Vespidae
Helluva Engineer
- Messages
- 5,326
- Location
- Auburn, AL
No. It won't. Winning helps, but it does not drive attendance. Attendance has been extensively studied by the NCAA. In short, attendance is driven by alumni density < 5 miles of the campus, a non-urban campus, and the schedule. Tech does not set up well on either alumni density or non-urban, which is why it has hovered in the mid-40's for decades.but if the Jackets can establish themselves as winners again, attendance will improve markedly.
As to schedule, fans do turn out for a great game. Play almost any SEC team, and attendance goes up dramatically. (When I attended Tech , we played Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Notre Dame. All to packed stadiums.) The move to the ACC was great for basketball, for football, not so much. The rivalries don't mean as much to local fans who are much more engaged in SEC matchups.
Look at Auburn. Yes, they have an 85,000 seat stadium that usually sells out. But not when they play cupcakes. Alabama is the same way. Even Saban has complained about poor attendance.
If you want a full stadium, play (and mostly win) meaningful games that matter to local fans. And because it's downtown, Tech should consider developing an entertainment zone much like the Battery to get people into the area. I've long advocated that Peters Park should be leveled and returned to natural state much like the Grove at Ole Miss. (The Grove is so much fun the games are incidental.)