Utah State Game

[shockmonster]

I probably won't have to worry about the great seats in this game at IBA. The bottom bowl seats will probably be out of my price range. Judging from concerts, probably at least 50.00-100.00 p/seat. But I'll be happy with a 25.00-30.00 seat. I still won't be happy if they took this extra game from the season ticket price in addition to raising the prices but I'll most likely still go. If they take away games every year plus raising the prices for season ticket holders, I probably won't be able to renew my tickets.

[SubGod22]

I may not be able to renew after this year as it is. And probably won't be going to this game. I have to be more selective with my money, especially considering I may be going back to school in the near future. I almost didn't renew this season.

[150946shox]

"I probably won't be able to renew my tickets".

This is a decision most of us have to make as we go through life. Do we have the resources to do the things we want? We all have to measure our priorities and make a decision accordingly.

We had season tickets from 80-81 through 82-83, then due to family situations, we had to drop them. Then, we were able to pick them up again for the 96 - 97 season and have had them since.

The administration will handle things based on what the program needs to survive, including paying Coach Marshall enough to keep him here. We have to decide whether or not it means that much to us. For my wife and I, it does. Maybe some life changing event will occur to change that, but for now the basketball program is a major priority to us and we will be happy to keep paying our SASO and tickets prices. And we will be happy to go to an occasional game at Intrust. We had a great time there last year and at least in our section, it was very loud and exciting. We'll also continue to support the team as often as possible away from Wichita. Last year we went to Hawaii, St. Louis, New York as well as Peoria, Cedar Falls, Des Moines and Springfield.

I guess it is just a matter of priority and of your current life situation. If you don't want to go because they have a game at Intrust, I can't help but think the team is not a major priority. On the other hand, the team may be a major priority as it was for us from 83 - 96, but life situations can prevent you from being able to do the things you wish.

It really seems pretty simple to me.

[1972Shocker]

It really seems pretty simple to me.

It is simple, at the individual tree level. But if too many trees whither and die you no longer have a forest.

Maybe a forest is not necessary if we have enough really, really big trees but I'm not sure we are at that point.

[SubGod22]

Hell, if I were smart, I would have given them up a couple years ago. I dread not having them.

[SB Shock]

If I can get decent seats then I will go. But if I can't decent seats at least I will have the choice of either taking sucky seats or not going. Last year I had to procure alternate seats to get a decent view.

Do you realize that if every fan had your mindset, we'd only have about 5k-6k fans showing up at IBA for the game?

Why are you saying their is only 5 or 6K good seats in IBA?

It's not physically possible. The fact that you're basing your decision on going based on what kind of front row view you have of the game is very short-sighted

You are making an assumption that I will only accept a front row seat. Last year I was happy with my upper bowl seat that was close to mid-court in the lower quarter of the upper bowl. It wasn't as good of Koch, but for good opponent like Tulsa it was acceptable. Now my other two seats that WSU assigned me were totally unacceptable.

and doesn't resemble a "true" Shocker fan that would love to see the team play in town no matter what.

If it makes me not a "true" shocker fan because I have a expectation to get my money worth than so be it. I don't look as WSU as my charity.

WSU sports are about entertainment product for me. I invest alot of time, money and emotion into them - all I want is even return on that investment in the good form of entertainment. Is that to much to ask?

But the reality as this generation of grey hairs die off, I represent the next demographic they hope who will continue to upgrade and move down into those open seats. But then again the Athletic Department has been known to not honor their season ticket holders (i.e. the screw-over of long time season ticket holder in lieu of corporate $$).

[ShockerFever]

Why are you saying their is only 5 or 6K good seats in IBA?

I'm not. I'm going by what your definition of "good seats" are. I rounded it off to the lower bowl, but of course, you may be more picky than that. It could just be the middle sections, which would round it down to 3,000. Or just the front row seating which would drop it to 200. So plug in whatever number you want into my analogy. The smaller the number, the worse it looks for you.

You are making an assumption that I will only accept a front row seat. Last year I was happy with my upper bowl seat that was close to mid-court in the lower quarter of the upper bowl. It wasn't as good of Koch, but for good opponent like Tulsa it was acceptable. Now my other two seats that WSU assigned me were totally unacceptable.

