for under reporting. I know one UMass fan said that their radio anouncers had peged a higher attendance, SIU was the same way. Both Ries and Sambursky thought that there was atleast 10K at the SIU/UTM game.

[GannonFan]

i dont understand why every team but the griz does this? i mean by everyone elses rationale we definitely had 26,000 there.

The closer you get to capacity, the harder it is to underreport. If you sell out a game and turn people away, you can't then all of a sudden report attendance at several thousand less than capacity. And the Griz have underreported before - several of their first round games a few years ago (3-4) were pretty low numbers versus what fans felt were there.

[GRZZ]

That may be true, but I have been at all the recent playoff games and I don't think that is true. Griz fans, any thoughts on under reporting a few years back?

At any rate, I still don't understand how the NCAA could be so gullible. There is a huge difference between 11k and 17k.

[Appstate29]

Underreporting sounds alot like FRAUD and I'm sure the NCAA　would not tolerate that.

[Ronbo]

The closer you get to capacity, the harder it is to underreport. If you sell out a game and turn people away, you can't then all of a sudden report attendance at several thousand less than capacity. And the Griz have underreported before - several of their first round games a few years ago (3-4) were pretty low numbers versus what fans felt were there.

Last year our stadium looked almost as full as yesterday and they reported 16,200. Same thing with 2004.

[Sam Adams]

McGuirk's capacity is 17,000 (8500 per side). I've been going to games at McGuirk for 30 yrs. I was at the game yesterday and watched from both sides of the stadium. On the UMass side the seats were 90% Full. On the Visitors side the seats were 75% Full. There was easily 13K at that game. The box score attendance number is grossly innaccurate. No official who was at that game could report 5300 with a straight face.

[ISUMatt]

There were more Illinois State Fans at the ISU-Eastern Game, then there were Eastern Fans. I love it. It looked like they had about 20 students there.

Dont give them that much credit, there were 9 in EIUs student section!

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/3028/11250620002lc9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
-Photo taken right before opening kickoff

[psc2445]

Dont give them that much credit, there were 9 in EIUs student section!

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/3028/11250620002lc9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
-Photo taken right before opening kickoff

that photo is ridiculous. :bang:

[ISUMatt]

it filled up a little more, but not too much

[Lehigh Football Nation]

McGuirk's capacity is 17,000 (8500 per side). I've been going to games at McGuirk for 30 yrs. I was at the game yesterday and watched from both sides of the stadium. On the UMass side the seats were 90% Full. On the Visitors side the seats were 75% Full. There was easily 13K at that game. The box score attendance number is grossly innaccurate. No official who was at that game could report 5300 with a straight face.

Add me to the chorus of fans that say 5,300 simply couldn't be correct for Lafayette/UMass. What's funny is it affected how I did my writeup. How can I say that "UMass beat Lafayette in front of 5,000 fans" when it's so blatantly incorrect?

A little underreporting may be expected, but you have to wonder when you're underreporting by 8,000-10,000 fans.

[ngineer]

Gotta be purely a money issue and what the home school can 'keep' from their bid. NCAA has to be aware of it, they have officials at all the playoff games. Sort of like 'Casablanca'..."What!? There's gambling going on in here?!" "Here, sir, are your winnings...":nod: :nod: ;) :nod:

[Umass74]

http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6712/1164/400/33190/construction%20026.jpg

Judge for yourself. Each side holds 8,500 at McGuirk. The home side was full. the visiting side looked at least 75%.

Another crowd shot on my UMass football Blog (http://umass74.blogspot.com/)

An larger view of the visiting stands is available on the blog if you right click on it.

[Ronbo]

When I complained two years ago about the under reporting at the Montana 1st round game someone posted that the reported attendance is paid tickets only. So if your school gave away a bunch of tickets those people weren't counted. Also someone pointed out that when stadium is packed you have people sitting really tightly packed, one person for each numbered seat. Then you have a game where there is a few thousand less and the folks spread out and each person sits in two seats for elbow room. But if you look at the stadium in both cases it looks full.

[grayghost06]

When I complained two years ago about the under reporting at the Montana 1st round game someone posted that the reported attendance is paid tickets only. So if your school gave away a bunch of tickets those people weren't counted. Also someone pointed out that when stadium is packed you have people sitting really tightly packed, one person for each numbered seat. Then you have a game where there is a few thousand less and the folks spread out and each person sits in two seats for elbow room. But if you look at the stadium in both cases it looks full....And Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone!

