A Response to Stokan

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Chick-fil-A Bowl President and N.C. State graduate Gary Stokan called out State fans on 99.9 today for to-date lackluster sales to the State-Tennessee game (WRAL):

The source of his frustration is the lackluster ticket sales for the season-opener, against a prime opponent, after he reached out to them specifically.

“I’ll be brutally honest, as an NC State guy I’m frankly disappointed in NC State’s support right now,” Stokan said while at the ACC Kickoff in Greensboro. “It shocks me, frankly, because every time NC State played at the old Peach Bowl, they would bring 25,000 people.

…

According to Stokan, Tennesse, NC State’s opponent for the season opener in Atlanta, has sold 26,000 of their 31,500 allotted seats. NC State has sold just 15,000.

…

In the second of the kickoff games at the Georgia Dome, Auburn has already sold out their 31,500 tickets, while Clemson has sold 26,000 tickets.

I don’t necessarily have a problem with him calling on us to sell 25,000 tickets (which he later did). I’m sure his presentation wasn’t as intended and this was nothing more than a rallying cry from a proud alum who wants to show what we’re capable of, but unfortunately his tone seemed reproaching.

I see this as a case where numbers never lie, but they never tell the entire truth, either. Consider this (figures per NCAA.com):

*Only five teams (in order: Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama, Penn State, Texas) averaged more fans per home game in 2011 than Tennessee (94,642). State ranked outside the Top 30 (56,287). This suggests a much higher demand for football tickets at Tennessee (40.5% more, in fact).

Joe Ovies added a thought (@joeovies)

@statefansnation justify reasons for not going, but you don’t see SEC fans justifying reasons not to go to something. They go.

*By this argument (“they go”), you’d expect Tennessee (from the SEC) to have easily sold out its 31,500 allotment, yet they haven’t — what is their excuse? Tennessee’s sales are right on par with State’s. Based on 2011 average attendance, State has sold 26.6% of its average home attendance (15,000/56,287) while Tennessee has sold only 27.5% (26,000/94,642). Clemson has sold 33.4% (26,000/77,959) and Auburn 36.7% (31,500/85,792). Shouldn’t Stokan be more disappointed in the much larger, nomadic Tennessee fan base?

*Auburn and Clemson — who play each other on Saturday — combined have sold 28.7% (16,500) more tickets than State and Tennessee. Isn’t it then plausible to suggest the Friday scheduling before a Holiday weekend impacted ticket sales? If you’re in Charlotte (where many State fans are), it’s less of an issue; but if you’re coming from points north or east of Raleigh (where many State fans are), then this becomes an issue.

*Two years ago we saw this as a marquee game, just like it had been for several years for Alabama, Virginia Tech, LSU, and Carolina. But then last winter it was moved out of its original premier Saturday primetime slot to accomodate Clemson-Auburn. Stokan and ESPN can share the blame for taking away a bowl atmosphere and making it seem like a JV game.

*It’s a lot to ask State fans to go to Atlanta in September and then Charlotte in December and Miami in January. That’s a lot of traveling.

Relax, I’m kidding.

Tickets are still available on GoPack.com. You can discuss a variety of topics on the SFN Forums.

About LRM

Charter member of the Lunatic Fringe and a fan, loyal to a fault.

'12 Football

74 Responses to A Response to Stokan

  1. wolfwarrior 07/23/2012 at 9:31 PM #

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Williams

  2. Wufpacker 07/23/2012 at 9:31 PM #

    4th pick. Still not sure what you’re point is.

  3. Wufpacker 07/23/2012 at 9:33 PM #

    Dude, you’re original point (I think) is that our ’12 excitement level is unprecedented. But then you name the the team (’03) that blows you’re original point out of the water, and now you keep throwing out support against your original point.

    Just wanted to clarify the confusion…mine at least.

  4. quacko 07/23/2012 at 9:33 PM #

    i said look at the 2003 team, not draft. LRM said look at the 2004 draft which would be the 2003 team.

  5. LRM 07/23/2012 at 9:35 PM #

    That 2003 underachieved something fierce. If only Philip could’ve redshirted and had that 2004 defense…

  6. wolfwarrior 07/23/2012 at 9:36 PM #

    Glennon’s draft stock will rise considerably, provided the OLine blocks and the other unmentionables don’t happen.

