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Boston University Terriers 2015-2016 Season Thread Part the 1st

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  • Re: Boston University Terriers 2015-2016 Season Thread Part the 1st

    Now that the last of the 4 pm games has been played I took a look at the attendance figures. As I mentioned a while back it is hard to do a straight comparison due to different teams playing, lack of a home game on the same weekend Saturday, etc., but I did match five of the six 4 pm games to a similar game played last season. The one game I did not match was the Denver Halloween game as it had no similar game last year to compare with. I matched 3 games vs the same team, even though they were on different weekends and the other two I used the opponents for the same weekend:

    exhibition game
    10/04/14 - 3542 - St. Thomas
    10/03/15 - 2974 - Acadia
    difference: -568

    regular season games
    11/08/14 - 4658 - Connecticut
    10/24/15 - 4199 - Connecticut
    difference: -459

    10/31/15 - 3084 - Denver

    11/01/14 - 4648 - Providence
    11/14/15 - 5508 - Providence
    difference: +860

    10/25/14 - 5846 - Michigan
    11/21/15 - 5003 - Michigan
    difference: -843

    12/06/14 - 4366 - Merrimack
    12/05/15 - 3765 - Vermont
    difference: -601

    The exhibition games were the same weekend, as were the Merrimack and Vermont games, and both had significant attendance drops (16% and 14% respectively). The Connecticut game this season was 2 weeks earlier than last season and saw a 10% drop in attendance, while the Michigan game was a month later this season and saw a 14% drop in attendance. The Providence game was 2 weeks later this season and had an 18.5% increase in attendance, most likely due to fans wanting to see the rematch of the NC game. The 4 pm games did not increase attendance, as even with the Providence game the attendance for the five games declined by 1611 (7%) for an average decrease of 322 per game.

    Sean
    Last edited by Sean Pickett; 12-08-2015, 05:45 PM.
    Women's Hockey East Champions 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010
    Men's NCAA Champions 2009, 1995, 1978, 1972, 1971

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    • Re: Boston University Terriers 2015-2016 Season Thread Part the 1st

      This won't change the overall conclusions, but I believe last year's exhibition game was also at 4pm, so those two should be removed from the comparison of 7pm vs 4pm.

      Comment


      • Re: Boston University Terriers 2015-2016 Season Thread Part the 1st

        Are you guys ready for your first men's hockey loss to Quinnipiac University? The first of many!

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        • Originally posted by antioch1098 View Post
          Are you guys ready for your first men's hockey loss to Quinnipiac University? The first of many!
          Yup
          a legend and an out of work bum look a lot alike, daddy.

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          • Re: Boston University Terriers 2015-2016 Season Thread Part the 1st

            Conor Garland was snubbed, not Bracco. Much more deserving
            http://theqmjhl.ca/stars/garland-bel...s-of-the-week/

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            • Re: Boston University Terriers 2015-2016 Season Thread Part the 1st

              Posts #708 and 709 were very insightful.
              It's why I stop over here from time to time.
              Knowledge is King!



              'Eavesdropped the BC forum in USCHO. A range of intellects over there. Mostly gentlemen, but a couple of coarse imbeciles' - academic_index, a Brown fan

              Comment


              • Originally posted by Hokydad View Post
                Conor Garland was snubbed, not Bracco. Much more deserving
                http://theqmjhl.ca/stars/garland-bel...s-of-the-week/
                Um, OK?

                Comment


                • Re: Boston University Terriers 2015-2016 Season Thread Part the 1st

                  Originally posted by Sean Pickett View Post
                  Now that the last of the 4 pm games has been played I took a look at the attendance figures. As I mentioned a while back it is hard to do a straight comparison due to different teams playing, lack of a home game on the same weekend Saturday, etc., but I did match five of the six 4 pm games to a similar game played last season. The one game I did not match was the Denver Halloween game as it had no similar game last year to compare with. I matched 3 games vs the same team, even though they were on different weekends and the other two I used the opponents for the same weekend:

                  exhibition game
                  10/04/14 - 3542 - St. Thomas
                  10/03/15 - 2974 - Acadia
                  difference: -568

                  regular season games
                  11/08/14 - 4658 - Connecticut
                  10/24/15 - 4199 - Connecticut
                  difference: -459

                  10/31/15 - 3084 - Denver

                  11/01/14 - 4648 - Providence
                  11/14/15 - 5508 - Providence
                  difference: +860

                  10/25/14 - 5846 - Michigan
                  11/21/15 - 5003 - Michigan
                  difference: -843

                  12/06/14 - 4366 - Merrimack
                  12/05/15 - 3765 - Vermont
                  difference: -601

                  The exhibition games were the same weekend, as were the Merrimack and Vermont games, and both had significant attendance drops (16% and 14% respectively). The Connecticut game this season was 2 weeks earlier than last season and saw a 10% drop in attendance, while the Michigan game was a month later this season and saw a 14% drop in attendance. The Providence game was 2 weeks later this season and had an 18.5% increase in attendance, most likely due to fans wanting to see the rematch of the NC game. The 4 pm games did not increase attendance, as even with the Providence game the attendance for the five games declined by 1611 (7%) for an average decrease of 322 per game.