[Sam Adams]

The attendance at the UMass game was easily underreported by about 8-9K. Its not even a matter that is debateable to anybody who had the pleasure of watching the game on a lovely afternoon at McGuirk. When there is such a blatant falsehood being perpetuated - you really have to wonder about what the heck is going on here. Is this simply a matter of UMass getting to pocket an extra 90K? If so then I'm fine with that but there must be a better way to make that happen without misrepresenting attendance figures. It would be funny to call the UMass Campus Police Department and ask them if the Police agree that there were only 5300 at McGuirk yesterday. xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

[VictorG]

That may be true, but I have been at all the recent playoff games and I don't think that is true. Griz fans, any thoughts on under reporting a few years back?

At any rate, I still don't understand how the NCAA could be so gullible. There is a huge difference between 11k and 17k.

I've been to almost all the Griz home playoff games since 1999. I don't feel the Griz have under reported like some fans have stated in the past. IMO, the stands look fuller in the playoffs because

#1) It's cold, people are wearing their large jackets.

#2) They spread out more into the empty spaces. I know that when I wear "warm" clothing I'm at least 4-6 inches wider (depending upon what I've stuffed in my pockets) than when it's warmer. If you have 50 people in a row all taking up 4 - 6 extra inches of seating space, that's an extra 15 to 20 feet of seats that is being used for the 50 fans than if they were all packed together. TV camera scanning over the crowd would not be able to pick this up, nor would someone looking across the stadium. The fans would have to be physically counted to determine an accurate count. Which they already were!

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

FWIW, the attendance at Hampton was under reported as well, JMHO.

[Umass74]

My only thought was that maybe they count discounted seats different? UMass was advertising $3.00 seats for students. My reserved seat was $15.00.

So maybe it takes (for example) five student fannies to equal one old guy's butt in his season ticket seat. In other words there were the equivalent of 5,000 full price tickets sold and they report it that way.

Going to be weird if UMass-UNH sells out and they report 7,000 attendance...:rotateh:

[Appstate29]

http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6712/1164/400/33190/construction%20026.jpg

Judge for yourself. Each side holds 8,500 at McGuirk. The home side was full. the visiting side looked at least 75%.

Another crowd shot on my UMass football Blog (http://umass74.blogspot.com/)

An larger view of the visiting stands is available on the blog if you right click on it.


The visiting side to me looks about 50% full, I'd definitely say that its over 5k, I'd guess about 12k, that just doesn't make any sense to me, if I was an NCAA official I'd be all over that, smells like fraud

[twentythreeOh4]

I've been to almost all the Griz home playoff games since 1999. I don't feel the Griz have under reported like some fans have stated in the past. IMO, the stands look fuller in the playoffs because

#1) It's cold, people are wearing their large jackets.

#2) They spread out more into the empty spaces. I know that when I wear "warm" clothing I'm at least 4-6 inches wider (depending upon what I've stuffed in my pockets) than when it's warmer. If you have 50 people in a row all taking up 4 - 6 extra inches of seating space, that's an extra 15 to 20 feet of seats that is being used for the 50 fans than if they were all packed together. TV camera scanning over the crowd would not be able to pick this up, nor would someone looking across the stadium. The fans would have to be physically counted to determine an accurate count. Which they already were!

I have been to every playoff game ever held in Wash-Griz stadium and I also agree with Victor that the Montana has NOT under reported playoff games. Ronbo is the only person to really argue otherwise. To add to Victor's point, because of the cold weather many fans put down blankets to sit on, so even if there is a couple of empty seats between people you can't see bare bleachers because they are covered by blankets. For somebody to say they can visually tell what the crowd was just by scanning across the stadium is pretty funny.

I can't say what other schools do for reported playoff attendance, but I believe Montana takes pride in the fact that it has ALWAYS has the highest attendance in the playoffs. And when you consider how important past playoff attendance is to getting home playoff bids why would Montana under report? It doesn't make any sense for UM to risk future playoff bids by under reporting attendance. Montana has the BEST playoff attendance, and we are going to keep it that way.

[The Gadfly]

Today/tonight was the largest crowd in ASU playoff history. :nod: :hurray:

Beats the 15,307 from last years semis against Furman.

Great showing by App and Chant fans! :bow:

:hurray: :thumbsup:

This could end up being a pretty good rivalry if we can get in the SoCon and you guys stay. Mountains v Beach, Winter destination v Summer, NC v SC.

[GRZZ]

The visiting side to me looks about 50% full, I'd definitely say that its over 5k, I'd guess about 12k, that just doesn't make any sense to me, if I was an NCAA official I'd be all over that, smells like fraud

I agree, I just don't think it is possible for these teams to have underreported as much as people are claiming without the NCAA representative saying something.

