2013 - 2014 student section report card

[Kiltman]

A lot of things to address here. It may be a little scattered as I'm still on campus working on homework.

You stated the problem. "It's because the casual student sitting several rows up doesn't feel close enough to be loud." That doesn't change by moving them to the end of the court, it increases it. And they are "casual," which means they only show up for maybe 3 big games each year, and STILL do nothing when they are that close. They are there to be seen, not to see. It makes very little difference in poorly student attended games. Even our student body president left at halftime on Saturday. I'm guessing he had "something better" to do. The SJSU game was still highly contested at that point. Those of us that wanted to actually watch the game stayed, and cheered as best we could. If we had a consistent, sizeable crowd, say 250+, it might begin to make sense.

In 2010, you're talking about a championship game. Students come out of the woodwork for those. The relocation would make sense in that type of a situation when students are willing to show up and get loud. The 2009-2010 season attendance average was still below 1/2 of the DEC capacity. I was stuck in CA at the time so I wasn't here. Don't judge me. But how loud and raucous was the student section the rest of the season? Would those crowds have truly effected the outcome of any other games?

We haven't exactly started this year very strong at 1-3. Even versus USU, the majority of our students came with the expectation that their team would lose, not counting those who showed up to cheer for the Aggies. That feeling doesn't change just because you put them at the end of the court. Our team had the body language of losers. They had all but quit. Why would the students act any different?

The ticket office is selling assigned seating in the upper bowl which is currently designated as "Student Section." We aren't using it so I understand the purpose. But if they're going to do it, at least tell us that it's being reassigned. The lower bowl is loosely enforced and only in Section B/C. There was a sickening amount of USU wearing fans in that area. For the in-state OOC games, the $5 friend pass for students should not be sold. We've seen the result over and over. Invasion.

The article about BYU emphasizes the financial impact. Right now, our size can be compacted and not affect the financial gains of the athletics program. There are always empty seats as it is.

 

[SWWeatherCat]

You need a successful student section before you place them in seats with obstructed views and expect them to contribute to the atmosphere. With the current size, they don't infringe upon the majority of their section, sections U, V, A, B, & C. The designated area should first be reduced without relocating them, increasing revenue and assessing the true size of the attending student population. This will also get rid of the feel of general admission in sections U, V, & A. The people sitting in these areas call it such and don't pay the premium price. If they did pay more, they would value their experience more. If we have little/no effect now, what improvement could possibly be EXPECTED from a different position that would make the attending students feel "pushed aside"?

Is 100 too generous for the amount of students standing, doing their thing at any given game? Two of the three sections behind each backboard just aren't that obstructed. In a heartbeat I would trade my seats in L for seats in the first several rows of those four sections behind (not directly behind) the baskets-- financially, I can't do it. Putting those 100 on the "front row" of those sections would make the student's section presence felt so much more and would quite possibly help Weber pull out close games that they would normally lose by a point or two. You can't argue what the better "home court" scenerio would be. I think anyone truly vested in a sucessful program would want what's best for the team's sucess.

As for "prime seating" or "pushing aside" students, I really don't see it that way. I see it as a way for the students to boost their support and really make an impact on the games. However, aside from the 100, why would it make any sense to have unenthusiastic students sitting for free in seating that could generate a nice chunk of change for the program? At a minimum, it would be better to consolidate the student sections and at least move (the 100) so they are across from the opposing bench. That wouldn't be as good as behind the 2nd half basket but at least the visiting team would be more affected by the rowdies.

 

[maddawg89]

First off i dont think moving the section is the best idea. If we ever get back to winning the sky at home and beat a big name team here rushing the court wouldnt be able to happen and as a student thats one thing i always look forward to, granted it hasnt really happened in a few years but i have faith it will again.

Second: If people are so worried about moving the section to where the away team will be second half. Just switch us to section U instead of B then we are at least on that side and can give the away team hell on offense.

Third: Im tired of hearing everyone criticize the student section that dont even sit in the student section. We need support not everyone who is sitting outside of the section telling us how it should be done. You think you can do a better job? I welcome you to come sit with us and show us how YOU are so much better at it than us. We work our buts off down there trying to get the crowd going. Its not our fault that some students show up just to have a social activity and sit/stand and talk. So for those that sit there at the games and yell at us down in the front row to start this chant or that chant, or get mad at us after the game, Please stop and know we are trying the best we can but with out support it will never get better

 

[Webergrad02]

First - I don't think any seating decision should be made with the students ability to storm the court in mind. If the students were in that corner they could storm the court through the proper entrance.

