Why is thers till so many ULL tickets left?

[bigbluegrog]

↑
Student allotment has been reduced to 4,000 seats so I am pretty sure it is not possible for them to get to 5,000.

Pretty sure student allotment is curently at 6 K...can't believe folks aren't excited ...for those of you waiting for cheap tickets you need to go to other SEC schools and ck out prices...Hell even Vandy and Otis tickets are higher. This isn't 30 yrs ago people. I know there are people on this board that can afford to go , but want things on the cheap ... those days are gone and besides UK is having specials on tickets right now. As for parking it is what it is. I park very close to the stadium and for 8 games it cost me 240. I don't really like it, but it is what I love to do, watching sec and KENTUCKY FOOTBALL...@ALLIN

Did some digging and all I could find was this.....nothing definitive.......

"Previously, UK has said that the student section would hold somewhere between 4,000 and 5,000 seats and be located in the East end zone surrounding the Cats' new recruiting room."

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2015/07/02/3928453_revamping-commonwealth-stadium.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy

 

[sluggercatfan]

OK, you don't like it. But he's right. Way easier to keep someone buying your product than to get them to buy again after stopping. You don't stop buying something because you're happy. Really, it's basic marketing.

BTW, It's not Joker who caused that. It's the person who hired him. Not real smart.[/QUOTE
Had tickets for 30 yrs...after the third game of JP second yr I stopped going and would not let anyone have my tickets so my seats were empty. Didn't buy the third year and right after MS became coach I'm back in the saddle with a little better seats. I KNOW I MISSED IT BAD!!!

 

[ModernThirst_Bill]

There are more than that. Theycopen up new sctions once others are sold.

The lower levels are sold out. Sections 202-211 have seats- a total of 1,430 as of about half an hour ago. Those are all upper level across from the new press boxes and loge suites.

 

[sluggercatfan]

You mean, it won't hurt anyone . . . other than two longtime season ticket holders who I know that are both in their 80s who did not get parking passes near the stadium (one got put in the parking structure across Cooper Drive) who basically said "the hell with it". (they called UK and the K Fund and both politely said, tough luck). People past a certain age obviously can't walk a mile to and from the games.

Another problem this season was the reticketing of the new stadium. Personally, it helped me out, but I heard that once the dust settled, and fans saw where they ended up, plus the new cost, a LOT of fans elected not to purchase once the invoices came out. Which is how I moved from row 38 back to row 20 where I wanted all along.

Those folk should ck out the handicapped lot as they run a shuttle to and from the stadium

 

[Poetax]

I think this could be a big reason, but with the remodeling, and all the seats being lost to club seating, suites, etc. there was really little other option. No matter what happened, a large group of fans were going to be disappointed. And like it or not, this was the fairest and most responsible way to do it. I went from the 15 yard line to the 50 after having season tickets for 32 years. I have worked hard to donate when and where I could so that I would be ready when that day came. Fans that didn't see this coming from a mile away have had blinders on.....and anyone who had great seats for many years and took it for granted that they would always have them and could have afforded to donate, but did not and I know several of them.....have only themselves to blame. My point for those that DO want to go but are worried about the cost, is that it is no more expensive for season tickets today than it was 5 years ago. Tickets are still affordable if you want to go bad enough.

In the end I know there's a lot to be said about watching them at home on the TV and it can be a grind some weekends but the moment my head comes through the entrance and the noise from the field and the fans hits me I know there is no where that I want to be more then in the stands of CWS.

 

[sluggercatfan]

In the end I know there's a lot to be said about watching them at home on the TV and it can be a grind some weekends but the moment my head comes through the entrance and the noise from the field and the fans hits me I know there is no where that I want to be more then in the stands of CWS.

Yes!!!!!!!!

 

[bigbluegrog]

In the end I know there's a lot to be said about watching them at home on the TV and it can be a grind some weekends but the moment my head comes through the entrance and the noise from the field and the fans hits me I know there is no where that I want to be more then in the stands of CWS.

AMEN brother Poetax!

 

[ukwazoo]

Personally, I can't wait!

