Basketball student section moved to corner

VCU students who watched basketball games from the first five rows of the sideline student section now will be forced to sit behind the baskets or in a newly provided corner section.

The entire middle section is being reserved for season ticket holders. In an attempt to offset the 270 seats lost along the sideline, the VCU athletic department has opened section 22 to students. This section, which is located in a corner of the Siegel Center, previously was reserved for single-game admission.

In addition, 112 floor seats and 14 “VIP seats,” located behind the baskets, will be made available to students on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“Technically, students are gaining seats,” said VCU SGA member Brittany Vogel. “It is just the location that concerns me.”

This change, which was initiated by the athletic department, was made in hopes of bolstering – not reducing – the student voice at basketball games.

“Both coach (Anthony) Grant and I agreed that it may help the overall enthusiasm of our crowd with a more concentrated, intimidating student section,” VCU Athletic Director Norwood Teague stated in an e-mail.

Since the coveted sideline seats are front-and-center and student admission is free, season ticket holders are not the only beneficiaries of the change. By moving student seats to a cheaper area, the athletic department will be able to turn a profit by selling season tickets in the more expensive sideline sections.

“All the funds go to support the athletic department operations,” Teague stated. “If we want to continue to build the athletic department, in particular the basketball program, we need to grow our funding to compete on a national level.”

However, the new arrangement already has ruffled feathers. Because the sideline sections are highly touted among the student body, the students that frequented those seats usually waited outside the arena for hours before tip-off.

“It is going to be hard to make people who usually sit in those sections excited to sit somewhere else,” Vogel said.

One of these fans, senior Jim Cummings, remains unconvinced the new seating compromise is necessary to improve the basketball program.

“Would you move the Cameron Crazies to the baseline down at Duke? I don’t think so,” Cummings said. “They might be trying to sell season tickets but we pay tuition every year.”

Furthermore, the exchange of seating quantity for quality will not be enough to quell student dissatisfaction, according to Cummings.

“I just have a feeling they (the athletic department) are going to rub some students the wrong way,” Cummings said. “This whole situation has honestly put a damper on my anticipation for the season. It really stinks.”