The fanbase of LSU athletics presents a notable disparity, particularly among the student community. On one side, there’s football. Each home game this season drew an average of over 100,000 fans to Tiger Stadium. Conversely, sports such as soccer, beach volleyball, and swim and dive have some of the lowest attendance figures throughout the SEC. […]
The fanbase of LSU athletics presents a notable disparity, particularly among the student community.
On one side, there’s football. Each home game this season drew an average of over 100,000 fans to Tiger Stadium. Conversely, sports such as soccer, beach volleyball, and swim and dive have some of the lowest attendance figures throughout the SEC.
Several of LSU’s less prominent athletic programs face a similar challenge – a lack of home support.
This season, the average turnout for a soccer home game was merely 662, which is a mere 1.79% of the student body, excluding fans and alumni who may attend.
Despite LSU having a larger student body, attendance numbers are still disappointing.
With an ample number of students and fans available, what causes other sports at LSU to be overlooked? Students shared their thoughts, but opinions differ.
Madison Voisin, a biology sophomore, regularly attends LSU football matches. Although football reigns as America’s favorite sport, she feels that what distinguishes LSU is its culture.
“I appreciate how, when attending an LSU football game, everyone interacts as friends,” Voisin remarked.
Nothing brings students together quite like football season. At LSU, no other sport generates campus-wide tailgates that last all day followed by parties that go on into the night.
While Voisin is a football fan, her favorite event doesn’t take place in Tiger Stadium. LSU gymnastics has held her interest since childhood.
“I’ve been a fan since I was young,” Voisin noted. “I find it to be a very captivating sport, and LSU presents gymnastics in a way that no other college does. Few institutions dedicate as much attention to their gymnastics programs.”
Earlier this year, Voisin finally witnessed the team secure its first national championship, and as the program expands, so does its fanbase.
“It’s a family-friendly environment suitable for all, and typically, the student section brims with attendees. They create a fun atmosphere for aspiring young girls as well as college students.”
LSU’s marketing team has been diligent in fostering a more engaging game experience for fans. Students receive texts and emails containing essential information on upcoming events and incentives like complimentary food or merchandise.
Events like the white-out games in the PMAC have gained considerable popularity among students. Complimentary white shirts adorn 13,000 seats, creating a unique atmosphere that significantly boosts student attendance.
However, many sports seem to lack equal support.
Biochemistry sophomore Julie Cabirac believes that smaller sports are excessively underfunded to effectively compete.
“To get as excited about other sports as I do about football, it would require a larger budget: enhanced social media promotion, more incentives, and even tailgating,” Cabirac remarked.
Online marketing is becoming increasingly crucial in drawing students to events. Graphics, highlight videos, and other engaging content form part of modern marketing strategies for college athletics.
Enhanced promotion is merely part of the puzzle. All those free t-shirts and social media posts hold little value to students if there’s no tangible return on their time investment.
Ultimately, students desire to see their team triumph – a strong team cultivates a robust fanbase.
Like many peers, Voisin’s hectic weekday schedule limits her ability to commit to events that can run for several hours, making the decision on which to attend often hinge on a simple question: will LSU secure a victory?
“The marketing budget is one aspect, but superior coaches, staff, and players matter because fans rally behind successful teams,” Voisin expressed.
Exceptional players can also significantly impact attendance, drawing attention to various sports.
For decades, LSU has transformed athletes into stars, and with the influence of social media and NIL, it has never been easier to achieve celebrity status. Nowadays, names like Livvy Dunne, Angel Reese, and Flau’jae Johnson are drawing new followers for women’s basketball and gymnastics.
While often not championship-winning squads, some smaller programs boast great players and coaches but still fall short of achieving the legendary LSU home crowd experience, which can occasionally influence the outcomes of events as well.
This fall, LSU soccer managed to win three out of eight home matches, while the football team achieved six out of seven or 85.7% of their home games.
The University of Tennessee has recently developed a solution to this dilemma.
Tennessee’s “Rowdy Rewards” program awards students points for attending athletic events. In return, accumulating more points increases the chances in the football home game ticket lottery.
Evidently, it’s effective – Tennessee shares a similar student population with LSU, yet boasts nearly double the attendance at home games for non-football sports.
LSU also introduced a comparable initiative named “Priority Points,” but it has not had the same impact since it applies only to postseason and away games, thus reducing motivation.
A college soccer match will never compete with a college football game on the same level, but what justifies LSU’s home crowds being outnumbered by institutions with equal or fewer students?
Students often succumb to the herd mentality. As support for sports like football, basketball, and gymnastics continues to swell, the others tend to receive less recognition.
Voisin and other students proposed their best solution: increased fan involvement. Ultimately, they want to feel cherished. Establishing an emotional bond can transform a person into a fan, and wherever one goes, others are sure to follow.
Next time you find yourself with a free evening, consider supporting a different sport. Better yet, invite a friend along.
