I Really Disagree with this Letter to the Editor in BDC

[PHAT CAT]

No one is complaining that those who have waited in line "get to dance first". They are complaining you got more extra tickets than normal to the dance. Season ticket holders have admitted they sold or gave their tickets to people who wouldn't normally be able to go, or maybe wouldn't go normally. I said in another thread I bet there were quite a few fans in the stands attending their very first Bobcat game ever simply because of who they know. And yet people here are essentially saying "put up or shut up" in terms of spending money and time at MSU athletics. This is the attitude the author of the letter is arguing against.

This letter is ridiculous but MSU brought this upon themselves by not letting a single ticket go up for sale for anyone else besides season ticket holders.

So not okay for season ticket holders to give tickets away to people they know, but better that completely random fans has access to tickets? That seems completely contrary to the goal of getting tickets into verified MSU fans. And I can’t imagine a better group of verified fans than season ticket holders. Kudos to MSU for making sure the stadium was packed with MSU fans.

Nobody has mentioned the number of student tickets purchased and donated by season ticket holders. I purchased 20 for every playoff game that were donated to students. How many of the casual fans made these completely voluntary contributions? How many of these casual fans complaining went to the Mercyhurst or San Diego games? The “outrage” of these casual fans not getting tickets is the very definition of entitled fan.

As far as this editorial, we are not sure if he has ever attended an MSU game in his life. Just feels entitled to having that option. We don’t even know if this guy waited in line or tried to call the ticket office or asked around his work or relatives for tickets. I know a lot of people who found tickets at face value by simply asking around. This guy will be complaining next year when he can’t get tickets to the regular season Cat Gris game.

Holy crap! You paying for 20 student tix to every playoff game, is incredibly kind and generous. Thank You, for doing that for the kids. I only requested four extra tix. They went to friends who go to about every game. They buy standing room most of the time because of expense limitations. I have a cousin who wanted four. Would pay 250 a ticket. I still remember his jokes when the streak was alive and well. NO grizzly was getting tickets from me. Try explaining that to St, Peter. That's a guaranteed one way ticket to hell.

[rfischer94]

Watch the semifinal from '84. You can clearly see that the fans in attendance come from all backgrounds and socioeconomic classes. This is one of the best things about bobcat football in my opinion - it brings different people together in support of something bigger than themselves. I think it's mission critical that we find ways to make bobcat football accessible to all who want to be a part of it. Kid Rock has an approach to combat scalping that is interesting.

[catatac]

No one is complaining that those who have waited in line "get to dance first". They are complaining you got more extra tickets than normal to the dance. Season ticket holders have admitted they sold or gave their tickets to people who wouldn't normally be able to go, or maybe wouldn't go normally. I said in another thread I bet there were quite a few fans in the stands attending their very first Bobcat game ever simply because of who they know. And yet people here are essentially saying "put up or shut up" in terms of spending money and time at MSU athletics. This is the attitude the author of the letter is arguing against.

This letter is ridiculous but MSU brought this upon themselves by not letting a single ticket go up for sale for anyone else besides season ticket holders.

So not okay for season ticket holders to give tickets away to people they know, but better that completely random fans has access to tickets? That seems completely contrary to the goal of getting tickets into verified MSU fans. And I can’t imagine a better group of verified fans than season ticket holders. Kudos to MSU for making sure the stadium was packed with MSU fans.

Nobody has mentioned the number of student tickets purchased and donated by season ticket holders. I purchased 20 for every playoff game that were donated to students. How many of the casual fans made these completely voluntary contributions? How many of these casual fans complaining went to the Mercyhurst or San Diego games? The “outrage” of these casual fans not getting tickets is the very definition of entitled fan.

As far as this editorial, we are not sure if he has ever attended an MSU game in his life. Just feels entitled to having that option. We don’t even know if this guy waited in line or tried to call the ticket office or asked around his work or relatives for tickets. I know a lot of people who found tickets at face value by simply asking around. This guy will be complaining next year when he can’t get tickets to the regular season Cat Gris game.

