attendance for spring game?

Submitted by bsgriffin1 on

what was the attendance about for the spring game today? was there a good showing?

MgoblueAF

April 17th, 2011 at 1:32 AM ^

It probably didn't help that Hoke downplayed the whole game these past couple weeks. I saw his logic, but I don't think it was a good idea when you consider the whole added philanthropy factor.

lhglrkwg

April 17th, 2011 at 12:47 PM ^

speaking as someone who just graduated last year, I would definitely skip the spring game if I had work to do. It's the SPRING GAME. It's a glorified practice. If you've got the time, cool. If not, then of course you're going to skip it

JDinAK

April 17th, 2011 at 7:15 PM ^

I'm within three weeks of graduating from the law school.  I love the university, love the law school, and made time for every home game this year.  But I skipped the spring "game."  It's essentially practice, and I've got a brief to write.

UMMAN83

April 17th, 2011 at 8:26 AM ^

bad the showing was poor.  Sidelines looked filled from 30 to 30.  Little to no rain unitl late.  Actually felt fairly warm.  Don't get the lack of support.

energyblue1

April 17th, 2011 at 8:32 AM ^

Folks, don't take 10 tickets and then not even go, don't take 10 tickets when you know at best you are going to use 4..........that is jack

 

Hopefully next yr the university charges $10 for reserve tickets for motts and it cuts back on ppl just taking as many as they are limited to take.........

btw I am hoping the school moves spring back 2 weeks for much better weather.....but I doubt they will, doing that would take them past spring break.

Wolverine Convert

April 17th, 2011 at 9:18 AM ^

If they "sell" the midfield tickets based on a donation they can leave all of the other seats free to whoever walks up. This will allow people to donate on a credit/debit card rather than just cash at the game. They could also just print out vouchers for the fatheads, etc.

I think this would make a lot of sense and probably make a lot more money for Mott. If we have a good season, next year's spring game could be a big deal.

Go Blue!

M2NASA

April 18th, 2011 at 12:21 PM ^

Based on the new football indoor practice facility, the stadium expansion, the basketball practice facility under construction, the renovation of the baseball stadium, and the new HD scoreboards, I don't think the AD is hurting for moeny enough to charge for the spring game.

Wolverine319

April 17th, 2011 at 9:13 AM ^

The weather had a huge impact.  When it started drizzling a bit harder, there were crowds of people just heading for the exits. I agree with the 20k number, but it was around 15k for the second half. 

tbeindit

April 17th, 2011 at 9:57 AM ^

First off, we had about 50,000 last year, so I would say that should be the starting point.  The exam argument isn't relevant because it was the exact same time in relation to exams last year.  However, here's the big things that affected it:

 

1. Bad Weather

2. Red Wings Playoff Game (I know several people who didn't go because of this)

3. Hoke downplaying the game

4. Coverage on TV 

I know it was covered last year, but I don't think it was covered live or popularized as much as it was this year.

Gatekeeper

April 17th, 2011 at 11:00 AM ^

and it was 35 and snowing

If I was a fan at my first spring game, I probably would never come back. It was a horrible day

the weather

stupid print-at-home tickets that meant nothing, didn't even hear who won any of the prizes

people begging for money every 5 minutes, I get it, its a charity fund-raiser, I'll give at the entrance, you don't need to bug me every 5 minutes in the stands

cars lining the subdivision near the game all were ticketed by AA police

barely an hour of practice, Coach Hoke said it was because of depth...huh? The guys were tired after that?

It was really, really bad and it wasn't just the weather. I'm already questioing if i ever want to go again.

M-Wolverine

April 17th, 2011 at 11:09 AM ^

What's happened lately with the weather? I remember Spring Games getting the first tan of the season from being in the sun, but it's been pretty miserable lately.

Print at home tickets dumbest idea in the history of dumb.

I saw one person with a bucket inside the Stadium, and they didn't even bother me. Maybe they were concentrating where there were people in the middle.

The ticket thing is bush. But par for the city.

I don't know about the practice thing though. They were out there for a good hour and a half. It WAS supposed to go 12-2, but they did come out before 12 for the stretching, and finished at 1:30.  The weather was so miserable, I figured everyone had just had enough.

Mitch Cumstein

April 17th, 2011 at 2:01 PM ^

Pretty par for the course for them.  Concentrating their efforts on giving out tickets for parking, drinking, pretty much anything they can possibly make a dime off of.  I've yet to hear of an actual crime being solved by them. 

tbeindit

April 17th, 2011 at 3:43 PM ^

The weather was better last year.  I certainly remember no rain, but I don't remember any snow.

You know, the tickets may have scared more people off.  They served literally no purpose.  I just walked in and sat where i wanted.  I didn't see anybody who actually was checking the tickets.

Also, I'm not sure why the party scene was so scaled down.  Didn't see much going at all compared to last year, now that I'm unsure about

Feat of Clay

April 18th, 2011 at 11:42 AM ^

They were checking tickets for my section (44).  Not that it helped a whole lot; there was a guy and his family in our row/seats.  I was unwilling to just wander off and find something else because I had a big party with me, including guests from out of town, one of whom had a little kid in her arms. 

I didn't care where he went or where he sat; it's all good, we're all fans.  I just wanted there to be room for us.  He acted like I demanded his left kidney. 

Didn't get hassled for donations, just asked nicely twice. That was fine. 

It just wasn't a good time, really.  The scoreboards being gone didn't help.  Sound was bad.

vegasjeff

April 17th, 2011 at 10:17 AM ^

A program as storied as Michigan should draw at least 50k to its spring game. I can see the weather or the TV (thanks from Las Vegas, BTN) affecting the number, but it should be 50k in bad weather, 70k+ in good.

Next year, with a good season this fall, will be better.

CleverMichigan…

April 17th, 2011 at 11:40 AM ^

The spring game always falls around the same time in the academic schedule. This year there weren't even big pregames going. In the past 2 years, our pregame partners for the fall would treat the spring game as a "practice run" for football season, but I didn't see any of that yesterday for whatever reason. WEAK.

lhglrkwg

April 17th, 2011 at 4:17 PM ^

I feel like fanbases around the country are competing for who can get the highest spring game attendance but I know the truth. everyone who goes to their teams spring game is bored out of their minds. seriously, spring games are so boring. I feel like most people have to force themselves to go

I think Michigan fans thought it was neat the last few years with richrod and then we all realized that they are incredibly boring.

I know a lot of us here would pay to watch denard run laps but for the vast majority of fans, it's a snooze-fest