Game attendance disturbingly low

Penn students, it seems, aren't ready for some football.

The attendance numbers don't lie, and they've been steadily declining in recent years. There are several possible explanations for this: the Ivy League's inexplicable ban on Division I-AA playoffs for football, the lack of competitive opponents or a serious rival or even Franklin Field's design. Whatever the reason, the athletic department needs to do more to increase attendance, especially among the students.

This weekend's game against Harvard University, the last home game of the season, will feature fan appreciation giveaways. Why don't all games? In addition to schedule magnets, the athletic department should better advertise and promote each home game.

The athletic department could encourage tailgating on Bower Field, conveniently located just behind Franklin Field. Since most students don't have cars to tailgate out of, the school could provide a grill and drinks for students who show up before the game. Even if students had to pay a small fee for this, they probably would still come out.

Despite the fact that most Yale University and Harvard students -- who also live on urban campuses --do not have cars at school, the fields outside the stadiums before their games are often filled with students. The schools provide tents with food and drinks for the students.

At the heart of the matter is the fact that most people attend games for the football alone. This is not necessarily true at other schools. Football games are often events steeped in tradition, where students can spend a Saturday simply enjoying the events peripheral to the game and stay engaged even if their knowledge of or passion for football is minimal.

Increasing attendance is also important in terms of the budget, the University's bottom line. First of all, after Penn pumped money into Franklin Field for the Jumbotron and new turf, you would think the administration would want to see more people in the stands. Also, while there may or may not be a direct correlation between football programs and alumni giving, the simple fact remains that students who had a blast at Penn football games will come back as alumni. This has value of its own, both monetary and emotional.

In the end, everyone benefits from having more people come out to games. Let's hope the athletic department commits to halting and reversing this disturbing downward trend in attendance. And in the meantime, let's take this opportunity to make the most of the last home game of the year.

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