Holy crap! You paying for 20 student tix to every playoff game, is incredibly kind and generous. Thank You, for doing that for the kids. I only requested four extra tix. They went to friends who go to about every game. They buy standing room most of the time because of expense limitations. I have a cousin who wanted four. Would pay 250 a ticket. I still remember his jokes when the streak was alive and well. NO grizzly was getting tickets from me. Try explaining that to St, Peter. That's a guaranteed one way ticket to hell.

Not diminishing the generosity, because that is awesome, but just FYI those student tickets that we buy, are only $5... which is a sweet deal and well worth doing.

[BFcatfan]

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?

Call the ticket office and get on the waiting list. GRiZ did it for years. It’s a nice problem to have. Wasn’t to many years ago we had a hard time filling it. And yes the season ticket holders have a priority point number established by money donated to MSU. It’s a system that’s been around for years, you take care of us we will take care of you.. funny how that works!

[BFcatfan]

@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.

Season ticket holders have priority to purchase new season tickets every year. That’s how I went from two season tickets to ten. There may or may not be some extra tickets available this next year. Ask your friend(s) to call the ticket office when they open up for new sales. Season ticket holders get a notice every year about new sales. The tickets will belong to the season ticket holder and they transfer them to you at the start of the season. I do this with my ten tickets. I transfer them to my family and a couple of friends that are on my plan. I also keep two tickets in reserve as giveaways to others. Not sure about transferring ownership, but that might be able to be done. I like keeping everything together in one plan though, because that helps me with my priority point ranking. You can always drop out if the stadium expands and you can get your own plan, but this is a way in the door.

So you buy extra and get all the benefit of priority points rather than the new ticket holders. This is the type of thing people are complaining about. New graduates, fans who moved back to area, family situation changes so person can start attending do not have much chance. Current holders get first chance and if they use a scenario you lay out they get some tickets but none of the extra over the years. Is there incentive for the person you help to donate more. Do you see the concern with this and not opening up for new ticket holders first. It wasn't an issue for a long time but being at capacity it definitely can be.
I am not directing this at you as you just utilize what is available.

Just having season tickets doesn’t move you very far up that priority points list, many on here have already written about that. You have to do much more. Donate to the Bobcat collective, I do a monthly allotment. Become a QB club member, Fast break club member, Sixth man club, etc. Heck, I can’t count how many times during the year we are asked to donate more to the QB club to cover additional things like medical equipment for the team, coaches bonuses, travel funds for athletes, recruiting money. Even the QB club meetings are set up to donate extra money every week. Purchase 50/50 tickets at the meetings and if you win, most people donate that money back to the athletes.
You also have to donate lots of extra money every year to funding of things like the BAC, indoor facility, etc. I have a yearly allotment set up for those projects. Just paid off my BAC pledge this year. Go to the Bobcat Club events when they come to your town and donate at that event too.

My season tickets alone barely make a dent in what I have to give every year to be higher up on the priority points list. If my friends and family want to donate more money to move higher up on the priority list on their own, they can certainly do so, but the benefit to them would be about the same as what they get now. However, none of us really donate to benefit ourselves.

The “incentive” or benefit of being higher on the priority points list is being able to purchase those eight playoff game tickets and six tickets to the championship game, if the Cats make it that far. That’s about it. That’s the benefit. Thousands and thousands of dollars donated every year and I get those two things, the opportunity to spend more money. Oh, and I get six free parking opportunities in the parking garage every year for being in the Presidents club, which I’ve never used. My real incentive to give to MSU isn’t those extra tickets, it’s because I love MSU.

This is spot on and why we give.. Not to benefit us but to make MSU and MSU student athletes be all who they can be.

[Cataholic]

No one is complaining that those who have waited in line "get to dance first". They are complaining you got more extra tickets than normal to the dance. Season ticket holders have admitted they sold or gave their tickets to people who wouldn't normally be able to go, or maybe wouldn't go normally. I said in another thread I bet there were quite a few fans in the stands attending their very first Bobcat game ever simply because of who they know. And yet people here are essentially saying "put up or shut up" in terms of spending money and time at MSU athletics. This is the attitude the author of the letter is arguing against.