And, JHB is right - there were huge numbers of long-time season ticket holders that were put-off and alienated by the Joker years (and by Barnhart's edicts and actions at that time), that have found because of age, HD TV, cost and comfy sofas that they aren't interested in re-upping. And, yes, winning will help cure all ills, but Stoops was left with as little talent as I have seen on a UK team since I started following in the mid-70's. But, no need to re-hash that now.

Just bring on the season...

I'm in that group. I'll watch and cheer comfortably from home. How Mitch handled that whole situation really makes it impossible for me to throw tons of money at him/the program.

 

[Boyz_N_Blue]

Hopes this gives some of you more recent fans a better understanding of why so many of us long-time fans have not returned to our Saturday ritual of attending UK FB games and choose to follow our favorite team on TV or the radio.

Okay. First of all how "long-time" do you have to be to know UK football's historic struggles? You could be a 10 year-old and know enough. So I don't get the - I'm old, I know, attitude. And simply put - why wouldn't you reward UKAA's recent investment in the football program with your patronage to the stadium? Makes zero sense to me. Honestly it looks like an excuse to save some $ and look righteous.

We get you coming and going anyway. You watch on TV? Those TV revenues trickle down to UK in a big ole check from the SEC.

 

[Boz]

I am 43 years old. Have always been a huge UK football fan. Before 2009 I had never missed a home game since 1987. In 2009 I decided that I would no longer financially support the program, had no desire to attend the games (just lost my interest in UK football). All because of the direction of the program and lack of commitment by the University. I have seen a lot of bad football in my years; invested a lot of money; invested a lot of time but Joker was the end for me. I still have no desire to attend the games or buy tickets. I am happy to just watch the games on my HDTV. I am encouraged with what I have seen from Stoops and the new commitment to the football program. I still remember UK saying in the 80's that the new indoor practice building was the final piece to the puzzle and would change the future of the program( which of course did not happen). I would like to see wins before I can jump on the train.

 

[JDHoss]

Wish I could go but it's a 9 hour drive, rental car, hotel, food.....I'd be into it for 300 before I could even get comfortable. I will say this though. This team, these players and this coaching staff DESERVE a sellout for every game. It can only help with recruiting and that is what will lift the program. Whining about the Joker years is a cop out.

^^^This.....it's far more simple than anything Joker or Mitch did/didn't do. If I lived within an hour or so of Lexington, I probably wouldn't miss a game. However, on game day, it's 4-5 hour drive to get to the stadium. Used to, I would leave early on Saturday morning for a 12:30 kickoff, then get back about around 10-11 that night. If I do that now, my ass is dragging on Sunday, so we wind up spending the night regardless of kickoff time. That was also back in the day when UK had maybe 3-4 games a year on TV. Now, you have Ultra HD, surround sound, every UK game is on TV, as are more games than you could possibly watch in a single day. In short:

Game tickets ($100 + for 2 tickets)
Hotel ($120+)
Gas ($50)
Meals ($60 for 2 people and 3 meals)
Game program/popcorn/drinks/etc. ($20)
Parking ($15)

Every home game I attend, I'm looking at $350-400.

Or, I can stay home to watch in HD.

*No parking or fighting traffic.
*My recliner is far more comfortable than a stadium seat.
*Tailgating is still really good, and I don't have to pack up my grill.
*I can openly drink beer while the game is going on..
*No line at the bathroom.
*Unlimited replay.
*Switch over to other interesting games during a timeout.
*Don't have to listen to "ORTA THROWED THAT LONG!!1!" or people making noise when we are trying to convert a crucial 3rd down.
*No fighting traffic or long drive home.

As someone else pointed out, you'll see plenty of empty seats around the country at other locations as well.

 

[DACats86]

Generally, there are good points made by everyone in this thread. But, kind of like Poetax, there is just something magical about being in Commonwealth Stadium. I realize given our history it's illogical and could be considered as some form of self-flagellation, but it is a part off my DNA. I don't get the same feeling from any other sport or sporting event. I read something once that said that time spent fishing doesn't count against your time on this earth. That is how I feel about time spent at UK football games.

It's football time in the Bluegrass!!!!

