RSS Feeds
 |
|
|||||||||||||
Sports » Local
Article rated a 4
by 2
users |
AP PHOTO
Despite a strong recent surge by Iowa and center Seth Gorney (53), the attendance at Carver Hawkeye Arena is cause for concern.
~ADVERTISING~
Hawks on pace for their lowest attendance
By The Associated Press
IOWA CITY -- It was Iowa's Big Ten opener and the Hawkeyes were hosting Indiana. The rival Hoosiers were ranked among the nation's elite and featured a scintillating freshman in Eric Gordon, widely seen as one of the game's brightest young stars.
So where the heck was everybody?
Only 9,890 fans attended the game, and the upper echelons behind the baskets at the 15,500-seat Carver-Hawkeye Arena were barren. The few who stuck around for Justin Johnson's late-game heroics were outnumbered by scores of seats that were empty long before Indiana took a late lead.
This was not an isolated incident.
The Hawkeyes are on pace to draw their lowest average attendance since Carver-Hawkeye Arena opened in 1983. Through 13 games, Iowa had drawn an average of just 10,131 fans. Even if they sell out their final five games, which is unlikely given that Iowa hadn't had one through Feb. 1, the Hawkeyes would fall nearly 300 short of the previous low of 11,901 set in 2004-05.
In fact, the five lowest attendance averages at Carver-Hawkeye Arena have come in each of the past five years. The numbers for other Big Ten schools have been consistent during that stretch, usually settling at around 12,600 fans per home game.
Iowa has drawn better for Big Ten games, averaging 11,802 for their first four conference home games.
"Attendance has been an issue that's on the table," Iowa athletic director Gary Barta said. "This isn't an issue that just emerged this year. It's been a deterioration over the last five years."
Among the reasons blamed for the dwindling Iowa crowds:
- Season-ticket sales have dropped by nearly 3,000 in the past eight years.
- Later 8 p.m. start times, dictated by television, have made it more difficult to draw fans.
- The team's on-court struggles.
Many thought the departure of former coach Steve Alford -- a lighting rod for critics by the time he left for New Mexico last April -- and the arrival of Todd Lickliter would re-energize the fan base. Though the Hawkeyes saw a slight uptick in season-ticket sales, fans still aren't filling the arena.
Iowa officials are well aware of the attendance downturn, a situation they blame primarily on the drop in season tickets sales. Rick Klatt, the associate athletic director, said the number of season tickets has dropped by roughly 2,800 in the last eight years -- a timeline that coincided with Alford's tenure.
Season-ticket holders usually represent a program's staunchest fans, and luring them back can prove difficult. Iowa sold just 40 more season tickets this year than in 2006-07, Klatt said, despite the hiring of Lickliter, who took Butler to the round of 16 a year ago.
"We were losing loyal season ticket holders," Barta said. "To me, that's the single greatest challenge that we were looking at."
This year has also presented a unique set of problems. Two of the program's biggest draws, Northern Iowa and Iowa State, didn't visit Carver this year, and the newly formed Big Ten Network forced Iowa to start a number of games at 8 p.m. instead of the traditional 7 p.m. tip-off.
It's no secret that late start times discourage fans from making the trip out to the arena -- especially for a team with a significant number of fans across the state -- and Iowa officials estimate that they lose 500 to 600 fans every time they play at 8 p.m.
The late start times means someone who drives from Des Moines, for example, won't return from Iowa City until midnight. Even those who live near the arena won't get home until 10:30 p.m. at the earliest.
Barta intends the address the glut of 8 p.m. start times with the Big Ten Network and conference officials in the offseason.
"Eight (p.m.) starts hurt our attendance," Barta said. "My goal is to have far fewer, because for those fans across the state, there's no question that 8 o'clock is not our best time. Seven o'clock is a much more convenient time."
The team's on-court performance hasn't helped matters. Not much was expected of the Hawkeyes in the preseason, when fans pondered whether to buy tickets. So far they've performed as expected. Iowa (10-12, 3-6 Big Ten) will need a late-season turnaround to avoid just their third losing season since 1990.
"During a season like this when expectations aren't great, people are less willing to spend the money if they think there's little to no hope of winning," said Corey Phillips, a 2004 Iowa grad who attended the Jan. 26 game against Penn State.
