If the team wins, people will come

The crowd just prior to kickoff of Idaho State versus Chadron State on Sept. 13, 2014 at Holt Arena.

Idaho State won its first game of the season Sept. 13 in Holt Arena. The worst crowd for an ISU home football opener in five years was there to see it happen.
 
As Chadron State roared back in the fourth quarter on the back of three straight touchdowns, a chunk of the fans who were in attendance to start the game had already left after Idaho State led by 21 points at halftime.

The reported attendance, 4,838, was the lowest in an Idaho State home opening game since 2010, John Zamberlin’s final season as the Bengals head coach.

One factor that may have played into the low attendance is that Chadron State, a Division II team, is not the draw for ISU fans like long-time Big Sky rivals Weber State and Montana.

But in the past 11 years, Idaho State has played non-Division I teams seven times and averaged nearly 1,200 more fans than what the Bengals pulled into Holt Arena for the matchup with the feisty Eagles.

What gives?

Idaho State head coach Mike Kramer thinks he knows.

“I wouldn’t buy a ticket to watch a 2-9 team or a 3-9 team. I wouldn’t do it,” he said. “I don’t care if you charge me a buck or a $100.”

Kramer continued: “I don’t blame the fans at all. Until we put a consistent, considerable team on the field that’s going to show an entertainment value every single game, we’re ... going to have empty seats. And deservedly so.”

Idaho State went 3-9 in 2013 and that followed seasons of 1-10 (2012) and 2-9 (2011).

The Bengals started this year with back-to-back losses on the road to Utah and Utah State. Preseason expectations of the Bengals weren’t high either. Big Sky coaches tabbed ISU to finish 12th in the preseason poll.

“We have got to rise this program to the point where we’re an entertainment value,” Kramer said. “And you’re not an entertainment value when you get your teeth handed to you every week. So I see it. I love the fact that fans are coming. As more fans come, great. Do I feel like those fans should come before the product is shown? Absolutely not.”

Kramer wants to validate to Eastern Idaho and Bengal fans that there is a team in Pocatello worth paying money to show up and watch. It’s part of the reason why the finish to the Chadron State game was disappointing.

ISU had a chance to make a statement with a 39-13 lead in the third quarter. Holding on for a five-point victory might not inspire fans to think Idaho State can field a winning team, something the program has not done since 2003.

And it’s why Saturday’s homecoming game against Sacramento State carries a heavy weight.

Homecoming crowds are the largest of the season for Idaho State football many years. In 2013, ISU averaged 5,367 fans in six games at Holt Arena but 7,568 showed up for homecoming against North Dakota.

Idaho State did not leave a lasting impression that the program has taken major steps forward after having to hold off Chadron State in the fourth quarter. But beating a 3-1 Sacramento State team and starting the Big Sky schedule 1-0 could send a message.

“The disaffection in this program is legendary,” Kramer said. “Fifty one years of god-awfulness intersected with a couple years of OK-ness. ... But if we’re a good team, I’m going to buy tickets. I want to see that show.”