 

[bigbluegrog]

Generally, there are good points made by everyone in this thread. But, kind of like Poetax, there is just something magical about being in Commonwealth Stadium. I realize given our history it's illogical and could be considered as some form of self-flagellation, but it is a part off my DNA. I don't get the same feeling from any other sport or sporting event. I read something once that said that time spent fishing doesn't count against your time on this earth. That is how I feel about time spent at UK football games.

It's football time in the Bluegrass!!!!

Well said sir! You sum up my feelings perfectly. Wish we played tomorrow!

 

[sluggercatfan]

Look I am not one of MB biggest fans in some respect, but it seems convenient to the "basketball only" fans to overlook the real problem here and it isn't MB...Do any of you people know when Otis's football program turned around?. Well, it started long before BP came onto the scene. Bill Olsen took a leapforward and hired Howard Schnellenburger as Otis's head coach. After that the run was on for them. We had two "basketball ADs" who had the opportunity to do the same and they both turned it down. Hell, even one of them had a handshake with HS to take the job , but when Howard found out that everything had to go thru the AD he backed out. Do you think Adolph or Joe B. had to go thru this. Long before MB came on the scene this football program has played on the emotions of the fans and as long as they showed up there wasn't going to be anything done here. So, no MB may not have done everything you liked , but he also has bosses to answer to and until the fan revolt they were perfectly fine with fans filling the stands putting up with a lot of bad football...Erick Korem told me fan day that when the new practice facility is completed it will be a one of a kind, state of the and the best in the country. Mark Stoops also has stated on several occasions that this time next year that NOBODY in the country will have better facilities than KENTUCKY. Now who is the AD presiding over this special time in KENTUCKY FOOTBALL...#ALLIN...Either get in or get the hell out of the way!!!

 

[WeepNoMore]

Okay. First of all how "long-time" do you have to be to know UK football's historic struggles? You could be a 10 year-old and know enough. So I don't get the - I'm old, I know, attitude. And simply put - why wouldn't you reward UKAA's recent investment in the football program with your patronage to the stadium? Makes zero sense to me. Honestly it looks like an excuse to save some $ and look righteous.

We get you coming and going anyway. You watch on TV? Those TV revenues trickle down to UK in a big ole check from the SEC.

To answer your questions as simply as possible:

(1) You obviously must be one of the more knowledgeable 10-year-olds to post here.

(2) I rewarded

(a) the investment in Commonwealth Stadium
(b) the investment in the Nutter Center
(c) the investment in the indoor field
(d) the investment in Commonwealth Expansion

but saw little follow through by the UKAA and minimal return on my investment.

(3) I ran out of investment resources, patience with our do nothing, self-serving, holier-than-thou AD, and energy to make the trips to Lex at about the same time in January 2010.

PS: Am way too self-confident to need to "look righteous".

 

[ktbug]

If you are paying to park, you must be from out of town. I doubt any other stadium has as much free parking nearby, or free prime areas to tailgate. I'll be darned if I'll pay that much to park. I have paid 5 bucks in the last 17 years.

 

[KyCatFan]

Where are you taking your wife to McD's and discount movie? So you won't pay 50 for a ticket, but will pay 30 for cokes and popcorn at a movie theater?

We like to eat at Texas Roundhouse and it costs us about $30 and a movie at the cinemas for us is about $35 or so. That is around $65 to do those things and watch the game for free at home. Like I said it is around a third of the cost of going to the games at regular price.

I am currently off from work on short term disability, so our money situation is a little tighter. The only reason I am even taking my wife out is that it is are wedding anniversary weekend. I was going to drive up for the game and spend time in Lexington with her, but not at $100 for 2 tickets.

 

[jeffygray]

To answer your questions as simply as possible:

(1) You obviously must be one of the more knowledgeable 10-year-olds to post here.

(2) I rewarded

(a) the investment in Commonwealth Stadium
(b) the investment in the Nutter Center
(c) the investment in the indoor field
(d) the investment in Commonwealth Expansion

but saw little follow through by the UKAA and minimal return on my investment.

(3) I ran out of investment resources, patience with our do nothing, self-serving, holier-than-thou AD, and energy to make the trips to Lex at about the same time in January 2010.

PS: Am way too self-confident to need to "look righteous".