Second - U could be considered part of the corner.

Third - Many posters on this forum did do it better when they were students. The problem is the shear number of students showing up. USU was pretty good but it would be nice if someone took the lead. Heck I wish I was a student again, the odds of winning that 5,000 bucks are pretty good.

Fourth - Kiltman, There is not an obstructed view in the entire DEC.

 

[Kiltman]

Quick notes cause I have finals to review for.

Section U IS part of the current student section. It is occupied by people with tickets for cheap seats. We could move over there anytime we want. Even consolidating over there is fine by me.

Repeated information because it doesn't seem to be sinking in...

If there are more students that are willing to cheer at more than just 3 games a year, then the move to behind the basket would make sense. We don't have the numbers or impact so it just doesn't make sense currently.

The marketing emphasis needs to be to students, not the community, if we want the big college basketball atmosphere. That's not happening. That atmosphere will bring the community to come to the excitement which we currently lack. The proposed move to behind the basket doesn't nurture that student enthusiasm.

The financial argument is invalid because there are plenty of seats available and no enforcement to force the purchase of higher priced tickets. With all the comparisons being made to the other schools, here's another. BYU has way too many slurping the Kool-Aid and a cult-like following. Of course they will be able to sell the seats from the old student section at higher prices and make more money. We aren't them (thank G-d). At the DEC, the best available season tickets not on the floor are rows 1-6 and $170. Athletics gets 15% of my $415.45 student fees each semester. That's $121 per year (not including summer)! The students do deserve the prime seating. The 100's or 1000's of dollars that Wildcat Club members pay is a very much appreciated donation. But we don't have so many donors and fans that the students can't continue to sit in their current section, again U, V, A, B & C, without impacting the revenue.

 

[maddawg89]

Third - Many posters on this forum did do it better when they were students. The problem is the shear number of students showing up. USU was pretty good but it would be nice if someone took the lead. Heck I wish I was a student again, the odds of winning that 5,000 bucks are pretty good.


They mentality of students was different back then, and like i said i welcome them to come down and do it better

 

[pccatfan]

They mentality of students was different back then, and like i said i welcome them to come down and do it better

Um no it wasn't. They were just the same when I was there and telling alumni to come sit in the student section makes no sense. That is contrary to the purpose. Are you even a student right now anyway? A lot needs to change with student attitudes and maybe changing the section is how. Calling out alumni to do your job does nothing.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Wow...well this thread has gone completely out of control.

First, student seating is never going to change. Not going to happen. Sections A, B, and C are paid for and owned by the students. They pay their fees and deserve to have the same seats we all had. If they want to use them or not, that is their fault and it really reflects the lack of leadership when the seats aren't filled. Right now their is a seriously void of leadership in our student organizations coming from professional staff, educational administration, and most importantly the students. That is the real problem here.

Second, it is a university team first. Yes, Weber State is also for the community and alumni, but it is for the students first. As an alumnus I can say that I definitely spent plenty, probably over-stayed my welcome, in the student section. I enjoyed my time there, and can say that for the most part, our student sections were fun, engaged, and fairly full.

Finally, yes it is strange that Weber State puts opposing fans on the side opposing teams face in the second half, but going towards that basket isn't easy. There is a giant hole behind the bucket that creates shadow issues and causes issues with shooting. Oh, side notes, Weber State sports are highly subsidized by student fees and state support. Donations are pretty small compared to the other areas of support. Student fee break-down states that $94 goes to activities, $30 to recreation, and $60 directly to athletics. Large portions of the $94 and $30 goes to athletics too. Full-time students are giving around $150 to $200 a year to athletics. They deserve good seats. I still think the band should be on the floor, perhaps beyond the west basket.

 

[WeberSki]

Wow...well this thread has gone completely out of control.

First, student seating is never going to change. Not going to happen. Sections A, B, and C are paid for and owned by the students. They pay their fees and deserve to have the same seats we all had. If they want to use them or not, that is their fault and it really reflects the lack of leadership when the seats aren't filled. Right now their is a seriously void of leadership in our student organizations coming from professional staff, educational administration, and most importantly the students. That is the real problem here.

Second, it is a university team first. Yes, Weber State is also for the community and alumni, but it is for the students first. As an alumnus I can say that I definitely spent plenty, probably over-stayed my welcome, in the student section. I enjoyed my time there, and can say that for the most part, our student sections were fun, engaged, and fairly full.

