The MHSAA released its fall tournament figures this week. I'm not sure what they might be telling us.
Overall postseason attendance this fall was down three percent from a year ago.
Volleyball was up at the district and regional levels thanks in part to the district tournament being spread out over more than one day, but its state semifinals and finals were the second-lowest since the MHSAA began keeping track -- and following the all-time low in 2007.
The swimming finals and soccer districts were up, but the overall soccer tournament was down eight percent from last year. Football saw its most playoff finals fans since going to eight divisions in 1999 -- but a drop of seven percent for the entire football tournament from a year ago.
What do these mean? Some are up and some are down, so maybe nothing. The teams that make finals definitely impact how many people attend those games (some obviously have larger followings than others). Then again, it could be a sign that the less attached fans (no relatives on the teams, for example) are saving their money among the economic crisis. Then again, the upswing especially for the football finals could be a sign those fans are spending money, and on more affordable athletic entertainment.
What do you think?
High school sports editor 
