The House of Blue

I hope we can also get a turnout like some schools do for their spring game where people have to be turned away... I know wishful thinking but you can wish right.

All UK football fans should be made to attend at least one game at Alabama or LSU to see how things are done. I'd like to have a dollar for every time I've heard someone in my section tell someone else to sit down.

That's a crock of crap, and you know it. Kentucky fans are known far and wide as being some of the most loyal in the country. We have suffered through some horrible football over the years but have hung in and filled Commonwealth. This year was just abysmal in every sense of the word, and people just didn't want to spend their hard earned money going to see a horrible display. Not to mention our home schedule was horrible. If we're mediocre, but are fun to watch and the games are competitive, Kentucky fans will come out in droves. That just wasn't the case. And for a guy like me, who lives in Bowling Green, it's not just the price of the ticket. If I'm going to Lexington I'm taking the day off from work, it's the cost of gas, food, and most likely a hotel.

I won't argue to the financial aspect, people should spend their money as they see fit, and as they can afford. I would never criticize.

But a lot of fans chose to stay away out of spite. Topper, you described the fairweather fans in your post, "people just didn't want to spend their hard earned money going to see a horrible display". I choose to support my state university regardless of the display on the field. I'm sure the OP agrees. I can't imagine how embarrassed our players were when they came out of the tunnel for that Vanderbilt game.

As far as how we compare to the rest of the SEC, see below. Even, Arkansas/Missouri, who had a horrible years, saw an increase in Attendance. Most schools remained the same as compared to the previous year. Look how much we dropped. It's disgusting.

School 2011 Avg. Attendance 2012 Avg. Attendance Change
Alabama 101,821 101,722 -99 per game
Georgia 92,613 92,703 +90 per game
LSU 92,868 92,626 -242 per game
Tennessee 94,642 89,965 -4,677 per game
Florida 89,061 87,597 -1,464 per game
Texas A&M 87,183 87,014 -169 per game
Auburn 85,792 82,646 -3,146 per game
S. Carolina 79,131 80,001 +870 per game
Arkansas 66,990 68,046 +1,056 per game
Missouri 62,095 67,476 +5,381 per game
Ole Miss 56,488 57,066 +578 per game
Miss. State 55,949 55,628 -321 per game
Kentucky 60,007 49,691 -10,316 per game
Vanderbilt 32,873 37,860 +4,987 per game

OK, I'll bite. It started when we lost by 18 to an overrated Louisville team. It got worse when we lost at home to Western. The Western game wasn't even as close as the score would indicate. We got dominated for 3/4 of the game, fought back, and still lost on a heartbreaker in OT. It got EVEN worse when we were shut out 38-0 by Florida. A little hope was restored when we were competitive in the first half against South Carolina, only to see the Cats get dominated in the 2nd half and lose by 3 TDs. Then we lost to Mississippi State. Then we got mercy ruled against a 4-8 Arkansas team. We came out, gave a great effort against UGA, but still lost. Got waxed by new SEC member, Missouri. Then we lost by 20 to a UT team that had just fired it's head coach. You know how I know this? Because I watched every. brutal. game.

Apparently, I just don't have the steel resolve or financial resources you have to make myself spend at least $200 to watch a football game that I know my Cats are going to get blown out in due to mismanagement of personnel, and horrible playcalling. That doesn't make me fairweather, it makes me financially responsible.

Now, having said that I am extremely excited about the Mark Stoops era. You can bet your ass I'll be in Nashville on August 31st. And I'd like to see the Cats play a good team at Commonwealth this year. Go Cats! #micdrop

Sure would help revenue and attendance, I know tons of people who choose to tailgate only, or simply not go for this exact reason. Sure, you can say that people should not need alcohol to enjoy a game, but if it did not appeal to the masses at all sporting events, it would not be such a huge hit at every stadium! Not to mention they get away with murder on the prices, so it's very profitable lol.

As big as my arse is, it still will occupy only one seat.

The last time I went to a game at USCjr, everyone in my section was standing up the entire time. Are they a-holes? The last time I went to a game at LSU, everyone in my section was standing up the entire game. Are they a-holes?

I pay for seats, too. I would prefer to stand and be vocal when it is called for. But I can't, because the good people behind me in section 112, like yourself, don't like to stand. Not even on crucial 3rd- or 4th-down plays.

I'd like for CWS to be like Death Valley, where opposing offenses can't hear themselves think. But I've resigned myself to the fact that UK Fan is reactionary, whether it is at CWS or Rupp.

It is easy to sneak in hard alcohol....i just prefer beer while watching a sporting event, it is easier to "maintain" my buzz, lol. For me, hard alcohol is for pregame tailgating...and after game celebrating.

And I know of a lot of people that will only go to the game to tailgate or not even go at all due to the no beer, so I am not a minority.