                  Sean
                  Out of interest I took a look at all of the games not included in the above comparison.

                  2014:
                  10/18/14 - 3,921 - U18
                  10/24/14 - 4639 - Michigan State
                  11/21/14 - 5291 - Maine
                  11/25/14 - 4456 - Harvard
                  11/29/14 - 4585 - Colgate

                  2014 average = 4587


                  2015:
                  10/16/15 - 2784 - U18
                  10/17/15 - 5515 - Wisco
                  10/31/15 - 3084 - Denver
                  11/6/15 - 5363 - Northeastern
                  11/24/15 - 3475 - Bentley
                  12/4/15 - 4002 - Vermont

                  2015 average = 4082


                  So for games not used in the 4PM comparison the average attendance drop was 496 per game or 12.1%

                  It seems that attendance is dropping overall (likely due to no Eichel to draw fans in). As the non 4PM game drop was greater than the 4PM game drop it is possible that the early games did help attendance.

                  In fairness, 2015 did have the Halloween game (which was stupid), but even if you take that game out the average drop was 351 fans per game, still greater than the 4PM game drop.

                  Comment


                  • Re: Boston University Terriers 2015-2016 Season Thread Part the 1st

                    Originally posted by ericredaxe View Post

                    In fairness, 2015 did have the Halloween game (which was stupid), but even if you take that game out the average drop was 351 fans per game, still greater than the 4PM game drop.
                    Well, the Halloween game was a 4pm game so you shouldn't include it anyways for non-4pm comparison! Sean was being gracious. If he had included it, the 4pm drop would be greater.

                    So, -322/-351. Virtually even given there are so many other variables involved. One thing I have noticed (no scientific analysis though), is that students are not flocking to the 4pm games. Must have been 50-60 students Saturday? I was hoping for a positive effect there which would have softened my disdain for 4pm games.

                    Since a supposed 85% wanted 4pm games you would thought there would be a positive effect to attendance. As I told a fellow season-ticket holder during Saturday's game, "This '85%' certainly aren't voting with their attendance!"
                    Last edited by Tater; 12-08-2015, 09:44 PM.

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                    • Re: Boston University Terriers 2015-2016 Season Thread Part the 1st

                      Originally posted by Agganis View Post
                      This won't change the overall conclusions, but I believe last year's exhibition game was also at 4pm, so those two should be removed from the comparison of 7pm vs 4pm.
                      Originally posted by Tater View Post
                      So, -322/-351. Virtually even given there are so many other variables involved. One thing I have noticed (no scientific analysis though), is that students are not flocking to the 4pm games. Must have been 50-60 students Saturday? I was hoping for a positive effect there which would have softened my disdain for 4pm games.
                      I just checked and the Canadian exhibition last year and this year were both at 4pm, so that going down is not evidence of the 4pm time slot hurting it.

                      Using the attendance numbers below there were 6 "equivalent" games that did not change time slot from 2014 to 2015: (Canadian Exh, U18s, MSU, ME, HU, and Colgate vs Canadian Exh, U18s, UW, NU, Bentley, UVM) those games dropped by 387 people per game or 8.8%, so a similar drop off on the new 4pm games would show it had virtually no impact, a greater drop off would show it hurt.

                      There were 4 "equivalent" games that moved from 7pm Saturday to 4pm Saturday (UC, PC, Mich, MC vs UC, PC, Mich, UVM) those games dropped by 261 people per game or 5.3%. This is only 64% of the drop the previous 6 games did, so I think the 4pm games helped attendance a bit, but probably not as much as BU anticipated. I did also notice the weak student crowds Tater did, which makes me less inclined to say the 4pm games are a good thing.

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                      • Re: Boston University Terriers 2015-2016 Season Thread Part the 1st

                        I'm an old fart with kids and I have grown to hate the 4pm games. They cut into fall sports schedules and Saturday plans.

                        BU Hockey: Bad Timing
                        It Happened!!!!

                        Comment


                        • Re: Boston University Terriers 2015-2016 Season Thread Part the 1st

                          Originally posted by Agganis View Post
                          I just checked and the Canadian exhibition last year and this year were both at 4pm, so that going down is not evidence of the 4pm time slot hurting it.

                          Using the attendance numbers below there were 6 "equivalent" games that did not change time slot from 2014 to 2015: (Canadian Exh, U18s, MSU, ME, HU, and Colgate vs Canadian Exh, U18s, UW, NU, Bentley, UVM) those games dropped by 387 people per game or 8.8%, so a similar drop off on the new 4pm games would show it had virtually no impact, a greater drop off would show it hurt.

