Link to Sports Illustrated article.
I share this link and this topic for multiple reasons, including the broad fact that it is generally interesting news.
First, note how the STUDENTS have to PAY FOR TICKETS. I highlight this because we have not yet blogged about the current issue of the potential increase of student fees at NC State. Many NC State students/fans/alums don’t even know that many schools not only have student fees for athletics, but also SELL tickets to students. Can you imagine? IIRC, schools like Notre Dame, Ohio State, LSU and others sell season tickets to students at reduced rates (approximately $100).
Second, note the comments of the Athletics Director spinning the pressure at UT into a positive. Good move by the AD. Could you imagine if he had been stupid enough to criticize the fan base for their expectations? I don’t know many ADs that dumb…but…(you finish this sentence) Not only would the fan base turn more ire towards the AD, the media would then feel empowered to also criticize the fans and their ‘unfair expectations’ while also serving to paint a picture of a divided program that could have a negative impact on recruiting.
Lastly, the chief himself – Butch Davis. I can foresee the N&O getting mad at him again this year. (Related link – Tudor on Davis) Just a hunch. But, if for no other reason than Chief Butch would be closer to his Native American brethern near the mountains of Tennessee.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee student Kristin Childrey just assumed she and her friends would attend every home football game last season. That’s not the case this year.
“It’s not a priority anymore,” said the 19-year-old sophomore who’s been to two of three home games. “If you’ve got something else to do, you just skip it.”
She’s not alone as the Vols have started 2-3 with an embarrassing loss to Southeastern Conference rival Florida and unconvincing wins over UAB and Northern Illinois at home. The average fan attendance at Neyland Stadium through the first three games was 97,194 — a few thousand below capacity — and down by nearly 4,000 people from what Tennessee averaged through the first three games last season in a similar start.
The comparison isn’t perfect. A more sluggish economy, weather and regional gas shortages have played a role this season. Also for the first time, students have to pay for their game tickets at the cost of $15 a game or $90 for the season.
The student section is responsible for 70 percent of the drop so far, with poor turnout for the UAB and Northern Illinois games.
“It’s almost like a boycott,” said Evan Baddour, a 21-year-old senior who skipped Saturday night’s game against Northern Illinois because of a prior engagement. “At first, it was kind of rebelling against having to pay for tickets, but within my group of friends, (coach Phillip) Fulmer is really the source of what people see as the problem.”
Fans began calling for Fulmer to be fired, much as they did last season after the Vols suffered big losses at California, Florida and Alabama. They said the dean of the SEC coaches was past his prime. Tennessee responded last season by winning the rest of its games and earning a spot in the SEC championship game before losing there. Fulmer was rewarded with a new contract worth an average $3 million annually over the next seven seasons with built-in raises each season, raises for an SEC championship or BCS bowl appearance and an automatic one-year extension for every eight-win season.
He also has a pretty hefty buyout: Getting rid of him this season would cost the Tennessee athletic department $6 million.
At that price, fans say Fulmer shouldn’t have so much trouble winning big games and blowing out mediocre non-conference opponents.
Athletic director Mike Hamilton said that kind of passion comes with the job at Tennessee.
“The good news is, that by being at a place like Tennessee, you subject yourself to both sides of that equation,” he said. “When we’re doing well, they’re going to cheer extra hard. And when we’re struggling a little bit, they’re going to let us know about it. I think that’s one of the good things about being at a place like Tennessee.”
