As an MSU alumni, a 20-year season ticket holder and a former dedicated student section attendee, the topic being debated around campus (and apparently the state) regarding this season’s student section attendance is a topic I feel quite strongly about. I would like to first start by saying I completely understand why people got defensive when ESPN called us out on national television. Perhaps that was a little excessive but, in my opinion, it was also fair.
The arguments I have heard in defense of students leaving the games early or not showing up at all is that it was cold and raining on the game against Nebraska, that students bought the tickets so they can do as they please with them, that students wanted to beat the line at the bars and finally that student section tickets are for fun and are not some obligatory contractual purchase.
Pointing out the obvious — you are residents of the state of Michigan. Anyone who has lived here for more than a year should understand that the weather is unpredictable and in the fall season it will inevitably be very cold. This should be expected. This should be understood when purchasing season tickets to an outdoor sporting event. As a result of this fact, leaving a game early because of the weather is bullshit. Student section tickets exist to be purchased by loyal and dedicated student body fans, not fair-weather fans who can’t handle a little rain. Dress for the weather. Wear layers and a poncho.
My 75-year-old grandmother stayed the entire game. She is literally over 50 years older than every person in the student section and she handled the weather out of loyalty to her alma mater and her love for Spartan football. I am not claiming that every person should feel this dedicated. I am, however, saying that if you are purchasing student section tickets then that is absolutely the attitude you should have towards our school and our team.
I was in the student section fall of 2008 to fall of 2011 and the student section vibe was starkly different than it is now. We endured monsoon-like rain, sleet, hail, slush, below 0 degree temperatures. If fact, those were the games we lived for. The players didn’t give up because of the weather so why would we? There was a sense of camaraderie that you truly don’t experience anywhere else. We were proud to stand with our team, we were proud to be Spartans.
I understand and can definitely appreciate if tailgating, getting wasted and getting to Rick’s before a line forms is what is important to someone on a Saturday in the fall, but if that’s the case, then don’t purchase tickets. Leave the student section tickets to those whose priorities are supporting our team for the entire game.
We don’t criticize the hoops students need to jump through in order to become part of the Izzone, why should football be any different? In order to become part of the Izzone, you must prove your dedication and commitment to supporting our team, even when we have a terrible season. Our football team won the Rose Bowl last year and is looking for a National Championship this year, if I had it my way we would be screening everyone who wants to buy student tickets and ensuring they are here for the right reasons.
Do fans win or lose a game? Absolutely not. But fans do, without a doubt, boost morale when it’s needed most and keep good energy in the stadium when our team is struggling to keep their heads on straight. When our fans, especially our students, don’t show up or leave/give up early then we are telling the team we don’t really care if they win or they lose. And I’m sure a lot of people don’t care if we win or lose, and that’s okay. But those people shouldn’t be allowed in the stadium — watch it from your couch or go to the bar, where you leave the 3rd quarter to go to anyways.
Our football team deserves better fans, especially this season. Our student section should be ashamed and should be criticized for their lack of loyalty.
Molly Korn is an MSU alumna.
