73 replies to this topic

[GeauxSioux]

Nice way to start out the transition to Division I......  Record crowd sparks Sioux

Quote

UND’s first game of Division I football proved to be big at the box office.

An announced crowd of 11,434 in the Alerus Center was the largest season-opening crowd in the eight-year history of the building.

And it played a factor. Texas A&M-Kingsville was flagged for eight false start penalties, halting a number of promising drives.

“It wasn’t one guy either,” Kingsville coach Bo Atterberry said. “It was one guy here, another there. We needed to keep our composure.”

UND was penalized just five times for 38 yards.

Kingsville racked up 165 yards on 14 penalties.

Quote

A few hours before kickoff, Faison didn’t know what kind of crowd would turn out.

But the fans filled the stands in the final minutes before kickoff. The crowd of 11,434 was the 10th largest for a Sioux game in the Alerus Center.

“It was fantastic,” Faison said. “I loved the tailgaiting, the band and the game.”

From what I've read, the marketing for this game wasn't great.  Just think how the attendance will increase when Faison and crew get this thing moving.

[bincitysioux]

The crowd was indeed awesome.  And the atmosphere was great in the place.  I couldn't have been happier.  Let's keep it going.

[andtheHomeoftheSIOUX!!]

bincitysioux, on Aug 29 2008, 08:27 AM, said:

The crowd was indeed awesome.  And the atmosphere was great in the place.  I couldn't have been happier.  Let's keep it going.

Yes! For sure!

[LetsGoSioux!]

I just wanted to say how proud I was of the GF community for coming out in great numbers for the game.  I have been down on the community in the past for not coming to football games, this time they didn't let me down!  I had a great time, I can't wait for the next one!

[UND Fan]

LetsGoSioux!, on Aug 29 2008, 10:16 AM, said:

I just wanted to say how proud I was of the GF community for coming out in great numbers for the game.  I have been down on the community in the past for not coming to football games, this time they didn't let me down!  I had a great time, I can't wait for the next one!

I agree with your comments - I was very pleased/proud of the attendance!

I watched the game on the internet.  It was obviously a good, noisy crowd - although it is frustrating that so many left early (somewhat understandable on a weeknight).  I am curious about the perspective of those who were at the game:

Will the majority of these fans be back?  In other words, did there appear to be a lot of military folks who probably were there just for the game honoring them?  Did a Thursday night/first game of the season bring out a lot of people who may not be back?

Was the student crowd any larger than normal?  The students turn out well but it would be good to have even more there to assist with the energy level of the building.  

Any other observations about the crowd?

[UND92,96]

UND Fan, on Aug 29 2008, 11:59 AM, said:

I agree with your comments - I was very pleased/proud of the attendance!

I watched the game on the internet.  It was obviously a good, noisy crowd - although it is frustrating that so many left early (somewhat understandable on a weeknight).  I am curious about the perspective of those who were at the game:

Will the majority of these fans be back?  In other words, did there appear to be a lot of military folks who probably were there just for the game honoring them?  Did a Thursday night/first game of the season bring out a lot of people who may not be back?

Was the student crowd any larger than normal?  The students turn out well but it would be good to have even more there to assist with the energy level of the building.  

Any other observations about the crowd?

I think there may have been a larger than normal student section. It's hard to say how many military people were there, but I would think that even if none of them showed up again, their seats could easily be filled if a more aggressive marketing campaign were utilized. In other words, I feel that selling out the Alerus on a regular basis is a very realistic goal once the home schedule is a bit more attractive (assuming we continue to have success on the field). Over the first four games last season, we averaged just over 11,100--or roughly 1000 under capacity. With any sort of dI bump, sell-outs should be realistic, although I wouldn't really expect it until next year when we start seeing a stronger home schedule.

[andtheHomeoftheSIOUX!!]

Sell outs of every game would be pretty great!

[PartTime]

UND92,96, on Aug 29 2008, 11:10 AM, said:

I think there may have been a larger than normal student section. It's hard to say how many military people were there, but I would think that even if none of them showed up again, their seats could easily be filled if a more aggressive marketing campaign were utilized. In other words, I feel that selling out the Alerus on a regular basis is a very realistic goal once the home schedule is a bit more attractive (assuming we continue to have success on the field). Over the first four games last season, we averaged just over 11,100--or roughly 1000 under capacity. With any sort of dI bump, sell-outs should be realistic, although I wouldn't really expect it until next year when we start seeing a stronger home schedule.

So the capacity of the Alerus is 12,100 or 12,200 and not 13,500?  it would explain why over the years since it opened (including last night) that the place looked relatively full and when the attendance was announced, 11,400, a person looking around wonders "where are the 2,100 empty seats".  I guess I have always taken issue with the reported attendance at the football games and with using the "13,500" seat capacity number, it just never seemed like it was accurate.

