By The Naked Dutchman, Anonymous Student
This is coming from someone that has been to pretty much every home game including the ones over winter break. I am always sitting front row at least 30 minutes before every game. However, the main reason why we feel students don’t go to the games or think highly of them is because they do not know that students actually go.
To increase attendance, one idea I have is to hang large posters of the student section (like the picture with the naked Dutchman) and put them up in high traffic areas such as the Student Center. A poster hanging from the ceiling of the Student Center showing how wild some of the games can get would definitely draw attention. For example, Charles Jenkins is an amazing player, and no one knows. Something should be done to get this kid’s name out there.
Now on to why students do not attend the games. The University’s communication methods are ineffective. They spam students’ email. Students are put on an email list and receive information that they don’t care about. Email is just not a viable option anymore.
In addition, The University’s Public Safety Department has no idea what they are doing.
Look at the security and advertising of large schools. The University shouldn’t place Public Safety Officers directly in front of the student section and act so quickly to kick students out. I watched a Public Safety Officer kick a student out of the game because he misinterpreted what the student said. Public Safety cannot assume every student that gets into the game is drunk.
On another occasion, I watched a Public Safety Officer come up to a student before a game and say, “I’m a retired Police Officer and I have no problem dragging you out of here by the neck.” This interference is completely unwarranted. We understand rules must be followed, but this is college basketball, not a High School Pep Rally.
Some reasons for the high level of Public Safety’s interference is because of “the children.” However, any person in their right mind should know to expect profanity to be yelled at a college basketball game. You don’t want to hear that? Go watch the little league down the road.
Students understand profanity is not allowed, but allow us some leeway. For students to want to attend sports events, we need to be under fewer restrictions.