Wednesday July 28, 2010

Attendance

Attendance
The subject of Clemson's first two football games and the weakness of the opponents came up on my radio show this morning. While I can sympathize with many of reasons why attendance will be down at a lot of college venues again this year, I still am a die-hard and will always try to find a way to get there no matter who Clemson plays.

Believe me when I say I understand the economy is bad. I don't know of too many industries that have not been affected by the economy the last couple of years. The radio industry is like most and most of us have really felt the crunch. I have compassion for those who lost their jobs and families who have had to make sacrifices.

I also understand this is not a Clemson issue. Last season was the final season of a legend at Florida State and the stands in Tallahassee looked like they did before Bobby Bowden arrived and won national titles. I watched South Carolina play in the mighty SEC with 10,000 empty seats. I watched Georgia and Auburn battle with thousands of Dawgs and Tiger fans missing. This is not a regional issue because schools in the Big Ten and Pac-10 saw it also.

I think the economy is the number one reason why college attendance has been down the last couple of seasons but there are other factors as well. Here are a few reasons I have heard for people missing games in recent times, especially the season opener on Labor Day:

1. A friend pointed out that there are simply just more things to do today and these options are often times cheaper.

2. Families have other activities scheduled. Saturdays are big days for fall baseball or fall soccer.

3. We go to the beach for the Labor Day weekend.

4. Its too hot to go sit in a stadium in September.

5. The opponents are not exciting.

6. I can watch the games on TV.

7. I miss other games that I could stay at home and watch on TV.

8. It has become too expensive.

Some of these reasons hold more water than others. Again, I do understand the economy and I do have compassion for those whom truly can't afford to go to the games. I will point out that I can almost guarantee you can find tickets outsider of Death Valley for less than $10 dollars for the opener and they have water fountains and first aid available for anyone who needs water for free.

In recent years I have also come to the realization that I am a fanatic and put too much emphasis on Clemson athletics in my life. I am not rational when considering attending Clemson athletic events.

I do understand there are cheaper forms of entertainment and there are more options available today but what are as entertaining as spending a Saturday in Clemson? I know I am biased but what can be better than spending the day tailgating with your buddies and watching Clemson football?

I am not qualified to speak about the family decision with youth baseball or soccer. I did not have a family until my two kids were older so I cannot comment there but it would be hard for me to watch a five year old soccer game instead of Clemson football. Sounds harsh and I know not everyone agrees and maybe I am a bad person, but youth soccer and Clemson football are not even close.

I have never understood the Labor Day weekend beach trip interfering with Clemson's opening game. The Tigers play seven home games a year. There are 358 other days each year that you can go to the beach. Go any weekend in the spring or summer. If you have to go in September then go the weekend Clemson plays in Auburn or the following weekend when the Tigers have an open date. I have been to beach a hundred times in my life and there is no comparison between a day at the beach and Clemson football.

The weather is a factor and I understand anyone that cannot go to games because of serious heat concerns. However, most people I know can make it through the game. They have EMS people there and free water for those who need it. Underneath the stands there are fans that shoot out water.

The argument of the weak opponent is a weak one in my opinion. I will not be in Death Valley on September 4th to watch North Texas. I am going to watch Clemson. I want to see Kyle Parker under center. I want to see how Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper take over for C.J. Spiller. I want to see how improved the offensive line looks. I hope to get a peak at Bryce McNeal and DeAndre Hopkins at wide receiver. I am going that day to see Da'Quan Bowers dominate. I want to to be able to see if the linebackers have improved. That day will be one more opportunity for me to watch DeAndre McDaniel one more time in a Tiger uniform. Last year I did not go to the opener to watch Middle Tennessee but I was glad to see C.J. run back that opening kick-off.

Sure it is easy to sit at home and watch the games in HD from the comfort of your living room but I don't care how big your LCD screen is or how authentic your home theater system can sound because there is nothing like being there in person.

As far as missing other great games on TV, I have two counterpoints. First, before and after every game there are hundreds of tailgate sites with Direct-TV set up watching the other great games., There are restaurants and establishments around town where you can catch the other games. Also, I have come to realize that I am a Clemson fan. I will watch North Carolina and LSU and will probably watch Michigan and UCONN but I have no real interest in those games. My interest is in Clemson and our program. The other games are fun to watch but I don't put as much in or get as much out of watching other teams play.

Sure the weekend is expensive. I know people have to drive a long way and hotels are not cheap. IPTAY dues have gone up. Ticket prices have gone up. Concession stand prices are outrageous. Gas is expensive and I have compassion for those that can't afford to go anymore. Some people are physically limited. Some live too far away. Some have to work. Others have family obligations. But for those that can go, where else in the world would you rather be than Death Valley on September 4th?

If I am lucky enough to have 30 good years left on this earth that means I have about 200 more times to watch the Tigers touch Howard's Rock and run down the hill. I am not going to let a little heat or an inferior opponent be the reason I miss one of those precious opportunities. But then again, I am an irrational fanatic.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, The Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs,Perrin Seigler, Carole White Begley, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, Steve Cato, the Nicolopulos family, Cason Palmer, Scott Jackson, "the Jacksonville, FL guys", Kim Sims, the Coyle familty, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Richard Crawford, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, Steve Williams Jr, Steve Williams III, Kim Thomas, Reid Thomas, Sam Thomas, Linda Wiggs, Emily Claire Young, Dr. Wallace Honeycutt, Stacy Fowler, Kitty Bowers.