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What can Stanford learn from NotreDame regarding creating a Top20 Football Program ? - Printable Version

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RE: What can Stanford learn from NotreDame regarding creating a Top20 Football Program ? - StanUSwagU - 01-23-2025

(01-21-2025, 11:28 AM)branner Wrote:  
(01-16-2025, 03:57 PM)BostonCard Wrote:  
(01-16-2025, 01:51 PM)paloalto Wrote:  About 30 people post on Cardboard football threads.   This is a very small echo chamber.    The prevailing attitude seems to be. “I’m interested in football so all students should be interested in football”.    Do a handful of 70 year old, die-hard football fans know what 18 year old students are interested in?

There is a website College Confidential about college topics.  It has a very big message board.  I’ve frequently posted on this board for twenty years; particularly on threads involving Stanford.   Many threads are discussions by students about what top colleges they will be applying to.   I’ve never seen a post, “I’m thinking of applying to Stanford but I’m concerned about how many games the football team will win”.

...
The other argument that has been made is that while no one will say “I am considering applying to Stanford due to its football team”, a successful football team with a rabid fanbase contributes to the overall environment, which contributes to the “gestalt” as to how people feel about the school, which does drive how people apply or decide to go to the school.  I think Mick has provided some data to back up the fact that schools see a bump in applicants after successful sports seasons.
...
BC

Funny, because I first considered applying to Stanford because of its football team. To be more more specific, I fell in love with the '71 Rose Bowl team with Jim Plunkett at quarterback. Even though I lived in Texas, Stanford became my team. I loved the uniforms, the style of play, the California setting, Prince Lightfoot...you name it. I never wanted to go to school anywhere else. Only later did I learn the academics were solid. But it was football that won me over.

I did always wonder about the band, though.

***********************************

Branner,

I have attended both a Texas A&M home game & a UT home game. AWESOME !

I would recommend to any Stanford Alum, to put these 2 events on their 'sports bucket list',

[P.S. as you probably know Branner, its mandatory to be there Friday before the Saturday game, cause college football events at those 2 Universities begin on the Friday evening before]

RE: What can Stanford learn from NotreDame regarding creating a Top20 Football Program ? - Mick - 01-23-2025

(01-23-2025, 11:10 PM)StanUSwagU Wrote:  
(01-21-2025, 11:28 AM)branner Wrote:  
(01-16-2025, 03:57 PM)BostonCard Wrote:  
(01-16-2025, 01:51 PM)paloalto Wrote:  About 30 people post on Cardboard football threads.   This is a very small echo chamber.    The prevailing attitude seems to be. “I’m interested in football so all students should be interested in football”.    Do a handful of 70 year old, die-hard football fans know what 18 year old students are interested in?

There is a website College Confidential about college topics.  It has a very big message board.  I’ve frequently posted on this board for twenty years; particularly on threads involving Stanford.   Many threads are discussions by students about what top colleges they will be applying to.   I’ve never seen a post, “I’m thinking of applying to Stanford but I’m concerned about how many games the football team will win”.

...
The other argument that has been made is that while no one will say “I am considering applying to Stanford due to its football team”, a successful football team with a rabid fanbase contributes to the overall environment, which contributes to the “gestalt” as to how people feel about the school, which does drive how people apply or decide to go to the school.  I think Mick has provided some data to back up the fact that schools see a bump in applicants after successful sports seasons.
...
BC

Funny, because I first considered applying to Stanford because of its football team. To be more more specific, I fell in love with the '71 Rose Bowl team with Jim Plunkett at quarterback. Even though I lived in Texas, Stanford became my team. I loved the uniforms, the style of play, the California setting, Prince Lightfoot...you name it. I never wanted to go to school anywhere else. Only later did I learn the academics were solid. But it was football that won me over.

I did always wonder about the band, though.

***********************************

Branner,

I have attended both a Texas A&M home game & at UT home game.  AWESOME !

I would recommend to any Stanford Alum, to put these 2 events on their 'sports bucket list'.

I attended Oregon State vs. Michigan at the Big House in Ann Arbor in 2015 with my brother, an OSU alum. 109,651 fans, including about 6k OSU fans. Incredible experience, helped by a bunch of happy UMich fans given that the final was 35-7 UMich.

If you get a chance, it's worth it. Separately, my brother is an amateur photographer, and we spent about two hours driving around Detroit taking photos. This was right after Detroit emerged from bankruptcy in December, 2014 and it was a...unique experience. 100,000+ unoccupied residences within the city limits.

