I read Neil Rudel's article and the David Jones piece on Penn Live.
I am an alumni and longtime season ticket holder who does not sit between the 40-yard lines. PSU's lack of financial planning should not be on my shoulders. I also believe this move has the potential to destroy the entire environment at Beaver Stadium.
If the reports are true, the two seats I have in section WA, which are between the goal line and 5-yard line, would require an additional $400/seat annual fee - that's if they are available. Info cited from the Daily Collegian indicates that part of the reseating plan is to move students into section WA. After 10 years of waiting for better seats, I was able to move from the upper deck in the north end zone into my current seats in 2002. I love the people who sit around us, and I am sure there are many fans that have not changed seats for many years for this same reason.
There is also the issue of paying the same price over the years for end-zone or goal-line seats as those on the 50-yard line, even during PSU's dark years (think Iowa 6, PSU 4). I feel like I have paid my dues, but obviously I will need to pay more for my premium seats.
I can't even begin to voice my displeasure with the non-conference scheduling and the price increase they feel is necessary to subsidize other sports. I know this happens at other big schools too, but the principal of charging this kind of money for this product in these economic times may just push me out.
Perhaps it's time I start getting my money's worth out of the Big Ten Network. I guess this financial instrument was not enough, either.
Gregg Shields
Glenmoore
Did Rudel take Economics?
Be fair please, Neil Rudel.
I pay much more than the minimum donation and sit four rows from the top of NHU and did not complain for 6 years.
When I see full season tickets at the 40- and 50-yard lines selling on StubHub shortly after they are sent out in June it becomes very obvious that not every season ticket holder is in this for the love of the team.
The Nittany Lion Club donation to secure a seat is too low and has been too low for years. I don't expect club box seats when I pay end-zone prices, and the folks at the 40 who can't afford the larger donations need to move on up to the end zone.
Trust me: The seats in NHU are just fine. Everybody will get what they can afford to purchase.
Just because your grandfather bought the seats in 1945 does not entitle you to have those seats forever. Get up earlier, work harder and pay more for the seats if you love them so dearly. Lazy folks always cry when costs go up, and costs always go up.
If the price becomes too expensive, then the stadium will not sell out, and PSU will be forced to lower the cost of the seats.
Seats are worth what people are willing to pay - no more and no less. Did Rudel attend that Economics course while he was in school?
Let the football revenue continue to create opportunities for the women's lacrosse team as it should.
Terry Webb
Upper Dublin
Plan should be phased in gradually
Neil Rudel wrote a great article in Tuesday's Mirror on the new season-ticket pricing for Penn State football.
I agree that some restructuring would be fine, but what is wrong with easing in to it so as not to irritate the fan base?
As an end-zone dweller myself for over 20 years, I do not see anything wrong with the better seats paying more. I would be willing to pay more to move. They could do this more gracefully through a combination of the contribution level and the face value of the tickets over time rather than hitting us with a club.
They may be surprised how many people they knock out with their club. Many people drive many hours, and the product being offered is becoming very predictable. Price isn't the sole issue. What are you getting for your money?
I love Joe, and what he has done for the university is beyond compare in the history of college sports but the facts are the facts.
Beating good teams is no longer expected, it's a surprise. Weak scheduling for such a long period of time has contributed to this as well as the matter-of-fact, calm demeanor in which the coaches and administration react to losing.
My fellow graduates from the early '80s can't believe I still make the trek every week from Pittsburgh. They say I drank the kool-aid, and I have been suckered by great marketing. They are beginning to convince me, and I am probably not alone.
We go for the experience. Winning against good competition has become a bonus.
The only thing that keeps it from becoming the Pittsburgh Pirates (we go to experience the great stadium and the fireworks) is that we win a good percentage of the time because the conference isn't very good, and we basically get to pick our opponents.
Those wins have just started to seem so meaningless to me anymore. The whole experience is beginning to feel scripted.
Something needs to change, and a massive ticket price increase is not the answer.
Rudy Westphal
Pittsburgh
Loyalty is non-existent
I sit in the end zone at Beaver Stadium, 13 rows from field level and will not upgrade. However, in our world today, those in power - government or Penn State - are going to do whatever they want to do and make the buyer carry the freight at whatever cost.
Loyalty is non-existent anymore. The buyer has two choices: buy the product or services or don't buy if you have a choice.
We buyers need to voice our concerns. We send in our Nittany Lion Club dues, but that is all we can do. We have to move on.
Les Hart
Duncansville
Giger owes Hull an apology
As usual, I find the writings of Cory Giger and Neil Rudel in the Altoona Mirror to be created nonsense.
These guys create, rather than report the sports news. Their reporting should be on the opinion page rather than the sports news page or the Altoona Mirror should add a tabloid section to the paper.
The latest article by Giger on PSU linebacker Josh Hull, should have been an apology to Josh Hull and his family. It is my belief that Giger is the person who started all the derogatory nonsense about Josh Hull.
As coach Paterno pointed out, Josh Hull earned his scholarship, he earned his starting position on the team, and coach Paterno felt he was doing the job.
The only derogatory remarks about Hull were those created by the sports news media, and it has been proven that they - Giger in particular - did not know what they were talking about.
I find that Giger and Rudel cater to a lot of idiot sports fans.
Al Montanaro
Bellwood