This letter is ridiculous but MSU brought this upon themselves by not letting a single ticket go up for sale for anyone else besides season ticket holders.

So not okay for season ticket holders to give tickets away to people they know, but better that completely random fans has access to tickets? That seems completely contrary to the goal of getting tickets into verified MSU fans. And I can’t imagine a better group of verified fans than season ticket holders. Kudos to MSU for making sure the stadium was packed with MSU fans.

Nobody has mentioned the number of student tickets purchased and donated by season ticket holders. I purchased 20 for every playoff game that were donated to students. How many of the casual fans made these completely voluntary contributions? How many of these casual fans complaining went to the Mercyhurst or San Diego games? The “outrage” of these casual fans not getting tickets is the very definition of entitled fan.

As far as this editorial, we are not sure if he has ever attended an MSU game in his life. Just feels entitled to having that option. We don’t even know if this guy waited in line or tried to call the ticket office or asked around his work or relatives for tickets. I know a lot of people who found tickets at face value by simply asking around. This guy will be complaining next year when he can’t get tickets to the regular season Cat Gris game.

Holy crap! You paying for 20 student tix to every playoff game, is incredibly kind and generous. Thank You, for doing that for the kids. I only requested four extra tix. They went to friends who go to about every game. They buy standing room most of the time because of expense limitations. I have a cousin who wanted four. Would pay 250 a ticket. I still remember his jokes when the streak was alive and well. NO grizzly was getting tickets from me. Try explaining that to St, Peter. That's a guaranteed one way ticket to hell.

Not diminishing the generosity, because that is awesome, but just FYI those student tickets that we buy, are only $5... which is a sweet deal and well worth doing.

I was just to post that clarification as well. However, I am confident that a lot of season ticket holders did the same thing for the students.

[lutecat]

No one is complaining that those who have waited in line "get to dance first". They are complaining you got more extra tickets than normal to the dance. Season ticket holders have admitted they sold or gave their tickets to people who wouldn't normally be able to go, or maybe wouldn't go normally. I said in another thread I bet there were quite a few fans in the stands attending their very first Bobcat game ever simply because of who they know. And yet people here are essentially saying "put up or shut up" in terms of spending money and time at MSU athletics. This is the attitude the author of the letter is arguing against.

This letter is ridiculous but MSU brought this upon themselves by not letting a single ticket go up for sale for anyone else besides season ticket holders.

So not okay for season ticket holders to give tickets away to people they know, but better that completely random fans has access to tickets? That seems completely contrary to the goal of getting tickets into verified MSU fans. And I can’t imagine a better group of verified fans than season ticket holders. Kudos to MSU for making sure the stadium was packed with MSU fans.

Nobody has mentioned the number of student tickets purchased and donated by season ticket holders. I purchased 20 for every playoff game that were donated to students. How many of the casual fans made these completely voluntary contributions? How many of these casual fans complaining went to the Mercyhurst or San Diego games? The “outrage” of these casual fans not getting tickets is the very definition of entitled fan.

As far as this editorial, we are not sure if he has ever attended an MSU game in his life. Just feels entitled to having that option. We don’t even know if this guy waited in line or tried to call the ticket office or asked around his work or relatives for tickets. I know a lot of people who found tickets at face value by simply asking around. This guy will be complaining next year when he can’t get tickets to the regular season Cat Gris game.

Holy crap! You paying for 20 student tix to every playoff game, is incredibly kind and generous. Thank You, for doing that for the kids. I only requested four extra tix. They went to friends who go to about every game. They buy standing room most of the time because of expense limitations. I have a cousin who wanted four. Would pay 250 a ticket. I still remember his jokes when the streak was alive and well. NO grizzly was getting tickets from me. Try explaining that to St, Peter. That's a guaranteed one way ticket to hell.

Not diminishing the generosity, because that is awesome, but just FYI those student tickets that we buy, are only $5... which is a sweet deal and well worth doing.

