The undying support that Aggies have for their football team means that regardless of the record on the field, Kyle will almost certainly have large numbers of attendees. Looking at the attendance record (https://12thman.com/facilities/kyle-field/1), the Miami game the weekend after the disappointing 2022 App State loss was #7 in all time attendance. The weekend after losing to a Sun Belt team at home, 107,000 people showed up.
Ultimately, the athletics department is a business. It serves to generate revenue and publicity for the university. When the football team is worth 1B (according to some estimates), is there really any pressure to change? What motivates the athletics department to win?
I am not advocating that we don't show up to games at Kyle. I think the 12th Man is an excellent tradition that gives us identity. But how do we communicate financially that we aren't satisfied with the product on the field? How do we get the athletics department to want to win?
Ultimately, the athletics department is a business. It serves to generate revenue and publicity for the university. When the football team is worth 1B (according to some estimates), is there really any pressure to change? What motivates the athletics department to win?
I am not advocating that we don't show up to games at Kyle. I think the 12th Man is an excellent tradition that gives us identity. But how do we communicate financially that we aren't satisfied with the product on the field? How do we get the athletics department to want to win?
