Movement of student section poses problems
CU basketball fans are in for another change this season at the Coors Events Center that could have a much larger effect than a lack of beer.
The newest alteration, a shift in the location of the student section, is already creating some conflict.
For many years, the section was located on the sideline, but this season it will be behind the basket at the south end of the stadium.
The move is mostly due to the request of the C-Unit, a student group that cheers for the basketball team, said Tom McGann, director of game management and operations for CU.
“They told us last season that we should put the student section down there because they thought it would add a lot more excitement to the game,” McGann said. “They wanted to be able to have a bigger effect in the second half right in front of the players, especially when the game is televised.”
The C-Unit has been organizing the student section at basketball games since its formation, so the athletic department decided to take their advice on strategies for increasing the energy of both the fans and the players.
“We think having the students right there by the floor will really create a better competitive advantage and really get our team fired up,” McGann said.
Moving the student section does have some repercussions. About 300 season ticket accounts, which comprise about 600 seats behind the basket, will also have to be moved.
Not only are several season ticket holders upset about the change in their seats, but students who attend the games are also speaking out.
“I don’t like (the move) one bit — the sideline was so much better because the hoop wasn’t in the way,” said David Monhait, a freshman electrical engineering major. “You get to distract the opponents back there, but you can do that other places”
Some students are reacting negatively to the new placement of the student section due to potential visibility problems on the south end.
“I’d rather have it on the sideline — I don’t like the view from back there,” said Jesse Prather, a sophomore international affairs major. “On the sideline, you just get a better perspective.”
Although CU is following the growing trend for universities to move their student section to the second-half basket of the opposing team, other CU students are not so sure it will be a good move.
“I think it’s only tight to be back there to cheer if it’s like a huge game,” said Jason Harrell, a senior MCD biology major.
The athletic department put a great deal of time and effort into their decision to move the student section, although they knew there might be some negative reaction from fans.
“There is a good percentage of ticket holders who understand why we’re doing it,” McGann said. “Then there’s the other percent who are really upset.”
McGann said that the athletic department is trying to make the situation as fair as possible by allowing the displaced season ticket holders a chance to change their seats to several other sections in the stadium at the same price.
“We didn’t do this lightly,” McGann said. “We have to do what’s right for the team and for the students who come out to support them.”
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Amanda Walck at amanda.walck@colorado.edu