PAGE SIX
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1950
The Editorial Page-
Rift Among Rooters
When the football squad's performances this fall caused the Homecoming game to be a sellout, many hard feelings were created toward students, toward adults, and toward the athletic department. None of these three factions is to be blamed, for the quarrel over stadium seats resulted from an error.
After having presented the views of a member of the University faculty in Tuesday's Kansan and the opinion of an outsider whose classification falls in the category of "the public" in Wednesday's Kansan, it seems that the editorial column should contain a statement from the newspaper's own staff.
Investigation of the circumstances involved in the dispute over seating facilities at the Homecoming game have led us to believe that a conscientious effort by the University's athletic department to enable all K.U. football fans to see the team perform has backfired. . all because of a rope.
Students arrived early at the game and occupied seats in section E, not really a part of their reserved area. However, the action was not intentionally unethical, for the section rope was mistakenly placed between sections D and E instead of sections E and F. Perhaps the error should be credited to University workmen. No one knows.
When fans who had purchased $3 tickets claimed their reserved seats, they were irritated to find students occupying them. Students were equally irritated by ticket holders who told them to "get out." Both groups were angry with the athletic department for what was haphazardly termed mismanagement.
The University sold some 500 reserved seats in section E of the stadium, but not with the intention of ousting students from the seats purchased by their activity fees. In a formal apology, A. C. Lonborg, athletic director, expressed his concern over the incident. "It was a most unfortunate happening, and we are taking steps to see that it doesn't occur again," he said. Persons affected by the error in roping off the division line are being given refunds, and precautions against a similar mixup at the Oklahoma game are being taken, according to the athletic director.
Just one point remains to be explained for completing an attempt at student pacification. What are the precautions which are to prevent a similar mixup at the Oklahoma game? Section E will be offered to the public and, without the error of faulty roping, students will have no trouble in knowing what seats are designated for them. But since only eleven sections are included in F through R, and since the seating capacity of a section is 640 persons, the student area may again fail to offer sufficient space. About 7,040 persons may sit in the area, but 7,566 students plus many students' wives and some faculty members possess activity cards.
We think a system of reserved seating for students would relieve the tension which mounts annually as thousands of persons clamor for a spot from which to view the games. Whether the system were one of rotation or one of upperclass priority would be a decision for the athletic department in cooperation with the All Student Council. But almost any system of reserved seating would relieve the current conflict.
Wednesday's article (from the Topeka Daily Capital) stated that adult ticketholders include some of the best friends and supporters K.U. has. Tuesday's article (by a K.U. faculty member) stated that the student is the athletic department's best and most loyal customer. It is difficult to say which belief is more nearly correct, but it is not difficult to see that the good-will and support of both groups is indispensable to the school's welfare.
WE HAVE THE RECORDS
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NOW IT'S YOUR MOVE
Wrathful Writer
Dear Editor:
Due to the fact that I was one of several hundred students who were unable to find seats in the stadium last Saturday, I found Mr. Scollay's recent editorial most interesting.
However, my interest was more closely centered on the reply of Mr. Lonborg which, in my opinion, was no justification whatsoever for the situation which occurred at the Nebraska game.
If, as was stated, the student area includes only sections F through R, then it should be enlarged, for it was obviously too small to accommodate the number of students who were there.
It is indeed kind for the athletic department to let students use bleacher seats when they have not been sold, but I felt that these seats should never be offered for sale as long as the possibility of students' being unable to find seats exists. After all, to whom do the athletic department and the University owe their first obligation? To the students, of course.
Donald Stewart College Junior
If no action is taken on the matter, one and only one conclusion can be reached. It is that our athletic department wants to fill its coffers more than it wants the good will of the team's most loyal followers, the students.
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