The Trend In Attendance (2012/2013 edition)

[ChicosBailBonds]

The Venn Diagram of Disney on Ice fan and MUBB fan looks something like this:

OO

Freeway is a big fan of both

[77ncaachamps]

College football attendance gets waterdown by schools like Eastern Michigan, FIU & San Jose State.

Cool it, bro.

Obviously you don't watch college football that closely.

SJSU: 11-2 overall, Bowl win.

Home of an arguably richer FB tradition than MU:
Courtney Anderson — former NFL tight end, Atlanta Falcons and Oakland Raiders[8]
Stacey Bailey — former NFL wide receiver, Atlanta Falcons[9]
Kim Bokamper — former NFL linebacker, Miami Dolphins[9]
John Broussard — NFL wide receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars[9]
Gill Byrd — former NFL defensive back, San Diego Chargers; two NFL Pro Bowl appearances[9]
Jim Cadile — former NFL guard, Chicago Bears[9]
Matt Castelo — former NFL linebacker, Seattle Seahawks; former CFL linebacker, Hamilton Tiger-cats[10]
Steve Clarkson — nationally renowned quarterbacks coach; founder of Steve Clarkson Dreammaker quarterback camp[11]
Sherman Cocroft — former NFL defensive back, Kansas City Chiefs[9]
Clarence Cunningham — former AFL wide receiver, defensive back, running back, and kick returner; former AF2 starter, Stockton Lightning; IFL free safety, Catania Elephants[12]
Neal Dahlen — former SJSU quarterback, NFL manager and scout; holds the record for the most earned Super Bowl rings at seven.[13]
Rashied Davis — NFL wide receiver, Chicago Bears[14]
Yonus Davis — CFL running back, BC Lions
Steve DeBerg — former NFL quarterback, Dallas Cowboys[9]
David Diaz-Infante — former NFL and CFL offensive guard, San Diego Chargers, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, and Sacramento Gold Miners[8]
Terry Donahue — UCLA head football coach; College Football Hall of Fame inductee (attended SJSU for one year)[15]
Carl Ekern — former NFL linebacker, Los Angeles Rams; one NFL Pro Bowl appearance[9]
Mervyn Fernandez —former NFL wide receiver, Los Angeles Raiders[9]
Coye Francies  — NFL defensive back, Cleveland Browns[8]
Jeff Garcia — NFL quarterback, San Francisco 49ers et al.; four NFL Pro Bowl appearances[9]
Trestin George — AFL and CFL wide receiver, San Jose Sabercats and BC Lions
Jarron Gilbert - NFL defensive tackle, Chicago Bears[9]
Charlie Harraway — former NFL running back, Washington Redskins and Cleveland Browns[9]
Paul Held — former NFL quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers[9]
Willie Heston — former SJSU halfback; College Football Hall of Fame inductee (attended SJSU from 1898 to 1900; graduated from University of Michigan)[16]
James Hodgins — former NFL fullback, Saint Louis Rams et al.[9]
Johnny Johnson — former NFL running back, New York Jets; one NFL Pro Bowl appearance; consensus choice for Rookie of the Year (1990)[9]
Cody Jones — NFL defensive tackle, Los Angeles Rams; one NFL Pro Bowl appearance[9]
James Jones — NFL wide receiver, Green Bay Packers[9]
Kevin Jurovich — NFL wide receiver, Philadelphia Eagles; San Francisco 49ers[9]
Rick Kane — former NFL running back, Detroit Lions[9]
Bob Ladouceur — among winningest high school football coaches in U.S. history; coached De La Salle High Spartans to 151 consecutive wins from 1992 to 2003[17]
Bill Leavy — NFL referee; officiated Super Bowl XL
Dwight Lowery — NFL defensive back, New York Jets and two-time All-American at SJSU[9]
Joe Nedney — NFL kicker, San Francisco 49ers[14]
William Yaw Obeng — Arena Football League lineman, San Jose Sabercats
Chris Owens — NFL defensive back, Atlanta Falcons[18]
Neil Parry — football; Most Courageous Athlete Award (Philadelphia Sports Writers Association; 2003)[19]
Tom Petithomme — former Arena Football League player, San Jose Sabercats[20]
Art Powell — NFL wide receiver, Oakland Raiders; Raiders' 7th all-time leading receiver[9]
Waylon Prather — former NFL punter, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals[21]
David Richmond — former NFL wide receiver, Cincinnati Bengals[22]
Scott Rislov — Arena Football League quarterback, San Jose Sabercats
Al Saunders — former NFL head coach for the San Diego Chargers[23]
Rufus Skillern — CFL and NFL wide receiver, BC Lions and Baltimore Ravens
Gerald Small — former NFL defensive back, Miami Dolphins[9]
Carl Sullivan — former NFL defensive end, Green Bay Packers[9]
Adam Tafralis — CFL quarterback, Hamilton Tiger-Cats[24]
Tyson Thompson —NFL kick returner, Dallas Cowboys[9]
Bob Titchenal — former NFL linebacker, Washington Redskins and Los Angeles Dons; one Pro Bowl appearance; former head football coach, University of New Mexico and SJSU[9]
Dick Vermeil — NFL head coach; winning coach, Super Bowl XXXIV[25][26]
Bill Walsh — NFL head coach; winning coach, Super Bowl XVI, Super Bowl XIX, and Super Bowl XXIII; Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee[25][27]
Gerald Willhite — former NFL running back, Denver Broncos[9]
Billy Wilson — former NFL receiver, San Francisco 49ers; six NFL Pro Bowl appearances[9]
Louis Wright — former NFL defensive back, Denver Broncos; 1st round NFL draft pick; five NFL Pro Bowl appearances[9]
Roy Zimmerman — former NFL quarterback, Washington Redskins; one Pro Bowl appearance[9]

