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John-Henry Cottrell's avatar

I teach HS physics and keep in touch with many of my prior students. A group of 5 go to UCLA, and we message each other during games as they play. I asked them, if they are so into their Alma Mater's football games, why aren;t they attending them in person? Change of priorities? The distance the Rose Bowl is from campus?

They all replied, distance had almost nothing to do with it, rather UCLA doubled the cost of the tickets this year for students. They simply couldn;t afford it, especially since they were the classic starving student.

I never heard anything more disheartening.

As stadiums are built smaller and competition for seats increases, I could understand the increase of costs for the average fan... but students should always have near free experiences, so that ALL students can have that experience when they are attending, not just the well-off. Students have more attachment then any of us.. plus its the student sections that drive games to be great fun for all of us.

That colleges just see their own students as revenue streams is just sad, but tells us all how they view us all... just a box in an excel spreadsheet....

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Jamin AAsum's avatar

It was 1995, I had graduated from the U of O Architecture program in the summer and had just got my first job. I told them I couldn't start until January 4th. I had to go to the Rose Bowl to watch the Ducks play. My best friend and I borrowed my mom's car and drove down. I took a couple dozen "Gang Green" hats a friend had made and we sold for 10$ each to pay for gas. We slept in the car and cleaned up in restaurant restrooms along the way. Peter Jacobson held a pre game "tailgate" on the golf course next to the stadium where his cover band played. We couldn't afford to get into the food and drink area but we were able to hang out and listen to the music. The trip was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Somehow there must be a way for fans to have low entry points to college sports events.

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