Despite a strong start to the season, early attendance at USC football games has seen a concerning decrease. The drop is attributed to unusually high temperatures and escalating concession prices at the LA Memorial Coliseum, leaving many students opting out of the game day experience. This article explores the reasons behind the declining attendance, focusing on the impact of extreme heat and the financial burden on students.
We’ll delve into how the weather conditions and high costs of attending games are affecting student morale and their willingness to support the Trojans. Student testimonials reveal a growing frustration with the lack of shade, expensive water, and overall affordability of attending games. Additionally, we’ll examine potential solutions and address what the university and Coliseum management can do to improve the game day experience for students.
The Impact of Extreme Heat on Attendance
According to Annenberg Media, attendance at USC’s first two home football games dropped by nearly 10% compared to last year. This decline coincides with warmer temperatures, with averages in the mid-80s compared to the 70s at the same time last season. Students cite the heat as a major deterrent, particularly due to the lack of shade in the designated student sections.
Brecken Cullinan, a sophomore, noted that many of her friends skipped a game to avoid the heat, highlighting the challenging conditions in the student section. Noelle Chakbazof, another sophomore, mentioned that they now attend games after halftime when the heat subsides, showing how much the heat is affecting students desire to attend football games.
Conor Mellon, a regular attendee, expressed how the heat makes the game “pretty unbearable.” The location of student sections 123, 124, and 125 provides no escape from the sun, exacerbating the problem. Addressing this issue is crucial to ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience for students.
The High Cost of Concessions: A Major Deterrent
Adding to the heat issue is the exorbitant cost of bottled water at the Coliseum. Annenberg Media reported that a single bottle of water costs $9.88. This high price is a significant burden for students, especially when trying to stay hydrated in the heat. This is having a tangible affect on the USC student population.
Gigi Vadenbosch, a junior, pointed out the disincentive of sitting in the sun for hours with no shade and expensive water after tailgating. Stephen Hong, a sophomore, mentioned that tickets are overpriced, and hydrating with $9 water doesn’t make sense, making it difficult for students to have a good time.
The recent move to the Big Ten may contribute to these high costs, as Big Ten stadiums generally have the most expensive concessions among the Power Four conferences. With the cost of food and drinks increasing nationwide, addressing concession prices is essential to making games affordable for students. The high costs are an active deterent in student attendance.
Lack of Awareness Regarding Water Bottle Policy
The Coliseum allows attendees to bring up to two sealed 17-ounce water bottles per person, and there’s no limit during heat advisories. Empty refillable water bottles are also allowed. However, many students are unaware of this policy, leading them to purchase overpriced water at the venue.
Elsie Posillico, a sophomore, admitted she didn’t know about the policy and believes it would encourage more students to attend games if they could save money on water. Jack Stalford, a freshman, mentioned that most students either don’t know the rules or don’t think to bring their own water. Raising awareness is very important.
Better communication of the water bottle policy could significantly improve the game day experience. Ensuring students are informed about their options will help them stay hydrated without incurring high costs. If they are aware of this water bottle policy, attendance might increase.
Upcoming Games and Weather Forecast
The heat wave is expected to continue, with the Trojans playing Michigan State at the Coliseum under mostly sunny skies and a high of 83 degrees Fahrenheit. With the ongoing heat, the issues of shade and affordable hydration remain critical. While 83 degrees is still hot, hopefully the policies in place will help increase attendance.
The university and Coliseum management must consider implementing strategies to mitigate the impact of the heat. Providing shaded areas, increasing water bottle awareness, and addressing concession prices are vital steps. The attendance numbers are on the decline, and these steps could increase the attendance.
By addressing these concerns, USC can ensure that students can enjoy the game day experience without being deterred by the heat and high costs. A proactive approach will encourage greater participation and support for the Trojans. Encouraging participation is key.
Find the USC Football Schedule
To plan your game days effectively, it’s essential to have access to the USC football schedule. Stay updated with the latest game times, opponents, and locations to make the most of your Trojan football experience. By viewing the USC football schedule, students can find the games that fit their schedules best.
Whether you’re looking for home or away games, the schedule provides all the details you need to organize your attendance. Check out the USC football schedule 2024 to see what the season has in store. You might find a game to attend!
With the USC football schedule 2026 on the horizon, now is the perfect time to start planning ahead. Ensure you don’t miss any of the action by staying informed about the games and making arrangements to attend. The USC football schedule is viewable online and students should review it.
Conclusion: Enhancing the Game Day Experience
The decrease in early attendance at USC football games is a concerning trend, driven primarily by extreme heat and high concession prices. Students are finding it increasingly challenging to enjoy the game day experience, leading to lower participation rates. If no one attends the games, will the football program be affected? That remains to be seen.
Addressing these issues is crucial for the university and Coliseum management. Implementing solutions such as providing shaded areas, increasing awareness of the water bottle policy, and reducing concession prices can significantly improve the overall experience. A proactive approach will encourage more students to support the Trojans and create a vibrant atmosphere at the Coliseum.
By prioritizing student comfort and affordability, USC can ensure that game day remains a positive and engaging experience for all. The Trojans have an uphill battle to fight when it comes to fan attendance, and hopefully these changes will result in an increase in attendance for the USC Trojans football team.
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