[lex24]

In the 1960s-80s (which I think covers most CardBoard readers), the LSJU undergrads were at least ~ half Californians. It's fallen to a little over a third. And international students, negligible back then, are now 12% of the students. One out of eight. I doubt they know or care much about the Axe.

I agree that non-Californians are less likely to have an understanding/attachment to the Cal-Stanford Big Game rivalry. The effects you cite are relevant. Going back to the 1960s, it should be remembered that Stanford was very predominantly male. Essentially everybody had played the game at at least some level, if only in PE. Additionally California itself contains a larger population of immigrants and children of immigrants than it did in the past.
On top of that the interest in football at the High School level in general is not what it was in the past. Much like the college game there are more "high profile" programs but much less strength at the "grass roots" level. Football is not the social force that it used to be. Many students in high school attended games because "that is just what you did". The girls went because it was a social exercise. Many of them only vaguely knew who was playing, but they went. Not so today, both at the high school and college level. "Friday Night Lights" just isn't anymore.

Goose is right to point to changing demographics weakening football in California.  Without discussing any particular political position, I can point out that there has been research linking different sports to different political inclinations.  For example, professional basketball has the most liberal fan base of any sport.  The fan base for professional football is more or less even or neutral.  And which sport has the most conservative fan base?  I would have said Nascar, but in fact it is college football.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how...litically/

Now, consider that over the last 50 years the two coasts have grown increasingly liberal, and the Midwest and South have become increasingly conservative.  It should not be a surprise that the fan base for college football has declined in those areas that have become more left leaning, and increased in those areas that have become more right leaning.  And as Goose points out, participation in high school football is declining.  But this decline appears to be faster in the blue states than the red ones.

This is most probably a simple correlation--certainly not causal--and my guess is that it has to do with demographic changes.  Liberals appear to have--on average--different tastes in sports than conservatives.  But trying to create an enthusiastic college football fan base in the increasingly liberal Bay Area does feel like swimming upstream.  And Stanford, Cal and SJSU have similar problems with their football fan bases, all of which have dwindled over the years.

The 49ers don’t seem to have much problem.  Despite its political proclivities, pro football is King in the Bay Area. Followed by Pro Basketball. Then pro baseball.

So while I think while your overall premise is sound, it ignores perhaps the biggest difference - student body attitudes. And my guess is there is a rather large indifference to Stanford sports, in general, amongst the student body and football in particular.

As for Cal. If they ever win, the will draw. But …..

[lex24]

In the 1960s-80s (which I think covers most CardBoard readers), the LSJU undergrads were at least ~ half Californians. It's fallen to a little over a third. And international students, negligible back then, are now 12% of the students. One out of eight. I doubt they know or care much about the Axe.

I agree that non-Californians are less likely to have an understanding/attachment to the Cal-Stanford Big Game rivalry. The effects you cite are relevant. Going back to the 1960s, it should be remembered that Stanford was very predominantly male. Essentially everybody had played the game at at least some level, if only in PE. Additionally California itself contains a larger population of immigrants and children of immigrants than it did in the past.
On top of that the interest in football at the High School level in general is not what it was in the past. Much like the college game there are more "high profile" programs but much less strength at the "grass roots" level. Football is not the social force that it used to be. Many students in high school attended games because "that is just what you did". The girls went because it was a social exercise. Many of them only vaguely knew who was playing, but they went. Not so today, both at the high school and college level. "Friday Night Lights" just isn't anymore.

Goose is right to point to changing demographics weakening football in California.  Without discussing any particular political position, I can point out that there has been research linking different sports to different political inclinations.  For example, professional basketball has the most liberal fan base of any sport.  The fan base for professional football is more or less even or neutral.  And which sport has the most conservative fan base?  I would have said Nascar, but in fact it is college football.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how...litically/

Now, consider that over the last 50 years the two coasts have grown increasingly liberal, and the Midwest and South have become increasingly conservative.  It should not be a surprise that the fan base for college football has declined in those areas that have become more left leaning, and increased in those areas that have become more right leaning.  And as Goose points out, participation in high school football is declining.  But this decline appears to be faster in the blue states than the red ones.

This is most probably a simple correlation--certainly not causal--and my guess is that it has to do with demographic changes.  Liberals appear to have--on average--different tastes in sports than conservatives.  But trying to create an enthusiastic college football fan base in the increasingly liberal Bay Area does feel like swimming upstream.  And Stanford, Cal and SJSU have similar problems with their football fan bases, all of which have dwindled over the years.

The 49ers don’t seem to have much problem.  Despite its political proclivities, pro football is King in the Bay Area. Followed by Pro Basketball. Then pro baseball.

So while I think while your overall premise is sound, it ignores perhaps the biggest difference - student body attitudes. And my guess is there is a rather large indifference to Stanford sports, in general, amongst the student body and football in particular.

As for Cal. If they ever win, the will draw. But …..