Reigniting the Stands: Bill Rowe on Bringing Fans Back to College Sports
College sports have changed, and fans have too. On this episode of The Starting Lineup, Scott Puryear, Ned Reynolds, and Art Hains sit down with Missouri State’s legendary former Athletic Director, Bill Rowe, to dig into one of the biggest challenges facing the game today: getting fans back in the seats.
🎧 CATCH THE WHOLE CONVERSTATION HERE:
Rowe brings over 57 years of experience to the conversation, offering perspective on why attendance has slipped, from inconsistent winning seasons and student apathy to the ever-growing distractions of youth sports schedules and constant phone use. But the discussion doesn’t stop at problems. Rowe shares a “playbook” for reigniting excitement, from meaningful outreach to students and tailored youth programs, to marketing campaigns that remind communities why their support matters.
Listeners also get a glimpse of how leadership, staffing, and engaged boards can make all the difference in building programs that fans feel connected to, not just spectators of. With a mix of historical insight, practical strategies, and plenty of firsthand stories, this episode is a reminder that local college sports thrive when fans, students, and communities come together.
It’s a conversation that will make you want to pull on your favorite team colors, head to the gym, and cheer like the game depends on it , because in many ways, it does.
