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SportsMonday, August 27, 2007 11:16 PM CDT
Reinhardt: This season as important as ever for ISU football
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Entering the first season of a four-year contract, Illinois State football coach Denver Johnson’s job is not on the line.

Yet as the Redbirds edge closer to their season opener against Drake on Thursday, practically everything else is.

It may not be a stretch to call this the most important season in ISU football history.

On the field, the Redbirds will pit a talented, nationally ranked group against a rugged schedule in pursuit of a second straight playoff berth and their first Gateway Conference championship since 1999.

Off the field, discussions are being held and plans are being made for the future.

The pace at which those discussions and plans proceed will be determined largely by how many wins the Redbirds accumulate, and even more importantly, how many people show up to watch.

A renovation of crumbling Hancock Stadium that has been contemplated for years is gaining momentum.

The flame of that momentum has been fanned by ISU’s 9-4 record last season that attracted an average of 12,804 to five home games. That was up over 3,700 per game from 2005 and represented the highest average attendance since 1970 when crowd figures were estimated with an uncommon generosity.

While maintaining and possibly improving attendance is important, similarly so is building on the buzz surrounding Redbird football.

ISU welcomed standing room only crowds of 17,237 for a win over Southern Illinois and 15,372 were on hand two weeks later for a loss to Youngstown State.

On both occasions, a festive atmosphere existed that had not been felt at a Redbird football game in recent memory.

If ISU football Saturdays continue a march toward becoming legitimate Bloomington-Normal events, athletic director Sheahon Zenger and university president Al Bowman would become further emboldened to advance renovation initiatives.

Both are squarely behind these plans. They want to see if a line forms.

And as P.T. Barnum told us, “Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd.”

A disappointing season either in the Gateway standings or at the ticket office would not cause Zenger to crumple the renovation sketches on his desk. But selling a bigger, better Redbird football future to donors would be that much more difficult.

An integral ingredient in creating an emotionally charged game-day experience is capturing the fancy of the students. Strides are clearly being made there as well.

Membership in the student booster group Red Alert is up more than 500 to over 3,000. ISU has announced a new policy of allowing Red Alert members to pick up tickets from 9 a.m. on Monday to noon on Wednesday each week of a home game to the sit in the general admission “Zoo” student section.

If tickets in the 2,500-seat section remain after that period, they will be made available to the general student population.

The fact ISU even needs a policy to regulate student tickets is a tremendous sign.

To expect a standing room only gathering on Thursday is probably asking a bit much. Drake is neither a traditional rival nor an established power.

But a crowd of 12,000-plus would speak volumes. If 8,000 or fewer make their way through the Hancock gates, that would send an entirely different message.

Randy Reinhardt covers Illinois State football for the Pantagraph. To leave him a voice mail, call 820-3403. By e-mail: rreinhardt@pantagraph.com. “Blogging on the ’Birds” is at www.pantagraph.com/blogs.

Get area high school sports scores and statistics at Varsity Sports.

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Reader comments on this story - 9 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

artist wrote on Aug 29, 2007 12:57 PM:

" Division 1A within 5 years or terminate football program all together. Did anyone check out who Western Kentucky opens up againts this year. Yes, Florida. They can't win, but their there. As we all know, can't never did anything, and I'm tired of hearing can't from ISU. Former ISU player...... "

oldschoolbirdfan wrote on Aug 28, 2007 1:24 PM:

" Right you are tp. This season is very important. "

GOSTATE! wrote on Aug 28, 2007 11:49 AM:

" This just illustrates the problems with D1, f/k/a D1AA football. With only 16 teams advancing to postseason play, you can have an outstanding team with an excellent record, but if you come from the toughest conference in the land, finish with a winning record but fail to advance to the postseason, your season is viewed as a failure. The 'Birds appear to have a solid team this year, but that schedule is an all-day sucker. Good luck Birds! Spread the Red! Go State! "

tpguy wrote on Aug 28, 2007 10:31 AM:

" this football seasin is important in that only ISU football can take ISU basketball where it needs to be. "

Tradition wrote on Aug 28, 2007 9:33 AM:

" Except for last year, the season opener has been on a Thursday night for years. "

RE: Thursday night game wrote on Aug 27, 2007 11:33 PM:

" Also, the game starts at 6:30, and that's not exactly ridiculous. Things should be wrapped up at a reasonable time...except for the students who will no doubt be celebrating... "

RE: Thursday night game wrote on Aug 27, 2007 9:20 PM:

" A thursday night game isn't that bad of an idea when it lies on labor day weekend and a lot of students go home. Hancock will still be rockin... "

Thursday Night Game wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:49 PM:

" Very dumb idea to have a Thursday night game as your opener. You are losing a few thousand fans just because of that. Further shows that the 'schedule-makers' can't schedule. "

???? wrote on Aug 27, 2007 7:51 PM:

" Randy, What message would that be? Admin Bird. "

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