TCU athletics has a mission for the 5,0000 Horned Frogs who fill the student section in  Amon G. Carter Stadium. 

“We want that section full the entire game,” said Julie Austin, senior associate athletic director. “Be early, be loud, stay late.”

Athletics is convinced that a rousing student section is part of the formula for a winning season. 

“The entire stadium feeds off the energy,” Austin said. “When students get rowdy, everybody else gets rowdy. They make the biggest impact on the atmosphere, for sure.”

Austin, who has overseen TCU’s marketing and branding efforts for 17 years, said the university is implementing new strategies to keep students engaged for the entire game. That includes free fourth-quarter hot dogs, more in-game entertainment and traditions saved for later moments and expanded cooling options such as water misters and refill stations. Plus, post-game, some players will come to the student section. 

“We want that section full the entire game,” Austin said. “Be early, be loud, stay late.”

Head Coach Sonny Dykes, now in his fourth season at TCU, said student involvement is one of the university’s greatest strengths.

“Our students probably participate at as high a level as any students of any university in the country,” Dykes said. “It’s just hard to have a championship-level program without creating a great home environment.”

Dykes said that having a strong student presence makes a tangible difference for the team.

“Our players are incredibly appreciative for their support and understand how important it is,” he said.

Both Austin and Dykes talked about TCU’s decision in 2012 to place the student section directly behind the visiting team. About 5,000 seats, free of charge, are reserved for students each game, a large percentage for a private university of TCU’s size (roughly 11,000 undergraduates).

Austin said she hopes the first home game, especially following a prime-time win against Bill Belichick, will set the tone for student turnout this season.

“Showing out and staying — that’s the goal,” she said. “If we can do that, we’ll create one of the best atmospheres in college football.”