The Bobcat Nation

As many of us noticed, there were a lot of seats available in the student section. I was surprised how the tailgate was so subdued on Saturday afternoon. I don't understand why a person would want to do anything else on a picture-perfect October afternoon in Bozeman than attend a game, but for some reason there were a lot of empty seats. Some people on this board have said that student tickets should be reduced because of it and given to people who want them. I'd still like to keep these tickets for students so that people like me and other students who attend every week get our tickets. It's frustrating to me that these seats aren't full. I'd be open to giving those seats to others if they are not filled at kickoff, but I don't want to see the student tickets given up until the last possible minute. I'd like to know everybody else's opinion on this situation.

The student section is full everywhere but the top left. There are a good 300 or so seats available up there.

I would bet a lot of money that if you counted the number of students in the tailgate area with tickets in hand, those two numbers wouldn't be that far off.

This was my gripe from day one about the tailgaiting rule.

On a side note, I was sitting in the 2nd row at halftime (so as not to lose my seat, of course) and these two girls walk by looking up at us staying during halftime, and said to each other "What's up with all these people not tailgating?" That irritated me pretty bad.

None of this was really a problem last year. That's why they should let anyone tailgate, regardless of whether they have a ticket. The people who want to stay outside and party it up can do that, and the people that want to go inside can do that.

Well, I watched plenty of games without any people by me and a few friends on the 'booster' side of the stadium in the mid-'90s. It was pretty much pick your own seat back then.

Let's just be happy with the stands being as full as they are now?

CelticCat wrote:The student section is full everywhere but the top left. There are a good 300 or so seats available up there.

I would bet a lot of money that if you counted the number of students in the tailgate area with tickets in hand, those two numbers wouldn't be that far off.

This was my gripe from day one about the tailgaiting rule.

On a side note, I was sitting in the 2nd row at halftime (so as not to lose my seat, of course) and these two girls walk by looking up at us staying during halftime, and said to each other "What's up with all these people not tailgating?" That irritated me pretty bad.

I think I agree with everything that you said. It seems like some people would rather tailgate than attend the game and root hard for the Bobcats. That needs to change, and the tailgate rule needs to be scrapped.

On another side note, when I was younger, it seemed like I always had a good 10 rows to myself. (Don't ask me to explain why I had 10 rows to myself-I don't smell.) I don't miss those days at all and I love a full Bobcat Stadium every week. My wish is that every fan is there for every game, and rooting hard for the Bobcats to win. Some fans don't do that, and I guess I want some consistency.

Egg Salad wrote:None of this was really a problem last year. That's why they should let anyone tailgate, regardless of whether they have a ticket. The people who want to stay outside and party it up can do that, and the people that want to go inside can do that.

No shi*. The new tailgating rules are absolutely asinine. The number of open spots outside in the tailgate area is dramatically reduced. I cannot wait to see how many less people there will be at Cat-griz next year.
They should change the rules so that the people that want to stay outside all game long can do that and the people who actually want to stay in the game can go in.

longhorn_22 wrote:

Egg Salad wrote:None of this was really a problem last year. That's why they should let anyone tailgate, regardless of whether they have a ticket. The people who want to stay outside and party it up can do that, and the people that want to go inside can do that.

No shi*. The new tailgating rules are absolutely asinine. The number of open spots outside in the tailgate area is dramatically reduced. I cannot wait to see how many less people there will be at Cat-griz next year.
They should change the rules so that the people that want to stay outside all game long can do that and the people who actually want to stay in the game can go in.

Why is it so hard to understand that unless Athletics/MSU made the changes to tailgating, we could have lost tailgating all together? The University simply can't allow 1,000 students to sit outside and drink from 9am till 5pm without facing a huge liability. The rules have changed since we were in college. The only suggestion I can think of is to close the tailgate during the first quarter and third quarter (like they used to do)...and increase the Police presence in the tailgate section to cite minors. Of course this would have to apply to the booster tail gate section as well.