Its the nature of the beast right now, mostly every sporting league is having trouble selling tickets. Just how it is and will probably get worse soon. From High school to pros. Teams like Florida, Tennessee, Michigan and so on are feeling it.
I feel we did the right thing in the renovation as far as number of seats, If we win then it will get harder to get tickets, making it a real honor to be able to go to a game.

 

[hmt5000]

Pretty sure student allotment is curently at 6 K...can't believe folks aren't excited ...for those of you waiting for cheap tickets you need to go to other SEC schools and ck out prices...Hell even Vandy and Otis tickets are higher. This isn't 30 yrs ago people. I know there are people on this board that can afford to go , but want things on the cheap ... those days are gone and besides UK is having specials on tickets right now. As for parking it is what it is. I park very close to the stadium and for 8 games it cost me 240. I don't really like it, but it is what I love to do, watching sec and KENTUCKY FOOTBALL...@ALLIN

I can get Otis tickets to the bc game for $20 and it comes with a concession voucher. Bc is a better game than ull and is at least 1/4 the price

 

[Pharmboy007]

If there aren't good numbers, my guess is it has to do with two factors, neither of which are actually related to the game.

1. There has been a lot of press saying that everything won't be finished until week 3.
2. It's Labor Day Weekend, the last long weekend until Thanksgiving, and a lot of folks probably have other plans.

Our biggest concern is what the parking areas are going to look like for tailgating. With all of the changes, a couple of us are going up the week before the game to look at parking.

As to us, we are going to the game, then having a party Sunday to celebrate Labor Day and a Cats win.

GO CATS

 

[sluggercatfan]

We like to eat at Texas Roundhouse and it costs us about $30 and a movie at the cinemas for us is about $35 or so. That is around $65 to do those things and watch the game for free at home. Like I said it is around a third of the cost of going to the games at regular price.

I am currently off from work on short term disability, so our money situation is a little tighter. The only reason I am even taking my wife out is that it is are wedding anniversary weekend. I was going to drive up for the game and spend time in Lexington with her, but not at $100 for 2 tickets.

If you come up for the first game and don't have a ticket, I can almost guarantee you won't spend any more for 2 tics than you did for your date

 

[sluggercatfan]

I can get Otis tickets to the bc game for $20 and it comes with a concession voucher. Bc is a better game than ull and is at least 1/4 the price

If you are a CAT FAN why the hell are you buying tickets to an Otis game. Would not go for free tickets and dinner at my favorite restaurant

 

[TTU/UK fan]

The point is you should want to support your team where they can see you supoorting them, when they see the stadium full it pumps them up ALOT more than a half empty one, pluss it is 10 times more fun than being at home and getting Texas Roadhouse. Smh give me a break.

 

[BleedBlue32]

I was a season ticket holder until this season. I cancelled because A) I like to spend most weekends deer hunting, B) all of the noon kick-offs killed me last year (which this year, it looks to be more night games, but I didn't know that when I cancelled), and C) TV has gotten so good, it's better to watch the game at home from your own chair, with clean bathrooms, inexpensive food, cell phone service, and a better view of the game. However, I do plan on going to a game a year and ULL was an option. That's the opening morning of bow season, though, and I could get tickets for the Florida game two weeks later, which will likely be a better game and we all know it will be a bigger one, so I opted to see us take down UF. Hopefully the rest of the tickets can be sold, though, and we can get a season-opening win.

 

[RV2]

I'm in that group. I'll watch and cheer comfortably from home. How Mitch handled that whole situation really makes it impossible for me to throw tons of money at him/the program.

 

[robo222]

Jeeze I'm getting old... but ... I remember the days when as teenagers a bud of mine and I would make the drive to Lexington and park in someones front yard over around Maxwell and make our way to Stoll Field... When the new stadium was built it was so sterile in its atmosphere (parking lots) that I thought it had ruined the gamely experience... Flash forward to 2015 and it's just the opposite... Hell yeah, I could find a place to park on the other side of N-ville Rd. and have a deja vu experience....

The parking and reticketing might be unavoidable... The state of UK football which makes reticketing and parking such a sensitive subject (people hate change) should have been given lots more attention going way way back... It all comes down to getting value in the purchase price of ones ticket and UK has jumped the shark, with its product and pricing... MB told us that if we wanted SEC ball we'd have to pay for it... We didn't get SEC ball, and we didn't get any investment in infrastructure... Positive changes started when Eli Capilouto showed up... So here's hoping that our AD was being restrained and the hounds have been released........

