How big was the record crowd for TCU-Indiana State at Lupton Stadium?

A record crowd of 8,812 packed into TCU’s Lupton Stadium for the first game of the NCAA Super Regional between the Frogs and Indiana State.

The crowd set TCU’s single-game attendance record. The previous record was 7,383 when the Frogs hosted Texas A&M for a super regional series on June 7, 2015. The second-most (7,294) and third-most (7,199) attended games were played in the same Super Regional series.

The record almost doubled the seating capacity of its home stadium, which is 4,500. Every seat in the stadium was filled as was the grass berm beyond the right field fence and every available spot around the park.

“There hasn’t been a crowd this big in the state of Texas for college baseball,” said head coach Kirk Sarloos. “That tells you a little something about TCU.”

To account for the overflow, a sea of purple flooded through the gates, rushing to secure their spot in the outfield grass.

Sarloos talked about the attendance record in his pre-tournament press conference Thursday, saying fans will bring the energy.

He also said it helps that there has “been a lot of winning” this year from TCU’s athletic programs.

“It was fun to see people sprint down the right field fence to get their spot In the outfield,” said Sarloos.

As an opponent in enemy territory, Sycamore starter Matt Jachec said he enjoyed the atmosphere.

“Absolutely,” he said. “That’s what we’ve worked so hard for — to get to games like this.”

Horned Frog starting pitcher Kole Klecker compared the atmosphere to a common TCU saying.

“They talk about Lupton Magic, and that’s what it was today,” he said. “It really helps you play.”

He said he had some nerves in the first inning, but he was able to settle down because it was a home crowd, and they made it out of Arkansas.

“That’s one of the most hostile environments.”

Record setting attendance has followed the Frogs through the 2022-2023 athletic season.

In football, the students broke the attendance record against Kansas State with 6,512 students.

In the basketball season, the students set the fourth-highest number.

Now, in early summer, the Frogs have seen another big attraction to TCU sports.

The Horned Frogs were granted hosting duties, their first time since 2017, because of Indiana State’s prior commitment to host the state Special Olympics.

The Frogs earned the win, rewarding the mass of fans that showed up.

Sarloos said he took a step back to appreciate the atmosphere and tell himself, “this is why we do it.”

“That’s what makes college baseball fun.”

This story was originally published June 9, 2023 at 5:17 PM.