SGA passes resolution calling for students to sit court-side
A resolution passed by Student Government Association Tuesday night suggests that new student seating on the floor in Daniel-Meyer Coliseum would encourage school spirit and increase game attendance.
By Emily Turner
Staff Reporter

The Student Government Association passed a resolution Tuesday calling for students to be allowed to sit in Daniel-Meyer Coliseum’s court-side seats during basketball games, which would relocate some season ticket holders.

The motion passed unanimously in a voice vote after two weeks of discussion. Sponsors of the resolution said they hope the new seating arrangement will create more of a home-court advantage by having rowdy students closer to the floor. Athletics Director Eric Hyman is to make a final decision on the seating by the end of the week.

But some season ticket holders said they were upset.

“To think that students don’t come to the game because they have a bad seat is (an) illusion,” said Michael Morris, a season ticket holder who lives in Arlington. “School spirit is more than just how close to the court you are.”

Associate athletic director Kevin O’Connell said that although some season ticket holders would be moved, they would be guaranteed quality seats. He said it is difficult to find a bad seat in the coliseum.

“When (ticket holders) understand that the intent is to get students on the floor, we think they will be supportive,” O’Connell said.

If the new seating arrangement is approved, students will sit in sections G, H and I and will stand on court risers placed in front of these sections, O’Connell said. In addition to the risers in front of the new student section, O’Connell said there will be risers at both ends of the court behind the baskets.

“We wanted to make sure the students standing on the risers didn’t block anyone sitting in their seats,” O’Connell said.

Andrea Reed, a senior social work and business major and chairwoman for the SGA University Affairs Committee, said her committee drafted the seating resolution after SGA parliamentarian Brian Casebolt informed them that the athletic department needed student input regarding university representation at basketball games.

Casebolt, a senior political science major, said the new seats are just part of the general progression and new excitement associated with the basketball program.

“We have been trying to find out how to make the program better,” Casebolt said. “One way to do this would be to give students the best seats in the house, because giving them the best seats will keep them coming back.”

Head women’s basketball coach Jeff Mittie said moving part of the student section onto the court would help students feel more involved and allow them to be closer to the action. Mittie said he wants fans to celebrate during games and he thinks the new student section will provide that opportunity.

“(Students) need to make this their arena,” Mittie said. “It can be a huge home town advantage to have students on the court.”