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Post by BearDownMU on Dec 19, 2019 12:01:47 GMT -5
This year is going to be different. And remember, there is another signing day in a couple of months. Also, there are still transfer possibilities, which may or may not be explored. Also, as far as the students go, it's going to take time. Tradition takes time. Consistently winning will help. Mercer continuing to make headway in the local community will help. The continuing commitment to an amazing gameday environment will help. There is still a significant season ticket holder base, which is good. Fundraising continues to increase. Brian Gerrity is killing it for the Mercer Athletic Foundation. All arrows are still pointing up. I personally thought there would always be a potential lull after how rabid it was the first couple of years. It will be hard to match that excitement no matter what is done, but I'm confident things will rebound. Hard to get inspired with a bunch of 5-6 seasons. And for those that give it up, or don't participate, it's there loss. I've been to most all the SoCon schools for away games. Our experience is awesome. I have seen a fundamental shift in college football, though, especially at the FCS level. Attendance is down just about everywhere, so I'm not sure it is just a "win more and they will come" scenario. What Mercer is seeing is a continuation of a trend that is felt throughout most of the sport, they just happened to get in the game while it was happening. I don't think there's a simple answer to the question. I have no science to back this up, and certainly attendance is down around ALL of college football, but it is interesting that the FBS dip is really small (based on the 2018 numbers I saw with some quick research), about 0.8%. FCS down 4.5%. While I believe there are a lot of contributing factors, but gut tells me the availability of broadcasts has got to be a major players. The streaming element of ESPN+ (formerly ESPN3) and for a short while, the SoCon Digital Network, presented to option that FCS fans didn't have for a very long time. Wholesale availability to watch pretty much every game of the season on a screen at home. Used to be if you weren't there, you weren't seeing it. Maybe you listened to it on radio. But that's technology making an impact. Has to be. I think that's true for FBS as well, if we're being honest. Because big games were always on TV, but now pretty much every game is always on TV. Fox Sports, CBS Sports, 45 different ESPN channels, SEC/ACC/Big10 Networks. so many ways for people to "consume" football. Like I said, perhaps it's other things, but the broadcast availability changes in the last 10 years HAS to be a major factor. So then the real question is: We know less people are physically there, but are less people actually watching games? Not sure. |
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Post by FUBeAR on Dec 19, 2019 14:09:51 GMT -5
As long as schools think they are hosting a football game, attendance will decline. If, instead, schools realize they are hosting 5 or 6 weekend Public/Community relations Events on Fall Saturday’s, they have a chance to drive attendance up...IF the Team wins & competes for Championships.
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Post by speakindatruth on Dec 19, 2019 14:44:35 GMT -5
Several good points have been made. 1st, attendance is on the decline, but as you stated this is across the board. 2nd, the ability to watch games using multiple platforms does make attendance unnecessary. 3rd, if you are marketing a game, you will lose.
All these are directly related to one common thread, winning! When Mercer first started the program excitement was in the air. Something new was brewing and there was college football in middle Georgia. On other threads we have used Georgia Southern as an example. When they are down, attendance is down. Much like Mercer will be. The new has worn off and now people want to jump on board with a winner. Mercer filled the gap this year by enhancing the game day atmosphere. If you couple a winning team with afternoon games and have concerts before and after fans will be willing to stay the entire time. The flaw? You have to have a product on the field people want to sit three hours and stay for the evening entertainment. Here is where winning comes in. If you put a high octane, head thumping machine on the field; people will fill the stands to capacity. Remember when Alabama was terrible? They had empty seats. Look at Tennessee, empty seats. When they start winning, seats will fill up again and the same will happen for us. Our ticket prices don’t break the bank and people are able to bring their families to the game; just have to have something for them too see.
As far as streaming, not a lot we can do there. The percentage who can come will be there. I personally am not a fan of the huge screen. Our money could have been used elsewhere if ours was in good shape. This was installed to enhance the atmosphere but I believe it swallows the game. There is interest in Mercer football. Highlight making players, electric athletes, it just has to equate to wins. When it does, we will see the difference. Winning has to become our culture and then people will be all aboard!
