I Really Disagree with this Letter to the Editor in BDC

[aucat]

I hope Bobcat fans will respond to this LTE. I completely disagree with it. I've been a season ticket holder for 14 years but I was not able to get extra tickets to Brawl 2.0. However, if I had I was going to sell them at face value to my Bobcat friends who had no tickets, and honestly, I think that's what most season ticket holders did. There were very few griz fans in Bobcat Stadium and that was the objective, to make sure it would be just like a home game, especially since students were out of class. To simply sell the tickets "to the public" would have guaranteed LOTS more griz fans in attendance at a game where the Bobcats had earned the home field advantage.

I'm going to leave the guy's name off, but if you look it up at the Chronicle obviously it's there. Here's a copy of the letter:


The FCS semifinal between the Montana State Bobcats and the Montana Grizzlies should have been a celebration of one of the greatest rivalries in college sports. Instead, it became an embarrassment.

By allowing season ticket holders to purchase up to eight additional tickets, Montana State University effectively turned a public university event into a private one. The result was an instant sellout that shut out the general public, including alumni, families, longtime fans, and Montanans who simply wanted to be part of a historic game.

Let’s be honest about who benefited from this decision. A small group of season-ticket holders chose greed over sportsmanship, scooping up far more tickets than they needed and denying others the chance to attend. Those season ticket holders should be embarrassed and ashamed of their actions.

This was not about supporting the Bobcats; it was about hoarding access and bragging rights. That behavior runs counter to what college athletics is supposed to represent.

Bozeman already struggles with a reputation for elitism and gatekeeping. This episode only reinforces it. When a handful of fans are allowed to monopolize a once-in-a-generation rivalry game, it sends a clear message. If you are not already “in,” you are not welcome.

This rivalry belongs to the entire state of Montana, not just those with the means or foresight to hold season tickets. MSU is a public institution, and its biggest moments should reflect public values, including fairness, inclusion, and community pride. Instead, this decision showcased selfishness and exclusion.

That is not something Bozeman or Bobcat Nation should be proud of.

[Bobcat Sig]

Sounds like sour grapes from the letter writer. Supply and demand is a thing

[aucat]

Sounds like sour grapes from the letter writer. Supply and demand is a thing

I would only add that yes, I wish we could add seats to "fill in the gaps" and open up more season ticket sales.

[bcats]

What the whole supposed ticket debacle showed was that Bobcat Stadium really needs that expansion to take place. That happens through private donations from those fans who support the program financially the most. Hopefully MSU National Championship victory will be followed by an announcement and plan of stadium expansion with money in hand in in the weeks to follow.

[wbtfg]

I’ll post his name: Michael Siegle. Never heard of him.

This game reminded me how entitled people feel when it comes to tickets. Lots of chapped, entitled asses.

This was the biggest ticket in the history of montana. The equivalent of Pearl Jam playing shroyer gym for $25/ticket.

There were going to be a lot of fans/supporters left out.

[RockyBearCat]

I have 8 season tickets. Started and built up over 13 years. Still didn't get any or championship tix. That's the way it goes. My 8 requested were all going to Cat fans at face. 4 found some elsewhere, 4 didn't go.

[catapult]

Pooor Grisllies! This ridiculous letter shows the ignorance of the author. I’m a 15 yr season ticket holder of 6 seats in section 111…been paying the bobcat club fee the entirety of 15 yrs to keep them. My additional allotment of 8 was fulfilled, sold to CAT fans at face value to protect CAT fans from scalpers, the greedy and to keep Gris fans from filtering into the stadium too. It’s a fact that a majority of season ticket holders did the same. There are always outliers that cashed in but I guarantee it was a very small percentage. Bobcat athletics played their hand perfectly by funneling tickets through season ticket holders and it worked! Great job Bobcats!! What a game! What an atmosphere! What a memory! See you in Nashville!

[Montanabob]

Who thinks the same thing would not have happened if the game was in zula? Not a chance. They would not have been more than 500 bobcat tickets and tickets for the band.
FTG.

[tetoncat]

I’ll post his name: Michael Siegle. Never heard of him.

This game reminded me how entitled people feel when it comes to tickets. Lots of chapped, entitled asses.

