By Robert Barbee, Special Contributor to the Hub@TTU
Robert Giovannetti
As the Red Raiders look to fill the Jones AT&T Stadium in upcoming seasons, there is a call to students to help hype up the team.
In 2016, the Big 12’s average home football game attendance was 57,531 fans. Five years later, fan attendance dropped significantly to an average of 54,447 fans, according to AthleticDirectorU’s 2021 college football attendance analysis.
Robert Giovannetti, senior associate athletics director for Texas Tech, explained that when football season ramps up, the need for student engagement is at an all-time high.
“For us here in athletics, we feel that students build the atmosphere, whatever the sport. If you can get the students to come, everyone else will fill the stadium. The students are what gives you the home-field advantage,” stated Giovannetti.
He then explained previous teams’ struggles in tough-playing environments only to be turned into success brought upon by the student fanbase.
“If you think back to the mid-2000s and early 2010s,” Giovannetti added, “it was hard to play here, and people didn’t want to play here, and it all starts with the students.”
There are many variables regarding the decreasing student attendance and why students leave games early.
According to Gia Roberts, 21, a junior public relations major, the heat and engagement have played a role in student attendance at Tech football games.
Photo by Logan Mayou
“Personally, I get really hot, and it gets boring after a while. Everyone hypes up the football games with the tailgates and having that social aspect, but once you are standing there for so long in the stadium, everyone gets hot and bored,” Roberts emphasized. “If the game isn’t up to people’s expectations, they will leave.”
Tech Football is one of many programs relying on the impact of student attendance. Nathan Cross, 20, a sophomore at TCU studying sports broadcasting, said the energy in the football stadium created by the fans is an essential factor in the success of the coaches, football players, and staff.
“Energy is key throughout a game; if you look at any game, players decide to play better when they have the energy behind them,” states Cross. “Fan engagement and attendance shows the players that (fans) are with them until the end.”
Winning is ideal for increased student attendance, but staff also state that attendance is crucial to a winning football team.
Joey McGuire, head coach of Texas Tech football, mentioned in his weekly press conference that the Tech fanbase is vital to creating an intimidating home-field advantage.
“Our fans have a huge effect on the game and the passion that we play with,” stated McGuire.
Texas Tech Athletic Department’s website shares its statement to reflect its mission.
“To Educate, Serve, and Grow Fearless Champions,” the website states.
While the fanbase is critical to the team’s success, students are reminded they are representing the University: Texas Tech strives for honor by doing the right thing.
“I want our fans to be loud and hostile, but I also want them to represent what we are at Texas Tech,” Giovannetti said. “I want to see Texas Tech back to where this is considered one of the toughest places to play in the country.”
Giovannetti urges students to become fearless champions by claiming a seat at the next Texas Tech home football game by showing up at the student entrance on the southeast side of the Jones AT&T Stadium with your student ID in hand.
“For us to be successful across the board, it starts with having a successful football program, and that’s the thing where students can directly impact,” stated Giovannetti.
The next game will be held Dec. 28 at 8 p.m. as the Red Raiders take on Ole Miss at NRG Stadium in Houston.
About lucindaholt
