It’s the streak that no one really thought would ever end – the Tennessee Volunteers women’s basketball have led the nation in average attendance for 11 straight years. Also, no team other than Tennessee or Connecticut have led in attendance in the past 20 years. Most of the past 10 years, no team has even challenged the Vols for this title.
With only one game remaining for either team, the South Carolina Gamecocks are poised to not only take this title, but they will take it in dominating, out-of-nowhere fashion. Last season, the Gamecocks were 10th in the nation in average attendance with 6,371 people per game and had been by far the best season ever for the women. This season, however, they have absolutely crushed that number and are currently averaging 12,347 per game almost double last year. They have finished the year incredibly strong, and the fans have supported them, averaging 14,440 over the past seven home games.
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What’s staggering about this rise even more is that generally it’s same 10 schools in the top 10 every single year including Tennessee, Connecticut, Iowa St., Notre Dame, Purdue, Oklahoma, Baylor, Texas Tech, and a couple others. Every single year, the same schools. The Gamecocks were 10th in 2014, 26th in 2013, 35th in 2012, and 43rd in 2011. 43rd just four years ago and now, out of the blue for all practical terms, they will lead the nation.
Also, as if ending the Vols average attendance streak, and their 30-game SEC win streak, wasn’t enough, they also have a chance to finish the year with the highest overall attendance. Currently Tennessee has had 161,576 attend their games (2 more than USC, but who’s keeping track?) and South Carolina has had 160,508 attend theirs. Each team has one remaining game at home, so if the Gamecocks have 1,069 more people in the final game than the Vols, they will capture the overall attendance record as well. Quite a feat for a team that was 43rd in the nation just 4 years ago.
Of course, Coach Dawn Staley has been a huge part of this growth in the interest of the team. Not only does she bring her personal history of winning with her, but her involvement in the community has had a tremendous impact on getting people interested in this team. Of course, let’s not forget that people love winners, and the Gamecocks are 26-1 this season, currently ranked #2 in the nation after spending three months at #1.
The final game is THURSDAY NIGHT at 7pm at Colonial Life Arena. Fans need to come out for senior night to recognize Aleighsa Welch, Elem Ibiam, and Olivia Gaines for truly getting this winning tradition started. Fans need to come out to thank Dawn Staley for all she’s done for this team, University, and City. Of course, fans need to come out to support this great team against SEC rival Mississippi St. The fans needs to come out to help break this streak and finish the year #1 in attendance. Ultimately it doesn’t matter the reason, fans just need to come out. Fill the house.