This was the biggest ticket in the history of montana. The equivalent of Pearl Jam playing shroyer gym for $25/ticket.

There were going to be a lot of fans/supporters left out.

Not sure it's an entitled opinion to have wanted some tickets available to non season holders. A lot of fans each week and at 2.0 were not season ticket holders.
Entitled would be feeling a person who cannot attend more than 1 a year should have no chance, or that you as a season ticket holder should get extra benefits.

I disagree with writers opinion and the argument of tickets was hashed out repeatedly prior to the game. Overall it worked and we were treated to mostly Cat fans, but there still could be things to improve with the process.

[cat_stache_fever]

Boo freakin hoo..

This knucklehead will also probably bitch when the stadium expands

[tetoncat]

I have 8 season tickets. Started and built up over 13 years. Still didn't get any or championship tix. That's the way it goes. My 8 requested were all going to Cat fans at face. 4 found some elsewhere, 4 didn't go.

But you got your regular 8 didn't you. You just didn't get additional?

[saintcat40]

I unfortunately wasn’t ever able to get tickets. Somehow my daughters made it in (I will leave it at that). However, I agree wholeheartedly with the means by which the tickets were distributed. Those who have financially contributed the most should have dibs on purchasing extra tickets. It just makes sense. Honest question though. As someone who moved back to Bozeman area 5 years ago, I can’t figure out how to get season tickets. They are always gone before I get a chance to purchase them. How does a person get the opportunity to become a season ticket holder?

[RICO CAT]

Being a season ticket holder has its perks, as it should be. Reward those who support the program. I’m wondering if the author of that opinion piece has ever had any desire to attend any game prior the Super Brawl? It’s common for organizations to provide benefits to their core customers. Nothing immoral about that.

[AFCAT]

I guess I’m an elitist. I sold all my eight extras at face value, plus fees, to Cat fans and gave away two of my ten season tickets, for free, to a Cat family that can’t normally afford to go to games.

Now, where is my smoking jacket? Time to head to the Yellowstone club for a martini.

[AFCAT]

I unfortunately wasn’t ever able to get tickets. Somehow my daughters made it in (I will leave it at that). However, I agree wholeheartedly with the means by which the tickets were distributed. Those who have financially contributed the most should have dibs on purchasing extra tickets. It just makes sense. Honest question though. As someone who moved back to Bozeman area 5 years ago, I can’t figure out how to get season tickets. They are always gone before I get a chance to purchase them. How does a person get the opportunity to become a season ticket holder?

This has been discussed many times. You have to know someone. Get on another season ticket owners plan. See if they can acquire extra tickets for you.

[tetoncat]

I unfortunately wasn’t ever able to get tickets. Somehow my daughters made it in (I will leave it at that). However, I agree wholeheartedly with the means by which the tickets were distributed. Those who have financially contributed the most should have dibs on purchasing extra tickets. It just makes sense. Honest question though. As someone who moved back to Bozeman area 5 years ago, I can’t figure out how to get season tickets. They are always gone before I get a chance to purchase them. How does a person get the opportunity to become a season ticket holder?

Luck.
I have no problem with season holders getting first dibs on their tickets and some extras for the playoff. But each spring they get a chance to renew, then first chance to add new tickets. Then they open season to new people. 2nd phase they then give season ticket holders first chance on individual games before selling to public.

[kwcat]

I guess I’m an elitist. I sold all my eight extras at face value, plus fees, to Cat fans and gave away two of my ten season tickets, for free, to a Cat family that can’t normally afford to go to games.

Now, where is my smoking jacket? Time to head to the Yellowstone club for a martini.

AFCAT. Thanks for the tickets. My friends appreciated them.

[saintcat40]

@AFCAT thanks for the reminder. I do know a few season ticket holders, but before I ask them, maybe you could explain a bit more to me. Would I ask them to purchase extra season tickets, then somehow transfer ownership to me? I just don’t know the protocol. I guess the place to start is just call the ticket office and ask them the protocol.

[thisnamesucks]

Pretty much everyone I know who got tickets from a season ticket holder only had to pay face value. There was no price gouging going on, just cat fans helping cat fans get into the game. As it should be

[KIX]

Garbage article. Season tix holders i know sold any extras at face value to other Cat fans. Too bad Friz. FTG.