Home Paraphrasing Bronco: Yeah, we need to work harder at selling tickets
Football

Paraphrasing Bronco: Yeah, we need to work harder at selling tickets

Chris Graham
bronco mendenhall
Bronco Mendenhall. Photo courtesy UVA Athletics.

It’s gotta be frustrating to be Bronco Mendenhall, who left a place that routinely draws 60,000 fans for home games for one that has to get creative to claim that there’s 38,000 in the house.

I’m not saying anybody is misrepresenting how many people are coming; I’m just not sure they all actually make it to the stadium.

Anyway.

A reporter asked Bronco this week about fan support, such as it is.

As if it’s the coach’s job to do more than win games, division championships, go to Orange Bowls, the rest, to get people to buy tickets.

“Yeah, I’d love to improve everything in our program, so everything we do is intentional and step by step, and that’s just one of the areas of the program I’d like to continue to see grow and become and improve,” Mendenhall said.

Warning: coachspeak coming.

“I’m thankful for the support we do have,” the coach continued. “I’m thankful for the fans that are there. I love the ones that stayed through the rain and everything. I’m grateful for the support we do have, and we’ll look to continue to improve that just like the other areas of our program.”

One idea would be to borrow from our friends down on Tobacco Road at Wake Forest.

You know, the team off to its first 6-0 start in 77 years that plays in a 31,500-seat stadium, and struggles to draw fans – averaging 26,553 per game in 2021.

It ain’t for lack of tryin’.

The folks in the ticket office there almost literally throw the kitchen sink at the problem, offering $20 tickets, four-packs for $99, bundles for the Duke and NC State games starting at $80.

Just so y’all know, I’m only writing these stories because I want a full house – yeah, I know it’s not happening, but still – for Saturday night.

The time has come for somebody to put their foot down to get these tickets moving. And that foot is me.

Story by Chris Graham




Featured Video

 

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected]. Support AFP by signing up for our newsletter and/or powering our work with a one-time or monthly contribution.

Latest News

waynesboro map
Local, Politics

Waynesboro: Mimosa Farm owner throwing in the towel, puts property on the market

vdot road construction
Local

VDOT begins work on $2.1M project to improve pedestrian access at three intersections

Work began this week on a $2.1 million project to improve safety and access for pedestrians and public-transit users at three locations in Augusta County and the City of Waynesboro.

Elaine Luria
Politics, Virginia

Poll: Elaine Luria has three-point lead over Jen Kiggans in the Second District

A poll out on Wednesday from Christopher Newport University gives Democrat Elaine Luria a three-point lead on MAGA incumbent Jen Kiggans in the Second District congressional race in Hampton Roads. The 2026 midterm race is a reprise of the 2022 midterm race in which Kiggans unseated Luria by three points, in a mild upset. The...

arn anderson mid atlantic territory wrestling
Pro Wrestling

Mid-Atlantic Territory Wrestling returns to Augusta Expo on Saturday, Nov. 7

government money
Football, Go 'Hoos

UVA Athletics: Taking selling out to the highest bidder to the next level

richard linton virginia tech
Life, Virginia

Virginia Tech: Board of Visitors names alum Richard Linton new president

uva football offensive line
Football, Go 'Hoos

UVA Football: Interesting tidbit on the O line from Pro Football Focus grades