 

[JHB4UK]

Some positive reporting this week from the folks who have spent all summer long bemoaning the construction & no way possible it was gonna be mostly finished by game 1 that it is in fact going be completely finished for 97% of all fans in attendance might help bring some folks to game #1 who have otherwise been scared away

(COUGHksrcongressmanjonesCOUGH)

 

[Levibooty]

I think there is significant evidence that says HDTV has had a big impact on all this. Talk about prices going up I used to watch TV for free and wish I could get a chance to see UK play.

I also think it is easy to see that UK does not have the same fanbase of even Arkansas or Mississippi. On top of all that the fanbase is changing on a yearly basis. It may have been quite prudent to cut the number of seats in CWS.

I think a huge part of building the fanbase up for any college football team requires two elements.

1) Wins!!!! Nothing draws people like success.

2) A good tailgating atmosphere. That is what turns a ticket for a cold seat in a stadium into a autumn family tradition that rivals all the festivals in the state. It makes a three hour game an all day event giving that ticket more value.

 

[vhcat70]

If you are paying to park, you must be from out of town. I doubt any other stadium has as much free parking nearby, or free prime areas to tailgate. I'll be darned if I'll pay that much to park. I have paid 5 bucks in the last 17 years.

I can't measure the distance difference between free parking at UK & LSU, but between Tiger Stadium & The River there is one humongous field lot that's free. May hold more than all UK pay lots. Now getting out after a game can be a nightmare as you're pinned in by The River.

 

[sluggercatfan]

Jeeze I'm getting old... but ... I remember the days when as teenagers a bud of mine and I would make the drive to Lexington and park in someones front yard over around Maxwell and make our way to Stoll Field... When the new stadium was built it was so sterile in its atmosphere (parking lots) that I thought it had ruined the gamely experience... Flash forward to 2015 and it's just the opposite... Hell yeah, I could find a place to park on the other side of N-ville Rd. and have a deja vu experience....

The parking and reticketing might be unavoidable... The state of UK football which makes reticketing and parking such a sensitive subject (people hate change) should have been given lots more attention going way way back... It all comes down to getting value in the purchase price of ones ticket and UK has jumped the shark, with its product and pricing... MB told us that if we wanted SEC ball we'd have to pay for it... We didn't get SEC ball, and we didn't get any investment in infrastructure... Positive changes started when Eli Capilouto showed up... So here's hoping that our AD was being restrained and the hounds have been released........

Like I said earlier MB has bosses he has to report to and just can't do every little thing he wants. You can't tell me that a man that has been at UT and Oregon doesn't want a top notch football program. Every P5 conference school does because it is such a money maker if successful. People like to do what they like to do with their time and money, but building a top notch program doesn't come with 15-20 tickets and free parking . I agree that Eli C. has been the most pro football president UK has had . At this time next year , according to the coaches and conditioning people, KENTUCKY WILL HAVE FACILITIES AS GOOD AS ANY IN THE COUNTRY and people are still bitching and moaning. If you cannot get in the boat at this point in time and buy tickets then stop moaning and get out of the way... It is a struggle for me financially to do what I do to support the program , but it is what I CHOOSE to do because I want to support the program...Like the old saying says...you get what you pay for.

 

[KentuckyRLD]

The reason people do not attend is simple. The product on the field is not worth the price. Coach Stoops has done a great job at getting people to talk about the program and he has done a better job at recruiting than his predecessor and maybe many others who have coached at UK. But keep in mind a couple of things. First of all he has done absolutely nothing on the field. His record to this point is not going to bring people in and, for several reasons, he may very well not improve on that record again this season. Add to that the fact that the cost of attending a game is simply way to high it is unlikely that the attendance is going to improve a lot this season. Now if he could go 8-4 and win a bowl game, attendance in the future MIGHT improve. But when you consider that even though the recruiting is better it is still nowhere near good enough to be consistently competitive in the SEC. That is a problem and will continue to be a problem until the program wins on a regular basis.

