Storrs — It’s always been vexing, the alarming number of dismissive waves state residents aim at UConn football. Maybe because it’s not basketball. And we’re not supposed to do anything else here than basketball, apparently. Football is “not in the culture,” the dime store sociologists say.

That’s the part I don’t get. Saying football is “not in the culture” suggests to me we live among the disconsolate. For this reason: I have never known anybody — one time, ever — not to have fun at a college football game. You needn’t be a fan of the game to enjoy tailgating. It’s a social event with a game attached, complete with all the food and drink you can shove into yourself.

Besides, is Connecticut such a thriving metropolis that we’re all so busy on a fall Saturday that we can’t get to a game or two in East Hartford? The most depressing walk in state sportswriting is from the car to the press box at Rentschler Field, knowing you cannot participate in making merry with everybody else.

Now I realize that the Huskies must start winning consistently again to fill the place. But the university’s athletic department has done everything else this offseason to make the fan experience more fun, even though I submit that if food, football and frivolity aren’t fun enough for you, then you have deeper issues.

Mad props and bon mots nonetheless to UConn athletic director David Benedict and his staff for listening to fans’ concerns and acting on them. To wit:

Fans can purchase a hot dog or bottled water for only $3 each, a price reduction of $2 from previous seasons. Families of four can now eat on game day for less than $25.

They’ve added an hour of tailgating (to five hours before kickoff). Blue Lot tag holders can park anywhere so friends and family can tailgate together.

There will be free bus transportation to and from games all season for students. If students drive, they’ll park in a new student-only parking lot adjacent to the student bus area, for $10 per game (a $5 savings). Students will have a shorter walk to the stadium and will get a free barbecue in the new student lot before the season opener Sept. 1 vs. Maine.

All fans can purchase a special $15 ticket in the reserved section for the Maine game, while all freshmen students will be given complimentary tickets.

Have you noted yet the number of times the words “free,” “complimentary” and “savings” were used in previous paragraphs? Translation: UConn is meeting its fans halfway. True enough, wins and losses trump all improvements. But even the most ardent infidel out there would be impressed with the athletic department’s work, no?

They’ve even listened to the students, who have this habit of showing up late and leaving early. Students have complained in the past about having to pay $4 to ride the bus from campus, only to be dropped off a 15-20 minute walk to the stadium. They’ve also complained about having nothing to do once they reach the stadium.

“You get off the bus and it’s like ‘what do we do now?’” former UConn student Tim Fontenault said once in a story in The Day about student apathy. “It becomes a chore. I wish they'd set up a few tents with hot dogs and hamburgers, maybe a student cookout for the kids who ride the bus. Play a few games, toss a football around, something.”

Ask and you shall receive. Free bus ride, better drop off location, student tailgate lot, reduced prices on concessions, a $15 ticket to the Maine game … what else do you people want? A kidney?

I’m not sure I care anymore whether you supported the idea of UConn’s foray into big time football. It’s here. It’s fun. Some of you want to remain curmudgeonly? Free country. But I hope many others understand that UConn is trying hard on and off the field.

The schedule is sexier this year. Virginia and Syracuse come here. The Huskies go to Boston College in November. It’s not in the culture? The culture starts now. It’s time to start having some fun.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro.