TigerNet -- Blogs -- Mickey Plyler's Blog

It Doesn’t Add Up
I often read message boards and I see how some fans are disgruntled with Clemson football. I host a sports talk show in Clemson and I hear from fans who say they are fed up with the state of the program. I read columnist that write about the doom and gloom of the future of the program. Several nation college football writers have Tommy Bowden back on the hot seat.

If you wanted to be down about the program then you would have plenty of company. Yet, we find out earlier this week that Clemson broke the record for season ticket sales with over 57,000 sold.

I have a few theories and would love to hear your thoughts. Some of the reasons may include:
1. The overall feelings of fans are not that negative but we get that feeling because the ones that are disgruntled are louder in their complaints.

2. Clemson fans are excited because the home schedule is exciting. Florida State and Virginia Tech are worth the money to invest into the season ticket package.

3. Tiger fans are excited about James Davis and C.J. Spiller and don’t want to miss the next big play from “Thunder” and “Lightning.”

6. The environment of tailgating at Clemson is so good that fans just can’t imagine not being there each weekend.

Those are six reasons I can come up with to answer the question. So which ones are the major reasons for the increase in season ticket sales despite such doom and gloom projections by some? Let’s examine each theory.

1. The overall feelings of fans are not that negative but we get that feeling because the ones that are disgruntled are louder in their complaints.

I truly believe in the squeaky wheel theory. I believe that most fans are not as concerned as the louder minority. I think most people see the program on better footing and the future looking brighter. I think most rational Clemson fans feel like the next five years will be better than the last five years. I think most are concerned over the way the season ended and will not stand for that kind of finish again. However, I think most understand that this team is getting closer. Many were there on that magical Saturday last year when Clemson dominated Georgia Tech and they think this program keeps progressing but they understand the environment. They understand that talent is not the only factor in winning and injuries, turnovers and luck can make a difference.

I don’t think many Clemson fans like it when Bowden tries to be positive in an answer to a question and it comes across as making an excuse. Many don’t like hearing how close we are but many understand that is true. But more than anything else the internet has given another outlet to the squeaky wheels.

2. Clemson fans are excited because the home schedule is exciting. Florida State and Virginia Tech are worth the money to invest into the season ticket package.

I do buy the strength of schedule argument. I think it is easier to sell season tickets when FSU and Virginia Tech come to town. I do think some fans would like to see more of a entertaining schedule but the Tigers drew over 81,000 per game last year and played some patsies at home.

3. Tiger fans are excited about James Davis and C.J. Spiller and don’t want to miss the next big play from “Thunder” and “Lightning.”

The “Thunder” and “Lightning” effect holds water with me. I would also add exciting players like Jacoby Ford and Ricky Sapp to that list. When I grew up in Columbia I can remember many people would go to the Carolina Coliseum just to see Zam Frederick play basketball for the Gamecocks. The team was very average but Zam could fill it up and it was worth the price of admission. I can see how some fans will not want to miss the next great moment provided by Davis, Spiller and company.

I really think the fan base is growing and that is a major difference. The area is growing and people who come to the Upstate hear so much about Clemson football they want to get involved. The entire upstate is growing and new industries bring new employees to the Upstate. Also the area has become a growing part of the upscale residential market. The Cliffs, The Reserve and other major attractions we have in the beautiful lakes and mountains are a draw to buyers on a national scale. Some of these folks will have more of an interest in the Clemson community.

On this morning’s radio show we threw out the Willy Korn effect theory and had an e-mailer who was a graduate of Byrnes High School who said she will follow the program closer because of Korn. A local superstar can have a significant effect on ticket sales in my opinion.

6. The environment of tailgating at Clemson is so good that fans just can’t imagine not being there each weekend.

The tailgating and complete weekend idea is also a good one in my opinion. I think Clemson has been branded as a family atmosphere and people get excited about Clemson football no matter what the team looks like. It might be more about the Hill, Howard’s Rock, Death Valley and tailgating than the individuals that make up each squad.

Maybe none of these make too much sense to you so I would love to read your theories.