I was just to post that clarification as well. However, I am confident that a lot of season ticket holders did the same thing for the students.

I like the way you wrote your post anout why it works how it does. You should seriously consider writing a letter to the editor in rebuttal to this guy.

[RUACAT]

My family has had season tickets in the same area since 1974. Where were this people when I couldn't give tickets away in the late eighties? We had eight of them. A lot went unclaimed and into the trash. Every year my dad paid booster fees and bought our tickets. Every year. I took them over long time ago after he got killed mowing our lawn. We didn't miss games even when we sucked and Reno H. Sales was empty. We kept buying our season tickets and paying the booster level fees. Now that we're damn good, people are belly aching that they can't get in? Guess what pal? Go pound F--king sand. I stood inline and got four extra tickets for Bobcat friends. Sold them for what I paid. Sorry some people are late to the party. But for a lot of us. We did the heavy lifting, long before the party line formed. Sorry if we want to dance first.

Wow, talk about entitled. Maybe some fans didn't graduate until the last 20 years and needed to get their feet on the ground before being able to take on season tickets. Do we not want a new batch of fans. I get the hate for the letter writer, but you cast a broad brush.

Seniority has priority. Entitled? Yeah, right. MSU didn't sellout of season tickets until two years ago. Where was this dude? Cry me a river.

I don't think EZ tix have been available. I've been trying to buy two extra tickets for family for at least 5 years and have been told none were available.

[wbtfg]

My family has had season tickets in the same area since 1974. Where were this people when I couldn't give tickets away in the late eighties? We had eight of them. A lot went unclaimed and into the trash. Every year my dad paid booster fees and bought our tickets. Every year. I took them over long time ago after he got killed mowing our lawn. We didn't miss games even when we sucked and Reno H. Sales was empty. We kept buying our season tickets and paying the booster level fees. Now that we're damn good, people are belly aching that they can't get in? Guess what pal? Go pound F--king sand. I stood inline and got four extra tickets for Bobcat friends. Sold them for what I paid. Sorry some people are late to the party. But for a lot of us. We did the heavy lifting, long before the party line formed. Sorry if we want to dance first.

Wow, talk about entitled. Maybe some fans didn't graduate until the last 20 years and needed to get their feet on the ground before being able to take on season tickets. Do we not want a new batch of fans. I get the hate for the letter writer, but you cast a broad brush.

Seniority has priority. Entitled? Yeah, right. MSU didn't sellout of season tickets until two years ago. Where was this dude? Cry me a river.

I don't think EZ tix have been available. I've been trying to buy two extra tickets for family for at least 5 years and have been told none were available.

There were EZ season tickets available this year.

[WalkOn79]

No one is complaining that those who have waited in line "get to dance first". They are complaining you got more extra tickets than normal to the dance. Season ticket holders have admitted they sold or gave their tickets to people who wouldn't normally be able to go, or maybe wouldn't go normally. I said in another thread I bet there were quite a few fans in the stands attending their very first Bobcat game ever simply because of who they know. And yet people here are essentially saying "put up or shut up" in terms of spending money and time at MSU athletics. This is the attitude the author of the letter is arguing against.

This letter is ridiculous but MSU brought this upon themselves by not letting a single ticket go up for sale for anyone else besides season ticket holders.

So not okay for season ticket holders to give tickets away to people they know, but better that completely random fans has access to tickets? That seems completely contrary to the goal of getting tickets into verified MSU fans. And I can’t imagine a better group of verified fans than season ticket holders. Kudos to MSU for making sure the stadium was packed with MSU fans.

Nobody has mentioned the number of student tickets purchased and donated by season ticket holders. I purchased 20 for every playoff game that were donated to students. How many of the casual fans made these completely voluntary contributions? How many of these casual fans complaining went to the Mercyhurst or San Diego games? The “outrage” of these casual fans not getting tickets is the very definition of entitled fan.