[The Equalizer]

Maybe, rather than look for things Marquette must be doing wrong, we ought to just accept the fact that what's happening in Milwaukee reflects the national trend in college basketball attendance.

It might be the trend for all 345 teams.  But not for the top 25.

Of the top 25 programs as they stand right now, 15 show a YTD 2013 increase over their 2009 attendance.  Only 9 show any sort of decline, and only 3 are down more than 1,000/per game.  MU ranks 24th of 25.

Current Rank	Team	09 NCAA?	2009 avg	YTD 2013 avg	Chg 2009 to 2013
13	Kansas State		8940	12562	3,622
1	Indiana		14331	17405	3,074
10	Louisville	Y	19379	21326	1,947
15	Butler	Y	5897	7630	1,733
22	Colorado State		3,257	4973	1,716
24	VCU	Y	6106	7693	1,587
7	Michigan		10568	12027	1,459
16	New Mexico		13994	14966	972
20	Pittsburgh	Y	11194	12155	961
18	Ohio State	Y	15462	16213	751
2	Miami		4537	5131	594
12	Arizona	Y	13681	14067	386
3	Gonzaga	Y	6000	6144	144
5	Florida		10327	10452	125
9	Kansas	Y	16350	16466	116
6	Duke	Y	9,314	9,314	0
8	Syracuse	Y	21044	20871	-173
19	Wisconsin	Y	17230	16807	-423
4	Michigan State	Y	14759	14250	-509
21	Memphis	y	16933	16074	-859
23	Oregon		7972	7077	-895
14	Oklahoma State	Y	10,031	9082	-949
25	ND		9428	8136	-1,292
17	Marquette	Y	16200	14671	-1,529
11	Georgetown		12827	10114	-2,713

I understand some of these teams (K-state, Indiana) have improved over the last five years, and at least on (Louisville) has a new arena. 

But some teams were good in 2009, have been just as consistenly good since, are playing in the same building, and haven't seen the drop in attendance since 2009 that we have.

Its a falacy to say that "all teams are down".  They aren't--not Top 25 performers, anyway.