Iowa officials are hopeful Lickliter will build the Hawkeyes into a consistent contender in the Big Ten, producing teams that the fan base can rally around.
"It's very obvious we've hired a coach that's gotten the team pointed in the right direction," Klatt said. "We think we're only moving forward and upward."
Ultimately, it's winning that draws fans. Just ask Drake, which has sold out six straight games at the Knapp Center as the team tries to build on an 18-game winning streak.
"Our approach is that we're going to put a team out there that people are going to love to watch, and the word will spread," Lickliter said. "Our goal is to fill every seat by having a team that Hawkeyes fans embrace."
So where the heck was everybody?
Only 9,890 fans attended the game, and the upper echelons behind the baskets at the 15,500-seat Carver-Hawkeye Arena were barren. The few who stuck around for Justin Johnson's late-game heroics were outnumbered by scores of seats that were empty long before Indiana took a late lead.
This was not an isolated incident.
The Hawkeyes are on pace to draw their lowest average attendance since Carver-Hawkeye Arena opened in 1983. Through 13 games, Iowa had drawn an average of just 10,131 fans. Even if they sell out their final five games, which is unlikely given that Iowa hadn't had one through Feb. 1, the Hawkeyes would fall nearly 300 short of the previous low of 11,901 set in 2004-05.
In fact, the five lowest attendance averages at Carver-Hawkeye Arena have come in each of the past five years. The numbers for other Big Ten schools have been consistent during that stretch, usually settling at around 12,600 fans per home game.
Iowa has drawn better for Big Ten games, averaging 11,802 for their first four conference home games.
"Attendance has been an issue that's on the table," Iowa athletic director Gary Barta said. "This isn't an issue that just emerged this year. It's been a deterioration over the last five years."
Among the reasons blamed for the dwindling Iowa crowds:
- Season-ticket sales have dropped by nearly 3,000 in the past eight years.
- Later 8 p.m. start times, dictated by television, have made it more difficult to draw fans.
- The team's on-court struggles.
Many thought the departure of former coach Steve Alford -- a lighting rod for critics by the time he left for New Mexico last April -- and the arrival of Todd Lickliter would re-energize the fan base. Though the Hawkeyes saw a slight uptick in season-ticket sales, fans still aren't filling the arena.
Iowa officials are well aware of the attendance downturn, a situation they blame primarily on the drop in season tickets sales. Rick Klatt, the associate athletic director, said the number of season tickets has dropped by roughly 2,800 in the last eight years -- a timeline that coincided with Alford's tenure.
Season-ticket holders usually represent a program's staunchest fans, and luring them back can prove difficult. Iowa sold just 40 more season tickets this year than in 2006-07, Klatt said, despite the hiring of Lickliter, who took Butler to the round of 16 a year ago.
"We were losing loyal season ticket holders," Barta said. "To me, that's the single greatest challenge that we were looking at."
This year has also presented a unique set of problems. Two of the program's biggest draws, Northern Iowa and Iowa State, didn't visit Carver this year, and the newly formed Big Ten Network forced Iowa to start a number of games at 8 p.m. instead of the traditional 7 p.m. tip-off.
It's no secret that late start times discourage fans from making the trip out to the arena -- especially for a team with a significant number of fans across the state -- and Iowa officials estimate that they lose 500 to 600 fans every time they play at 8 p.m.
The late start times means someone who drives from Des Moines, for example, won't return from Iowa City until midnight. Even those who live near the arena won't get home until 10:30 p.m. at the earliest.
Barta intends the address the glut of 8 p.m. start times with the Big Ten Network and conference officials in the offseason.
"Eight (p.m.) starts hurt our attendance," Barta said. "My goal is to have far fewer, because for those fans across the state, there's no question that 8 o'clock is not our best time. Seven o'clock is a much more convenient time."
The team's on-court performance hasn't helped matters. Not much was expected of the Hawkeyes in the preseason, when fans pondered whether to buy tickets. So far they've performed as expected. Iowa (10-12, 3-6 Big Ten) will need a late-season turnaround to avoid just their third losing season since 1990.
