Many Vanderbilt football fans are embarrassed by the current state of their stadium, according to an anonymous online survey conducted by The Tennessean.

They especially want comfortable seats in a renovated stadium. They think Vanderbilt is able to raise funds for it. And some said they have quit attending games until they see progress.

“It is an embarrassment, but the lack of Vanderbilt administration’s concern for its fan base is even more embarrassing and troubling,” one survey respondent wrote.

Other Vanderbilt fans — about 10 percent of the 901 survey respondents — said those who complain about the stadium are whiny or missing the point of an academic institution.

They wrote comments such as:

• “The stadium is fine. Move on to another issue.”

• “I go to see the games, not the amenities.”

• “The real question is why other schools spend so much on football, not why Vanderbilt spends so little.”

Is the stadium a problem or solution to attendance?

Vanderbilt has averaged 26,110 in home attendance in four home games this season with three remaining, including Saturday’s game (11 a.m., ESPN) against No. 16 Florida. Its win over MTSU on Sept. 1 drew the smallest crowd for a home opener since before Vanderbilt Stadium was last renovated in 1981.

The Commodores averaged 31,341 in attendance in seven home games last season, although that was boosted by three home games versus ranked opponents Kansas State, Alabama and Georgia.

That’s not a Vanderbilt-only problem. Home attendance in FBS games dropped 2.3 percent from 2016 to 2017, according to the NCAA. But slumping attendance was used on both sides of the stadium argument in the survey.

“A lot can be done to make this a venue worth attending to get that college gameday experience,” one respondent said.

Another respondent wrote, “Renovate it if you want, but don’t pretend that it will fix our attendance issues.”

What should happen with Vanderbilt Stadium?

The respondents don’t want the Commodores to leave Vanderbilt's campus for home games.

Nearly 60 percent of those surveyed prefer a renovation of the current stadium, among four options given for the future of the facility, and 28 percent want a new stadium at the current site on campus.

Less than 4 percent want to move Vanderbilt football games to an off-campus MLS stadium, which will house an MLS expansion franchise owned by a group led by Vanderbilt athletics benefactor John Ingram.

Nearly 9 percent chose, “Nothing. The current stadium is fine.”

How do you feel about Vanderbilt Stadium?

The survey asked, “As Commodores fans, what is your feeling toward the current state of Vanderbilt Stadium?”

Nearly 41 percent chose embarrassment among four options, followed by frustration (28.5 percent), apathy (23.8 percent) and pride (6.8 percent).

“The stadium is an embarrassment to an otherwise quality institution,” one respondent wrote. “Neglecting the stadium is a drag on Vanderbilt and its ability to claim status as one of the great universities in the country.”

What’s wrong with Vanderbilt Stadium?

Respondents were asked to rank their specific complaints about the stadium, from most disliked to least disliked. Among the survey’s 901 participants, 18 skipped that question. Some emailed or commented directly on the survey that the question was biased against fans who have few, if any, complaints about the stadium.

One respondent wrote, “Nothing is wrong.”

Still, another respondent wrote, “Everything is wrong.”

Among the 883 responses, the cumulative results were fairly even between six options. But in individual rankings, “small, uncomfortable seats” (36 percent) was the most disliked element of the stadium, trailed closely by “old, outdated look” (31 percent).

One respondent commented, “The fan comfort is the biggest problem. The seats are awful. Reduce capacity and improve the seats.”

“Long restroom lines” and “poor game presentation” were tied for third in the cumulative scores. “Cramped concourse” and “concessions” were the smallest complaints.

One respondent said long restroom lines are “my primary reason for not attending games anymore.”

Is Vanderbilt able to renovate or build a stadium?

Respondents were asked, “In addition to building academic facilities, do you believe Vanderbilt still has available funds to renovate/build a stadium?” More than 90 percent answered yes.

One respondent wrote, “What’s wrong? Complete apathy from administration. I've stopped giving a dime to the university until they demonstrate courtesy of a discussion to their alumni.”

Vanderbilt is a private university with a $4.1 billion endowment, according to university tax returns provided to the USA TODAY Network. The athletics department receives about $40 million annually from SEC revenue distribution.

Athletics director David Williams, who recently announced his upcoming resignation, said the university “does not pull any (money) off the top” of that $40 million for non-athletics campus projects. He said those funds are used in athletics department operations and expenses, some that exceed other SEC schools because of high tuition costs for the elite academic institution.

“That's the story, Tennessean,” one respondent wrote. “Not how the one school that gets it right has chosen to de-prioritize their stupid athletic programs. Good for Vandy. Shame on you.”

In an Aug. 3 report, multiple sources told The Tennessean university administrators undercut efforts to raise funds for a stadium project to focus on building other campus structures. Athletics fundraisers were prohibited from soliciting certain donors already targeted by university fundraisers. Vanderbilt is amid a $600 million capital project, which includes no athletics facilities.

“The Vanderbilt name means money,” one respondent wrote. “Vanderbilt University has adequate resources to achieve any improvements it chooses for any project.”

On Aug. 17, Vanderbilt released a statement, saying it would “contemplate … efforts to raise funds” for football facility upgrades.

Reach Adam Sparks at asparks@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.

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