[bradley center bat]

77 nationachamps- You couldn't be more wrong, I watch college football 11+ hours every Saturday. We are talking about attendance.  I know San Jose St was 11-2 and a bowl winner. There head coach moved on to Colorado. I saw there games versus BYU & La. Tech on ESPN. I watch them play Stanford tough as hell in their opener on the Pac-12 Networks. That doesn't change the fact they averaged over 10,000 in football this season.

[Tugg Speedman]

It might be the trend for all 345 teams.  But not for the top 25.

Of the top 25 programs as they stand right now, 15 show a YTD 2013 increase over their 2009 attendance.  Only 9 show any sort of decline, and only 3 are down more than 1,000/per game.  MU ranks 24th of 25.

Current Rank	Team	09 NCAA?	2009 avg	YTD 2013 avg	Chg 2009 to 2013
13	Kansas State		8940	12562	3,622
1	Indiana		14331	17405	3,074
10	Louisville	Y	19379	21326	1,947
15	Butler	Y	5897	7630	1,733
22	Colorado State		3,257	4973	1,716
24	VCU	Y	6106	7693	1,587
7	Michigan		10568	12027	1,459
16	New Mexico		13994	14966	972
20	Pittsburgh	Y	11194	12155	961
18	Ohio State	Y	15462	16213	751
2	Miami		4537	5131	594
12	Arizona	Y	13681	14067	386
3	Gonzaga	Y	6000	6144	144
5	Florida		10327	10452	125
9	Kansas	Y	16350	16466	116
6	Duke	Y	9,314	9,314	0
8	Syracuse	Y	21044	20871	-173
19	Wisconsin	Y	17230	16807	-423
4	Michigan State	Y	14759	14250	-509
21	Memphis	y	16933	16074	-859
23	Oregon		7972	7077	-895
14	Oklahoma State	Y	10,031	9082	-949
25	ND		9428	8136	-1,292
17	Marquette	Y	16200	14671	-1,529
11	Georgetown		12827	10114	-2,713

I understand some of these teams (K-state, Indiana) have improved over the last five years, and at least on (Louisville) has a new arena. 

But some teams were good in 2009, have been just as consistenly good since, are playing in the same building, and haven't seen the drop in attendance since 2009 that we have.

Its a falacy to say that "all teams are down".  They aren't--not Top 25 performers, anyway.

Equalizer, great sort but it has an inherent bias.  By picking this week's top 25, you're taking teams that are having good years.  Good years means fannies in the seats.  So yes most of the teams will show increases over 2009.  The teams that do not are probably not doing as well.  2009 was a year MU was top 10 and until DJ went down, looked like a potential elite 8 or FF team.

[ChicosBailBonds]

It might be the trend for all 345 teams.  But not for the top 25.

Of the top 25 programs as they stand right now, 15 show a YTD 2013 increase over their 2009 attendance.  Only 9 show any sort of decline, and only 3 are down more than 1,000/per game.  MU ranks 24th of 25.

Current Rank	Team	09 NCAA?	2009 avg	YTD 2013 avg	Chg 2009 to 2013
13	Kansas State		8940	12562	3,622
1	Indiana		14331	17405	3,074
10	Louisville	Y	19379	21326	1,947
15	Butler	Y	5897	7630	1,733
22	Colorado State		3,257	4973	1,716
24	VCU	Y	6106	7693	1,587
7	Michigan		10568	12027	1,459
16	New Mexico		13994	14966	972
20	Pittsburgh	Y	11194	12155	961
18	Ohio State	Y	15462	16213	751
2	Miami		4537	5131	594
12	Arizona	Y	13681	14067	386
3	Gonzaga	Y	6000	6144	144
5	Florida		10327	10452	125
9	Kansas	Y	16350	16466	116
6	Duke	Y	9,314	9,314	0
8	Syracuse	Y	21044	20871	-173
19	Wisconsin	Y	17230	16807	-423
4	Michigan State	Y	14759	14250	-509
21	Memphis	y	16933	16074	-859
23	Oregon		7972	7077	-895
14	Oklahoma State	Y	10,031	9082	-949
25	ND		9428	8136	-1,292
17	Marquette	Y	16200	14671	-1,529
11	Georgetown		12827	10114	-2,713

I understand some of these teams (K-state, Indiana) have improved over the last five years, and at least on (Louisville) has a new arena. 

