Chasson Randle at the Iowa Game

**TarHeelHawk** · 12-02-2009, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclones01

Typical Iowa fan story:

Over thanksgiving break I had a friend over (he goes to Iowa). The Texas/Iowa basketball game was on. My brother (an ISU fan and alum) sent me a text that Iowa and Texas were tied at halftime. I told my friend, he didn't believe me. We went in the other room to turn it on. 10 minutes later when it was clear that Iowa wasn't going to pull off any kind of miraculous upset, he had no interest in watching. He knew 1 player on the team (Gatens) and admitted to not following the team at all. This is the same guy who attends every Iowa home football game. Of my 4 or 5 close friends from high school that go to Iowa, none of them can name the starting 5. Yet I'd be willing to bet they could all name 22 football players.

Funny, a popular opinion here is that most Iowa fans can't name anyone on the team but the backup QB. Now you claim that this isn't the case.

You better get ahold of HUCAC and get your story straight.

**mikeiastat** · 12-02-2009, 05:07 PM

Hey now, just when this thread was showing some turnaround. There was some real logic there, and I can respect that. I disagee for the most part, but I can respect that. And I am fully okay with him throwing back the Kinnick apples to apples.

**CycloneErik** · 12-02-2009, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by TarHeelHawk

Funny, a popular opinion here is that most Iowa fans can't name anyone on the team but the backup QB. Now you claim that this isn't the case.

You better get ahold of HUCAC and get your story straight.

I have a Hawkeye buddy at work that can name the guys and work through their strengths and weaknesses from a technique and ability standpoint. And what they did in each game.

Ironically, his friends tell him he's not a big enough fan because he doesn't make it to the games, but they fail to acknowledge that he's 50+, works 8-12 hours a day in Ankeny, and lives in Southside DSM. Making it to Iowa City just isn't going to happen for him.

He's one of the most fun people I know of to talk basketball with. And he likes both teams, so we can work with that.

**mikeiastat** · 12-02-2009, 05:35 PM

And I wouldn't call him a fair weather fan. Maybe we all get it now, but perfect example if the 12 yr olds are still hanging out.

**tazclone** · 12-02-2009, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by DJKHawk

<-----My point-----

Your head

I never compared Iowa's fans to Iowa State's fans. Even when it finishes a season 1-10 or 3-8, Iowa averages 61,000+ fans per game. That was my point; opposite to what your post implies, I never argued who has more fans and I never argued whose fans are more loyal.

Oh, and you might want to reword your sentence about having more loyal fans during down periods. Iowa, as your own post says, averaged 61,000+ when it went 1-10 and 3-8. Iowa State averaged 45,000 during its own down period. I believe your intended message was, "Iowa State has a greater percentage of loyal fans," because it's clear to me which team has a greater number of loyal fans. Here's a hint: It's not Iowa State.

Finally, Iowa did not average 70,000 during Hayden's "last few years." Moreover, Iowa did not average 61,000 from 1998-2000, which puts a dent into your claim of Iowa losing 9% of its fans during down periods. Iowa averaged 68,193 fans from 1993-1998 and 64,305 fans from 1998-2000, a decrease of about 6%.

Until I see a source on Iowa State attendance figures, your point stands. Given how you had to skew Iowa's attendance figures to help prove your point, however, I somehow doubt you were accurate in listing Iowa State's attendance numbers.

In conclusion: Chasson Randle will not come to Iowa. Peace.

Welcome to the debate as that is what we have been talking about the whole time. And yes I worded it poorly. I didn't say Iowa averaged 61K from 1998-2000. I said they lost 2-6K fans per year for 3 years which ledt to 61K for the next two years. So even using your numbers that is 6% loss in a three year time span. Then they maintained 61K for two seasons. It wasn't until they started to WIN that they improved ticket sales.

Was Hayden really successful his last few years? What was Iowa's average attendance in 1992 after a 10-1 season.

Even at 6% loss (if I got that wrong I apologize), that is a far greater loss than ISU during its down years. Iowa also increased to 70K in 2005 after winning. So you see know matter how look at it, Iowa loses ticket sales when they lose, and Gains them when they win. That is definition of bandwagon. They lose them at a greater rate than ISU. That means they have a higher % of bandwagon fans.

To top it off, when ISU was losing they saw increased ticket prices AND increased donation requirements. So not only was the team losing BUT ISU fans paid more to see the losing teams. This is not a rip on Iowa. I would expect to see the same trends at other schools except for Michigan, tOSU, Nebraska, etc. It just shows that ISU fans are extremely loyal even during down times.

You can see ISU's attendance records here http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=1304

**TarHeelHawk** · 12-02-2009, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by CycloneErik

I have a Hawkeye buddy at work that can name the guys and work through their strengths and weaknesses from a technique and ability standpoint. And what they did in each game.

