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Four SEC teams held spring games this weekend, and despite excellent weather, the games drew mixed results as far as attendance.
It appears that Michigan won the day with 60,000 fans, though Clemson and Florida State both came in at about 50,000.
Attendance at 2016 SEC spring games
| School | Attendance |
|---|---|
| Florida | 46,000 |
| Auburn | 45,723 |
| South Carolina | 32,916 |
| Texas A&M | 27,412 |
| Vanderbilt | Est. 3,500 |
For comparison purposes, here’s a look at the spring game attendance numbers in the SEC in 2015 and 2014 as well as the spring game attendance record for all 14 teams.
Also, here are some shots of all five crowds.
Florida
Attendance last year was low — 21,000 — but the Gators were so thin at offensive line that the team couldn’t hold a traditional scrimmage. This year, Florida fans seemed excited to see a quarterback not named Treon Harris throwing passes — or maybe the big draw was placekicker Eddy Piniero.
A solid crowd is on hand for the #OBDebut #Gators pic.twitter.com/hpKVEkKKju
— Josh LaSelva (@JoshLaSelva) April 9, 2016
Auburn
Despite a gorgeous weather day and the school account trying to tout its large crowd, this was the lowest spring game attendance of the Gus Malzahn era, down a huge amount from the 62,143 it drew last year.
Thank you for the support #Auburn Family! #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/XX0j18scZ5
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) April 9, 2016
South Carolina
Will Muschamp managed to get 10,000 extra fans in the stands as opposed to the ’15 numbers. Generally, first-year head coaches draw the biggest crowds, as fans want a glimpse at what’s new.
It's a beautiful day to be back at Williams-Brice #SpursUp #Gamecocks pic.twitter.com/8LL7eEEWPC
— Gamecock Athletics (@GamecocksOnline) April 9, 2016
Texas A&M
The Aggies saw a significant decline in spring game numbers from 2013 — the last time Texas A&M staged a spring game. Kyle Field renovations scrapped the game in ’14 and ’15.
If you’re going to watch football in April, might as well do it in the nicest stadium in America. pic.twitter.com/CB85Z8intY
— TexAgs (@TexAgs) April 9, 2016
Vanderbilt
The Commodores did not release an official spring attendance number, perhaps to avoid being a punch line. That doesn’t appear to have worked.
Vandy did beat Florida with the “Friday Night Lights” idea, and again was one of the first schools in the country to stage a spring game.
An aerial look at the crowd for the Vandy spring game as players took the field. Everyone on one side. pic.twitter.com/adMkPHStfA
— Nick Cole (@NickColeSports) March 25, 2016
27 people in attendance for #Vandy spring game. https://t.co/egMfbee4ek
— Vol Bundy (@BundyFromPolk) March 26, 2016
Totally agree. Vandy fans should brag about low spring game attendance. They are the smart ones on this. https://t.co/CR8FggnaB4
— OutKick Hot Mic (@Outkick360) March 25, 2016
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