RE: What can Stanford learn from NotreDame regarding creating a Top20 Football Program ? - Goose - 01-24-2025

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6075857/2025/01/24/west-coast-college-football-fan-survey-pac-12/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983&userId=701188

Regarding our ability to increase attendance this article is relevant. Paywall unfortunately. However, IMO the major takeaway for the future is this:
Quote:After realignment dramatically altered the makeup of West Coast football, do you find yourself liking college football more or less?
More   12.7
Less    48.1
Same  39.2
This situation exists despite other survey items that show many people believe their teams gained a lot by the move. It also could be argued this is a "temporary" situation. However, today it is what it is. This clearly indicates that at least the fan subset responding to this poll like college football less than before. That is in no way conducive to increasing attendance.

This poll also isn't just Stanford fans. In fact, only 5.8% of the respondents were. 33.3% (!) were Oregon fans! If those guys like football less, it seems probable teams that didn't do so well this year like it MUCH less :-). Also worthy of note: 75% of the respondents liked their new conference less than being in the PAC-12. Not a surprise, but also a significant data point.


RE: What can Stanford learn from NotreDame regarding creating a Top20 Football Program ? - 82lsju - 01-24-2025

(01-24-2025, 09:20 AM)Goose Wrote:  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6075857/2025/01/24/west-coast-college-football-fan-survey-pac-12/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983&userId=701188

Regarding our ability to increase attendance this article is relevant. Paywall unfortunately. However, IMO the major takeaway for the future is this:
Quote:After realignment dramatically altered the makeup of West Coast football, do you find yourself liking college football more or less?
More   12.7
Less    48.1
Same  39.2
This situation exists despite other survey items that show many people believe their teams gained a lot by the move. It also could be argued this is a "temporary" situation. However, today it is what it is. This clearly indicates that at least the fan subset responding to this poll like college football less than before. That is in no way conducive to increasing attendance.

This poll also isn't just Stanford fans. In fact, only 5.8% of the respondents were. 33.3% (!) were Oregon fans! If those guys like football less, it seems probable teams that didn't do so well this year like it MUCH less :-). Also worthy of note: 75% of the respondents liked their new conference less than being in the PAC-12. Not a surprise, but also a significant data point.

it was hard enough to talk casual fans into going to Pac-12 games, ACC games have an entirely different level of disinterest....

RE: What can Stanford learn from NotreDame regarding creating a Top20 Football Program ? - Spiny_Norman - 01-24-2025

(01-24-2025, 09:20 AM)Goose Wrote:  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6075857/2025/01/24/west-coast-college-football-fan-survey-pac-12/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983&userId=701188

Regarding our ability to increase attendance this article is relevant. Paywall unfortunately. However, IMO the major takeaway for the future is this:
Quote:After realignment dramatically altered the makeup of West Coast football, do you find yourself liking college football more or less?
More   12.7
Less    48.1
Same  39.2
This situation exists despite other survey items that show many people believe their teams gained a lot by the move. It also could be argued this is a "temporary" situation. However, today it is what it is. This clearly indicates that at least the fan subset responding to this poll like college football less than before. That is in no way conducive to increasing attendance.

This poll also isn't just Stanford fans. In fact, only 5.8% of the respondents were. 33.3% (!) were Oregon fans! If those guys like football less, it seems probable teams that didn't do so well this year like it MUCH less :-). Also worthy of note: 75% of the respondents liked their new conference less than being in the PAC-12. Not a surprise, but also a significant data point.

And yet people kept watching the games in even bigger numbers in 2024 than in 2023. I acknowledge that this may not be the case in future years if fan dissatisfaction shows up more in the bottom line.

https://footballscoop.com/news/the-100-most-watched-games-of-the-2024-college-football-season

RE: What can Stanford learn from NotreDame regarding creating a Top20 Football Program ? - chrisk - 01-24-2025

(01-24-2025, 09:20 AM)Goose Wrote:  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6075857/2025/01/24/west-coast-college-football-fan-survey-pac-12/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983&userId=701188

Regarding our ability to increase attendance this article is relevant. Paywall unfortunately. However, IMO the major takeaway for the future is this:
Quote:After realignment dramatically altered the makeup of West Coast football, do you find yourself liking college football more or less?
More   12.7
Less    48.1
Same  39.2
This situation exists despite other survey items that show many people believe their teams gained a lot by the move. It also could be argued this is a "temporary" situation. However, today it is what it is. This clearly indicates that at least the fan subset responding to this poll like college football less than before. That is in no way conducive to increasing attendance.

This poll also isn't just Stanford fans. In fact, only 5.8% of the respondents were. 33.3% (!) were Oregon fans! If those guys like football less, it seems probable teams that didn't do so well this year like it MUCH less :-). Also worthy of note: 75% of the respondents liked their new conference less than being in the PAC-12. Not a surprise, but also a significant data point.

