Sign of the Times

Vols saw fewer fans: home football attendance at its lowest since 1995 in 2009

The University of Tennessee failed to reach the six-digit mark in annual home-game football attendance last season for the first time since 1995, UT athletic director Mike Hamilton reported in December of 2009.

"I think our average attendance is going to be slightly under 100,000 for the first time in a while," said Hamilton in an interview with the News Sentinel.

The Vols have averaged more than 100,000 per game since 1996, when stadium expansion grew the maximum attendance from 91,902 to 102,544. Attendance is based on tickets sold and support staff in the stadium for the game.

"As I look around the league at different schools and as I watch games throughout the country this year, you have some of that nationally," said Hamilton, citing the economic downturn. "So it wasn't to be totally unexpected. Certainly we want to have our numbers back above the 100,000 mark."

High-level donors possibly don't face as difficult a decision.

"There are still a pocketful of folks who are having success even in this economy, so some of those gifts are coming from those who are having those kinds of successes," Hamilton said.

He said many of the empty seats in Neyland Stadium are a result of traveling fans of opposing schools not making the trip to Knoxville as they once did. UT has little time to resell returned tickets, usually just a few days.

"Turning those individual game tickets becomes a bit more problematic right now," Hamilton said.

"As the economy has suffered a little bit, it's been hard to turn those volume of tickets in what typically turns out to be a 48-hour period before kickoff," Hamilton said.

There's also the old-fashioned draw for a program that has had two losing seasons since 2005.



Recently (April 19, 2010 @ 8:30 am), the University of Tennessee ticket office released to the public 2 options of a 3-game football pack. Never can I remember the AD doing this. In the past all of the tickets were sold as season sets, promotional items, or in small cases broken down to individual games. New ideas like this are needed it is a great way to get people in the stands.

Many vol fans are facing economic set backs that unfortunately cut out entertainment like going to Football games. Yet, promotional options like this make things possible again. Also, depending on the location of recent graduates, most would have a hard time justifying the lump sum of season tickets if they knew they were only going to be able to make it back for 3-4 games a year. This option makes it realistic to attend games.

Something I would like to see is a mix & match option for 3-4 games a year. The big 4 home games (Oregon, Florida, Alabama, Ole Miss) or something of the sorts. Instead of wasting my time on UT-Martin, UAB, & "Aged 25 Yrs" Kentucky.

If you look at other successful programs around the SEC like Alabama, Florida, LSU the economy isn't hitting as hard. Why is that? Success.

"We're going to try winning again, how about that?" Hamilton said. "I think as we win more games and continue to put a more competitive product back on the field, (ticket sales) will take care of some of itself because of the strong fan base we have."

Mr. Hamilton your correct. The ticket problems do not solely rest on the rough economic conditions but more so on the state of the Program. I suggest you do whatever it takes (within certain limits) to start winning again by beating the Bamas, Florida's, & LSU's in the world. I would say Georgia but... Visiting fans see UT as a program that isn't worth the travel like some Vol fans. Until UT Football starts winning again this dragging state is going to continue & more extensive promotions will be required to pay the bills.