But some teams were good in 2009, have been just as consistenly good since, are playing in the same building, and haven't seen the drop in attendance since 2009 that we have.

Its a falacy to say that "all teams are down".  They aren't--not Top 25 performers, anyway.

You read my mind.  I was going to ask the question today whether it's down overall but how are the top teams doing.  Thanks for doing the legwork.  Of course, even this analysis one can argue about some teams.  For those that haven't been in the top 25 in a long time it might be a halo effect where fans are excited to back the team, while schools that have been there year in and year out it can become stale so they drop off.  Who knows.  Again, thanks for the data.

[Pakuni]

It might be the trend for all 345 teams.  But not for the top 25.

Gosh, so winning teams and elite programs are less likely to be affected by a downward trend in attendance? Who would have guessed?
Yes, please ignore the experience of 300+ programs and only focus on a dozen or so highly successful ones, some of whom (i.e. Kansas, Duke, Louisville, Syracuse) are largely, if not entirely, immune to these kinds of trends.

It's interesting you chose a time range (2009 to an incomplete 2013) as your example rather than the years actually cited in the stories I linked (2008 to 2011).
Could it be that you cherry-picked because using 2008 figures would disprove your point?
Let's find out (and I'll assume your 2013 figures are correct, though a citation would be nice):

Team                         2008                          2013                Difference

K-State                     12,529                       12,562                  33
Indiana                      16,876                       17,405                529
Louisville*                  19,481                      21,326                1,845
Butler                          5,945                        7,630               1,685
Colo. St.                      3,345                        4,937               1,592
Va. Commonwealth         Somehow not listed on 2008 report
Michigan                     10,304                       12,207                1,903
New Mexico                 14,361                       14,996                 635
Pittsburgh                   10,969                       12,155                1,186
Ohio St.                      16,587                       16,213              - 644
Miami                           4,322                        5,131                809
Arizona                        14,208                      14,067              - 141
Gonzaga**                    6,000                       6,144                144?
Florida                         10,801                     10,452               -349
Kansas                        16,409                      16,496                 87
Duke                             9,314                       9,314                  0
Syracuse                     20,345                      20,871                526
Wisconsin                    17,190                      16,807                -383
Michigan St.                 14,759                      14,250               -509
Memphis                      16,748                      16,074               -674
Oregon                         8,701                        7,077               -1,642
Okie St.                       12,504                       9,082               -3,422
Notre Dame                    9,726                       8,136               -1,590
Marquette                     16,239                     14,671              - 1,568
Georgetown                  12,955                     10,114               -2,841


* = got a new, larger arena in 2010
** = either figures are wrong, they added seats to the arena or they're counting the game played at the Key Center. Capacity is 6,000.

Eleven of the top 25 have dropped, and 13 have seen increases - but in at least two of those instances due to special circumstances. (I'm giving the benefit of the doubt here on VCU.) Of the 13 that have seen increases, two of the gains have been absolutely negligible (KU and K-State). Overall, the declines are greater than the increases. So, even among the top 25 programs, the overall trend is downward.

MU's decline is larger than most, but there definitely are reasonable explanations that require no use of the panic button:
- No weekend night games
- Only two home games vs ranked opponents
- UConn game went up against the Rose Bowl
- Team went into season with lowered expectations

But since you seem to be banging the drum the loudest on this, why do you think attendance is down?

Its a falacy to say that "all teams are down".  They aren't--not Top 25 performers, anyway.

I'm guessing you don't see the irony of that statement.

[Tugg Speedman]

What about these teams?

