Because of a statistical snafu, the Ohio women's basketball team's attendance figures are temporarily bloated.
On three separate Saturdays this season when the women's and men's basketball teams played back-to-back games in The Convo, statisticians posted the same attendance for both games. The attendance figures for these games were 1,974; 7,492 and 5,397, respectively. These figures have had a huge effect on the team's attendance average.
Factoring in the three overestimated head counts, Ohio places second in the MAC's women's basketball attendance, averaging 1,490 people per game. Excluding the two doubleheaders, Ohio is 11th in the MAC averaging 403 people per game.
Assistant Athletic Director Derek Scott said this error will be fixed before official numbers are sent to the NCAA.
We had some folks that got a little confused
Scott said. Our staff has made a mistake we've noticed it and we're going to change it before it goes to the NCAA.
Gary Richter, MAC assistant commissioner for media relations, said there is no incentive to do this and that the figures on the MAC Web site come directly from the schools.
Whatever they (MAC teams) put in the box scores we put on the site
Richter said. There are no benefits to do this.
The proper procedure for taking attendance during doubleheaders entails establishing a figure at the end of the first half. This eliminates fans coming in early for the second game or lingering around after the first game.
Despite placing 11th in the MAC, Ohio's average attendance has increased from last year's total of 401 people per game. Scott attributes an increase in promotional days to this increase.
We have done a whole lot of promotions that we've never done before to try and drive up attendance
Scott said.
For the 15th straight year, Toledo has dominated home attendance. Paul Helgren, assistant athletic director for media relations at Toledo, credits a strong fan base for its success in filling the seats in Savage Hall.
We've been No. 1 in the MAC for 15 years now
Helgren said. We've established a tradition here. If we don't have 2
000 fans at a women's game
it's a disappointment.
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