Much hue and cry on the local sports talk shows about attendance at the University of Louisville’s final home game when “only” 46,421 fans showed up for an event that coincided with Senior Day.

I suspect that many of the critics haven’t been around UofL football very long to appreciate the size of the crowd that turned out:

— In 30-degree temperatures on a windy day.

— For a noon kickoff.

— When a UofL basketball team was tipping off an hour later on TV.

While I was a little disappointed about the number of empty seats, I was satisfied that so many people were occupying the other seats. Taking the glass half full versus half empty approach, it helps to have a little historical perspective. Some choose to criticize the fan base for all the people who stayed home when these were the very people who helped UofL set an all-time attendance record this season.

Having followed Louisville football for over five decades, I knew the conditions were ripe for an attendance drop.

Add to the weather, the noon kickoff, and the basketball conflict the fact that this UofL football team is out of BCS contention, the competition less than stellar and the offense hasn’t been very exciting, and you have the reason many people stayed home. Frankly, getting up that early, trying to stay warm and struggling against Memphis made the game rank low on the list of UofL football memories.

I go back to the days when 17,000 fans in the Seventies or 30,000 fans in the Eighties for the final game wasn’t all that bad. Having gone through those days, the number of people who turned out for last Saturday’s game was confirmation of the growing support of the program.

All seats were sold out for every game this season. Attendance exceeded 53,000 four times, including twice over 55,000. Average attendance was 52,914 for the season.

The program has come a long, long way.

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By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.

6 thoughts on “Attendance record marks growth of UofL football fan base”
  1. Great article that hit the nail on the head ! A record-setting year in attendance and still the media types and talkling heads are taking shots. This will be remembered.

  2. OK, Charlie! Time to give the Cardinals some R&R! Will you be posting your traditional Mormon Tabernacle Choir link this year?

    Happy Thanksgiving!

  3. Thank you for your wise, long-range perspective. I’ve only lived in Louisville 3 years, and it is wonderful to learn how the football program has grown its fan base. Average attendance of almost 53,000 is something many football programs would be envious of. We can all be proud of these Cards. L1C4!

    1. Thank you Jill. Attendance is always a popular topic for the talking heads but a few of these folks need to do their homework. I have been amazed at the support during a year of transition from a secondary conference to one of the best. The growth has been phenomenal. From a terrible schedule to one of the toughest ever next year, the best is yet to come.

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