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Post by BearDownMU on Dec 19, 2019 14:59:44 GMT -5
Several good points have been made. 1st, attendance is on the decline, but as you stated this is across the board. 2nd, the ability to watch games using multiple platforms does make attendance unnecessary. 3rd, if you are marketing a game, you will lose. All these are directly related to one common thread, winning! When Mercer first started the program excitement was in the air. Something new was brewing and there was college football in middle Georgia. On other threads we have used Georgia Southern as an example. When they are down, attendance is down. Much like Mercer will be. The new has worn off and now people want to jump on board with a winner. Mercer filled the gap this year by enhancing the game day atmosphere. If you couple a winning team with afternoon games and have concerts before and after fans will be willing to stay the entire time. The flaw? You have to have a product on the field people want to sit three hours and stay for the evening entertainment. Here is where winning comes in. If you put a high octane, head thumping machine on the field; people will fill the stands to capacity. Remember when Alabama was terrible? They had empty seats. Look at Tennessee, empty seats. When they start winning, seats will fill up again and the same will happen for us. Our ticket prices don’t break the bank and people are able to bring their families to the game; just have to have something for them too see. As far as streaming, not a lot we can do there. The percentage who can come will be there. I personally am not a fan of the huge screen. Our money could have been used elsewhere if ours was in good shape. This was installed to enhance the atmosphere but I believe it swallows the game. There is interest in Mercer football. Highlight making players, electric athletes, it just has to equate to wins. When it does, we will see the difference. Winning has to become our culture and then people will be all aboard! I've agreed with you almost all the way for the whole time you've been on the message board. But I have to depart from you here. That video board is BAD ASS!   |
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Post by speakindatruth on Dec 19, 2019 15:11:33 GMT -5
Several good points have been made. 1st, attendance is on the decline, but as you stated this is across the board. 2nd, the ability to watch games using multiple platforms does make attendance unnecessary. 3rd, if you are marketing a game, you will lose. All these are directly related to one common thread, winning! When Mercer first started the program excitement was in the air. Something new was brewing and there was college football in middle Georgia. On other threads we have used Georgia Southern as an example. When they are down, attendance is down. Much like Mercer will be. The new has worn off and now people want to jump on board with a winner. Mercer filled the gap this year by enhancing the game day atmosphere. If you couple a winning team with afternoon games and have concerts before and after fans will be willing to stay the entire time. The flaw? You have to have a product on the field people want to sit three hours and stay for the evening entertainment. Here is where winning comes in. If you put a high octane, head thumping machine on the field; people will fill the stands to capacity. Remember when Alabama was terrible? They had empty seats. Look at Tennessee, empty seats. When they start winning, seats will fill up again and the same will happen for us. Our ticket prices don’t break the bank and people are able to bring their families to the game; just have to have something for them too see. As far as streaming, not a lot we can do there. The percentage who can come will be there. I personally am not a fan of the huge screen. Our money could have been used elsewhere if ours was in good shape. This was installed to enhance the atmosphere but I believe it swallows the game. There is interest in Mercer football. Highlight making players, electric athletes, it just has to equate to wins. When it does, we will see the difference. Winning has to become our culture and then people will be all aboard! I've agreed with you almost all the way for the whole time you've been on the message board. But I have to depart from you here. That video board is BAD ASS! 😂😂. You got me there. I just would have spent the money elsewhere. Protein shakes, equipment, football equipment. I’m just not a TV/ Movie guy. People laugh at the size of the TV in my house!😂😂 |
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Post by BearDownMU on Dec 19, 2019 15:15:27 GMT -5
If it makes you feel any better, I think the money was allocated specifically for a board upgrade. So, if a donor designates, you can't use it for other things. Like, when I write a huge check for them to build a Player Development Center for the baseball team, they can't take it and decide to spend it on refinishing the tennis courts. |
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Post by FUBeAR on Dec 19, 2019 15:58:49 GMT -5
If it makes you feel any better, I think the money was allocated specifically for a board upgrade. So, if a donor designates, you can't use it for other things. Like, when I write a huge check for them to build a Player Development Center for the baseball team, they can't take it and decide to spend it on refinishing the tennis courts. Interesting...So, I guess you can & might want to write a check to fund an OL Coach & designate the individual you want in the role? Asking for a friend. |
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Post by jackal on Dec 19, 2019 16:42:56 GMT -5
I have seen a fundamental shift in college football, though, especially at the FCS level. Attendance is down just about everywhere, so I'm not sure it is just a "win more and they will come" scenario. What Mercer is seeing is a continuation of a trend that is felt throughout most of the sport, they just happened to get in the game while it was happening. I don't think there's a simple answer to the question. I have no science to back this up, and certainly attendance is down around ALL of college football, but it is interesting that the FBS dip is really small (based on the 2018 numbers I saw with some quick research), about 0.8%. FCS down 4.5%. While I believe there are a lot of contributing factors, but gut tells me the availability of broadcasts has got to be a major players. The streaming element of ESPN+ (formerly ESPN3) and for a short while, the SoCon Digital Network, presented to option that FCS fans didn't have for a very long time. Wholesale availability to watch pretty much every game of the season on a screen at home. Used to be if you weren't there, you weren't seeing it. Maybe you listened to it on radio. But that's technology making an impact. Has to be. I think that's true for FBS as well, if we're being honest. Because big games were always on TV, but now pretty much every game is always on TV. Fox Sports, CBS Sports, 45 different ESPN channels, SEC/ACC/Big10 Networks. so many ways for people to "consume" football. Like I said, perhaps it's other things, but the broadcast availability changes in the last 10 years HAS to be a major factor. So then the real question is: We know less people are physically there, but are less people actually watching games? Not sure. I believe the data supports that popularity of college football isn't necessarily declining, but that attendance is declining. Games are more geared towards a television audience than those seated in the stands. 