******* or anyone else -

[Trojan1998]

I haven't been able to find out how many fans showed up for the FAU/FIU game this past weekend. I'm betting that it wasn't the necessary number because on FAU's website, they won't even list the attendance number because I guess they're trying to figure out what to do to get out of the mess that they're in.

[Trojan1998]

The attendance was 16,262. They needed at least 37,000. Interesting.

[Navarre Trojan]

Got an email this morning, said there were probably less than 17K. I hope the NCAA dosen't try to impose this rule, there will be hell to pay. One of these teams had to cancel a game altogether while many stayed away from others due to the weather and the recovery effort after the storms. I think they have a great case, but I am no attorney.

Go Troy

[BMarkey]

http://www.palmswestpress.com/images/FAU_vs_FIU_1_12_04_04/e39b3236_std.jpg

The FAU-FIU game drew around 17,000 (little less) at the Dolphins' stadium. It was a decent crowd, but the FIU people did not come out in big numbers thanks to their horrible season.

They promoted the game well, even giving away tickets to any student in any school, of any age. But the UM-Va Tech game hurt, as did 84-degree sunny weather, Christmas shopping, parades, etc.

Coach Howard Schnellenberger said FAU will appeal the 15k rule because FAU is just starting and plans to grow the attendance each year (it's way up from last year). When they can truly play at home in Palm Beach County, they will develop some more true followers. It takes time.

FAU President Frank Brogan (former lt. gov. and friend of Jeb Bush) will sue if necessary. I think they are committed and will do it. The SunBelt will help with the fight.

The game had some good promotions, including the million dollar cash grab at halftime. Picture below. The dollars were fake; I got some of them. They were customized for the game.

http://www.palmswestpress.com/images/FAU_vs_FIU_5_12_04_04/e39b3285_std.jpg
Spreading the "wealth"

http://www.palmswestpress.com/images/FAU_vs_FIU_5_12_04_04/e39b3340_std.jpg
One of three men who were chosen to grab as much of the $1 million as possible

The rap artist at halftime was awful. The words didn't match the music thanks in part to a nasty delay.

http://www.palmswestpress.com/images/FAU_vs_FIU_4_12_04_04/e39b3597_std.jpg
Schnelly and Don Shula, with the trophy bearing Shula's name

http://www.palmswestpress.com/images/FAU_vs_FIU_5_12_04_04/e39b3172_std.jpg
Sights worth the price of admission

Here are all the pictures:

http://www.palmswestpress.com/images/FAU_vs_FIU_1_12_04_04/index.htm

More Pictures
http://www.palmswestphoto.com/shopping/nfrun.exe?showphotos+1000185

[BMarkey]

Here's a story on the attendance issue:

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/epaper/2004/12/05/a24b_faunotes_1205.html

Crowd misses mark

By Marcus Nelson
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Sunday, December 05, 2004

MIAMI GARDENS — Even a media blitz, a cash-gathering contest and free groceries to five lucky fans couldn't give Florida Atlantic the attendance it needed Saturday to reach the 15,000-per home game average the NCAA mandates for Division I-A teams.

The third Shula Bowl at Pro Player Stadium drew 16,262 fans — well short of the 37,341 fans the Owls needed to meet the NCAA's minimum.

"We need to grow the program and average more than 15,000 fans per game whether there is a limit on it or not, but we would like to continue on our path toward I-A without being hampered by NCAA rules" FAU Athletic Director Craig Angelos said. "To get 16,000 took a lot of effort by a lot of people."

While the crowd fell short of the goal, it was the largest crowd in FAU history.

For its inaugural game against Slippery Rock, FAU announced a crowd of 25,632 fans. However, that figure was based on tickets distributed, and before this season, the school audited past attendance figures to reflect turnstile count, which is how Angelos has calculated attendance since he arrived before the 2003 season.

The revised attendance for the game against Slippery Rock, which also was at Pro Player Stadium, is 15,427.

FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger was hoping to draw more, but was pleased with the crowd, which gave FAU an average home attendance this season of 10,784.

"I was really happy to see the number of people here," he said. "I would have been happier to have 37,500."

[TropolitanSportsEditor]

Now that is a nice trophy. Big noticeable and oh did I say big?

Why couldn't the Palladium be big and bad ass like that one. A Trophy that can't fit in a case.

Man...I like. I say we all lobby to get a big ass Palladium built for next season!

Oh and I don't think they will win with the NCAA. WE didn't have any problems that I can remember meeting that requirment. If the NCAA will stick to their rules with other schools, then they should do it with FAU. If they don't then they will open the door for other schools in the future to come close but not make it. They should be made to wait another year! I am willing to bet that if they do have to wait, they won't have any problems next year, cause the fans will be pissed.

I hope the NCAA doesn't make a mistake, the doors need to be consistent.

[BMarkey]

Attendance is a big discussion item here in South Florida. I think FAU will get a waiver, for no other reason than two hurricanes.

See:

http://fausports.proboards25.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&num=1102207479

Don Shula might have paid for that trophy. He can afford a big one.

http://www.palmswestpress.com/images/FAU_vs_FIU_4_12_04_04/e39b3583_std.jpg