2008 College Football Spring Game Attendance
15 comments so far
April 29, 2008 by
College football spring games were once merely scrimmages held mostly for the benefit of the coaches and players. Now they are full fledged fan festivals and recruiting events complete with rock concerts and nation-wide television coverage.
Over 80,000 Husker fans poured into Memorial Stadium for the 2008 Red-White Game. It was the most well attended spring scrimmage in the nation. Alabama, Ohio State, Penn State and Florida each had over 60,000 fans in attendance and many schools saw their attendance climb from last year's spring game.
Attendance Up Nation-Wide
Many programs saw increased spring game attendance compared to last year. Many schools organize fan festivals around the spring scrimmage that include concerts and family-friendly entertainment in an effort to boost interest.
Illinois, West Virginia, Arkansas, Virginia, Colorado, and Missouri all saw crowds that were at least twice the size as last year. Notre Dame stood out as one of the bigger losers in attendance, with 40% fewer fans attending this year compared to last.
| School | 2008 | 2007 | Difference | % Change |
| Nebraska | 80149 | 54288 | 25861 | 48% |
| Alabama | 78200 | 92138 | -13938 | -15% |
| Ohio State | 76346 | 75310 | 1036 | 1% |
| Penn State | 73000 | 71000 | 2000 | 3% |
| Florida | 61000 | 47500 | 13500 | 28% |
| Texas | 43000 | 42500 | 500 | 1% |
| Arkansas | 40200 | 4000 | 36200 | 905% |
| Auburn | 35000 | 31757 | 3243 | 10% |
| LSU | 33624 | 14375 | 19249 | 134% |
| Texas A&M | 32000 | |||
| South Carolina | 31125 | 35153 | -4028 | -11% |
| Notre Dame | 30286 | 51852 | -21566 | -42% |
| Florida State | 30000 | 25000 | 5000 | 20% |
| Virginia Tech | 30000 | |||
| Ole Miss | 28311 | 17000 | 11311 | 67% |
| Tennessee | 28000 | 17409 | 10591 | 61% |
| Michigan State | 27000 | 25000 | 2000 | 8% |
| Missouri | 26322 | 10000 | 16322 | 163% |
| Clemson | 25000 | 20000 | 5000 | 25% |
| Oklahoma | 23306 | 21020 | 2286 | 11% |
| USC | 22000 | 15000 | 7000 | 47% |
| Wisconsin | 22000 | 18020 | 3980 | 22% |
| Louisville | 17200 | 28000 | -10800 | -39% |
| Oklahoma State | 20000 | 15000 | 5000 | 33% |
| Georgia | 19874 | 21407 | -1533 | -7% |
| West Virginia | 18000 | 1000 | 17000 | 1,700% |
| Colorado | 17800 | 6000 | 11800 | 197% |
| BYU | 16700 | 16752 | -52 | -0% |
| Kansas State | 15523 | 16732 | -1209 | -7% |
| Iowa | 15352 | 19000 | -3648 | -19% |
| NC State | 15273 | 14800 | 473 | 3% |
| UCLA | 15052 | |||
| Rutgers | 14501 | 11079 | 3422 | 31% |
| Oregon | 14107 | |||
| Illinois | 12531 | 500 | 12031 | 2,406% |
| Miami | 11000 | 7000 | 4000 | 57% |
| Maryland | 10221 | |||
| Cincinnati | 10142 | 5200 | 4942 | 95% |
| Kansas | 10000 | 8000 | 2000 | 25% |
| Kentucky | 8500 | 5000 | 3500 | 70% |
| Georgia Tech | 8500 | |||
| Iowa State | 8000 | 7000 | 1000 | 14% |
| Marshall | 6107 | |||
| Utah | 4500 | |||
| Wake Forest | 4100 | |||
| Virginia | 4000 | 1000 | 3000 | 300% |
| Arizona | 4000 | 9500 | -5500 | -58% |
| Syracuse | 3428 | 2000 | 1428 | 71% |
| SMU | 3428 | |||
| Arizona State | 3000 | 5250 | -2250 | -43% |
| California | 2000 | 2000 | 0 | 0% |
| Michigan | 1000 | 5500 | -4500 | -82% |
Husker Spring Game Attendance
Husker spring games saw a resurgence during the Callahan/Pederson era, but this was the first sell out in school history.
