Iowa State football: Season attendance average sets new record for third consecutive year

Iowa State students, alumni, and other fans all packed Jack Trice Stadium this season, and the average for the year set another new record for the third consecutive year.

Nov 23, 2013; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Paul Rhoads waves to the fans after defeating the Kansas Jayhawks at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State won 34-0. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Under the Paul Rhoads era, Cyclone fans are in full support despite the result being a disappointing 2-9 season so far. The average attendance for this season was 55,361 people, breaking the record of 2012 by 87 people.

Back in 2011, the record was broken with 53,647 for the first time in 29 years, shattering the previous record of 51,906 set back in 1982.

The Rhoads era is also responsible for four sellouts in the previous two years, including a record three games being sold out this season: vs Northern Iowa, vs Iowa, and vs Oklahoma State. The capacity of Jack Trice Stadium is currently 56,800, but that’s going to expand after the South end zone is complete thanks to a $25 million donation given to Iowa State on Monday.

In total, eight of the 10 largest home crowds have come under the Rhoads era. It’s a stunning accomplishment, and well deserved after sending the Cyclones to three bowl games in the last four years.

Considering how much Rhoads has had to build since becoming the head coach at Iowa State, a bad season like this should only be a stumbling block to what’s ahead.