A novel could be written about this, but the unfortunate bottom line is filling the stands is not a priority, or even an objective, of the Athletic Department. On the other hand, filling the loges is. This is a short-sighted strategy befitting of a moRon. By filling the stands, you create enthusiasm for the University as a whole, and see revenue generation in many non-athletic aspects of the University. Some students (my daughter is one) chose student life and athletics as a significant variable when selecting a school.
At YSU, accountability is limited to the students and student athletes, so people like moRon and Slocum are there as long as they wish to be...so these type of discussions are only for amusement only. They simply don't care.
Because of a number of issues (again volumes could be written about this), this is the population of Ytown now versus the 1990s (a 30% decline):
https://www.google.com/search?q=youngstown+ohio+population&oq=youngstown+ohio+population&aqs=chrome..69i57.6963j0j8&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8Winning. You simply can't expect one playoff season in 15 years to fill the stands. If we stomp every Valley team this season, the stands will barely fill, and will only fill slightly more at the playoffs. It will take time to bring fans back, just like it took years of neglect to chase them away.
Schedule. If you are content with things as they are, stick with the current NEC/MVFC hybrid schedule. If you want to create excitement, then there are multiple options. One is to play Akron and Kent. Kent is a pathetic excuse of a program, and we'd get paid >$300k to embarrass them in their own house. Imagine the recruiting gravitas that would create. Another option (not without its downsides) is two money games. It would create more interest, and the additonal revenue generation could go toward FCOA scholarships, which we need to get soon to be competitive not just against MAC schools, but also many MVFC schools.
Promotions. The least effective tactic in this list. I thought having rapper Jerreau at the Duquesne game was a good move. Make a game an event. Make it the best place to be in town. When I go to FAU games with my daughter, it's like going to a carnival that happens to have a football game nearby.
Gimmicks and stunts. Create interest with viral social media. If 5,000 students use their ID for entry, Bo will bring his cat to the game. If the game is a sell out, a local car dealer will give a way a car away at half time.