But game times were better. That could help atttendance on the margin.

RE: What can Stanford learn from NotreDame regarding creating a Top20 Football Program ? - StanUSwagU - 01-26-2025

(01-26-2025, 04:54 PM)branner Wrote:  
(01-23-2025, 11:10 PM)StanUSwagU Wrote:  
(01-21-2025, 11:28 AM)branner Wrote:  
(01-16-2025, 03:57 PM)BostonCard Wrote:  
(01-16-2025, 01:51 PM)paloalto Wrote:  About 30 people post on Cardboard football threads.   This is a very small echo chamber.    The prevailing attitude seems to be. “I’m interested in football so all students should be interested in football”.    Do a handful of 70 year old, die-hard football fans know what 18 year old students are interested in?

There is a website College Confidential about college topics.  It has a very big message board.  I’ve frequently posted on this board for twenty years; particularly on threads involving Stanford.   Many threads are discussions by students about what top colleges they will be applying to.   I’ve never seen a post, “I’m thinking of applying to Stanford but I’m concerned about how many games the football team will win”.

...
The other argument that has been made is that while no one will say “I am considering applying to Stanford due to its football team”, a successful football team with a rabid fanbase contributes to the overall environment, which contributes to the “gestalt” as to how people feel about the school, which does drive how people apply or decide to go to the school.  I think Mick has provided some data to back up the fact that schools see a bump in applicants after successful sports seasons.
...
BC

Funny, because I first considered applying to Stanford because of its football team. To be more more specific, I fell in love with the '71 Rose Bowl team with Jim Plunkett at quarterback. Even though I lived in Texas, Stanford became my team. I loved the uniforms, the style of play, the California setting, Prince Lightfoot...you name it. I never wanted to go to school anywhere else. Only later did I learn the academics were solid. But it was football that won me over.

I did always wonder about the band, though.

***********************************

Branner,

I have attended both a Texas A&M home game & a UT home game.  AWESOME !

I would recommend to any Stanford Alum, to put these 2 events on their 'sports bucket list',

[P.S. as you probably know Branner, its mandatory to be there Friday  before the Saturday game, cause college football events at those 2 Universities begin on the Friday evening before]

StanUSwagU,

I've been to a Texas A&M home game and have a son who graduated from there and goes to all of them. Agreed: the atmosphere is amazing. A&M does a great job of welcoming alums and making families feel comfortable and wanted. I've posted elsewhere in this forum on what an outstanding job of marketing A&M does, and how it integrates academic open houses with football games. By the way, A&M baseball games are just as amazing! They fill the place and have baseball-specific cheers, chants, and student stunts that even opponents laugh at and appreciate.

Until I discovered Stanford, the Longhorns were my team. I haven't been to a game in Austin, but know the place rocks. I didn't care for the trash thrown on the field earlier this season (Georgia game, I think).

I've even been to games (football and baseball) at Texas State. Again, the place rocks, and the students feel connected to their teams and do what they can to influence the course of the games.

Stanford has great traditions. Somehow our students have been disconnected from them. I think we can do a much better job of marketing and engaging the Bay Area in Stanford sports. What's not to like? Stanford is truly an inspiring place. This is a business problem that can be solved, and I am optimistic that Luck will make a big difference, especially with Levin's support.

****************

Hi Branner,

Yep, as you well know, the College Football weekend experiences (starting on Fridays) at Texas A&M & UT are AWESOME !

I secretly wish Andrew Luck (being a native of Texas, Houston area I think) ....would take all of our Stanford University officials (eg President, Provost, Board of Trustees, BigDonors, CorporatePartners, Athletic Director, Admissions Director, Head FootballCoach, Key Faculty, etc .....to University of Texas & Texas A&M, to let them meet with their counterparts at these 2 universities, so that our Stanford University Administration & Faculty could learn & get a 'window into how their counterparts support & blend the great Academics at these 2 outstanding Research Universities ..... with Great Competitive College Football that all the Student-Body, Faculty, and Administration enjoy & partake in.

RE: What can Stanford learn from NotreDame regarding creating a Top20 Football Program ? - StanUSwagU - 01-27-2025

(01-27-2025, 04:52 AM)branner Wrote:  
(01-26-2025, 10:59 PM)StanUSwagU Wrote:  
(01-26-2025, 04:54 PM)branner Wrote:  
(01-23-2025, 11:10 PM)StanUSwagU Wrote:  
(01-21-2025, 11:28 AM)branner Wrote:  Funny, because I first considered applying to Stanford because of its football team. To be more more specific, I fell in love with the '71 Rose Bowl team with Jim Plunkett at quarterback. Even though I lived in Texas, Stanford became my team. I loved the uniforms, the style of play, the California setting, Prince Lightfoot...you name it. I never wanted to go to school anywhere else. Only later did I learn the academics were solid. But it was football that won me over.