Finally, yes it is strange that Weber State puts opposing fans on the side opposing teams face in the second half, but going towards that basket isn't easy. There is a giant hole behind the bucket that creates shadow issues and causes issues with shooting. Oh, side notes, Weber State sports are highly subsidized by student fees and state support. Donations are pretty small compared to the other areas of support. Student fee break-down states that $94 goes to activities, $30 to recreation, and $60 directly to athletics. Large portions of the $94 and $30 goes to athletics too. Full-time students are giving around $150 to $200 a year to athletics. They deserve good seats. I still think the band should be on the floor, perhaps beyond the west basket.

Jeez, Tal you're wrong on so many levels here. 100% completely wrong...

 

[WeberSki]

^^^^^^^^^

Nominated as Tals worst post ever...
Everbody has them, heck AJ has alot

 

[WeberSki]

The students were so pathetic against San Jose, I say we move them to where the USU students were, & when they can get as loud as USU's they can earn their way back down, towards the visiting bench.

 

[SWWeatherCat]

... At the DEC, the best available season tickets not on the floor are rows 1-6 and $170. Athletics gets 15% of my $415.45 student fees each semester. That's $121 per year (not including summer)! The students do deserve the prime seating. The 100's or 1000's of dollars that Wildcat Club members pay is a very much appreciated donation. But we don't have so many donors and fans that the students can't continue to sit in their current section, again U, V, A, B & C, without impacting the revenue.

Sorry if I'm mistaken about what I'm saying or misunderstand what you are saying.

Rows 1-6 are $170/ticket, however, there is $200 MANDATORY "donation" to be able to purchase a ticket in those rows. So, if we are talking basketball only, say hello to $370/ticket to sit in "obstructed view" seats behind and to the sides of the basket, or what Student section seats would go for in the same rows. 15% of student fees or $121 in your case entitles you to much more "athletics" benefit than just great seats in the DEC-- is that not true?

I have and continue to "donate" to WSU athletics in a variety of ways in addition to season ticket purchases. Even though I despise a mandatory donation per seat required to purchase "great" seats, I would be more than willing and financially able to do so at a more reasonable dollar amount. $50? In a heartbeat! $75? Probably. $100? Maybe. $200? I don't ever see it happening. I've been beat up before for talking about this but this type of pricing strategy (especially at the existing price) is horrible for Weber State. Weber needs MORE support and MORE season ticket holders which would happen with MORE reasonable season ticket pricing. Many don't believe this and I would invite them to go visit with those in sections H-P who have been financially forced 12-15 rows higher than where they sat for years previously. I'd invite them to talk to their friends and family who like WSU athletics but wont/can't commit to season ticket prices. I'm not the only one who knows many of both types of individuals who want to spend more at WSU, just not what it now takes to get the value back.

Possible solution? Open up more "great" seats in what is currently the student section (this obviously means make a student section change,) adjust the pricing plan to something more reasonable and attractive to the community, and get more paying butts in seats and/or existing butts paying more than they currently do. Again, I can still see this as a win-win with the students still in very good seats but in a place that would be more impacting on the game, and more exciting IMO.

 

[SWWeatherCat]

... they can earn their way back down, towards the visiting bench.

hno: :lol: :rofl: :lol: hno:

 

[Kiltman]

... they can earn their way back down, towards the visiting bench.

hno: :lol: :rofl: :lol: hno:

That's effing ridiculous. It still doesn't improve the university bball atmosphere. It makes it worse. Then you completely lose the university part of the atmosphere at a UNIVERSITY. If the majority of students don't want to support athletics, maybe we should just kill the whole thing. Sure, I'd miss it, but it would save a lot of students a whole lot of money and y'all wouldn't be whining about wanting more high priced seating that the majority of fans don't want to pay for. Sound ridiculous? That's how I feel with a lot of the other comments on here.

SWWeatherCat,

As I said before, there is NO financial argument. There is plenty of room to consolidate the student section and earn revenue from, at the very least, 1 section. But there are still available seats! If isn't sold out now, how do you expect more people to come and pay even higher ticket prices?! I also pay a premium. It's $4,159.46 in tuition for 2 semesters BEFORE I get to pay the $121 to athletics.

WeberSki,

Post some facts or :stfu:


The initial comment was about the lack of students showing up at the SJSU game vs the USU game.

