March 29, 2001
GREENVILLE, SC -- Both the men's and women's soccer programs at Furman University ranked among the top 30 in the nation in average home attendance according to the final NCAA soccer statistics.
The men's team, which finished the season ranked 12th in the nation, averaged 914 fans a match as the Paladins finished 20th in the nation in attendance. The womenıs team, ranked as high as 13th in the nation during the season finished 30th in the nation in attendance with an average of 601 spectators a match.
Furman was the only Southern Conference school ranked in the top 20 for men's soccer or the top 50 for women's soccer. Local rivals South Carolina (5th in men, 45th in women) and Clemson (11th in men, 12th in women) also placed in the national attendance rankings. Furman is easily the smallest school to place on either list.
"I think it is apparent all season long that we have some of the best supporters in the conference and the region," said Furman womenıs soccer coach Brian Lee. "The success that both the menıs and womenıs programs have experienced over the past few seasons has created an exciting atmosphere at Furman soccer matches."
"These numbers will only get better," said Furman menıs soccer coach Doug Allison. "With the schedule we have next season, I expect we will have several matches where we draw upwards of two or three thousand fans."
The men's team has home matches against Clemson, South Carolina, Notre Dame, and Florida International on its 2001 schedule, while the women will face powerhouses Clemson and Vanderbilt at Eugene Stone Soccer Stadium this fall.