Home football attendance ranks low

Basketball to Indiana is what apple pie is to the United States. Nothing better symbolizes our state than the orange leather ball. But is Indiana so obsessed with basketball to forget about this country's most popular sport?\nIn a recent study released by the NCAA, IU ranks No. 65 in football attendance at home in Division I. The Hoosiers ranked No. 10 in the Big Ten, ahead only of Northwestern University. The average attendance for a home football game at IU was 34,983, an increase of 7,810 fans from the previous year. \nTailgating at IU has become more of an event than the football game itself in the past few years. This phenomenon often has athletic directors looking for ways to fill the seats.\nSophomore Matt Birnbach said IU simply needs a more talented squad. \n"The only reason I stopped going to football games is because since (Antwaan) Randle El left we haven't had any exciting players," he said. \nNational signing day came and passed Wednesday, giving Hoosier football fans new hope for the upcoming season. IU football coach Gerry DiNardo said a strong recruiting class will help get fans into the stadium. \n"There are many people who have a role in dealing with this (attendance) problem," he said. "As a coach I feel building a good team will help boost attendance. Recruiting is part of the puzzle but improving the whole team is important as well." \nThe IU football team posted a record of 2-10 last season, winning only one game against a Big Ten opponent. The last bowl game IU participated in was the Independence Bowl in 1993 when IU lost to Virginia Tech. \nThe fact that IU does not have a strong football history is another reason why fans have shied away from football games. Sophomore Zack Worland claims he stopped buying football tickets because of prices and the lack of tradition at IU. \n"IU football hasn't been exciting since my freshman year. We haven't fielded a competitive team for years," Worland said. "On top of that, it still costs about $10 per ticket. If we had some better recruits and lowered ticket prices, fans might start to come inside the stadium." \nGetting fans into the stadium and creating a hostile environment for opponents is important for the Hoosiers' success, junior quarterback Matt LoVecchio said. \n"An increase in attendance can definitely make a difference in what happens on the field, especially for our defense," he said. "As a team, we like to feed off the energy that the crowd brings. Playing in the Big Ten, we see the impact crowds can have in forming a home-field advantage every week. Support like that can only help this team."\nDespite the losing record last season, the NCAA study shows IU's average football attendance is up by almost 8,000 fans per game. DiNardo envisions even more fans at IU's home football games next season. \n"I can tell you that you will see a better team next season," DiNardo said, "a better team than we have had since I have coached at IU"