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Comments:

agree with the squeaky wheel.
won't get into the fact that folks are right when they say bowden's teams lose games they should have won.
but i agree with the wheel thing.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=758>Shlomo</a> on July 19, 2007 at 05:17 PM EDT #

Just as the Democrats do with gov't -- they complain. Some people are just unhappy individuals and only look at the bad things. Not many teams have a winning record year in and year out. It's not like Clemson is a football powerhouse, we've won ONE national championship. Yes, we would all like to be one, but until we stop the bitching, we can't. United we stand, divided we fall.

As for all the other reasons, yes, to all of them. Tailgating (the biggest memories I will have of Clemson), the chills you get when the Tigers run down the hill, the knots in the stomach when the games are close, the thrills you get watching Spiller turn something into nothing. The hits you see when our defense slaughters the opponents (can't remember the year, but the BC QB when his helmet went flying!) -- all of these things bring more and more fans back. It's being one of the family, it's belonging, it's being a Tiger. The whole Clemson brand has slowly but surely made it's way into the national scene and throughout the upstate (Mickey -- you may not believe this is why but Neill Cameron had a lot to do with that -- I was in his class and had to work on a project about Clemson Branding and how to market it throughout the up-state and low country)

Enough of my rant, I'm putting off studying, but this place is special. My aunt and uncle are coming up from LSU for the FSU v. Clem game and I really hope we come close to the LSU "Death Valley" they rave about so much.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=67061>RobertsonCU</a> on July 19, 2007 at 05:24 PM EDT #

Mickey --- Clemson FANS are excited EVERY season regardless of what happened the past year. That's the way it should be!

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=1086>apextiger</a> on July 19, 2007 at 05:26 PM EDT #

The doom and gloom you're referring to does not stem from the players. Most of the complaints I've heard are based on coaching decisions and administrative policies. I, like many other true Clemson fans, will always support the players and hence will always be at the games.
Clemson fans love their Tigers, plain and simple.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=30415>GoodFella</a> on July 19, 2007 at 05:42 PM EDT #

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=63429>Locotiger</a> on July 19, 2007 at 05:47 PM EDT #

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=63429>Locotiger</a> on July 19, 2007 at 05:56 PM EDT #

I have been a season ticket holder since 2001 and there is at least one fan who is there year after year who complains about the team, coaches, fans, you-name-it, every game. We could be winning by 4 touchdowns and he will complain about something. I think he just likes to complain, so you know he'll buy tickets. Funny thing is that I don't think the players, refs, coaches, rally cats, ect. can hear him from the top of the upper deck.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=63429>Locotiger</a> on July 19, 2007 at 05:57 PM EDT #

What about the eBay/Stubhub effect? It's now easier to sell tickets for a profit. What if someone gives enough to IPTAY to get 4 season tickets, but needs only 2? That person might go ahead and get 4 now to try to make some money off of the other 2.

A quick check of eBay today shows several Clemson season tickets for sale already - one of them has a bid over $1000 for a pair of season tickets.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=2320>joeyb</a> on July 19, 2007 at 06:20 PM EDT #

Lightening?

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=7575>otisman</a> on July 19, 2007 at 06:20 PM EDT #

Mickey - I agree with you on all six points as well as the Ebay/Stubhub effect mentioned by joeyb. I think the Clemson fanbase is also growing nationally. Being from east Tennessee, I can guarantee you that there are more Clemson fans in Tennessee now than there were prior to the Peach Bowl win over UT. Big wins lead to support like that - especially when they are against major programs not too far away.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=3465>kgpittm</a> on July 19, 2007 at 07:08 PM EDT #

I think the new ticket/ seating priority may have many new fans jumping on the bandwagon. People may see new opportunity to get better seats by being bigger donors and consistent donors. Get those Paw Points.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=48147>CoachJD</a> on July 19, 2007 at 07:22 PM EDT #

