VOR, this makes absolutely no sense.  If the budget is $20 million and you take away $10 million where are you going to come up with the other $10 million to continue operations?  You'd have to increase fundraising, sponsorships or ticket prices or some combination thereof.

As for your gold section comment, the contribution on those went up from $50 to $75 for next year.  And finally, not all season tickets require a per seat contribution.  Only black, platinum, gold and silver requrie that.

Do us all a favor and argue the points rather than with the poster.  As it is now, I could offer you $100 for nothing and you'd find a reason to argue with me on that.

OK, this is the basketball forum, so just substitute basketball for football in the above.  Same argument, but I think Alan would be more happy seeing his logic extended to the gridiron sport rather than the hardwood one.

Pricing should simply be a product of supply and demand, meaning they find the pricing that optimizes revenues.  Hopefully the athletic department is making a smart move to do that, because that is what is best for the department.  Higher pricing does not always equal higher revenues, just ask the postal service.

It makes perfect sense, Alan.  Regardless of whether the student fee was there or not the athletic department would set their prices at the level they felt would maximize revenue.  If they aren't then they are idiots.  The more revenue they generate the more they have to work with in their budget.  They will always be trying to maximize all their revenue streams (sponsorships, donations, ticketing) because it brings more resources for the department.  If you think they are doing otherwise, you are an idiot! 

The $10M in student fees subsidy absolutely is necessary for the athletic department to function at the level it does.  If they did not have it they would be crippled, but the idea that they would be able to magically generate that $10M to maintain the level they are at is absurd.  Bottom line is that if the student fee were to go away the university would need to either decided to reallocate resources to continue to support the department or make the decision to drop football a level and possibly the entire athletic department as the sustainability of the department would be a huge questions.

Also, I am fully aware that all season tickets do not require seat donations.  I never said they did.  You want to know why they don't all have a seat donation?  Because the market will not support it!  If they threw a seat donation on every season ticket or increased the prices significantly they would lose a large number of season ticket holders and would ultimately lose revenue.  However, in select sections (Gold and platinum) they are able to make a significant increase because they are confident that the loss of season ticket holders will be more than offset by the increase in revenue from the people that remain.  They would not do it otherwise. 

Believe it or not, I do not argue with the poster.  I argue with the poster's points and 99% of the time I disagree with your points because they are driven by an agenda against the AD and are constructed to advance your agenda.  Any chance you get to be negative you take it.  This thread as an example, you started with the commentary on the percentage increase in price and an "Ouch!".  You are just trying to stir the pot and paint the department as blood suckers in the hopes that you can get some others to grab the pitchforks with you and take a stand.  You act like this is a huge deal when in reality it impacts four sections, a small percentage of season ticket holders, and most of which are willing to pay that premium for the outstanding seats and hospitality.  If you don't think it is worth it, don't buy it!  Get a season ticket in the gold section or the silver section.  Don't run to your computer an try to stir the pot.

In the end it means shelling out another 400 clams. Just pony up.

The seats are in bad condition!!!  Last game I went to, the cover was off, the foam picked or worn off and I sat on a metal wire that went across the seat.  Was not the most comfortable seat I've ever had.

Cost-wise, you're still much better off with season tickets. Not necessarily of the platinum or touchdown club variety, but with most of the mid-level locations you'll save money by only attending a couple games. The $30 and $35 ticket prices for football especially make season tickets the biggest steal around.

OBC news letter this week went over all of the increases for those of you that are curious.  It is on the website as well.

What is a "near NBA level experience"?

The Convo is no where near an NBA Experience, the halls, concessions and restrooms scream 1970. The smallest NBA Arena is a full 25% larger and last time I was in the building I had a seat with all the stuffing gone and bare wires exposed and my wife sat in a seat that was cracked all through the backrest. Not to mention that the Convocation center is the 5th largest arena in the state of Ohio for college basketball, add in the scoreboards and video boards sit along a wall and are almost always obstructed.

Please do not get me wrong I love the old lady, but to say near NBA experience?

More "travelling"? To/Fro, and on the court?

Seats for students surrounding the baskets for me is a must.  Anything to create a more intimidating environment.  I am surprised bleachers have not been installed in these areas.