When is it OK...

[1972Shocker]

To actually answer your question I think it is OK to voice/register your complaint as soon as you receive your renewal notice which apparently you have recieved.

However, by registering a complaint I mean communicating your displeasure to the the AD's office and not posting on a message board. OK to post on the message board but that is unlikely to do you much good other than allow you to blow off some steam.

[SB Shock]

While it may not be popular to increase the required donation I have a feeling that there are plenty of people out there who will be more than willing to pony up.

WSU games are not sold out and there are plenty of season tickets available so there may not be as many as you think.

[ShockerFever]

WSU games are not sold out and there are plenty of season tickets available so there may not be as many as you think.

Before or after a Final Four run?

[Ta Town Shocker]

WSU games are not sold out and there are plenty of season tickets available so there may not be as many as you think.

I can't predict the future and you may be right. I can only hope that the Final Four run and the return of great young talent allows for another few hundred fans to purchase season tickets and completely sell out every game.

[shockmonster]

I think that it very well could sell out after this run. However, I will say that often great fans are replaced by corporateers who will help sell out the arena next year and the year after but eventually just like this year (even though we have had very good teams), even the seats that are sold out are difficult to fill because the corporate owners don't really care.

I am aware of a couple -- Senior fans (baseball season ticket owners too) who have been season ticket owners for decades and are on a fixed income. They are concerned about what their seats will cost when the re-seating is done and aren't sure if they can continue to purchase. They are currently about Row 15-20 so they already have a significant cost to give. They have been huge investors over the years. They never miss basketball or baseball (and will attend both if games are on the same day). They are great fans and too bad we may lose them to purchasers who don't really care when push comes to shove. But who knows where the Shockers will be in another 5-10 years. The wheels keep on turning. I hope this gives them the Shockers the opportunity to be a TOP 20 program.

[Rosewood]

I wish that for the season ticket holders that shockmonster is talking about that there is some kind of "rent control" -- lock the price in as long as those two are buying and using. They can't pass the tickets down, their kids have to pay the new prices. Any changes break the control. But as long as they are in the same seats they can have a small and predictable increase over time -- say 1% each year.

But that won't happen. This business has to maximize the revenue. I love HCGM and I want him here for the next decade. That means we have to keep his salary up. And it isn't like that money is being wasted -- that family gives and spends a lot in our community.

Having said all of that -- be an adult and let them know you don't like it. I'm 2nd from the top row and I don't plan on moving any time soon -- I like my seat right where I'm at. But if they get the feedback they may actually listen. Then again, they might not. What can you do?

[Shox21]

Does anyone remember the outcry from some of the long-time KU fans when they did their massive reseating some years ago. I remember one gentleman who was about, I think, 80 years old and had had the same seats (not many rows up from the floor) for many, many years. When the reseating happened, his "contribution" for those seats would have been really, really high and he could not, on a fixed income, afford those long-held seats. It was suggested by the powers at KU that he move UP in the arena to an area he could afford, but he was frail and could not climb all those stairs. I don't know the outcome of that particular story, but it is too bad that long-time fans are shoved out to make way for those who can fork over more money. Maybe not in KU's case, but surely in WSU's case, many of our most ardent and faithful fans have been here through thick and thin and believe me there were many thin years. I understand the economics of the business but I still think it stinks when something like this happens. By the way, the minimum SASO for Row 21 this year is $1,495. I give it one more year, maybe two before the massive reseating happens. They haven't had one since the Roundhouse became CKA in, I believe, 2002.

[shockmonster]

As long as the Shockers win and the seats are filled up, I'm ok with it. However, the past couple of years, i was beginning to be annoyed at the number of empty seats at the arena. One time several years ago, a person who sat by me wanted to sit with a grown daughter for just for that one game, so I offered to move. There were plenty of empty seats, so I sat down in one (probably row 15-20). Two seats down the owner of the seats told me that those seats were his and that I should move (even though no one was sitting in them that game). I should have said something but I was so shocked i didn't. I hope that "corporate fan" isn't the normal bandwagon fan at Koch.

[BostonWu]

I'm currently a season ticket holder who for now can afford the increase in this year's SASO and season ticket increases. But that's probably my limit. I can't absorb 50% increases on a consistent basis. All that said, I'd gladly hand over my season tickets in order to pay the bills that are required for F4 program with legit shot at national championship. I'd rather watch such a program on TV rather than sit in the seats to watch a good to solid program.

[Shockeriffic]

Seriously? Percentage tells you everything. Doesn't matter if it's originally $300 and now it's $450, or if it was $10,000 and now it's $15,000. Everyone has a threshold. My real question though is...is it OK to require this of only those fans in rows 25-27?

That's why percentage doesn't tell me anything. There's a big difference between paying $150 more and $5000 more.

[SubGod22]

That's why percentage doesn't tell me anything. There's a big difference between paying $150 more and $5000 more.

Not necessarily. To those already paying 10k, 150 is nothing. But to those who have invested what they can at 300, 150 could go a long way. The amount, in dollars, of the increase doesn't tell the whole story like you're trying to make it. Percentage tells you just as much if not more. Not everyone is in the same financial boat.

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

As long as the Shockers win and the seats are filled up, I'm ok with it. However, the past couple of years, i was beginning to be annoyed at the number of empty seats at the arena. One time several years ago, a person who sat by me wanted to sit with a grown daughter for just for that one game, so I offered to move. There were plenty of empty seats, so I sat down in one (probably row 15-20). Two seats down the owner of the seats told me that those seats were his and that I should move (even though no one was sitting in them that game). I should have said something but I was so shocked i didn't. I hope that "corporate fan" isn't the normal bandwagon fan at Koch.

This is why I think at the very least we need to add luxury boxes to The Chuck. Half empty boxes aren't nearly as annoying as half empty rows.

[ABC]

Are all levels and contribution requirements being increased 50%? I don't think so.

The SASO letter I rec'd said the Gold Rush level of SASO, affecting rows 25-27 was being eliminated to have consistent "pricing based on comparable seating and amenities offered in the Century Club level."

That seems reasonable to me.

What am I missing?
Remember that SASO pays for athletic scholarships. As tuition increases, scholarship costs increase.

Currently all of the SASO contributions do not pay for all of the scholarship costs. The Athletic Dept fills any shortfall.

[SubGod22]

Are all levels and contribution requirements being increased 50%? I don't think so.

The SASO letter I rec'd said the Gold Rush level of SASO, affecting rows 25-27 was being eliminated to have consistent "pricing based on comparable seating and amenities offered in the Century Club level."

That seems reasonable to me.

What am I missing?
Remember that SASO pays for athletic scholarships. As tuition increases, scholarship costs increase.

Currently all of the SASO contributions do not pay for all of the scholarship costs. The Athletic Dept fills any shortfall.

It's the "comparable seating" thing I've always laughed at. Again, I don't know which row it begins in, but row 27 isn't the same as row 15. But they'll pay the same price as the first row in the group. Comparing 27 to 24 is one thing.

Still, that's a pretty drastic increase to drop on people. I hope it doesn't effect season ticket purchases. Some will drop them because of the massive increase. Some will be willing to buy in. But the economy still isn't great. A 50% increase could push a lot of people out.

I think everyone understand an icrease to help pay for what we have. I just think it's odd to increase so much more for a small group who in the grand scheme of the Roundhouse have average seats as far as location/quality.

[ABC]

What rows are the Century Club? I don't think it is row 15.