Ironically, his friends tell him he's not a big enough fan because he doesn't make it to the games, but they fail to acknowledge that he's 50+, works 8-12 hours a day in Ankeny, and lives in Southside DSM. Making it to Iowa City just isn't going to happen for him.

He's one of the most fun people I know of to talk basketball with. And he likes both teams, so we can work with that.

Making it to Iowa City doesn't happen for a lot of fans, especially those of us that live in Des Moines. Even when the team is good, it's a tall order to drive out and drive back on a weeknight. At best, you're getting home around midnight. For an 830 start (all of Iowa's weekday games to this point), that means you're getting home around 1 AM.

**mikeiastat** · 12-02-2009, 05:57 PM

That I can kind of understand, but they are averaging about 80% of capacity's worth of fans that can magically no longer make it to the weekday games that used to have no trouble making it. Must be magic, because no Iowa fans are fair weather.

I did travel roughly 4500 miles this year attending football for a team that I didn't expect to win more than 4 games. Sounds plenty "die hard" to me. But believe me, I understand priorities. What doesn't impress is the massive shift by some based on tallent level.

**tazclone** · 12-02-2009, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by SplitIdentity

Here's the thing. ISU ticket sales decreased in bball over the past few down yeas. There is no denying those facts.

ISU ticket sales in football increased the years that Pollard required season tickets for the Iowa/Nebraska games. There was also TONS of hype built around the program when Chizik was hired. However, attendance this year was lower than it was last year, and last year was lower than the previous year.

There is no denying those facts.

So if Iowa fans are horrible because they averaged 60,000 of a 70,000 stadium, does that mean ISU fans are HORRID because they average 43,000 of a 55,000 seat stadium?

Come on people, when teams are bad, the bandwagoners leave. The Iowa bball team has gone through tons of turmoil, and even in the 23-9 year Iowa averaged 1,000 less than a sellout. Hilton was a ghost town last year. That is a fact.

Stop the high and mighty bull, it gets real old.

Didn't require a season ticket to Nebraska. and ISU peaked at 49K the year of the Iowa deal and chiz's first year. ALL OTHER YEARS we have maintained 45K or better which is what we had during our best years. Meaning we don't go away when we lose.

I didn't say Iowa fans were horrid. Just pointing out how loyal ISU fans are. That doesn't mean I think Iowa fans are horrid especially in FB. I would expect most attendance trends to follow Iowa's FB trends. The Iowa basketball trends are funny because Iowa got rid of Tom Davis/Alford to get to the next level and it destroyed their program. ISU got rid of DMac to get to the next level and the fans still support the program. They own up to that decision. Iowa just needs to realize their place in BB is middle of the pack Big Ten with a trip to the NCAA every other year or so. That is their place as long as they are a FB school.

Funny thing I saw today...I saw a black and gold bumper sticker that said "Thank you New Mexico."

**tazclone** · 12-02-2009, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by TarHeelHawk

Making it to Iowa City doesn't happen for a lot of fans, especially those of us that live in Des Moines. Even when the team is good, it's a tall order to drive out and drive back on a weeknight. At best, you're getting home around midnight. For an 830 start (all of Iowa's weekday games to this point), that means you're getting home around 1 AM.

That's different form ISU how?

**TarHeelHawk** · 12-02-2009, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by mikeiastat

That I can kind of understand, but they are averaging about 80% of capacity's worth of fans that can magically no longer make it to the weekday games that used to have no trouble making it. Must be magic, because no Iowa fans are fair weather.

I did travel roughly 4500 miles this year attending football for a team that I didn't expect to win more than 4 games. Sounds plenty "die hard" to me. But believe me, I understand priorities. What doesn't impress is the massive shift by some based on tallent level.

No one said that they can't make it; but I can't see how anyone can blame fans for not wanting to see a bad product. Taz brings up the argument that ISU ticket sales increased when Chizik was hired, and he's right about that. What he doesn't mention is that a lot of that had to do with him being the hot commodity at the time and the requirement of buying a season ticket to get into the 2007 Iowa game.

You traveled 5000 miles to watch the ISU football team this year; that's fantastic. However, I'll bet your in the minority and that the majority of the ISU fanbase can't afford to leave town every time the team is on the road. In fact, I'd say that's probably the case for many fan bases. Obviously, you can afford it - most everyone else probably cant. That doesn't necessarily make you a better fan.

**CyLoboClone** · 12-02-2009, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by dtclones

I literally laughed out loud when I read that. Nice touch.

No way, you LITERALLY laughed out loud?? why not say you laughed out loud. then you dont have to say the the word "literally."

someone once said to me that they literally died when they heard some news. no they didnt. they figuratively died. I am not the grammar police, but i am a private eye...