As far as this editorial, we are not sure if he has ever attended an MSU game in his life. Just feels entitled to having that option. We don’t even know if this guy waited in line or tried to call the ticket office or asked around his work or relatives for tickets. I know a lot of people who found tickets at face value by simply asking around. This guy will be complaining next year when he can’t get tickets to the regular season Cat Gris game.

Holy crap! You paying for 20 student tix to every playoff game, is incredibly kind and generous. Thank You, for doing that for the kids. I only requested four extra tix. They went to friends who go to about every game. They buy standing room most of the time because of expense limitations. I have a cousin who wanted four. Would pay 250 a ticket. I still remember his jokes when the streak was alive and well. NO grizzly was getting tickets from me. Try explaining that to St, Peter. That's a guaranteed one way ticket to hell.

Not diminishing the generosity, because that is awesome, but just FYI those student tickets that we buy, are only $5... which is a sweet deal and well worth doing.

Yeah I did 10 donated for each so it only ran me $150 for the entire postseason.

[RUACAT]

My family has had season tickets in the same area since 1974. Where were this people when I couldn't give tickets away in the late eighties? We had eight of them. A lot went unclaimed and into the trash. Every year my dad paid booster fees and bought our tickets. Every year. I took them over long time ago after he got killed mowing our lawn. We didn't miss games even when we sucked and Reno H. Sales was empty. We kept buying our season tickets and paying the booster level fees. Now that we're damn good, people are belly aching that they can't get in? Guess what pal? Go pound F--king sand. I stood inline and got four extra tickets for Bobcat friends. Sold them for what I paid. Sorry some people are late to the party. But for a lot of us. We did the heavy lifting, long before the party line formed. Sorry if we want to dance first.

Wow, talk about entitled. Maybe some fans didn't graduate until the last 20 years and needed to get their feet on the ground before being able to take on season tickets. Do we not want a new batch of fans. I get the hate for the letter writer, but you cast a broad brush.

Seniority has priority. Entitled? Yeah, right. MSU didn't sellout of season tickets until two years ago. Where was this dude? Cry me a river.

I don't think EZ tix have been available. I've been trying to buy two extra tickets for family for at least 5 years and have been told none were available.

There were EZ season tickets available this year.

I guess I called too late but I was told nothing was available. I didn't do it this year, but in previous years I've emailed and called to request getting on a waitlist. Only one year have I ever received a reply while renewing my tickets with the office telling me they couldn't grant my request. I'm so far down the priority list that I've always assumed there were more requests than availability.

[wbtfg]

My family has had season tickets in the same area since 1974. Where were this people when I couldn't give tickets away in the late eighties? We had eight of them. A lot went unclaimed and into the trash. Every year my dad paid booster fees and bought our tickets. Every year. I took them over long time ago after he got killed mowing our lawn. We didn't miss games even when we sucked and Reno H. Sales was empty. We kept buying our season tickets and paying the booster level fees. Now that we're damn good, people are belly aching that they can't get in? Guess what pal? Go pound F--king sand. I stood inline and got four extra tickets for Bobcat friends. Sold them for what I paid. Sorry some people are late to the party. But for a lot of us. We did the heavy lifting, long before the party line formed. Sorry if we want to dance first.

Wow, talk about entitled. Maybe some fans didn't graduate until the last 20 years and needed to get their feet on the ground before being able to take on season tickets. Do we not want a new batch of fans. I get the hate for the letter writer, but you cast a broad brush.

Seniority has priority. Entitled? Yeah, right. MSU didn't sellout of season tickets until two years ago. Where was this dude? Cry me a river.

I don't think EZ tix have been available. I've been trying to buy two extra tickets for family for at least 5 years and have been told none were available.

There were EZ season tickets available this year.

I guess I called too late but I was told nothing was available. I didn't do it this year, but in previous years I've emailed and called to request getting on a waitlist. Only one year have I ever received a reply while renewing my tickets with the office telling me they couldn't grant my request. I'm so far down the priority list that I've always assumed there were more requests than availability.

I feel next year is going to be insane for ticket requests. Cat/gris in Bozeman and coming off a trip to Nashville. I'd definitely contact the ticket office in Feb to see what the process looks like.