Here is the problem with those tickets. Msu new tailgate rules blow so those people for the years past that just tailgate and never go into the game now have a ticket. I am sure that there would be many other students who would like to go to the games, but student tickets sell out by wednesday. I you would like to see the student section full then this tailgate policy needs to be changes!

I don't think they can really close the tailgating in the 1st/3rd quarters. They can't force people to abandon their vehicles and other tailgating stuff.

I'm surprised that MSU hasn't moved the student section away from the high dollar seats at mid-field. They could move the students down and make a lot more money selling the middle of the field to those willing to give big bucks. Sort of like UM does.

Just my 2 Cents.

Cat-theotherwhitemeat wrote:I'm surprised that MSU hasn't moved the student section away from the high dollar seats at mid-field. They could move the students down and make a lot more money selling the middle of the field to those willing to give big bucks. Sort of like UM does.

Just my 2 Cents.

I disagree. I understand that the prime seats are between the 40's, but I like the attendance and enthusiam shown by the students. In my mind that's what separates our game day from the Griz's. The kids are very visible, and are having a blast. Gets me fired up just to see them.

Just bring back the female "A" in the middle of BOBCATS!

WalkOn79 wrote:

Cat-theotherwhitemeat wrote:I'm surprised that MSU hasn't moved the student section away from the high dollar seats at mid-field. They could move the students down and make a lot more money selling the middle of the field to those willing to give big bucks. Sort of like UM does.

Just my 2 Cents.

I disagree. I understand that the prime seats are between the 40's, but I like the attendance and enthusiam shown by the students. In my mind that's what separates our game day from the Griz's. The kids are very visible, and are having a blast. Gets me fired up just to see them.

I totally understand where you are coming from. However, what cost (per seat) are we talking about.

I hate using UM as an example because I know your not the Griz and you want your own identity. But look at all the thousands of dollars they generate by moving the students down. I'm not sure of the exact figures (if someone else does, please give it up) but I believe it cost thousands per seat to the GAA just to be able to purchase tickets in that section. The students would still come and they would still show plenty of enthusiasm IMO.

You say there's a liability issue? What's been the problem the past however many years they've been doing tailgating? Tailgating has worked fine and there is no reason to change it like they did, in my opinion.

Blue and Gold wrote: Why is it so hard to understand that unless Athletics/MSU made the changes to tailgating, we could have lost tailgating all together? The University simply can't allow 1,000 students to sit outside and drink from 9am till 5pm without facing a huge liability. The rules have changed since we were in college. The only suggestion I can think of is to close the tailgate during the first quarter and third quarter (like they used to do)...and increase the Police presence in the tailgate section to cite minors. Of course this would have to apply to the booster tail gate section as well.

I agree with you in a sense that it may be a liability to the University but why penalize EVERYBODY? The problem with society today, whether it be in the workplace, public, school, etc. is that we've become so frigging politically correct that we can't risk offending the offenders so we throw out a blanket solution that offends everybody who was abiding by the rules to begin with.

Cat-theotherwhitemeat wrote:

WalkOn79 wrote:

Cat-theotherwhitemeat wrote:I'm surprised that MSU hasn't moved the student section away from the high dollar seats at mid-field. They could move the students down and make a lot more money selling the middle of the field to those willing to give big bucks. Sort of like UM does.

Just my 2 Cents.

I disagree. I understand that the prime seats are between the 40's, but I like the attendance and enthusiam shown by the students. In my mind that's what separates our game day from the Griz's. The kids are very visible, and are having a blast. Gets me fired up just to see them.

I totally understand where you are coming from. However, what cost (per seat) are we talking about.

I hate using UM as an example because I know your not the Griz and you want your own identity. But look at all the thousands of dollars they generate by moving the students down. I'm not sure of the exact figures (if someone else does, please give it up) but I believe it cost thousands per seat to the GAA just to be able to purchase tickets in that section. The students would still come and they would still show plenty of enthusiasm IMO.