                                    2009    2012              4-year change
1. Arizona State                      9,354    5,411    –42%
2. Washington State              8,018    4,910    –39%
3. UCLA*                              9,843    6,352    –36%
4. Georgia Tech*                      7,505    4,929    –34%
5. USC                              5,619    3,970    –29%
6. Wake Forest                      12,122    8,675    –28%
7. Oklahoma                      11,490    8,524    –26%
8. South Carolina                      11,776    8,868    –25%
9. Notre Dame*                      10,468    8,004    –24%
10. Stanford                      7,029    5,393    –23%

[ChicosBailBonds]

What about these teams?

                                    2009    2012              4-year change
1. Arizona State                      9,354    5,411    –42%
2. Washington State              8,018    4,910    –39%
3. UCLA*                              9,843    6,352    –36%
4. Georgia Tech*                      7,505    4,929    –34%
5. USC                              5,619    3,970    –29%
6. Wake Forest                      12,122    8,675    –28%
7. Oklahoma                      11,490    8,524    –26%
8. South Carolina                      11,776    8,868    –25%
9. Notre Dame*                      10,468    8,004    –24%
10. Stanford                      7,029    5,393    –23%

Isn't his point that we aren't playing on a downslide as most of the 10 teams mentioned here?  We are still playing as a top 25 team so shouldn't our attendance be holding its own or growing like other top 25 teams?  At least, that's what I think he is saying. 

[WarriorInNYC]

What about these teams?

                                    2009    2012              4-year change
1. Arizona State                      9,354    5,411    –42%
2. Washington State              8,018    4,910    –39%
3. UCLA*                              9,843    6,352    –36%
4. Georgia Tech*                      7,505    4,929    –34%
5. USC                              5,619    3,970    –29%
6. Wake Forest                      12,122    8,675    –28%
7. Oklahoma                      11,490    8,524    –26%
8. South Carolina                      11,776    8,868    –25%
9. Notre Dame*                      10,468    8,004    –24%
10. Stanford                      7,029    5,393    –23%

I find it interesting that both you and Equalizer included Notre Dame's 2009 attendance figures yet your numbers are over 1,000/game off (9,428 vs 10,468)

Sources?

[Tugg Speedman]

Isn't his point that we aren't playing on a downslide as most of the 10 teams mentioned here?  We are still playing as a top 25 team so shouldn't our attendance be holding its own or growing like other top 25 teams?  At least, that's what I think he is saying. 

But our attendance is holding up.  In 2008 we were 14th nationally.  Last year we were 11th nationally.  What decline?

[Tugg Speedman]

I find it interesting that both you and Equalizer included Notre Dame's 2009 attendance figures yet your numbers are over 1,000/game off (9,428 vs 10,468)

Sources?

my source
http://chronicle.com/blogs/players/big-basketball-attendance-swings-among-division-i-programs/29814

[chapman]

But our attendance is holding up.  In 2008 we were 14th nationally.  Last year we were 11th nationally.  What decline?

This is the data I'm more interested in.  How are we faring as a trend relative to the regular top 25 or so programs in attendance, i.e. the list that we're usually around that typically gets a lot of butts in seats year in and year out, not who is or isn't in the AP poll at the moment or was in 2009 and is terrible now.  Do we have a cruncher for something interesting around that?

[Mr. Nielsen]

Crowd listed at 17,308.  That is about 1300 short of a sell-out.

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=330470269

Last year's home Pitt game was Saturday Jan 14, 2012 and drew 18,404.

What is the difference?  Pitt was perceived as an elite team early last year and then fell to earth.  This year's Pitt team is perceived as falling to earth.  

Does the game starting at 12pm than 1pm last season matter? Some maybe can't make it at noon because there kids are getting down with Saturday youth league sports. Who knows!

MU needs to do more adds for upcoming games, other than twitter.

[Tugg Speedman]

This is the data I'm more interested in.  How are we faring as a trend relative to the regular top 25 or so programs in attendance, i.e. the list that we're usually around that typically gets a lot of butts in seats year in and year out, not who is or isn't in the AP poll at the moment or was in 2009 and is terrible now.  Do we have a cruncher for something interesting around that?

