Link
Link 2 (cfb subreddit w/ interesting comments)
Glad it's not just us... a quote from the 2nd link that sticks out to me:
"It's funny that they try to blame waning interest on a lack of wifi in the stadium, and not other very real issues like the fact that the game day experience has gotten much worse over the years due to commercialization and skyrocketing ticket prices. And yeah, the olds don't help matters either."
To me, you could insert a number of things into "lack of wifi in the stadium" as strawmen for the real issue (which to me is a raucous environment that's actually enjoyable to be at):
-more distractions on the video board during game breaks
-song of the game
-have students do a dance off competition on the big screen
-the chik fil a field goal challenge
-way too much riff raff on the field before the team runs onto the field
-and on and on
-also while i'm bitching can we not play the other school's fight song before the game? FFS.
-Fix the gameday tailgating experience. (i.e. allow it in a concentrated manner around the stadium).
-Tone down the in game cheesiness (i do like recognizing long time season ticket holders, vets (when not overdone), and other OU teams).
-Find "in game distractions" that are unifying. there are plenty of stadiums that play the same song at the same time in the game, every game.
-Build a rewards program that rewards students & season ticket holders alike for staying into the 4th quarter. We already get tickets scanned on the way in, so I'm sure that can get tracked on the way out.
-Allow student groups (not necessarily a registered org, just if you can get x # of people) of at least 25 (or whatever number) to have reserved block seating in the student section
If this is the issue that turns me into an old, then i am prepared to die on this hill!
Thanks for listening to me yell at the clouds. i'm 99% sure i'm going to write Joe C a letter detailing my proposal this offseason. normally i wouldn't, but the in game atmosphere is something i care a lot about and the ISU was a low point.