I think a problem with this concept is that the vast majority of our rich donors never attended a sporting event while on campus and, therefore, aren’t liable to donate significantly.

I am all about this thing ascending, I just hope that it is done "right". There is no rush. Raise and bank money, apply some of it towards winning big at the FCS level while working towards the future. I love the Fresno State aspiration; stop talking about Cal/Stanford/SJSU/Sac State, there is no future there in my opinion. I think 15-18k with more stakeholders and a competitive conference schedule in the MWC is very realistic. My hope is that we don't jump then try to figure out the money. Let's figure out the money then jump.

There is no rush. — Pacifico2

One thing Davis has never done is rush. Davis has always taken measured steps, especially when it comes to the football program. Very protective.

The one thing I will say about football attendance is that at the end of the day, football is entertainment. Davis needs to do a better job at 1. Marketing the team, and 2. Making the game day experience fun. Davis lacks in both of those areas. The proactive approach would be to market from Vallejo up to Roseville and try to get families to come. Get some pyrotechnics when the team enters. Stop being scared to spend money. Get some good food options, get better music played at the games. I went to a lot of Cal and Raiders games growing up, Davis game day atmosphere is pretty boring in comparison.

Also, I will add that I would expect another boost in attendance when Davis moves up to D1 FBS. The competition will be more marketable than playing directional schools in FBS. Davis has already set school records in attendance the last couple of years.

Lastly, the reason Stanford and CAL haven’t had great attendance or football success lately has more to do with the administration not valuing football and in turn the on the field product got bad and attendance dropped. When the couldn’t get into the BIG10 (where the schools in the BIG10 wanted to add them along with USC, UCLA, Washington, and Oregon, mbut Fox did not want to pay to add 2 additional schools schools to the TV contract) that woke up the admins and they started making sweeping changes to elevate the program. CAL already sold out of their premium seat season tickets (first time since the stadium renovation). I would expect attendance to rise significantly for CAL and Stanford.

In conclusion, the only way for Davis to continue to elevate the program is to take proactive approach. Instead of worrying about if people will come out based on the past, the school needs to market the team to get people aware of the games, improve the game day experience so people will want to keep coming back, and work donors to increase donations. Reactivity will not breed success.

Davis needs to do a better job at 1. Marketing the team, and 2. Making the game day experience fun. Davis lacks in both of those areas. — Akiltopmack99

Agreed. Additionally, tailgating seems more difficult than in years past, and frankly not encouraged. Nothing will ever beat the tailgate lot before Biggs Field went in. Getting everyone in one spot is really fun.

Winning IS fun. Go Ags!

We had a lot of fun tailgating in that spot. 6th man, Sochorfield, Finn, Dr Mike and a lot of drop ins.

I've been pleading for them to move the Team Aggie/Champion Aggie tailgate area over to the 'Tailgate Town' on Biggs field. At least, we'd be near the rest of the folk tailgating and whoever is hosting tailgate at the Town. But, that doesn't seem like it will ever happen. Too many of the older supporters don't want to walk over from Lot 56 to Tailgate Town....even when they provide golf carts for travel to that area.

But, many of them look like Usain Bolt when they open up the halftime hospitality just below the scoreboard!