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LA Heat Blamed for Empty USC Stadium Seats
5 Sep
Summary
- Extreme heat and high humidity caused dangerous heat index up to 104 degrees.
- Many fans left early due to the oppressive heat, not opponent quality.
- Winning culture is key to drawing crowds in Los Angeles, fans stated.
The recent USC football game against San Jose State suffered from significantly lower-than-expected attendance, with an announced crowd of 51,144 appearing much smaller in reality. Fans cited extreme heat as the primary reason, with the game kicking off at noon on August 29th, experiencing temperatures of 94 degrees and a heat index reaching a dangerous 104 degrees.
Many season ticket holders, some attending for decades, reported leaving the game early due to the oppressive conditions. They explained that a combination of the noon start time, unusual humidity, and a less-than-marquee opponent like San Jose State (instead of Notre Dame) contributed to fans opting out of sitting in the heat. Some fans noted that in the past, during USC's winning eras, the stadium would be full regardless of the weather or opponent.
Loyal fans believe the criticism leveled at USC for the low turnout is often exaggerated. They pointed out that Los Angeles sports culture demands a winning product to fill stadiums, referencing the success of the Dodgers and Lakers. Despite the recent attendance issues, these fans remain confident that USC will soon fill the Coliseum again, especially for upcoming high-profile games against top-ranked opponents like Oregon and Ohio State.