The NU staff reportedly did not want this year's spring game to be televised to prevent opposing teams from getting game film of the new program. Once that decision was made, the push was on to sell out the game. Husker fans were happy to oblige given the renewed optimism surrounding the return of Tom Osborne and Bo Pelini.
Related
Here are the attendance numbers from the 2007 Spring Games and 2006 Spring Games.
If I missed anything, feel free to send me your additions or corrections to jason@bigrednetwork.com or leave a comment below.
Update: Here's more info on Michigan's spring game from Brian at M Go Blog.
"Michigan Stadium is undergoing a massive renovation/luxury box installation and was not available, so they held a spring game at Saline High open only to certain levels of donors and the media. There was talk about holding it at Ford Field or something but that didn't come to fruition. There was an open spring game last year and will be another one next year."
Update #2: I added attendance numbers for Louisville thanks to a reader's email.
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tom Apr 29 08
I am not a statician, but looking at the trend line, was not this resurgence in fan attendence typical of a first year coach. What happened in years two plus under the coach?
Jason Apr 29 08
Tom, I'm absolutely sure that the large crowd at Nebraska this year was due, in part, to this being the first year for a new coach.
But the NU program promoted this event more heavily than in the past. It was reported (in the LJS I believe) that the coaches decided not to allow television coverage so that there wouldn't be game film for our opponents. Once that decision was made, they pushed full speed ahead on trying to sell it out.
Also, with a few exceptions, attendance was up around the country.
I think programs are realizing that the spring game is a great event for connecting with fans and recruits.
Also, it should be noted that Michigan's spring game was closed to the public this year, which explains their small turnout.
Mark Apr 29 08
ok, so Michigan's game was closed to the public. Was it closed last year when Iowa State drew 7000 and MU only 5500? Pathetic! Husker fans know how to support their team.
Jason Apr 29 08
Actually, Michigan doesn't have an official spring game for some reason. So, I guess 5500 people just jumped over the fence last year or something. :)
Maybe a Michigan fan will jump in here and let us know what's up.
Adam W Apr 29 08
What is absolutely absurd is that it rained the day of OSU's spring game I think we may be ill with some form of "Buckitis"! Not only that but this was only 3months after lost a second national championship in a row! No matter who you like that is a loyal fanbase.
Jason Apr 29 08
What's more absurd is that you had 29,000 people show up for a lacrosse game before the spring game. Were they giving away free hot dogs or something?
Rob Apr 29 08
Ohio State lacrosse = serious business
Stephen Apr 29 08
Penn State only had an estimated attendance, I was there, it was well over 70,000 people.
George Hightower Apr 29 08
Thanks for info on Spring Games and best of luck to Nebraska this season! I see that you list Ole Miss and Mississippi as separate schools. Actually they are the same. "Ole Miss" is the nickname for the University of Mississippi! Best wishes!
Jason Apr 29 08
Stephen, get those PSU administrators on the ball and take an accurate head count next time! :)
Sorry George. I of course know Mississippi and Ole Miss are the same school. Just a simple oversight on my part. My apologies.
Alfred Sumrall Apr 30 08
So how did Mississippi manage to beat out Ole Miss? Alphabetical order? Rock paper scissors? Rochambeau?
Reginald Apr 30 08
Also it could be pointed out that the NU spring game was a true sellout as the tickets actually cost money to buy for general admission ($8 on the low end). How many other schools charge for admission?
Sloopy May 01 08
Ohio State charges $5.00 for admission. Their attendance numbers have to be pretty close to correct because the tickets are scanned upon entrance to the stadium. The total is probably a little low, though, because children under 6 are admitted without a ticket so they might not be counted. Unless, of course, OSU estimates for them in addition to the scanned tickets counted.
Not only was it raining throughout OSU's spring game, but it was a cold, windy day, as well. No free hotdogs either. The concession prices are were the same as a real game day. Too high but we buy anyway.
Warren May 12 08
We hardcore Terp fans admire programs like Nebraska where you are the only game in town.
Good luck in 08, speaking 8, how about those 8 home games !
Warren May 12 08
We hardcore Terp fans admire programs like Nebraska where you are the only game in town.
Good luck in 08, speaking 8, how about those 8 home games !