Tennessee State is off to a strong start under first-year head coach Eddie George, but interest in the program — at least when it comes to home attendance — is lacking.
Speaking to reporters during Ohio Valley Conference media availability, George expressed disappointment in the small crowds Tennessee State has played in front of at Nissan Stadium this season.
“To be honest, it is disappointing to walk out there and to see literally nobody in the stands,” George said. “We appreciate the fans that have supported us. But it is discouraging when you see that because you don’t have a real home-field advantage. You’re playing in a stadium in front of nobody.”
TSU’s average home attendance so far is 2,466. Through the first two games of the home slate, the largest home crowd for the Tigers so far has been 2,513 when it hosted Kentucky State on Sept. 18.
That is a far cry from when George played in front of 100,000 fans at Ohio State and 70,000 per game in the NFL.
“I realize this is college football. We’re not going to fill up the bottom half of the stadium. But certainly, when we have a home game we would love to have some kind of home-field advantage when it comes to fans.”
Change conferences.
Leave that conference and move to the SWAC or SIAA. OVC is not for HBCU programs.
That is so true and the first thing i thought was OVC
Changing conferences is a good idea but not the answer. Put more HBCU’S on your schedule, develop the rivalries again and the fans will come.
I agree. Although JSU Homecoming attendance was record breaking, the rivalry between Jackson State and Alcorn State will also garner a huge crowd. Tennessee State needs that energy to put butts in their stands.
Its not the conference their in its all about black people not supporting their own. The only time black people would support their HBCU program is. When classics, homecoming, or bowl games and then its a fashion show.
Go to the SWAC
WIN BABY JUST WIN. WINNING CURES A LOT OF AILMENTS!!!!! EVERYBODY LOVES A WINNER.