    Can we just drop it with the NFL stuff.

    Bottomline, this 2012 STATE football team deserves to see the very best from all the State fans.

    That’s all I am really trying to say. Support the team if you can but don’t make excuses why you can’t.

  7. quacko 07/23/2012 at 9:37 PM #

    if philip had redshirted we would have pushed back the development of Jay Davis another year. no one would have wanted that

  8. wolfwarrior 07/23/2012 at 9:45 PM #

    As far as my NFL comment, I was trying to say: (to the best of my knowledge) State has never had two top flight NFL draft picks from both O and D in the very same NFL draft year.

    I was not talking about State team year but NFL draft year., i.e., Glennon and Amerson later on with the upcoming NFL draft as the 2012 college season concludes.

  9. Master 07/23/2012 at 10:08 PM #

    What a bunch of pussies. Quit making excuses and buy your damn tickets. Who gives a crap what day of the week its being played. We’re playing Tennessee in football. Let me say it again – we’re playing Tennessee in football.

    As usual, nothing but negativity. I lost my job 4 years ago and I’ve almost blown my life savings. But I’ll be damned if I’m going to miss the Pack playing the Vols so I can go to the freakin beach.

  10. redwolf87 07/23/2012 at 10:10 PM #

    “But if he was really looking out for his alma mater he’d have found a way to keep our game as the Saturday game. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the business decision of having Clemson/Auburn in that slot and can’t blame him for it. But he shouldn’t then turn around and try to appeal to the Wolfpack fanbase as if now we’re letting him down because as one of us, he was looking out for us. That’s crap.”

    THIS.

    And this especially makes me furious. I’ve been looking forward to this game for 2 1/2 or some odd years. It was going to be a great family trip to ATL together. And now, if we go, I’ll have to pull one daughter out of high school on Friday and the other will have to skip class in her first week of college.

    You can not tell me, on any level, when this was agreed to, that any of us anticipated that we would have to play on FRIDAY NIGHT before Labor Day.

    Absolute fricking BS.

    I was looking at a way to get us all down there for the game, even with this idiotic schedule change, but with these comments from Stokan, I’m done. I intend to let him know it too. I know my thoughts will end up in the dumbass file (as does everything I write here), but some things need to be said.

    My apologies to those of you with resources so that missing a day of work before Labor Day and pulling kids from school is not an issue.

  11. redwolf87 07/23/2012 at 10:14 PM #

    “What a bunch of pussies. Quit making excuses and buy your damn tickets. Who gives a crap what day of the week its being played. We’re playing Tennessee in football. Let me say it again – we’re playing Tennessee in football.

    As usual, nothing but negativity. I lost my job 4 years ago and I’ve almost blown my life savings. But I’ll be damned if I’m going to miss the Pack playing the Vols so I can go to the freakin beach.”

    Having said what I did…for which I make no apologies for…knock yourself out.

    Sorry you lost your job. I hope you enjoy your trip.

    I’m not going to the beach. And I can damn well assure you I’m not a pussy.

  12. wolfwarrior 07/23/2012 at 10:31 PM #

    Hard times for everybody, including yours truly. I hope all of life’s trials somehow improves for all State fans, everywhere. No need for name calling among our own about going to a game or not. Yeah, I wish the game was on Saturday too, but it ain’t, so it is what it is.

    Last time I saw JV alive, it was in Atlanta plus I once lived there for a spell, so I had to go, but ya’ll are right, this excursion is not cheap by any means whatsoever. I am hoping that things finally go State’s way this year.

  13. CylonWolf 07/23/2012 at 11:05 PM #

    While I recognize the fact that weve been basically moved to the “B” game, and a lot of State fans do not always buy through the school (or realize there is no reason to rush if youre gonna buy cheap seats anyhow), some of the responses here sound like a cut and paste job from a thread on Inside Carolina regarding their low attendance at the Independence Bowl, or any home game for that matter.

  14. WolftownVA81 07/24/2012 at 1:00 AM #

    We got our Tix and will be making the 10 hour trek from Central VA on Thursday. I won’t call anyone out for not going. I’m just blessed to be able to get the time off and have the $ to afford the trip. One day, maybe we’ll get that Saturday slot. Until then, we’ll support the team as much as we can. Go Wolfpack.

