Press Release

NOVEMBER 9, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: CHRISTINE FRANCIES, ASST. SID
260-481-0729

IPFW Volleyball Puts Fans in the Stands

Fort Wayne, IN - The IPFW Women's Volleyball team not only have a great record, 20-5, they also have well attended matches. The Mastodons averaged 582 fans per home match during the 2005 season.

Among the Horizon League and Mid-Con, IPFW puts more people in the stands. For the Mid-Con, Valparaiso averages the highest volleyball attendance with 486 fans per game. In the Horizon League, Wisconsin-Milwaukee took their top spot with an average attendance of 425.

In the Mid-American Conference, three universities averaged higher attendance than IPFW. Those universities include Ball State (785), Western Michigan (673) and Ohio (652).

Overall among the Independent schools, IPFW is second in the rankings for home volleyball matches based on current numbers. North Dakota State takes the top spot with an average attendance of 725.

In comparison to other Division I universities in Indiana, IPFW is currently fifth in attendance figures. Purdue (2008), Notre Dame (1735), Ball State (785) and Indiana (624) averaged higher home volleyball match attendance than IPFW. Valparaiso, Evansville, Indiana State, Butler, and IUPUI all had average volleyball attendance figures that were below IPFW's for 2005.

Since going Division I the Mastodons have steadily improved their attendance figures and records. In 2001 they had an average attendance of 238 and each year it has steadily rose. Last year the Dons averaged 345 fans per game.

~Dons~