First post ... page 1

[keefe]

Keefe,

You sound like my vintage with camp outs for tickets at the Arena in the Al Era and now living in the Seattle area. So agree with you on the Buddhist "less is more, objects clutter," etc.

So disagree with the whole pillorying of Mrs. Clinton for Americans wanting to own a home.  You sat in Belle Square, Kemper Freeman's ode to White Republican "I got mine, go get yours" Eastside Greed and rip on Hillary for what you see at Nordstrom?  (There is no such place as Nordstrom's, BTW, it has and always will be Nordstrom.)

Oh, we privileged white people just so know what is best for everyone, don't we? Your Buddhist teacher I am sure confirmed for you that the Clintons are the reason for the fall and decline of Western Civilization. Along with the Starbucks in Renton I am sitting in right now.

Be still, simplify as you learned first hand, and keep working to help the world by improving the one person you can control in this life, YOU, not Mrs. Clinton. BTW, she has helped the world, in ways we will never know.

Actually, the Rinpoche in Lo Monthang never mentioned Hillary Clinton or any other political figure. Buddhist monks in Nepal, despite being political refugees, are decidedly apolitical. Any organizational construct they have is focused simply on sustenance - ie those corporeal matters necessary to sustain the body so that the mind might seek enlightenment.

Funny you mention a Starbucks in Renton as that is where I spend time between visits to the neurologist. I stop in at the Starbucks on 900 - I find it much less of a fashion statement destination than is the one on Gilman in Issaquah. I still keep a house in Issaquah up on Cougar Mountain but that is more of an anchor for the kids than it is shelter for me. I have taken up residence in Nepal and plan only to return to the States for PTSD treatments.

As for Mrs Clinton, my wife was part of the crew that went with Jeff Raikes from MS over to the Foundation to get it organized after the Patty Stonesifer regime. As such she spent time working with the Clinton Foundation and had actually met Hillary at a couple private dinners when Bill G. was in attendance. (My wife worked Global Health which is Bill's portfolio while Melinda works US Programs.) Her observation was Mrs Clinton is an extremely determined woman and has a very strict interpretation of this world. Mr Clinton, on the other hand, is much more of a consensus builder and sees the end as the objective while Hillary sees her way as the objective. Hopefully that provides some perspective and insight. Mrs Clinton certainly has the power to do good and I am convinced she has in the many ways you mention. But I will tell you that she vehemently disagreed with a clean water initiative in the developing world because of more macro political issues. My wife was appalled as the losers in Mrs Clinton's construct were the children who would continue to die from lack of access to clean water. 

I don't blame Hillary for the crass consumerism of the Eastside. I will admit that I am guilty of being brand conscious but for a reason. I purchase Arcteryx, Patagonia, Black Diamond and North Face because I don't want equipment failure in a hostile environment. In transportation I limit consideration to Honda and Toyota. Honda has superb power plants and Toyota quality speaks for itself. Both have created extremely well engineered vehicles. And those aren't fashion brands in any event. But in Bellevue, Redmond, and Issaquah people purchase Gucci for the fact of it being Gucci and the implicit message of look at my shoes! I avoid the Issaquah Starbucks because the conversations are of trips to Europe, the "cabin" at Sun Valley, or the Mercedes is in the shop. And every family has one German sedan and a Suburban. It is all very predictable.

So here I sit at the Renton Starbucks on 900. I passed this every morning at 0500 on my way to McChord, often stopping for my first shot of the day. It is much more relaxed than the Issaquah location. If you see a guy wearing either a leather USAF flight jacket or an orange Arcteryx and sporting a  combat mustache do stop and say hi. My wife hated the 'stache which we all grew out while deployed, telling me only cheesy porn stars and aging fighter pilots wore them. Perhaps I should shave it off but shaving is something that often gets missed while living in Mustang. And in a funny way it somehow reminds me of her.   

