FAMU Homecoming attendance beats last year

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Despite rumors of fans, players and coaches potentially boycotting in the wake of the firing of head coach Earl Holmes, Florida A&M had its best turnout all year in terms of football attendance.

The Rattlers lost their homecoming game 12-10 to Norfolk State, but 18,663 fans came to see the game. The turnout topped last year’s attendance by more than 3,000 people, and was the best turnout since 2011.

Homecoming attendance had been steadily declining since a record-breaking 30,459 people showed up in 2010 to watch the Rattlers take on Morgan State in a season when FAMU claimed a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title.

Earlier this week, the President’s Alumni Advisory Board for Athletics cited rapidly declining attendance as a reason for Holmes’ firing. The board released a statement saying turnout has dropped from an average of 18,000 per game at Bragg Memorial Stadium to 7,500 this season.



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