As one of the most successful community college football programs in the nation, Bakersfield College has enjoyed a winning tradition few schools can match.
But with success comes expectations. And in recent years, BC has been struggling with declining attendance.
According to Athletics Department attendance records, from 1955 to 1984, BC averaged between 9,000 and 17,000 fans per home game.
For the 1976 season, BC’s combined home attendance reached 114,069, which averages to a per-game figure of 16,296.
During the mid to late ’90s and into the 2001 season, BC enjoyed plenty of success on the field, as the ‘Gades put together a string of 10 consecutive Potato Bowl appearances.
However, that success has yet to be translated into the stands.
The 2002 season started somewhat optimistically, with 4,698 fans attending the season opener against Cerritos College. However, those figures shrunk as the season went on. BC totaled only 13,343 in attendance and averaged only 2,668 per home game. The last home game of the season attracted 1,320 fans.
“It’s been this way all over,” said Becky Hawthorne, BC ticket office coordinator. “People are just not spending their entertainment money, unless it is something that is in high demand.”
Walk-up ticket sales were very low, said Hawthorne, as most of the sales came from season tickets, which were also on the decline.
BC will get its chance to showcase Memorial Stadium later this month. The California Community College State Championship game will be played on Dec. 14, when the Northern and Southern California champions clash.
Even though BC will not be competing for the title, it will be an excellent opportunity for the school to display Memorial Stadium.
According to officials, one of the major reasons why the game was moved to BC was because a lack of attendance at the Mineral King Bowl in Visalia, where the game has been played for the last few years.
Although there may be multiple factors relating to BC’s record-breaking attendance lows this year, BC Athletics Director Jan Stuebbe said a simpler solution may be what is needed.
“We just need to to do a better job of marketing ourselves and the stadium,” Stuebbe said. “Our goal is to showcase the stadium as one of the best in the state.”
BC’s Memorial Stadium went through a $8.9 million renovation in 1998 following a decision by the district Board of Trustees to approve a special tax assessment.
Construction was done out of necessity. The condition of the stadium was deteriorating because of years of wear and tear and it was falling apart. Several thousand high-back folding chairs with armrests were added for reserved seating in the upper and lower decks.
Also, a new resurfaced rubberized track was installed along with new paint, lights, parking lot restoration and sidewalks.
All of these helped bring the stadium up to safety standards, but the anticipated attendance boom has been slow to follow.
The stadium has hosted professional sports in the past, including exhibition soccer matches. But there are no future matches or concerts on the horizon, said Stuebbe.
“We will continue to host track meets and football games,” Stuebbe said.