[jsglow]

I believe to properly understand this issue we need to examine ticket prices/required B&G donations over the study period.  My sense is that the cost of a season ticket has gone up considerably at a time when disposable income for the typical Milwaukee resident has stayed flat or gone down.  Look, we can do a great service to the Administration if we demonstrate that they are now overpricing their product at the margin.  My gut tells me they are and weakened attendance is a result.  Perhaps we can commission a study out of the Econ Department.

[WarhawkWarrior]

Be sure to figure the economic collapse in 2008.  Also 8 pm vs 7 pm and the 12 pm vs 1 pm games must have an impact.  I never miss a game, live an hour away, and hate the 8 pm games.   I get home after 11 and need to get up early.  Natl TV trumps, I understand but if I didn't have season tickets, I wouldn't make the bunnies for sure.

[The Equalizer]

Yes, please ignore the experience of 300+ programs and only focus on a dozen or so highly successful ones, some of whom (i.e. Kansas, Duke, Louisville, Syracuse) are largely, if not entirely, immune to these kinds of trends.

So in your view, we are suffering the same trend as, say, DePaul, Villanova or Uconn?  DePaul's years of accumulated futility, Villanova's decline from Final Four to non-tournament team and UConn's NCAA sanctions and coaching change aren't to blame--we're all just victims of the same big general decline in attendance?

It's interesting you chose a time range (2009 to an incomplete 2013) as your example rather than the years actually cited in the stories I linked (2008 to 2011).
Could it be that you cherry-picked because using 2008 figures would disprove your point?

Not really that surprising. Buzz's first year was 2009. But could you be cherry-picking by using 2008 (over two coaching regimes) to 2011 (ignoring available data from 2012 and 2013?)

Eleven of the top 25 have dropped, and 13 have seen increases - but in at least two of those instances due to special circumstances. (I'm giving the benefit of the doubt here on VCU.) Of the 13 that have seen increases, two of the gains have been absolutely negligible (KU and K-State). Overall, the declines are greater than the increases. So, even among the top 25 programs, the overall trend is downward.

Using your choice of 2008 as a start, 13 of 25 increased, one was flat, and in one the decline was neglible. Of the 10 with more significant declines, two were explainable because of coaching transitions (Oregon & Oklahoma State), and six declined at less than half the rate of MU.  Even using 2008, e're falling faster than most comparable teams.

MU's decline is larger than most, but there definitely are reasonable explanations that require no use of the panic button:
- No weekend night games
- Only two home games vs ranked opponents
- Team went into season with lowered expectations
- UConn game went up against the Rose Bowl

--Do you have any evidence that weekend *night* games are bigger draws?
--You may want to check the number of ranked opponents we had last year. And in 2008 for that matter.
--We always seem to have conflict with a bowl game or Packers game or NFL playoffs. Hardly unique.
--We ALWAYS go into the season with lowered expectations. 

But since you seem to be banging the drum the loudest on this, why do you think attendance is down?

Well we can't fix the problem if people are going to argue the problem doesn't exist. Here's a start as to why attendance is down:
--Continuing to promote our opponents as the draw rather than Marquette, training fans to care more for "big" games and avoid the others.
--Continuing to promote the Big East aheaad of Marquette.
--Raising ticket prices too much, too quickly.
--Buzz doesn't do enough personally to promote attendance, thank fans for attending, reaching out to the students etc. 
--Also continuing to lower expectations and harp about how bad we are doen't help, either.
--Not enough promotional activities to bring in fans--e.g. the $99 ticket offer for the cheap seats, or tickets for MPS students.
--Apparently not enough insight into tickets actually avialble, hence claiming a game is sold out with only 17,300 sold.
--Not using available resources (like email) to promote last-minute sales to broader groups.
--Hokey in-game stunts that make an MU game more like a Bucks game than a big-time college game.