The town of Clemson sells itself, you walk into Death Valley and I'm sure people get tears in their eyes, b/c of the site they see, when you hear Tiger Rag, as the Tigers appear in from of the Rock, you get tears in your eyes. People will come from East to West from North to South to watch Clemson and see 85,000 fans, rooting their beloved Tigers. The sceens you see from all around campus, all the fans in orange, you know something is great in this town and University when there is a game in Clemson, rather it be a basketball game or even a baseball game. The fans are still there. The town is growing. Houses are being built, and it will continue you to draw more people to Clemson. Clemson sells itself.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=35328>Tigergal27SC</a> on July 19, 2007 at 09:06 PM EDT #

A lot of fan concern comes from recent history, specifically a 1-4 collapse last season after ranking 10th and undeniably having the talent to win at least 2 of those 4 loses. There had not been that much excitement surrounding a season that late in since Bowden's 8-0 start in 2000.

Bowden has never failed to fill the seats, a big reason he is still at Clemson. Coupled with the West Endzone, a remarkable upgrade to Death Valley that wow'd fans last year, are you really suprised we broke the season ticket sales record?

There is a lot to be excited about, Davis, Spiller, a talented Defense, another potentially good OL, a potential superstar down the road at QB.

There is also a lot to be concerned about, and any Clemson fan who has lived through the past several seasons knows exactly what that is.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=24528>truetiger1998</a> on July 19, 2007 at 09:16 PM EDT #

There is a lot to be excited about, Davis, Spiller, a talented Defense, another potentially good OL, a potential superstar down the road at QB.

There is also a lot to be concerned about, and any Clemson fan who has lived through the past several seasons knows exactly what that is.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=24528>truetiger1998</a> on July 19, 2007 at 09:19 PM EDT #

I wish you had applied to Clemson in 2006. The Lord knows that you wouldn't have gotten in with the type of grammar I've seen in these posts.

Somebody get this guy a 7th grade English book, please.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=60039>jhwalla901</a> on July 19, 2007 at 09:28 PM EDT #

A 720 Math SAT helps offset the 500 Verbal, how did you do, or did you take after they inflated the scores?

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=24528>truetiger1998</a> on July 20, 2007 at 12:42 AM EDT #

I think you forgot one salient point...

Maybe we've just all moved on. We're tired of expectations, we're tired of let downs, we're tired of all the neagtive crap spewed forth over the past 5 years...

Maybe we feel we can just cheer a game now, and know we have a shot. We have'nt been able to do that in quite some time.

Maybe... maybe we are all tired of being Sunday morning coaches, and just want to be fans again. I think we all have enough stress in our lives that Saturdays need to be fun for us all.

We've lost what Saturdays were like... maybe we wanna rediscover them. Maybe, we've learned to become fans instead of analysts, and maybe the internet has worn us down.

I want to sit (and stand) and clap and yell and have fun.

I want to enjoy a game.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=67573>Joe Cobb</a> on July 20, 2007 at 01:47 AM EDT #

I buy the squeaky wheel theory. Most fans know we're pretty good and have a shot to win every game we're in, and they don't want to miss the next big victory. I think all the fan grumbling, naysaying, and doom-and-glooming is a very small, very vocal minority. I -do- think CTB is on the hot seat this year, but I also think he's got what it takes to get us to the championship game this year.

I also think that the WEZ added to the total, if only for the reason that season tickets in those seats are now more attractive, luxurious, and most of all a more expensive investment than the old West End Zone seats.

I don't buy the home schedule theory. Thanks to Furman, LA-Monroe, and to a lesser extent Central Michigan, this is the least attractive home schedule in the last few years and I'm not going to be able to recoup costs for games I can't/won't attend. At least it's an awesome home-away schedule *spacing*, I'll give them that--best in at least 10 years, probably more. But we have only 3 "big" home games, then Wake Forest which I still have a hard time conceptualizing as a big-time game. A revenge game, maybe; but to me it's still a "trap" game that we're all too prone to fall into.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=16701>grover173</a> on July 20, 2007 at 08:19 AM EDT #

I am surprised that it is this negative so early. Most fans, myself included, have a new life every year. We currently have a shot at the Nat'l title as we have not lost a game. This is when I am most optomistic. When this happens, I refer to 1981. Low expectations w/ huge results.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=37478>goob</a> on July 21, 2007 at 12:24 AM EDT #