A record 62,790 Cavalier and Tar Heel fans packed into Scott Stadium Saturday to watch the Virginia football team defeat North Carolina, marking the most well attended opening home football game -- and the second highest overall -- in University history.
According to University Athletic Director Craig Littlepage, attendance usually peaks at the start of the school year.
"The first game of the year is always the most highly attended game, especially with first years and transfers experiencing a game for the first time," Littlepage said. "Later in the year, these students will find other options, causing the attendance to decline."
Littlepage also said he hopes the national collegiate trend of declining attendance after the year's first game will make a turn this year, with attendance increasing at games later in the season.
Many students said they were excited by the positive atmosphere that the high attendance created.
The game was "perfect football atmosphere," first-year Engineering student Ryan Halferty said. "The behavior of the fans was exactly as I expected -- cheering and excited about the first game."
Though it is too early to determine any specific reasons for the high attendance at the game, one possible explanation may be an increase in advertising for University sporting events, Littlepage said.
"The athletic department is trying to play on the success of last year in a marketing program that will advertise for this year," he said.
The athletic department is producing more print and electronic advertisements. One in particular that Littlepage said the athletic department hopes will create increased interest is the addition of an online week-in-review style sports video. Other recent additions to the game day experience for fans include the new cavalier marching band and "orange crush" T-shirts.
According to Littlepage, the crowd seemed to behave well.
"Typically, earlier game times have fewer problems due to drinking, assaults or fights," he said.
With a high number of fans anticipated, there was an increased number of police officers and other staff members on patrol, which helped controlled the fans.
"The team and all in the department of athletics were pleased with the turnout of the number of fans with their spirit and orange shirts," he said. "We hope to continue to provide a high quality level of football."
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