Arkansas Baseball Finishes Second in National Attendance
INDIANAPOLIS –– The NCAA released its 2005 college baseball attendance figures on Tuesday and Arkansas’ steady rise to national prominence on the field continues to show at the turnstiles with the Razorbacks ranking second nationally in average paid attendance.
“Razorback fans are the best in the country,” Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. “Since I came back toFayetteville in 2003, Hog fans have truly amazed me. It doesn’t matter if it is 40 degrees or 98 degrees outside, they show up at the ballpark.
“They (the fans) create an environment on game day that is second to none in what I believe is the best college baseball venue in the country – Baum Stadium.”
Arkansas averaged a school-record 7,156 in paid attendance in 2005, just 352 behind LSU who averaged 7,508 to lead the nation for the 10th straight season. The Hogs increased their average attendance by 2,372 fans from their 2004 average of 4,784, which ranked fifth nationally.
SEC foe Mississippi State finished third in average attendance, nearly 1,000 fans (6,160) behind the Razorbacks, while Texas A&M finished fourth (5,905) and Texas fifth (5,241).
The Hogs also finished fourth in total attendance with a school-record 200,378 fans passing through Baum Stadium’s gates in just 28 games during the 2005 season. LSU (36 home dates) also led the way in total-paid attendance with 270,300. Texas (39 home dates) was second with 204,414 and Mississippi State (33 home dates) third at 203,276. Nebraska (35 home dates) finished fifth in total attendance, 25,943 fans behind the fourth-place Hogs.
The NCAA and Southeastern Conference recognize paid attendance as their method of ranking attendance, but Arkansas keeps both an actual attendance and paid attendance. In 2005, the Razorbacks also set a school record in actual attendance with 146,902 fans showing up at Baum Stadium. That averages out to 5,247 fans per game and is believed to have led the country last season.
In an informal survey by the Baton Rouge (La.) Advocate, Arkansas led all SEC schools in actual attendance. The Razorbacks’ average of 5,247 fans in actual attendance would rank fifth nationally on the NCAA’s paid attendance rankings. LSU finished second in The Advocate’s survey of actual attendance with 3,922 fans per game.
Arkansas opens its 2006 home schedule on Friday, Feb. 24, at 1 p.m. with a double header against Louisiana Tech. UA fans looking for tickets to see the Razorbacks play in 2006 at Baum Stadium should visit www.hogwired.com or call 1-800-982-HOGS.
AVERAGE Home Attendance
Team Dates Total Average
1. LSU 36 270,300 7,508
2. Arkansas 28 200,378 7,156
3. Mississippi St. 33 203,276 6,160
4. Texas A&M 26 153,533 5,905
5. Texas 39 204,414 5,241
6. Nebraska 35 174,435 4,984
7. Florida St. 36 163,029 4,529
8. Mississippi 39 170,152 4,363
9. Alabama 33 137,671 4,172
10. Rice 34 141,104 4,150
TOTAL Home Attendance
Team Dates Total Average
1. LSU 36 270,300 7,508
2. Texas 39 204,414 5,241
3. Mississippi St. 33 203,276 6,160
4. Arkansas 28 200,378 7,156
5. Nebraska 35 174,435 4,984
6. Mississippi 39 170,152 4,363
7. Florida St. 36 163,029 4,529
8. Texas A&M 26 153,533 5,905
9. Tulane 39 145,084 3,720
10. Wichita St. 39 141,927 3,639