Is it wrong I agree with CTOWM so much?

There are a lot more students going to the games now then when I was in school but there are a lot more people in general going to the games. The student section is loud and obnoxious and I love that fact. There tickets aren't free. They are paid in tuition so they have some rights and glad they are there. When they made the tailgate rule they hurt the attendence because now everyone is in a mad dash to grab as many tickets so everyone can get in the Tailgate. Then lots of students choose to drink outside and never set foot in the stadium. Something has to change whether it be forcing the tailgaters in or allowing people to tailgate without a game ticket. Maybe they could issue tailgating passes and not game tickets to those who only like to party.

As for moving the student section because they take up prime real estate, I can't completely agree with this. They are loud and cheer the entire game even when the Cats are down. You could move them down and open up some seats but people better realize it they want those seats they better earn them and make some noise. Maybe after renovations are made they will have a different section and MSU can make some money on their seats but who knows when that will happen. I just hate having the attendence drop off so bad after halftime.

Truth be told though there are still a lot of seats open throughout the stadium. Even in that big yellow section in the middle. If I paid that much for those seats I'd make sure someone was in them for every home game. We are still a little ways off of filling that stadium every game.

I just don't see how you're going to satisfy every individual on this matter.
1) I've heard people complain about certain law enforcement members who seem to target "individuals" in the tail gate areas. But, if you're not wanting a blanket policy, you've got to target individuals right?

2) You can, and they have in the past, shut down the entire tailgating area. Having people leave their things wasn't ever an issue for us when I was attending MSU. But, every person who was tailgating went into the game. Please keep in mind this is the main purpose of this event; to come to the football game and support the team. The tailgating is a wonderful topping to the event. But in no way are you ever going to get myself, or the administration, convinced that tailgating is separate and that people should be allowed to party all day on school grounds just because.

After walking through the tailgate section on Saturday for a game that ultimtely sold out all of its standing room only tickets, I was very surprised at the lack of tailgating going on (not even close to being filled up from a vehicle parking sense). If the arguement is that fans are not coming due to the current policy, what gives on the lack of vehicles. You can't tell me that 5-10 students can't have one of their buddies pack everything into his pickup and drive to the game (heck that's $1-2 per individual for the parking pass). Not all students live that close to campus.

Finally, if it really is the policy that is driving this many students (again onlly going off of what I saw in the parking lot) away, then they're losing out on some of the best experiences that college provides...sad.

Blue and Gold wrote:

longhorn_22 wrote:

Egg Salad wrote:None of this was really a problem last year. That's why they should let anyone tailgate, regardless of whether they have a ticket. The people who want to stay outside and party it up can do that, and the people that want to go inside can do that.

No shi*. The new tailgating rules are absolutely asinine. The number of open spots outside in the tailgate area is dramatically reduced. I cannot wait to see how many less people there will be at Cat-griz next year.
They should change the rules so that the people that want to stay outside all game long can do that and the people who actually want to stay in the game can go in.

Why is it so hard to understand that unless Athletics/MSU made the changes to tailgating, we could have lost tailgating all together? The University simply can't allow 1,000 students to sit outside and drink from 9am till 5pm without facing a huge liability. The rules have changed since we were in college. The only suggestion I can think of is to close the tailgate during the first quarter and third quarter (like they used to do)...and increase the Police presence in the tailgate section to cite minors. Of course this would have to apply to the booster tail gate section as well.

I truly would like to see the tailgate closed during game play. They can open it up for halftime to get people out there, but let them drink before and after and then have people go into the game. Though I'm guessing if we weren't winning and weren't considered successful then we wouldn't have to worry about this problem because the stands wouldn't be so full.

How about a PA announcement outside the stadium. Maybe 5 minutes to kickoff for ther second half. THat may get the fans back inside to start the 3rd quarter.