Big House still biggest...

Submitted by Wolverdore on
Even though our capacity has fallen below Penn State during the renovations, through last week's games, we still have the largest average attendance in the NCAA. http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/article/134825 If for some reason, this does not work, here is the top 5 and the other Big Ten teams making the list: 1. Michigan 108,649 2. Penn State 106,955 3. Ohio State 105,229 4. Texas 100,283 5. Tennessee 99,091 15. Wisconsin 80,037 17. Michigan State 74,903 SEC may claim to be the top conference, but a lot more fans come out to see the Big Ten play. I believe Tennesee has a capacity of over 100,000, but apparently isn't selling out games. For as mediocre as our team has been this year, the fans still come out and support. Go Blue. Can't wait for a bigger Big House next year and a better team. This chart won't be even close. By the way, what are the chances of a story like this making the local media anytime soon. Oh, I forgot, it is a positive story. Sorry.
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2Blue4You

November 11th, 2009 at 1:13 PM ^

Someone told me in Happy Valley they argue that Michigan Stadium is smaller b/c their seats aren't even regulation size. Didnt' know there was a regulation size seat. And isnt' the proof in the attendance? Go Blue

Joined: 08/28/2008

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BlockM

November 11th, 2009 at 1:23 PM ^

Really a testament to the fan base. I like to think that a lot of people who have been huge fans for a long time have been able to visit the stadium for the first time because people have been more willing to get rid of their tickets, and those are the people we need in the seats.

Joined: 07/03/2008

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Greenwood_Slumdog

November 11th, 2009 at 1:39 PM ^

From what I have read about the expansion plans, the rated official capacity of the new Michigan Stadium will be ~108,200. As we all know the attendance of games for the last few years have been way over the 107,501 current capacity, so I would think that our average attendance in the future will be well over 109K. IME, at some point in the next 10-15 years or so we are going to have to add seating to the North and South end zones. Penn State, oSU, and Tenn will continue to add capacity and we will need to stay in front of them. I sincerely hope that the athletic department realizes that the alumni and fan base value having the largest stadium. Period. That, and having the new brick facade wrap around the North and South would look fantastic.

Joined: 08/25/2009

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M-Wolverine

November 11th, 2009 at 11:48 PM ^

Actually for next year it's supposed to go over 110,000 with the new deluxe seating, then go back down to around 108k the next year when they readjust the seating numbers and such to add aisle space and give us the promised seating room addition. I was kinda hoping we could convince the next AD to NOT spread out the numbers and such. I like the added total, and heck, half the games are freezing so the added togetherness doesn't hurt. At least have them wait till after 2011, so we can have an Ohio State game with a good Michigan team to break the all time record.

Joined: 10/04/2009

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Bosch

November 11th, 2009 at 1:50 PM ^

"For as mediocre as our team has been this year, the fans still come out and support." I can't speak for the other schools on the list, but I'm pretty sure that Michigan counts ticket sales and not actual attendance. There is no way in hell that the attendance for the Delaware State game was 106,304, which is the number on the books.

Joined: 04/03/2009

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Wes Mantooth

November 11th, 2009 at 2:39 PM ^

This post from before the Delaware St. game deal with attendance. Apparently the official attendance takes ticket sales into consideration and not a turnstile count. It also includes visitors (the opposing team, coaches, band, etc). I'm not sure where some of these people get their info, but I tend to trust what they're saying... http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/trouble-selling-dsu-game-tickets

Joined: 07/28/2009

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MartinHD

November 11th, 2009 at 2:11 PM ^

Great post. Given the team's poor performance as of late and the state of the economy in Michigan, it is truly a testament to the loyalty of the Michigan fanbase that Michigan stadium has been filled to 102.3% of capacity this season. People may not realize that other schools simply cannot fill their significantly smaller stadiums, even when their teams are having good seasons- examples below with percents of capacity this season: Miami (FL) - 66% Pittsburgh - 74.9% Stanford - 75.6% California - 84.5% Southern Cal - 88.7% Oklahoma St. - 90.4% Georgia Tech - 92.4% Cincinnati - 95.4%

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