[Big10Sioux]

Very impressed with the turnout. Provided for a great atmosphere and a fun night. It was definitely a good start to build on. Bring your friends next time.

[Brucesky02]

It was definitely one of the loudest I've heard at the Alerus!  During the pregame I could barely hear the drum majors whistle off the pregame show!  It was a great crowd and a lot of fun to play at.  Well, at least until the end of the 3rd quarter that is...

[dlsiouxfan]

I have to say I was suprised and pleased with the crowd.  I was honestly hoping for something in the 9,000-10,000 range and was really worried we'd have a Winona State type turnout.  Thanks for proving me wrong GF.  Hopefully, we can keep this trend going and you can count on at least one more in attendance for the Southern Utah and Western Washington games.

[Oxbow6]

dlsiouxfan, on Aug 29 2008, 08:00 PM, said:

I have to say I was suprised and pleased with the crowd.  I was honestly hoping for something in the 9,000-10,000 range and was really worried we'd have a Winona State type turnout.  Thanks for proving me wrong GF.  Hopefully, we can keep this trend going and you can count on at least one more in attendance for the Southern Utah and Western Washington games.

As was I. The student section was packed and loud!  Overall a great atmosphere for the Alerus.  Hope the team gets 10000+ for their rest of their home games.

[CMSioux]

This was definitely the largest student attendance I've seen in all of the history of the Alerus. We need the student section to start some cheers, especially during pre-game warm-ups, there was a group up in the corner that tried. Also let's start some new tradition cheers, not sure what they would be but how would it feel to be inside the Alerus with 11,000 fans shouting, We are North Dakota, We are One!

[star2city]

Going with night games will raise attendance regardless, IMO.  Saturday days are not good for many fans in the fall:  harvesting, hunting, yard work, etc.  Students are more apt to go out in the evening than they are on a Saturday afternoon.  With fans choosing between the last major weekend to go to the lakes or a Saturday football game, a Thursday night game has always made the most sense.

[Sioux-cia]

Brucesky02, on Aug 29 2008, 06:49 PM, said:

It was definitely one of the loudest I've heard at the Alerus! During the pregame I could barely hear the drum majors whistle off the pregame show! It was a great crowd and a lot of fun to play at. Well, at least until the end of the 3rd quarter that is...

As I was browsing the last page of this thread, I read the above and had a brief moment of panic! I hadn't seen the score yet and, for a brief minute, I thought we lost the first game of the season!!

Phew!

[siouxforeverbaby]

CMSioux, on Aug 30 2008, 07:33 AM, said:

This was definitely the largest student attendance I've seen in all of the history of the Alerus. We need the student section to start some cheers, especially during pre-game warm-ups, there was a group up in the corner that tried. Also let's start some new tradition cheers, not sure what they would be but how would it feel to be inside the Alerus with 11,000 fans shouting, We are North Dakota, We are One!

Depending on what corner it is, you can't hear.  I sit on the opposite end of the student section than the band most games and sometimes I can barely hear them let alone three or four students trying to get a cheer going. We did have a good student section, but it took awhile to fill up and i have seen it a little more packed.....or maybe that was cause we were all trying to pack into the first four rows!

[dakotadan]

Not only was it the largest home opener, it was the 10th largest crowd in the history of the Alerus.

[GF_siouxfan]

dakotadan, on Aug 30 2008, 02:42 PM, said:

Not only was it the largest home opener, it was the 10th largest crowd in the history of the Alerus.

whats the other nine?

[Hammersmith]

GF_siouxfan, on Aug 30 2008, 09:32 PM, said:

whats the other nine?

1. 13,500 - NDSU - 6/10/01 (I don't trust this one - 13,500 exactly is too convienent)
2. 12,580 - UNO - 20/10/01
3. 12,276 - NDSU - 18/10/03
4. 12,202 - SCSU - 1/10/06
5. 12,148 - Augustana - 29/9/07
6. 11,696 - UCD - 1/12/01
7. 11,665 - UMD - 16/10/04
8. 11,563 - UNO - 13/10/07
9. 11,463 - MSU - 7/10/05
10. 11,434 - TAMUK - 28/8/08

[Oxbow6]

Hammersmith, on Aug 31 2008, 05:32 AM, said:

1. 13,500 - NDSU - 6/10/01 (I don't trust this one - 13,500 exactly is too convienent)
2. 12,580 - UNO - 20/10/01
3. 12,276 - NDSU - 18/10/03
4. 12,202 - SCSU - 1/10/06
5. 12,148 - Augustana - 29/9/07
6. 11,696 - UCD - 1/12/01
7. 11,665 - UMD - 16/10/04
8. 11,563 - UNO - 13/10/07
9. 11,463 - MSU - 7/10/05
10. 11,434 - TAMUK - 28/8/08

Suprised that UC-Davis game didn't have a bigger number.  Remember that game being packed.  By far the loudest game at the Alerus that I can remember.