The students that were there were doing the best they could. I estimate out of 5,500 (alleged) fans, we had 25 students up and standing. That is a percentage of .0045%, probably one of the only percentages lower than our free throw%.

It was followed with a comment from DeeWildcatTailgater:

It's probably too late to discuss this for the current season but in 99.9% of great college basketball environments, the student section is behind the opponents basket in the second half. This causes the road team to melt under the pressure of a relentless crowd late in games.

Let's be honest with ourselves. The DEC is only a "great college basketball environment" during those few games each year and championship games (when they happen here). The majority of the time it's a "good" environment, and often welcoming to opponents. I've never known anyone to melt under the pressure of a relentless 25 amongst 5,500. Putting those 25 behind a basket might make the opponent giggle during a free throw. But, melt? C'mon man.

If anyone is offended by what I'm saying, feel free to come talk to me at the game. I'm not exactly hiding behind my username so you should be able to find me. And I do expect you to identify yourself by your username if you approach me. I'd rather have a frank discussion than tip-toe around people's feelings. Some Wildcat Club members may be offended by some of my comments, but some students take offense to some of these ideas being posted.

 

[oldrunner]

It is a great crows when there is large contingent of students attending. I believe that more and more students will attend as the season goes on. I totally understand the dynamics the studentbody at WSU. Most have jobs and many have families with young children. It really is hard to get to all of the games. My feeling is that the University should do anything and everything possible to accommodate student participation in as many campus activities as they can get to. Family and friends should always be included unless there is some legal reason not to include them.

When my son and daughter in law were going to school at Michigan, tickets to athletic events were hard to come by. Almost all events were sold out in advance. The football arena holds 104,000 and the student section was always sold out. Students had to put in for a lottery. When they drew out, they got 4 season tickets. If they didn't want to use them they were allowed to sell them. The same was true for basketball. I like that idea. The only thing that I would add to that is that the Purple Pack should be given preferential treatment, they should have a budget for treats, parties, and such.

 

[maddawg89]

Um no it wasn't. They were just the same when I was there and telling alumni to come sit in the student section makes no sense. That is contrary to the purpose. Are you even a student right now anyway? A lot needs to change with student attitudes and maybe changing the section is how. Calling out alumni to do your job does nothing.

Yes i am a student right now im down in the front row at every home game. im not calling out alumni to do my job. im saying that they are posting on here about how much better they could do it, so im saying come prove it! its so easy to find the solution when your out side of the section isnt it?

 

[Webergrad02]

We just want more of you down there. And your friend that wears that Lillard jersey a size too small so he can show off his big muscles, will you help him get a jersey that fits (That's a Joke). We need someone to wear the whoopie cushion costume.

If the Dee Center was a boat, we would have capsized to the west last game. We just need more fans over on the East side. It's not what you are doing at the game. It is about marketing and creating buzz to get students to come to the game.

 

[Kiltman]

...And your friend that wears that Lillard jersey a size too small so he can show off his big muscles, will you help him get a jersey that fits...

:rofl: :lmao: :rofl: :lmao: :rofl: :lmao: :rofl:

 

[Wildcat_Fan]

Hot damn we got a good one! It flat out starts with marketing and awareness. As you all know this is weber state and that doesnt happen. We have 3 student org and i am on campus everyday except wed and there is NOTHING EVER TO PROMOTE GAMES. Throw me a scholarship and I would be happy to help market. I have talked to a few and they say with class and everything they dont have time. Well what the hell is the scholarship for then!??! Its pathetic that our own school groups complain about lack of attendance but do nothing about it. :wall:
If we were to fill the student section, I wouldnt be opposed to moving to sec U. The only plus where we are at now is we get to be closer to our bench for intros and after games to see players.
Athletics and the school groups are all to blame. Just plain pathetic.

 

[Kiltman]

Hot damn we got a good one! It flat out starts with marketing and awareness. As you all know this is weber state and that doesnt happen. We have 3 student org and i am on campus everyday except wed and there is NOTHING EVER TO PROMOTE GAMES. Throw me a scholarship and I would be happy to help market. I have talked to a few and they say with class and everything they dont have time. Well what the hell is the scholarship for then!??! Its pathetic that our own school groups complain about lack of attendance but do nothing about it. :wall:
If we were to fill the student section, I wouldnt be opposed to moving to sec U. The only plus where we are at now is we get to be closer to our bench for intros and after games to see players.
Athletics and the school groups are all to blame. Just plain pathetic.

:agree: