Not even a chance at free tuition could get Maryland students in the seats for football Saturday
Maryland tried to improve poor football attendance by offering students the chance to win free tuition if they stayed through the final whistle of its Halloween game against Illinois. The offer did not produce a large student crowd, drawing attention to the programme’s attendance problems during a difficult season.
Maryland had recently changed coaches and played competitively, but Illinois won 20–17. The sparse crowd at SECU Stadium became a focus of social media discussion. Maryland’s next game is away against Purdue, followed by a home match against Wisconsin.
In short
- Maryland offered students a chance to win free tuition for staying through the game.
- The incentive failed to fill the stadium against Illinois.
- Illinois won 20–17 in front of a sparse crowd.
Explained simply
The University of Maryland’s Terrapins play American college football in the Big Ten, a conference whose teams include Illinois, Purdue and Wisconsin. Their home ground is SECU Stadium in College Park, near Washington, DC, and students are an important part of the crowd at home games.
College football attendance can affect a programme’s atmosphere and visibility, as well as its connection with students and supporters. Maryland has faced challenges drawing crowds during a difficult season and has recently changed coaches, making interest in the team’s support part of the wider discussion about its fortunes.