 

[loucatfan]

I think there is significant evidence that says HDTV has had a big impact on all this. Talk about prices going up I used to watch TV for free and wish I could get a chance to see UK play.

I also think it is easy to see that UK does not have the same fanbase of even Arkansas or Mississippi. On top of all that the fanbase is changing on a yearly basis. It may have been quite prudent to cut the number of seats in CWS.

I think a huge part of building the fanbase up for any college football team requires two elements.

1) Wins!!!! Nothing draws people like success.

2) A good tailgating atmosphere. That is what turns a ticket for a cold seat in a stadium into a autumn family tradition that rivals all the festivals in the state. It makes a three hour game an all day event giving that ticket more value.

I agree with much of what you said but please do not denigrate our fan base. For the product on the field over the last fifty years we have HAD the most loyal fan base in the nation. IT WAS EASY to be an Alabama ,Ohio State,Michigan,Auburn,Notre Dame, etc fan over those years. We consistently lost BUT were 66,000 strong and in the top twenty five in attendance consistently during many many losing seasons. BEST fan base in the nation. Comparable to the Chicago Cub fans supporting lovable losers.

Then came the Joker year and UK's unwillingness to give back to the cash cow it milked too long.Facilities and coaching were both third rate.

UK is a special school. It has a disproportionate number of the best and brightest due to the fact we have no prestigious large University like Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, Emory, John Hopkins etc. UK is the place to go for smart kids in state unless they go out of state. This created an incredibly effective and loyal alumni base as these folks are the activist. The movers and shakers in their communities and love their state university. They had a tradition of loyally coming back to Lexington to relive college memories and take in a football game in the fall. It was a HABIT. It was just what you did.

Also we did not have to compete with Pro sports. We were the only game in town.

You really had to screw up bad to destroy that loyalty but UK did, . That loyalty which caused 66,000 fans to be in the habit of coming to CWS on Saturdays in the fall and watch football and see State U.The Joker years were a disaster and over one third of our fan base left. I stayed but I have no criticism of those who left at all.

The problem is once people have gotten out of the habit (and hassle) of taking a full day tromping to Lex , it is hard to get them back. They now realize that due to the FANTASTIC TV coverage on Big screens that they can both see the game with replays for free and go to their kids soccer game and watch several other games of national importance . So many have chosen to not return.

IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE FAILURE OF UK TO GIVE BACK TO THE LOYAL FOOTBALL FANS IN THE FORM OF FACILITIES AND COACHES WE WOULD STILL BE 66000 STRONG.

But make no mistake about it. It was UK's milking the cash cow without feeding it that allowed it to starve. MB is doing an admirable job of doing the best he can now that the fans have spoken with their feet.

But please don't say we don't have as loyal fan base as Arkansas and Ole Miss. That is just not correct. We have the best fans in the nation.

Lou

 

[Caveman Catfan]

The reason people do not attend is simple. The product on the field is not worth the price. Coach Stoops has done a great job at getting people to talk about the program and he has done a better job at recruiting than his predecessor and maybe many others who have coached at UK. But keep in mind a couple of things. First of all he has done absolutely nothing on the field. His record to this point is not going to bring people in and, for several reasons, he may very well not improve on that record again this season. Add to that the fact that the cost of attending a game is simply way to high it is unlikely that the attendance is going to improve a lot this season. Now if he could go 8-4 and win a bowl game, attendance in the future MIGHT improve. But when you consider that even though the recruiting is better it is still nowhere near good enough to be consistently competitive in the SEC. That is a problem and will continue to be a problem until the program wins on a regular basis.

How does a football fan say going from 2 wins in year one to 5 wins in year two is absolutely nothing?

 

[sluggercatfan]

How does a football fan say going from 2 wins in year one to 5 wins in year two is absolutely nothing?

Yes!!! With two plays away from being 7-5...Only in KENTUCKY . For those of you thinking that with the condition Stoops took over that in two seasons this could be turned around you just don't get it...Last season was a big step and I expect this one to be bigger one. For once there is nothing about UK football to complain about and everything is in place and people are STILL complaining . Go figure

 

[Levibooty]

I agree with much of what you said but please do not denigrate our fan base. For the product on the field over the last fifty years we have HAD the most loyal fan base in the nation. IT WAS EASY to be an Alabama ,Ohio State,Michigan,Auburn,Notre Dame, etc fan over those years. We consistently lost BUT were 66,000 strong and in the top twenty five in attendance consistently during many many losing seasons. BEST fan base in the nation. Comparable to the Chicago Cub fans supporting lovable losers.

