West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen pulled no punches Tuesday at his weekly press conference when talking about the attendance of last Saturday’s 55-10 win over Bowling Green.
He went as far as to compare the small crowd — announced at 46,603 on a cold, rainy afternoon — to that of LSU’s game with Kentucky last week.
A majority of the the student seats were empty as well as other spots in the stadium and that concerned Holgorsen enough to ask for more support for the remainder of the season.
“Whatever our expectations are with our players as far as preparing every week and going to the game and playing our best, I highly encourage our students and our (fan) support to take the same approach,” Holgorsen said. “You only get seven opportunities a year. What’s so hard about it? Is it too cold? It wasn’t too cold for our players, it wasn’t too cold for our coaches, our managers and our trainers.”
Holgorsen said he couldn’t understand why the crowd at the LSU game two weeks ago (well over 62,000) didn’t come back for last week’s nonconference game with Bowling Green.
“So why did we have 20,000 less people out there for this one than that one?” Holgorsen asked. “The funny part of it was we all were talking about it two weeks ago how much difference the fans and the crowds are going to make to the LSU people.
“LSU played well in front of 62,000 of our people and then turned around and went home and played a 1-4 Kentucky team at noon and had 95,000 fans. You want talk about an elite program, that’s one. I don’t know about this place.”
Holgorsen said he went out and campaigned hard for the program over the summer and he felt the support from the fan base at that time.
“I found out how important our team is, how important our athletic department is, and our players and our coaches. I saw the level of support and how much we mean to the state of West Virginia.
“This is the NFL team here in town and hearing, ‘We’re going to be there to support you.’ Well, having 40,000 people at the game isn’t doing that.”
He is hoping it was an aberration and the fans will be back, with No. 16 WVU (4-1) set to host its first Big East opponent, Connecticut, Saturday at noon.
“We have a conference game this week at noon,” Holgorsen said. “I can give you some excuses. We’re playing a team that’s 2-3, but should be 5-0. We’re playing at noon. Who cares? Get up. The Mantrip’s at 9:45 a.m. Are we going to have a good crowd or are we going to have nobody there? Is the weather going to be 85 degrees and sunny, or will it be 25 degrees and snowy? It doesn’t matter, because coaches and players and trainers and everyone else will be there. That’s what our job is, so what’s the support people’s job?”
In the meantime, Holgorsen suggested it is up to the fans to fix the attendance issue, as he and his staff try to correct mistakes they see from week-to-week.
“Well, what’s everyone across the state of West Virginia, including the student body, doing to fix the fact that our players had to show up in the cold in front of 40,000 people?” Holgorsen asked.
— E-mail: demorrison@
register-herald.com
Today's Sports Front
Holgorsen calls for more support from fans
- Today's Sports Front
-
-
Woodrow downs defending AAA champs
It’s a play that Woodrow Wilson has practiced everyday this season and has rarely had to utilize.
It’s a good thing the Flying Eagles did practice it; it saved their season and led to a 2-1 victory over defending state champion Princeton. -
No repeat for Warriors
Independence has been on a tear offensively the entire month of May. It didn’t stop Tuesday, even against Wyoming East ace Derek Thornton.
The Patriots led 5-0 after two innings, and Brian Sexton — backed by that very offense and some sparkling defense — gutted out a complete game in a 7-5 win in the Class AA Region 3 semifinals Tuesday night. -
’Hounds hold off upset bid from Man Hillbillies
Valley’s potent offense never came to life, but the Greyhounds are still alive.
Valley (22-7) — with several players hitting .400 or better this season — could muster just three singles against underdog Man (6-20-1) in one of two Class A Region 3 baseball semifinals Tuesday, but the ’Hounds manufactured two runs in the crucial fifth inning to finally go ahead of the stubborn Hillbillies and escape with a 3-2 victory. -
WVU baseball team helps tornado victims
West Virginia University head baseball coach Randy Mazey was having lunch at an Oklahoma City restaurant Monday afternoon, keeping a close watch on the television set.
With every passing minute, the tornado that devastated the Oklahoma town of Moore, was moving closer and closer to his location and its path was being documented by a local television station. At one point, the coach even looked out the window to see if he could see the approaching funnel. -
Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship Format Changed
In the wake of this week’s devastating storm in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, the Big 12 Conference is postponing the start of the 2013 Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship. No. 3 seeded WVU scheduled to take on Kansas at 4 p.m. (Central) on Thursday.
-
Patriots, Warriors meet in anticipated matchup
The matchup many people expected will take place today.
-
Fayette teams, Cavaliers vying for Class A spots
Two Fayette County baseball teams have advanced deeper into postseason play and will begin Region 3 tournament action today.
-
Epling already having a busy week for Miners
At this point a year ago, Sam Lewis was the only player on the West Virginia Miners roster to have reported to Beckley. All he did was pitch two no-hitters, and the Miners won the 2012 Prospect League championship.
-
Confident Mavs headed to states
From the outset, James Monroe’s mission was clear: Get to the state softball tournament.
-
Eagles get 2nd shot at Tigers
The road to the Class AAA state championship for Princeton last year went through Beckley. A repeat would require the same stop, but Woodrow Wilson is looking to put up more resistance this time around.
- More Today's Sports Front Headlines
-
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
