Motivators and Constraints of FCS Spectators
Examining Past-Attendee and Non-Attendee Behavior
Keywords:
football, attendance, motivators, constraints, FCS, student attendance, sport consumer behaviorAbstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze student game patronage at the FCS level, as football attendance is declining. The first focus was to understand motivations to attendance of those that had previously attended. A second focus was to better understand what can prevent attendance through the area of constraints via non-attendance over a particular season of those that previously attended compared to those that have never attended, as well as by upperclassmen to underclassmen. In terms of attendance motivations, multiple linear regression indicated each of the significant variables was an internal motivator, where attendance was predicated largely on team attachment, and to a lesser extent player attachment and level of sport attachment. In the constraints, MANCOVA results indicated significant attendance constraint differences between previous attendees and never-attendees, as well as between upperclassmen and underclassman, but the interaction effect was not significant. The commitment constraint was significantly different between attendees and non-attendees, and the stadium location constraint was significantly different between upperclassmen and underclassmen. However, while there were significant attendance constraint differences, none of them rose to a meaningful level. Theoretically, the study suggests that the view of an area only impacting attendance in a positive manner, or negative manner, is not always accurate. Moreover, it may be time to re-think how spectator constraints are studied. In all, the findings of this work emphasize how the FCS experience is different from other football levels, and practitioners should accordingly adjust their promotional tactics to increase student attendance to football games.
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