your insight is appreciated
Posted on: February 24, 2020 at 09:21:06 CT
mgtiger MU
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Again, you show a rational, realistic view of the football program which stands out on this board of hyperbole.
As an ancient compared to many here, I can look back at our history and remember when MIZZOU had many games where attendance topped 70,000 people and the "Hill" was covered with general admission folk. In the 60's and 70's, our attendance numbers were among the top 20. Then came the '80's when the program tanked. So did attendance.
We went thru 13 consecutive losing seasons, had a 7 win and then an 8 win season, then back to losing for 3 more years. Much of the deep rooted fan support that the program established was lost. With all games being televised, it became even harder to sell tickets.
Through his tenure, Pinkel re-established a fan base due to consistent winning seasons but it has been an uphill battle. Odom could not excite the fan base and had only mediocre success which got him canned.
With all that said, we had a history of good fan support until the losing streak. It recovered partly then took another downturn recently. I think it can recover, it can improve, but only if we have success on the field. As stated elsewhere, sports fans in StL and KC have options that don't require a two hour drive to the middle of the state. Put a winner on the field and they'll return.
The short answer would be, give us a winning program and we'll support it. Losing will drive many away. Compared to the traditional SEC such as LSU, our fan support is conditional. Yet I remain optimist. There is a huge MIZZOU alum base which hungers for a winner and it will rise up.
I will be there win or loss, thru good and bad. That's how I was taught growing up. Family tradition.