Do you realize it's impossible to make 9,500 season ticket holders from a round arena happy in a configuration that is set up as an oddly-shaped rectangle? Do you not understand the concept that Intrust Bank Arena is NOT Koch Arena?

WSU sports are about entertainment product for me. I invest alot of time, money and emotion into them - all I want is even return on that investment in the good form of entertainment. Is that to much to ask?

Again, you are not going to get an even investment when you try and move a round seating chart into a rectangular one. It's physically impossible. I'm really trying to hammer that point home because it appears some aren't grasping that concept.

If you expect to have the exact same seating view at IBA as you do at Koch for the UAB game, and don't get it, and that's the only reason you would not attend the game, then yes, I'm afraid to say you aren't a *true* Shocker fan. It doesn't seem to phase you anyways.

But then again the Athletic Department has been known to not honor their season ticket holders (i.e. the screw-over of long time season ticket holder in lieu of corporate $$).

I'm not sure what this means, but I do understand that we don't have the best athletic department in the world right now. I dunno if it's always been this way or has only been so for a few years under the current regime. Based on the constant increases in tickets and donations, the department is starting to gain a reputation for "screwing". I just hope they don't start outpricing the fringes of the season ticket base. You'd hate to see fans start turning away tickets not because of a poor product, but because of one they can't afford.

[SB Shock]

Do you realize it's impossible to make 9,500 season ticket holders from a round arena happy in a configuration that is set up as an oddly-shaped rectangle? Do you not understand the concept that Intrust Bank Arena is NOT Koch Arena?

Yes, I oddly have first hand experience with it. IBA was made for concerts not basketball. This evident from from the layout to the acoustics. Also it was sized for today and not the future.

Again, you are not going to get an even investment when you try and move a round seating chart into a rectangular one.

Last year was really not about round vs rectangular, it was really about the athletic department dropping the ball again.

a. They gave out bad information (i.e. they were telling some that all the fans would be in the lower bowl when obviously mathematically that couldn't work)

b. and then when the complaints came they came out with a lousy excuse (which was just CYA) about how they were trying to keep all the season ticket holder together crap - why would that matter? It was all WSU fans going to the game anyway.

c. The real truth is WSU did not have the rights to 4 section of prime seats in the lower bowl which really ended up screwing the whole seating process.

But that is water under the bridge. Back to the investment vs return. There is a lot of things that go into the investment/experience beyond where you are sitting that can be offset. Quality of opponent being the main one (but IBA does have better concessions than Koch).

The better the opponent, the more accepting you become in whatever your seats you might get. If somehow they got KU or K-State or a Duke or some caliber opponent to come to town, you are just happy to have a seat. If they bring Chicago St. to IBA on a Wednesday night, might want to give alot of tickets away.

It's physically impossible. I'm really trying to hammer that point home because it appears some aren't grasping that concept.

No I think it well understood, IBA is no Koch. Koch will provide the best atmosphere for basketball. If I have my preference, I would rather watch a game in Koch. But if the IBA option brings in a really good opponent then giving up 1 game a year might be alright.

If you expect to have the exact same seating view at IBA as you do at Koch for the UAB game, and don't get it, and that's the only reason you would not attend the game, then yes, I'm afraid to say you aren't a *true* Shocker fan. It doesn't seem to phase you anyways.

Well, I went last year to IBA - so I guess I'm still a good fan. This year seems more workable since WSU punted this year of dealing with seating assignments. Plus, by your definition I guess I am very least in the top 2,000 to 3,000 shocker fans since I traveled to STL. That is good enough for me regardless.

But then again the Athletic Department has been known to not honor their season ticket holders (i.e. the screw-over of long time season ticket holder in lieu of corporate $$).

I'm not sure what this means, but I do understand that we don't have the best athletic department in the world right now. I dunno if it's always been this way or has only been so for a few years under the current regime. Based on the constant increases in tickets and donations, the department is starting to gain a reputation for "screwing". I just hope they don't start outpricing the fringes of the season ticket base. You'd hate to see fans start turning away tickets not because of a poor product, but because of one they can't afford.

I know some shockers fans who had season tickets for decades and the Athletic department chose $$ during the last re-seating phase instead of showing a little loyalty to fans who have stuck with them during good and bad times.

[pinstripers]

I'll probably try to buy seats that I can live with. I will never again watch a basketball game from the seats we had last year.