2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
Student seating to change at Memorial Stadium
Block seating eliminated, students to lose some front seats
Andy Boyle
Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: News
Fewer students will have front-row seats in the south section of Memorial Stadium starting on the date of Nebraska's first home game against Western Michigan. In addition, block seating will be eliminated.
Athletic Director Tom Osborne confirmed the changes Tuesday.
Some of the changes include making all student tickets general admission, with priority for upperclassmen to sit in the east stadium. Students wishing to sit in a block will now have to show up early enough to claim their seats before others.
And about 2,000 students in several sections of the front portion of south stadium will be displaced to cheaper seating in the top portion of Memorial Stadium's southeast corner. Season ticket holders who previously sat there will fill the vacated front seats.
If the athletic department decides to charge ticket holders the same price as nearby front seating, it could bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars more annually than it did with students sitting there.
However, "(the change) was not done for financial reasons," Osborne said. "We have no idea whether there will be an increase in revenue or not. We're sure the seats will be sold."
Osborne said one reason for the change was because students have a tendency to stand on their seats throughout the game, and it wasn't fair for the season ticket holders who sat behind them.
"We're doing what we can to be fair," Osborne said. "But I just have to tell you, people who buy a ticket are entitled to see a game, so it wasn't happening. That's why this move has been made."
The meeting over changing student seating didn't happen overnight. Discussion between members of the athletic department and the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska have been going on for more than a year.
Former ASUN President Matt Schaefer said he was in related talks with the athletic department as far back as the spring of 2006.
"Then when we came back in the fall, (the athletic department) unilaterally ditched those (discussions)," he said. "They just backed away from them without informing us they were going to do that. We were kind of surprised when football season started up that a couple of things weren't happening."
Athletic Director Tom Osborne confirmed the changes Tuesday.
Some of the changes include making all student tickets general admission, with priority for upperclassmen to sit in the east stadium. Students wishing to sit in a block will now have to show up early enough to claim their seats before others.
And about 2,000 students in several sections of the front portion of south stadium will be displaced to cheaper seating in the top portion of Memorial Stadium's southeast corner. Season ticket holders who previously sat there will fill the vacated front seats.
If the athletic department decides to charge ticket holders the same price as nearby front seating, it could bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars more annually than it did with students sitting there.
However, "(the change) was not done for financial reasons," Osborne said. "We have no idea whether there will be an increase in revenue or not. We're sure the seats will be sold."
Osborne said one reason for the change was because students have a tendency to stand on their seats throughout the game, and it wasn't fair for the season ticket holders who sat behind them.
"We're doing what we can to be fair," Osborne said. "But I just have to tell you, people who buy a ticket are entitled to see a game, so it wasn't happening. That's why this move has been made."
The meeting over changing student seating didn't happen overnight. Discussion between members of the athletic department and the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska have been going on for more than a year.
Former ASUN President Matt Schaefer said he was in related talks with the athletic department as far back as the spring of 2006.
"Then when we came back in the fall, (the athletic department) unilaterally ditched those (discussions)," he said. "They just backed away from them without informing us they were going to do that. We were kind of surprised when football season started up that a couple of things weren't happening."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 160
KML
posted 3/04/08 @ 10:49 PM CST
I was once a student and had a great time at games regardless of where I sat. Students should be happy with the price break they receive on the tickets. (Continued…)
Kyle Shanahan
posted 3/05/08 @ 12:07 AM CST
Last time I checked students were paying tuition, not you.
Josh Peterson
posted 3/05/08 @ 12:16 AM CST
Wow, I pay over $15,000 a year, but I'm going to have to sit near the back of the stadium because some people can't see the game. We already have one of the worst student sections in the country because of the lack of tickets given out, and now they're moving us AWAY from the field? Are you kidding me? Tom Osborne is a great coach, but what is he thinking with this move?
Sean
posted 3/05/08 @ 12:56 AM CST
Pretty weak if you ask me, don't really make sense
Tim
posted 3/05/08 @ 1:47 AM CST
Why is block seating being eliminated? The nice thing about block seating is we could get it taken care of in the spring so we don't have to spend time waiting in line for eight different weeks in the fall. (Continued…)
Tim
posted 3/05/08 @ 1:54 AM CST
asun could have prevented this? If that is true, I will NOT be voting for any incumbent senator tomorrow. They have the best interests of the students in mind, my ---. (Continued…)
Andrew
posted 3/05/08 @ 2:34 AM CST
I just want to remind everyone how the mob was out to get rid of Steve Pederson who was an advocate for the students during his tenure as AD. Tom Osborne has lost sight of what is truly important, the students who pack the stadium come rain or shine. (Continued…)
Hey students
posted 3/05/08 @ 6:52 AM CST
Welcome to the real world. Get over it. You'll be fine.
Now go study.
kory
posted 3/05/08 @ 7:14 AM CST
I think its really sad when they keep moving the students back and out of the way. Last time i checked it was the "University" of Nebraska Cornhuskers. (Continued…)
Ike
posted 3/05/08 @ 7:46 AM CST
Cry my a river students, If you're so upset, then spend less time drinking during games and pay more attention to the field.
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