"During a season like this when expectations aren't great, people are less willing to spend the money if they think there's little to no hope of winning," said Corey Phillips, a 2004 Iowa grad who attended the Jan. 26 game against Penn State.
Iowa officials are hopeful Lickliter will build the Hawkeyes into a consistent contender in the Big Ten, producing teams that the fan base can rally around.
"It's very obvious we've hired a coach that's gotten the team pointed in the right direction," Klatt said. "We think we're only moving forward and upward."
Ultimately, it's winning that draws fans. Just ask Drake, which has sold out six straight games at the Knapp Center as the team tries to build on an 18-game winning streak.
"Our approach is that we're going to put a team out there that people are going to love to watch, and the word will spread," Lickliter said. "Our goal is to fill every seat by having a team that Hawkeyes fans embrace."
 |
More Stories from Sports » Local
Hawks on pace for their lowest attendanceSunday Scrum: Was Namath's finger waggle tops in Super Bowl lore? Yes!Sunday Scrum: Was Namath's finger waggle tops in Super Bowl lore? Yes!1A sectional: Dons pin down sectional titleNo. 9 Upper Iowa stopped by No. 1 MSU-MankatoWeb extra: Eli makes sure Super Bowl, MVP trophies stay a family affairLincoln trips Black Hawks, 5-3
SPORTS EXTRAS
 CLICK HERE for a complete
listing
of local golf course tournaments |
TheShow wrote on Feb 4, 2008 3:39 PM:
" Agree with gms - ticket prices are big factor. If they continue to improve they will see attendance increase in the future but they need to keep ticket prices stable or at least increase less than inflation (not double the inflation rate). Personally, I think the start time excuse is a cop-out. If people really want to go, and can afford it, starting at 8 instead of 7 isn’t that big of a deal. It is easier to keep a customer than win one back, and the years of Alford’s teams underachieving have driven away a lot of fans, it will take time to win them back.
That being said, with the Big Ten network start times are 6 or 8, and both can be used as an excuse for attendance. A large number of fans either can’t get to the game in time without leaving work too early, or won’t get back home until late. I wonder who they are talking about that can get home from an 8:00 game by 10:30. With traffic around Carver, they must be talking about students that can walk to their apartment within 5 blocks of the arena. Being one of the western most schools in the Big Ten, we need to expect most of Iowa’s games to be at 8:00. They aren’t going to make Penn St or Ohio St. start their games at 9:00 Eastern time. I wonder if the Big Ten even considered this side effect when they turned their back on what was the most fan friendly TV package around to embark on the folly of their own network.
"
That being said, with the Big Ten network start times are 6 or 8, and both can be used as an excuse for attendance. A large number of fans either can’t get to the game in time without leaving work too early, or won’t get back home until late. I wonder who they are talking about that can get home from an 8:00 game by 10:30. With traffic around Carver, they must be talking about students that can walk to their apartment within 5 blocks of the arena. Being one of the western most schools in the Big Ten, we need to expect most of Iowa’s games to be at 8:00. They aren’t going to make Penn St or Ohio St. start their games at 9:00 Eastern time. I wonder if the Big Ten even considered this side effect when they turned their back on what was the most fan friendly TV package around to embark on the folly of their own network.
"
waterloo wrote on Feb 5, 2008 2:00 AM:
" This has nothing to do with times or prices. This has everything to do with what there puting on the floor these days. Who wants to see a bunch of guys who pump fake 3 times then shot the ball off the glass. They want to see guys dunking on people and making nice crossover moves. Remeber the good old days of bj.armstrong,roy marble,ed horton,kevin gamble,jerry(sir dunk alot)wright,matt bullard,ray thompson,ricky davis. The good old days. All those guys are athletes not just basketball players. Iowa has a team full of basketball players but no athletes. Bottom line they need to start recruiting athlets again. If that means they need to leave the state more to do that then do that. Because ricky davis was the only one of those guys i named from iowa. Iowa cant even get the best players from iowa to stay in iowa. Like k.hinrich(kansas) nick collison (kansas) both in the nba. "
g m s wrote on Feb 5, 2008 10:17 AM:
" Neither Nick Collison nor Kirk Hinrich are known as 'athletes'.. they are good, solid basketball players...
Which way is it? "
Which way is it? "
wcf reader wrote on Feb 5, 2008 10:49 AM:
" i'd bet game attendance isn't a factor with recruits. who cares if you are playing in front of 5,000 empty seats, right? nothing kills a program more than fair weather fans....... "
snowrider222 wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:37 AM:
" I have to agree with both "TheShow" and "Waterloo. I love Iowa basketball and football. Just love it. It is sad to see what both have put out this year. We need to remmember to keep being fans and support our team in good and bad year. I to think a lot of the attendence problem is "The Wonder Alford". Kidding!! He brought Iowa basketball done the last few years and it is hard to get people back after they left. I do not feel the start times have much to do with it but it could with a few of the older people. Other reason blame Bush. He get blamed for everything else that goes wrong might as well give him the blame for Iowa basketball. "
cachick wrote on Feb 5, 2008 12:19 PM:
" I'm with gms on this one. It's not so much the team as it's the economy. The ticket prices, the cost of gas, the prices at the concession stand. Why go to the game when you can sit on your sofa, the (clean) bathroom and the refrigerator are only steps away, and you can pause the game so you don't miss anything. I completely understand not actually being there. "
sparky2041 wrote on Feb 5, 2008 1:09 PM:
" Maybe it is because the Big Ten Network and their greed by not allowing cable companies to put the BTN channel where the cable companies want, is causing those of use who now don't get the BTN to become Missouri Valley or Big 12 fans. I've seen more Drake, UNI and ISU games on the tube than Iowa. Out of sight, out of mind. We have some great b-ball being played in the state and it isn't Big 10 basketball, though I believe that Lickliter will be a great coach and turn out a good competitive program. If the BTN doesn't get off its duff, I'll watching a lot more MVC and Big 12 B-ball. "
waterloo wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:06 PM:
" Have you guys seen tyler smith on espn top ten plays every week. Thats what happens when you play with other athletes and not robots. Like i said before fans want to see action! So until they get some athletes that fans want to see the stands will continue to be empty. Im just gonna come out and say it. Iowa was very good in mens and womans basketball when they had two black coaches. Ravling and Stringer! Neither team has really did anything since they left. They knew how to bring in the top notch athletes. They would have several top 50 highschool prospects in there recruiting class. And now they might get 1 in the top 200. Thats why the golphers went out and got tubby smith. They will be great in about 3 yrs when he bring in his recruites! "
g m s wrote on Feb 7, 2008 7:37 AM:
" Ahh racism.. I get it now.
Anyway, a 6 point loss last night to Wisconsin is still a loss.. but the Hawks competed. Throw Tyler Smith in there, and the Hawks probably win.. If Smith had stayed they probably get 6-8 more wins this year.
I agree that Lickliter's teams may never be the early 90s UNLV type team that puts up a hundred every night, but the system works. And people will watch a winner. This team is obviously headed in the right direction. "
Anyway, a 6 point loss last night to Wisconsin is still a loss.. but the Hawks competed. Throw Tyler Smith in there, and the Hawks probably win.. If Smith had stayed they probably get 6-8 more wins this year.
I agree that Lickliter's teams may never be the early 90s UNLV type team that puts up a hundred every night, but the system works. And people will watch a winner. This team is obviously headed in the right direction. "
Due to the amount of spam and negative comments received, the Courier implement a registered-user system for participation in the comment portion of our site. In doing so, the Courier reserves the right to ban any user(s) at any time without notice if we feel they are not following the terms of agreement.
DISCLAIMER: The Courier provides our story commenting feature in order to solicit feedback, debate and discussion on topics of local interest. Please keep in mind that civility is a necessary component of productive conversation. All blatantly inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate comments (i.e. vulgarity, marketing, etc.) are subject to rejection and/or removal. Comments will appear if and when they are approved. For a more in-depth explanation of our policy, please see our Rules of the Road. Thanks for reading, and thanks for participating.
~ADVERTISEMENT~
NEWS |
SPORTS |
COMMUNITY |
BUSINESS |
ENTERTAINMENT |
FEATURES |
OPINIONS |
OBITUARIES |
CLASSIFIEDS |
PRIVACY POLICY |
CONTACT US |
CARRIER PAGES
|
g m s wrote on Feb 4, 2008 1:05 PM:
Simple economics
"