Then came the Joker year and UK's unwillingness to give back to the cash cow it milked too long.Facilities and coaching were both third rate.

UK is a special school. It has a disproportionate number of the best and brightest due to the fact we have no prestigious large University like Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, Emory, John Hopkins etc. UK is the place to go for smart kids in state unless they go out of state. This created an incredibly effective and loyal alumni base as these folks are the activist. The movers and shakers in their communities and love their state university. They had a tradition of loyally coming back to Lexington to relive college memories and take in a football game in the fall. It was a HABIT. It was just what you did.

Also we did not have to compete with Pro sports. We were the only game in town.

You really had to screw up bad to destroy that loyalty but UK did, . That loyalty which caused 66,000 fans to be in the habit of coming to CWS on Saturdays in the fall and watch football and see State U.The Joker years were a disaster and over one third of our fan base left. I stayed but I have no criticism of those who left at all.

The problem is once people have gotten out of the habit (and hassle) of taking a full day tromping to Lex , it is hard to get them back. They now realize that due to the FANTASTIC TV coverage on Big screens that they can both see the game with replays for free and go to their kids soccer game and watch several other games of national importance . So many have chosen to not return.

IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE FAILURE OF UK TO GIVE BACK TO THE LOYAL FOOTBALL FANS IN THE FORM OF FACILITIES AND COACHES WE WOULD STILL BE 66000 STRONG.

But make no mistake about it. It was UK's milking the cash cow without feeding it that allowed it to starve. MB is doing an admirable job of doing the best he can now that the fans have spoken with their feet.

But please don't say we don't have as loyal fan base as Arkansas and Ole Miss. That is just not correct. We have the best fans in the nation.

Lou

Lou you are quick to defend the UK football fanbase which is OK but it is the same fanbase that includes a segment of fans that hurled far worse at our own than I ever have. I've heard the loyal fans spew filth at Mike Hartline in CWS, utterly despicable! I've read the comments on this board and others that are way over the top. So when you jump up to "defend" make sure you know what is being said. I get what you are saying and there is a bit of validity to your position, but the "fan base" makes not one managerial decision, nor do they have any responsibility for those decisions.

I'll stand by my statement that the football culture at most other SEC schools is quite a bit different than here at Kentucky. You try to paint a picture that all UK football fans are just good people who have been duped by the university all these years and there may be some truth to that BUT and I'm sure you know this, it is not the whole truth and nothing but truth.

Whether you like it or not Kentucky is a basketball first fan base and the deep pockets UK can go to for funding are basketball first people for the most part. The Joker decision proved to be a bad one but much less so than the Mumme fiasco. The best football hire since Bryant has been Rich Brooks IMO and this fan base you hold in such high esteem wanted to fire him in his first few years. This fan base clamored to replace Andre Woodson with Curtis Pulley, hire Bobby Petrino, hire Mike leach, replace Mike Hartline with
Morgan Newton!

So Lou with all due respect you can believe the fan base here at Kentucky is a limitless avenue of good judgement but I do not share that opinion. If in fact you are right then the fan base should answer up for all the years Kentucky offered far, far worse than what we have going on now, which by the way is fueled with a fresh influx of SEC/TV money---not simply UK fan money. In other words Kentucky is benefiting from the money generated by those other schools fans from our conference I alluded to earlier.

That may be harsh but it is reality.

 

[robo222]

I agree with much of what you said but please do not denigrate our fan base. For the product on the field over the last fifty years we have HAD the most loyal fan base in the nation. IT WAS EASY to be an Alabama ,Ohio State,Michigan,Auburn,Notre Dame, etc fan over those years. We consistently lost BUT were 66,000 strong and in the top twenty five in attendance consistently during many many losing seasons. BEST fan base in the nation. Comparable to the Chicago Cub fans supporting lovable losers.

