COLUMN: What went wrong at the USU/BYU basketball game
Originally this column was about tolerating lies, defects and complete laziness of roommates and accepting their blunt, untactful criticism. Instead it is dedicated to fans attending sporting events for enjoyment.
As exciting as a one-point neck and neck overtime game can be, the Utah State University/BYU basketball game was a hoax. Many blame the referees for the disarray. I blame the crowd, and I’m not talking about the technical foul after the first score of the game. Rolls of toilet paper were thrown onto the court. I admit that’s a funny prank, but try it at the BYU home game. Give them the technical, not us.
I support and enjoy playing sports and representing USU, so don’t get me wrong, many students enjoyed the game. I’m sure I would have too, if I had seen it. I was there.
First off, reserved seating. Fine, but if you didn’t buy a reserved seat, what gives you the right to reserve a seat? No, I’m not talking about paying more and sitting in a “special” section. I’m talking about general admission student seating. My date and I picked up our tickets early. We wandered around for 30 minutes before tip-off looking for two seats. We saw plenty of seats, whole rows and even sections that were void of people. Did we find a place to sit? No.
What we found were a few students reserving mass quantities of seats for friends. Families can’t find seats together. General admission implies that it’s on a first come first serve basis. True story, some people I asked about the seats they’re reserving for their friends said, “We were here first.” I don’t argue that. You were here first, but your friends weren’t. Pathetic excuse.
General admission doesn’t mean general anymore, but reserved. One-half hour before the “sold-out” game and the Spectrum lacked spectators. I’m sure it looked great on TV. Yes, even at tip-off the section below the press box was half-empty. That’s the section broadcast in the background of televised games. These prime seats should be filled first. Coaches and players show up before game time, why can’t these so-called “dedicated” fans? A true dedicated fan shows up early to the game, whether alone or with a group. It’s not a social acceptance event, but loyalty to the team.
OK, agreed, standing adds excitement and enthusiasm to a game, but how can the crowd become more riled up if they’re already standing? There was a time when standing ovations occurred when someone did something spectacular. Oh well, the good old days are gone, leaving this unpolite, discourteous generation of obnoxious rebels. If you’re offended, take a good look at your attitude, maybe it needs severe adjusting.
Only one section was standing, everyone else got a clue and enjoyed the seat they bought tickets for. I guess you get what you pay for, and since I only “reserved” a ticket for admittance, that doesn’t guarantee me a seat.
Here’s what happens. One person stands up in front of you. Rather than stand and start a tidal wave of rudeness behind you, wait a second (or heaven forbid two), then ask that person to kindly sit down.
When one person stands, and never sits, others behind them are required to stand. Please, after standing for a time, sit. Even my friend’s dog understands that word, and I wouldn’t want to relate people to animals, not yet.
This is by simple observation, take it as you will, but look around at a game next time and see if you spot these examples.
I saw a pregnant lady – who I’m sure couldn’t stand long, a mother with her two kids and shorter students watch the backs of people and catch glimpses of the game here and there. That was my situation, as I sat. Yes, I sat, along with so many others. I was able to see the game from another perspective.
A father brings his son to the game. Sure he could have stayed home and watched the televised game, but there’s something inside a boy that makes him feel watching the game live with his father is quality time. As we all know, but don’t always realize, kids aren’t full-grown. Kids stand on chairs and still can’t see over adults. Stadium seating was invented so everyone could sit to watch events.
At times I thought, “Good, the crowd is sitting down. Now I can see some of the game.” How could I be such a fool? It was a time-out. Well, at least I got to see the players’ sweat to prove they were actually playing.
I did get to see a sweet, unsuspecting dunk. Ha, the crowd couldn’t take all the view away.
There’s something about being right there, at the game and feeling the atmosphere of fellow students and fans rooting for the same team. Saturday’s game would have been better for some at home.
Nobody goes to a game to miss the action, but that’s what happened, and that hurts USU as a whole.