  15. runwiththepack 07/24/2012 at 1:14 AM #

    Old MacDonald Says:

    “Auburn, Clemson, and Tennessee are schools that have won national titles since we have won a conference title, have stadiums that hold >80k (Tennessee over 100k), and are about 2 hours away from Atlanta (Tenn. actually more like ~3) compared to our ~7. Nice of an Alum to get in the press and trash us with a comparison that is totally ridiculous and unrealistic.”

    Well said, Old Mac.

    Some of us are bachelors with few ties that bind us, but some us have lives outside of NCSU sports that take priority. I trust that those of us who can go will go. It’s not a matter of devotion to NCSU sports as much as it is a matter of having adult priorities in the lives of grown-ups.

    That said, I hope like hell i can make it to the game!!

  16. Wufpacker 07/24/2012 at 4:55 AM #

    “No need for name calling among our own about going to a game or not.”

    That’s sweet, considering you’re the one that got the ball rolling by calling folks “whinning [sic] excuse finders”.

  17. Defenestrate 07/24/2012 at 6:34 AM #

    I can’t get Friday off work. If it was on Saturday I’d be there.

  18. 4in12 07/24/2012 at 8:45 AM #

    Just play the game on Sunday! [wink]

  19. packalum44 07/24/2012 at 9:21 AM #

    I’m not going b/c we haven’t won shit since I’ve been alive. I’m 27 and make 6 digits w/ no kids all disposable income. I can blow 1,000 for a long weekend without breaking a sweat but how about my school friggin wins some ACC championships first, not to mention a NC.

  20. Ed89 07/24/2012 at 9:37 AM #

    Knoxville -> Atlanta, 3.5 hrs
    Raleigh -> Atlanta, 7 hrs

    DING…DING….

    Or this:

    Chattanooga -> Atlanta, 2 hrs, 10 mins.
    Charlotte -> Atlanta, 4 hrs, 15 mins.

    That makes a big difference on a Friday afternoon/evening vs. a Saturday game.

  21. tdouble 07/24/2012 at 9:38 AM #

    I don’t know about you guys but I’m going to default and blame John Swofford for this one.

  22. Alpha Wolf 07/24/2012 at 10:48 AM #

    In a time when families are struggling to make ends meet, and also that it is not a simple day trip for the bulk of Wolfpack fans, it’s easy to see why ticket sales have not been off the charts. State’s people are by and large conservative folks and that tells me that they are going to be careful with their money in a time of uncertainty.

  23. triadwolf 07/24/2012 at 10:57 AM #

    In general, I think the level of punishment for Penn State is appropriate. However I do question whether the NCAA overstretched their boundaries and question the process they used.

    Once the limits of power for somebody are increased, rarely do those limits return the where they were; it becomes the new standard. What happened at Penn State was ugly and unprecedented, but extreme cases and situations have been used as excuses to grant additional power and authority to people/entities over the course of history and in many cases that new level of power was subsequently abused.

    It’s not exactly the same thing, but imagine if the NCAA levied sanctions upon NC State based only off Peter Golenbock’s “investigation”. The NCAA acted pretty much how they should have in that case, although I still think the punishment outweighed the crime at the time. But in the case of, the UNC BOG, Poole Commission, etc., I think they ended up putting more faith in the book than their own investigations – the ole where’s there’s smoke there must be fire approach. That approach cost several people their jobs and set in motion a administrative philosophy that set back NCSU athletics and academics 20 yrs.

    Just saying if the NCAA uses this as a jumping board to start enforcing outside the box, it could get interesting.

  24. drspaceman 07/24/2012 at 11:23 AM #

    i’d rather not have anything to do with chik-fil-a. christianist, anti-gay business that they are.

  25. JEOH2 07/24/2012 at 11:37 AM #

    I don’t give a crap about the “JV” status of the game…its important for us as a program…I’m going and bringing a sizable group with me…

    I am younger than many of you up here and don’t have kids or a family to consider so it’s much more easy for me to attend, I dig that…hopefully students and young alums can help to pick up ticket sales…

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