Then came the Joker year and UK's unwillingness to give back to the cash cow it milked too long.Facilities and coaching were both third rate.

UK is a special school. It has a disproportionate number of the best and brightest due to the fact we have no prestigious large University like Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, Emory, John Hopkins etc. UK is the place to go for smart kids in state unless they go out of state. This created an incredibly effective and loyal alumni base as these folks are the activist. The movers and shakers in their communities and love their state university. They had a tradition of loyally coming back to Lexington to relive college memories and take in a football game in the fall. It was a HABIT. It was just what you did.

Also we did not have to compete with Pro sports. We were the only game in town.

You really had to screw up bad to destroy that loyalty but UK did, . That loyalty which caused 66,000 fans to be in the habit of coming to CWS on Saturdays in the fall and watch football and see State U.The Joker years were a disaster and over one third of our fan base left. I stayed but I have no criticism of those who left at all.

The problem is once people have gotten out of the habit (and hassle) of taking a full day tromping to Lex , it is hard to get them back. They now realize that due to the FANTASTIC TV coverage on Big screens that they can both see the game with replays for free and go to their kids soccer game and watch several other games of national importance . So many have chosen to not return.

IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE FAILURE OF UK TO GIVE BACK TO THE LOYAL FOOTBALL FANS IN THE FORM OF FACILITIES AND COACHES WE WOULD STILL BE 66000 STRONG.

But make no mistake about it. It was UK's milking the cash cow without feeding it that allowed it to starve. MB is doing an admirable job of doing the best he can now that the fans have spoken with their feet.

But please don't say we don't have as loyal fan base as Arkansas and Ole Miss. That is just not correct. We have the best fans in the nation.

Lou

What he said.....

 

[~Keyser Soze~]

Lol at all the excuses. You can get a ULL ticket for 25 bucks on ticketmaster right now. If you prioritize Texas Roadhouse and a Movie over supporting UK football, thats cool, just stop making excuses. One dude even added the price of a program in his excuse, who buys programs?

 

[~Keyser Soze~]

I dont feel like walking, paying, or driving but we are the most loyal fanbase...

Really guys, it's OK if you like other things better.

 

[gobigblue812]

Well said.

 

[sluggercatfan]

Lou you are quick to defend the UK football fanbase which is OK but it is the same fanbase that includes a segment of fans that hurled far worse at our own than I ever have. I've heard the loyal fans spew filth at Mike Hartline in CWS, utterly despicable! I've read the comments on this board and others that are way over the top. So when you jump up to "defend" make sure you know what is being said. I get what you are saying and there is a bit of validity to your position, but the "fan base" makes not one managerial decision, nor do they have any responsibility for those decisions.

I'll stand by my statement that the football culture at most other SEC schools is quite a bit different than here at Kentucky. You try to paint a picture that all UK football fans are just good people who have been duped by the university all these years and there may be some truth to that BUT and I'm sure you know this, it is not the whole truth and nothing but truth.

Whether you like it or not Kentucky is a basketball first fan base and the deep pockets UK can go to for funding are basketball first people for the most part. The Joker decision proved to be a bad one but much less so than the Mumme fiasco. The best football hire since Bryant has been Rich Brooks IMO and this fan base you hold in such high esteem wanted to fire him in his first few years. This fan base clamored to replace Andre Woodson with Curtis Pulley, hire Bobby Petrino, hire Mike leach, replace Mike Hartline with
Morgan Newton!

So Lou with all due respect you can believe the fan base here at Kentucky is a limitless avenue of good judgement but I do not share that opinion. If in fact you are right then the fan base should answer up for all the years Kentucky offered far, far worse than what we have going on now, which by the way is fueled with a fresh influx of SEC/TV money---not simply UK fan money. In other words Kentucky is benefiting from the money generated by those other schools fans from our conference I alluded to earlier.

That may be harsh but it is reality.

WOW...Lots of sober cold truth there. You forgot the "basketball only" people who want nothing more than for the program to fail. You also did not mention , and I think I am correct on this, but almost, if not all, of the money to build the new practice facility came from donors who have NEVER donated money to football at KENTUCKY...Congratulation to Mitch and Coach Stoops...#ALL IN