[Peems]

Last year our stadium looked almost as full as yesterday and they reported 16,200. Same thing with 2004.

not true.

[BALD EAGLE]

I have attended most of Ga. Southern's playoff games, home and away, since 1985, and the attendance at most of these games seemed to be under reported.

If there is a financial incentive causing these schools to do this it needs to be changed now.

The NCAA has to know this reflects badly on the fans.


Ga. Southern's Playoff Record - 38 and 10

6 Time I-AA National Champion - 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1999, 2000

[SoCon48]

Its not that they cant add. UMass like other teams just wana keep more of the gate and the only way to do so is underreport in the playoffs. I guess they wanted to keep alot of the money.

In other words, embezzling NCAA money.

[SoCon48]

...And Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone!

That he did.

[Peems]

That he did.

not true either!!!

[gatadotcom]

Perhaps . . . everyone OVER reports attendance figures throughout the season and then has to be honest during the playoffs. The more butts-in-seats reported makes things look more "big time" in the press on Sunday mornings.

[BigDaddyBennett]

It's your own school's box score, why would they lie that much?

It's called embezzlement. They report a low attendance figure so they don't have to pay out as much, and then keep the difference in ticket sales for themselves.xlolx

...or it was a mistake, which is probably most logical.:D

Of course, it is probably a result of the way that the home fields are chosen for the play-offs. If it was based on a seeding type method, then there would be little reason for the teams to make these outrageous bids and then have to skim off the top to make ends meet. They should look into changing the way that is handled or either get some NCAA officials to monitor ticket sales and collection at all games.

[BelgradeBobcat]

What were the ticket prices at various venues? Here at Montana State sideline seats (most of the seats) were $30 and endzone was $15 and students were $7 plus there were some addtional "fees" tacked on.

[FlyYtown]

What were the ticket prices at various venues? Here at Montana State sideline seats (most of the seats) were $30 and endzone was $15 and students were $7 plus there were some addtional "fees" tacked on.

Same old 14-10 for ysu tix and 5 for students

[BelgradeBobcat]

I wonder if schools split their tickets in half or thirds? A full price ticket counts as one full person. If you charge $15 you have to sell 2 tickets to count as one person (assuming a full ticket cost $30)? Just a theory that popped into my head.

Instead of posting attendance at these playoff games, they should post gross ticket revenue. That would be interesting to see.

[89Hen]

Judge for yourself. Each side holds 8,500 at McGuirk. The home side was full. the visiting side looked at least 75%.
75 is generous IMO. The section and half section at each end was empty and even in the middle there are lots of empty seats...

http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6712/1164/400/382227/construction%20052.jpg

[Katillac]

OK, now that I am done laughing at some of these posts, let me point out a few things to many of you about how this whole thing works.

First off, an NCAA rep is at every playoff game, and they audit the tickets taken at the gate. That is the attendance. The NCAA doesn't allow "free" tickets anymore. If students are going to get into a game for free, then the school has to pay for the ticket and then give it to the student. So you still have a paid attendance.

This was put into place a few years ago because of the rumors of "under reporting" by different schools. The attendance figure that is put on the box score is actually tickets taken at the gate. Now if someone opened a side gate (which is unlikely) then you might see a different number of people than what was reported.

Now to stadium size. To say that both sides hold XXXX people is also a joke. 90 percent of the stadiums in 1-AA are over reported on the stadium size. About 10-15 years ago stadiums started remeasuring their seats to get a bigger capacity. A lot of stadiums measued thier benchs at 1 "seat" every 33 inches. Then year later they wanted to add capacity, so they just went in and remeasued at something like 24 inches per seat. Many stadiums were able to add 2,000-3,000 "seats" without actually adding anything to the stadium.

So the argument that one side was full and the other was about half full so that attendance number is bogus really doesn't hold water. And like other people said, everyone spreads out and no one actually sits shoulder to shoulder.

[Minuteman87]

Now that I am done laughing at Katillac, xlolx here are some facts:


The attendance figure that is put on the box score is actually tickets taken at the gate.

Impossible: No reasonable person who was at the Lafayette-UMass game (as I was) could possibly say there were only slightly more than 5,000 (paid) people there. It was AT LEAST double that. But as for attendance being 15,000 because the 1 was dropped, I doubt that too.


Now if someone opened a side gate (which is unlikely) then you might see a different number of people than what was reported.

Due to the architecture of the stadium it is possible that some people snuck in, but NOT 5,000 to 7,000 people. Even taking 250 people in the UMass band, and a couple hundred players family members, the numbers still don't add up.