                          There were 4 "equivalent" games that moved from 7pm Saturday to 4pm Saturday (UC, PC, Mich, MC vs UC, PC, Mich, UVM) those games dropped by 261 people per game or 5.3%. This is only 64% of the drop the previous 6 games did, so I think the 4pm games helped attendance a bit, but probably not as much as BU anticipated. I did also notice the weak student crowds Tater did, which makes me less inclined to say the 4pm games are a good thing.

                          If given the opportunity, I strongly hope anyone/everyone who disliked the 4pm games to provide feedback. I agree that the 4pm games didn't have the impact the decision-makers anticipated, especially since their likely target was the non-season ticket holder/casual fan whom represent potential revenue opportunities.

                          Having said that, I think the only games where the 4pm start time adversely affected attendance were the Denver and Vermont games. I don't think we would have seen much of a difference in attendance for the Canadian Exh, UCONN, PC and Michigan games if those were 7pm starts.

                          I hope in reviewing the outcome of the 4pm games, they do take student turnout into stronger consideration. Unfortunately that demographic doesn't provide the same revenue opportunities as non-STH/casual fans do, but they have the biggest impact on the atmosphere during the game.

                          My biggest issue with 4pm starts wasn't the # of games, but the front-loading of these games into the 1st half of the season. I think if they had been distributed throughout the season, the quantitative and qualitative impact could have been mitigated.

                          Comment


                          • Re: Boston University Terriers 2015-2016 Season Thread Part the 1st

                            Originally posted by Tater View Post
                            Since a supposed 85% wanted 4pm games you would thought there would be a positive effect to attendance. As I told a fellow season-ticket holder during Saturday's game, "This '85%' certainly aren't voting with their attendance!"
                            These might be the same folks in MA who voted for the 6.25% sales tax on alcohol purchases in package stores a few years ago only to quickly realize they didn't want it...

                            Comment


                            • Re: Boston University Terriers 2015-2016 Season Thread Part the 1st

                              Originally posted by Friend_of_BU_Hockey View Post
                              These might be the same folks in MA who voted for the 6.25% sales tax on alcohol purchases in package stores a few years ago only to quickly realize they didn't want it...
                              Those that voted for the sales tax likely were not affected by it...

                              Sean
                              Women's Hockey East Champions 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010
                              Men's NCAA Champions 2009, 1995, 1978, 1972, 1971

                              BU Hockey Games
                              BU Hockey highlights and extras
                              NCAA Hockey Financials
                              Women's Division I Longest Hockey Games
                              I need a kidney; looking for a donor

                              Comment


                              • Re: Boston University Terriers 2015-2016 Season Thread Part the 1st

                                Originally posted by Agganis View Post
                                I just checked and the Canadian exhibition last year and this year were both at 4pm, so that going down is not evidence of the 4pm time slot hurting it.

                                Using the attendance numbers below there were 6 "equivalent" games that did not change time slot from 2014 to 2015: (Canadian Exh, U18s, MSU, ME, HU, and Colgate vs Canadian Exh, U18s, UW, NU, Bentley, UVM) those games dropped by 387 people per game or 8.8%, so a similar drop off on the new 4pm games would show it had virtually no impact, a greater drop off would show it hurt.

                                There were 4 "equivalent" games that moved from 7pm Saturday to 4pm Saturday (UC, PC, Mich, MC vs UC, PC, Mich, UVM) those games dropped by 261 people per game or 5.3%. This is only 64% of the drop the previous 6 games did, so I think the 4pm games helped attendance a bit, but probably not as much as BU anticipated. I did also notice the weak student crowds Tater did, which makes me less inclined to say the 4pm games are a good thing.
                                I apologize for including the Canadian exhibition game, my mistake. As for the 4 pm games, only the Providence game attendance 'saved' the numbers. If you exclude it then the three remaining 4 pm games dropped 634 per game or 12.8%.

                                But, as was pointed out, overall attendance is down for all BU games this year, so let's just compare the 4 pm starts to the non- 4 pm starts (which are comprised of 4 Friday games - 1 at 6 pm and 3 at 7:30 pm, 1 Tuesday game and one Saturday game):
                                4 pm - 24,533 / 4,089 per game
                                others - 25,633 / 4,272 per game
                                Actual attendance was lower for the 4 pm games than the non-4 pm games so far this season (and I don't see that changing). In the end they may have had higher ticket sales and more families, but less students in attendance, in which case the 4 pm games could still be considered a success.

                                On a completely different topic, I'm a bit surprised that no one commented about the Holiday Skate. It seemed that it was scheduled at the last minute as I received an email last Tuesday about it being held on Sunday and requesting I reply by last Thursday. The women's team also had a game scheduled Sunday and had already previously scheduled a post game skate, so they were not there.

                                Sean
                                Women's Hockey East Champions 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010
                                Men's NCAA Champions 2009, 1995, 1978, 1972, 1971

                                BU Hockey Games
                                BU Hockey highlights and extras
                                NCAA Hockey Financials
                                Women's Division I Longest Hockey Games
                                I need a kidney; looking for a donor

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