[Tugg Speedman]

So in your view, we are suffering the same trend as, say, DePaul, Villanova or Uconn?  DePaul's years of accumulated futility, Villanova's decline from Final Four to non-tournament team and UConn's NCAA sanctions and coaching change aren't to blame--we're all just victims of the same big general decline in attendance?
Not really that surprising. Buzz's first year was 2009. But could you be cherry-picking by using 2008 (over two coaching regimes) to 2011 (ignoring available data from 2012 and 2013?)

No we suffer from the same thing that is nationally causes the NCAA tourney to decline in attendance (see above)

Well we can't fix the problem if people are going to argue the problem doesn't exist. Here's a start as to why attendance is down:
--Continuing to promote our opponents as the draw rather than Marquette, training fans to care more for "big" games and avoid the others.
--Continuing to promote the Big East aheaad of Marquette.
--Raising ticket prices too much, too quickly.
--Buzz doesn't do enough personally to promote attendance, thank fans for attending, reaching out to the students etc.  
--Also continuing to lower expectations and harp about how bad we are doen't help, either.
--Not enough promotional activities to bring in fans--e.g. the $99 ticket offer for the cheap seats, or tickets for MPS students.
--Apparently not enough insight into tickets actually avialble, hence claiming a game is sold out with only 17,300 sold.
--Not using available resources (like email) to promote last-minute sales to broader groups.
--Hokey in-game stunts that make an MU game more like a Bucks game than a big-time college game.

2009 #2 all-time in MU attendance #10 nationally
2010 #3 all-time in MU attendance #10 nationally
2011 #4 all-time in MU attendance #11 nationally
2012 #7 all-time in MU attendance #13 nationally

Who should we fire for this horrible record during the Buzz regime?

And please check 2003 - 2005 when the master promoter Tom Crean was running the show ...

Year      National            Average
2003       11                   15,553 (final four year)
2004       12                   15,291
2005       21                   11,965

That was a problem, this is not.

[Tugg Speedman]

--Raising ticket prices too much, too quickly.

Assuming this is a problem, if the hike in ticket prices is more than offsetting the drop in attendance (demand is inelastic for MU tickets), meaning MU is bringing in more revenue, is it then a problem?  Or, does MU think it is a problem or only cares that more money is flowing in?

[The Equalizer]

+ 1,000,000

In 2009 we drew 16,200 and were 14th in the nation.  Last year we drew 15,100 and were 11th in the nation.  By the bolded metric, marketing directors across the country and studying what we are doing RIGHT so they can emulate it.

I think you've actually reversed the numbers:

2009, we drew 16,200 and ranked 10th in the country.
http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/Reports/attend/2009.pdf

2010, we drew 15,617 and still ranked 10th
http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/Reports/attend/2010.pdf

2011 we drew 15,586 and dropped to 11th.
http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/Reports/attend/2011.pdf

In 2012, we drew 15,138 in 2012, and fell to 13th
http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/Reports/attend/2012.pdf

[jsglow]

Assuming this is a problem, if the hike in ticket prices is more than offsetting the drop in attendance (demand is inelastic for MU tickets), meaning MU is bringing in more revenue, is it then a problem?  Or, does MU think it is a problem or only cares that more money is flowing in?

No doubt that the lower bowl is very inelastic.  But I'd argue that the corners and ends of the upper deck are far more elastic.  I sincerely believe that Mu ought to go back to $99 in the upper endzone and maybe $199 in the corners.  I've indicated in other threads that we were lured in from Chicago by the $99 ticket.  Remember, an unsold season ticket represents exactly $0 for all but 2-3 games at most.

[77ncaachamps]

No Bobby Huggins is the problem.

[Tugg Speedman]

No doubt that the lower bowl is very inelastic.  But I'd argue that the corners and ends of the upper deck are far more elastic.  I sincerely believe that Mu ought to go back to $99 in the upper endzone and maybe $199 in the corners.  I've indicated in other threads that we were lured in from Chicago by the $99 ticket.  Remember, an unsold season ticket represents exactly $0 for all but 2-3 games at most.

How much do you think the hike in ticket prices as cut into upper bowl attendance?