If students are going to get into a game for free, then the school has to pay for the ticket and then give it to the student. So you still have a paid attendance.

Student tickets were $5. So under your logic, they should have been counted in the gate. Children at $6 per pop, must also be counted.


Now to stadium size. To say that both sides hold XXXX people is also a joke. 90 percent of the stadiums in 1-AA are over reported on the stadium size. About 10-15 years ago stadiums started remeasuring their seats to get a bigger capacity

Strike 3. When I was a freshman at UMass in 1982, stadium capacity was 17,000. It remains 17,000 today. That is far more than 10-15 years ago.


So the argument that one side was full and the other was about half full so that attendance number is bogus really doesn't hold water.

Wrong again. The home side was 80 percent full, the away side half full. Do the math, that is more than 5,300.

Why was attendance underreported? I don't know. It defies logic. I don't necessarily buy the "embezzlement" conspiracy theory, and it would seem to me that reporting a larger, more accurate gate would benefit the school (Look at us, we draw great for home playoff games, so give us more!) and would give the impression that many more people care about I-AA football. I suggested to a sports reporter friend that he look into it. He shrugged and said "Who cares?"

[yorkcountyUNHfan]

Player's family members have to buy tickets come playoff time.

[SFA 71]

Montana's game broke the record for largest first round attendance...

Largest non-championship game attendance remains Marshall-Eastern Kentucky semifinal... 21,084 (1991)...

Today's attendance in Missoula of 20,077 was ranked #2 all-time however for a non-championship game...
That means 1/10 of the state of Montana was at the game. Wow!!
In TEXAS, "Southlake Carroll vs. Euless Trinity lived up to its billing. Carroll scored with 37 seconds left to win the battle of last year's Class 5A champions, 22-21, in front of 46,339, the second-largest crowd to witness a high school game at Texas Stadium."
:thumbsup:

[GRZZ]

Originally Posted by TexasTerror
Montana's game broke the record for largest first round attendance...

Largest non-championship game attendance remains Marshall-Eastern Kentucky semifinal... 21,084 (1991)...

Today's attendance in Missoula of 20,077 was ranked #2 all-time however for a non-championship game...

I'm confused because I swear the Montana Quarter and Semifinal games two years ago had more than 21,000. I could be wrong though, either way I would gaurentee that record if it still stands will be broken this weekend.

[BigSkyGrizGano]

That means 1/10 of the state of Montana was at the game. Wow!!
In TEXAS, "Southlake Carroll vs. Euless Trinity lived up to its billing. Carroll scored with 37 seconds left to win the battle of last year's Class 5A champions, 22-21, in front of 46,339, the second-largest crowd to witness a high school game at Texas Stadium."
:thumbsup:
20k is not 1/10th of the state. Montana has over 900,000 people.

[TheBisonator]

20k is not 1/10th of the state. Montana has over 900,000 people.

Actually, there's approximately 935,000.

North Dakota only has about 640,000 and we almost had that many for the Dakota Marker game a couple weeks ago.:D

In any case, over 20,000+ is still a damn good figure for a 1st round game, tho.:thumbsup:

[SoCon48]

not true either!!!

Watch the PBS documentaries. They shoot down the conspiracy theories one by one. The grassy knoll crap is just good for selling third rate movies and books to dumb butts.

[CamelCityYosef]

The grassy knoll crap is just good for selling third rate movies and books to dumb butts.

We actually have a grassy knoll at Kidd Brewer Stadium...

[Ronbo]

That means 1/10 of the state of Montana was at the game. Wow!!
In TEXAS, "Southlake Carroll vs. Euless Trinity lived up to its billing. Carroll scored with 37 seconds left to win the battle of last year's Class 5A champions, 22-21, in front of 46,339, the second-largest crowd to witness a high school game at Texas Stadium."
:thumbsup:

HaHaHa!!! We average 23,400 for the year and your pathetic fan base is 7686 average per game. Our 2A (1500-2500 students) HS teams get as much fans as you do. That's hilarious!xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

[89Hen]

North Dakota only has about 640,000
Seriously? :eek: Must be awfully empty up there.

[APPSTER]

HaHaHa!!! We average 23,400 for the year and your pathetic fan base is 7686 average per game. Our 2A (1500-2500 students) HS teams get as much fans as you do. That's hilarious!xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

Nice....way to hammer ole SFA 71! :thumbsup: Averaging 23,400 is an awesome testament to the Montana faithful....and a testament to the fact that there is nothing else to do there.

[Grizfanatic]

We actually have a grassy knoll at Kidd Brewer Stadium...