I did always wonder about the band, though.

***********************************

Branner,

I have attended both a Texas A&M home game & a UT home game.  AWESOME !

I would recommend to any Stanford Alum, to put these 2 events on their 'sports bucket list',

[P.S. as you probably know Branner, its mandatory to be there Friday  before the Saturday game, cause college football events at those 2 Universities begin on the Friday evening before]

StanUSwagU,

I've been to a Texas A&M home game and have a son who graduated from there and goes to all of them. Agreed: the atmosphere is amazing. A&M does a great job of welcoming alums and making families feel comfortable and wanted. I've posted elsewhere in this forum on what an outstanding job of marketing A&M does, and how it integrates academic open houses with football games. By the way, A&M baseball games are just as amazing! They fill the place and have baseball-specific cheers, chants, and student stunts that even opponents laugh at and appreciate.

Until I discovered Stanford, the Longhorns were my team. I haven't been to a game in Austin, but know the place rocks. I didn't care for the trash thrown on the field earlier this season (Georgia game, I think).

I've even been to games (football and baseball) at Texas State. Again, the place rocks, and the students feel connected to their teams and do what they can to influence the course of the games.

Stanford has great traditions. Somehow our students have been disconnected from them. I think we can do a much better job of marketing and engaging the Bay Area in Stanford sports. What's not to like? Stanford is truly an inspiring place. This is a business problem that can be solved, and I am optimistic that Luck will make a big difference, especially with Levin's support.

****************

Hi Branner,

Yep, as you well know, the College Football weekend experiences (starting on Fridays) at Texas A&M & UT are AWESOME !

I secretly wish Andrew Luck (being a native of Texas, Houston area I think) ....would take all of our Stanford University officials (eg President, Provost, Board of Trustees, BigDonors, CorporatePartners, Athletic Director, Admissions Director, Head FootballCoach, Key Faculty, etc .....to University of Texas & Texas A&M, to let them meet with their counterparts at these 2 universities, so that our Stanford University Administration & Faculty could learn & get a  'window into how their counterparts support & blend  the great Academics at these 2 outstanding Research Universities ..... with Great Competitive College Football that all the Student-Body, Faculty, and Administration enjoy & partake in.

I second that motion, StanUSwagU. Yes, Luck is a graduate of Stratford High School in Houston, where he was an excellent student and athlete. Sharing knowledge is a proud tradition of college sports. Darrell Royal allowed Emory Ballard to teach the wishbone to arch-rival Oklahoma. Consider, too, how many great coaches learned under the mentorship of Nick Saban. I believe that many universities would be pleased to assist Stanford, and in turn to learn from Stanford. I assume that conference realignment is far from dead, and that such relationships and familiarity could be fruitful for many reasons in the future.

****************************

Hi Branner,

1. Agree fully on the 'sharing of expertise' between Universities, after all ...isnt that what 'education & universities' are supposed to be about ?

2. I realize Univ of Texas & Texas A&M are much larger universities with regard to the size of their student-body (which is why I always mention NotreDame as the ciosest model to Stanford) ...but I think what can be learned from Univ of Texas & Texas A&M, is how ALL departments & wings of the University support Football, and how those University's Administrations work to make the Student/Fan/Alum experience on College Football Weekends, top notch !

RE: What can Stanford learn from NotreDame regarding creating a Top20 Football Program ? - Mick - 01-27-2025

I have a friend who owned a string of upscale bakeries. Every other year, he would make a trip to another region, visit their bakeries and meet with their owners to talk shop. He sourced a lot of ideas and upgraded virtually every area of his business through that process. I met him one year in Chicago, we attended a game at Wrigley.

If I were Mr. Luck, I would have conversations with the top two dozen programs with the idea of visiting half-a-dozen to a dozen successful programs to generate as much information as I could. Someone's doing it right, and it ain't us.

I'd start with Michigan. It's a unique dynamic in that state, true. There's no private school comparable to Stanford in Michigan. But UMich is #1 in attendance and their influence is pervasive throughout the state. If your college logo is on the state highway signs, you're doing something right.

I'd also look to some of the successful private school programs; e.g., Notre Dame, BYU, Miami, and yes, our former league mates. I'd call the SEC peers, 2-3 of the Big 10, one or two of the Big 12. I'd compile a big report subtitled "successful football promotions that Stanford isn't doing but we could..." and rethink the entire program top to bottom.