15 years ago, the only way to watch Furman play football was to (1) be in the stadium or (2) try to catch the one or two televised games a year on "SoCon Saturdays" on FSS. Other than that, I streamed the games on internet radio. Now, I can pretty much watch every Furman game. The need for me to be in the stadium just isn't there. Mercer has the difficulty of trying to create a football culture from whole cloth in this (saturated) environment. Like Furman, Mercer is also saddled with a nationally relevant flagship program in state that draws a lot of bandwagon fans that might otherwise check out Mercer. They are new to the conference and don't have a lot of rivalries. I do think the SoCon could do a lot more to help nurture and develop rivalry games in the conference. As of right now, the only real "historic" rivalries in the SoCon are Furman/Citadel and Citadel/VMI. The Conference should try to protect and develop those big games and really use them to showcase the conference and gin up enthusiasm. |
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Post by FUBeAR on Dec 19, 2019 17:36:10 GMT -5
I have no science to back this up, and certainly attendance is down around ALL of college football, but it is interesting that the FBS dip is really small (based on the 2018 numbers I saw with some quick research), about 0.8%. FCS down 4.5%. While I believe there are a lot of contributing factors, but gut tells me the availability of broadcasts has got to be a major players. The streaming element of ESPN+ (formerly ESPN3) and for a short while, the SoCon Digital Network, presented to option that FCS fans didn't have for a very long time. Wholesale availability to watch pretty much every game of the season on a screen at home. Used to be if you weren't there, you weren't seeing it. Maybe you listened to it on radio. But that's technology making an impact. Has to be. I think that's true for FBS as well, if we're being honest. Because big games were always on TV, but now pretty much every game is always on TV. Fox Sports, CBS Sports, 45 different ESPN channels, SEC/ACC/Big10 Networks. so many ways for people to "consume" football. Like I said, perhaps it's other things, but the broadcast availability changes in the last 10 years HAS to be a major factor. So then the real question is: We know less people are physically there, but are less people actually watching games? Not sure. Mercer has the difficulty of trying to create a football culture from whole cloth in this (saturated) environment. Mercer is also saddled with a nationally relevant flagship program in state that draws a lot of bandwagon fans that might otherwise check out Mercer. They are new to the conference and don't have a lot of rivalries. As of right now, the only real rivalries in the SoCon are Furman/Citadel and Citadel/VMI.  |
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Post by BearDownMU on Dec 19, 2019 21:41:34 GMT -5
Just worth noting:
Of the 5 commitments we had prior to Coach Lamb's departure that were in the Hero Sports Top 25 recruits for the SoCon, 4 of them did not sign Wednesday on the early National Signing Day and 1 of them, Kevin Booker, followed through on his original commitment and signed with Mercer. So, if they are players that CDC thinks are good fits, they are still on the market, as it were.
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Post by FUBeAR on Dec 20, 2019 3:21:28 GMT -5
Leading HS rusher in the US of A in 2019 - 3,517 yds / 48 TD’s Jalen White - Sr. Season Highlights
Other Offers: Georgia Southern, Toledo, Tulane, Arkansas State, South Alabama, North Alabama, Coastal Carolina, Tennessee State |
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Post by FUBeAR on Dec 20, 2019 12:36:10 GMT -5
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Post by FUBeAR on Dec 20, 2019 15:11:19 GMT -5
Sorta like getting a commit from a player. L-R Defensive Coordinator and former defensive coach from The Citadel joining the coaching staff. Added 2 “New” Coaches to the roster... Coach Harris previously held the role of WR Coach & Co-Recruiting Coordinator for Mercer - seems he will have almost the same role on the new Staff Coach Adams, in 2019, was Mercer’s Defensive Coordinator & Inside Linebacker Coach - so his responsibilities appear to have changed some as part of the new Staff |
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Post by FUBeAR on Dec 23, 2019 9:29:45 GMT -5
As hard as it may be to believe, FUBeAR has been a bit less than 100% in his FCS game picks during 2019. So, let’s try a Coaching Hire prediction. FUBeAR is projecting that this gentleman will soon be named Mercer Football’s Co-OC, Running Game Coordinator, & OL Coach... BOB BODINECoach Bodine was most recently Interim Head Coach @ Lenoir-Rhyne, where he had served as the OC & OL Coach for the past 2 seasons. L-R named Notre Dame’s Head Coach as their new Head Coach yesterday - that’s D2 Notre Dame College in South Euclid, OH, not the lesser-known one in Indiana. ”Bodine has had an extremely successful stint as either Offensive Coordinator or Offensive Line Coach or both at the following schools: Georgia Southern (2017), Army West Point (2015-16), The Citadel (2011-14) and Virginia Military Institute (2006-10)...Bodine’s previous stints as an assistant coach also includes Bethune-Cookman (Fla.) in 2005, Jackson State (Miss.) in 2003 and 2004 and Georgia Southern for seven years as Slot-Backs, Long Snapper, Outside Linebackers, Defensive Line and Wide Receivers Coach (1997-03).Bodine graduated from Tulane in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 1993 and started his coaching career as an offensive graduate assistant for the Green Wave...”Knows FCS, knows the SoCon, and knows Georgia... |
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Post by DA Voice on Dec 23, 2019 9:45:35 GMT -5
Coach Cronic seem to hint as much when he said that one more coach from LR might join him depending on what takes place at LR. Looks to be a good fit if it actually happens.
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