So do we it is called mount jumbo.xlolx :rotateh: xlolx

[jimgrizfan]

So do we it is called mount jumbo.xlolx :rotateh: xlolx

GOOD ONE!:nod:

[Peems]

Watch the PBS documentaries. They shoot down the conspiracy theories one by one. The grassy knoll crap is just good for selling third rate movies and books to dumb butts.

how do you explain the mysterious third bullet?:smiley_wi

[Kabooom]

Nice....way to hammer ole SFA 71! :thumbsup: Averaging 23,400 is an awesome testament to the Montana faithful....and a testament to the fact that there is nothing else to do there.

Right....Appster....Nothing to do in Montana?....Would you like to get into a discuusion as to which state has more inbreeding in their genes? Don't go there....And if you do....don't forget to pull out your Banjo......:nono:

[Maroon&White]

Would you like to get into a discuusion as to which state has more inbreeding in their genes?

West Virginia??

[lizrdgizrd]

Would you like to get into a discuusion as to which state has more inbreeding in their genes?
West Virginia??
:thumbsup: :hurray: xlolx

[Kabooom]

Nice....way to hammer ole SFA 71! :thumbsup: Averaging 23,400 is an awesome testament to the Montana faithful....and a testament to the fact that there is nothing else to do there.:twocents:
There's a ton of stuff to in Montana! Outdoor sports GALORE! In Montana, we have basically two types of people....Spare times are usually consumed basically by the following...You're either a doer, and are having an outdoor blast, OR....you are the more ROBUST type.... who continually eats at McDonalds then just watches the sporty types do it on TV from the convienience of their drink and bar stool....... Out.:nod:

[lizrdgizrd]

:twocents:
There's a ton of stuff to in Montana! Outdoor sports GALORE! In Montana, we have basically two types of people....Spare times are usually consumed basically by the following...You're either a doer, and are having an outdoor blast, OR....you are the more ROBUST type.... who continually eats at McDonalds then just watches the sporty types do it on TV from the convienience of their drink and bar stool....... Out.:nod:
You need a 3rd type. Doers who do while enjoying a frosty beverage! :beerchug:

[SFA 71]

20k is not 1/10th of the state. Montana has over 900,000 people.

That was a joke. I guess you were so cold you missed it. Here's an easier one... why is 6 afraid of 7 ???? :thumbsup:

[SFA 71]

HaHaHa!!! We average 23,400 for the year and your pathetic fan base is 7686 average per game. Our 2A (1500-2500 students) HS teams get as much fans as you do. That's hilarious!xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

Are you talking about SFA's attendance or our high schools. I think Montana must have only two colleges :confused: while Texas has about a dozen plus the two pro teams pulling the kabillion people here in different directions. Guess which show people go to when there is only one show in town. I guess since we still have a couple of drive in movie theatres that dillutes our attendance also. Probably pretty cold sitting there in the big sky country at a drive in when the wind chill factor is 150 below. :thumbsup:

[Tod]

Are you talking about SFA's attendance or our high schools. I think Montana must have only two colleges :confused: while Texas has about a dozen plus the two pro teams pulling the kabillion people here in different directions. Guess which show people go to when there is only one show in town. I guess since we still have a couple of drive in movie theatres that dillutes our attendance also. Probably pretty cold sitting there in the big sky country at a drive in when the wind chill factor is 150 below. :thumbsup:

Montana has seven college teams, two are CS, five are NAIA. But we also don't have a kabillion people, so I'm not sure what your argument is. :confused:

[SoCon48]

how do you explain the mysterious third bullet?:smiley_wi
Simple. More bull ****.

[Walkon79]

Its not that they cant add. UMass like other teams just wana keep more of the gate and the only way to do so is underreport in the playoffs. I guess they wanted to keep alot of the money.

I, too was a little bewildered by the reported attendance, at least at the game I went to. Couldn't have been more than 1,000 empty seats in Bozeman, which holds about 13,500. I thought we under-reported also.

[KAUMASS]

I was at the UMass game. I'd say around 13,000.
I graduated from UMass, but it sure is hard to spell Massachusetts..4 s's and 2 t's..

[SFA 71]

Montana has seven college teams, two are CS, five are NAIA. But we also don't have a kabillion people, so I'm not sure what your argument is. :confused:


I had a question. What does ronbo mean by: " HaHaHa!!! We average 23,400 for the year and your pathetic fan base is 7686 average per game. Our 2A (1500-2500 students) HS teams get as much fans as you do. That's hilarious! " Must be some Montana quizz that South Texans arn't privy to. You explain what HE meant, then we can argue. :thumbsup: